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Tag: Rep

  • Why I am ‘fighting’ prison officials who slapped me -Rep

    Why I am ‘fighting’ prison officials who slapped me -Rep

    Joan Mrakpor, a House of Representatives member from Delta State on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who was recently assaulted by  uniformed personnel, in this interview told Dele Anofi why she is fighting for justice. Excerpts

    There is this recent report that you were assaulted within the complex of the National Assembly, how did it degenerate to that level?

    To be honest, I couldn’t believe what happened that day. If you are conversant with the National Assembly, going out, the two lanes leading out later thins into one at the exit gate which leads to traffic building up, especially at the close of work. On that day, I noticed a black jeep overtook the car in front of me, so I later asked my driver to overtake it too. At the point of exiting the gate, what I noticed was that my driver seemed to be struggling to maintain his lane while another car by our side was attempting to get into the line, so I asked him to stop to allow the car to go. Meanwhile, I noticed that two marked Peugeot cars had parked outside and I saw two men of the Nigerian Prison Service got out. What happened next was that the first of the two men approached my car and started banging on the car. My driver was now trying to get out but I stopped him and asked him to lock doors.

    Because of the persistent banging by the man on my driver’s side, I wound down the windshield and asked, why are you banging the car, what is the matter? The next thing he uttered was “are you people blind, don’t you know a convoy? Before I could even respond, it was another round of banging on my own side of the car this time, so I wound down my side of windshield. Before I could even utter a word, the next thing was ‘Gbam’ on my face, a slap, followed by “You useless prostitute, don’t you know a convoy?” It was like a dream. At that point, because I use glasses, I had to guide my glasses to the chin and got out of the vehicle. As I got down, all these while, I asked my orderly to wait because he was armed and the man that slapped me was also armed, I’m sensitive to issues like that because I fear a shootout might ensue and the implication may be unimaginable. As I got down from my car, the person, who started the banging initially, asked the one that slapped me to get back to their vehicle, saying, “you people should enter your car, don’t not mind her”. They turned back to their cars and zoomed off.

    You did not fight back, for the fact that you were within the National Assembly where lawmakers enjoy some level of immunity?

    Fight back? That’s impossible, I couldn’t have done that, my background does not give me that luxury, immunity or no immunity. What I did was to turn back into the complex and made a report to the leadership, by the next day, it was taken on the floor and an investigation was ordered. At the public hearing, those that were invited showed up except the officer that started the fracas. Before then, the Controller-General of NPS, Peter Ekpendu, had gone on air calling me a liar; that yes, he came to the National Assembly to honour an invitation but that nobody had any issue with his convoy or subordinates. But at the investigative public hearing, God helped me and I was able to identify the person that slapped me. The security agencies at the gate were also asked to appear, they did and they identified the one that slapped me. The officer that started the incident, whom I later learnt to be an Assistant Controller-General, Usman Shehu Kangiwa, did not honour the committee’s invitation, while his Controller-General was there, including the officer that slapped me, Ida.

    Eventually, the committee made its report and came up with some recommendations; one of which was the termination of the appointment of Ida. The report was considered but returned to the committee to give room for Kangiwa that later offered to appear before the committee.

    Thereafter, a colleague of mine came to tell me that the officer who did not attend the hearing said he is going to sue the House, that the House must hear from him. I was shocked, rather than find means of apologising to the House, he was threatening legal action.  With that, I made a report to the police, sadly as we speak, that is more than a month and a half ago, the police have not charged the case to court.

    While still waiting for the House report, I and my husband discussed the issue and decided to go to court. So, I have gone to court; sued the NPS for N4.2b; the case has been assigned to Kuje court and they have been served. We are waiting for the date to be fixed for hearing.

    The Controller-General apologised during the public hearing, wasn’t that enough?

    If you remember, the point at which the Controller-General apologised was at the point of identifying the officers involved and he said, “This is barbaric, you mean my officer did that to a woman?” A member had to ask him why he never bothered to inquire before going on air to declare the woman lawmaker and the House liars? At that point,  he got up and said he was sorry, that he was misquoted that that was not what he meant; he said he was sorry for that and apologised to Nigerian women. That was all I heard from them from that public hearing till date, nobody, not even Kangiwa bothered to come around and say sorry about what happened.

    Why legal action when the issue could be resolved amicably?

    Yes, many have asked me that question; they said you are a television evangelist, you preach forgiveness, are you not going to forgive and I said yes of course, I will. There are two things about forgiveness: I don’t bear grudges against any of them; I have forgiven them. But what I need to establish is that you don’t just treat somebody like the person does not exist. I have been treated like I do not exist and I want to let them know that I do exist, that is basically what I am driving at.

    So on your question, yes I have forgiven, but I don’t even know who I am forgiving, nobody has asked me for forgiveness. So, the man who came banging on my vehicle, that assaulted me, called me all sorts of names, the controller and everybody, nobody has asked for forgiveness.

    This would be quiet discouraging for so many women; tomorrow a woman is coming back from the market and another person, maybe another uniformed man decides to brutalise her, when she looks up, she will say let me just go home, if they could slap a lawmaker and nothing came out of it and nobody even told her sorry, who am I? So, I need to correct that, I need to let the people know that people like you can be of assistance, that women should speak to anybody, speak to the community journalist around you, speak to anybody and your case would be taken  up. So many women are dying in silence and it would continue if we don’t speak out like this.

  • We have done well in first year -Rep

    We have done well in first year -Rep

    A member of the House of Representatives, Jimi Benson, has said that the 8th House conducted its businesses in the last one year with appreciable successes, in spite of the initial crises that threatened the peace of the National Assembly. Benson, who represents Ikorodu Federal Constituency in the lower chamber, disclosed this in an interview conducted by Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan. He also spoke on other sundry issues. Excerpts

    How would you describe your experience in the House of Representatives in the last one year?

    The experience has been worthwhile. I see the opportunity to represent my people in the National Assembly as a privilege and I am eternally grateful to the people of Ikorodu Federal Constituency for finding me worthy to be their eye and their nose in the parliament.

    Democracy is the freedom to elect people who best represent the interest of the constituents into positions. I am grateful to be among those sent on such important assignment. As you know, members of the House are rated fourth in protocol as represented by the Speaker. So, it is an important position and I am grateful to my people.

    At the House of Representatives, I met over 360 other representatives from all over the country with varying degree of differences in opinion and ideas. It has been an interesting learning process too. In the last one year, I have had immense opportunity to learn and at the same time, represent my people.

    This 8th Assembly has done very well. Few weeks back, we had sectoral debate on the economy. I don’t believe this has ever been done before. We had interactions with ministers of agriculture and finance as well as solid minerals and trades and investment.

    We are a peoples’ parliament that is committed to handling issues in more matured manners than have been done in the past.

    The last one year in the National Assembly witnessed a lot of crises, ranging from the leadership tussle to the budget row. What were your initial reactions as a first term member?

    When all these were happening, I took solace in what my dad used to tell me which was that I should have the fear of God above all things and in all things; that I should do everything in honesty and with the intention to put smiles on the faces of people. So, I was guided by these admonitions as the storm raged.

    All decisions I took were based on the above creeds and I can tell you I did all I did with my constituents in mind. Of course, I also knew it was a storm in a tea cup. Today, we have gone beyond that and moved on to grater things.

    And what would you say are the challenges of the average lawmaker in Nigeria?

    One of the main challenges I see is that the people don’t understand the role of the legislator. But this challenge is not peculiar to Nigeria as I was privileged to be in Malaysia to represent the Speaker and I had comments from Canada, Malaysia, United States and India. From these comments, I realised that it is not a Nigerian problem.

    Also, the legislature in Nigeria, of the three arms of government, have the least institutional experience because whenever the military takes over power, it is only the legislature that get suspended. So, those years of military rule robbed us of quality experience. There is need to allow the institutional experience to grow.

    What is your take on the state of the nation?

    I believe that Nigeria is a blessed country but it is so funny that with our economy that is bigger than that of South Africa and Egypt, we only generate 3000 megawatts of power. South Africa generates 50,000 megawatts of power and yet our economy is still larger than theirs. You can imagine what will happen if we manage to generate half of what they have.

    If that happens, we will supersede India in no time. The sectoral debate I spoke about opened my eyes to a lot of things that assured me that Nigeria will be great again because the people are a great people waiting for the right environment to do great things. We are very entrepreneurial and very resilient.

    If we have the right environment, like say 40,000 megawatts for five years, Nigeria will become one of the leading countries in the world. Also, we need to practice true federalism to really attain our potentials. The federating units must be able to develop at their own pace with the federal government just providing regulatory support. That way, a state like Lagos can harness its resources and grow without delay.

    We are in a time of recession obviously. At such time, it is either you cut cost by all means, including shrinking both the government and the workforce, or you pump money into the economy and give people purchasing power. I believe it is the latter that the government is considering and very soon, things will improve. The recession is a global challenge. The budget for this year is over N6trillion up from the N4trillion of last year. So, the economy would soon be stimulated as money will be available in the economy.

    The governor of Lagos State is doing the same thing by focusing more on infrastructure. He has allowed the local governments to construct two roads each; he is redeveloping Oshodi, an agreement has been signed for the 4th Mainland Bridge, etc. All these will stimulate the economy of the state and get money into the pockets of the people. All tricks to get us out of the wood must be employed by all governments at all levels.

    But some people blame the ruling party for the current economic woes.

    I disagree with such people. We made a lot of money over the years that were mismanaged, leaving our external reserves very low. But with the body language of the President, things have changed and leakages are being blocked. Things will fall into shape soon as we have been able to use the first year to stabilise and soon, things will improve.

    What would you say are your major records in the last one year as a legislator?

    I will speak of a project we tagged the “Back to School Project” as one of my major records. This is an exercise we carry out at the very beginning of new school terms. We roll up our sleeves and help put the school buildings back in shape. We do it ourselves and fix damaged chairs, paint classes, repair walls and fences and polish the floors.

    We have artisans amongst us and I am also usually amazed to see the quality and quantity of people who turn up to assist us get things done. It has really been encouraging. We have done these in about four schools already and we are planning more for the next school year.

    We also had the “Start Up Ikorodu” programme which was meant to equip our people to take advantage of empowerment opportunities. Presently, we are training 100 students out of 7000 that applied. We signed an MOU with the Ministry of Wealth Creation to train these young ones and pass them over to the ministry to assist. We also assist in some case to set the graduands up. I am happy with the responses I get daily.

    Aside the above, we are also concentrating on opening our communities up by grading the roads regularly. We bought a grader and a roller to assist us in doing this. We do this because our people need to be able to move easily for them to embark on profitable economic activities. Ikorodu boasts of a large number of the people working in central Lagos. These people need to be able to access the roads easily. All these needs informed our decision to get the roads in good shape at all times.

    And in the House of Representatives, I moved the motion for the redevelopment of the Ikorodu-Sagamu and Ikorodu-Itokin roads. Although it is not in this current budget, it has been promised to be in the next budget. All these and more are the things I can call my records in the last one year as the representative of my people in the National Assembly.

  • Ekiti Rep empowers constituents

    Ekiti State Caucus Leader in the House of Representatives Kehinde Agboola has distributed multi-million naira empowerment items to his constituents.

    The items included a Mazda bus presented to a driver; a wheel chair for a physically-challenged cobbler; 50 power generating sets; 100 sewing machines; 100 hair dryers and 100 flour mixers.

    Others included 50 laptop and desktop computer sets for palaces of traditional rulers in the federal constituency; laptop and desktop computers to Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) and Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) offices in the two councils; and N2 million cash distributed among some party members.

    Agboola (Ikole/Oye Federal Constituency), who spoke at the event at Ikole Ekiti, Ekiti State, said it was part of his effort to give back to his people and ensure that dividends of democracy got to his constituency.

    According to him, all the items distributed were targeted at supporting or boosting the economic activities of the people.

    The lawmaker added that the computers for the palaces of traditional rulers and NUT and NULGE would aid administrative duties and Information Technology.

    The lawmaker, who thanked the people for reposing confidence in him to represent them in the National Assembly, assured them that he would continue to work for them to ensure development of the federal constituency and its people and as well the state.

    He assured the people that the Omuo-Ikole-Ijero Road and the Itapaji Dam in his constituency would soon be rehabilitated.

    Agboola said the two projects were among others listed for execution in the 2016 budget billed for passage in into law by the National Assembly soon.

    The National Assembly member added that the road and water projects, when executed, “will attract a lot of economic benefits to our people and

    Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, represented by his deputy, Dr. Kolapo Olusola, lauded the gesture of the lawmaker, describing it as “provision of stomach infrastructure for the people.

    “This is about empowering the people to chase away hunger,” he said.

  • Rep, NACA float medical outreach in Bayelsa

    The recent medical outreach of Douye Diri, a member representing Yenagoa, Kolokuma/Opokuma, Federal Constituency in the National Assembly was viewed by residents of Yenagoa, the state capital, as timely.

    It came at a time when most people in Bayelsa State were suffering and dying in silence for lack of money caused by dwindling oil revenue. Many residents even found it difficult to treat ordinary malaria. But amid the plight, Diri, landed in Yenagoa with a free medical programme.

    The federal lawmaker entered into partnership with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and the office of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to fix the health challenges of his constituents.

    The medical team consisting of over 10 trained doctors and nurses, had a primary assignment of providing  free test and counseling for HIV/AIDS, malaria, hepatitis, diabetes and screening for tuberculosis.

    The team also carried out deworming of children. Residents were also given the opportunity to check their weight index and blood sugar levels. The team also doled out quality drugs to persons diagnosed of diseases.

    So all road led to the primary school at Akempli. Residents trooped to the temporary structures erected for the outreach to seek medical help. The programme lasted for about three days.

    An official of NACA, Dr. Rosemary Adu, said the outreach was designed to provide free medical outreach to 5000 Bayelsans. She said the programme which was initiated by Diri was within NACA’s mandate of enabling people to know their HIV statuses.

    She said willing adults were tested of HIV while minors underwent the same process through the consent of their parents and guardians. She said: “They can either accept or turn it down. They were counseled on the reason why they should have HIV testing and then the test was done. If an adult like a parent comes with the children, we sought their permission to test the children.

    “We provided them with free medical services. We had blood pressure check, blood sugar estimation, body mass index determination meaning that we would take people’s weight and height  and then based on the findings, we would calculate  their weight against their height and see if they were overweight or underweight.

    “We had instrument for malaria testing. If a person complained of symptoms that was suggestive of malaria that patient would be referred to have a malaria test done and if it was positive the person would be sent back to a doctor who would prescribe and give the malaria drugs.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Rep, SDP chief committed to Oyo’s growth

    Rep, SDP chief committed to Oyo’s growth

    The member representing Ibadan North in the House of Representatives, Abiodun Awoleye and the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the April general elections, Seyi Makinde, have reiterated their commitment to ensuring rapid development in Oyo State, especially in their home town, Ibadan.

    The duo urged influential individuals to invest in Nigeria, rather than developing foreign countries’ economies.

    The politicians made the pledge during the conferment of Distinguished Fellows Award on them by the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, at the Ibadan Civic Centre, Idi-Ape, Ibadan.

    Awoleye said: “I am very happy with this honour. The award is an invitation to do more.

    “It has shown that people appreciate good deeds. I’m ready to do more and I have been doing that.”

    Makinde said: “It is our responsibility to develop Nigeria along with the government.

    “hen we want to invest, we go abroad. When we are seeking admission for our children, we go abroad but we instruct our children to take us to Nigeria when we die. Nigeria is not a cemetery therefore let’s develop our nation together.”

  • Rep meets constituents, promises democracy dividends

    Residents of Mushin 2 federal constituency in Lagos State have tasked the lawmaker representing the district in the House of Representatives, Hon. Bolaji Yusuf Ayinla, to fulfill his electoral promises.

    At a constituents/stakeholders meeting organised by the lawmaker over the weekend, some of the demands made by hundreds of those present include provision of employment for youth, construction of roads, financial assistance to traders and the physically challenged within the constituency amongst others.

    The meeting was attended by chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC), traditional rulers, opinion and community leaders, who included Alhaji Taoreed Farounbi (alias Baba Alado).

    In his address, Ayinla, who expressed his appreciation for the mandate given to him by the people, added that the event was organised to feel the pulse of the people and set an agenda on his mission in the National Assembly.

    While assuring of quality representation in the House, Ayinla enjoined the people to always offer constructive advice on how to move the constituency forward.

     

  • Rep assures constituents on development

    Rep assures constituents on development

    The member representing Apapa Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Ayodeji Joseph, has assured his constituents that their challenges will be addressed at the National Assembly.

    He spoke at an interactive dinner organised by the maritime operators at Rockview Hotel at Park Lane in Apapa, Lagos.

    Ayodeji, who identified poor roads as the major challenge the people were facing, assured them that before the end of the year, some roads would be expanded.

    Convener Chief Gabby Dimudde-Kabayan, who said the Federal Government gets 74 per cent of its revenue from the maritime sector, called for an urgent repair of roads in Apapa since most of the maritime activities happen there.

    Spokesman of the Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) Mr. Jones Igbokwe said Lagos would collaborate with the Federal Government to put the roads in proper shape.

  • Kashamu, Rep, five PDP state legislators lose seats in Ogun

    Kashamu, Rep, five PDP state legislators lose seats in Ogun

    Ekwunife, Gbajabiamila retain seats I’ll fight to the end, controversial politician vows as he heads to Appeal Court

    THE National and State Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Abeokuta yesterday ruled that the emergence of controversial politician, Chief Buruji Kashamu, as winner of the March 28 Senatorial Election in Ogun East was substantially fraudulent.

    Consequently, the tribunal nullified the poll result and ordered a re-run election in 110 polling units in the senatorial district within 90 days.

    Kashamu vowed to go on appeal immediately.

    The tribunal also nullified the election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives member from Ijebu North/Ijebu East /Ogun Waterside, Prince Segun Adekoya, and those of state legislators from Ijebu Ode, Ipokia, Ijebu North 1, Egbado North 11 and Ijebu East for fraud.

    However, corresponding tribunals in Anambra and Lagos states upheld the elections of Senator Uche Ekwunife (Anambra Central) and the Leader of the House of Representatives, Mr.Femi Gbajabiamila (Surulere)

    Delivering judgment in the petition filed by Prince Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against Kashamu, the chairman of the Ogun Tribunal, Justice Ebiowei Tobi, said election in the 110 units were marred by irregularities and non-compliance with the electoral laws.

    He cited discrepancies in entries in the documents of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The Tribunal ruled that only 146, 533 of the votes cast were valid while 37,008 were invalidated.

    This leaves Kashamu with 75, 856 votes and Dapo Abiodun (petitioner) with 70, 677 votes.

    Votes returned in favour of the two politicians in the rerun will be added to the figures ascribed to them by the court yesterday.

    The Judge noted that the Tribunal would find it “very uncomfortable” should it decide to cancel the entire result of Ogun East Senatorial election because of mere 37, 008 invalid votes, hence the order for a fresh election in some polling units.

    He said though Kashamu led the Petitioner by a total of 5, 179 votes, that figure is not substantial enough to warrant his being declared winner of the election.

    The Tribunal also ordered a re-run in 122 polling units in Ijebu North, Ijebu East and Ogun Waterside Federal Constituency within 90 days in the petition against Rep. Segun Adekoya.

    The court held that the petitioner, Biyi Ismail of the APC had proved that the election was marred by irregularities and malpractices in the affected units.

    Earlier, the tribunal nullified the election of five PDP members of the State Assembly from Ijebu Ode, Ipokia, Ijebu North 1, Egbado North 11 and Iebu East,but upheld the election of four others.

    The Tribunal held that allegations of “substantial irregularities” and non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) in some of the polling units of the affected areas, were established by the petitioners.

    Kashamu’s lawyer, Mrs Ifeoma Esom, said the Senator and other PDP candidates whose elections were nullified by the Tribunal would go to the Court of Appeal.

    Speaking with reporters shortly after the court verdict, Mrs Esom said her clients were “disatisfied with the judgement.”

    Kashamu himself said in his reaction that it was erroneous to say that the tribunal nullified his election.

    He said: “I’m still leading with 5,179 votes. I am left with 75,856 votes while Dapo Abiodun has 70,677 votes. How does that amount to the nullification of my election?

    “What the tribunal said is that there would be a rerun in those polling units. Until the rerun is done, I remain the Senator representing Ogun East.”

    Ekwunife floors Umeh

    The Anambra State National and State Assemblies Election Petition Tribunal upheld the election of Senator Uche Ekwunife of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State.

    It dismissed the petition filed by Chief Victor Umeh of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

    The three-man election petition tribunal, led by Justice Nayai Aganaba, resolved all the issues prayed by Umeh and APGA in favour of Ekwunife.

    Similarly, the tribunal resolved in favour of Hon. Anayo Nnebe of PDP of the House of Representatives, against Chief Godson Ezenagu of APGA in the Awka North and South federal constituency.

    But the tribunal declared Ferdinand Nwankwo of APGA as winner of the Anaocha/ Njikoka/ Dunukofia federal constituency election. He took over from Emeka Ezeh of the PDP, who was proclaimed winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after the election of March 28, 2015.

    Umeh’s counsel, Obele Chuka Obele, said yetserday that his client would proceed to the Court of Appeal to seek the reversal of the tribunal’s verdict.

    Addressing reporters yesterday after the judgment, Senator Ekwunife described the judgment as a true reflection of what happened during the election, adding that APGA was only too desperate.”

    She said that Senator Chris Ngige, who was nominated as a minister by President Muhammadu Buhari, would be given accelerated passage in the Senate.

    She described Ngige’s appointment as well deserving.

    Tribunal upholds Gbajabiamila’s election victory

    The National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Ikeja, yesterday upheld the victory of the Majority Leader of the Federal House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.

    The tribunal declared that Gbajabiamila of the All Progressives Congress (APC) validly won the March 28, 2015 election for Surulere Federal Constituency I in Lagos State.

    The three-man tribunal, led by Justice C.U. Anwuka, resolved all issues raised in favour of the respondent and dismissed the petition filed by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Mr. Tony Ashikodi, for failing to prove the allegations of electoral fraud.

    Gbajabiamila was declared winner of the poll by the INEC after securing 21,715 votes, while Ashikodi polled 14,550 votes.

    Ashikodi had sought to nullify Gbajabiamila’s victory by alleging that the election was characterised by irregularities and a breach of the guidelines set out by INEC.

    The petitioner had also prayed the tribunal for an order to conduct a fresh election, arguing that Gbajabiamila did not score the highest number of valid votes as declared by INEC.

    Delivering judgment, the chairman of the tribunal, Justice C. U. Anwuka dismissed the petitions and resolved all the issues raised in favour of the respondents.

    Justice Anwuka said the petitioner had failed to prove his case beyond reasonable doubt, adding that the PDP candidate failed to substantiate his allegations of ballot box snatching and falsification of result sheets by not calling witnesses to justify the claims.

    The Tribunal also faulted Ashikodi’s claim of multiple irregularities adding that the petitioner admitted in his evidence-in-chief that he was not present at the collation centre.

    Anwuka further said that the petitioner did not link any document tendered with his allegation of irregularities.

     Osun Tribunal upholds APC Rep’s election

    The Osun state election petition tribunal sitting in Osogbo, the state capital, yesterday upheld the victory of Hon Yinka Ajayi, representing Ifelodun/Boripe/Odo-Otin federal constituency in the National Assembly.

    The three-man judge, led by Justice Kwajaffa A. G, dismissed the petition of Hon Kayode Oduoye of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for lack of merit.

    Hon. Oduoye was challenging the declaration of Ajayi in the National Assembly elections by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    He alleged that Ajayi and his party, All Progressives Congress (APC), connived with the third respondent (INEC) to rig the election.

    The petitioner also alleged that the election was characterised by irregularities, urging the tribunal to declare it null and void.

    However, the tribunal in its ruling dismissed the evidence of the petitioner’s witnesses as hearsay, stressing that the petitioner failed to prove his petition beyond reasonable doubt.

    Reacting to the judgment, lead-counsel to the petitioner, Mr Henry Odunayo, said he would explore the next line of action in seeking justice.

    But counsel to the respondents, Mr Wale Afolabi, Ibrahim Lawal and Olorunfemi Olalekan, lauded the tribunal for objective and careful evaluation of witnesses in the petition.

    Corrupt judges belong to hell, says panel chair

    The chairman of National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Justice Ebiowei Tobi, yesterday rained curses on anyone who attempts to buy justice in the petitions before him.

    In his opening address preparatory to the delivery of the tribunal’s judgments in a dozen of petitions before the court, said he and his colleagues had come to the state for the assignment with integrity and would also leave at the conclusion of the task with their integrity intact .

    He therefore invoked the wrath of God against anyone, including himself and the two other members of the panel, who took money in a bid to influence justice in all the petitions before them, saying corrupt judges should be sentenced to a location near satan in hell.

    The Tribunal chairman noted that some people are given to making brisk business and money out of election cases by trying to influence justice.

    He lamented that judges in Nigeria have found themselves in a precarious situation where a party that wins in court goes about hailing them while the losers also go about casting aspersions.

    According to him, this situation may not change soon “as long as the Nigerian society remains the way it is.”

     

  • Floods have washed snakes into my community, Rep cries out

    Snakes have flooded Pankshin/Kanke/Kannam Federal Constituency – no thanks to the flooding in Plateau State.

    The member representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kannam Federal Constituency Timothy Golu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Jos yesterday that “all manner of snakes” had taken over his constituency.

    “The floods have pushed snakes into my constituency. They move around openly and snake bites have become very common there.

    “As the waters pushed them, some snakes climbed trees; others entered holes while some just held unto any straw . All of them later descended into residences and farms where they have been wreaking havoc,” he said.

    He said the commonest species were black mamba and carpet viper.

    He said the people used to travel to a snake clinic in Zamko, in Langtang Local Government, but there were no more drugs in the facility.

    “The drugs are very expensive and purchasing them had been dificult for the proprietor of the clinic because it was always difficult or outrightly impossible for the patients to pay,” he said.

    Golu advised the federal and statd governments to take over the production of local drugs to help the generally rural populace that had been the victims of the menace.

    He said that farmers were being advised to use hand gloves and rain boots at the farms to minimise the effect of such bites, but lamented that many hardly heed the counsel.

  • Rep sympathises with bereaved families

    Rep sympathises with bereaved families

    The lawmaker representing Ojo Federal Constituency Tajudeen Obasa, has commiserated with Lagos State Government on Wednesday’s tragic incident at Ojuelegba.

    He also condoled with the bereaved families and prayed for the quick recovery of the injured.

    Obasa, in a statement, called on those in the haulage trade to drive within the regulation of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

    “The primary aim of any government in the world is to protect lives and property. Enough is enough, there must be a proper legislative framework to strengthen the activities of agencies saddled with road transportation,” he said.