News

JUST IN: Atiku Rejects Tribunal Judgement

Published

8 months ago

September 7, 2023

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Thursday rejected the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal judgement that affirmed the victory of President Bola Tinubu in the February 25, 2023, presidential election.

He said the tribunal judgement failed to restore confidence.

“Though the judgement of yesterday is respected, it is a judgement I refused to accept. I refused to accept the judgement because I believe it is bereft of substantial justice,” Atiku said while addressing a world press conference at the PDP headquarters in Abuja.

The PUNCH reports the tribunal threw out the case of Atiku, who is the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, and his Labour Party counterpart, Peter Obi, and upheld the victory of Tinubu.

Both Atiku and Obi rejected Wednesday’s judgment of the tribunal affirming the election of Tinubu. The Legal Adviser to the Labour Party, Kehinde Edun, vowed to challenge the judgment at the Supreme Court.

Also, Atiku’s Lead Counsel, Chris Uche, SAN, said he had received instructions from his client to file an appeal at the Supreme Court.

He said “The judgment has been delivered but we have not received justice. Luckily, the law has given us leverage to go on appeal to the Supreme Court. We have instructions from our clients to go to the Supreme Court. The struggle continues.”

The PEPT which began sitting at 9.40am at the Court of Appeal, Abuja, ruled that the petition filed by Atiku and Obi and their parties had no merit and unanimously upheld Tinubu’s electoral victory in the February 25 presidential election.

The five-member panel took turns to dismiss the petitions presented by Atiku and Obi against the declaration of Tinubu as the winner of the presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission on March 1, 2023.

The judgment was delivered by the Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Haruna Tsammani, assisted by other members of the panel-Justices Stephen Adah, Monsurat Bolaji-Yusuf, Moses Ugo, and Abba Mohammed.

But addressing a press conference on Thursday, Atiku said he was not new to legal battle and he would continue to explore the judiciary for respite.

“However, the disappointment in the verdict of the court can never destroy my confidence in the judiciary.

“Consequently, I have asked my lawyers to activate my constitutionally guaranteed rights of appeal to the higher court, which in this instance, is the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”

News

JUST-IN: Terrorists Kill Two, Abduct 18 In Fresh Kaduna Attack

Published

11 mins ago

May 7, 2024

Editor

Two people have been reportedly confirmed killed and 18 people kidnapped by terrorists, in Ungwan Dantata in the Gefe community of Kallah Ward, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

A resident, Sujada Ayuba, who confirmed the incident to PUNCH Online on Tuesday, said the terrorists invaded the village on foot on Monday morning at around 1:am.

The victims killed were identified as; Ezra Badama and Nagode Ibro while those abducted are identified as; Nehemiah Sukuni, Rebecca Nehemiah, Sadam Gane, Alice Sadam, Jashu’a Sukuni, Rhoda Isaac, Isaac Dako, Patience Godwin, A’ishatu Ezra, Damaris Nathan, Justina Afis, Gabriela Nathan, Daniela Nehemiah, Jackson Sadam, Amame Ezra, Benedict Monday, Enoch Yohanna and Igwe Saleh.

He disclosed that since November last year, terrorists have been constantly disturbing the people of the Gefe community and they cannot recount the monies spent as regards the payment of ransom.

“This community is in dire need of Government support and their major activity is farming. We’re already in the Rainy season now, and most of them cannot access their farmlands for fear of being kidnapped. They’ve sold all that they harvested and some even sold their lands just to raise money for the ransom of their loved ones, adding no food, and money to buy fertilizer. We need Government intervention like; food and fertilizer to help cushion the effect of hunger in our Community.

“We’re appealing to the Government to assist deploy security operatives in the area to help restore the confidence of the community. Some victims had earlier told us that they trek with terrorists passing different Villages and crossing major roads to their destination.

“Having security forces around the area will help in apprehending these terrorists that have been causing nightmares in our Communities. There are vantage positions where security forces can block the moment people are kidnapped or killed by terrorists,” Sujada added.

He said no contact has been made yet with the terrorists as regards the negotiation of ransom.

He said the two dead victims have been buried today, Tuesday, 7th May 2024 according to Christian rites.

The Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan, when contacted did not respond to calls and text messages sent to him by our correspondent.

Recently, terrorists kidnapped 87 people after launching a fresh attack on the Kajuru-Station community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

A member of the Kajuru-Station Youths, Harisu Dari, confirmed the incident to our correspondent in Kaduna.

Harisu said the terrorists also broke into some shops and stole food items and other valuables.

He said the terrorists invaded the village around 10 pm.

News

JUST IN: Ladoja Withdraws Suit Against Olubadan-in-Council

Published

31 mins ago

May 7, 2024

Editor

The Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rasidi Ladoja, on Tuesday, finally withdrew the suit filed against members of Olubadan-in-Council.

High Chief Ladoja instituted a suit against the members of the Council over the beaded crown worn before the demise of the late 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun.

The coast is now clear for the enthronement of the Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.

One of his aides, Adeola Oloko, told The PUNCH on Tuesday.

News

NYSC Urges Corps Members To Sustain Spirit Of Patriotism

Published

48 mins ago

May 7, 2024

Editor

Mrs Rifkatu Yakubu, NYSC Coordinator in Bauchi state delivering her speech during the closing ceremony of the 2024 Batch 'A' stream II orientation course

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has called on corps members across the country to sustain the spirit of patriotism, hard work and resilience through their service year and beyond.

The Bauchi state Coordinator of the scheme, Mrs Rifkatu Yakubu made the call on Tuesday during the closing ceremony for the 2024 Batch ‘A’ stream II orientation course at the permanent orientation camp in Wailo, Ganjuwa Local Government Area of the state.

She said this would enable them to strive to meet the expectations of Nigerians by contributing towards the progress and development of their fatherland.

“I wish to commend your patriotic zeal as demonstrated by your participation in camp activities and exhibition of high level of discipline.

“Your letters of posting to Places of Primary Assignment will be handed to you soon after this ceremony. In this regard, I would like to remind you of your oath of allegiance in which you pledged to accept posting in good faith.

“I enjoin you to perform your duties with diligence and be guided by the provisions of the NYSC Act and Bye-laws as well as workplace rules and regulations.

“In keeping with the objectives of the Scheme, you are expected to integrate into your host communities while also appreciating and respecting their cultures,” she said.

According to her, the scheme is liaising with financial institutions and other stakeholders with a view to providing start-up loans to enable the corps members actualise their business dreams.

She assured that the management would continue to explore avenues to optimise the impact of the NYSC ‘s programmes.

It could be recalled that 2,172 corps members were posted to the state for the 2024 Batch ‘A’ stream II service year.