Politics
C’River Tribunal Adjourns To August 14 As Otu, APC Close Defence
The chairperson of the Cross River governorship election petition tribunal, Justice Oken Inneh, has adjourned the proceedings on the matter between Governor Bassey Otu and Senator Sandy Onor to August 14.
Justice Inneh, who gave the litigants 10 days to file their written addresses for adoption before adjourning the proceedings, warned counsels to both parties to ensure their written addresses were at most 40 pages.
Earlier, Mr Otu, represented by Mike Ozekhome, SAN, called one witness, Erim Agbo, Assistant Organising Secretary of the APC in the state.
The APC, represented by Essien Andrew, SAN, also called a witness, Effiong Umo, the state assistant legal adviser of the APC.
Before commencing his testimony, the governor’s witness, Mr Agbor, adopted his witness statement, which he deposed on May 18.
He confirmed that the second respondent, Mr Otu, was generally cleared to contest the election by his party. The third respondent, Peter Odey, deputy governor of Cross River, was a member of the APC, tendering his party’s membership register.
He also told the court that it was not the practice to delete a member’s name because they resigned and that it was possible to still have names of members who had either resigned or were dead.
The APC witness confirmed that he interacted severally with the second and third respondents regarding credentials and their competence to contest the gubernatorial elections.
He also confirmed that the acquaintance and information they loaded him with severally and collectively formed the basis of his witness deposition.
He confirmed that he scrutinised all the documents the second and third defendants presented before advising his party.
At the end of the day’s proceedings, counsel to the petitioners, Jonah Musa, SAN, said the witnesses called were not the ones who could answer questions on the personal documents of the second and third respondents.
“Whatever they say is documentary hearsay,” he said.
Also reacting, Mr Ozekhome, counsel to Mr Otu, said in the law, “the burden of proof is in he who asserts, he who makes an allegation must prove it.”
He said the petitioners alleged that Mr Odey must have taken the oath of allegiance to Great Britain, but he said he did not, and at this stage, the burden of proof is with them to bring any document to show.
“Having failed to bring any document, their case collapses because they are no longer basing the case on malpractices.
“Dual citizenship is not a disqualifying factor, and so, I can assure you we have been wasting our time here,” Mr Ozekhome said.
While the PDP candidate accused the governor of not having the required academic certificate to contest the March 18 governorship election, his deputy is accused of taking an oath of allegiance to Great Britain.
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.
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