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Ogun Tribunal: Two Ad Hoc Staff Detail Election Disruptions

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Two ad hoc staff members of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) appeared before the Ogun State Election Petition Tribunal in Abeokuta, the state capital, on Thursday.

 

The first witness, Ezeajaegbu Desmond, formerly a National Youth Service Corps member, served as the Presiding Officer at Polling Unit 0012, Ward 6, Makun Sagamu. The second witness, Okitipki Mogbeyi, was the Assistant Presiding Officer.

 

During their testimony, both witnesses stated that voting at their respective polling units was disrupted by unknown thugs.

 

Desmond recounted that the hoodlums attacked his polling unit and set the electoral materials on fire, including his INEC reflective jacket.

 

He said “I was able to escape with the BVAS machine only. We were trained to let go of materials if attacked.”

 

Desmond further revealed that approximately 50 people had cast their votes before the thugs arrived at the polling station, armed with weapons, and proceeded to burn all the voting materials.

 

However, during the cross-examination by counsel to INEC, Remi Olatubora, Desmond’s status as an INEC Presiding Officer was disputed, and he was disowned by the counsel.

 

Olatubora claimed that Desmond should have contacted INEC before appearing at the tribunal, despite the fact that the subpoena was addressed to him.

 

Olatubora described him as the first to testify against his client, saying: “You were never a Presiding Officer, you are an arranged witness, a procured witness, a suborn witness. You were paid to testify for PDP.

 

Desmond maintained his claim as a Presiding Officer, providing evidence of the payment he received from the electoral umpire to support his position.

 

He vehemently denied receiving any payment from the PDP to act as a witness at the tribunal.

 

Similarly, Mogbeyi testified that her polling unit was also attacked by unidentified political thugs, which resulted in the disruption of voting.

 

She explained that she chose not to report the incident to the police because security agents were present at the time of the invasion and witnessed the situation themselves.

 

During her testimony, Mogbeyi refuted any allegations of being paid by the PDP to testify at the tribunal.

 

She said “I honoured the subpoena because I didn’t want to go to jail. It was addressed to me personally, not INEC.”

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Politics

Igbajo: Adeleke Reads Riot Act, Vows To Deal With Troublemakers

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Four gang-killed two in Osun, destroy N8M properties

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.

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Court Issues Arrest Warrant For Suspended INEC Official

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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

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JUST IN: APC Suspends Senator Jimoh Ibrahim

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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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