News

Gov Poll: Confusion As Copies Of Edo Tribunal Judgement Surfaces Online

Published

5 months ago

April 1, 2025

Barely 24 hours after summoning parties to appear before it, copies of the purported judgment of the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has flooded the internet.

The Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led three-member tribunal had on March 3, reserved its judgment on the case the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its candidate, Mr Asuerinme Ighodalo, filed to challenge the outcome of the governorship poll that was held in the state on September 21, 2024.

The panel had in the early hours of Tuesday, directed the parties to appear before it on Wednesday for the judgement.

However, in what appeared as a leakage, copies of the judgement made their way into the internet, indicating a two-to-one split in the decision of the tribunal.

According to the documents that were sighted on Tuesday, while Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Kpochi, and member 1 of the tribunal, Justice A. B. Yusuf, dismissed the petition and affirmed the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo, the third member of the panel, Justice A. A. Adewole, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to issue fresh Certificate of Return to Ighodalo of the PDP as the authentic winner of the poll.

In the said minority judgement, Justice Adewole held that Governor Okpebholo’s election was invalid by reason of non-substantial compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act.

He held that the 2nd Respondent, governor Okpebholo, was not duly elected by a majority of lawful votes cast and proceeded to nullify his return as the winner of the gubernatorial contest.

“The petitioners case was not rebutted and showed unit by unit, how the actual total should be 243,113 votes, while the 2nd Respondent’s tally should stand at 210, 326 votes- a clear reversal of the declared result,” Justice Adewole was credited to have held in the leaked documents.

However, in the lead and majority decision of the tribunal, its Chairman, Justice Kpochi, held that “while there was credible evidence of non-compliance particularly concerning section 73(2) (failure to record serial numbers in EC 25B) and section 51(2) (over-voting) the petitioners failed to demonstrate that these breaches substantially affected the outcome of the election as required under section 135(1) of the Electoral Act.

“On the issue of the majority of lawful votes, the petitioners established instances of incorrect collation and exclusion of results. However, their mathematical and documentary evidence did not conclusively establish that the margin of lead was overtaken or that they scored the highest number of lawful votes.”

Relying on the Supreme Court decided cases in Oyetola Vs Adeleke, 2023, 10NWLR (Pt 1892), as well as Atiku Vs INEC (2023), 19NWLR, pt. 1927, the panel held that the petitioners failed to prove not only that non-compliance occured, but also that it was substantial enough to have affected the result of the election.

Adding that the petitioners ought to have tied every complaint to figures, demonstrated the net effect of each infraction and shown that for the violation the outcome would have changed.

“We find that the petitioners have not discharged the dual burden to the satisfaction of the law.

“Accordingly, the petition lacks merit and is hereby dismissed,” the document further read.

It will be recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had declared that Okpebholo of the APC secured a total of 291, 667 votes to defeat his closet rivalry, Ighodalo of the PDP, who got a total of 247, 655 votes.

Dissatisfied with the outcome of the poll, the PDP and its candidate approached the tribunal, alleging that it was not conducted with substantial compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022.

In the petition marked: EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024, it was alleged that Governor Okpebholo did not secure the highest number of lawful votes that were cast at the election.

It was equally the contention of the petitioners that INEC failed to serialise and pre-record some of the sensitive materials that were deployed for the poll, a situation they said aided the rigging of the election in favour of the APC and its candidate.

News

‘My Wife Keeps Late Nights, Returns Home Drunk, Denies Me Sex Since She Joined OPC’

Published

3 hours ago

September 13, 2025

Editor

Grade A Customary Court 2 sitting at Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has dissolved the 13-year-old wedlock between a couple, Adisa and Falilat, on the grounds of no love, irresponsibility, drunkenness and keeping of late nights by the latter.

Adisa stated that Falilat became wild and uncontrollable after she joined the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC).

Adisa explained that Falilat hardly slept at home and on the few occasions she did, she always denied him s3x.

According to the plaintiff, the last time he and the defendant had s3x was almost two years ago.

He added that their children always looked haggard and unkempt because she seldom cooks for them nor gave attention to their appearance.

Adisa said he could no longer stomach Falilat’s excesses and therefore prayed that their union be dissolved.

Falilat refused to come to court in spite of being served court summonses.

Adisa in his evidence said, My wife and I got married 13 years ago although I did not pay her bride price.

“The once intimate and steady relationship between my wife and I has turned sour and degenerated because of her rebellious nature.

“She has made life unbearable for me ever since she joined the OPC. Falilat is now wild and uncontrollable.

“She refuses to take instructions from me and dares that I do my worst any time we have a misunderstanding.

“My wife has completely abandoned her duties at home.

“She neither cooks for our children nor ensures that they appear neat. They look haggard and unkempt all the time.

“Falilat hardly sleeps at home. On the few occasions she did, she would return home in the middle of the night drunk and disturbing the neighbourhood.

“She has turned me into a source of ridicule in our compound and neighbourhood.

“Falilat denies me my conjugal right. The last time we had sex was almost two years ago.

“My lord, I am better off without a wife than have Falilat under my roof.

“I pray the court to stop our relationship so that I can have peace of mind.”

The court president, Mrs O.E Qwoseni, while giving her judgment stated that there was no marriage to be dissolved because no customary marriage was carried out and the bride price was not paid.

Owoseni added that the defendant was given ample opportunity to defend herself but that she failed to make use of the opportunity.

According to her, the evidence of the plaintiff was deemed admitted.

Ruling, Owoseni dissolved their union.

News

Tears As MKO Abiola’s Wife Doyinsola Laid To Rest In Lagos

Published

16 hours ago

September 12, 2025

Editor

Dr Doyinsola Abiola, pioneering journalist and widow of the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola, was laid to rest on Friday in Lekki, Lagos, following a solemn funeral service at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina.

Her burial concluded a week of tributes that began on Tuesday at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, where family, colleagues, and associates celebrated her groundbreaking contributions to journalism and her service to Nigeria.

The funeral service, officiated by Ven. Henry Adelegan, Canon Residentiary of the Cathedral, featured scriptural readings by family and close associates. Psalm 91 was read by Midun Tobun, while the Epistle from 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 was delivered by Suru Aboaba.

In his sermon, the Diocesan Bishop of Lagos West, Rt. Rev. Pelu Johnson, reflected on Abiola’s legacy under the theme of restoration and hope. He hailed her as a “record-breaker who shattered glass ceilings,” noting her trailblazing achievements as Nigeria’s first female Ph.D. holder in journalism, first female editor of a national daily, and the first woman to lead a national newspaper as Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of the National Concord.

“She stood resolutely with her husband during Nigeria’s democratic struggle, using Concord Newspapers as a powerful voice in the battle for freedom. Her legacy lives on through the generations she inspired and mentored,” Bishop Johnson said.

He also used the occasion to urge the government to confront Nigeria’s current challenges, including insecurity, unemployment, and corruption, while easing the burden on citizens.

The service drew a distinguished audience, including President Bola Tinubu’s representative, Minister of Finance Wale Edun; Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga; Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; former Lagos governor Akinwunmi Ambode; former Ogun State governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel; and former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Nike Akande.

Other dignitaries in attendance included Eniola Bello, Managing Director of ThisDay; Adesoji Ajayi-Bembe, Obanikoro of Lagos; Sir Steve Omojafor, Chairman of STB-McCann; Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti; former presidential aide Femi Adesina; Mrs Abimbola Fashola, wife of former Lagos governor Babatunde Fashola; Dele Babarinsa, co-founder of Tell magazine; Yemi Ogunbiyi, Managing Director of Daily Times; and Gbenga Adefaye, Provost of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism.

Following the service, her body was conveyed to her final resting place in Lekki, where she was laid to rest amid prayers, hymns, and heartfelt tributes.

Dr Doyinsola Abiola, who died on August 5, 2025, at the age of 82, is remembered as a trailblazer in Nigerian journalism, a defender of democracy, and a matriarch whose quiet strength and enduring influence left an indelible mark on the nation.

News

Air Peace Reacts To NSIB’s Report On Drug, Alcohol

Published

19 hours ago

September 12, 2025

Editor

The management of Air Peace has reacted to media reports based on a purported preliminary report by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, regarding an incident involving one of its aircraft at the Port Harcourt International Airport on July 13, 2025.

The airline’s reaction was contained in a statement signed by its management and shared on its official X account on Friday.

Air Peace, which operates domestic and regional routes, has in recent years positioned itself as Nigeria’s flagship private carrier, with a reputation for relatively strong operational standards in an industry often plagued by safety concerns.

The airline is also IOSA-certified, a global safety benchmark by the International Air Transport Association.

The PUNCH reports that the NSIB on Friday indicted an Air Peace pilot and a Co-pilot for taking hard drugs and alcohol.

The accident investigators tested the crew positive for the substances after the aircraft they flew was involved in a runway excursion at the Port Harcourt International Airport on July 13, 2025.

This was contained in a preliminary report signed by the Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, Mrs Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, made available to PUNCH Online on Friday.

However, reacting to the report, on Friday, the airline’s statement partly read: “Our attention has been drawn to media stories on a purported preliminary report by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) currently circulating online and in the media regarding the incident involving one of our aircraft at Port Harcourt on July 13, 2025.

“We are yet to receive any official communications from the NSIB on such findings over a month after the incident and after the testing of the crew for alcohol, which took place in less than an hour of the incident.”

The carrier emphasised that it places the highest priority on safety, transparency, and compliance, describing the report as misleading.

“As a responsible airline, we place utmost priority on safety, transparency, and compliance, and it is important to set the record straight,” the statement said.

The airline further explained its internal policies on crew discipline, stating, “Air Peace conducts frequent alcohol and drug tests on our crew. We have a very strict alcohol use policy that is stricter than the 8 hours before the flight as provided in the regulations. Drug use is a NO-NO!”

Providing details of actions taken after the Port Harcourt incident, Air Peace revealed that the captain of the affected flight was grounded.

“The captain of the affected flight was grounded and relieved from further flight duty till date for failure to adhere to Crew Resource Management (CRM) principles and for disregarding standard go-around procedures as advised by his co-pilot but not for testing positive to the breathalyser test, as the result was not communicated to us by NSIB to date”, the airline’s statement added.

However, the airline defended the co-pilot, saying he acted professionally during the incident. “Contrary to reports in the media, the First Officer (Co-pilot), who demonstrated professionalism in calling for a go-around to his captain, has been reinstated into active flying duties, with full approval from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

“The NCAA cleared him. If he was involved in drug or alcohol use, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority would not have cleared him to resume flight duties”, it stated.

The airline added that if the relieved captain’s test result later proves positive, then it would “increase the frequency of our alcohol and drug tests on our crew.”

Air Peace also stressed the importance of retraining and stricter monitoring going forward.

“Again, the importance of Enhanced Crew Resource Management Training cannot be overemphasised. We will intensify strict Fitness-for-Duty checks and Stronger Internal Monitoring to prevent any breach of our zero-tolerance safety policy”, the statement continued.

Reassuring passengers and the Nigerian public, the airline added: “Air Peace has consistently maintained a strong safety record and strictly implements global best practices in all aspects of its operations, and we reassure our esteemed passengers and the Nigerian public that safety will never be compromised in Air Peace.”

The July 13, 2025, incident at Port Harcourt International Airport reportedly involved a go-around manoeuvre initiated by the co-pilot after the captain allegedly failed to adhere to standard landing procedures.

Media reports suggested that alcohol consumption may have been a factor, citing a breathalyser test.