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Showing posts from July, 2023

PLATEAU: AGAIN, COURT ADJOURNS SUIT NO: PLD/1257/2023, FILED BY ALLEGEDLY SUSPENDED LGC CHAIRMEN/COUNCILORS TO 25TH SEPT. 2023

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By: Valentine Adese (JP), The Suit No: PLD/1257/2023, filed by the allegedly suspended Plateau State Local Government Council (LGC) Chairmen and some Councilors, being led by Hon. Miskoom Alexander Naantuam (Chairman, Shendam LGC) has again been adjourned to the 25 th of September, 2023, for hearing. The adjournment came, owing to, an Application for Joinder filed by, Hon. Zulfa Bitrus Rimven, the former Chairman of, Langtang North LGC. CHIEF FALANA (SAN), T. KEKEMEKE (Esq) AND OTHER SENIOR LAWYERS IN COURT Reacting to the Joinder being sought, Chief Femi Falana (SAN), the Counsel to the 33 Claimants, leading, T. Kekemeke (Esq) and other Senior Lawyers, told the Court that, the Application was only served on them last week Thursday and therefore, they would want to react to it. He also told the Court that, they have 7 days to respond to the Application. OTHER LAWYERS IN COURT On his part, K. L. Malan (Esq), Counsel to the Defendants (the Attorney-General of Plateau State and the State...

EPT/PL/HR/08/2023: THE CONTENTION HERE IS THE BREACH OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FRN AND NOT A PRE-ELECTION MATTER. PETITIONERS, RT. HON. BABA HASSAN/APC TELL TRIBUNAL

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By: Valentine Adese (JP), Before the National/State Houses of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Jos, Plateau State adjourned for Judgment, the Petitioners in Petition No: EPT/PL/HR/08/2023, Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Baba Hassan and his political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), have told the Tribunal that, t he issue in contention in the Petition is not on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Constitution or its internal affair as a political party, but rather, a breach of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN). This was stated in their response to the Preliminary Objections raised by the Respondents on the First Ground of the Petitioners Petition. The Petitioners also added that, the argument canvassed by the 2 nd Respondent, Hon. Musa Agah Avia is porous and does not hold water in view of the recent decision of the Supreme Court delivered on 17 th March 2023. “ We submit that, the complaint against the 3 rd Respondent is not the internal affair of...

PLATEAU: OUR PETITION AGAINST MOHAMMAD ADAM ALKALI IS ON ALLEGATION OF FORGERY. RT. HON. BABA HASSAN/APC TELL TRIBUNAL

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By: Valentine Adese (JP), Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Baba Hassan and his political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), have told the National/State Houses of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Jos, Plateau State, before adjourning for Judgment, Petition No: EPT/PL/HR/08/2023 that, t he issue in contention in the Petition is the allegation of disqualification based on Constitutional Breach and, “Since the petition is on allegation of disqualification based on Constitutional breach and merging the two separate petitions in to one is in tandem with paragraph 49 of the First Schedule of the Electoral, Act, 2022”. This was stated in Rt. Hon. Baba Hassan’s response to the Preliminary Objections raised by the 4 th and 5 th Respondents on the First Ground of the Petitioners Petition. In apart, the Petitioner’s stated that:- “3.01. The argument of the 4 th and 5 th Respondent that this Tribunal lacks jurisdiction to entertain this petition because there is no proper party before...

JUST IN: THE PETITIONS FILED BY, RT. HON. IBRAHIM BABA HASSAN AND AMB. CHRIS GIWA, RESERVED FOR JUDGMENT

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By: Valentine Adese (JP), The Petitions No: EPT/PL/HR/08/2023 and EPT/PL/SEN/01/2023, filed by Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Baba Hassan, former Deputy Speaker of Plateau State House of Assembly and that filed by Amb. Chris Giwa and their party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), have been reserved for Judgment by the National/State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Jos, Plateau State to a date to be communicated to parties in the Petition. The Petitions were adjourned for Judgments yesterday, after Counsels in the Petitions adopted their Final Written Address. You would recall that, while the Petition filed by, Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Baba Hassan is challenging the election won by Hon. Musa Agah of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the House of Representatives for Jos-North/Bassa Federal Constituency of Plateau State, Amb. Chris Giwa is challenging Sen. Simon Mwadkon, over the Senatorial election for Plateau North Senatorial District. You would also recall that, REALITY had ...

BREAKING: ELDERS’ FORUM, PLATEAU CENTRAL APC’S PRESS STATEMENT ON WHY PRESIDENT TINUBU SHOULD NOMINATE, CHIEF DR. AMOS GIZO, AS MINISTER (UNEDITED)

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PLATEAU STATE MINISTERIAL SLOT: ON CHIEF DR. AMOS GIZO WE STAND. BEING, A PRESS STATEMENT BY PLATEAU CENTRAL APC ELDERS DATE: 27 TH JULY, 2023. As credible Members and Elders of the defunct ACN CPC and ANPP, we pray for the best for our PRESIDENT as he assumes the mantle of leadership of this Great Nation. We are however, forced to make this Press Statement as Elders in the All Progressives Congress (APC) chapter of Plateau State, to further draw the attention of our dear President, Sen. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to consider Chief, Dr. Amos Gizo, as the suitable person to occupy the Plateau State Ministerial Slot. Our hearts were gladdened to know that, the decision to pick a qualified peoples’ choice for the position is still pending, after perusing the present list of Ministerial Nominees made public officially. We are of the believe that, Mr. President is still out in the field putting all efforts to pick the right person that will represent, not only the interest of the country a...

EPT/PL/HR/08/2023: THE REPLY OF PRP AND MUHAMMAD ADAM ALKALI IS NULL, VOID AND OF NO EFFECT. RT. HON. BABA HASSAN AND THE APC, TELL TRIBUNAL TO HOLD, IN FINAL WRITTEN ADDRESS

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By: Valentine Adese (JP), The Petitioners in Petition No: EPT/PL/HR/08/2023, Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Baba Hassan and the All Progressives Congress (APC), have told the National/State Houses of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Jos, Plateau state, in their Counsel’s Final Written Address that, the reply of Hon. Muhammed Adam Alkali and his party, the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) (the 4 th and 5 th Respondents) to the Petitioners’ Petition before the Tribunal is null, void and of no effect as it was signed by M. S. Salihu (Esq). The Petitioners in their Final Address, have argued and urged the Tribunal to hold that, the pleadings of the 4 th and 5 th Respondents was signed and filed by M. S. Salihu (Esq) as a Lawyer in the salary payroll of the 1 st Respondent and that makes it null, void and of no effect. The Petitioners in their Counsel’s Final Written Address stated in part that, “Also note, the 4 th and 5 th Respondents reply to the Petitioners petition filed before t...

PLATEAU: THE GRAVAMEN OF OUR PETITION IS PREDICATED ON THE WILLFUL DISOBEDIENCE OF PDP TO COURT ORDERS. PROF. MAIYAKI B. THEODORE (SAN), TELLS TRIBUNAL

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By: Valentine Adese (JP), The National/State Houses of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal has been told by Prof. Maiyaki Theodore Bala (SAN) that, the gravamen of Petition No: EPT/PL/SHA/16/2023 is predicated on the flagrant and willful disobedience of the Order(s) of the High Court of Plateau State by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Prof. Maiyaki (SAN), who is a Star witness in Petition No:  EPT/PL/SHA/16/2023, which he filed challenging INEC over the election it conducted for Qua’anpan South State Constituency of Plateau State on the 18 th March, 2023 and the declared victory of Hon. Deoyok Cornelius, also told the Tribunal that, PDP could not have sponsored any candidate to contest in that election owing to its lack of structure in the state. Under Examination-in-Chief, Prof. Maiyaki said,  I am, Maiyaki Theodore Bala, I am a Legal Practitioner and I live at Kwande in Qua’apan Local Government of Plateau State on 7 th April, 2023, I made a statement on Oath in respect of Pet...

PLATEAU TRIBUNAL UPDATE FOR 25TH JULY, 2023: HON. DOEYOK CORNELIUS (PLHA) EXPRESSES CONFIDENCE, OTHERS

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By: Valentine Adese (JP), The National/State Houses of Assembly Tribunal has further adjourned Petition No: EPT/PL/HR/08/2023, filed by, Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Baba Hassan (The former Deputy Speaker of the Plateau State House Assembly), who is challenging the conduct of the House of Representatives election for Jos/Bassa Federal Constituency of Plateau State by INEC, on the 25 th of February 2023, to the 27 th of July, 2023 for the Adoption of Counsel Final Written Address. You would recall that, also as Respondents to the Petition are, Hon. Musa Agah (the declared winner of the election) the PDP, the PRP and its candidate, Mohammad Adamu Alkali. The adjournment came owing to the explanation of the Counsel to the 1 st Respondent (INEC) P. A. Okereke (Esq) that they were only served the Petitioners’ Final Written Address only yesterday and would need time to respond to the process. EPT/PL/SHA/10/2023: The Petition No: EPT/PL/SHA/10/2023, filed by Abdul Adamu Yanga, challenging the victory ...

APC: ON UNITY AND PROGRESS: THE CHOICE OF SEN. TANKO ALMAKURA, AS NATIONAL CHAIRMAN WILL BE PERFECT. HON. JOHNSON PODAR AND THE DEFUNCT CPC, TELL PRESIDENT TINUBU…

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By: Valentine Adese (JP), The crisis currently rocking the All Progressive Congress (APC) may soon be delving towards a solution, as President Bola Ahmed Asiwaju Tinubu has being called upon to allow Sen. Tanko Almakura, the former governor of Nasarawa state to lead the party as its National Chairman. Hon. Johnson Podar, the former Secretary of the defunct CPC chapter in Plateau State, who later became the gubernatorial candidate of the CPC in the state, in an exclusive interview with some Journalists in the state yesterday, posited that, Sen. Almakura was allegedly edged out of the National Chairmanship race of the APC in the recent past because he was perceived to be one of Sen. Tinubu’s loyalist. SEN ALMAKURA “My worry here is that, most of the politicians, who later joined the merger, refused to understand the objective of the defunct CPC and the movement of Sen. Tanko Almakura hence, most of them fell by the way side when they were carried away of his Loyalty to the then National ...

PLATEAU: BREAKING: JOURNALIST REUBEN EGBA, LEADS NEW EXECUTIVES OF REALITY CHAPEL OF THE NUJ

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By: Frank Abgai, Journalist Reuben Egba, now leads the new Executives of REALITY Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Plateau State Council. Journalist Reuben, who contested for the office of Chairman, emerged unopposed and was voted for by all members of the Chapel. Others, who emerged in the same way include: Mrs. G. Joy as Secretary, Miss. Eunice Maina as Treasurer, Miss. Ronke Raji as Financial Secretary, Mrs. Hauwa L. Kabir as Deputy Chairman, among others. FROM: L-R; RONKE, EUNICE AND REUBEN The election to bring in the new EXCO of the Chapel, took place at the Headquarters of REALITY Newspapers in Jos, the capital of Plateau State, after the Chapel’s Congress, which took place for over two hours. FROM L-R: STEVE ALUKO AND CHIEF WILSON BAKO (JP) In attendance was a representative of the NUJ, Journalist Ezekiel, the outgoing Chairman of the Chapel, Journalist Alfred Saiki, Journalist (Chief) Wilson Bako (JP), Journalist Steve Aluko Daniel and Journalist Prince Valenti...

PETITION NO: EPT/PL/HR/01/2023, FILED BY FOM DALYOP CHOLLOM IN FINAL WRITTEN ADDRESS STAGE

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By: Valentine Adese (JP), The Petition filed by Fom Dalyop Chollom, challenging the election conducted by INEC for Riyom/Barkin-ladi Federal Constituency of Plateau State on the 25 th of February, 2023, has entered Counsel Final Written Address Stage. You would recall that, the Petition is also challenging the winner of the election, Hon. Peter Gyanden, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as declared by INEC. Before this stage, the 3 rd Respondent in the Petition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), called Three (3) witnesses. One was called earlier, while the rest two (2) were called yesterday by Subpoena to close its case. The 2 witnesses subpoenaed were the Registrars of the Federal High Court (FHC) and the Court of Appeal (CoA) Jos Divisions respectively, to produce documents. The Certified-True-Copies (CTCs) of the documents produced and tendered from the CoA and FHC include: Appellant brief of Augustine Timkuk. 2 nd Respondent’s brief of argument.  Notice of Appeal dated 3 rd ...

PLATEAU: THE TRIBUNAL PANELS AND WHAT APC/PDP HAVE DONE SO FAR

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By: Valentine Adese (JP), The Governorship and the National/State Houses of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal Panels sitting in Jos, the Plateau State capital, have gained an impressive progress considering the huge number of Petitions before them. The Panels have also given priority to the Governorship and National Assembly election Petitions, considering the time the elections took place. There are three (3) Election Petitions Tribunal Panels currently sitting in Jos and within the Main Complex of the Plateau State High Court. This REALITY gathered is for administrative reasons and the ease of Counsel’s movement from one Panel to another. As it stands today, several Petitions that arose out of the National Assembly elections that were conducted by INEC on the 25 th of February, 2023, have entered their Final Written Address stages. Topping the list are Petitions No: EPT/PL/HR/08/2023 and EPT/PL/SEN/01/2023, filed by Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Baba Hassan, former Deputy Speaker of Plateau S...

LALONG vs SEN. BALI: THE SCORES FOR PDP AND SEN. NAPOLEON BALI ARE UNLAWFUL. PETITIONERS’ WITNESSES TELL TRIBUNAL

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By: Valentine Adese (JP), The National/State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Jos, the Plateau State capital has today Saturday, the 15 th of July, 2023, been informed that, the scores attributed to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Sen. Napoleon Bali in the just concluded general election for Plateau South Senatorial District on the 25 th February, 2023, are Unlawful. The Petitioners’ witnesses, Lamis Mohammad, who came all the way from Kwalla in Qua’anpan Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State and Wumanna Bako a Star Witness, who came to give evidence in Petition No; EPT/PL/SEN/02/2023, filed by Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong, who is challenging the victory of Sen. Napoleon Bali and the conduct of the senatorial election for Plateau Southern Senatorial District of Plateau State by INEC, also told the Tribunal that, the alleged Repeated State Congress of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) could not have held, owing to a Court Injunction served on the E...

LALONG vs SEN. BALI: PDP MAY HAVE FORWARDED THE NAME OF NAPOLEON BALI TO INEC, ILLEGALLY. WITNESS, NIMMYEL NANKPAK, TELLS TRIBUNAL

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By: Valentine Adese (JP), As the hearing of the Petition filed by Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong, who is challenging the victory of Sen. Napoleon Bali and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continues at the National/State Houses of Assembly Election Tribunal sitting in Jos Plateau State, a witness has maintained that, the name of Sen. Bali may have been forwarded to INEC “illegally”. The Petitioners witness, Nimmyel Nankpak, under Cross examination by Counsel to the 1 st Respondent (INEC) in part told the Tribunal that, “I am aware that, PDP is a registered political party. It is also true that, the PDP submitted/forwarded the name of Napoleon Bali to INEC as its senatorial candidate, but illegally. Before the general elections, INEC published names, but I was surprised, knowing that, PDP which has no structure is forwarding names. However, I am not aware of anybody, who filed a case in Court challenging this. Also under Cross-examination from the Counsel to the 2 nd Respondent (Sen. Bal...

LALONG vs SEN. BALI: WE WERE SERVED A COURT INJUNCTION NOT TO HOLD THE REPEATED CONGRESS. RT. HON. GO'AR, TELLS TRIBUNAL

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By; Valentine Adese (JP), The National/State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Jos, the Plateau State capital has been informed that, the alleged Repeated State Congress of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) could not have held, owing to a Court Injunction served on the Electoral Committee organizing it. Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Go’ar, a former Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly and a former member of the Green Chambers, revealed this when he was subpoenaed to come and give evidence in Petition No: EPT/PL/SEN/02/2023, filed by Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong, who is challenging the victory of Sen. Napoleon Bali and the conduct of the senatorial election for Plateau Southern Senatorial District of Plateau State by INEC. Although there was a strong objection from the Respondents on the witness’ competence to testify, owing to his witness statement on Oath, Rt. Hon. Go’ar, under Examination-in-Chief, led by Edward Pwajok (SAN), told the Tribunal that, he was at the ...