CODIFIER

Six witnesses provided by the Social Democratic Party at the Election Petition Tribunal on the Kogi State Governorship election, on Saturday, entertained the court with different amusing submissions as they struggled to answer questions during cross-examination.  At the resumed hearing, all the six witnesses gave testimonies contrary to their depositions on oath and confirmed that they were not polling agents as stipulated by law, but voters. An interesting part of the testimonies was when one of the witnesses, Yakubu Dahiru (PW 10), confronted with the contradictions between his claims and depositions, said he had not been able to see for the past one year, owing to an eye problem, yet he claimed to have written his witness deposition.  A witness, one Isah AbdulGaniu from Okene Local Government area, who said he was a fashion designer, also noted that he was neither a member of the SDP nor polling agent and denied knowledge of Form DCE-41, which was part of his deposition....

*Says it's illogical to attack witnesses doing enough to make paymasters lose woefully in court  *Accuses SDP of stage-managing attack because its petition is suffering irreversible setback  *Affirms commitment to peace, security  The Kogi State Government has debunked what it described as a headless allegation by the Social Democratic Party that it masterminded attacks on witnesses at the ongoing Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, saying the allegation was not only reckless, but stands logic on its head. The state government said, contrary to the propaganda of the SDP, discerning members of the public were following the Tribunal case and would know that there was no way anyone would plot an attack against witnesses that were already testifying against those who paid them to testify and doing enough to make SDP lose woefully. The Commissioner for Information and Communications in the state, Kingsley Fanwo, said it was, however, important to enlighten the SDP that th...

The testimony of a witness of the Social Democratic Party at the Election Petitions Tribunal on the Kogi State governorship election went awry, on Thursday as the witness' statement before the Tribunal contradicted the documents submitted. The petitioners had delved away from BVAS, after their star witness claimed he was not in Kogi State during the said election, and alleged that the All Progressives Congress candidate, now the Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, forged his age declaration affidavit.  The witness, one Dan Musa Williams from the FCT High Court, in Abuja, who had said the document did not emanate from the Court, upon cross examination, could not substantiate his claims. When asked whether he checked the record of the registry to ascertain that it was a forged document, he said he just looked at the date, being a Saturday and concluded that it could not have been from them. It was, however, found that the "declaration of age" affidavit was sworn in Okene, Kog...

. Damages, discredits evidence under cross examination  . Says I didn't operate BVAS machines during election  The star witness of the Social Democratic Party and its candidate in the November 11 governorship election in Kogi State, in a dramatic twist, on Monday, told the Election Petition Tribunal that he was not in Kogi State on the day of the election.  The star witness, who is a data analyst with the Independent National Electoral Commission,  said this as he completed his Evidence-In-Chief and was cross-examined after 11 long days of his testimony before the Tribunal. The witness, Abdulmalik Njidda, had earlier testified to events that took place during the election in Kogi State, with regard to entries on the BVAS machines used for the election in Adavi, Ajaokuta, Okene, Okehi, Ogori Magongo and Lokoja Local Government Areas of the State. However, drama ensued when, during cross examination by Counsel to the Governor of Kogi State, the APC and INEC, he turned ...

The Kogi State Government has once again told the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to come clean on the reason behind its unrelenting persecution and media trial of the immediate past Governor of the state, Yahaya Bello, saying that the world would be eager to know why the Commission is trying so hard to find what is not missing.  The state government, for the umpteenth time, insisted that its funds were not missing, and called on the EFCC to desist from mentioning the name of Kogi State in its ongoing persecution, allegedly orchestrated by some political actors around the Presidency bent on destroying the image of the former Governor.  "We believe that this ignoble agenda is unknown to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who trusted those people with power with the hope that they will use it judiciously for the greatness of our nation. Unfortunately, they have decided to use the privileges given to them as tools for political vendetta," the statement, signed by t...

. Ali Bello, Suleman refute EFCC's allegations in amended charges There was confusion on Thursday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, following amended charges filed against Alli Bello and Daudu Suleiman, including the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, in which the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission claimed they allegedly diverted about N100 billion belonging to the state government in September 2015, months before former Governor Bello assumed office as Governor.  Governor Bello was not a defendant in the original suit, and was not in court. However, Ali Bello, currently Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor and  Dauda Suleman have denied the fraud allegations in the amended charges brought against them at the fresh aaraignment on Thursday in Abuja. Their plea was taken by Justice James Kolawole Omotoso. Both Alli Bello and Dauda Suleman vehemently denied the allegations contained in the 17 counts amended charges. Earlier, Yahaya Bello through his counsel, A.M. Ali...

Eminent sons and daughters of Egbaland, on Thursday, gathered at Mokola, in Abeokuta, to celebrate the 37th Lisabi Festival and honour the late Otun of Egbaland, Chief Tairu Braimoh Olaleye, as the Hero of the Year. The Alake and Paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, while speaking about the rich heritage of the Egba people emphasised the significance of Lisabi Festival in uniting the people and promoting selflessness and leadership qualities.  The monarch, while celebrating the Hero of the Year, who is the grandfather of Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola, said the late Chief Tairu was honoured at the 2024 edition of the festival, having served Egbaland diligently as the Otun of Egbaland. He said the contributions of the Hero of the Year to the development of Egbaland could not also be erased. The Alake added that the event served as a platform to celebrate achievements, honour exemplary individuals and foster unity among Egba sons and daughters. "We use...

The Kogi Collective Interest Group, (KOCIG) has described the protest at Economical Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the former Governor of the state, Yahaya Bello, as politically motivated.  The Chairman of the group, Abdulganiyu Yusuf, stated this in a statement issued on Friday.  The statement read, “It has come to the attention of the Kogi Collective Interest Group, KOCIG, the renewed onslaughts of some disgruntled political elements in Kogi State to resurrect their agenda of blackmail via unproven corruption allegations against the immediate former Governor of Kogi State,  His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello.  “KOCIG has over one million active members across the three senatorial districts of Kogi State, all the 21 local governments. Members believe in the unity and progress of our dear state and hold leaders accountable at all levels.  “We saw the ragtag crowd of hungry non-Kogites that they assembled to go to the national headq...

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has set aside the inspection Order granted the Candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) by the Governorship election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja. The Governorship election petition Tribunal had, on November 25, 2023, granted an Exparte Order, allowing the Social Democratic Party and its candidate in the 11th November, 2023 Governorship election to carry out forensic examination of all the Bimordal Voters Accreditation system (BVAS) used in the Governorship election, among other sundry reliefs.  In a well reasoned ruling on Friday, delivered by a three-man panel of justices of the Court of Appeal, led by Justice J.O.K. Oyewole, with Justices A. I. Banjoko and A.B. Mohammed concurring, the Court of Appeal set aside the inspection order, having gone outside the province of the Electoral Act. The Court of Appeal ordered that, while inspection is allowed under the Electoral Act, it must be jointly carried out with the respondent and the ...

...urges security agencies to investigate, prosecute persons found culpable The attention of the Kogi State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been drawn to allegations making the rounds on social media of an alleged abduction of the Witnesses of Action Alliance by persons suspected to be APC Supporters within the premises of the National Judicial Institute (NJI) where the Kogi State Governorship  Election Tribunal is currently sitting.  While it is reported that the said witnesses were abducted within the NJI premises, some other reports stated that it was outside the premises. While some reports alleged that the said witnesses have been released by their abductors, some reports alleged that they are still in the custody of their alleged abductors.  The APC Kogi State Chapter categorically refutes the mischievous allegation that any of its supporters abducted  witnesses of the Action Alliance political party or even had any altercation with any witne...

. Declares 'Kogi State is working, editors highly impressed'  The Nigerian Guild of Editors has commended the Kogi State Government for what it described as a highly impressive performance in infrastructure, education and health.  The Guild gave the commendation during a tour of some of the projects initiated and completed under the administration of former Governor Yahaya Bello.  The President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Eze Anaba, who briefed journalists at the end of the project tour, specifically said, from what he and other editors had seen, first-hand, the former governor had left a legacy worthy of emulation in critical sectors.  He, however, added that the current Governor of the state, Alhaji Usman Ododo, was doing well to consolidate on the good work of his predecessor.  The NGE was in Lokoja to hold its standing committee meeting. In all, about 40 editors, across the print, electronic and online media participated in the meeting. The editors use...

. Court adjourns to Feb 22, 23 for continuation of trial Drama erupted on Tuesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleged that its main witness, Rabiu Musa, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/550/2022: FRN v. Ali Bello & Anor, had been scared away from trial.  The witness, an Abuja based Bureau De Change operator, was alleged to have been threatened, following his appearance at the last trial and got scared. Lawyer to the anti-graft agency, Hannatu Kofamaisa, made the allegations at the resumed trial of Ali Bello and Daudu Suleiman. She told Justice James Omotoso that the witness would not be in court to continue his evidence, based on his experience of threats at the last adjourned date, adding that she had called the witness five times but that he was no longer picking her calls. Counsel to Ali Bello, Abdullahi Aliu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, told the court that he would not react to the EFCC's allegations because the...

Anti-Corruption Civil Society Organisations, on Wednesday, warned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, under the leadership of Ola Olukoyede, to refrain from allowing "cankerworms of the previous management left in the system" rubbish his credentials as the Head of the Commission.  The over 300 anti-corruption activists, under seven broad frontline organisations, noted that it was pertinent for them to sound an early note of warning in view of the fact that the misuse of the EFCC by political gladiators, as a veritable tool of victimization and score-settling, which they thought had been tackled, was suddenly rearing its head again.  The anti-corruption Civil Society Organisations advised the EFCC boss to sit up and stop the Commission from being accessed by "political miscreants who think EFCC is an extension of their political structures to be manipulated at will." They specifically referred to the Kogi State Government's press statement, which was re...

The Kogi State Government has raised the alarm over what it described as a desperate attempt by "criminals masquerading as politicians" to tarnish the image of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, HE Yahaya Bello, for selfish reasons, through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.  The state government said, in its desperation, "which would leave Nigerians wondering who exactly is afraid of Yahaya Bello", the EFCC has, in an amended charge, accused the former Governor of diverting Kogi State Government funds in September 2015, four months before he assumed the position of a Governor. It said this was not only laughable but portrayed the EFCC as an agency infested with persons whose intents disagree with the noble intention of Mr. President to defeat corruption in Nigeria.  A statement signed by the Commissioner for Information in Kogi State, Kingsley Fanwo, said, "The fact that the EFCC, in charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/550/2022: FRN V. 1. Ali Bello 2. Dau...

Trial continued, on Monday, in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/550/2022: FRN V. Ali Bello & Anor, before Justice J. K Omotosho at the Federal High Court, Abuja Division.  The 1st and 2nd Defendants' Counsel, A.M Aliyu SAN and Nureini Jimoh SAN, respectively, cross examined the Prosecution’s 2nd  Witness, Edward Bananda, from the United Bank for Africa, with respect to the evidence he tendered (Statements of Accounts).  The witness, upon a perusal of the entire bank statements he produced at trial, stated that he could not remember seeing the names of Ali Bello and Dauda Suleiman as beneficiaries who made withdrawals from the Account tendered.  He, however, confirmed that one Abdulsalam Hudu made most of the withdrawals from the account statements.  The Witness also stated that he played no role in the entries contained in the Statements of Account and only became a witness in the matter due to EFCC's invitation.  Edward Bananda also confirmed that the cash...

• Controversies Trail Aiyerin's Plan to rejoin APC  A former commissioner for Agriculture under governor Mimiko's administration, Charles Olusegun Aiyerin, has been resisted members and leaders of All Progressives Congress, APC, in his political ward, Ilutitun Ward I, in Okitipupa local government area of Ondo State. Aiyerin was alleged to be a mole of the People's Democratic Party, PDP, being the party he left the APC for in the heat of the 2023 general elections and publicly worked for, against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). It was argued that he had not formally return to the APC as he openly did for PDP, and thus cannot be trusted. It would be recalled that Ayerin publicly resigned from APC in a letter dated 6th of February, 2023, addressed to the Chairman, Ward one Ilutitun in a disparaging manner that put the APC in a public odium.  In the letter and subsequently, Aiyerin allegedly castigated and campaigned vigorously against all the APC candi...

The commanding officer in charge of Ondo State Chapter of the Tantita Security Services, Senior High Chief Felix, Idowu Gbemijoye Asonja, has extended his hearty congratulations to the new governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Hon Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa. Asonja, on Wednesday, in a statement he personally signed and made public, regretted the sudden passage of former governor Akeredolu. He prayed that against a reoccurrence of  similar incidence in the affairs of the state. His words: "The sudden passage of Governor Akeredolu is a very devastating occurrence. Personally, I feel a personal sense of loss and pray that God will grant his soul enduring repose. I sympathise with the entire Akeredolu family and the entire state. The Senior High Chief extended heartfelt congratulations to Governor Aiyedatiwa whom he described as a man who has what it takes to lead the state in a time like this. "I felicitate the new helmsman, Governor Aiyedatiwa, very heartily, and p...

With High Chief( Dr) Emonena Victor Wayles Egukawhore JP, FCILG, Chairman De Wayles Group of Companies ON  MOMENTOUS OCCASION OF HIS   BIRTHDAY JANUARY 6TH 2024 WITH A FULL PAGE PAID ADVERT IN THE VANGUARD NEWSPAPER. On the 6th of January 2024, High Chief( Dr) Emonena Victor Wayles Egukawhore JP, FCILG ,  Chairman De Wayles Group of Companies Celebrated his Birthday and the Conferment of Honorary  Doctorate Degree (Honoris Causa) on him by the Prestigious Highstone University.  Sacramento USA. The Management and Staff of WELLINGTON HOTEL Ltd  booked a full page advert  in the vanguard Newspaper to celebrate the auspicous moment. Above  is the pictoria published   online Dated January 8, 2024

. Commend gov for prompt salary payment, 50% hazard allowance, solid infrastructure, others The Nigerian Medical Association, Kogi State chapter, has lauded Governor Yahaya Bello for his massive investments in Kogi health sector, declaring that the governor's giant strides in the sector are unmatched in the country. The medical doctors said under the administration of Governor Bello, the health sector received the greatest attention and commitment in terms of standard health care delivery for the people of the state in the last eight years, noting that "this has never been witnessed before in the state." Kogi NMA, in a goodwill message written to the governor and signed by its Chairman, Dr. Baoku Olusola and Secretary, Dr. Jonah Bola Kelvin, heaped praises on Governor Bello for prioritising the health sector and funding it massively. The doctors maintained that the infrastructure and plethora of other health care facilities built by the current administration ...