News

Bayelsa Election Tribunal Fixes Date For Final Addresses

Published

1 year ago

March 15, 2024

The Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja has fixed April 22 for the adoption of final addresses on the state governorship election petition.

The tribunal also directed parties involved in the matter to file and exchange their processes before the adjourned date.

The PUNCH reports that once final addresses are adopted in a case, the next stage is the delivery of judgment on the matter.

The All Progressives Congress and its candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, approached the tribunal to challenge the outcome of the November 2023 governorship poll which produced Douye Diri as the winner of the election.

The tribunal led by Justice Adekunle Adeleye-led three-member tribunal scheduled the matter for the adoption of addresses, after Diri, his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, and the Peoples Democratic Party closed their defence.

Diri’s witness, the Secretary of the PDP in Bayelsa, Gesiye Isowo, tendered the official result of the election as well as the final declaration of the result, which were contained in INEC’s forms EC8D and EC8E among others.

While being cross-examined by counsel for the petitioners, Sylvester Elema( SAN), the witness told the tribunal that he registered and voted at Unit 9, Ward 10 in Kolokuma/Okpokuma Local Government Area.

He said, “There was restriction of movement on the day of the election. I did not go to Nembe, Ogbia, and Southern Ijaw because of the restriction, but I had agents in all the polling units. I was in constant touch with my agents in all the LGAs. ”

Asked if it was true that the National and State Assembly elections were held in the state in February and March 2023, the witness said he was in court only with respect to the governorship election.

“I am not INEC. If you ask about my party’s primary, then I should know,” he said.

The petitioners had contended that voter registers that were tendered in evidence and marked as Exhibits R1- R19 by the tribunal were only used for the National Assembly election and not the governorship poll.

However, in his evidence, the witness insisted that the registers were used for the governorship poll.

The petitioners, however, opposed the admissibility of the register, adding that the register was not given to them before hand as directed by the tribunal.

On their part, the respondents urged the tribunal to disregard the objection and admit the exhibit as it was relevant to the case.

The witness also told the tribunal that some of the voter registers were not ticked because elections were not held in those areas.

The witness insisted that INEC discharged its function creditably by conducting the election in compliance with provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and Electoral Act 2022, adding however that there was wilful resistance to the use of BVAS by the APC and its agents.

He told the tribunal that in various wards in Nembe LGA, no vote was recorded, indicating that the election was not held there.

The witness noted that contrary to what the petitioners produced before the tribunal, pink copies of results were not given to agents of political parties or security agencies.

“Pink copies are only for INEC,” he insisted.

He further told the court that voters registered for areas where the APC produced election results, were not ticked and no vote was recorded there.

The deputy governor, Ewhrudjakpo, produced a former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the state, Gowon Toruyouyei as his witness.

While being cross-examined, the witness confirmed that the deputy governor is a legal practitioner whose Call to Bar certificate was listed in INEC’s form.

Asked if, in all his interactions with the third respondent, he could be described as an illiterate, the witness, said, “He could not have been an illiterate. He is very educated.

“I will describe him as someone that has the requisite experience and qualification to be elected into any office in the country.”

In its defence, the PDP brought a former Attorney General of Bayelsa State, Talford Ongolo, as its witness.

He maintained that Sylva could not have been validly sponsored for the election by the APC, having already been elected as governor twice.

“I worked as the DG of his campaign at one time, so all these facts are within my knowledge,” he added

The witness said he was not present at Ogbia and Nembe LGAs on the election day, “but virtually, I was there.”

He told the tribunal that those whose names were not ticked on the register did not vote on the election day.

“It is a standard procedure that once you vote, your name is ticked,” the witness added.

Despite objection by the petitioners, a certified copy of the voter’s register containing the name of the witness was admitted in evidence by the tribunal.

News

Bayelsa Warns LG Officials Against Pension Payment Delays

Published

4 hours ago

July 17, 2025

Editor

The Bayelsa State Government has warned principal officers of local government councils in the state to desist from delay in presentation of names of prospective retirees in good time for processing and payment of pension benefits.

The Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, handed down the warning on Wednesday at a meeting with the chairmen and principal officers of the eight local government councils in Government House, Yenagoa.

Ewhrudjakpo directed that the names of retiring workers should be submitted at the latest by the 18th of every month to the office of the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Treasury and Accounts, Mr Timipre Seipulou, for processing.

According to him, anyone found culpable of sabotaging the policy which is aimed at achieving seamless payment of retirees’ benefits, would be sanctioned.

He said he was desirous of bequeathing an effective and efficient local government system where his successor would not grapple with the issue of delayed payment of pensions and gratuities.

Ewhrudjakpo, who decried the backlog of unpaid pensions, said the government will work out modalities to ensure that retirees receive their pensions a month after retirement from service.

He specifically directed the chairmen to work closely with the technical adviser on treasury and accounts to come up with a model for the payment, as available funds cannot be used to clear all outstanding gratuities amounting to about five billion naira at once.

The Deputy Governor equally advised local government administrators to make provisions for annual leave for employees to serve as motivation.

He used the opportunity to thank all eight local government chairmen for their cooperation and suggestions that have so far contributed towards the achievements recorded in the various councils.

Hw said, “Our reason for calling this meeting is to give information, a directive, and a warning. One thing that I have is that I don’t know how to spare indolence, docility, laziness, incompetence, and deliberate obstruction of the wheel of progress.

“We have taken a decision that all those who are retiring every month must be paid their pensions. That decision has come to stay. But the report I am having is that some of you in the local government system are trying to frustrate it by not volunteering the necessary information.

“You were told to timely furnish the Technical Adviser on Treasury and Accounts, Mr Seipulou’s office, with your monthly reports concerning retirees.

“I am not happy that local government officers are frustrating the process.

“Chairmen, take note: every local government must submit its report by the 18th of every month, provided it is not a Sunday or Saturday. Even if it is a Saturday or Sunday, we will give you the benefit of submitting on the 20th.

“Any local government that does not do that, next month, I will transfer the treasurer and anybody that is involved in the process.

“Our brothers and sisters who have been on the queue are complaining that those who are going out now are being paid. So, every hand must be on deck to ensure we pay up the backlog.

“We are desirous of paying up pensions. We believe that by the end of this month, as we work round the clock, we are going to see the best way to put it behind us.

“What I want to do, by the grace of God, before I step out of this place, is that I don’t want to leave behind liabilities such as a backlog of unpaid pensions and gratuities for anybody.”

In their separate remarks, the state chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Local Government Chapter, Mr Noel Itade, and the Head of Brass Local Government Council, Comrade Clement Etifa, commended Ewhrudjakpo for his effective supervision and initiatives that have repositioned the local councils for efficient service and project delivery.

News

Access To Sexual, Reproductive Health, Key To Sustainable Societies – UNFPA

Published

5 hours ago

July 17, 2025

Editor

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has said that ensuring access to sexual, reproductive health and rights is a cornerstone for sustainable, inclusive societies.

Dr. Natalia Kanem, the UNFPA Executive Director, stated this in Bauchi on Thursday during the commemoration of the 2025 World Population Day organised by the state government.

According to her, it is imperative for governments at all levels to also create an avenue where people who wanted to experience the joys and rewards of parenting could meet their fertility goals.

This, she said, would give them the hope for a better tomorrow supportive of their choices and protective of their rights and where they, and their children would thrive.

Represented by Deborah Tabara, the Gender, Reproductive Health Analyst of UNFPA in Bauchi, Kanem reiterated the commitment of the fund in partnering with the state government.

She said the partnership would harness the dividend of the state’s youthful population in developing programmes, strategies, plans, and budgets that promote inclusivity and equality.

“UNFPA remains an agency for reproductive Health and our mission is to deliver a world where all pregnancy is wanted, all maternal birth safe and all young persons achieve their potentials.

“Family-friendly policies including affordable and accessible childcare, generous and flexible parental leave, and promotion of fathers’ participation in care-giving can help prospective parents balance career and family goals.

“Investing in comprehensive sexuality education is another imperative that supports informed choices.

“Intergenerational understanding is crucial to build trust and strengthen solidarity and fairness across generations,” she said.

Also speaking, Hajiya Amina Katagum, Commissioner for Budget, Economic Planning and Multilateral Coordination, said this year’s theme called for considerations on the crucial role young people play globally, in Nigeria and in Bauchi state.

Represented by Barr. Abubakar Bununu, Special Adviser to Gov. Bala Mohammed on multilateral coordination, Katagum added that it recommended that government and stakeholders listen to young people and respond to their needs and desires.

She explained that this would contribute positively to the development of their societies and create the families they want.

“It is our responsibility as governments, the Private Sector and other key stakeholders to build a more equitable, sustainable and caring world where young people are empowered to pursue the lives they want for themselves and their families,” she said.

The theme of the 2025 world population day is ‘empowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world’.

News

24 Pro-Biafran Detainees Freed After Four Years

Published

5 hours ago

July 17, 2025

Editor

The last batch of 24 members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, who had been held in detention since May 24, 2020, were released from custody on Thursday following a ruling by the Ebonyi State High Court.

In the court charge sheet no: HIK/10C/2024, obtained by our correspondent on Thursday, the 24 detainees, out of a group of 36 held since May 24, 2020, were finally discharged and acquitted of all lingering charges.

Their release was also confirmed in a press statement on Thursday by the IPOB’s lead counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, who revealed that the freed inmates had endured years of prolonged, unconstitutional detention under recycled and repackaged allegations/charges.

Ejiofor said they were “unlawfully” held even after being severally discharged and acquitted on the same facts by not less than five respectable high courts in Ebonyi State.

He said, “A momentous chapter was written today, Thursday, July 17, 2025, at the Ebonyi State High Court, as the last batch of 24 Biafran detainees, out of a group of 36 unjustly held since May 24, 2020, were finally discharged and acquitted of all lingering frivolous and unfounded charges.

“These innocent citizens had endured years of prolonged, unconstitutional detention under recycled and repackaged allegations/charges , even after being severally discharged and acquitted on the same facts by not less than five respectable High Courts in Ebonyi State.

“Today’s historic ruling followed our preliminary objection which powerfully highlighted the brazen violation of their fundamental rights: particularly the constitutionally guaranteed protection against double jeopardy, enshrined under Section 36(9) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

“This sacred principle, autrefois acquit, stipulates that no person shall be tried again for an offence in respect of which they have previously been acquitted.

“In a bold, fearless, and intellectually profound ruling, His Lordship, Hon. Justice I. P. Chima, upheld our arguments in their entirety and lent judicial weight to the cause of justice.

“We salute the learned Judge’s exceptional courage, depth of reasoning, and unwavering commitment to the sanctity of the Constitution. His erudition and moral clarity have restored faith in the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.

“Above all, we return all glory, honour, and adoration to the Most High God -ChukwuOkike Abiama—our eternal rock, fortress, and deliverer. This is another unprecedented victory, made possible only by His mighty hand. We acknowledge that without Him, this milestone would not have been possible.”

According to him, in line with the court’s directive for their immediate release, prompt steps are being taking to ensure full compliance without delay.

He commended his colleagues in chambers, whose tireless research, resilience, and dedication have once again produced the noble triumph.

“We are also grateful to the legal team of the Government of Ebonyi State, who, in open court, pledged to ensure this judgment is obeyed to the letter. Similarly, the correctional authorities have undertaken to immediately hand over the freed detainees to us without resistance or delay; a commitment we shall hold them to.

“The joy of today will ripple far beyond the walls of the courtroom. It will be a thing of immense joy seeing the reunification of these families, some of whose wives had been abandoned, children lost, and parents buried in sorrow during this long period of incarceration.

“Now, we look forward to the healing and rebuilding phase. We urge the relevant agencies of the Ebonyi State Government to urgently consider appropriate measures for rehabilitation and reparation of these victims, even without prompting.

“Today marks the end of a painful four year ordeal. The light of justice has finally pierced through the dark clouds of oppression. Once again, to the Almighty God be all the glory; it can only be Him. With God, we have conquered. Justice has spoken. Freedom is restored. A new chapter begins.”
(PUNCH)