News
Withheld Result: Farah Sues INEC, REC
The lawmaker-elect for Degema Constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Farah Dagogo, has dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the commission’s Resident Electoral Commissioner in Rivers State, to court over an alleged move to subvert his victory at the March 19 rerun polls.
The Tide learnt that the suit challenging INEC was filed at the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt.
The Speaker Clerk and the Rivers State House of Assembly, are the other respondents mentioned in the suit.
In the motion ex-parte filed by Emmanuel C. Ukala on behalf of Dagogo, the applicant sought an order of mandamus pursuant to Order 34 Rule 3(2) (a) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2009.
Other reliefs sought by the applicant include a declaration that the decision of the Returning Officer for Degema State Constituency that declared and returned Farah Dagogo as winner was final and subject only to review of an election petitions tribunal or court, in election petition proceedings under the Electoral Act.
He also sought a declaration that INEC and the Rivers REC were not entitled to review or reverse the decision of the Returning Officer in line with the country’s extant electoral law.
The applicant further sought for a declaration forbidding INEC and the Rivers REC to issue Certificate of Return or give recognition to any other person as the winner of the election to represent the constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly other than Hon. Farah Dagogo, who was declared winner and returned as such after the March 19 elections by the Returning Officer for Degema Constituency.
Dagogo further prayed the court to restrain the state House of Assembly, speaker and clerk from recognizing any other person as representing Degema state constituency.
While seeking for an order of mandamus compelling INEC and the Rivers REC to issue Certificate of Return to Farah Dagogo in line with the declaration of the Returning Officer for Degema Constituency, the applicant equally prayed the court for an injunction restraining the respondents by themselves or their servants, agents or privies from denying recognition to the applicant or any rights due him as the candidate duly elected as member of the Rivers State House of Assembly for Degema State Constituency.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
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