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Tribunal Dismisses Labour Party’s Petition To Quiz INEC Over IRev Glitches During Presidential Poll

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The presidential election petition tribunal has thrown away an application filed by the Labour Party (LP) seeking to question the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the technology deployed for the conduct of the election.

According to NAN, the five-member panel led by Haruna Tsammani, held on Saturday, that the tribunal lacked the jurisdiction to grant the request because it was brought outside the pre-hearing session.

The application, tagged CA/PEPC/03/2023, was filed by the LP and Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate.

The applicants, among other reasons for disputing the outcome of the election, are accusing INEC of non-compliance with the 2022 electoral act.

The petitioners’ concerns also included the failure to transmit the results of the presidential election in real-time on the INEC results viewing portal (IREV) as assured.

The petitioners had asked the court to permit them to question INEC on the technology deployed to conduct the election including the competency of the ICT experts who oversaw technology.

In two applications, the petitioners through Patrick Ikweto, their counsel, prayed the court to order INEC to supply the names and other details of its ICT professionals that deployed electronic devices for the conduct of the election.

Specifically, the petitioners maintained that given INEC’s reply to their petition, the commission should be compelled to answer 12 questions posed to it.

At the hearing, the tribunal in a unanimous decision, ruled that the applicants failed to disclose any extreme circumstance that stopped them from filing within the statutory time.

The court said motions could not be heard at the hearing session.

“It is an afterthought on the grounds that the pre-hearing period to file such an application elapsed on May 22,” Tsammani said.

“I have not disputed the fact that they did not call the attention of the court during the pre-hearing session.

“It is for the applicant to take a step towards the hearing of his motion on notice. The court cannot do that for him.

“The petitioners’ counsel are very conversant with the provisions of the law and did not ask for an extension of time.

“They rather seek to employ the right to fair hearing as a magic wand to escape the consequence of their failure to comply with the law and blame the court for its inaction.

“Their application is incompetent and the court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain it and accordingly, the application is struck out.”

BIG STORY

BREAKING: Oyo Governor Approves Appointment Of Canadian-Based Businessman Prince Abimbola As New Alaafin

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After a two-year dispute over the vacant Alaafin of Oyo stool, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has approved the appointment of Abimbola Owoade, a young Canadian-based businessman, as the new monarch of the kingdom.

 

More to come…

 

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Dismissed Kano SSG Abdullahi Bichi Threatens To Expose Government, Political Figures

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The recently dismissed Secretary to the Kano State Government, Abdullahi Bichi, has threatened to reveal what he described as “explosive evidence” against political figures, accusing them of deceit and betrayal.

Bichi, who was removed from office in December 2024, made the declaration upon his return from Saudi Arabia.

In a viral video shared on Thursday, he addressed his supporters and accused the leaders of betrayal and deceit, saying, “I’m happy I left the office in peace, but let me be clear: this is not the best time to talk. At the right time, we will expose them.”

“I have documents, videos, and voice notes that will show everyone who they really are,” Bichi added.

The former SSG’s strained relationship with Governor Abba Yusuf and his mentor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, became evident after his suspension from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) on October 14, 2024. Bichi described the leaders as “masters of betrayal,” claiming his evidence would expose their true nature.

Political observers and residents of Kano are speculating on whether Bichi will follow through with his threats, and how it may impact the political landscape in the region.

Bichi was accused of attempting to sever Yusuf’s ties with Kwankwaso’s political influence. He was subsequently suspended from the party alongside then-Transportation Commissioner, Muhammad Diggol.

The State NNPP Chairman, Hashimu Dungurawa, stated that the suspension followed multiple complaints from party leadership at the ward and local government levels.

Dungurawa emphasized that the actions of the suspended officials undermined the party’s leadership and structure.

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DSS Arrests Blogger For Cloning Its Website, Posting Fake Recruitment Notice

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Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested the man responsible for cloning its website and posting a false recruitment notice.

It was gathered that 32-year-old Sylvester Victor Augustus, a native of Abak Local Government Area in Akwa-Ibom State, was apprehended on Thursday at his residence on Akpan Eno Lane in Abak, Abak LGA.

Augustus, who claimed to be a graduate of the University of Uyo (UNIUYO) and worked as a blogger and content creator, had created a fake online recruitment notice on the cloned DSS website, likely intending to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

The DSS has labeled the notice “fake” and urged the public to avoid falling victim to such fraudulent schemes. Augustus is expected to be arraigned in court soon.

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