Niger Delta
Calabar: Tribunal Drills Senator, Forensic Experts
The Election Tribunal sit
ting in Calabar last weekend drilled Senator Bassey Otu and forensic experts led by Dr. Vincent Okarr, who mounted the witness box for cross examination.
Forensic experts who mounted the witness box to testify against the outcome of the National Assembly election for March 28 Southern Senatorial elections in Cross River which Otu of the Labour Party (petitioner) claimed he won, but was upturned and manipulated in favour of his opponent Chief Gershom Bassey of the PDP.
Okarr a retired military personnel and MD/CEO of Bode Forensic Technology was bamboozled and dazzled by lead counsel to first respondent Barrister Paul Erokoro (SAN) for several hours as the forensic expert was in the witness box for cross examination.
However, after several weeks of legal fireworks at the Election Petition Tribunal, Senator (Prince) Bassey Otu, seems not to be making any headway in establishing a primafacie case of election manipulation.
Otu who filed a petition before the tribunal seeking to upturn the victory of Chief Gershom Bassey to his favour, on the grounds of alleged manipulation of the election in his favour by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), told the tribunal “I remained the true winner of the election.”
The hearing of the matter was somehow prolonged because the forensic examiner, Dr. Vincent Oka who was hired by the Labour Party candidate could not prove the authenticity of his claims or forensic report when he mounted the witness box for cross examination.
Even at a point under cross examination, the forensic expert, in his report, said there were 21,782 (twenty thousand seven hundred and eighty two) multiple thump printing in favour of the PDP adding that no result of multiple thump printing was recorded for the Labour Party.
The forensic expert however created some ridiculous entertainment when he failed to provide tangible evidence of the 21,782 multiple thump prints to the tribunal.
He maintained that, he used the certified true copy and the duplicates for his analysis with which he arrived at his result.
To this end, lead counsel to the 1st Respondent (Gershom Bassey), Paul Erokoro (SAN), insisted that report of the forensic expert was not authentic even though the forensic expert claimed that it was the result which emanated from the scanned ballot papers and argued that the report of the forensic expert was not authentic stressing that the forensic examiner has contradicted his evidence by failing to provide tangible prove of the purported multiple thump printing.
“You claimed you arrived at this with the aid of automated finger identification system (AFIS) but do you know that even though AFIS machine has identified a particular finger making a particular imprint the forensic expert still needs scientific method to do interpretation?” He queried.
Friday Nwagbara, Calabar
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.