News
Delta Gov Re-Run Polls: Uduaghan, Ogboru Know Fate ’Morrow
The Court of Appeal sitting in Benin, has fixed Thursday, September 22, 2011 for judgment on the Delta state January 6, 2011 governorship re-run election appeal filed by Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru against the decision of the lower tribunal which upheld the declaration of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan as winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The lead counsel to Chief Ogboru and the Democratic Peoples’ Party (DPP), Mogbeyi Sagay, SAN, said the appeal is contending that the first issue the court will have to determine was the burden of proof.
He said at the lower tribunal, the petitioner asserted the negative, while INEC, the third respondent in the appeal asserted the positive, saying that the tribunal in its judgment shifted the burden of proof to the petitioners.
On question of accreditation, he argued that INEC could not prove that accreditation took place in all the places the petitioner was challenging the conduct of the election, adding that the ballot papers were not referable to form EC 8, contending that section 150 of the Electoral Act could not apply in this case when there was no substantial compliance with the Act.
While urging the court to rely on the decision of the Court of Appeal in Ogboru versus Uduaghan, Mogbeyi also urged the court to allow the appeal, dismiss any other appeal pending on the matter, and declare Chief Great Ogboru governor of Delta State.
Replying, lead counsel to Dr. Uduaghan, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the appeal for lacking in merit either in law or in fact.
He argued that the assertion of negative by appellant does not change the position of the law in section 135, 136 and 137 sub-sections 1 of the Evidence Act, saying that the burden was always on the petitioner to prove.
He further argued that section 150 (1) indicates that result declared by INEC is presumed to be correct and regular, saying that the case of Ogboru versus Udugahan cited by the petitioner’s counsel was not a talisman, as he did not meet the standard of proof.
Chief Olanipekun said the lower tribunal was right and still right in holding that the petitioner did not prove any case of non-compliance with the Electoral Act, or how that non-compliance affected the result of the election, and therefore urged the court to dismiss the appeal.
In his submission, lead counsel to the second respondent, PDP, A. Adenipekun SAN, adopted the submissions of Chief Olanipekun and added that contrary to the submission of Ogboru’s counsel, the burden of proof was not static but changes, depending on the circumstances of the case.
He said the petitioners have failed to prove their case and urged the court to dismiss the appeal as lacking in merit.
Earlier, while arguing a cross appeal filed by Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Chief Olanipekun had urged the court to allow the appeal adding that before the lower tribunal, there was no life issue to contend with by the petitioner to arouse the jurisdiction of the tribunal.
Citing Section 180 (2), 2A of the constitution and the judgment by Justice Buba of the Federal High court sitting in Asaba, Chief Olanipekun said “the seat for which there was a re-run had expired, a new election had taken place, a new tenure has commenced and a court cannot make an order which cannot be enforced either practically or legally”.
Replying, counsel for Ogboru and DPP, Prof. Joseph Mbadugha argued that the judgment of Justice Buba J. referred to by Olanipekun was not in anywhere referred to.
He contended that to determine whether there is a life issue in Ogboru’s appeal, the court should look at issues arising from the lower tribunal.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.
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