Niger Delta
Tribunal Dismisses Case Against Bayelsa Speaker
After more than four months of sleepless night over Election matter against him pending before the Tribunal, the Bayelsa State House of Assembly Speaker, Mr Nestor Binabo can at least for now have a rest of mind.
This is because the Tribunal has dismissed the case for lack of merit.
Giving reasons for the dismissal, the Tribunal chaIrman. Justice Halima Mohammed, remarked that exhibit “B’’ (letter of termination of appointment) in which the applicant relied upon was not supported in evidence.
.The Speaker, Nestor Binabo was elected to represent Sagbama II Constituency on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party in the last April general elections; and the Labour Party candidate,at the election, Barnabas Edure however objected to the victory by asking the tribunal to nullify the election alleging that the speaker falsified his records by presenting forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Edure argued that Binabo failed to disclose that his appointment in the civil service of the old Rivers state was terminated in the intent form he filled and submitted to INEC prior to the elections.
But in his judgment which lasted over two hours, the chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Mohammed, threw the objections of the petitioner over board saying that the petitioner has not prove his case beyond every reasonable doubt.
The Tribunal Chairman stressed that exhibit B which was a certified true copy of dismissal letter relied on by the petitioner to prove his case was insufficient and contained irregularities contrary to the provisions of the Evidence Act.
Justice Mohammed also ruled that failure to produce other documents to support the exhibit by the petitioner had raised doubts on its genuineness as the source was not sufficiently proven.
According to the Tribunal, there is “a disconnect from what was pleaded and what ought to be proved” adding that instead of using the word “dismissal”, the petitioner pleaded ‘’termination’’ of appointment.
“The wordings of Section 107(1) of the constitution speak of dismissal. We, therefore, found out that there is a disconnect from what was pleaded and what ought to be proved. It has been held that termination of appointment cannot be a ground for disqualification.’’
“We find, therefore, abinitio that the case by the petition cannot stand to the extent that they had pleaded termination of appointment which is not the wordings of Section 107(1) of the constitution.”
The Tribunal further held that: “The non-production of other documents surrounding exhibit B is another issue that raise doubt in the minds of the tribunal. All the documents pleaded in the petition were not tendered expect exhibit B. The original letter, that is, exhibit B was not dated, “We have noted similar irregularities in that particular document. The document is supposed to have been issued from the office of the civil service commission. If the court draws inference from the two stamps in the document, the stamps are not visible at all and the tribunal cannot strain itself in trying to know what is written in the document.”
The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages
The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.