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Edo Election Petition Tribunal: Our Effort To Gain Access To Materials Frustrated, PDP, Ighodalo Raise Alarm

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By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate in the Edo State September 21st election, Asue Ighodalo have raised the alarm over how their effort to gain access to materials (both BVAS and papers) used for the election INEC.

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A member of the legal team to the PDP and its candidate – Ighodalo, Olusegun Jolaawo, SAN, raised the alarm shortly after being denied access to the materials used during the governorship election at the state headquarters of INEC in Benin.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria who spoke shortly his attempt to submit at the INEC office a court order directing INEC to amongst others the comprehensive list of all the electoral materials available in its custody for the inspection of Ighodalo and the PDP.

Jolaawo said: “We came here today in furtherance our attempt to get materials to flesh up our petition in furtherance of court order received on September 29, 2024.

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READ ALSO: Edo Guber: We Have Overwhelming Evidence We Won – PDP Insists

“When we got here today, we were unable to get an audience with the REC but we were able to meet with the head of legal department who told us that they were preparing a schedule for our inspection. We have not been able to inspect because have not been able to have access to the BVAS machines.

“So, where we are right now, is that we were told whenever the schedule is ready we would be contacted by INEC which is not what we expected today .

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“The risk of not giving us access to inspect materials is obvious to everybody. Time expires on Saturday for us to file this petition, and today is Monday,” Jolaawo lamented.

Meanwhile, an order was given in a suit marked EPT/ED/GOV/01M/2024 between Ighodalo Asuerinme and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as applicants and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Okpebholo Monday and the All Progressives Congress (APC) as Respondents.

READ ALSO: Edo Election: PDP Supporters Protest At INEC Office

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In the enrolled order which was dated Sunday September 29th 2024 and signed by the Secretary of the Tribunal, Mu’azu Ibrahim Bagudu Esq., the Chairman of the Tribunal, Honourable Justice W. I. Kpochi said that “having critically examined the details of the reliefs sought, the supporting Affidavit and Written Address of Counsel, the Application is granted in the following terms:

“It is hereby ordered “That the 1st Respondent is directed to grant the Applicants or their Solicitors and Forensic documents Examiners unfettered access to and open up for inspection all electoral documents or any document in the custody of the National Chief Electoral Commissioner or any officer of the Commission/1st Respondent particularly the Voter Registers, the ballot papers, the BVAS machines, Forms EC25B, EC 25B(1), Forms EC40A and Forms EC40C which were utilised for the conduct Of the Edo State Governorship Election held on the 21st September, 2024.

“That the 1st Respondent is mandated to take immediate steps to ensure that all the Forms: EC25B, EC25B(I), EC40A, EC40C, EC40G, EC40G(I) used at the gubernatorial election of 21st of September,2024 either in the custody of the Chief National Electoral Commissioner, Resident Electoral Commissioner of Edo State or any other officer of the Commission are preserved kept temper-proof and secure pending the filing, hearing and determination of the Petition to be filed by the Applicants.

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READ ALSO: Edo Guber Poll: Edo Speaker Agbebaku Defies PDP, Congratulates Governor-elect, Okpebholo

“That the 1s Respondent is further directed to produce and give to the Applicants, forthwith upon payment of appropriate fees for certification, List of accredited agents of all the political parties that participated in the Edo state gubernatorial election. Voters register for each of the polling units” among several other reliefs sought.

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Edo Sports Commission Boss Celebrates Okpehbolo On Birthday

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The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has felicated with Governor Monday Okpebholo, on the occasion of his birthday.

In a statement issued on Friday by his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, Enabulele Okpebholo as a visionary leader whose dedication to the growth and development of the state has continued to inspire confidence and admiration across all sectors, especially sports.

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Enabulele, who highlighted the governor’s unwavering commitment to youth empowerment through sports development, noted that under his leadership, Edo State has witnessed significant strides in grassroots sporting initiatives and infrastructure.

READ ALSO: Enabulele Confident Of Team Edo’s Success At 2025 NYG

His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, is not just a political leader but a beacon of hope for the younger generation.

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“His passion for excellence and inclusive governance is evident in the way he has continued to support policies that uplift our youths and promote sporting excellence,” the statement read.

The Executive Chairman prayed for long life, good health, and continued wisdom for the governor as he steers the affairs of the state towards greater prosperity.

“On behalf of the entire Edo State Sports Commission, I extend our warmest birthday wishes to His Excellency at 55. May this new chapter of his life be filled with more accomplishments and divine grace,” he added.

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Oba Of Benin Suspends Palace Chiefs

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The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has suspended two of his chiefs for falling for dereliction of duties.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), Frank Irabor and made available to journalists in Benin City.

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He said their suspension was as a result of their long absence from the palace, resulting in their failure to carry out their palace responsibilities.

The suspended persons are: Chief John Igiehon, the Izuwako of Benin and chief Aimiukpomonyako Oghogho (Ebengho), the Oyenmwensoba of Benin.

READ ALSO: Oba Of Benin Suspends 67 Dukes

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“The under-mentioned two (2) chiefs have been suspended from the Palace of the Oba of Benin.

“This is as a result of their long absence from the Palace, resulting in their failure to carry out their Palace responsibilities.

“The public is advised to be wary of unscrupulous chiefs that are no longer functioning in the Palace. His Royal Majesty has approved their _ Suspension and directed the public be duly informed. 

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“The names of the chiefs are: – ; 1. CHIEF JOHN IGIEHON, THE IZUWAKO OF BENIN and, _ 2 CHIEF AIMIUKPOMONYAKO OGHOGHO (EBENGHO), THE OYENMWENSOBA OF BENIN”, the statement said.

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Lawyers Fault EFCC Statement, Say It’s Misleading

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Some legal practitioners in Bauchi state have faulted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) official statement about their client on Wednesday, adding that it was erroneous, false and misleading.

It could be recalled that EFCC posted on its official Facebook handle that a Bauchi State High Court has cleared the commission to proceed with its investigation of a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Bauchi State, Hamza Koshe, and his company, Pentech Engineering Nigeria Ltd.

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According to the EFCC statement, the commission said Justice Aliyu Baba, in a judgment delivered on July 30, 2025, dismissed an application by Koshe seeking to restrain the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission from probing him.

However, in a statement jointly signed and made available to newsmen in Bauchi on Thursday by Jibrin S. Jibrin Esq, M.M. Usman Esq, H.B. Pali Esq, Abbas Ibrahim Esq, I.G. Agwam Esq and Salome Audu Esq all counsel to Pentech Engineering Nigeria Ltd & Anor as well as Koshe insisted that the statement was misleading.

READ ALSO: EFCC Orders Arrest Of Dismissed Officer On Lege Miami’s Show

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According to them, the EFCC owed the public the duty of relating only the truth of what the courts decided as regards the contract financing agreement in the issues their clients were parties.

“Our attention as the legal representatives of Pentech Engineering Nigeria Ltd & Alhaji Hamza Koshe in respect of suit No. BA/271/2024 has been drawn to the statement posted on the official page of the EFCC on Wednesday, where the Commission supposedly rendered an analysis of the judgement delivered by the High Court of Justice No. 4 Bauchi Presided by Justice Aliyu Usman on the 30th July 2025.

“Now against the background of the erroneous, false and misleading publication by the EFCC on the matter, we deem it necessary to set the records straight by stating what actually is the truth of the matter in terms of the enrolled judgment Order of the Court to which this press release is attached.

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“It is proper to state as a fact that in an earlier judgement relating to the subject of this release, the verdict of the High Court of Justice No. 10 Bauchi presided by Justice M. M. Abubakar delivered on the 19th December, 2024 is to the effect that the Contract Financing Agreement the subject matter of the suit having been found to be valid and not contravening any law remains enforceable hence, Pentech Engineering Nigeria Ltd is accorded the applicable injunctive reliefs as regards the activities of the Commission.

READ ALSO: Things To Know About Procurement Fraud As A Nigerian – EFCC

“We state as a fact that the main question of law determined in Justice Aliyu Baba Usman’s judgment is to the effect that the Contract Financing Agreement the subject of the suit is valid.

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“The EFCC failed to state in its statement in reference the fact that many parties and contractors concerned or involved in the Contract Financing Agreement in the issue have been invited by the Commission with virtually all of them responding, honoring its invitation on the matter and thereby discharging their legal obligation speak volumes of ‘the bidding of some’ which the publication seeks to achieve ab initio,” said the lawyers.

The counsel added that the mischief and deliberate misrepresentation in EFCC’s statement could be seen when not only did it make no mention of this fact but also created the impression that their clients went to Court to evade investigation on the matter.

They said that Koshe was a guest of the Commission having honored its invitation in September 2024 which he was released on administrative bail, the terms and conditions applicable to which he has been observing.

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READ ALSO: EFCC Recovers Funds Lost To CBEX Fraud, Forfeiture Process Underway — Olukoyede

“It is also important to clarify as a fact that there is no truth at all in the Commission’s statement to the effect that our client sought a perpetual injunction of general nature against the Commission’s activities.

“The truth about the reliefs sought by our clients is as contained in the Court’s processes filed in the suit in reference.

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“We challenge the Commission to provide evidence of where our client ever sought a perpetual injunction at large or of general nature against it or any other body duly established by law.

“We urge members of the public to disregard in its entirety EFCC’s statement on the subject and be guided in its stead by the facts as contained in the relevant court processes to which this release is attached,” he said.

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