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Tag: documents

  • Witness presents documents confirming Akpabio’s victory

    A mild played out at the elections petition tribunal in Akwa Ibom State when a witness, Mr. Godwin Afangideh, presented a document confirming that Senator Godswill Akpabio of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the Akwa Ibom Northwest senatorial election.

    Lawyer to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Solomon Umoh had given Afangideh a document presented by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to read to the tribunal.

    The document was an exhibit presented by INEC in a petition by Akpabio, challenging the declaration of Christopher Ekpenyong of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the Senator for Akwa Ibom North West.

    Afangide, reading from the document given to him by Umoh, said: “My Lord, even from this document, APC scored 61,329 and PDP scored 9,050 in Essien Udim council, and it is recorded here.”

    Umoh had attempted to shout Afangide from reading that part of the document.

    Afangide had earlier tendered results collated from wards in Essien Udim as given to him by the party agents, which clearly showed that Akpabio won with a wide margin.

    Read Also: ‘Those fighting Akpabio will fail’

    The witness expressed surprise at the voters’ register tendered in court, saying it was different from the one used on election day. According to Afangide, the elections in Essien Udim were peaceful, as attested to by security agencies, local and foreign observers.

    Two policemen, Commander of Ikot Ekpene Area Command, Assistant Commissioner of Police Naziru Kankarofi and the Divisional Police Officer of Essien Udim, Samuel Isiek, on subpoena tendered situation reports on the conduct of the National Assembly elections.

    The reports were duly admitted as exhibits despite the initial objections of Umoh, respondents’ lawyer Chief Kanu Agabi and INEC’s lawyer Robert Emukpoeruo. They reserved their objections till final addresses.

    Another Witness, Chris Akpan, who was a ward collation agent, told the tribunal that the results declared by INEC in Uyo did not reflect collated results from the units and wards.

    He was also surprised hearing about violence, saying they were hearing of violence for the first time at the tribunal.

    Akpabio had so far called 14 witnesses, mostly ward agents, who have tendered duly collated results. Results so far tendered showed he had led his opponent with a wide margin before INEC cancelled the results in Uyo.

  • Documents transferring Benue governor’s security aides forged, says Police

    Some undesirable elements have begun the use of forgery and fabrication of subversive documents to worsen the crises in Benue State and other parts of the country, the Nigeria police force has warned.

    According to Nigeria Police Force spokesman Moshood Jimoh, a document purported to be an official signal from the office of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) was to generating anti-police sentiments and roll back the progress being made in troubled Benue State.

    He said that the ‘transfer document’ was causing  concerns within and outside the Northcentral state as it has been alleged that the development was a confirmation of police bias and a deliberate intention to remove the Benue State governors’ Aide de Camp (ADC) and Chief Security Officer (CSO).

    There was no confirmation yet from the Benue state government on the redeployment of the officers.

    The 10-page document titled ‘Force Re-Organisation SPOs Benue State Police Command’ purportedly orders the Commissioner of Police in charge of Benue State Command, to post out all 137 police officers of Benue State origin who are of the rank of Assistant Superintendent and Chief Superintendent of Police, to other states.

    It also expressed a purported order from the IGP for the 137 officers of Benue State origin to be scattered across Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Imo, Kano, Katsina, Ondo, Osun and Oyo states.

    In their place, non-Benue officers from Abia, Bayelsa, Lagos, Imo, Osun, Ondo, Rivers, Katsina, Oyo, Kano, Anambra, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Ebonyi and Adamawa states have allegedly been shortlisted as replacements in Benue State.

     

    “The Inspector-General of Police has ordered the transfer of the officers in/out of Benue State Command as indicated against their names.

    “Warn and release the officers to proceed to their new Commands on or before 19th of April please,” stated the document bearing a purported signature and official stamp of the Force Secretary, Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Abdul Bube, on behalf of the IGP.

    Jimoh refuted the issuance of such document by the Police, saying that no such directive emanated from the Police headquarters.

    The police spokesman said: “Unpatriotic elements who are hell-bent on causing disaffection and worsening the security the security situation are at work, adding that police is putting its machinery in motion towards bringing such elements to justice.

    “The purported signal directing removal of Benue indigenes from the state police command is completely fake in its entirety. The letterhead resembles a poor forgery and anyone found culpable in its fabrication and spread will be dealt with accordingly.”

     

    There was also no confirmation of such development from the Benue State government.

    Ortom’s Special Adviser on Media/ICT Tahav Agerzua replied in a text message thus: “As at last Thursday, 12th April, 2018, when the governor commenced his leave, I was not aware of such a transfer but I have to find out.”

  • Right of Way: Lagos seeks submission of documents

    The Lagos State Government has appealed to property owners of  affected buildings on the  Right of Way (RoW) corridor of ongoing road projects in various areas of the state to submit relevant documents. This is to enable the government fast-track the processing of the compensation to be paid to persons affected.

    In a statement, signed by Mrs. Bukola Nwonah, head, Public Affairs, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development (MPP& UD), the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Rotimi Ogunleye, was quoted as saying: “The Lagos state government is presently collating and assessing the documents of those that have submitted the required documents, but observed that some are yet to submit. We are concerned that affected owners at Murtala Mohammed International Airport road in particular have not turned in their documents. We are, therefore, appealing to all that are yet to submit in any of the project areas to do so immediately so that we can process the payment of compensation quickly.”

    The projects in question are: Igbe/Igbogbo/Bola Ahmed Tinubu Road and Agric-Isawo Road in Ikorodu Local Government Area; Agege Pen Cinema and adjoining roads in Agege Local Government Area and Murtala Mohammed Airport Road at Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area of the state.

    Ogunleye urged those affected to submit documents such as Certified Registered Title Document of Properties within the said Right of Way; Approved Building Plan Permit for the affected structures, and any other relevant document as Proof of ownership. Such documents should be submitted to the office of the Commissioner, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development at Block 15, The Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja.

    He also appealed to stakeholders to continue to support the efforts of the state government, saying the massive infrastructural developments in various parts of the state were in line with the vision of the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to engender a safe, habitable, tourism-friendly environment for Lagosians. He added that the government appreciated the cooperation demonstrated by the people so far and appealed for continued support until the road projects are delivered for public use.

     

  • $350m Eurobond invested by govt, documents reveal

    $350m Eurobond invested by govt, documents reveal

    The $350million Eurobond facility  for the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) Plc  is not missing, contrary to an observation by Senator Dino Melaye at plenary last week.

    The cash, which is with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), was invested and the trial balance sheet is now over $380, 148,891.

    It was learnt that the government was shocked that Melaye misled the Senate by alleging fraud in the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing.

    Tthe over $1billion Eurobond was sourced by the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, according to a fact sheet released yesterday which also indicated that out of the $1billion Eurobond, about $350million went to the NBET, about $150million to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN)  and about $500million for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

    The document indicated that since there was no “urgent need for the $350million by NBET” in January 2015, former Minister of Finance Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala advised that it should be placed with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) to yield interest.

    Okonjo-Iweala, who was conscious of the transition to a new government, took the step to avoid the funds being tampered with.

    The document stated: “As at period ended 30 September 2017, the total managed fund of NBET was $380, 148, 891 signaling an interest of over $30million.

    “The breakdown of the investments is available at the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA). No cash is either missing or stolen.

    “No amount can be withdrawn by any supervising Minister or NBET except by the express approval of the President, who has not given such permission.

    A top government source, who spoke in confidence, said: “I think the Senator should have been more diligent by asking for details from the appropriate ministry or agency instead of raising false alarm that the Buhari administration has spent the $350million. He could as well invoke the FOI Act to obtain all relevant documents.

    “Melaye simply misled his colleagues by saying emphatically that the cash had been withdrawn and shared.”

    On other issues raised, the government source added: “All the facts will be made available to the National Assembly.”

    Melaye , who is expected to move a substantive motion on the $350million on Tuesday said:  “In July 2013, the Federal Government raised $1billion from Eurobond issue from which $350 million was given to NBET (Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) Plc) in 2014. This money was stolen in installments .”Sometime last year, again, the Ministry of Power came up with an idea of a project they called Afam Fast Power. This project is supposed to build new generating plants to add power to our grid.

    “There are a few questions we need to ask and that is why I need the nod of the Senate to bring a substantive motion on the next legislative day.”

    “Up till date, there is no detail on building new generating plants or a feasibility study. There is no appropriation by the National Assembly for these projects.

    “The ministry has spent so far $35 million on the Afam Fast Power Project which has no appropriation or detailed feasibility study. How and when was this money appropriated? We need to find out. How was $29million purportedly paid to General Electric for turbines when $6 million was paid to others?”

    ”We need the Senate to investigate this after moving a substantive motion. I ask this house to give us the opportunity to continue with the true anti-corruption fight of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

    Read Also: Senate queries misuse of $1.35b power sector funds

  • FRSC: 100 fined for expired documents, tyres

    FRSC: 100 fined for expired documents, tyres

    The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) yesterday said over 100 persons have been penalised by its Badagry Unit in the last two months for driving with expired documents and tyres.

    The unit Commander, Raphael Aderemi gave the figure while appealing for safe driving practices among residents.

    He said about 30 vehicles were impounded within the period, adding that the unit has been canvassing safer highways in order to put safety consciousness in drivers as December drew closer.

    According to him, the focus was to ensure all vehicles plying the highways were road worthy.

    The operatives together with some Special Marshals attached to unit RS2.112 Iba/Ijanikin, mounted road blocks yesterday on the Mile Two-Badagry Expressway to check vehicles, with special focus on commercial buses and heavy duty trucks.

    Aderemi said the checks was to also slow down speeding drivers because they had observed that during the ember months, most drivers are usually on top speed without recourse to their safety of those of others.

    He said: “That few minutes you are stopped to get to answer some questions put across to you by FRSC operatives will help to slow you down if you are flying. It will also help refresh you as you may have traveled long journey to get to the check point.”

  • Delta poll: Tribunal rejects INEC’s witness’ documents

    The Chairman of Delta State Election Petitions Tribunal, Justice Gunmi Nasiru, yesterday rejected the exhibits tendered by a witness of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, are challenging the declaration of Dr Ifeanyi Okowa as winner of the April 11 election at the tribunal.

    At yesterday’s continuation of the hearing, Okowa’s lawyer, Dr. Alex Iziyon (SAN), leading an INEC official, Mrs. Ehikhametalo Mercy in evidence-in-chief, had sought to tender four documents from her as exhibits.

    Among the documents are: (A) Certify True Copy (CTC) of Card Reader uploaded as at Thursday, April 16, 2015; (B) CTC of unit accreditation report yet to be uploaded for the governorship election as of April 16, 2015; (C) the notification of the APC governorship primary for December 2, 2014 and (D) the INEC report of the APC congress of December 4, 2015.

    APC’s lawyer, Thompson Okpoko (SAN), objected to the admissibility of documents A and B, noting that they were computer-generated.

    The eminent lawyer averred that there was no evidence before the tribunal that the document to be tendered was produced by the witness.

    He argued that the documents did not meet the mandatory requirements of Section 84, sub-section 2 of the Evidence Act, and was not admissible.

    Dr. Iziyon urged the tribunal to rely on a similar ruling of the tribunal on September 7 and allow documents to be admitted since they are relevant to the case.

    In a short ruling, the tribunal said: “We have no doubt in our minds that what she sought to tender were documents uploaded from the Card Reader servers. But there is no indication anywhere, showing that the documents the witness sought to tender were data-generated by computer; she used the computer to type it.

    “In view of our analysis above, we believe that our ruling of September 7 is not similar to this. We believe that the objections of Okpoko (SAN) to the admissibility of these documents are germane.

    “We believe that the two documents are computer-generated documents. There is nothing on the face of the document to show that it complied with Section 84 of the Evidence Act. In view of this, we hereby agree that the documents are not admissible and they are hereby rejected.”

     

  • NIMASA, NSPMC partner on new seafarers’medic certification documents

    The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has introduced new Seafarer’s Medical Certification Documents in compliance with requirements of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006 and Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) 1998 as amended.

    Presenting the documents to stakeholders in Lagos, its Acting Director-General (DG), Mr. Haruna Baba Jauro, said better compliance is one of the key areas in which the agency plays its role of domesticating International Maritime Laws and Conventions that help to keep maritime activities and the marine environment safe, its Head, Public Relations, Hajia Lami Tumaka explained in a statement at the weekend.

    Represented by Director, Maritime Safety and Seafarers Standards Department, Vincent Udoye, an engineer,  Jauro said the new documents on certification are more secure as they are printed with better security features in collaboration with the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Cooperation (NSPMC) to ensure that Medical Certificates of fitness for seafarers in Nigeria are authentic and in line with international standards.

    Accordingly, the DG further assured all stakeholders in the sector “that NIMASA as an Agency of the government will continue to strive to meet the needs of the sector through better administration of safety standards in all facets of maritime operations”.

    In compliance with other international maritime laws to which Nigeria is a party, notably the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS ’74) and the Search and Rescue (SAR) 1978 Conventions, among others, the Agency has also implemented measures, such as procurement of patrol boats, ambulances and priority operational vehicles in addition to facilitating capacity building of human resources towards the successful implementation of these conventions.

  • Tribunal: INEC tenders 70,000 documents in Isiaka, Amosun suit

    THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday tendered before the  Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abeokuta over 70, 000 documents used during the last April 11 governorship election in Ogun State.

    The electoral materials – some of which were packed in over a dozen “Ghana-must-go” bags, were ferried into the court premises in four Hilux Pick-Up vans marked (PRESIDENCY) FG 66 – U01, FG 67 – U01, FG 68 – U01 and FG 70 – U01.

    The documents were tendered based on court subpoena at the request of the state’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Gboyega Isiaka.

    They were certified true copies of Voters’ Register Record; result sheets, incident forms and original copies of ballot papers used in nine local governments councils, where the results were being challenged by Isiaka.

    The local governments are Abeokuta North, Abeokuta South, Odeda, Ewekoro, Ifo, Obafemi-Owode Sagamu and Remo North.

    Isiaka is challenging the declaration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun as winner of the April 11 governorship polls by INEC.

    The INEC materials used for the polls were brought to the court by its Deputy Director, Head of Department, Electoral Operations in Ogun State, Samuel Ogunjemilua, who also tendered them.

    Ogunjemilua was asked to appear before the tribunal, following a writ of subpoena dated August 12, as applied for by  Isiaka’s counsel, Adetunji Oyeyipo (SAN). The request was granted by the court.

    The subpoena ordered INEC to produce, bring and tender the documents used in areas where results are being challenged before the tribunal.

    A schedule of documents brought before the court showed results from 1, 626 polling units and 820 incident forms.

    Other documents included 70,024 sheets of Voter Register, 1,913 results sheets, including EC8A and EC8B, and others.

    Before the documents were tendered, the counsel for Amosun, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), opposed the documents being tendered by INEC official without swearing an oath.

    “If he is to tender, he is duty bound to comply with what he has been brought to court to do; nobody can take the court for granted,” Fagbemi argued.

    Counsel for APC and INEC – George Oyeniyi and Oluwadare Ogunnaike – aligned with Fagbemi.

    They posited that the subpoenaed should swear like every other witness before tendering any document.

    But Adetunji  Oyeyipo disagreed, citing the decision of the Court of Appeal in Olaniyan Vs Oyewole (2008) to buttress his position.

    But the tribunal chairman, Justice Henry Olusiyi, anchoring his ruling on Famakinwa Vs University of Ibadan and Akanno Vs. Nigeria Army, 2008, held that the subpoenaed should be taken for his title.

    He  added that he (the INEC official) is neither competent nor be compelled to be sworn or affirmed.

    The tribunal adjourned till today for the petitioner to tender more documents at subsequent sittings of the tribunal and for continuation of trial.

     

  • Stakeholders canvass title documents’ perfection

    Stakeholders canvass title documents’ perfection

    In an effort  to identify the challenges associated with the perfection of titles and the way forward, a law firm, Tayo Tiwo and Co, in collaboration with a public affairs  consulting firm, SOFUNIX Investment and Communications, last weekend organised a one-day seminar in Lagos, with the theme: Perfection of titles in Nigeria: Issues and Resolutions.

    Resource persons and participants brainstorme discussed the following topics: “Perfection of Titles: Issues , resolutions and the role of Directorate of  Land Service “ anchored by the Lagos State Director of Land Service, Mr. Tunde Oyegbola; “Importance of Survey Plans in Perfection of Titles” by the Lagos Surveyor General and Permanent Secretary, Joseph Agbenla; “Tax Payable in Perfection of issues” anchored by the Chairman of Board of Inland Revenue, Mr. Babatunde Fowler; “Registration of Titles and Allied Matters,” by the Registrar of Titles Land Registry Directorate, Mrs. Modupe Osho-Adebiyi; “Rules and Procedures in Perfection Issues by General Counsel, United Bank for Africa Plc, Mr. Sam Adimkamkwu among others.

    The Managing Solicitor, Tayo Tiwo and Co, Mr. Tayo Tiwo, expressed satisfaction that the workshop  addressed many grey areas that has always posed challenges to effective and efficient perfection of titles. Tiwo explained that the workshop addressed many fundamental issues, especially, delays and queries in perfection of issues among others.

    Corroborating Tiwo, the Cheif Executive Officer, SOFUNIX Investment and Communications, Mr. Sola Oni, said  the workshop could not have come at a better time in view of the continuos demand for perfection of titles in Nigeria. Oni said that the workshop leveraged on the technical, professional and experiences of the participants to find a lasting solutions to the challenges of perfection of titles in Nigeria.

     

  • Eligibility: Court orders service of documents on Jonathan

    Eligibility: Court orders service of documents on Jonathan

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered that President Goodluck Jonathan be served with court documents in relation to a fresh suit challenging his eligibility to stand for re-election.

    Justice Ahmed Mohammed granted an ex-parte order directing the service of the court documents on the President either through the office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF) or the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

    The judge made order for substituted service on the court documents on Jonathan in view of the complaint by the plaintiff, Nkemjika Nkemjika that it was impossible to effect personal service on the President, who resides in the well-fortified Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

    Nkemjika, in the suit is urging the court to determine whether, having regard to the provisions of sections 135(1)(b) and 135(2)(b) of the Constitution, President Jonathan was qualified  to contest this year’s presidential election.

    Named as defendants with Jonathan, include the AGF, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the National Assembly.

    It is the plaintiff’s main contention that President Jonathan’s second term in office will end on May 29 this year, because Section 135(2)(b) of the Constitution that determines the tenure of office of the country’s President, did not make any provision for a Vice-President to complete the unexpired tenure of office or unexpired term of office  of a deceased President.

    He contended that President Jonathan would have been eligible to contest this year’s presidential election if he had won an election overseen by the Senate President in 2010 in accordance with the provision of Section 146(2) of the Constitution.

    Justice Mohammed has adjourned hearing in the case to February 26.