Politics
PEPT: Court Admits Additional Video Evidence In Peter Obi Petition
The Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) in Abuja has accepted additional video evidence presented by Mr. Peter Obi, the candidate of the Labour Party (LP).
The video, stored on a flash drive, was presented by Ijeoma Osamor, the anchor of the Democracy Today program on AIT.
During the court session held on Friday, the video recording which was played openly after being admitted as an exhibit, was brought forward in response to a subpoena issued by the Justice Haruna Tsammani-led five-member panel to Africa Independent Television (AIT).
In the video, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, can be seen addressing the press during a conference.
He assured that the results of the upcoming 2023 general elections will be transmitted electronically, utilizing Bimodal Voter Accreditation (BVAS) devices.
Subsequently, following the admission of the video recording as evidence, the court granted permission for the lawyers representing INEC, President Bola Tinubu, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) – who are respondents in the case – to cross-examine the witness.
During the cross-examination, Osamor clarified to the court that contrary to the positions presented by President Tinubu and the APC, the INEC Chairman did not declare before the elections that the results would no longer be uploaded.
However, Mr. Abiodun Owonikoko, SAN, counsel for the APC, insisted that there was a newspaper publication supporting the party’s claim that the INEC Chairman had provided reasons before the elections as to why the Commission could not transmit the results.
During her testimony, the witness affirmed to the court that as a reporter assigned to cover INEC-related news, she had attended all press briefings conducted by the Commission.
She stated categorically that she never heard any announcement from Prof. Yakubu regarding the discontinuation of result transmission.
Furthermore, she informed the court that the publication referred to by President Tinubu and the APC, dated February 23, was likely a personal interview between the INEC Chairman and Tribune Newspaper.
This suggested that it might not have been an official statement or declaration made by Prof. Yakubu during a press conference or public event.
In the midst of the trial, all the Respondents raised objections to the admissibility of the video recording obtained from AIT as evidence. They expressed their intention to present detailed reasons supporting their objections in their final written addresses.
Earlier during the proceedings, Prof. Eric Ofoedu, a Mathematics professor from Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State, testified that he had analyzed some of the results of the presidential election that INEC had uploaded on its IReV portal.
During cross-examination, Prof. Ofoedu clarified that his analysis was undertaken as an academic exercise with the aim of benefiting his students, rather than for any particular legal or political purpose.
The witness emphasized that he did not receive any payment for conducting the analysis.
He further stated that he was subpoenaed to present the outcome of his analysis as evidence since his original intention was not to utilize the report for election litigation purposes.
However, the witness stood by his assertion that out of the 18,088 result sheets that INEC uploaded concerning the presidential contest, a significant number of them were blurred or lacked clarity.
The court adjourned the proceedings and scheduled further hearings on the matter to take place on Monday.
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has warned against attempts to destabilize the peace and security of Igbajo by some group of people led by Prince Gboyega Famodun through conflicting Oroke festival days.
He directed security agencies to deal decisively with any trouble maker.
According to a government statement, issued in Osogbo, reports at the disposal of the government indicated an attempt by a faction belonging to Famodun to create conflict at Igbajo by fixing a different festival date from the one officially announced by the legal and officially crowned king of Igbajo, Oba Ademola Makinde.
An effort, it noted was designed to create violence and crisis in the peaceful town of Igbajo.
As a government, the statement added, we reiterate that the Monarch of Igbajo today is Oba Ademola Makinde and the May 23rd already fixed for the Oroke Day Festival remains the sacrosanct date for the popular cultural and traditionally significant event.
“We note further that the Head of Igbajo traditional institution remains the present Owa of Igbajo, Oba Ademola Makinde and he is therefore empowered and entitled to fix the day for the Oroke festival. Actions of the Famodun faction is therefore against tradition and law and is therefore a nullity.
“In a bid to forestall breakdown of law and order and in line with my responsibility as the Chief Security Officer of Osun state, I direct security agencies to enforce the holding of the Oroke festival on the official date of May 23rd and to ensure no gathering is held on May 19th set by any other faction.
“The above directive and actions are taken to maintain peace and protect the ancient town from those hell-bent on manipulating the traditional institution to destabilize the state”, the Governor was quoted as saying,” he cautioned.
Adamawa State High Court’s Justice Benjamin Manji Lawan has issue an arrest warrant for suspended INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner Barrister Hudu Yunusa Ari.
The court instructed the Inspector General of Police to promptly apprehend Barrister Ari and present him in court to face trial on three charges.
This directive followed an application filed by the Adamawa State Government on April 16, 2024.
During the proceedings, Chief L. D. Nzadon, representing the complainant, informed the court that they were seeking an arrest warrant against the defendant.
Referring to Section 20, Subsection (1j) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) 2018, Chief Nzadon urged the court to utilize its authority and instruct the Inspector General of Police to apprehend the defendant, regardless of his location.
He explained that attempts to serve the defendant were unsuccessful, as the court’s bailiff had been in Bauchi State from May 2nd to May 4th, 2024, but couldn’t locate him.
In his ruling on the application, the judge noted that this was the third instance the case had been mentioned without the defendant present in court.
He acknowledged the complainant’s counsels’ explanation regarding their inability to serve Ari, suggesting that it seemed he was deliberately avoiding
The executives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Igbotako Ward II, Okitipupa local government area of Ondo State, have officially suspended Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, who represents Ondo South, citing alleged anti-party activities and insubordination.
The suspension notice was jointly signed by several ward executive members, including Omotoye Olusola, Bakere Usuf, Tore Obwoselu, Oloyinmi Idowu, Borewaye Louyomi, Oladipupo Bose, Alkimbobola Seyi, Lawal-Babatunde, Aritawe-Ademole, Akinkuoju Olarewaju, and Fabioye Ajoke.
Ibrahim’s suspension follows the recent APC governorship primary election in the state, where he faced defeat. Citing Article 21, Section A of the APC Constitution, the party executives justified their decision to suspend Senator Ibrahim.
The 16-member Executive Committee made this decision during a meeting held on Monday, May 13, 2024.
Additionally, the party recalled a prior meeting in Abuja, convened by the APC National Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, where all governorship aspirants were urged to cooperate with the party’s candidate and incumbent governor of the state, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Despite the suspension, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim proceeded to file a lawsuit against the governor and the APC, disregarding the party’s directives.
The letter, made public in Akure, the state capital, on Wednesday, states: “We, the members of the APC Executive Committee of Igbotako Ward II in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, convened a meeting on Monday, May 13th, 2024.”
“During our meeting, we deliberated extensively on various issues affecting the progress and development of our party, notably indiscipline and insubordination among some members.
“We have found Senator Jimoh Ibrahim’s actions and activities to violate the party’s constitution, particularly his decision to sue the party as well as his anti-party activities.
“As such, we have resolved to take appropriate disciplinary action against him as outlined in the party’s constitution. Senator Jimoh Folorunso Ibrahim is hereby suspended from the All Progressives Congress (APC) with immediate effect for acts of insubordination and anti-party activities By Article 21, Section A of the APC Constitution.
“It is worth recalling that the National Party Chairman of APC, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, met with all Ondo State governorship aspirants on April 25th, 2024, in Abuja
“During the meeting, he urged them to cooperate with the party’s candidate and incumbent Governor of Ondo State, Honorable Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa. Despite this, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim Folorunso proceeded to sue the Governor and APC, blatantly disregarding party instructions.
“Additionally, he has engaged in anti-party activities by urging his supporters in Igbotako and Ondo State to join NNPP, claiming he will soon receive the gubernatorial ticket from them.
“Senator Jimoh has openly declared his intent to disrupt APC before leaving the party, as evidenced by his actions in the Federal High Court in Abuja and his derogatory remarks about APC in various media outlets.
“For emphasis, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim Folorunso has been suspended from the All Progressives Congress (APC) with immediate effect, and he is hereby prohibited from participating in any APC activities nationwide.” the letter added
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