Police recruitment: 9 applicants detained for certificate forgery

The Enugu State Police Command on Tuesday announced the arrest and detention of 9 applicants for forgery in the ongoing recruitment into the police force.

The command's spokesman, Mr Ebere Amaraizu said in a statement that the applicants' offences included alteration of First School Leaving Certificates, birth certificates, and other documents.

He added that the suspects have been assisting the police with investigations.

While urging the applicants to shun acts of cheating including falsification of documents like age declaration, birth certificates and First School Leaving Certification, FSLC, Amaraizu recalled that the Commissioner of Police representing Force Headquarters, Abuja in the ongoing recruitment in Enugu, Mr Peter Ogunyanwo had warned prospective candidates to resist any act that could put them in trouble.

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Kogi Guber Election : Wada loses petition for lack of merit

The Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has dismissed the petition of former governor, Idris Wada for lack of merit.

In her ruling on Tuesday, the
tribunal Chairman, Justice Halima Muhammad, upheld the election of Gov. Yahaya Bello of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the November 21, 2015 governorship election.

Reading her judgement, the judge said,  “the tribunal having critically examined the conduct of the election, the petitioner has failed to prove his case. His petition lacks merit and legal competence.

“Therefore, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, is hereby declared winner of the Kogi election,’’ she said.

She ruled that Bello having participated in the primary election of the APC was qualified to contest the election.

She further ruled that since Bello participated in his party's primary election, he was the closest candidate the APC could have nominated to replace the late Abubakar Audu.

On the allegation of irregularities by the petitioner, Muhammad ruled that there was no evidence of irregularities during the election as alleged.

“The evidence of the PW1 and PW3 did not give this tribunal proof that there were the alleged irregularities at the polling unit during the election.

“The tribunal cannot attach probation to this evidence by the petitioner; therefore, the grounds of the petitioner were not in consonance with Section 138(1) of the Electoral Law.

“Going by the constitution, anybody can contest election if he is a Nigerian; and must have attained 35years of age.

“The PW2 also did not show proof of the petition as contained in the Evidence Act as an expert."

Finally, the judge ruled that votes cast during an election belong to the party and not the candidate as insinuated by the petitioner.

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Boko Haram: USA condemns barbaric attack on Bosso

The United States of America has condemned the June 3 attack on a military post in Bosso, southeastern Niger.

The government of the United States of America in a statement, conveyed its sympathy to the families of the 32 soldiers killed in the attack and the 67 others who were injured.

``The United States condemns in the strongest terms Boko Haram’s barbaric June 3 attack on a military outpost in Bosso, Niger.

``We extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the 30 Nigeriens and two Nigerian soldiers killed in the attack and the 67
individuals who were injured.

``This latest attack further underscores Boko Haram’s blatant disregard for the people of the Lake Chad Basin area,’’ the statement said.

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Girl with "I need a job" placard meets Osinbajo (Photo)

I was two weeks ago that this unemployed lady took a bold step by carrying her "I need a job" placard to seek audience with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Well, she got lucky as she was received by Osinbajo in his residence at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Photo by Bayo Omoboriowo 

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Niger Delta: Buhari suspends military operations for two weeks.

In an attempt to create an atmosphere for dialogue with Niger Delta militants, President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the military to cease operations in the region for 2 weeks.

According to the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu who made the disclosure in Abuja on Monday, the Federal Government is keen to  dialogue with the militants so as to restore genuine peace in the region, where oil production has been significantly hampered by the activities of nascent militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers, in the last two months.

“The President is interested in dialogue and has mandated the military to halt actions for about two weeks to ensure a team that will be led by the NSA, dialogues with the militants to ensure peace in the region.

‘’The avenue is open for them, provided the militants are willing to embrace dialogue and allow truth to reign because we are going to involve key leaders from the region who have had previous experience in that area to play whatever role they can," he said.

He added that the Federal Government

team will consist of top officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, service chiefs and ministers from the Niger Delta.

Since the NDA began their attacks on oil installations two months ago, production has fallen by 600,000 barrels to 1.6m barrels per day.

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Boko Haram recaptures Bosso

Boko Haram fighters captured the southeastern Niger town of Bosso Sunday night after clashes with Nigerian and Nigerien troops, said the Mayor of Bosso and a military source according to a Reuters report.

The defense ministry said that the insurgents first captured the town on Friday following an attack in which 32 troops were killed, but by Saturday Niger forces had chased them out.

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Saraki's speech at the retreat of Senate Committee on INEC

AN OPENING REMARK BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, HIS EXCELLENCY (DR.) ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI, AT THE RETREAT OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON INEC, TODAY 6 TH OF JUNE 2016.

Protocol:
It is my pleasure to be here with you at this very important event and to declare open, this retreat by the Senate Committee on INEC. Let me particularly appreciate everyone here that has taken out time to attend this retreat for your patriotism, dedication and belief in our ability to use deliberation, consensus building and consultation to solve our national issues. Thank you so much for coming.
2. Our electoral successes in the last general election has created the impression that we have achieved electoral universality and integrity, but recent events and emerging issues have served as a reminder to us that there is still a lot of work to be done. This is why this retreat has become indeed both timely and critical.
3. We must remain keenly aware that more than ever before the Nigerian people demand a responsible government whose fate, they alone can determine. It all starts with having a virile electoral system with impeccable integrity, and universal application must be the minimum standards. We must fashion out an electoral scheme that does not disenfranchise any Nigerian, one that does not have room for ballot tampering and manipulation.
4. Electoral process must become routine and inviolable. This is attainable. The current National Assembly is poised to provide the missing gaps through its legislative interventions but we will be best served with the advice coming from your recommendations through the committee.
5. As you deliberate, it may be important to revisit some of the following issues:
For so long now, our citizens in the diaspora have demanded inclusion in the democratic process; a right afforded in many other countries to citizens irrespective of location; and this current government agrees with them.
This is similar to the now germane issue of the voting opportunity of IDPs and people living in severely challenged hard to reach areas either due to security or other unforeseen challenges.
It will be important to take another look at the role of our security personnel from the Police, to the Department of State Security and the Military. This is especially so in the light of certain revelations to the effect that the previous government had signed into law an amendment to the Electoral Act empowering the military to be used during elections for a variety of reasons.
It should be borne in mind that the Electoral (Amendment) Act, 2015 had in fact made far reaching amendments on the role of the Police before and during election s especially the issue of holding of rallies and meetings by political parties (S.94) and the role and operational deployment of the Armed Forces during elections (S.29). These provisions were designed as an attempt to ensure the democratic character of free and fair elections.
A corollary to this is the issue of the viability or otherwise of setting up electoral offences tribunal charged with dealing with electoral offences. This is especially important as there is an overwhelming national consensus to end election related violence and enthrone a new election culture built on integrity, safety and neutrality.
Other important issues this retreat will be expected to deliberate on and come up with a clear direction for the Senate would include, the issue of the card reader and the desirability or otherwise of using the card reader exclusively for accreditation and voting in our electoral process; and the necessary framework for Independent candidature – how best to operationalise and ensure that no candidate is placed in a vulnerable or compromised position by a party or external factors but rather ensure that our electoral system provides to all equal access and a chance to aspire as they deem fit.
The other is the growing anxiety over inconclusive elections. What is crucial here is not the principle that ensures that our electoral process’ integrity is guaranteed but the important question of accountability, neutrality, and transparency.
How do we ensure that the decisions which the electoral umpire makes are made within the bounds of impartiality, empirical accuracy and determined by verifiable facts?
6. The expectation of the people of Nigeria is that this retreat will produce an outcome that will strengthen the electoral environment and law, as well as further deepen our democracy. In this regard, I wish to assure all Nigerians of the commitment of the Senate and, indeed, the National Assembly to amend the Electoral Act in line with peoples’ expectations and with a view to strengthening the electoral process.
7. It is gratifying to note that the British Department for International Development (DFID) in conjunction with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) have proved to be a great support to the Senate as we seek to deliver on our legislative responsibilities as outlined in our Legislative Agenda and we are proud to report here that today’s retreat is another manifestation of their unrelenting support. We look forward to even more support and collaboration.
8. On this note, I wish the Committee and, indeed, all participants, fruitful deliberations and do hereby formally declare the retreat open.
9. God bless you all and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE

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