Jul 7th, 2008
Ondo: Harvest of Election Nullifications
It has been a harvest of election nullifications in Ondo State in the last few weeks. At the last count, no fewer than 12 elections into both the National Assembly and State House of Assembly had been nullified by the two Election Petition Tribunals sitting in Akure.
James Sowole reports via ThisDay. Full text below:
In Nigeria , political history placed Ondo State as the political hub of the South West geo-political Zone. The first political party of the then Western Region took off from Owo, an ancient town of the Sunshine State . When talking of the progressive political activities in the old region, the contributions of notable people like the first Executive Governor of the State, late Chief Adekunle Ajasin, late Chief Adebayo Adefarati, Chief Olu Falae, Chief Rueben Fasoranti, Chief Wunmi Adegbonmire, Senator Olorunnimbe Farukanmi and a host of others cannot be dismissed with a wave of hand.
The 1983 political crisis with the attendant destruction both in terms of human and property, is fresh in the minds of many political events watchers and which many still use to describe the people of the state as who abhor cheating. The contribution of notable indigenes of the state to the political struggle of the National Democratic Coalition(NADECO) for the enthronement of democracy in the country, also testified to the vibrancy of the people. The massive return of the choice of the people during the 1999 General Election in the person of the late Chief Adebayo Adefarati and the deliberate change of the people in 2003 against Adefarati in preference to the incumbent Governor, Olusegun Agagu clearly demonstrated the sensitivity of the people when a change is desired.
The level of political awareness of the people and their determination to ensure that their choice is respected when choosing their leaders, was demonstrated with the vigour they handled electoral processes into various offices before, during and after the April 14 and April 21, 2007 general election.
The startling revelations at the tribunals showed the level of commitment of the people to ensure that their choices were respected. Watchers of events were inundated daily during the preliminary hearing of various cases at the tribunals as documentary evidences which many thought cannot be obtained were tendered in pursuance of petitions. Apart from 1983 when the outcome of the governorship election involving first executive governor of the state, Chief Adekunle Ajasin and his estranged deputy, Chief Akin Omoboriowo was taken before the Election Petition Tribunal, the state has not witnessed legal fireworks at the courts.
The enormity of petitions emanating from the 2007 elections and the need to tackle them headlong necessitated the setting up of two election petitions tribunals in the state. While Justice Garba Nabaruma-led panel concentrated on the cases emanating from the gubernatorial poll in which the incumbent Governor, Dr Olusegun Agagu of the Labour Party (PDP) and Dr Olusegun Mimiko of the Labour Party (LP) are the main actors and few of the cases on the Legislative elections, the Justice Joseph Ikyegh led panel concentrated on the remaining exercises bothering on State and National Assembly Polls.
Until judgments started rolling in based on the documentary evidences placed before the two tribunals, the general belief was that it is very impossible to prove cases of election malpractices in Nigeria .
As at the time of filling this report, the LP was having an edge going by the outcome of various judgments delivered so far by the two tribunals. While the LP had secured one more seat at the State House of Assembly in addition to nine it had originally, the PDP in the state had suffered repeated losses as the panels keep nullifying the election of its members into the National and State House of Assembly one after the other.
So far, the PDP had lost six members of the State House of Assembly including the speaker, five members of House of Representatives and one Senate seat.
Those who had their elections nullified as members of the State House of Assembly by the two Election Petition Tribunals are Obagbemi Oladunjoye, Adebusoye Olaniyi, of Okitipupa constituencies 1 and 11 respectively, Pius Idowu Adebusuyi of Ifedore, Atikase Otito Thompson of Ilaje constituency 1, Igbekele Bolodeoku of Eseodo and the Speaker, Bakkita Olufowobi Bello of Akoko North -West I constituencies. Equally, a third term Senator and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Gbenga Ogunniya representing Ondo Central Senatorial District was asked to vacate his seat in the Upper chamber of the National Assembly by Justice Joseph Ikyegh-led Panel.
The members of the House of Representatives who got their elections nullified by the election panels are Agboola Ajayi representing Ilaje/Eseodo, Jones Akinyugha of Idanre/Ifedore, Gbenga Elegbeleye of Akoko North West and North East and Temitayo Fawehinmi representing Ondo East and West federal constituencies at the National Assembly. One of the causalities, Ajayi, the Chairman of the House Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) had his election nullified twice. The first nullification was due to the fact that he was not qualified as at the time the election was held as the tribunal held that the certificate he tendered for the poll, was not genuine.
It will be an understatement to say that the leadership and the entire members of the PDP did not bargain for what befell the party in Ondo State which as at now accounted for the highest number of nullifications premised on the outcome of the April 2007 Elections. That the party’s leadership was not comfortable with the nullification of some determined petition was saying the obvious as they were anxious of what would be the outcome of the remaining three cases which the two tribunals will determine soon including the star petition which is the, gubernatorial.
The major reason for this is that some of the elections which were held the same day and in the same constituencies have been nullified by the election panel. These included the election of Prince Oyebo Aladetan of Ilaje Constituency I where the tribunal had nullified that of his counterpart in Constituency 11. The remaining House of Representatives Petition is that of Ile-Oluji/Odigbo Federal Constituency where the tribunal had determined the petitions of the LP in favour of the PDP candidates in respect of State House of Assembly.
One thing was common to all the cases that had been determined. The tribunal ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to organise fresh elections within periods ranging from 60 days to 90 days from the day the judgments were delivered. The only exemption was in the judgment delivered by Justice Garba Nabaruma-led panel, where the tribunal ordered that Pius Idowu Adebusuyi should vacate the Ifedore Constituency seat in the State Assembly for the LP candidate, Oloyelogun David Bamidele.
It must be noted that reasons for the nullification of these elections were similar. The tribunals based their judgments on proven cases of irregularities, corrupt practices, inflation of results in favour of the respondents, signing of election results by political office holders and use of unauthorised stamps like those of defunct NECON, FEDECO and NEC contrary to the provision of Electoral Acts 2006. There were cases of over voting, multiple registrations while cases of multiple thumbprinting were established thorough scientific method with the aid of finger print expert.
In all cases, the tribunal held that the number of votes declared in many poling units were more than the number of registered voters as revealed by the ballot recount exercise ordered by the panels while in many cases the figures in the INEC result sheets were far more than even the number of ballot papers supplied by the commission just as votes were allocated to political parties that did not contest election at all.
For example, the INEC stated in its result that Bolodeoku polled a total of 32,313 votes to emerge as winner of the election while his closer challenger, Prince Ibunkun Kalasuwe of LP scored 1,121. But in the vote recount ordered by the tribunal, a total of 21,529 was the total number of used and unused ballot papers found in the ballot boxes in the state constituency. Apart from a total of 12,952 in excess of the votes, the tribunal held that the ballot papers sent to the constituency for the election was only 4,000. This was despite the fact that an Electoral Officer posted to the zone, Mr Toyin Abegunde in his report had said that election did not hold because of massive violence in the area.
More curious in the judgment read by Justice Abdullahi Maiwada on behalf of others was that only six political parties contested the election but the electoral umpire gave result to 12 political parties just as governorship ballot papers found its way to the House of Assembly result.
Earlier, Justice Garba Nabaruma-led Tribunal had nullified the election of Fawehinmi representing Ondo East and West federal constituency at the House of Representatives and Adebusuyi representing Ifedore constituency at the State House of Assembly. The grouse of Dr Irinola Akinlaja who got judicial pronouncement to get Fawehinmi’s election nullified was that Fawehinmi was not duly returned by the total number of valid vote cast and the tribunal in upholding the submission based its verdict on the fact that there were different entries in both form EC8A II which is the Unit results form and form EC8B II which were used for collating of result.
The Justice Nabaruma-led tribunal that nullified the election of Fawehinmi also nullified the election of Adebusuyi. But in his case, his opponent in the election, Mr Bamidele Oleyelogun of LP was declared the winner of the election. The tribunal based its verdict on the irregularities discovered in the exhibits submitted by the petitioners and the evidences of the witnesses in the petitions.
For the election of Elegbeleye, the tribunal held that the election was irregular because there was massive thumb printing of ballot papers at the palace of Olukare of Ikare, Oba Akadiri Momoh. Also, the Tribunal discovered that inanimate objects were used for voting during the election by agents of the PDP’s candidate just as there was no accreditation of voters before the purported election took place
In their verdict having held that the election was fraught with irregularities, the justices said the petitioner was able to prove the allegations raised in the petition. These allegations, they said, included multiple voting, violence during the election and non accreditation of voters before the actual election. The Tribunal also held that the result declared by INEC did not tally with the actual voting when physical counting of the votes recorded during the election was carried out, just as the justices frowned at the discovery that inanimate objects were used during the voting exercise.
The same grounds for the nullification of election of other PDP members were also the one used for the nullification of Atikase’s election, who represent Ilaje Constituency11 in the Assembly. The Justice Joseph Ikeygh-led Election Petition Tribunal predicated its decision on the non-compliance substantially with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2006 as to who should sign the form EC8A and EC8B.
In the verdict, the tribunal held that the result declared by INEC was 31,119 while the vote recount showed 20,490. Out of the result of the vote recount, it was discovered that only 11,900 has INEC stamps. Other were either not stamped or signed by the electoral officers. Delivering the unanimous judgment on behalf of others, Justice Ijem Onwuagbu said “there is no basis for the return of the first respondent (Atikase) representing Ilaje constituency two hence it has been established that the April 14 elections contained a lot of irregularities and malpractices.
Delivering judgment in the petition filed against Akinyugha’s return by the LP candidate in the election, Mr. Moshood Bakare, Justice Paul Elechi who read the judgment on behalf of others said the election was nullified on the grounds of over-voting and signing of election results by seven serving political office holders.
According to the justices, since the election was based on ballot count, the result of the votes count as ordered by the tribunal cannot sustain the Respondent. Rather, it supported the allegation of electoral malpractices basically against INEC as canvassed by the Petitioner.
Justice Elechi wondered how 25,477 ballot papers would be found and counted in INEC’s bags while a total of 38,130 was recorded in the Commission’s results form without any explanation by the electoral body as to the whereabouts of the shortfall of 12,563.
In the determined cases, the actions and inactions of the officials of the INEC were exposed while the collusion of some law enforcement agents was found to negate their callings. The tribunal berated an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Chris Oloyede, who signed election results as the PDP agent during the House of Representative Election in Ese Odo Federal Constituency.
Justice Yargatha Nimpa, who read the judgment, said “it was incomprehensible that a public officer in the rank of an Assistant Commissioner of Police could act as party agent.”
Though, the tribunal did not deal with the crime content of various petitions, it had harsh words for the elected officers who used their positions to influence the outcome of the elections saying for the nation’s democracy to grow, the incidence of excesses of public office holders who use their positions to circumvent the electoral rights of the people must be firmly checked.
The tribunal expressed its disgust in a clear manner about political office holders signing election results sheets while giving judgment in the petition against the return of the former speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr Bakkita Bello, as it was established that the Attorney-General and the Commissioner for Justice of Ondo State, Mr. Yemi Alao signed results sheets in five out of the six wards that made up Akoko North West Constituency 1.
“Should the absence of sanctions in the provision of Electoral Law of Nigeria be a license for the breach of the same especially signing of election result sheets by Chief Law Officer of a state. The answer should be no”, says Justice Ijem Onwuamgbu who read the judgment.
The judgments of the electoral panels were not about nullification of election as victories of some members have been upheld by the panels while the petitions of the aggrieved candidates have been dismissed. Apart from the LP and the only Alliance for Democracy (AD) lawmakers who had their elections upheld, some members of the ruling party have also got their elections upheld. Some of the beneficiaries of the soft side of the tribunal were Senator Bode Olajumoke representing Ondo North Senatorial district, Dr Wole Olakunde representing Okitipupa/Irele federal constituency and Hon. Alaba Oladoyinbo Ojomo, representing Owo/Ose Constituency.
32 Responses to “Ondo: Harvest of Election Nullifications”
And a bountiful and well deserved harvest of nullification it has been indeed. My million dollar question now is this: ON WHAT GROUNDS WOULD AGAGU BE EXEMPT FROM DISMISSAL FROM ALAGBAKA INTO IGNOMINY? We await the final verdict of all verdicts in Ondo State with Godly patience. May peace reign in Ondo State and may HE Dr Mimiko settle well into position to carry out his Agenda and Mission of hope in Ondo State (amen).
Amen!
Another week is come and we await Ondo State judgement. Well the news that Imoke has been sent packing and the speaker is to be sworn in. Yet to catch up on the details but one thing is sure, Ondo State will soon be waving Agagu (or do I say) cheering him out of office.
SURELY THIS IS GOOD NEWS. IN ONDO STATE IT SHALL BE BETTER NEWS FOR A VERDICT OF REINSTATEMENT AND RESTORATION IS EXPECTED. PLEASE READ THE POST AS POSTED ON GRANDIOSE PARLOR:
The Court of Appeal sitting in Calabar, Cross River State of Nigeria in a unanimous judgement on Monday annulled the election of the Governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke, and ordered for a fresh election within the next three months. In the interim, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly is to take over while candidates prepare for the fresh polls.
In the interim, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly is to take over while candidates prepare for the fresh polls. Counsel to the appellants in the appeal, Okoi Obono-Obla said: “We have liberated Cross River State from the hands of the political jobbers and buccaneers who used guile, chicanery and electoral roguery to seize the machinery of government. Votes were merely allocated. The inspection of electoral materials carried out by the Petitioners shows that only 33,000 people were duly accredited but Imoke was allocated more than 800,000, which were more than the total number of registered voters in Cross River State. We won the petition, but the Tribunal did not have the courage to annul the election after overwhelming evidence that there was no election in Cross River State on April 14, 2007. The people of Cross River State shall come together and discuss on the way forward. The struggle continues.”
Guardian.
YES THIS IS GOOD NEWS:
Appeal Court’s verdict on Imoke shocks PDP
By Tom Chiahemen, Assistant Editor, Abuja
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday expressed shock over the annulment of the election of Liyel Imoke as Governor of Cross River State, describing the development as a great setback for the people of the state “who have been yearning for development.”
It, however, viewed with satisfaction the two judgments delivered over the weekend by the Court of Appeal, Enugu which reaffirmed the victories of Governors Sullivan Chime of Enugu State and Martins Elechi of Ebonyi State and Senator Chimaroke Nnamani of the Enugu East Senatorial Zone.
National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Rufai Ahmed Alkali, said in a statement in Abuja that the party would swing into action at both the state and national levels to mobilise its supporters in Cross River State in preparation for the re-run election.
The party urged the people of the state to rally round Imoke in the forthcoming re-run election to reclaim his mandate.
It also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to put in place all necessary modalities “as an unbiased umpire” for the re-run as it did in all previous bye-elections which earned it international commendations.
According to Alkali, “the party believes that the judiciary being the last hope of the common man has done its job without fear or favour, thus strengthening the rule of law as presently being canvassed for and preached by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.”
According to Alkali, “the party believes that the judiciary being the last hope of the common man has done its job without fear or favour, thus strengthening the rule of law as presently being canvassed for and preached by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.”
According to Alkali, “the party believes that the judiciary being the last hope of the common man has done its job without fear or favour, thus strengthening the rule of law as presently being canvassed for and preached by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.”
well, I guess we will just have to wait this out. I had hoped that the information about probable judgement this week (today to be precise)would be correct. All remain blessed
Well, Oyinlola declared winner despite ?????!!!!!! and appeal court upholds David mark`s election. I`m now troubled by the silence from Ondo State tribunal, but they better do not play any `prank` and I still belief the right thing will be done. Probably they are trying to twist Nabaruna`s hand to call `black white.
Let us all keep praying for the right verdict which we all know.
The judgement for the last two House of Assembly cases fixed for tomorrow , 17th of July. Hopefully, the date for guber will be fixed not too long after that. The Assembly cases was supposed to have been done with by the 30th of June, anyway, I guess it is what it is for now. I was told that the `vibes` emanating from the triunal is very good so far.
All remain blessed and remain prayerful.
God will not let us down. Yes Mr Fred, I had the cold feel thinking Nabaruma is being lobbied. If so this will fail for by the grace of God, gone would be the days of “indecent” proposals, Naija factor and politics of evil. We really want to clean up our acts in Nigeria and be able to hold our heads high with Godly pride whereever we go or are. This will come to pass and who says it cannot start from Ondo state Oh just wait and see, with HE Dr Mimiko at Alagbaka, good things will come to and come out of Ondo State and FAST. Anyone who compromises this will suffer the wrath of God, and all the curses in the book of Deutoronomy 14 vs 15 to end will come to pass in their lives forever.
I was informed that PDP lost the two verdicts for the House today, and that is the end of the House of Assembly cases, clearing the way to fix the date for the Guber judgement.
All remain blessed.
Thank you!
Kindly note that all Glory Must be given to God. Tribunal are men and NOT God, so all we want is God in action
The Thursday’s verdicts increased the number of seats lost by the PDP at the tribunal to 14! [Nigerian Tribune]
Factoid:
Ondo state has the most annulled elections ever in one electoral year in the history of Nigeria. This puts into perspective:
1. The extent fraud during the 2007 elections.
2. The quality of work devoted into preparing and presenting these cases in court.
Attestation scheduled for Monday and I belief the judgement date should be announced at that time. My guess is that judgement should be delivered about 48-72hrs thereafter, but some information have been wrong before, hopefully this one is absolute.
All remain blessed.
Below, enjoy the piece of the yesterday`s verdict.
Ondo tribunal sacks Rep, Assembly member
By Femi Makinde, Akure
Published: Friday, 18 Jul 2008
The second election petitions tribunal sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Thursday rounded off its assignments with the nullification of the elections of two Peoples Democratic Party lawmakers.
The panel, headed by Justice Joseph Ikyegh, nullified the election of Mr. Emmanuel Adedeji, representing Ile-Oluji-Okeigbo/Odigbo federal constituency at the House of Representatives, on the grounds of non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2006.
Justice Ijem Onwuamegbu, who read the judgment, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct a fresh poll to fill the seat with- in 90 days of the judgment.
The same tribunal, in a verdict delivered by Justice Maiwada Abdullahi, sacked Mr. Oye Aladetan, representing Ilaje constituency I at the state House of Assembly, on the same grounds.
The tribunal ordered INEC to conduct a fresh poll to fill the seat vacated by Aladetan within 60 days of its verdict.
Before Thursday, the PDP had lost six seats at the Assembly, five seats at the House of Representatives and one seat at the Senate.
Thursday’s verdicts increased the number of seats lost by the PDP at the tribunal to 14.
Attention is now focussed on what will be the outcome of the petition of the Labour Party governorship candidate, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, against Governor Olusegun Agagu, which will be determined by the Justice Garba Nabaruma-led tribunal.
The LP candidate in Ile-Oluji-Okeigbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency election of April 21, Mr. Johnson Adeoba, in his petition prayed the tribunal to nullify the lawmaker’s election and declare him the winner with the 9,622 votes allocated to him by the INEC.
The respondent, who was awarded 66,118 votes, argued that the election which produced him as the winner was free and fair and prayed the tribunal to dismiss the petition.
But the judge said that the petitioner was able to establish that the election was not conducted in compliance with the electoral law.
The tribunal also said that it confirmed that election did not take place in the disputed areas.
In Ilaje Constituency I election, the tribunal said that the petitioner, who is the LP candidate, Mr. Wole Ogunyemi, was able to prove that the election did not hold and was marred with irregularities where it was held.
But despite the serial losses by the PDP, Agagu has said that he is confident of victory at the Nabaruma-led tribunal.
The governor’s optimism was contained in a statement on Thursday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Yemi Olowolabi.
He said, “The tribunal will uphold the governor’s election in the much-expected judgment.
“Agagu has clearly demonstrated at the tribunal that he won the April 14, 2007 governorship poll convincingly through abundant presentations, witnesses and evidences.”
Below please enjoy the interesting part of the article in one of Nigeria`s Newspaper about Osun Tribunal saga. NABARUMA in Ondo state will never be involved in this type of nonsense .
Proof That Kalejaiye (Oyinlola`s lawyer) Was Lying;
It is not difficult to prove that Kalejaiye was lying when he claimed that he never had cause to contact Justice Naron outside the courtroom. MTN keeps records of all calls made, stating time, date, duration of calls, base station close to the caller (origin), the city closest to it (base station, city name), the base station terminating (where the receiver got the call) and the exact spot where the call was received (site name). It could be in a church, school, or an empty plot, in so far as it is on MTN’s map. This also helps it in tracking stolen vehicles.
Among the hundreds of charts available to TheNEWS, Naron called Kalejaiye at 6.45 am on 21 March 2008. On 4 April, 2008 at about 1.30 pm (13:32:01), Justice Naron called Kalejaiye and they spoke for 23 seconds. Similarly, Justice Naron on the same day, called Kalejaiye at about 6:10 pm (18:10:35) and they could not speak for long because the lawyer was at Winners’ Chapel’s site.
Twice on 11 May, Justice Naron called Kalejaiye on his number: 08034062075. At the time the first call came in at 14:08:01, Kalejaiye was in Ijebu Mushin. On that day, the lawyer was recorded as having received 36 calls, including two from top police officer, Tunji Alapini and a certain Ropo Oyewole, who called him when he was around Otunba Ojumiri’s plot. On some occasions, when he got calls he was at Mobalufon Layout. The next day, Kalejaiye was credited with receiving 51 calls.
On 18 April, 2008, MTN records show that Kalejaiye was called by Justice Naron four times. MTN listed the record type as SMS. At the time he got the SMS, Kalejaiye was at Osun Civil Service Club. The day before, he received a total of 73 calls.
On 20 March 2008, Justice Naron sent Kalejaiye text messages twice. But he was recorded as being in Ijebu Ode at the time, while Naron who sent him the SMS was at Ilobu, with the base station being ‘Irepodun.’
On 7 April, Naron called Kalejaiye and they spoke for 15 seconds. They spoke again for15 seconds at 12.20 the same day. Naron put another call to Kalejaiye on 11 April, at 2.08 pm. Naron repeated it seven seconds later. On 18 April, Naron called Kalejaiye four times, beginning from 5.12 am.
Yet, it is not only Justice Naron who is capable of making calls. In fact, the judge cannot match Kalejaiye’s calls percentage. On 2 April 2008, Kalejaiye only called Naron once. But on 15 April 2008, at 6:12am, Kalejaiye sent two SMS to Justice Naron within a space of two minutes. At the time, MTN records showed that both men were in Ilobu, Osun State, where the tribunal judges are quartered. What was Kalejaiye doing there? Only the lawyer can explain. On 2 April, at 20:32 hours, Kalejaiye made a voice call to Justice Naron. The originating base station was Olorunda, while the city name was given as Ilobu.
The site name was given as Civil Service Club, Ilobu. Kalejaiye also called Justice Naron on the judge’s other line: 08073160534 twice on 23 April, at 6:18am and 6:29am. That day, both of them were at Ilobu. On 29 April, Kalejaiye again sent an SMS to Naron. That day, Kalejaiye, according to MTN records, was at Tai Solarin University in Ijebu-Ode, while the judge was in Osogbo. Just as TheNEWS reported in its last week edition, the pattern is often that when Naron and Kalejaiye discuss, the next thing is that Kalejaiye will call Oyinlola. Examples will suffice here. On 7 April, Naron called Kalejaiye at 14:07. By 18:17, Oyinlola sent SMS to his lawyer to find out what the pair had discussed and if things went well. By the time Oyinlola sent the text messages, he (Oyinlola) was in Ibadan according to MTN records, while the same record showed Kalejaiye was in Ikenne, with the base station at Ogere, both in Ogun State.
Later the same day, at 5:35pm, Naron sent text messages to Kalejaiye, who was at Ilobu, and four hours later, at 9:26pm, Governor Oyinlola called on his (governor’s) line: 08034040527. There are tons of evidence which TheNEWS management will be willing to present before a law court if Kalejaiye will put aside his lying propaganda and go to court.
On 7 July, Kola Awodein (SAN), petitioned the President of the Court of Appeal on the matter. He reminded the president of earlier petitions to his office dated 12 December 2007 and 29 February 2008 respectively, where very serious and substantiated allegations were made against the Osun Tribunal judges.
“We believe that it will deal the course of justice a devastating blow and destroy the confidence of the Nigerian people in the judiciary if in spite, in particular of the revelations in TheNEWS magazine report, the tribunal were to go ahead to deliver judgment in the petition as it is determined to do,” he wrote. The same day, the lawyer petitioned the Chairman of the National Judicial Council. He affirmed that the revelations by TheNEWS “showed a clear connection between the telephone exchange and very crucial rulings of the tribunal against petitioners at the tribunal.”
He urged the council to cause an urgent and immediate investigation of the matter by demanding for official call logs from MTN “and obtain all relevant information in this regard.” But can the National Judicial Commission, NJC, and Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, the two bodies saddled with the task of meting punishment to erring lawyers and judges act fast? The answer is in the womb of time.
Enjoy the piece below and we shall all be full of joy in Ondo State after the verdict this week by the Grace of God.
All remain blessed.
Election tribunal: Anxiety in Ondo as Agagu knows fate this week
By FEMI MAKINDE
Published: Sunday, 20 Jul 2008
ANXIETY has gripped the political circle in Ondo State ahead of the expected judgement this week of the state governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Akure, the state capital.
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Governor Olusegun Agagu
The apprehension heightened on Saturday as speculations became rife that the tribunal might deliver its verdict on Tuesday.
The candidate of the Labour Party, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, is challenging the declaration of the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, as the winner of the 2007 election by the Independent National Electoral Commission
Although the current rumour on the actual date fixed for the judgement could not be confirmed, there are indications that the petition may be determined this week.
Investigations by our correspondent revealed that the tribunal had asked legal teams of the LP and the Peoples Democratic Party to forward the names of lawyers in the teams to it.
One lawyer said, ” We have been asked to forward the names of lawyers in our team to them (tribunal). I am sure they don‘t want to give a long notice. Although the tribunal has not given us exact date yet it’s most likely they will deliver the judgement next week from the look of things.”
The Ondo State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists has also been asked by the tribunal to forward the names and passport size photographs of journalists who are expected to cover the last assignment of the Nabaruma-led panel.
The anxiety also was borne out of several allegations and counter-allegations of violence levelled against each other by the PDP and the LP.
The police have also begun preparations for the judgement.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Charles Dawodu, held a meeting with chairmen and secretaries of eight registered political parties including the chairmen of the PDP and the LP.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr. Adeniran Aremu, told our correspondent on the telephone that the meeting was centred on how to ensure peaceful atmosphere in the state before, during and after the tribunal verdict.
The PPRO said, “The CP read the Riot Act to them. He asked them to embrace peace and to desist from act capable of disrupting the peace of the state.”
Aremu said that the commissioner of police warned that the police would not tolerate any act of hooliganism from the supporters of any political party.
He added that the chairmen of the PDP, Dr. Tayo Dairo, and his LP counterpart, Dr. Olaiya Oni, assured the CP of their cooperation towards a hitch free judgement day.
Meanwhile, the petitioner and the first respondent have expressed optimism that they would get justice from the tribunal.
The Justice Nabaruma headed panel has been scandal free since it began sitting more than a year ago.
None of the parties has levied any allegation of bias or bribery against the panel.
The five-man panel include Justice Andrew Edet Okon, Justice Sadiq Umar, Justice M.B. Goje and Justice Okungbowa.
It will be recalled that Nabaruma was the chairman of the tribunal which removed Dr. Chris Ngige as governor of Anambra State in 2006 when the incumbent governor, Mr. Peter Obi, filed a petition to challenge Ngige. Nabaruma‘s judgment was also upheld at the appellate court.
Ondo tribunal to give judgment on Thursday
About time Mr administrator. The wait has been too long, and that is an understatement. My worry is that if the incumbent is kicked out by the tribunal he may well still be there until year 2010 or longer! Look at the abradacabra that is going on in Edo and some other states in the federation. justice appears not to mean what it says in the Oxford English dictionary when it comes to our country, infact we adopt fine policies and contrive to turn it upside down the moment they enter our domain. Does it really take that long for an election tribunal result to be validated or ortherwise? NIGERIA WE HAIL THEE!
We all share your sentiments,but i believe the end is near for them.
FRIENDS, FAMILY AND ONDOSTATE MY PEOPLE, LEND ME YOUR EARS. TOMORROW IS THE D-DAY, THE MUCH AWAITED DAY THAT JUSTICE WILL BE DONE IN ONDO STATE. OUR PEOPLE HAVE SUFFERED UNTOLD MISERIES ESPECIALLY OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS. YES MIMIKO WILL BE VINDICATED FOR A VERDICT OF DECLARATION, NOT RE-ELECTION WILL BE IN THE OFFING. YOU SEE HE WHO PUTS HIS TRUST IN THE LORD WILL BE LIKE MOUNT ZION AND SHALL HAVE HIS STRENGTH RENEWED DAILY. SO LET IT BE WITH MIMIKO AND LP AND OTHER WELL MEANING ONDO STATE INDIGENES. AND ALSO, THE EVIL THAT MEN DO WILL LIVE AFTER THEM, SO LET IT BE WITH AGAGU, PDP AND ALL LOOTERS OF THE NATIONS WEALTH IN NIGERIA, TO THE DETRIMENT OF THE COMMON PEOPLE OF ONDO STATE. EVEN IF THEY DECIDE TO COME AGAINST US TEN THOUSAND TIMES, THEY SHALL FALLL TEN THOUSAND TIMES. GOD IS NOT MAN THAT HE SHOULD LIE, IN HIM ONLY HAVE WE ALL TRUSTED ESPECIALLY OVER THE PAST 15 MONTHS IN THIS ELECTION DAYLIGHT ROBBERY THAT ONDO STATE WITNESSED IN APRIL 2007. THANKFULLY AND WITH ALL GLORY TO GOD, THE END IS NEAR, IN ROUGHLY 24 HOURS TIME. WEEPING MAY HAVE TARRIED FOR SO MANY NIGHTS BUT OUR JOY COMES IN THE MORNING. DO NOT BE ANXIOUS, WE HAVE PRAYED AND PETITIONED GOD FOR THE TRUTH IN ONDO STATE, WE HAVE PRAYED THAT GOD WILL ENTER INTO THE HEARTS OF THE TRIBUNAL MEMBERS UNDER NABARUNA. WELL GOD HAS DELIVERED. WE HAVE SEEN THE FOOLISH MAN’S HOUSE COLLAPSE FOR IT WAS BUILT ON SAND. MIMIKO WILL BUILD HIS HOUSE OF GOVERNORSHIP UPON THE SOLID ROCK OF CHRIST AND THE HOUSE WILL STAND. SO COME ON LET US JUBILATE FOR OUR GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME.
Kile o le se, Olorun awa, kile o le se
Taleo julo Olorun Awa tale o jule
E ga ju oke lo, Olorun awa e ga ju oke lo.
Iroko, gba sibe, well done for following the path of peace and righteousness. God will always remember you for good. Your vision for Ondo state will be actualised and the sky will be the limit for you. E pee, e ku iroju, e ku orire, e si ku Ipalemo ise ti Olorun pe yin si ni Ondo State.
TOMORROW IS JUDGEMENT DAY. All remain blessed.
My source confirmed July 25th 2008 (Friday) as the date for judgement.
We pray that the Tribunal will do the right thing .
All remain blessed.
Friday? are you sure. This will probably be the longest wait ever! Stay steadfast!!
Pls enjoy this pieceOndo prays for peace over tomorrow’s election verdict
LP alleges arson attacks
From Julius Alabi, Akure
AS part of measures to ensure peace in Ondo State after tomorrow’s judgment on the governorship election petition, cities, towns and villages in the state have commissioned local priests to offer sacrifices to beseech various traditional deities.
Besides, security agencies, including the State Security Services (SSS) and Police, have visited prominent traditional rulers on the need to warn their subjects against violence in the state.
However, Ondo chapter of the Labour Party (LP) has alleged plans by the state administration to set ablaze residential buildings and offices of state government officials perceived to have jeopardised the governor’s case if the Justice Garba Nabaruma-led five-man election petition tribunal’s verdict favours the petitioner, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, of the LP.
The LP, in a statement by its Director of Press, Mr. Kolawole Olabisi, in Akure yesterday alleged that plans for the arson attacks were outlined at a meeting held in the Government House, Akure on Monday night.
But in a swift reaction, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Yemi Olowolabi, denied the allegation, saying: “Planning to burn people’s houses? Never! That is not in our character. It is the Labour Party and its soulless members that are in the habit of killing, maiming and vandalising people’s property. They burnt over 50 houses and 100 cars in Ondo Town alone last year”.
Meanwhile, Bishop of Akure Diocese of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Rev. Michael Ipinmoye, has urged fairness on the part of the judges handling the petition.
Ipinmoye said: “We want to plead in the name of Lord Jesus Christ, that we should allow the will of God to prevail in this matter and do justice accordingly”.
Tension continues to mount in the state over the pending ruling. Mimiko is challenging the victory of Governor Olusegun Agagu who was declared winner of the April 4, 2007 governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The State Director of SSS, Mr. Boma Spero-Jack, who visited some prominent traditional rulers yesterday, including, the Deji of Akure, Oba Adepoju Adesina, the Olowo of Owo, Oba Victor Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi, among others, said: “I am pleading with you because we don’t want any disaster in this state and we should warn our children and subjects not to engage in any act of thuggery”.
Oba Adesina invoked ancestral spirits to deal with politicians and political thugs who plan to cause mayhem after the verdict.
He charged all parties to the petition to accept the verdict and refrain from causing chaos in the state, as there are provisions to appeal the judgment at the Court of Appeal.
Oba Olateru-Olagbegi commended Spero-Jack for the visit, saying Owo Town is ready to work with the security agents to ensure peace.
According to Olabisi, the meeting where the arson attack was planned, had a younger brother of the governor presiding.
“What would be done by Agagu’s minions after setting ablaze these buildings along with others will be to pin it on LP members who would be made the fall guys. We are now alerting security agents in the state to be aware of this latest antics of the sinking administration of Dr. Agagu and to know who to blame when the time comes”, he added.
But Olowolabi said: “Without an iota of doubt, every one knows that LP is a despicable political contraption foisted on the state by a man’s inordinate ambition and it is bound to be shot into smithereens sooner or later”.
Agagu, Mimiko Know Fate Tomorrow
From James Sowole in Akure, 07.24.2008
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After about 15 months of legal battle and days of anxiety, Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Akure, Ondo State capital, yesterday fixed judgment in the petition filed by the Labour Party(LP) Gubernatorial candidate in the April 14, 2007 election, Mr Rahman Mimiko, for tomorrow.
LP is seeking nullification of election of Ondo State Governor Olusegun Agagu, who contested on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Notice of judgment circulated to parties, was signed by Secretary to the tribunal, Rasheedat Rasheed.
Already, residents of Akure had been gripped by anxiety over what may be the outcome of the judgment, as people were seen discussing the matter in hushed tones.
Security agencies comprising the police, the State Security Services (SSS), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC), had already been alerted to provide maximum security.
State Police Commissioner, Mr Charles Dawodu, warned members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and members of the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycles Owners and Riders Association (ACCOMORAN), not to allow themselves to be used by any of the parties, and threatened to deal with anybody that foments trouble.
When THISDAY got to the tribunal venue located within premises of the State High Court, men of the state command of the Nigerian Police were seen guarding the place.
The tribunal had already notified leadership of the two parties, the LP and the PDP to send only 10 representatives each, while their legal team had also been told to send only 10 representatives each.
For those in the UK, AIT international is likely to carry the verdict live, as they have done with previous tribunal results from a few other states, notably Kogi and Edo. The channel is SKY 198.
Thanks to you all for the input and support. The trial has indeed been a long tedious journey. Justice shall prevail tomorrow, by His Grace!
Mimiko has been declared governor!
Our victory is to the apellate court cos they dont have any case to prove………….Your Exellency IROKO …………Gba si beeeeeeeeeeee
congratulations to you all and may SUN continue to shine in Ondo State.
All remain blessed
thanks for d good works pl do what govt of lagos state is doing
DEAR FELLOW NIGERIANS AND MY DEAREST PEOPLE OF ONDO STATE. LET US NEVER BE WEARY IN OUR FIGHT AGAINST ELECTION MALPRACTICES UNTIL IT IS COMPLETELY ERADICATED. THIS IS A MISSION THAT CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED FOR WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE. WE HAVE FOUGHT TOOTH AND NAIL FOR DEMOCRACY AND OUR PERSEVERANCE WAS REWARDED. IF WE CONTINUE TO DO THI; IF WE CONTINUE TO PUT THE PEOPLE FIRST, IF WE CONTINUE TO BE CONTENT AND WAIT PATIENTLY FOR FRUITS OF SEEDS SOWN, WE SHALL BE REWARDED AND POSTERITY WILL CONTINUE TO BLESS OUR NAMES. POLITICS HAVE BECOME MORE SO SINCE OUR DEAR BABA OBJ LABELLED IT “DO OR DIE” HAVE TAKEN A DEEPER UGLIER PLUNGE AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE SO. COLLECTIVELY I.E. WITH OUR COMBINED SYNERGY AGAINST EVIL DOERS WE SHALL BE VICTORIOUS. I MAKE THIS PLEA AGAIN FOR IN ONDO STATE WE ARE NOT FREE FROM POLITICS OF LIES AND DECEIT ESPECIALLY FROM OUTSIDE OUR BORDERS AS INVITED FROM SHAMED PEOPLE FROM WITHIN. PLEASE READ THIS PLEA OF OUR DEAR GOVERNOR AS REPORTED BY THE SUN NEWSPAPER:
Mimiko alleges plot to rig Ondo by-election
From Tunde Raheem, Akure
Saturday, December 05, 2009
Ondo State Governor, Mr. Olusegun Mimiko yesterday accused top politicians in the camp of major opposition party in the state of using their connection in Abuja to import mobile policemen to the state under the guise of providing escort for themselves to disrupt today’s bye-election in Akoko South West and Akoko South East Federal Constituency.
Mimiko said this while declaring open the National Executive Council Meeting of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Akure. He noted that the people who are mainly from the National Assembly are desperate to make sure that they win at all costs without minding the peaceful co-existence of the people of the state.
The governor also alleged that the opposition had also hired thugs to scare voters from exercising their franchise.
He said for the nation to be respected, all hands must be on deck to make sure that the electoral reform recommendation is not thrown into the dustbin.
“If we don’t get it right in electoral reform, our future may be bleak. Politicians are too desperate to win at all costs. This will not in any way help our dear country to grow democratically.
“Nigerian politicians prepare for election as if they are going to war; they make election a do- or-die affair. We should all stand up and fight the monster associated with our electoral system.
“If the electoral system is not given adequate priority, there may not be a nation called Nigeria in the future. That is why Nigerians must work in tandem to put a lasting end to desperation of the politicians.
The governor also described education as the future investment of any government that is ready to develop physically and materially.
According to him, the future of the nation rests solely on the way its leaders handle its great potentials in the education sector.
Governor Mimiko also commended journalists for always being in the forefront of the Nigerian nation with particular reference to the coverage of June 12 issue and his battle to reclaim his stolen mandate.
Mimiko said: “The story of Abiola and the June 12 saga in Nigeria is a testimony to advocacy journalism.”
EDUCATION IS INDEED A WAY FORWARD.