From Attah Ede Makurdi

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia yesterday swore-in the newly appointed first female Secretary to the State Government, Aber Serumun Deborah.Performing the swearing-in ceremony at the old banquet hall of Government House Makurdi, the state capital, Alia expressed confidence in Aber’s capacity to bring her wealth of professional experiences to bear on governance.

He said his administration has confidence and trust in the ability of Benue Women to deliver on any given responsibility. According to the Governor, his administration recognizes the important roles women play in society, adding that the appointment of Aber, as the first female SSG in the state reflects his government’s determination to elevate merit and diversity in leadership.”As the first woman ever to be appointed as Secretary to the State Government in Benue State, Aber Serumun Deborah’s appointment is a testament to the confidence I and indeed this administration have in the abilities of the women of Benue.”We recognize the important roles women play in our society and this appointment reflects our determination to elevate merit and diversity in leadership,” the governor emphasized.The governor expressed absolute confidence in the ability of the new SSG to carry out her assigned duties, saying she will play a pivotal role in ensuring the effective coordination of government activities, fostering collaboration across ministries and driving the policies and initiatives that will lead to the sustainable development of the state, assuring her of the full confidence of his administration.He called on public servants, stakeholders and the entire people of Benue to give the new SSG and his administration the needed support to succeed, stating that the work of building the State involves collective efforts, urging all to support and collaborate with his administration in the pursuit of progress and development in the state.Responding, the Secretary to the State Government, Aber Serumun Deborah, appreciated God and Governor Hyacinth Alia, for the opportunity given her to serve the State as the first female SSG.She promised to pilot the affairs of her office with diligence and dedication in line with the administration’s blueprint, setting the foundation for a better and more prosperous Benue.

The Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Umuahia on Friday struck out the petition filed by the PDP Candidate, Chief Okechukwu Ahaiwe, challenging the election of Gov. Alex Otti of LP.

The three-member panel in its almost four-hour judgement, read by Justice G.

T.D Gwada, dismissed the three grounds raised by the petitioner for lacking in merit.

The tribunal in a unanimous decision held that the petitioners failed in their attempt to convince the panel that the election was marred by irregularities and not conducted in substantial compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 beyond reasonable doubt.

It further ruled that the issue of whether Otti was qualified to contest or whether the LP’s Governorship Primary was not duly conducted “were entirely party affairs and, therefore, the tribunal lacked the jurisdiction”.

The tribunal also held that the petitioners were unable to prove beyond reasonable doubt,  their allegations that Otti did not score the majority of the lawful votes cast and that the election was marred by corrupt practices and irregularities.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the judgment was delivered at the Federal High Court Room, amidst heavy presence of security personnel.

The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Tuesday said it has found as untrue the alarm raised by 14 residents of the territory that their organs were missing.

The Police Commissioner in the FCT, Mr Haruna Garba, said the alarm was found to be untrue after medical examination was conducted on each of those who raised the alarm,

Garba made this known while briefing newsmen in Abuja on the command’s achievements in the fight against crime.

He added that the 14 persons involved were currently being prosecuted following the confirmation of their lies.

“They are being prosecuted for giving false information and inciting public disturbances.

“The false alarm had also misled the Police in dealing with mob action which were carried out against more than 10 accused persons in the FCT in the past few weeks.”

Garba said the command was informed of more than 10 cases, mostly around Garshi, Gwagwalada and the Kwali areas of the FCT, adding that some of these escalated into mob action by the youths.

The police chief, however, said that no life was lost in the reported incidents.

“The FCT Police Command has recorded over 10 cases of alleged disappearance of male organs across the territory and the escalating incidents of mob action by irate youths.

“It took the intervention of the Police Command to prevent the loss of lives and property and restore law and order.

“Fourteen suspects who claimed that their male organs had disappeared were taken to the hospital where the medical doctor confirmed that their organs were intact and active.

“Consequently, they were charged to court for giving false information and inciting public disturbance,” he said.

Garba appealed to the residents to warn their wards and children to desist from raising false alarm.

The police chief also urged them not to resort to jungle justice or mob action as innocent lives may be lost in the process.

He said that hospitals did not need police reports before attending to patients in emergency situations.

Garba said this while fielding questions from newsmen on one Miss Greatness Olorunfemi, a victim of “one chance”operators, who was thrown out of a moving vehicle by her suspected attackers in Abuja.

Olorunfemi, who was brought to the hospital by a good Samaritan, according to an unconfirmed report, was allegedly abandoned by medical personnel at the Maitama District Hospital.

It was claimed that she was left to die as a result of lack of a police report.

Meanwhile, the Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA)  had refuted the claim, saying the report was not true.

Reacting to the development in a statement on Monday in Abuja, Buhari Yakasai, Assistant Director, FCTA health services and environment, had said the victim was brought in dead to the hospital.

The police chief also advised residents to be wary of boarding unpainted taxi to avoid being victims of one chance

“I wish to advise residents of the FCT to be wary of the kind of vehicles they board. It is advised that they should board only painted taxis from designated motor parks.

“It is risky to board an unpainted taxi, otherwise known as ‘kabu-kabu’, as they may fall victim of these robbers known as ‘One Chance’,” he said.