The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Petition

  • Petition: Judge refuses to appear before Osun panel

    Petition: Judge refuses to appear before Osun panel

    Justice Olamide Folahanmi Oloyede, who was to defend her petition before the Osun State House of Assembly’s investigative committee, did not show up yesterday .

    She did not appear before the seven-member committee to defend her call for the impeachment of Governor RaufAregbesola and his deputy, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori, for alleged misappropriation of public funds.

    Justice Oloyede, who was represented by her counsel, Lanre Ogunlesi (SAN), said for her to appear before the committee headed by Deputy Speaker, Akintunde Adegboye, she must be given a copy of the governor’s reply to her petition to build her defence.

    But the committee turned down her plea, asserting that the judge had broken three rules of the parliament in wrongful filing, signing and appearance in line with Order 126 (1 – 6) of the Assembly.

    The committee insisted that Justice Oloyede must be ready to defend the allegations in her petition, saying “according to the law the onus of proof lies on the accuser”.

    The committee’s chair, who is also a lawyer, said in the fourth paragraph of the petition the judge was categorical on her readiness to appear with her evidence to back up her claim.

    He said the committee could not play “Father Christmas” in giving what was not requested abinitio.

    Adegboye said the committee was set up to investigate the issues raised in the petition and should not be seen as a trial court.

    He said the petitioner’s appearance would further confirm her resolve to pursue her cause and assist the committee in its work.

    Adegboye added that Justice Oloyede could as well send her evidence, if she could not appear in person.

    The petitioner’s lawyer assured the committee that the judge would appear before the panel if given another chance to which the committee chair agreed to give her two weeks.

    Adegboye said the committee could ask for extension of time if there was need for it since the ultimatum given its members  expires tomorrow.

    He responded to the allegation of bias against his committee by the Civil Societies Coalition for Emancipation of Osun State, particularly on its composition, in which no lawmaker from the opposition was allowed to be a member.

    The chairman said: “We are capable of doing justice. We know what we are doing. We are not a trial court but a fact-finding committee. This is an ad-hoc committee. We have our names to protect and we still have four years before us.”

  • PDP denies authorship of petition against Saraki’s wife

    PDP denies authorship of petition against Saraki’s wife

    Kwara State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday denied the authorship of a petition purportedly sent to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which warranted the invitation of Senate President’s wife, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, by the anti-graft agency.

    Mrs. Saraki is billed to appear before the investigative body today.

    Last week, similar development occurred after a statement purportedly issued by the party accusing the state government of not releasing its share of the bailout money to workers.

    The party’s spokesperson, Rex Olawoye, whose name was appended on the statement, had disowned it and warned reporters against falling victims of those he claimed were using the party for selfish reasons.

    Again, the media was awash yesterday with a statement credited to Olawoye with PDP claiming responsibility for the invitation based on a petition the party had purportedly written against the former Kwara State First Lady.

    But a statement jointly by the state party chairman, Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo, and Olawoye dissociated themselves and the party from the statement.

    They said the party had not written any petition against Mrs. Saraki to the EFCC.

    The statement reads: “The attention of our party, PDP, Kwara State chapter, has been drawn to a report by an online medium and newspapers titled: ‘PDP claims responsibility for Toyin Saraki’s EFCC ordeal’, and credited to our spokesman, Chief Rex Olawoye.”First, Kwara State PDP dissociates itself from the said publications. The publication is the handiwork of dubious, desperate, faceless and spineless individuals or groups, who are always in the mass and social media to malign characters and damage their superiors in order to gain cheap popularity.

    “We want  to put it on record that Kwara PDP has never, at any time, written any petition against anybody in the state as far as the party is concerned. Kwara PDP has no hand in the imbroglio that is going on between the EFCC and Mrs. Toyin Saraki. We therefore emphatically state that all the statements credited to Kwara PDP are products/mechnisations of people who are disgruntled as well as spineless cowards.

    “Kwara PDP views the publication credited to the party as being politically motivated and emanating from those who have issues with the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and his immediate family.”

  • Tribunal dismisses Ihedioha’s petition

    The Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Owerri, the Imo State capital yesterday, dismissed the petition filed by the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Emeka Ihedioha, challenging Governor Rochas Okorocha’s victory.

    Chairman of the tribunal, Justice David Wyom, dismissed the petition on the grounds that the petitioner failed to comply with the rules guiding the proceedings.

    He ruled that the petitioner failed to pay for the pre-hearing notice within the seven days stipulated in paragraph 18 (1) of the rule guiding election petition proceedings.

    Justice Wyom noted that the petitioner applied on June 23 but failed to pay for the pre-hearing notice until June 3.

    “Based on the strength of the Supreme Court authority on this issue, the validity of the process starts from when the pre-hearing notice payment was made and not when it was applied, this in turn means the petitioner paid out of time but applied within time,” Wyom said.

    Counsel to Okorocha, Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), earlier moved a motion for the tribunal to dismiss the petition on the grounds that the petitioner abandoned the petition, having paid out of the stipulated time.

    Addressing reporters after the judgement, Akintola said he saw the loophole in the petition and cashed on it. He said the judgement would enrich judicial jurisprudence in the country.

    Counsel to Ihedioha, Mike Ahamba (SAN) said he was embarrassed by the ruling. He argued that, “the word ‘abandonment’ had lost its meaning if a petition that had gone through pre-hearing can be described as abandoned”.

    Ahamba insisted that the tribunal had overruled the Supreme Court order on the issue. He said his client would appeal the judgement at the Appeal Court.

    Reacting, Governor Okorocha described the verdict as victory for the people, irrespective of their political affiliations.

    A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, said: “By Okaying my victory at the April 11 election, the tribunal has affirmed the renewed mandate the people gave me”.

  • Hearing begins in petition against Saraki’s election

    Hearing begins in petition against Saraki’s election

    Hearing at the Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, began yesterday. The election of Senate President Bukola Saraki of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is being challenged by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq.

    Saraki represents Kwara Central.

    The petitioner came with a witness, Mallam Oloyin Abdullateef Adebayo, who is his private personal assistant.

    The witness, who was led in evidence by the petitioner’s counsel, Mr. John Obumse, was cross-examined by the respondents’ counsel.

    Obumse told the tribunal that he had an application dated June 17, which was filed on June 29 and thus sought adjournment, based on three grounds.

    He said the date of the printout of the card reader to be collected at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Abuja, meant to be used for the petition, was yet to be obtained.

    The lawyer said Mallam Adebayo was the only witness in court.

    He sought adjournment to move the application. The respondents’ counsel did not object to the motion.

    The tribunal Chairman, Justice Joshua Majebi, adjourned the matter till July 31 for the continuation of hearing of the petition and the hearing of the application filed by the petitioner.

  • University pensioners petition Buhari over plan to defraud members

    University pensioners petition Buhari over plan to defraud members

    The Federal University Pensioners Association (FUPA) has raised the alarm over an alleged plot by a federal government agency, Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), to perpetrate fraud against its members.

    The pensioners have forwarded a Save Our Soul (SOS) to President Muhammadu Buhari asking on him to intervene and checkmate the “well designed plot to make life more difficult for us in spite of our vulnerability.”

    Speaking at the Centre for Awolowo Philosophy, Ideology and Good Governance in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, the Chairman, Obafemi Awolowo University chapter of the Federal University Pensioners Association, Comrade Joseph Olulayo Akintaro, alleged that the agency was planning to bring the FUPA under its direct management in order to make its plot sail through.

    According to Akintaro, who was accompanied by the association’s officers, including the Secretary and Financial Secretary, Comrade Elijah Adeniyi Osungade and Comrade Jacob Akinwunmi Falodun respectively, it was imperative to bring the development to the attention of the president because of its far-reaching implications.

    He accused PTAD of lodging over N1.2 billion of the pension fund of its members in the bank for one week in order to attract interest from the deposited sum to itself.

    Akintaro, who disclosed that PTAD was established by the former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to manage pension funds of 378 agencies, maintained that the high number of many agencies being managed by PTAD could be counter-productive and susceptible to corruption.

    Also speaking on the issue, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Centre for Awolowo Philosophy, Ideology and Good Governance, Prof. Moses Akinola Makinde, decried the late payment of pensions under any guise.

    Makinde added that PTAD should be made to pay the N1.2 billion pension it fixed in the bank with the interest to the beneficiaries.

    He also suggested that pension funds should not be subjected to taxation, adding that it was criminal to deduct between 20 and 33 percent tax from pension of the nation’s senior citizens, who had contributed to the national growth.

    He said: “Pensioners are well treated in civilised countries like Britain, United States and others where they enjoy heavy welfare packages like free transport, highly subsidised houses, food and medicare, none of which is within the reach of Nigerian pensioners. It is regrettable that the young are cheating the aged.

    “Only a corrupt government would watch when an agency is appropriating the sweat of the senior citizens under a very dubious scheme. Staggering of pension payment must stop. Those indulging in this act are doing so to delay payment and accrue interest from the fund to themselves. This is a wicked act.”

     

  • Don’t be dragged into election petition cases, group tells Buhari

    Don’t be dragged into election petition cases, group tells Buhari

    A Non-governmental group, Akwa Ibom Ofon-ama Initiative, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to be careful and not allow himself to be dragged into the governorship election petition cases currently going on in the country.

    The group, speaking through its National President, Ambassador Ukai Udeme Emmanuel, commended the president for standing on the side of justice, regarding the Rivers State Local Government election.

    Ambassodor Udeme said,” Without being sentimental, President Buhari is trying hard to govern the country as he promised during his electioneering campaigns and we all must support him to deliver on those promises to better every one’s life in the country.”

    On the Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Delta states Governorship Election Petition Tribunals, Udeme noted that these Niger Delta states are known PDP states and moving their governorship tribunals from these states where the elections took place to Abuja against the provisions of the enabling law is making the region uneasy.

    Udeme said, “Nobody is angry with anybody who may have genuine reasons questioning the result of the elections. But the tribunal should operate where the law prescribes for it to function and should not be controlled by any group.”

    He siad that if not handled satisfactorily, militancy could be resurrected in the region. ” The country today has enough trouble from the North East region of the country. The Boko Haram crisis that the president is trying to address, he should not allow himself to be dragged into unnecessary controversy. If these things are not done properly, trouble might break out from the region.”

    He commended President Buhari for recognizing the expertise in Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State in appointing him as one of the four wise and trusted governors to unravel the rot in the NNPC, assuring that the governor will not disappoint.

  • Pre-trial closed in petition against Sunmonu

    The pre-trial in the hearing of the petition against the election of the Oyo Central senator, Mrs. Monsurat Sunmonu, was concluded yesterday.

    Accord candidate Bisi Ilaka is challenging the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate.

    At the resumed hearing, the petitioner’s counsel, Olawale Omoloye, said he was ready for the trial.

    Sunmonu’s lead counsel Tola Oshobi urged the court to hasten the trial process.

    Justice J. G. Abundaga, who heads the three-man panel,  asked the counsel to straighten out details as to how many days are needed before trial begins, number of witnesses, time frame for each witness as well as other administrative requirements.

    He added that a counsel would lead his witness in evidence for 10 minutes; cross examination will be 20 minutes while re-examination will last for only five minutes.

    He explained that discretion would be used in situations where a witness is very important and will be tendering a lot of documents.

    Justice Abundaga said the court would issue a report to all the parties on the trial’s continuation and the trial date.

     

  • ‘Strike out MPPP’s petition’

    ‘Strike out MPPP’s petition’

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have urged the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Abeokuta, the state capital, to strike out the petition by Mega Progressive Peoples Party (MPPP).

    The MPPP is seeking an order of the tribunal to nullify the April 11 governorship election.

    The MPPP urged the court to cancel the election, claiming that its candidate’s name and party logo were omitted from the ballot paper printed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    When the matter was mentioned yesterday, counsel to Amosun and APC Fagbemi Lateef and George Oyeniyi  told the tribunal that a motion on notice requesting it to strike out the petition  has been filled.

    No date has been fixed for the hearing. But citing grounds for the application, both APC and Amosun said the tribunal lacks jurisdiction to entertain and determine the petition.

    They urged the three-man tribunal headed by Justice Henry Olusiyi  to dismiss the petition “for reasons that same is frivolous, speculative, gold-digging and unmeritorious”.

  • Tarok people petition FG over alleged killing of 400

    Tarok people petition FG over alleged killing of 400

    The Tarok speaking people of Plateau State under the umbrella body of Ngwan Ishi Otrok have protested the alleged killing of 400 people in Kadarko village, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.

    The victims of the attack were alleged to be Tarok.

    It was also alleged that the victims were killed following raids carried out by some men in military uniform.

    The protesters, who matched through the streets of Jos yesterday morning, submitted their petition to the state house of assembly for onward passage to the Federal Government.

    According to the protesters, “The Tarok people demand explanation and justice over the extra-judicial killing of our kinsmen.”

    Chairman of the group, Comrade Nagor Ndam, said: “We have come before the House of Assembly to present our letter of petition formally over the May 2, 2015 killings of innocent lives in Wase Local Government Area of the state for a thorough investigation so that Justice will prevail.

    “We want our petition to be submitted to the federal government because the killings were carried our by troops of the federal government.”

    Receiving the petition, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Titus Alams, said: “I know anything about the death of a loved one is painful, but I appeal to all the Tarok people to remain calm and allow government take necessary steps to address the issue.”

    He added: “Now that the people have cried out, I will make sure this petition is submitted to the appropriate quarters for action. But meanwhile, the people affected should try as much as possible to be law abiding pending government’s reaction. We don’t want anybody to take the law into his hands over the incident. We should rather allow justice to take its course peacefully.” said Alams.

    Also speaking, the member representing Lantang-North as well as the Deputy Speaker, Joyce Rampnam, expressed shock over the lives and property destroyed during the raid, saying, “the elimination of a particularly generation of people by Military men without following the rule of engagements is uncalled for and unacceptable.”

    The protester asked the federal government to provide relief materials to the thousands of those displaced during the raid.

  • Discontinue your petition, APC tells Omisore

    Discontinue your petition, APC tells Omisore

    The All Progressives Congress has urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the last August 9 governorship election, Iyiola Omisore, to “honourably discontinue his impossible mission to remove Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola from office”.

    A statement by its spokesperson, Kunle Oyatomi, said: “Omisore’s exercise will be as futile as that of his party’s wasted effort to annul the 2011 elections in which all the PDP’s candidates lost their bid to be elected into the state and National Assembly.

    “From what the public has seen and heard so far Omisore and the PDP are relying purely on falsehood and not fact. But we are happy that their lies are falling apart like a pack of cards.

    “The Appeal Court, three weeks ago, struck out the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC’s) appeal due to what it termed “defective filing” of the notice.

    “Omisore and the PDP attempted to turn the ruling to a “judgment”, sacking all the state lawmakers in Osun and Abuja.

    “But when it became clear that the PDP couldn’t win on this falsehood, it had the case withdrawn from the Federal High Court in Osogbo last Friday.

    “This lie was so blatant and embarrassing that even some responsible members of the PDP within and outside Osun felt sad and ashamed that so much falsehood was being associated with their party.

    “Same with another lie that the Tribunal had ordered a recount of votes for which the tribunal chairman denied and warned the party to allow them do their job.

    “This inability to learn from history is what has made the PDP and Omisore to replicate futile mission all over again, and that anything founded on falsehood will fail.”