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Tag: Plateau

  • Conflicting judgements threaten peace in Plateau – Inter-faith Council

    Conflicting judgements threaten peace in Plateau – Inter-faith Council

    Plateau State inter-faith group has said that the conflicting election judgements in  Plateau by the Court of Appeal is gradually setting the state on the path of internal conflicts. 

    The group has therefore sought the immediate intervention of the National Judicial Council.

    The group accused desperate politicians of being behind those conflicting judgements coming from the Appeal Tribunal.

    Evang. Joshua Ringsum and Imam Othman Abdullaahi who addressed a world press conference in Jos, yesterday, described the effects of the judgements as dangerous to peaceful coexistence among citizens of the state.

    Read Also: SS3 pupil arrested for kidnapping, killing five-year-old in Plateau

    The group said, “We must appreciate the relative peace we are currently enjoying in Plateau State. While many predicted a bloody 2023 general elections in Plateau State, the people of the state shamed them by conducting themselves in an orderly manner, before, during, and after the elections.

    “The exercise in Plateau State turned out to be one of the most peaceful in the country as eligible voters lined up in the sun and voted for the candidates of their choice. We are however taken aback by the role of the judiciary with respect to the Tribunals set up to look into petitions filed by aggrieved candidates after the elections.

     “We are also calling with a loud voice on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to give special focus on panels handling Plateau petitions so as to avoid the state the unnecessary tension on account of contradictory and conflicting judgments dispensed to erode the popular mandate of the people through technicalities.

     “We hold strongly firm that it is not fair for the judiciary to decide winners of elections.”  

  • SS3 pupil arrested for kidnapping, killing five-year-old in Plateau

    SS3 pupil arrested for kidnapping, killing five-year-old in Plateau

    A 17-year-old SS3 pupil, Elisha Anthony, who kidnapped and killed a five-year-old boy in Plateau State, has been nabbed by the police.

    Parading the suspect alongside 38 others before reporters at the police headquarters in Jos yesterday, for criminal offences ranging from kidnapping to armed robbery, criminal conspiracy, car theft, gun running, among others,  Commissioner of Police, CP Julius Alawari,  described the crime as another strange dimension among youths.

    Read Also: President’s victory is will of the people, says Akpabio

    Anthony, who spoke to reporters about how he committed the crime, said: “My name is Elisha Anthony. I am 17 years old, an SS3 pupil. I committed the crime due to hardship.

    He added: “When this crime was committed, my mother knew nothing about it. I even used her phone to do the transaction without her knowledge and consent, demanding five million Naira as ransom.”

  • 10 electrocuted, 25 shops burnt as fire wrecks havoc in Plateau community

    10 electrocuted, 25 shops burnt as fire wrecks havoc in Plateau community

    No fewer than 10 persons were killed and 25 shops and houses razed when an early morning inferno tore through the sleepy neighborhood of Kabong in Gada Buy area of Jos North local government area of Plateau state.

    Among the victims were a man, his wife and child..

    The Nation gathered that the incident, which occurred around 2 am on Saturday, was triggered when one of the high tension wires snapped and fell on a transformer serving the neighbouring.

    The lightening sent a shockwave said to have spread to nearby shops and residential apartments, torching every available item within reach, especially electronic gadgets like sound systems, fridges, fans and air conditioners.

    Eye witness said that the lightening sent some colours up the skys as goods and personal items went up in flames.

    Read Also: Plateau, Labour union to open dialogue on new minimum wage

    While some of the victims died on the spot, our correspondent gathered that others gave up the ghost at the Bingham University Teaching Hospital (Jankwano) where they were rushed to.

    Police Public Relations Officer, Alfred Alabo, who confirmed the incident, said that six persons were killed.

    He said it was suspected to have been caused by a power surge.

    Alabo said: “We are carrying out investigation to know the real cause of the incident, but we suspect that it must have been caused by a power surge.”

  • Plateau ban Okada

    Plateau ban Okada

    In a bid to swiftly address the rising concerns over public safety, the Plateau State Government has issued a ban on commercial motorcycles, known as “Okada,” within the Bukuru-Jos Metropolis.

    Also, tricycles, commonly referred to as “Keke Napep,” are now subject to strict operational time restrictions, limiting their hours of operation to between 6am and 6pm.

    The Plateau State Commissioner of Information, Musa Ibrahim Ashoms, made this known, in a press briefing in Jos.

    Ashoms emphasized that strict adherence to these new regulations is mandatory, and any violations will be met with firm enforcement.

    The decision echoes a similar ban imposed during the previous administration under Governor Simon Bako Lalong.

    The previous ban on commercial motorcycles and operational time restrictions for tricycles was implemented with the aim of curbing the incidence of crime in the state capital.

    Hoever, in recent times, there has been a resurgence of violent crimes within the Jos and Bukuru metropolis, prompting the reinforcement of these measures under the leadership of Governor Caleb Mutfwang.

    Read Also: EFCC nabs six suspected internet fraudsters in A’Ibom

    The Governor’s administration has prioritized public safety and security in light of these developments.

    Recall a tragic incident that occurred a few weeks ago when a young resident of Jos, Fwinbe Gofwan, was brutally murdered by suspected commercial motorcycle riders along Domkat Bali in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.

    This incident, among others, has raised concerns about the safety of residents and the need for stringent measures and strict regulations governing the operation of commercial motorcycles and tricycles.

    The government urged all concerned parties to comply with these measures in the interest of public safety.

  • Gunmen kidnap pharmacist in Plateau

    Gunmen kidnap pharmacist in Plateau

    Secretary of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) in Plateau State, Kim Bot, has been kidnapped in Jos North Local Government Area.

    The Nation learned that Bot was driving home about 8pm Wednesday when the gunmen, who had mounted a road block in the Laminga area of the council, flagged him down. Immediately he stopped, he was forced out of his vehicle and taken away.

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    A member of the association, who pleaded for anonymity, confirmed the incident. He said the kidnappers are yet to get in touch with Bot’s family and the association.

    Residents of Lamingo have lamented that the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) road has become a den of kidnappers and other undesirable elements.

    A resident, Ibrahim Dalyop, said: “The rate of kidnapping in this area is alarming; there is no week without a report of kidnapping or robbery. We appeal to the government and security agencies to come to our aid.

    Police spokesperson Alfred Alabo, who confirmed the incident, said the command has swung into action to arrest the culprits and rescue Bot.

  • Tribunal affirms PDP Assembly members’ elections in Plateau

    Tribunal affirms PDP Assembly members’ elections in Plateau

    The National and State Houses of Assembly Tribunal sitting in Jos, the Plateau State capital, yesterday affirmed the election of Cornelius Doeyok of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the duly elected member representing Qua’an-Pan South State Constituency in the March 18 poll.

    The first and second petitioners – Professor Theodore Maiyaki Bala (SAN) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) – had challenged the declaration of Doeyok by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the winner of the election.

    The petitioners had claimed that Doeyok did not qualify to contest an election because his party, the PDP, did not have a valid structure in Plateau State.

    They also claimed that Doeyok and the PDP did not comply with a order of court and that the election of the House of Assembly seat for Langtang South Constituency witnessed substantial non-compliance with electoral guideline.

    Delivering judgment, Justice Emmanuel Nwazunku held that the petitioners contravened Section 285(14)(c) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.

    He also held that since the petitioners are not members of the PDP, they lacked the locus standi to challenge the nomination and sponsorship of Doeyok by his party.

    Also, the evidence of the second and third prosecution witnesses (Pw2 and Pw3) were expunged from the records of tribunal for filing out of time.

    Addressing reporters after the tribunal judgment, Doeyok said: “I feel elated, and to God be the glory. You know that no man can take the glory of God because the voice of the people is the voice of God.”

    Also, the tribunal yesterday dismissed allegation of certificate forgery against the member representing Langtang South State Constituency in the Plateau State House of Assembly, Nimchak Samson Rims of the PDP.

    The tribunal affirmed that the lawmaker was duly elected in the March 18 poll.

    The first and second petitioners – Bendal Nancwat Domfa and the APC – prayed the tribunal to nullify the election of Rims.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Tribunal sacks Nasarawa Gov, declares PDP’s candidate winner

    In a unanimous decision read by its chairman, Justice Mohammed Mohammed, the tribunal held that it had two issues for determination.

    He said ground one of the petition bordered on allegation of certificate forgery, as claimed by the petitioners.

    He also threw out the petitioners’ claim that Rims was not properly nominated by the PDP.

    “There is no any iota of truth that the second respondent forged his certificate. The petitioners did show that they have participated in the primary election that produced second respondent. They are noisy busy-bodies and meddlesome interlopers.

    “Ground one of the petition is a pre-election matter which an aspirant of political party who contested primary election alongside another candidate that emerged is at liberty to lodge a complaint at the Federal High Court within 14 days,” he said.

    Reacting to the verdict, Rims said: “I am very optimistic even though the PDP has not been finding in it easy because of rumours and fake news peddling against the party in the state.

    “I am the happiest person, having been exonerated from allegations of certificate forgery by the tribunal.”

    Also, an anti-terrorism group, the National Coalition Against Terrorism (NCAT), has urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) to direct all election petition tribunals sitting in the Southeast to deliver their judgments by electronics.

    The coalition’s National Coordinator Terrence Kuanum said this at a media briefing yesterday in Abuja.

  • Plateau partners UNDP on security, capacity-building and data processing

    Plateau partners UNDP on security, capacity-building and data processing

    Plateau State governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has initiated a partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to enhance rural security, technical education, data processing, and strategic development planning.

    Governor Mutfwang met with the team at the UN House in Abuja, led by Resident Representative, Mr. Mohamed Yahya where he sought the UNDP’s assistance in human capacity development, mineral exploration and e-governance in the state.

    Explaining his administration’s vision, Governor Mutfwang said the UNDP has a role in training personnel for efficient service delivery.

    He also highlighted the state’s efforts to address security challenges, including the approval for the construction of two Mobile Police barracks in volatile areas, which are yet to take off.

    The Governor, in a statement by his spokesman, Gyang Bere, disclosed that some diligent youths have been recruited across local government areas of the state to reinforce the state security outfit, Operation Rainbow and safeguard communities, adding that their training is expected to begin next week.

    He expressed readiness to leverage UNDP’s expertise and international partnerships to drive development programmes of the state.

    Read Also: Mob stone motorist to death in Plateau

    The Governor outlined plans to organise an economic summit to discuss development strategies and propel development. He emphasised the use of technology for security and peace-building efforts, including early warning systems.

    UNDP’s Resident Representative, Mohamed Yahya, expressed gratitude for the visit and affirmed UNDP’s willingness to collaborate with Governor Mutfwang.

    He highlighted UNDP’s investments in police reform and data-driven development initiatives across Nigeria.

    Yahya urged the Governor to consider signing a Memorandum of Understanding to formalise the partnership.

  • Mob stone motorist to death in Plateau

    Mob stone motorist to death in Plateau

    The Plateau State Police Command yesterday confirmed the killing of a commercial driver in Jos by persons suspected to be hoodlums.

    It was learnt that the commercial driver, identified as Fwinbe Thomas, had hit a motorcycle rider with his vehicle while driving home after work.

    However, some hoodlums, who were angered by the incident, were said to have chased the driver on their motorcycles and attacked him along Tudun Wada Ring Road in Jos, leading to his death.

    Police spokesman DSP Alabo Alfred condemned the action of the hoodlums in a statement yesterday while confirming the death of the driver.

    The statement read in part, “The Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Police Command, CP Okoro Julius Alawari, is miffed with and totally condemns the unlawful killing of one Mr Fwinbe Thomas who was found lying in a pool of his own blood along Tudun Wada Ring Road, Hwolshe in Jos.

    “Sequel to a report of the incident by a credible informant on 25/09/2023 at about 2230hrs, the Police Patrol Team attached to Anglo-Jos Division swiftly rushed to the scene of the cruel incident where they found the victim lying in a pool of his own blood beside a damaged Suzuki Mini Bus with Reg. No.: KWK 536 XA, with multiple injuries on his head.

    “The victim is suspected to have been cruelly beaten to death by some hoodlums, suspected to be commercial motorcyclists popularly known as “Okada Riders” whose operation in Jos Metropolis/Bukuru metropolis is illegal.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Tribunal sacks PDP lawmaker in Plateau, declares APC candidate winner

    “Photographs of the victim were taken, the vehicle was towed to the station and the body of the victim was taken to the Plateau Specialist Hospital where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor. The corpse has been deposited at the hospital’s morgue for autopsy.”

    The statement assured that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the killers of Fwinbe Thomas.

    It added, “The commissioner appeals for calm as the police is already on top of the situation.

    “He assures Plateau residents that the perpetrators of the dastardly act will not evade justice as there is no hiding place for evil-doers in the State.

    “The Plateau Police boss also sends a stern warning to executors of “Jungle Justice” to desist from such lawlessness as the Command under his watch will not spare any person found culpable of such inhuman act.

    “He emphasised the need for citizens to allow law enforcement agencies to take charge of such cases instead of taking laws into their hands.

    “Investigation into this case is still ongoing and further development will be made available to the public in due course.

    “The CP further uses this medium to inform the general public that the ban on the use of motorcycle popularly known as Okada within Jos Metropolis and Bukuru is still in force”

  • Tribunal sacks three PDP lawmakers in Plateau

    Tribunal sacks three PDP lawmakers in Plateau

    The National and State Assembly Tribunal sitting in Jos, Plateau state capital, has sacked three Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers for lack of structure.

    The lawmakers are Remvyat Nanbol, Agbalak Adukuchill, and Happiness Akawu, representing Langtang Central, Rukuba/Iregwe, and Pengana constituencies in the State House of Assembly respectively. 

    Delivering judgement, the panel led by Justice Muhammad Tukur ruled that the sacked lawmakers were not legally sponsored by the PDP owing to refusal to obey court orders to conduct ward congresses that would enable it have a valid structure.

    Read Also: Heavy security as Plateau gov tribunal delivers judgement

    Tukur added that the PDP lacked structure and therefore could not sponsor candidates for an election.

    The tribunal further explained that the petitioners had the locus standi to challenge the participation or inclusion of PDP in the election.

    The chairman of the tribunal ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw Certificates of Return from the sacked lawmakers and issue new ones to the winners of the election.

     Dr. Nentawe Yiltwatda, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the election, is challenging the victory of Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who contested under PDP.

    INEC declared Mutfwang winner of the poll after polling 525,299 votes beating Yiltwatda, who polled 481,370 but the APC candidate went to court to challenge the victory.

    The tribunal had earlier sacked four PDP National Assembly members, including a senator, over party structure.

  • Heavy security as Plateau gov tribunal delivers judgement

    Heavy security as Plateau gov tribunal delivers judgement

    Security has been tightened in Jos, the Plateau State capital as the governorship election petition tribunal delivers judgement today.

    The Nation noticed heavily armed security personnel moving around the capital on Friday morning.

    There is also heavy security presence at the premises of the Jos High Court Complex, the venue of the Plateau Governorship election Petitions Tribunal and its environs.

    Read Also: Tinubu woos Nigerians in U.S. to invest back home

    The  tribunal is expected to  deliver judgement in the case between Dr  Nentawe Yilwadta, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Governor Caleb Mutfwang of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Among other things, Yilwadta is seeking the nullification of Mutfwang’s victory at the March 11 election on the grounds that he was not validly nominated by the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) did not comply with the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) as well as allegations of over-voting in some polling units and several other prayers .