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Edo Election Tribunal Adjourns Hearing Over Row On Presentation Of Documents

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The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Wednesday adjourned hearing on Asue Ighodalo and the Peoples Democratic Party’s petitions to Friday, January 17, 2025, to enable parties in the suit to have a pre-hearing meeting with the court registry on the way to go about presentation of documents by the petitioners.

Justice Kpochi slated Thursday, January 16, 2025 for the parties in the petition to have a pre-hearing meeting with the court registry.

The adjournment of the petitions followed the motion by Adetunji Oyeyipo, SAN, petitioners’ lead counsel, that his clients were ready to tender carefully arranged documents used in the conduct of the election.

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Oyeyipo, represented by Ken Mozia, told the court that the documents set to tender from the bar were arranged in a way to make the entire process seamless for parties before the court.

READ ALSO: Edo Guber Tribunal: Supreme Court Case Stalls Hearing

However, counsel to Governor Monday Okpebholo, APC and INEC, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, Emmanuel Ukala SAN, and Kanu Agabi, SAN, respectively, opposed the motion of the petitioners’ counsel.

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The trio averred that the documents should have be filed before the court before same can be admitted as exhibits.

Meanwhile, as the tribunal fully commenced hearing of petitions before it, a 70-year-old Victoria Ogbebor testified for Dr Bright Enabulele the candidate of Accord Party, AP.

The 70-year-old witness told the tribunal that she acted as a unit agent in Unit 32 for her party in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area during the election.

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When asked by the respondents counsel if she knew Enabulele, she said that she may know the name.

READ ALSO: APC, PDP Trade Blames On Edo Election Tribunal Shooting

The counsel to the petitioner, J.A. Dagher, also called two other witnesses.

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The two other witnesses are Mr. Zakaria Wisdom Yahaya and Daisy Nwanchukwu.

Yahaya in his witness statement prayed the court to rely on it in support of the petitioner’s case.

He told the court that the conduct of the election in his Polling Unit 28, Ward 8, in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area where he functioned as a polling unit agent for the party, AP were married with irregularities such as ballots stuffing.

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When cross examined by Onyeachi Ikpeazu, SAN, Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, and Abdullahi Aliyu, SAN, counsel to the 1st to 3rd respondents, the witness also told the court that he functioned as ward agent for his party.

The third witness for the petitioners, Daisy Nwanchukwu told the tribunal that she functioned as a polling Unit agent in Oredo Unit 9, Ward 3.

READ ALSO: Edo Election Tribunal Chairman Sues For Cooperation As Sitting Commences

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Nwanchukwu, when asked by the respondents if she was given an agent card by INEC to function in the election, answered in the negative.

The tribunal adjourned continuation of hearing to Thursday, January 16, 2025.

However, speaking with journalists shortly after the adjournment, Ighodalo, candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, expressed confidence in the judiciary of reclaiming his mandate.

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Ighodalo also commended the people of the state for their overwhelming votes during the governorship election.

READ ALSO: Edo Poll: Party Supporters Clash As Tribunal Commences Sitting

I want to use this opportunity to commend the people of Edo State for coming out en masse to vote for us on September 21, 2024 and for keeping faith with us.

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“They have been very calm in the face of intimidation, harassment in the last three months in the state.

“We strongly believe that the judiciary will do the right thing and we are looking forward to the outcome of the Tribunal proceedings”, he stated.

There seven petitions challenging the declaration of Governor Monday Okpebholo as winner of the 2024 Edo State Governorship Election were filed before the tribunal.

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The petitioners are Asue Ighodalo, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Accord Party, AP, Allied Peoples Movement, APM, Action Democratic Party, ADP, Zenith Labour Party, ZLP, and the Social Democratic Party, SDP.

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Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

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Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

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READ ALSO: Wale Edun Opens Up After Sack

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

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He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

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Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

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Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.

‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”

‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection

It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.

‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.

‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.

‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

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READ ALSO: Egor LG Chair, Ogbemudia, Vice, Osawe Impeached

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

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Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”

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Okpebholo Salutes Edo Muslims, Seeks Continued Support, Prayers

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Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has urged Muslims and all Nigerians to continue to pray for peace, unity and progress in the country even as they celebrate the annual Eid-al-Adha

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, stated this during the annual Eid-al-Adha celebration with Muslim faithfuls held at Government House in Benin City.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunities for all citizens irrespective of religion and tribe.

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READ ALSO:ADC Penetrates Okpebholo’s District As Defections Strengthen Party in Edo Central

According to him, the present administration remains determined to building a government that reflects the diversity of Edo State, noting that competent and qualified Muslims have continued to play vital roles in his government because of their capacity, integrity and commitment to service.

“As a government, we remain committed to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunity for every Edo citizen, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation. This is why quality and competent Muslims are serving in key positions in our administration.”

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Okpebholo appreciated the Muslim community in Edo State for their unwavering support and continuous prayers for his administration, noting that such prayers and support have contributed immensely to the peace and steady development being witnessed across the state.

READ ALSO:Okpebholo Felicitates Muslims On Eid-el-Fitr Celebration

He then called on all Nigerians to use the occasion of Eid-al-Adha to pray for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that the country needs collective prayers, unity and cooperation to overcome its present economic and security challenges.

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I urge all Muslims and indeed all Nigerians to use this occasion to pray for our dear nation and for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Nigeria needs our collective prayers, unity and support as we strive to overcome our challenges and build a more prosperous future for all.”

In his remarks, the Chief Imam of Edo State, Abdulfatai Enabulele, applauded the governor for what he described as remarkable developmental strides recorded in less than two years in office.

The cleric commended the administration for ongoing infrastructural development and efforts geared towards improving governance in the state, but appealed to the government to revisit and complete some abandoned projects inherited from the previous administration for the benefit of the people.

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