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Tag: Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

  • Alleged N360m bribe: 23 INEC staff now to be tried in Rivers

    Alleged N360m bribe: 23 INEC staff now to be tried in Rivers

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has directed that the 23 staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) accused of accepting N360m bribe from Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State are to be tried in the state.

    In a ruling on Monday, Justice John Tsoho upheld the objection raised by the INEC staff against their being tried in Abuja since their alleged offence took place in Rivers State.

    The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) on March 7 this year, filed a seven-count charge against the 23 INEC staff for allegedly receiving N360m bribe from Wike in connection with the December 10, 2016, rerun elections in River State.

    Before they could be arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja, the defendants challenged the prosecution’s decision to conduct the proceedings in Abuja, when they were accused of receiving money in Rivers State.

    They sought the transfer of the case to Rivers State, a request the Prosecution objected to and insisted on their trial in Abuja.

    In his ruling, Justice Tsoho held that the charge ought to be filed in the capital of Rivers State, Port Harcourt, where the alleged offences were supposedly committed.

    The judge said the prosecution was unable to provide any cogent evidence of insecurity in Port Harcourt to justify the filing of the charge in Abuja.

    He said the prosecution failed to support, with evidence, its claims that there was “pervasive insecurity” in Port Harcourt and that the city has become ungovernable.

    The judge said the “frightening pictures” attached to the prosecution’s counter-affidavit have no proof of location and time of the incidents.

    He added that there was no evidence presented before the court to back the prosecution’s claim that there were daily reports of threat by cult groups in the state.

    Justice Tsoho said, in the absence of such evidence, provisions of Section 93 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 and Section 45 of the Federal High Court Act, providing that charges must be filed in the area or place where the alleged offences were committed “shall apply”.

    He consequently ordered the transfer of the case to Port Harcourt Division of the Federal High Court for the arraignment of the defendants.

     

  • Future elections will be better than 2015 –INEC

    Future elections will be better than 2015 –INEC

    The Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said the commission was committed to making future elections in the country better than the 2015 exercise.
    Yakubu made the pledge when he received the new United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Stuart Symington at INEC headquarters on Wednesday in Abuja.

    He expressed gratitude to the U.S. Government for its commendation of the 2015 polls.

    According to him, you have noted that the elections were well organised and were of international standard and accepted, contrary to the situation in the past where there were protests on the street after elections.

    “After the 2015 elections, there were jubilations on the streets and this further underscored the achievement of the commission and the steps that Nigeria has taken towards consolidating its democracy.

    “We appreciate your kind words; 2015 was a defining moment for Nigeria elections, but we want to assure you that the commission is conscious of its responsibility and we are committed to making future elections even better.

    “It is for that reason we are taking some steps in ensuring that the 2019 general elections are better that 2015 general elections,’’ Yakubu said.

    He said that one of the steps being taken was proper planning.

    “We have been planning ahead for 2019 general elections and beyond, and we have done so in many other areas in two ways.’’

    He disclosed that the commission would, from next week, commence the process of implementing its “2017-2021 Strategic Plan’’.

    The chairman said that the commission would also clean up voter register, conclude ongoing continuous voter registration in 774 local governments before the 2019 general elections, and continue the exercise later.

    He also listed the fixing of specific dates ahead of the 2019 general elections as well as deepening the use of technology as other steps being taken to improve on the country’s electoral system.

    Yakubu pledged that the commission would continue to work more closely with the US embassy to strengthen the country’s democracy and the electoral process.

    “There is a lot we share in common with the US in terms of our democratic evolution. America practices presidential system, Nigeria also practices the presidential system.

    “Many people don’t also realise that the Nigeria presidential democracy is second only to the US in terms of the size of registered voters.

    “As I speak today, Nigeria has 70 million registered voters, and US is the only country that practices presidential democracy that has more registered voters than Nigeria,’’ he added.

    Earlier, Symington had said that his visit to INEC was to learn how Nigeria conducted its elections, and commended the commission for the success of 2015 general elections.

    He said that conducting widely accepted elections had helped Nigeria to play a leading role expected of it in Africa.

    Symington said that majority views across the globe on the 2015 general elections was that the elections were conducted in the atmosphere of peace imposed by wind of hope and shaped by the certainty of comfort.

    “So, the combination of peace, hope and comfort seems to me a sort of key that is needed, going forward,’’ he said.

    He, however, listed good relationship and confidence between the leaders and the followers as some of the key factors required for good governance across the globe.

  • Supreme Court resolves jurisdiction issue against Oyo Rep member

    Supreme Court resolves jurisdiction issue against Oyo Rep member

    The Supreme Court has resolved that the Federal High Court has the jurisdiction to determine a case challenging the election of a member of the House of Representatives from Oyo State, Hon. Sumbo Olugbemi.

     

    Olugbemi is representing Oluyole Federal Constituency in the lower legislative chamber on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

     

    But his candidature is being challenged by Hon. Olujide Adewale, who is claiming that he defeated Olugbemi in the primary of the party for the post in 2014.

     

    Adewale dragged Olugbemi, the APC and its chairman in Oyo State, Chief Akin Oke and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to the Federal High Court, Ibadan, seeking the nullification of Olugbemi’s candidature and declaration that he was the duly elected candidate of the party for the 2015 House of Representatives election. He filed the case on October 24, 2014.

     

    But Olugbemi challenged the jurisdiction of the court to entertain Adewale’s claims in November, 2015. The court dismissed the application but the lawmaker appealed against the order.

     

    The Court of Appeal also upheld the decision of the Federal High Court, affirming that it had jurisdiction over the matter.

     

    Still dissatisfied, Hon. Olugbemi approached the Supreme Court over the order. But the apex court also upheld the decision of the lower courts in its judgment on Friday.

     

    In the copy of the judgment obtained by The Nation, Justice Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili, who read the lead judgment, affirmed: “Indeed, the matter herein is laid to rest as the two courts below were right in holding that the Federal High Court was seised with jurisdiction to hear the pre-election matter before the Federal High Court pursuant to Section 87 (9) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended). The controversy on the issue of main or principal or ancillary relief does not arise and this appeal definitely lacks merit as the concurrent findings and conclusion of the two courts below are not to be tampered with, the exceptions that would have empowered this Apex Court to so interfere , upset, disturb those findings and conclusion do not exist. This appeal is therefore dismissed.”

  • Court convicts INEC staff for accepting N70m bribe from Diezani

    Court convicts INEC staff for accepting N70m bribe from Diezani

    …Another employee abandons plea bargain

     

    The Federal High Court in Lagos Wednesday convicted an employee of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for accepting over N70million bribe from former Petroleum Minister Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke to rig the 2015 general election results.

    Justice Mohammed Idris convicted Tijani Inda Bashir for receiving cash payment of N70,050,000.00 after he pleaded guilty to an amended charge.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) re-arraigned him, Christian Nwosu and Yisa Adedoyin.

    They allegedly collected N264.88million bribe on March 27, 2015 from the former minister ahead of the election.

    Nwosu had earlier pleaded guilty to the charge and was convicted for the offence of receiving N30million bribe.

    But, Justice Idris rejected his plea bargain agreement with the EFCC involving payment of N500,000 fine and forfeiture of properties acquired with the money.

    The judge said Nwosu should either accept a heavier sentence, which includes N10million fine, or change his plea.

    When the defendants were re-arraigned yesterday, Nwosu changed his plea to not guilty.

    Bashir, who earlier pleaded not guilty, changed his plea to guilty.

    Mrs Alison-Madueke, said to be at large, was named in the charge.

    Prosecution counsel Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo urged the court to convict Bashir in view of his plea and to accept the plea bargain agreement reached with him, dated May 2.

    It was agreed in the plea bargain that Bashir would forfeit a parcel of land measuring 100ft by 100 at Taoheed Road, Budo-Osho Village, Illorin South Local Government Area in Kwara State.

    “That a fine of N10million is proposed to this Honourable Court to be imposed on him upon his conviction on count four of the amended charge.

    “That in paying the fine of N10million, the defendant shall raise a draft of N5million in addition to the sum of N5million already recovered from him,” the agreement reads in part.

    Reviewing the facts of the case, Oyedepo said EFCC received an intelligence in late 2004 that Mrs Alison-Madueke received gratification from various oil companies such as Northern Bet Oil and Gas, Auctus Integrated Company and an oil magnate Adesanya Laitan.

    “The total sum received was $115,010,000. It was kept in the custody of a bank which received instructions to convert the sums to naira and distribute to the 36 states and the FCT.

    “Our investigation established that the second defendant (Bashir) in conjunction with the first defendant (Nwosu) signed a receipt for N264,880,” Oyedepo said.

    He tendered the receipt and Bashir’s statement in evidence.

    “We discovered that though he signed for a total of N264,880, we found as a fact that he received N70,050,000 from the third defendant.

    “Out of the N70million, he only benefited N28million, which has been forfeited. The property he acquired with it has been recovered. We have the deed of assignment and plan,” Oyedepo said.

    The lawyer tendered the receipt of payment as well as bank draft of N5million in favour of EFCC Recovered Funds Main account.

    He urged the court to convict the defendant in line with the terms of the plea bargain agreement.

    Ruling, Justice Idris held: “From the facts, the second defendant benefited in the sum of N28million which has been fully recovered by the EFCC.

    “The property of the second defendant in Illorin has been recovered. According to the prosecution, this property is worth more than N25million.

    “And a draft in the sum of N5million has been recovered and surrendered to the EFCC. In essence, assets and cash in excess of N30million have been recovered by EFCC.

    “It’s not in contention that the second defendant is both elderly and a first time offender. Therefore, the court will temper justice with mercy.

    “It is in the light of the above that I find the plea bargain agreement acceptable. It in consonance with Section 370 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, and it is also not in contravention of Section 16 (2) (b) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act.

    “In the light of the above, judgment be and is hereby entered against the second defendant in terms of the agreement. This is the judgment of the court.”

    Oyedepo urged the court to return the case to the Chief Judge for reassignment to another judge for the trial of other defendants.

    He said the ACJL provides that where a judge refuses a plea bargain and a defendant changes his plea to not guilty, the trial would be before a different judge.

    But Nwosu’s lawyer, Obinna Ilene, said the trial could go on before Justice Idris since Nwosu had been rearranged.

    He also alleged that his client was induced to plead guilty and that EFCC imposed a lawyer on him, but Oyedepo denied the allegations.

    “We found out that he was put under intense pressure. He has been in detention for over one month. A counsel was also imposed on him,” he said.

    Justice Idris asked the parties to address him on whether the case should be reassigned to another judge.

    He adjourned till May 15 for hearing of Nwosu’s bail application and for counsel to address him.

     

  • INEC Chief urges residents to collect unclaimed PVCs in Ondo

    INEC Chief urges residents to collect unclaimed PVCs in Ondo

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ondo state has urged those who registered in 2016 Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) and the ones preceeding it without claiming the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to come and collect them at INEC offices in the 18 local government areas of the state.

    About 380,000 cards yet to be collected are in the custody of INEC in the state.

    Speaking in Akure, the INEC State Administrative Secretary, Alhaji Kabir Omosanya noted that the step was the only prerequisite to exercise their franchise during elections.

    According to him, a credible register of voters is the bedrock of free, fair and credible elections, stressing that international best practices require that such a register must continuously be updated to enhance its quality and making electoral process more inclusive.

    Omosanya hailed the present regime of Prof Mahmud Yakubu at the INEC for ensuring that a vital statutory injunction is fulfilled.

    He noted that Section 9 to 12 of the 2010 Electoral Act (As Amended) directs INEC to compile, maintain and update on continuous basis a National Register of Voters.

    However the INEC officer observed that all along, the actualization of the statutory injunction has not been realized, stressing that what the Commission did in the past was to organize Voter Registration exercise as it was exigent before every election.

    He said the Voter Registry and Information Communication Technology (ICT) Department have worked out the best modality for the conduct of the exercise nationwide.

    Also, the Supervising National Commissioner for Ondo state, Dr Adekunle Ogunmola said the exercise would be all the year round.

    He charged leaders of political parties across the country to encourage their members to participate in the national assignment.

  • INEC lauds people’s turnout for voter registration in Ebonyi

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commended the turnout of people for the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in Ebonyi.

    Prof. Okechukwu Ibeanu, the National Commissioner of INEC, gave the commendation in Abakaliki on Friday.

    He urged prospective voters, who had yet to register, to partake in the CRV, which started on Thursday in all the 13 the Local Government Areas of the state.

    Ibeanu stressed that the exercise was not for those who had registered before and warned against double registration which, he said, was an offence.

    “The exercise is for all those who have attained the age of 18 years after the last voter registration as well as all those who failed to register in the last voter registration due to one reason or the other.

    “INEC is also using the exercise to distribute Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), while attending to those who registered in one place but want to transfer to another location,” he said.

    Ibeanu said that the exercise would hold every day between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. from Mondays to Fridays, except for public holidays.

    Mr Charles Mbanaji, Administrative Secretary of INEC in Ebonyi, called on those who were qualified to vote to come out and register.

    “The registration takes place at INEC offices in the 13 local government areas of the state,’’ he said.

    A student, Chukwudi Anajoru, who said that he turned 18 two years ago, recalled that he was unable to register during the last voter registration because of some health challenges.

    “As a result of my health challenges, I could not register then but now, I am ready for the exercise,’’ he said.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that security agents were on hand at the registration centres ensure a hitch-free exercise.

  • Accord Party candidate wins Warri South 1 by-election

    Accord Party candidate wins Warri South 1 by-election

    Mrs Shola Daibo of the Accord Party has been declared the winner of  Wednesday by-election in Warri South Constituency 1 of Delta state by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Mr Olatunbosun Odusanya, the Local Government Collation and Returning Officer of INEC, declared the result on Wednesday night.

    Odusanya said that Daibo polled 5,546 to defeat her closest rival, Mr Stanley Emiko of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who scored 2,010.

    He also said that Mr Ojere Edeyinbo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 182 votes.

    The returning officer said that total vote cast was 8,100 across the six Wards in the constituency.

    “Total registered voters in the constituency is 69, 537, accredited voters, 8,186, valid votes 7,837, rejected votes 263 while the total votes cast is 8,100.

    “I, hereby, declared Daibo winner of the election, having scored the highest number of votes,” he said.

    Responding, Daibo assured the people of quality representation at the parliament.

    “I thank you all for believing in me and I promise that I will not disappoint you,” she said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the by-election was conducted amid tight security.

    The exercise followed the death of Mrs Omawumi Udoh,(56) on Dec. 13, 2016.

  • Court to reopen hearing case against Tambuwal on May 23

    Court to reopen hearing case against Tambuwal on May 23

    Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja has agreed to reopen hearing in the case seeking the removal of Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal.

    Justice Kolawole took the decision Wednesday after dismissing the counter arguments by lawyers to Tambuwal and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jibrin Okutepa (SAN) and Sunday Ameh (SAN).

    The judge Fixed May 23 for hearing in the case originally filed in January 2015 by two former aspirants for the governorship position of Sokoto State on the platform of the APC – Umaru Dahiru and Abubakar Sanyinna

    The plaintiff’s filed the suit in January 2015 challenging the December 2014 APC’s governorship primaries which produced Tambuwal as the candidate of the party for the main election which later held on April 11, 2015.

    The plaintiffs, who queried the outcome of the primary that produced Tambuwal as the party’s candidate, want the court to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting primary’s outcome because of alleged irregularities that characterised the exercise.

    The case suffered delays as decision of the Federal High Court on the preliminary issue of jurisdiction went up to the Supreme Court until the apex court, in a December 9, 2016 judgment ordered the trial court to assume jurisdiction and hear it on the merit.

    But, on March 10, 2017, Justice Kolawole, to who the case was reassigned, struck out the “case file” following the wrong numbering of the suit by the court’s Registry.

    Justice Kolawole noted the number in the suit before him was different from the one remitted to the Federal High Court for hearing by the Supreme Court.

    Shortly after Justice Kolwale’s March 10 ruling, striking out the file, the plaintiffs went before the court’s Registry to rectify the error in numbering, following which the case was resent to Justice Kolawole for hearing.

    When the case came up Wednesday, Roland Otaru (SAN) announced appearance for the plaintiffs and said he was holding the brief of Awa Kalu (SAN).

    He told the court that he was ready for hearing in line with the Supreme Court’s directive of expeditious hearing of the case.

    But, Okutepa and Ameh objected to Otaru’s appearance in the case and faulted the further affidavit filed on behalf of the plaintiffs.

    They noted that the motion newly filed for change of the plaintiffs’ address of service was tantamount to an application seeking to replace Otaru with Kalu as the lead lawyer for the plaintiff.

    They argued that the motion which according to them was by implication seeking a change of the plaintiffs’ counsel, was incompetent because it was filed without leave of court and therefore in breach of Orders 9(35) and (36) of the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules 2009.

    They also said the further affidavit filed by the plaintiffs was in breach of the court’s rules as it was filed without being directed by the court.

    Okutepa said he only filed his own written address accompanying his counter-affidvait out of abundance of caution.

    Ameh said the case cannot proceed to hearing because he has not filed a written address in support of his counter-affidavit to the suit.

    He said he was relying on the court’s rules which required a directive of court for such to be filed.

    Lawyer to INEC, I.S Mohammed appealed for time to enable him confirm whether the documents (originating process) newly filed by the plaintiffs have been served on his office.

    Mohammed also said he needed time to study the new further affidavit to know if there were fresh issues which would require the commission’s response.

    Responding, Otaru said the objection by the two defence lawyers was “misplaced and vexatious”.

    He opted to withdraw the application for change of the plaintiffs’ address of service, but stressed that the application was different from one seeking change of counsel.

    Otaru told the court that Kalu was still the plaintiffs’ lead counsel and that he only held his (Kalu’s) brief.

    He said none of the defence counsel had been able to show that he did not have Kalu’s instruction to appear in the case.

    Ruling, Justice Kolawole said everything must be done to ensure that the directive of the Supreme Court, for prompt hearing of the case, was adhered to prevent the situation where the case will be rendered mere academic exercise.

    The judge agreed to give opportunity to Tambuwal’s lawyer to file his client’s written address within 7 days

    He said the plaintiffs, when served with the written address, if so desired must file a reply on point of law within seven days thereafter.

    Justice Kolawole adjourned to May 23 for hearing of the suit and the preliminary objection filed by the defence

     

  • Delta: INEC distributes voting materials ahead of April 26 by-election

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has distributed voting materials ahead of Delta House of Assembly by-election  (DTHA)  for Warri South 1 slated for April 26 in Warri.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr Baritor Kpagi, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Asaba on Monday.

    NAN reports that the Speaker Monday Igbuya of DTHA had in March written to INEC in the state declaring the Warri South 1 State Constituency seat vacant following the death and burial of Hon. Beatrice Omawumi Udoh.

    Udoh, 56, who was representing DTHA in the house died last December in a London hospital.

    Kpagi said the distribution of the materials was monitored by the agents of each political party who took part in opening the 15 cartoons.

    He said the agents took the serial numbers of the materials that were taken to Warri under police escort.

    Kpagi said the commission could not conduct a free, fair and credible election alone, hence, the presence of the political party agents.

    He appealed to all the political parties to play their parts well for the election to be free and fair.
    According to him, “it is high time Nigerians began not to expect the presence of security operatives during elections because we are not going to war.”

    Mr Alex Ufuoma, a People Democratic Party (PDP) agent said the INEC officials showed the materials to the party agents before they were transported to Warri.

    Ufuoma said and that there had been no challenges so far.

    Mr Micheal Tidi, an Accord Party agent, said he was pleased with the development.

  • Obaseki grateful for Tribunal victory

    Obaseki grateful for Tribunal victory

    Governor Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki of Edo State has expressed gratitude to the people of his state for his recent victory over the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu at the Edo Election Petition Tribunal, which sat at the Edo State High Court in Benin City, the State capital.

    While the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Godwin Obaseki the winner of the September 28, 2016 gubernatorial elections in Edo State, the PDP and Ize-Iyamu had written a petition challenging the result of the election and praying to be declared winner.

    The Tribunal, which sat to heart the petition however concluded proceedings on Friday, upholding the declaration of Governor Obaseki as winner of the elections.

    In a statement from the office of the governor, Obaseki said: “This victory at the tribunal  would have been impossible without the support of the multitude of well-wishers, soldiers and champions of democracy, who stood firmly with me and the good people of our state as we fought in defence of a mandate freely given, which we consider to be divine”.

    In addition, the governor appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for what he described as “his fatherly counsel and unwavering commitment to democracy and good governance” and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for “his wisdom, encouragement, and relentless support”.

    Continuing, Governor Obaseki also praised Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, National Chairman of APC for remaining a strong pillar and the judiciary for being an impartial arbiter and helping to defend democracy.

    Meanwhile, he acknowledged the impact of the media, saluting them for stirring rigorous debate, even as he lauded the support of the party faithful and the security forces who helped to maintain law and order.

    Also on the governor’s list of appreciation was his predecessor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who he said helped to liberate the state from the home of political irresponsibility, praying that history would be kind to the former governor.

    He, however, urged opposition parties to join him in building a progressive and prosperous state, noting that although their opposition helped his administration stay focused, he would refrain from gloating in victory and that the season of contestation was over.

    He said: “To all my dear citizens of Edo State at home and abroad, let me state again that our victory at the tribunal is a challenge to work hard on our promise to move Edo forward. Finally, all appreciation and honour goes to God Almighty for being our guide and guard. May His blessings be upon us all”.