COVER
Jubilation in Bayelsa As Supreme Court Sacks Governor- elect
By Mike Tayese, Yenagoa, Jude Opara, John Onah, Gowon Emakpe, Abuja
The government House, Bayelsa state, was yesterday thrown into wide jubilation following the sacking of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governor-elect, David Lyon and his deputy, Degi Eremieyon by the Supreme Court, less than 24 hours to the scheduled swearing-in.
Out- going Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson joined a crowd of supporters to a victory dance at the Government House Yenagoa.
The jubilation continued in other parts of the state capital as well as. Some of the Local Government Areas as soon as news of the Supreme Court judgment filtered through.
The court nullified the election of the duo on ground of presentation of false qualifications by Eremieyon, who had earlier been issued certificate of return by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Peoples Democratic Party in Bayelsa had filed a petition challenging the forged documents submitted by the APC deputy governor – elect, Senator Degi Eremieyon, which judgement was given in favour of APC but was challenged in the supreme court that finally nullified the election.
In his reaction, the out going Special Adviser to Governor Dickson on Public Affairs, Mr Daniel Alabrah, described the judgement as the work of God, which nobody saw it coming.
Alabrah advised Bayelsans to rally round themselves in spite of what happened because the state belongs to everyone.
All Progressives Congress (APC) has vowed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Diri Duoye, declared winner yesterday, through a Supreme Court ruling, would not be sworn-in as governor of Bayelsa state.
National chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, while reacting to the ruling, said Duoye did not meet the requirements of the Supreme Court.
Oshiomhole argued that the Supreme Court judgement had directed that the certificate of return should be issued to the candidate, who had the required spread in the election, aside from David Lyon, the ousted governor- elect.
According to him, there was no candidate in the election that met the requirement apart from Lyon, adding that the implication was that from today, there might be a constitutional crisis in Bayelsa, if there was no governor to be inaugurated.
Supreme Court yesterday, sacked the APC governor in the November 16 election, David Lyon, and his Deputy, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremieoyo for wants of requisite qualifications.
A five-member panel of the apex court led by Justice Mary Odili nullified the election of Lyon on the grounds that his deputy, Degi-Eremienyo, presented false information to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in aid of his qualification for the election.
The apex court in the judgment delivered by Justice Ejembi Eko consequently ordered INEC to withdraw the certificate of return issued to Messrs Lyon and Degi-Eremienyo and to immediately declare the party with the highest number of lawful votes and geographical spread winner.
With the judgment of the apex court, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Diri Duoye, who came second in the polls, is expected to be inaugurated as governor of the state.
Recall that the Appeal Court in Abuja had annulled the judgment of a Federal Hight Court disqualifying the deputy-governor-elect of the APC, Senator Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo from participating in the election, but Degi-Eremienyo promptly challenged the High Court verdict that barred him from taking part in the poll.
Justice Iyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja had also on November 12 disqualified the lawmaker for allegedly supplying false information to the INEC as part of requirement for the governorship poll.
In the judgment, Justice Ekwo said “Senator Degi-Eremienyo gave false information in relation to his educational qualifications and went ahead to depose to an affidavit to correct the discrepancies. The judge held that all his documents bore different names”.
However, in a ruling, a three-man panel chaired by Justice Stephen Adah held that the High Court erred in law and in breach of the appellant’s right to a fair hearing.
According to him, the case, “which was brought under Section 36 of the Electoral Act was criminal in nature and the respondents in the case ought to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Senator Degi-Eremienyo gave false information in his form C001 submitted to INEC as part of his qualifications to contest the election”.
Justice Ejembi Eko, who read the lead judgment of the apex court, made the orders after disqualifying the APC’s deputy governorship candidate, Degi-Eremienyo, as a candidate in the election.
The court upheld the November 12, 2019 judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which had disqualified Degi-Eremienyo in the election for submitting forged certificates to INEC.
The court also ruled that Degi-Eremienyo’s disqualification had infected the joint ticket with which he and the governorship candidate, Lyon, ran for and won the November 16, 2019 election.
The Appellant Court had agreed with the former lawmaker that he was right to have submitted an affidavit sworn to court to prove that the names Adeyi-Eremienyo on his school-leaving certificate and Degi-Eremienyo on his GCE certificate all belonged to him.
Judgement, Victory for Democracy – PDP
Reacting to the judgement, the PDP described the sacking of David Lyon as Bayelsa state governor-elect, as victory for democracy.
Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Diran Odeyemi said the development was another confirmation of the fact that the judiciary remained the last hope of the common man indeed. He also applauded the judges for their courage in delivering the judgement.
“We want to salute the Justices for upholding the rule of law. They have demonstrated that there are still good judges in our country. We won the election and the learned justices have now proven that.
“We congratulate our governor-elect and we are looking forward to working with him in his quest to further consolidate on the legacies of the outgoing governor,” Odeyemi said.
We’ll Comply with Ruling – INEC
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it would act on the judgment of the Supreme Court directing it to withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief David Lyon, in Bayelsa state.
Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, said INEC was yet to be served with a copy of the judgment as at press time.
“I am not sure the Commission has been served with the judgment of the Supreme Court yet. I will keep you posted”, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Oyekanmi said.
Also, in his reaction, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Barr. Festus Okoye, said the commission would check its record to see which party came second in the election with a view to issuing its candidate the Certificate of Return.
“We would do that when we get the judgement of the Supreme Court so that we would know clearly what the Supreme Court want us to do and we would carry it out”, he said.
The latest ruling has cut short the jubilation and preparations that were going on in the camp of Lyon who was said to had made every necessary arrangement for his swearing-in today.
Already, a public lecture, where Kaduna state Governor Nasir el-Rufai was expected to be a keynote speaker, was scheduled for Saturday.
Recall that Lyon had polled 352,552 to defeat his PDP opponent, Duoye Diri, who got 143,172 votes.
Lyon’s running mate, Degi-Eremienyo, was disqualified by the court as not fit to contest the election, but got injunctions to contest the poll, where the same Supreme Court, had last week, ruled that Lyon was the authentic candidate of the APC.
Atiku Congratulates Duoye
Meanwhile, the presidential candidate under PDP in the 2019 eletions, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has congratulated Senator Douye Diri over his victory at the Supreme Court.
Atiku in a statement said: “I am fully satisfied that he (Duoye) has what it takes to make Bayelsa the ‘glory of all lands’. His intellect, personality and character, are credits to Bayelsa and the PDP.
“I congratulate Senator Douye Diri and his running mate, Mr. Lawrence Ewhrujakpor. I also felicitate with the Peoples Democratic Party. The Lords Justices have given us another opportunity to show Nigerians that power belongs to the people, and we must make good use of this opportunity”.
Atiku also called on the judiciary to be consistent in its ruling, adding:”I urge the Supreme Court to show consistency in its judgments and find the resolve to always deliver just judgments no matter whose ox is gored. The people of Nigeria are behind the apex court in whatever they do to free themselves from the dominance of dictatorial forces”.
By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
Immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello will spend the 2024 Christmas and 2025 New Year days in Kuje prison, Abuja, following refusal of his bail application by the Federal Capital Territory High Court.
Justice Maryann Anenih yesterday adjourned the case until Jan.
29, Feb. 25, and Feb. 27, 2025 for the continuation of the hearing.The former governor is standing trial, along with two others, in an N110 billion money laundering charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Anenih had refused to grant a bail application filed by Bello, saying it was filed prematurely.
The judge admitted Umar Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu, to bail in the sum of N 300 million each with two sureties.
Justice Anenih, while delivering a ruling said, having been filed when Bello was neither in custody nor before the court, the instant application was incompetent.
“Consequently, the instant application having been filed prematurely is hereby refused,” she said.
Recalling the arguments before the court on the bail application, the judge had said, “before the court is a motion on notice, dated and filed on Nov. 22.
“The 1st Defendant seeks an order of this honourable court admitting him to bail pending the hearing and determination of the charge.
“That he became aware of the instant charge through the public summons. That he is a two-term governor of Kogi State. That if released on bail, he would not interfere with the witnesses and not jump bail.”
She said the Defendant’s Counsel, JB Daudu, SAN, had told the court that he had submitted sufficient facts to grant the bail.
He urged the court to exercise its discretion judicially and judiciously to grant the bail.
Opposing the bail application, the Prosecution Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, argued that the instant application was grossly incompetent, having been filed before arraignment.
He said it ought to be filed after arraignment but the 1st Defendant’s Counsel disagreed, saying there was no authority
“That says that an application can only be filed when it is ripe for hearing.”
Justice Anenih held that the instant application for bail showed that it was filed several days after the 1st defendant was taken into custody.”
Citing the ACJA, the judge said the provision provided that an application for bail could be made when a defendant had been arrested, detained, arraigned or brought before the court.
Bello had filed an application for his bail on November 22 but was taken into custody on November 26 and arraigned on Nov. 27.
From Jude Dangwam, Jos
Conference of Autochthonous Ethnic Nationalities Community Development Association (CONAECDA) has called on the federal government to intensify efforts in the resettlement of displaced persons in their ancestral homes.
The organization made this call at the end of its conference held in Jos, the Plateau State Capital weekend.
Thirty resolutions were passed covering security, economy, politics, governance, culture, languages, human rights and indigenous peoples’ rights among others.
The Conference President, Samuel Achie and Secretary Suleman Sukukum in a communique noted that the conference received and discussed reports from communities based on which resolutions were reached on securing, reconstruction, rehabilitation and returning communities displaced by violence across the Middle Belt.
“After considering the reports from communities displaced by violent conflicts, conference resolved, and called on government to focus on providing security to deter further displacements.
“Call on government to provide security to enable communities to return. Government and donor partners should assist in reconstructing and returning displaced communities,” the communique stated.
The GOC 3 Armoured Division Nigeria Army represented by Lt Col Abdullahi Mohammed said the Nigerian Army is committed to working closely with communities to achieve a crime-free society, urging communities to support them with credible information.
“Security is a collective effort, and we cannot do it alone, the community plays a crucial role in ensuring safety.
“We urge everyone here not to shield or protect individuals involved in criminal activities. Transparency and collaboration, together, with maximum cooperation, we can achieve peace, security, and prosperity for our society,” the GOC stated.
The National Coordinator of CONECDA, Dr. Zuwaghu Bonat in his address at the gathering noted that the theme of this year’s program, Returning, Resettling, and Rehabilitating Displaced Communities, was chosen as a wakeup call on the federal government.
He maintained that the organization is aware that President Bola Tinubu has expressed a commitment to ensuring that displaced communities return to their ancestral lands.
He said similarly, some state governments, including Plateau State, have set up committees to address the lingering matter.
The coordinator however cautioned, “It is critical that we avoid generalizations or profiling. For instance, Not all Muslims are involved in terrorism. The overwhelming majority of Muslims in Nigeria are peaceful and reject extremist ideologies.
“We also know that some terrorists exploit religion to mobilize support or rationalize their actions. However, their atrocities – slaughtering women, cutting open pregnant mothers, and killing children show a profound disregard for humanity and God. Normal human beings would not commit such acts.
“We must also be cautious about lumping banditry with terrorism. While statistics indicate that many bandits and kidnappers may share similar ethnic backgrounds, kidnapping has now evolved into a profit-driven enterprise. This distinction is vital to address the root causes effectively,” he stated.
The Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang represented by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Middle Belt Nationalities, Hon Daniel Kwada noted that the conference was apt to addressed the various underlying issues bedeviling the region and its people.
“We in the Middle Belt have long been standing at the crossroads of Nigeria’s complex history. Despite our tireless efforts to stabilize this nation, we have faced immense challenges, including underdevelopment, security issues, and marginalization.
“Often, we are unfairly maligned, but gatherings like this offer a chance to change the narrative.
“Such conferences set the tone for better discussions. They allow us to drive processes that bring development, ensure security, and elevate our people to greater heights,” Mutfwang noted.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has called on banks to reinforce their corporate governance principles and risk management frameworks to boost investor confidence during the ongoing recapitalisation exercise.
Dr Emomotimi Agama, Director-General, SEC, said this at the yearly workshop of the Capital Market Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CAMCAN) held in Lagos.
The theme of the workshop is: “Recapitalisation: Bridging the Gap between Investors and Issuers in the Nigerian Capital Market”.
Agama, represented by the Divisional Head of Legal and Enforcement at the SEC, Mr John Achile, stated that the 2024–2026 banking sector recapitalisation framework offers clear guidance for issuers while prioritising the protection of investors’ interests
He restated the commission’s commitment towards ensuring transparency and efficiency in the recapitalisation process.
The director-general stated that the key to bridging the gap between issuers and investors remained the harnessing of innovation for inclusive growth.
In view of this, Agama said, “SEC, through the aid of digital platform, is exploring the integration of blockchain technology for secure and transparent transaction processing to redefine trust in the market.”
He added that the oversubscription of most recapitalisation offers in 2024 reflects strong investor confidence.
To sustain this momentum, the director-general said that SEC had intensified efforts to enhance disclosure standards and corporate governance practices.
According to him, expanding financial literacy campaigns and collaborating with fintech companies to provide low-entry investment options will democratise access to the capital market.
He assured stakeholders of the commission’s steadfastness in achieving its mission of creating an enabling environment for seamless and transparent capital formation.
“Our efforts are anchored on providing issuers with clear guidelines and maintaining open lines of communication with all market stakeholders, reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks through digitalisation.
“We also ensure timely review and approval of applications, and enhancing regulatory oversight to protect investors while promoting market integrity,” he added.
Agama listed constraints to the exercise to include: addressing market volatility, systemic risks, limited retail participation as well as combating skepticism among investors who demand greater transparency and accountability.
He said: “We are equally presented with opportunities which include leveraging technology to deepen financial inclusion and enhance market liquidity.
“It also involves developing innovative financial products, such as green bonds and sukuk, to attract diverse investor segments.
“The success of recapitalisation efforts depends on collaboration among regulators, issuers, and investors.”
Speaking on market infrastructure at the panel session, Achile said SEC provides oversight to every operations in the market, ranging from technology innovations to market.
He stated that the commission is committed to transparency and being mindful of the benefits and risks associated with technology adoption.
Achile noted that SEC does due diligence to all the innovative ideas that comes into the market to ensure adequate compliance with the requirements.
On the rising unclaimed dividend figure, Achile blamed the inability of investors to comply with regulatory requirements and information gap.
He noted that SEC had done everything within its powers to ensure that investors receive their dividend at the appropriate time.
He, however, assured that the commission would continue to strengthen its dual role of market regulation and investor protection to boost confidence in the market.
In her welcome address, the Chairman of CAMCAN, Mrs Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma, said banks’ recapitalisation is not just a regulatory requirement, but an opportunity to rebuild trust, strengthen the capital market, and drive sustainable growth.
Joel-Nwokeoma stated that the recent recapitalisation in the banking sector had brought to the fore the need for a more robust and inclusive capital market.
She added that as banks seek to strengthen their balance sheets and improve their capital adequacy ratios, it is imperative to create an environment that fosters trust, transparency, and cooperation between investors and issuers.
The chairman called for collaboration to bridge the gap between investors and issuers to create a more inclusive and vibrant Nigerian capital market.She said: “we must work together to strengthen corporate governance and risk management practices in banks, enhance disclosure and transparency requirements for issuers.” NAN
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