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Tag: Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu

  • Our stay in prison has elevated us to African statesmen, Orbih

    State Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, Chief Dan Orbih, has said that the one night he and other spent in Benin Prison has elevated their status to African statesmen.

    Chief Orbih, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, a former Deputy Governor, Mr. Lucky Imasuen, a former member of the House of Representatives, Tony Azegbemi and Efe Anthony spent last Thursday night in prison custody after they could not meet the bail conditions set by Justice P.I Adjokwu.

    They were arraigned on eight count charges of laundering the sum of N700m in 2015.

    Read Also:Ize-Iyamu, Orbih, other Edo PDP leaders to spend weekend in prison

    The money was believed to be part the $115m Allison Diezani pilfered from the treasury to fund the 2015 general elections.

    They were released from custody at about 10:30pm on Friday night.

    Addressing party supporters who paid him solidarity at his residence, Chief Orbih said people who were sentenced to long years imprisonment later came out to rule the country.

    Chief Orbih vowed to continue to advance the course of the common man.

    According to him, “For the first time in the history of our state, documents that were not signed during the day were signed at9:30pm. The documents of Pastor Ize-Iyamu were declared missing.

    “They did not sign his papers because they wanted him to stay for the weekend. You can plan evil but evil will be defeated.

    “When you see any government using organs of government to oppress and intimidate opposition, you will know the end of that government is near.”

  • Ex-deputy Governor, Ize-Iyamu spends first night in prison

    A former Deputy Governor of Edo state, Mr, Lucky Imasuen and a former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu spent their first night in prison custody after they allegedly failed to meet the bail conditions granted them by a Federal High Court.

    Others arraigned alongside Imasuen that also spent Thursday night in prison were State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, a former member of the House of Representatives, Tony Azegbemi and Efe Anthony.

    They were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on eight count charges of laundering the sum of N700 million.

    The money was believed to be part of the $115m Allison Diezani pilfered from the treasury to fund the 2015 general elections.

    They were granted bail of N10 million each, with sureties in like sum who must be in grade level 16 and above and must be house owners, with Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) that should be deposited with the court’s deputy registrar.

    Justice P.I Adjokwu remanded in custody pending when they meet their applications for bail despite plea by counsel to Ize-Iyamu, Mr Charles Edosomwan, that they be kept in the custody of the EFCC.

    However, a statement by the State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Chris Nehikhare, explained that only one of the five could not meet his bail conditions.

    Nehikhare said the other four decided to spend the night in prison in solidarity.

    “They are all in high spirit and expected to perfect their bail condition today”.

  • Breaking: Court remands Ize-Iyamu, Orbih, others

    A Federal High Court sitting in Benin City has remanded Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Chief Dan Orbih, a former Deputy Governor, Mr, Lucky Imasuen, a former member of the House of Representatives, Tony Azegbemi and Efe Anthony to prison custody.

    They are to remain in prison pending when they meet their bail applications.

    Read Also:EFCC may re-arrest Pastor Ize-Iyamu

    Pastor Ize-Iyamu and others were arraigned on Thursday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on eight count charges of laundering the sum of N700m.

    Justice P.I Adjokwu remanded them to prison custody after rejecting a plea by Counsel to Ize-Iyamu, Charles Edosomwan that they be kept in the custody of the EFCC.

     

    Details later….

  • Ize-Iyamu congratulates Obaseki

    Ize-Iyamu congratulates Obaseki

    Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party in the September 28 governorship election in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has congratulated Governor Godwin Obaseki on Monday’s Supreme Court ruling which affirmed Obaseki’s election.

    Pastor Ize-Iyamu, whose petition was dismissed for lack of merit, assured Governor Obaseki of his goodwill.

    In a press statement issued in Benin City, Pastor Ize-Iyamu said the Supreme Court verdict has brought an end his struggle for the office of the governor of Edo State.

    According to the statement, “I accept in good faith this decision of the highest court of our country, which affirms Mr Godwin Obaseki as the Governor of Edo State. I therefore congratulate Mr Godwin Obaseki and assure him of my goodwill.

    “I also want to use this opportunity to thank all our supporters and party men and women for their immense support for our struggle right from the time of the election to this day that it ended at the Supreme Court. Let me assure them of my acknowledgement of their various sacrifices and promise that I will always be there for them.

    “I thank all Edo people who have been part of our struggle all the way. In our various ways we should keep the fire burning in the quest for an Edo State of our dreams.”

     

  • Edo polls: PDP, Ize-Iyamu head for Supreme Court

    Edo polls: PDP, Ize-Iyamu head for Supreme Court

    The People’s Democratic Party in Edo State and its governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu have expressed their desire to head for the Supreme Court against the Court of Appeal ruling.

    Pastor Ize-Iyamu told newsmen after the Court of Appeal ruling that certain issues raised at the tribunal were yet to be addressed.

    He said, “Until one is actually able to lay hands on the judgement and read,that is when one can make a fair comment. All we know is that our appeal and the cross appeal were dismissed. But the reasons are not known.

    “By the time we lay hands on it, we will meet with our lawyers and our party leaders and take a decision. There were fundamental issues we raised against the tribunal judgement.

    “There are things it said that we believe cannot stand the test of time. We are not bound to depend only on corrupt practices to prove our point. Non-compliance is a ground in the Electoral Act and we depended on it.”

    State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, said nothing would stop the party from appealing against the appellate court ruling.

    His words, “I was in court and we were waiting anxiously to hear their verdict. But what we got was a very brief statement saying that they have dismissed the appeal. They did not give the reasons for their judgement.

    “But on the strength of our case to the Appeal Court, I believe that there is nothing that will stop us from going to the Supreme Court‎ to see that justice is done on this case.”

     

  • Edo monarch urges Ize-Iyamu to accept tribunal’s verdict

    The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, on Saturday advised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, to accept the verdict of the state election petitions tribunal.

    A statement signed by the monarch’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Desmond Agbama, said the monarch noted that despite the tribunal’s verdict, there was no victor no vanquished in the election.

    The three-man tribunal on Friday dismissed Ize-Iyamu’s petition and upheld the victory of Governor Goodwin Obaseki.

    Ize-Iyamu and his party, the PDP, had challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declaration of Obaseki of the All Peoples Congress (APC) as winner of the Sept 28, 2016 governorship election in Edo.

    “In an election, there is no victor and no vanquished.

    “Consequently, Osagie Ize-Iyamu should accept the decision of the tribunal in good faith and forge ahead in the task of providing democracy dividends for the people,” the Oba said.

    He congratulated Obaseki on his victory, and urged him to focus on sanitising the society, providing critical infrastructure and creating job opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths in the state.

    NAN

     

  • PDP, Ize-Iyamu kick against Edo tribunal ruling

    PDP, Ize-Iyamu kick against Edo tribunal ruling

    The Peoples Democratic Party and its governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, have rejected the ruling of the Election Petitions Tribunal which upheld the election of Governor Godwin Obaseki.

    Pastor Ize-Iyamu described the judgment dismissing his petition as porous and one that cannot stand at the higher courts.

    Addressing PDP elders, leaders and party supporters at his campaign office , Pastor Ize-Iyamu described the judgment as unacceptable.

    Ize-Iyamu expressed gratitude to his supporters who he said thronged the Tribunal venue without any form of compensation and assured them that the journey ahead would be shorter.

    “From the snippets I heard of the tribunal judgement it cannot stand in the higher courts. This case must be pursued up to the Supreme Court.

    “I want to thank God that we have all been able to reach this part of the journey. What gladdens my heart is that  God will vindicate us in the long run.

    “Don’t be dismayed. We are still hoping for your support. I urge you all to be calm and refrain from being provoked into violence. Even if they push you laugh,” Iyamu said.

    State chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, said the party plans to appeal the tribunal ruling.

    “I want to tell you that we have just started the journey as a party. I have no doubt that we are fighting a just cause,” he said and declined to give details on what happened at the tribunal.

    Commending elders, leaders and supporters of the party across the state for their show of solidarity Orbih said, “the mandate that was freely given to us by Edo people we have a duty to retrieve it. The party will go on appeal.

    “Definitely we are going to appeal against the judgement. We reject the judgement of the tribunal; it is not acceptable to us.

    “We have told our lawyers to appeal the judgement. The issues we raised in the petition were not addressed by the tribunal.

    “I appeal to Edo people to remain calm but be resolute in our bid to reclaim the mandate given to Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.”

    Governor Obaseki described the tribunal’s verdict as victory for Edo people and an act that would spur him to do more.

    Former Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon Samson Osagie, congratulated Obaseki and the APC for the tribunal victory.

    Osagie urged all party supporters to join hands with the Governor and the party to drive development in the state.

    His words, “This victory should serve as cushion to all frail nerves and a catalyst for the administration to embark on the continuation of its well thought out development agenda for Edo State. It’s time to work together in the interest of the State irrespective of political or ideological differences. After all a better Edo State is for the benefit of all.”

    Former Governor Adams Oshiomhole described the petition as a busybody petition and mama akara busy body.

    His words, “The PDP has no case, Pastor Ize-Iyamu has no case. The reason we have people going to court for no reason is because there is no cost. I think the Electoral Act should be amended that if you bring such frivolous case and didn’t make sufficient efforts to show that you were cheated, you just do out of fun. There should be sufficient cost to applicant who tried to abuse the Court processes.

    “This was just as mama akara looking for trouble. In other jurisdiction when you go to court on a non-issue, you pay the cost of litigation and that serve as a deterrent. I know that our people will not vote PDP and they can never vote PDP.

    “People can say whatever they say about the judiciary. The judiciary has shown it has men and women of courage and character. This was a a bush body petition and we thank God that justice had been done,” the former governor said. 

  • Edo tribunal dismisses Ize-Iyamu’s petition

    Edo tribunal dismisses Ize-Iyamu’s petition

    Edo State Election Petition Tribunal on Friday dismissed the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

    The tribunal upheld the September 28, 2016 election of Governor Godwin Obaseki.

    The Chairman of the three-man panel, Justice Ahmed Badamasi, held that the petitioners failed to support their pleadings with evidence as well as abandoned some pleadings in their petition.

    Justice Badamasi held that many witnesses called by the petitioners were discredited during cross examination and gave hearsay evidence.

    He said, “The petitioners have failed to prove their case with credible evidence and it is therefore dismissed.

    “The much talked about ticking and over voting by the petitioners have not been specifically proved beyond reasonable doubts. And not calling witnesses to prove their allegations of corrupt practices and over voting was fatal to their case and is deemed to have abandoned their pleadings.

    “Accordingly, the petition has failed and is hereby dismissed.”

    Pastor Ize-Iyamu had in his petition asked the tribunal to declare him winner of the governorship election.

    Respondents in the suit were Governor Obaseki, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the APC.

    Hearing on the petition began on January 7 and ended on April 3.

    During the course of trial, the petitioners called 92 witnesses while Governor Obaseki called 68 witnesses.

    The APC called 15 witnesses and INEC did not call any.

    Counsel to INEC, Onyinye Anumonye, argued that there was no need to call witnesses that would repair the case already damaged by the petitioners’ witnesses.

    Onyinye, however, tendered 203 documents including 200 copies of Form EC8 (B) for the 18 local government areas, one copy of Form EC8(C) for the 18 LGAs of the state, Form EC8 (D) for Edo State and Form EC8 (E).

    The petitioners tendered the voters’ register from 16 local government areas as well as the Forms EC8A, Form EC8B and EC8C, being results sheets for all the polling units, wards and local government areas of the state.

     

  • Tribunal delivers judgment on Edo governorship poll Friday

    Tribunal delivers judgment on Edo governorship poll Friday

    The Edo States Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal will on Friday deliver judgement in the petition brought before it by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

    Parties in the suit were on Wednesday informed about the tribunal’s decision to deliver judgment on the matter.

    Pastor Ize-Iyamu is asking the tribunal to declare him winner of the September 28, 2016 governorship election which was won by Governor Godwin Obaseki of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    Respondents in the suit were Governor Obaseki, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the APC.

    Hearing of the petition by the three-man tribunal headed by Justice Ahmed Badamasi began on January 7 and ended on April 3.

    During the course of trial, the petitioners called 92 witnesses while Governor Obaseki called 68 witnesses.

    The APC called 15 witnesses and INEC did not call any.

    Counsel to INEC, Onyinye Anumonye, argued that there was no need to call witnesses that would repair the case already damaged by the petitioners’ witnesses.

    Onyinye, however, tendered 203 documents including 200 copies of Form EC8(B) for the 18 local government areas, one copy of Form EC8(C) for the 18 LGAs of the state, Form EC8(D) for Edo State and Form EC8(E).

    The petitioners tendered the voters’ register from 16 local government areas as well as the Forms EC8A, Form EC8B and EC8C, being results sheets for all the polling units, wards and local government areas of the state.

     

     

  • Edo Guber: Appeal court to hear Ize-Iyamu case Thursday

    Edo Guber: Appeal court to hear Ize-Iyamu case Thursday

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Benin City has adjourned till Thursday March 16, for the hearing of the appeal filed by the People’s Democratic Party and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu over the stopping of the recounting of ballot papers used in the 2016 governorship election.

    It would be recalled that the recounting of ballot papers in some local government areas was stopped by the tribunal last month following the expiration of the days the petitioners had to prove their case

    A  cross appeal was also filed by respondents  insisting that the tribunal headed by Justice Ahmed Badamasi ought not to have given an order to the petitioners at all for the recounting of the ballot papers used for the election.

    When the case came up for hearing yesterday, the appellate court struck the application by counsel to the third respondent, the APC, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) for the consolidation of the appeals by the petitioners and respondents describing it as a mere academic exercise.

    Presiding Justice, Justice Olukayode Bada said, “By consent of all counsel, hearing of the two appeals will now come up for hearing onThursday, 16 March, 2017. The present application has become academic and is hereby struck out”

    The Tribunal had earlier ordered for the recount of the ballot papers used for the election in Egor, Akoko – Edo, Etsako West and Etsako East local governments following an oral application made by the Counsel for the petitioners, Mallam Yusuf Ali (SAN).

    But the recounting exercise was concluded in only Wards 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 in Etsako West Local Government Area, Wards 1 and 2 in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area and Ward 1 of Egor Local Government Area.