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By: Valentine Adese (JP), Four (4) Petitioners’ witnesses in Petition No: EPT/PL/GOV/03/2023, filed by, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) have opened up on alleged issues in the Wards they severed as Ward Collation Agents for the APC in the Plateau State governorship election that took place on 18 th March, 2023.  . The witnesses, Mai-chibi Abila, from Barkin-ladi, Jiks Luka Pam, who lives at Nafok, Barnabas Gyang, who lives at Kapis and Umar Aliyu, from Jos-South, under Cross Examination, by Ayo Adewale (Esq), P. A. Akubo (SAN), and Emeka Etiaba (SAN), Counsels to the 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd Respondents respectively, told the Tribunal that, they have issues with the results from particular polling units in their respective Wards. The first witness called by the Petitioners’ Counsel, Prof. Olatoke (SAN) leading Edward Pwajok (SAN) among other Lawyers, Mr. Mai-chibi Abila, under Cross-examinations told the Tribunal that, he lives at Kura Falls in Ba...

By: Valentine Adese (JP), As the Federal Government’s administration under the watch of President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is prepares to roll out Ministerial list, a group under the aegis of Concerned Patriotic Vanguard within the Plateau State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has started drumming support for Hon. Alphonsus Longgap to be given the slot. In a press statement signed on behave of the group by one John Ribam as Chairman, Abdul Dakop as Secretary and Shalvel Yilwan as PRO, the Concerned Patriotic Vanguard stated that, the right person for the Ministerial job in their view is no other person than, Hon. Alphonsus Longgap Komsol, the immediate past member representing Mikang, Shendam and Qua’an Pan Federal Constituency in the National Assembly. In part, the group stated that, “In light of this, the constitutional ministerial slot allotted for Plateau requires a charismatic, forward-looking, patriotic, a person beloved by all political parties and a workaholic p...

By: Frank Agbai, The Plateau State chapter of the Correspondents’ Chapel’s election is by the corner and the top contender is Journalist Pam Musa for the Chairmanship. Know more of this young leader, as REALITY reproduces his profile below: Pam Musa is currently the Plateau State Correspondent of New Telegraph Newspaper, which is a Daily Publication. Also the Financial Secretary of the Correspondent’s Chapel and Chairman Assignment Committee of the NUJ in Plateau State. He was formally registered in 2004 as a Member of the Nigerian Union of Journalists NUJ, Plateau State. He is a dedicated professional in the field of Journalism, he has a Diploma in Mass Communication from the University of Jos and later bagged a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mass Communication Second Class Upper Division from the famous Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria. He has attained several Journalism professional training, Workshops and Courses through hard work. Pam Musa has creative Leadership skills, Co...

By: Valentine Adese (JP), The Petitioners in Petition No: EPT/PL/GOV/02/2023, Dabwan Alfred Clark and his political party, the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) have closed their case, after tendering documentary evidence and calling no witness. The 1 st and 3 rd Respondents (INEC and the PDP respectively) called no witnesses and tendered no document. The 3 rd Respondent’s Counsel, Emeka Etiaba (SAN), (the Peoples Democratic Party) however, told the Tribunal that, he rest his case on that of the Petitioners. On the part of the 2 nd Respondent, Governor Caleb Mutfwang, his Counsel, P. A. Akubo (SAN), tendered 9 documents contained in his list of documents’ schedule and urged the Tribunal to take the documents as read, but also called no witness. THE TRIBUNAL While adjourning the hearing of the Petition, the Tribunal directed all parties to file their Final Written Address on or before the 23 rd of July, 2023. You would recall that, REALITY had reported that,  Petition No: EPT/PL/GO...

By: Valentine Adese (JP), The Executive Chairman of Jos North Local Government Council of Plateau State, Hon. Shehu Bala Usman has on behalf of Citizens of Jos-North Local Government Area (LGA), the Deputy Chairman, Leader and Members of the Legislative and Executive Arms, felicitate and congratulates the Muslim Ummah on the Eid-El-Kabir celebration and urges them to preach peace, unity and harmonious coexistence in the Local Government and the state at large. In his Sallah message personally signed by him, Hon. Usman, appealed to the Muslim Faithful to imbibe the habits of sacrifice and love for one another, as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Mohammad. “This religious festivity affords Muslims the rare opportunity to appreciate their creator’s endless favour and blessings in their lives. “I enjoin you all to continue to be good citizens and make meaningful contributions to our peaceful coexistence”. Usman said. READ THE FULL SALLAH MESSAGE BELOW:- HON. USMAN JOS...

By: Valentine Adese (JP), INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Plateau State has been ordered to produce the documents he was subpoenaed to produce in Petition No: EPT/PL/GOV/03/2023, filed by, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) on or before the 4 th of July, 2023. The Tribunal has also adjourned the hearing of the Petition to Thursday, the 29 th of July, 2023. However, before the adjournment the Petitioners’ Counsel, Prof. Olatoke (SAN), leading Edward Pwajok (SAN) among other SANs and Lawyers, had tendered documents produced yesterday, by the National Chairman of INEC. Owing to the discrepancies observed in the produced documents by the 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd Respondents in comparism with the “2 nd Schedule” adopted by the Petitioners’ Counsel, the Tribunal has ordered that, the discrepancies should be properly documented by the Respondents and served on the Petitioners and Tribunal before the next adjourned date. However, the Couns...

By: Valentine Adese (JP), The Petitioners in Petition No: EPT/PL/GOV/03/2023, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) have opened the prosecution of their case with the tendering of Certified True Copies (CTCs) of documents from the Bar, as agreed by parties during the Pre-hearing Session. The Commission of Police (CP) Plateau State Command and the Chairman of INEC have been ordered by the Tribunal to produce documents to the Tribunal as specified in the Subpoena they were served, on or before 7 days. According to the Petitioners, the Subpoena, had directed INEC Chairman to produce: To produce information extracted from the BVAS machine devices used for the election. CTCs of record of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) collected  by voters in Plateau State as at 23 March, 2023 To produce CTCs of Forms EC8As downloaded from INECs porter for Local Government Areas, as set out in the Subpoena. However, while producing some of the documents before the Tribunal, o...

By: Valentine Adese (JP), The hearing of the Petition continued with the Examination-in-Chief and Cross-Examination of Sen. Simon Mwadkwon’s witness, Panshak Elisha Dagyen (Esq), who told the Tribunal that, some of those, who signed the Peoples Democratic Party’s 2022 State Congress Report, were not among the names listed to monitor the exercise. Panshak (Esq), under Cross-examination of the Counsel to the 4 th and 5 th Respondents, M. S. Salihu (Esq), told the Tribunal that, one Mary Joseph, Samuel Abba, the Plateau State INEC REC, and one Useni Haliru Pai were not having their names on the list of those that are mentioned to monitor the State Congress and yet, they signed. He however, added that, “INEC is the author of the Report and I rely on the said document that, PDP organized the repeated Congress. The report translated exactly what happened at the Congress to the best of my knowledge. However, the document is not authored by me so, I don’t know if it is a complete Report”. Wh...

By: Valentine Adese (JP), The Governor of Plateau State, Barr Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang has reassured the citizens in the state that, the Review Committee that he has  setup to look in to the recent appointment exercise into the State Civil  Service is not to witch-hunt anybody, but simply a curative step to the information reaching government from citizens. Governor Caleb was quoted to have given this reassurance on Friday, during the swearing-in ceremony of the Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff, four Special  Advisers and Members  of Plateau State  House of Assembly Service Commission, held at the New Government  House Little Rayfield, Jos. According to the Plateau State Government Press Release signed by, Mr. Gyang Bere, the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Executive Governor, dated 23 rd June, 2023, the Governor added that, “it will be irresponsible not to investigate such complaints”.   “Let me say this quickly; those, who have been appointed to serve in the Comm...

By: Valentine Adese (JP), The Plateau State Government has withdrawn the Motion it filed challenging and to set aside the Interim Order of the Plateau State High Court, granted the suspended 17 Local Government Chairmen in the state, who were alleged suspended from office by Governor Caleb Mutfwang on the advice of the 9 th Plateau State House of Assembly. The State Government’s Counsel, K. M. Malan (Esq), who moved the Motion for the Application to be struck out by the Plateau State High Court 3, also moved the Motion for the Extension of Time to file the Defendants’ Counter Affidavit. HON. SHEHU BALA JOS NORTH CHAIRMAN, OTHERS IN COURT He also further informed the Court that, the Motion on Notice dated 19 th June, 2023, filed by the Claimants and fixed for hearing today, the 23/6/2023, was not ripe for hearing as they need to file their reaction(s) to it, as they are still within time. He said, “We have 3 Applications pending before the Court. In the order of filing, we have: The P...

By: Valentine Adese (JP), The National/State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Jos, Plateau State, today the 21/6/2023 has been told that, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) nominations and sponsorship in the just concluded general elections were invalid. Engr. Fom Dalyop Chollom, while under Cross Examination in Petition No: EPT/PL/HR/2023, which he filed challenging INEC over the conduct of the House of Representatives election for Barkin-ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency of Plateau State, also told the Tribunal that, he was shocked to see the PDP on the ballot paper. Also today, the Petition filed by the former governor of Plateau State, Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong, who is challenging INEC over the conduct of the Senatorial election for Plateau South Senatorial District and the declared victory of Sen. Napoleon Binkan Bali also came up. At the hearing of the Petition No: EPT/PL/SEN/02/2023, filed by the former governor of Plateau State, Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong...

By: Valentine Adese (JP), The Executive Governor of Plateau state, Caleb Mutfwang has continued to express sadness over the attacks and killings in Plateau State, with Kak, Ranyam, Nging, Lohala and Buka communities worst hit. According to a Plateau state Government press release, dated 18 th June, 2023, signed by Mr. Gyang Bere, the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Executive Governor of Plateau State, the Governor is sympathizing with the victims and their families and has “condemned in strong terms, the bloody attacks that perished lives of many innocent lives.”   Adding that, the Governor has, “urged the security agencies to diligently execute their constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property in the state in order to put a stop to the wanton spilling of blood and burning of property”. GOV. CALEB READ THE FULL RELEASE BELOW:- GO AFTER KILLER BANDITS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES, GOVERNOR MUTFWANG CHARGES SECURITY PERSONNEL IN PLATEAU STATE Plateau State Gov...

By: Valentine Adese (JP), The National/State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Jos, Plateau State has today, the 20 th of June, 2023, commenced the trial of Petition No: EPT/PL/SEN/02/2023, filed by the former governor of Plateau State, Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong, who is challenging INEC over the conduct of the Senatorial election for Plateau South Senatorial District and the declared victory of Sen. Napoleon Binkan Bali. The Tribunal also heard the petition No: EPT/PL/HR/11/2023 and EPT/PL/HR/01/2023, filed by one, Yarnap Samuel, of the Young Progressive Party and Bulus Vincent Venman of the APC, both challenging the victory of, Hon. Beni Lar and INEC, over the conduct of the House of Representatives election for Langtang North and South on the 25 th of February, 2023. Before the close of the sitting today, the Tribunal also commenced hearing on Petition No: EPT/PL/HR/01/2023, filed by Fom Dalyop Chollom, who is challenging the victory of Hon. Peter Gyandeng i...

See below, projects approved by Jos North Legislative Council, which were dutifully assessed by the House Committee. THE PROJECTS EXECUTED BY HON. BALA These projects are not just executed for development alone, but for the use of humanity. MEMBERS AND LEADER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ARM We as a Council being the Legislative Arm of Jos-North Local Government, have already passed a Vote of Confidence on the Chairman, Hon. Shehu Usman Bala. SPEAKS MAN OF THE COMMITTEE, COUNCILOR, JENTA ADAMU WARD We are therefore, also calling on well-meaning Plateau People and Nigerians at large, to do same and appreciate him for the use of the Council’s scarce resource to achieve this feat. Signed: Committee   

By: Valentine Adese (JP), The accusations of a faceless group, Transparency, Accountability and Initiative has been described by Hon. Shehu Usman Bala, the Executive Chairman of Jos North Local Government Council as the imagination of the group, as they try to do the bidding of the Paymaster. Hon. Usman, who made this position known in a press statement, dated 18 th June, 2023, made available to REALITY, also questioned how the group was able to attribute the same accusation to the 17 Elected Local Government Chairman in the 17 Local Government Councils without shame. According to the Chairman, “Allegations by the Transparency, Accountability and Initiative group that, these are some of the accusations leveled against the Jos North Council Chairman and his counterparts across the state, clearly indicates that, this faceless group is doing the bidding of its paymasters. “This is because, the peculiarities of the Local Governments are different and as such, all of them cannot be wrongly...

By: Valentine Adese (JP), Amb. Chris Giwa has closed his case in Petition No: EPT/PL/SEN/01/2023, few hours after opening it at the National/State Houses of Assembly Election Tribunal sitting in Jos, Yesterday. The petition No: EPT/PL/SEN/01/2023 is challenging the conduct and victory of INEC and Sen. Simon Mwadkwon respectively in the 25 th February National Assembly election for Plateau North Senatorial District. To open and close his case, Amb. Giwa’s Counsel, I. H. Magaji (SAN), tendered through the Bar, volumes of INEC’s Certified True Copies (CTCs) of document, which were brought in bags and called only two (2) witnesses. The witnesses were, one Sanni Paul Zaruma, who is a Legal Practitioner and a member of the APC Legal Team and a Statistician, Mr. Gabriel Pam Dagyet, who doubles as a staff of University of Jos and a Consultant. REALITY gathered that, Amb. Giwa’s opening and closing of his case in few hours may have hit the Respondents with confusion, as they sort to revert bac...

By: Valentine Adese (JP), The National/State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Jos, Plateau State has been urged to declare, Amb. Chris Giwa, as the authentic winner of the Plateau Northern Senatorial election and not, Sen. Simon Mwadkwon. A Statistician, Mr. Gabriel Pam Dagyet, who is one of the Petitioners’ witness, told the Tribunal under Cross Examination that Amb. Chris had 3400 as Margin of Lead after inspecting election materials. Dagyet added that, out of the 2255 polling unit results, BVAS and INEC materials inspected and analyzed, 1043 forms EC8A1 series were mutilated. He also disclosed to the Tribunal that he was not paid to urge the Tribunal but his honest position after analyzing the available data. Dagyet explained that, his analysis did not cover the entire senatorial zone, but a cluster, which are areas of interest. Mr. Pam Dagyet told the Tribunal in part, during Exanination-in Chief and Cross-examinations by the 1 st , 2 nd , 3 rd and 4 th Re...

By: Valentine Adese (JP), Three (3) witnesses in the ongoing trial of the petition filed by Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Baba Hassan, challenging the victory of, Hon. Agah Avia, in the just concluded election for Jos-North/Bassa Federal Constituency of Plateau State, have told the National and State Houses of Assembly Tribunal sitting in Jos that, the former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Mohammed Adamu Alkali, forged the primary school certificate he submitted to INEC. The three witnesses, Mr. Azi Ajiji, Gambo Adamu and Lawan Ibin Sulieman, who were on subpoena had also stated same in their statements under Oath before the Tribunal. While Azi Ajiji is the Executive Secretary of Jos North Local Government Education Authority, Gambo Adamu was the Headmaster of Angwan Rogo Primary School, the primary school whose certificate is in question in 1990 and Lawan Ibin Sulieman is the school’s current Headmaster. In their collective testimonies before the Tribunal, the three witnesses submitt...