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Presidential Election Results Fail to Upload on Portal , INEC Tells Tribunal

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INEC makes U-turn, admits ownership of server
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By Jude Opara, Abuja

Three Presiding Officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday told the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) that the refusal of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) to transmit the presidential election results on Election Day frustrated their jobs.

The Officers admitted that the results of the Senate and the House of Representatives election were transmitted unhindered and that the problems of technical hitches arose at the point of transmitting only the presidential poll results.

Testifying on Subpoena at the ongoing hearing of petitions challenging the outcome of the February 25 presidential election, the three witnesses admitted that the election process went well until the period the BVAS machines refused to work.

The three witnesses are Janet Nuhu Turaki, Christopher Bulus Ardo and Victoria Sani, who served as INEC Presiding Officers at Yobe, Bauchi and Katsina States respectively.

They had been summoned by the Court through the joint application of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Abubakar Atiku to appear before it and give accounts of their experiences in relation to results transmission during the last presidential election.

Janet Turaki who first testified in the petition filed by former Vice President Abubakar Atiku against the election said the accreditation of voters was successful but the process became frustrating at the point of uploading of the election results.

She emphasized that while the results of the National Assembly election sailed smoothly, that of the presidential poll failed and refused to work throughout the day.

The witness, however, informed the Court that the collated results in the forms EC8A were signed by the party agents and herself as INEC’s Presiding Officer.

In his evidence, Christopher Bulus Ardo told the court that he felt unfulfilled in his assignment with INEC on the election because he could not transmit the presidential election results as required by law.

In her own, Victoria Sani said she could not remember the candidate that won the presidential poll in Katsina State but insisted that all did not end well due to the inability to transmit the presidential aspect of the February 25 election.

Monday’s proceedings were conducted by Eyitayo Jegede SAN for Abubakar Atiku and PDP as petitioners, Abubakar Mahmoud SAN for INEC, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Charles Edosomwen SAN for the All Progressives Congress APC.

Meanwhile, the Presiding Justice of the Court, Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani has fixed June 20 for the continuation of hearing in the petition.

Tribunal Rejects Tinubu, APC Bid to Stop APM Petition

An attempt by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to stop the Allied People’s Movement (APM) in its petition challenging his qualification for the February 25, 2023, presidential election was yesterday rejected by the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC).

Tinubu, through his lead counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, had sought to use a Supreme Court judgment delivered on May 26, 2023, to terminate the APM’s petition, but the request was turned down.

The grouse of Tinubu was that the Apex Court had resolved the sole issue raised in the petition of the APM in the judgment in a suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He sought to move the Court to invoke the spirit and letters of the Supreme Court judgment to halt the hearing into the APM’s petition.

The Presiding Justice of the Court, Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani, however, disagreed with Tinubu and held that the party cannot be shut out in the face of fair hearing.

Justice Tsammani asked Tinubu to keep his objections against the hearing of the petition to the final address stage of the court’s proceedings.

Similar objections raised by APC through its counsel, Charles Edosomwen SAN, against the petition on the same ground were turned down by PEPC for the same reason.

Earlier, the APM, through its lawyer, Mr Gideon Ijiagbonya, had informed the Court of receipt of the Supreme Court judgment being sought to be used to terminate its petition.

The lawyer said that upon perusal of the judgment by the Supreme Court, he and his legal team concluded that there is life in the petition and applied for its hearing.

He, however, sought adjournment till June 26 to enable him to obtain a vital document from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to establish his case.

Justice Tsammani, in a brief ruling, rejected a week-long adjournment and fixed Wednesday, June 21, for the hearing of the petition.

Group Backs INEC Chairman over Conduct of 2023 Elections

In response to the barrage of criticisms that trailed the conduct of the 2023 general elections, a group under the auspices of Nigeria Youth Network for Good Governance and Sustainable Democracy has come to the defence of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

Many analysts have called out the INEC Chairman following the inability of the Commission to have posted election results real time using the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BIVAS), which is contrary to the numerous assurances given by Prof. Yakubu before the election.

In a statement entitled, 2023 General Election: Unwarranted Attacks on INEC Chairman and made available to newsmen on Monday in Abuja, the group fingered the opposition Labour Party (LP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as having intensified the attacks on the INEC Chairman.

Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the group, Constantine Ikechukwu who signed the statement further alleged that the action of the two political parties and their supporters is capable of unsettling the peace of the nation.

“We have watched, with great concern, the unfolding events, and an apparent desire of some enemies of progress to plunge Nigeria into chaos since the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the results of the 2023 General Election.

“While the elections produced a President, Vice President, 28 State Governors (minus the six states where elections are off-season), 109 Senators and 360 Members of the House of Representatives, supporters of the Labour Party (LP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been inconsolable, employing both conventional and unorthodox means to prove that the 2023 Presidential Election was rigged.

“While same, both parties have filed their respective petitions at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) which is currently sitting. One would have expected that as law abiding citizens seeking to truly serve the country, the Presidential candidates of the LP, PDP and their supporters would refrain from canvassing the issues raised in their petitions outside the Tribunal.

“Unfortunately, both the petitioners, their lawyers and supporters have continued to make disparaging remarks about the outcome of election in public. In fact, their lawyers, who are Learned Silks, have continued to make unsavory comments to the media about the outcome of the election which they are challenging. Besides, LP supporters, referred to as “Obidients” have turned the social media, especially Twitter, to a battleground where they abuse, curse, and denigrate anybody no matter how highly placed, that disagrees with their position. Supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have sadly joined them in this spectacle of shame”.

The youth group also took a swipe at some foreign and local observer groups as well as the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) who covered the election for their critical views about its conduct.

“Some foreign observers and local Civil Society Organizations (CSO’s) have also been making subjective and unsubstantiated comments about the election, even when none of them observed up to half of the 176,606 Polling Units where the election took place. Everything is beginning to look like a playbook.

“Also recently, Olisa Agbakoba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, in a tweet, congratulated President Bola Tinubu on winning the election, but asked the President to sack the INEC Chairman that conducted the election. We consider his position as self-contradictory, dishonest, and patronizing. You cannot congratulate a man for winning an election and then ask him to sack the person that conducted the same election”.

The group further advised the LP and the PDP to wait for the outcome of the election petition which is currently pending at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal instead of engaging in what it described as self-help.

“The Federal Republic of Nigeria is greater than any individual or his ambition. In furtherance of our strong belief in one indivisible and prosperous Nigeria, we strongly condemn the continued disregard for the rule of law by the LP, PDP, and their supporters with their unmitigated and disparaging comments on the outcome of the 2023 Presidential Election even when the PEPT is busy hearing their petitions. You cannot seek redress in court and at the same time continue to resort to self-help. We regard the blitzkrieg method employed by the LP and PDP lawyers to use the media to convict INEC in the arena of public opinion as a disservice to the rule of law and the legal profession. We also strongly condemn the blatant threats being made by LP, PDP, their lawyers, and supporters against the Justices of the PEPT hearing the petition, to either give a judgement favourable to them or be damned.

“We also view the incessant virulent attacks on INEC and its Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu as condescending, emotive, subjective, and irrational. While we agree that the 2023 Presidential Election was not perfect, there is no concrete evidence to show that the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu rigged the election in favour of the APC as alleged or broke any electoral law.

“After a careful study of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022, we are convinced that in declaring Ahmed Bola Tinubu as President-Elect at the National Collation Centre, Prof. Yakubu only performed his statutory role and did not break any known law. On the contrary, he would have broken the law with serious consequences if he had failed to make that declaration. Thankfully, the law also gives aggrieved parties the opportunity to challenge the outcome of the election in court, which they have rightly done”.

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AI Powerful Tool in Fight against Cyber Threats, Says

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By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

The Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Dr. Emomotimi Agama has said that the commission is dedicated to playing its part in creating a secure, resilient digital environment that will protect investor confidence, foster economic growth, and safeguard the integrity of the nation’s financial markets.

Dr.

Agama who stated this in a Goodwill message delivered at the Central Securities Clearing System Cybersecurity conference with the theme: Cybersecurity: Synergizing Artificial Intelligence, AI and Infrastructure held in Abuja Thursday, said in today’s interconnected world, cybersecurity is no longer an isolated concern, it is foundational to the very fabric of our economic and social systems as many activities, both personal and organizational, are now conducted digitally more than ever before.

This shift, he said, has brought immense efficiencies but has also introduced a new set of risks—cyber risks—that stakeholders must not only recognize but also actively guard against.

According to him, “This became more apparent during the recent COVID-19 pandemic, which accelerated our reliance on technology, remote work, and digital platforms. The pandemic underscored the need to enhance cybersecurity measures to protect individuals, organizations, and sectors from threats lurking in cyberspace.

“At the SEC Nigeria, we understand the vital importance of cybersecurity, particularly in the financial sector. People’s hard-earned savings and investments depend on the integrity of our capital markets, which deserve robust strategies to mitigate cyber risks.

“Cyber-attacks targeting financial institutions are often aimed at gaining access to sensitive and confidential information, which can have systemic implications not just for a single institution but for the broader economy.

“Therefore, cybersecurity must be viewed as a critical component of financial stability and national security.”

Agama said AI has emerged as a powerful tool in the fight against cyber threats as AI-driven intelligence systems now offer the capability to monitor vast datasets in real-time, detect anomalies, and predict potential threats with remarkable speed and accuracy.

The SEC Boss said for Nigeria, where digitalisation is steadily advancing across sectors such as finance, healthcare, and telecommunications, AI holds the promise of not only improving efficiencies but also securing the digital economy adding that in the capital markets, AI-driven systems can enhance surveillance, detect fraud, and manage risk.

“At the SEC Nigeria, we are actively exploring ways to leverage AI technologies to safeguard investor interests and maintain market integrity.

“In addition to AI, automated response mechanisms can significantly reduce the time between the detection of a threat and the implementation of countermeasures. Automation in areas such as patch management, access control, and incident response is crucial to addressing the growing volume of threats that human teams alone cannot manage.

“As the Apex Regulator of the capital market in Nigeria, we are committed to ensuring that the capital markets are protected by robust cybersecurity frameworks that balance innovation with accountability.

“While AI offers great promise, it must be complemented by resilient infrastructure. Without a secure and adaptable digital infrastructure, even the most sophisticated AI systems can become vulnerable to cyber threats” , he stated.

Dr. Agama disclosed that in Nigeria, where digital infrastructure is still developing, security must be integrated at every layer—from communication networks to data centres adding that the SEC is committed to working with government bodies and industry players to strengthen the cybersecurity infrastructure of the capital markets, ensuring they are equipped to withstand emerging threats.

“As we deliberate today on the intersection of AI and infrastructure security, I urge us all to recognise that cybersecurity is not merely a technological issue—it is a strategic imperative. It requires collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement in our defences” he added.

In his remarks, CSCS Managing Director Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri said as the nation navigates deeper into the 21st century, the evolution from the information age to the digital age presents both remarkable advancements and formidable risks.

“The emergence of new technologies reshapes how we operate, but it also brings new vulnerabilities, including sophisticated cyber threats.  collaboration is key to addressing these multifaceted challenges. By bringing together diverse expertise and perspectives, we can foster a more resilient cybersecurity framework. The ONSA’s role as Nigeria’s custodian of cybersecurity laws is crucial in guiding our collective efforts.

“As we explore these themes, let us not forget the intrinsic value of human intelligence. The more I delve into artificial intelligence, the more I appreciate our own capacity for judgment, creativity, and empathy. As we acknowledge our position, particularly in Africa, we must work to improve our understanding of these threats. We must learn, decide and act quickly and decisively. Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue; it is a national priority that affects our economic stability and public trust” he stated.

In his speech, Vice President Kashim Shettima emphasised the critical role that robust cyber security plays in the nation’s economy and reshaping industries and infrastructure, saying that shielding the nation’s system from increasing sophisticated cyber threats has not been more

He said, “Cyber security is not just a technical issue it is a fundamental ingredient of our economic stability and growth.

“I commend the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and his team for their efforts in fostering a digital environment that encourages investments and innovation.

“Together, we can build a resilient framework that infrastructure and a thriving digital economy.”

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Judiciary Threat to Drmocracy, Jonathan, Fubara Cry out

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By David Torough, Abuja

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has taken a swipe at the nation’s judiciary, accusing that arm of government of undermining democracy and the rule of law.

Specifically, Jonathan decried the disruptive role of the judiciary in election litigations and internal democracy of political parties in the country.

The former president spoke on Thursday in Abuja at an event organised in celebration of the birthday of a renowned lawyer and human rights activist, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN.

Jonathan expressed concern about the negative impact of a number of court judgements on the credibility of elections.

Warning that partisan outlook of judicial officers could destabilise the political landscape, the former president stressed the need to preserve the integrity of the judicial and electoral processes in the country.

To buttress his point, he cited a case in which a high court upheld the suspension of a national chairman of a major political party by his Ward chairman.

Even though Jonathan did not mention the parties involved, it was a veiled reference to the case of a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Iyorchia Ayu.

Ayu was in March 2023 suspended by the local Igyorov Ward PDP chairman in his Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State for alleged anti party activities.

The suspension was upheld by a high court in Benue State despite the fact that the suspension order was against provisions of the PDP constitution.

He noted that such decisions of the courts tend to undermine the structural integrity essential for political stability.

“This judgment has turned the cone upside down. It fosters instability within political parties and jeopardises democratic governance,” Jonathan said.

The former president stressed the necessity for a strong and independent judiciary as a cornerstone of democracy.

He urged legal professionals and judicial officers to resist external political influences, asserting that justice must be served impartially.

“If the courts fail to address this issue, it could lead to widespread instability in the political system, affecting us all,” he added.

He expressed concern about the overwhelming volume of election-related litigations at every election cycle, saying that the development contrasts with practices in other nations where such disputes are handled more constructively.

“Most countries do not experience this level of court involvement in electoral matters,” he noted, even as he called for reforms to streamline the judiciary’s role in political processes.

He charged the political elite and other stakeholders to collectively work towards strengthening the rule of law.

The former Nigerian leader said without a stable legal foundation, political victories could easily be undermined using the instrumentality of the courts.

Echoing Jonathan, the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara frontally attacked judges, who he alleged, were taking bribes to pervert the cause of justice in the festering political crisis in the oil rich state.

Fubara spoke yesterday at the opening of the 2024/2025 Legal Year and Re-Dedication Service at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul’s, Anglican Communion in, Diobu, Port Harcourt.

Obviously miffed by the conflicting court judgements arising from litigations in Rivers State political crisis, the governor invoked God’s judgement on some judges “for collecting bribes to twist justice.”

He spoke in the backdrop of a deluge of court pronouncements regarding the recently concluded Rivers State local government election and the crisis rocking the state’s House of Assembly.

Addressing the gathering, Fubara accused some unnamed legal luminaries of smearing their conscience by canvassing what he described as professional aberrations to please their political paymasters.

“Some of you, you say you are legal luminaries. You know the truth, but you will go on air just to pacify your paymasters to turn the law upside down.

“We all know the law when it comes to issues that have to do with the administration of governance in the state; it is within the jurisdiction of the State High Court. It doesn’t matter whether you joined INEC, or Police. It is a state’s matter. I am not a lawyer, but I know that one. And you stand and say you are doing the right thing? God will judge you,” the governor fumed.

Fubara noted that within the temple of justice, judges are seen to represent God, who must not be afraid to look at those who come to equity and dispense justice without fear or favour.

The governor warned that court judgments have far-reaching implications and as such, care must be taken in making judicial pronouncements.

“Let me say it here so that you will understand: Judges, you are the God that we are seeing. Your position is to stand and defend us. Your position is to look at whoever and tell the person the truth.

“Because if you don’t do it here, you will have a big question to answer. The preacher said it, every evil done in the course of administering justice, you will pay for it dearly.”

The governor however, commended the Rivers State Judiciary, particularly, the High Court Divisions for their sundry support, which he said, have contributed to keeping his administration going despite calculated antagonisms.

He noted that some judicial officers in the state were being threatened, physically assaulted or slammed with frivolous petitions aimed at coercing them into submission.

“I want to thank the Rivers State Judiciary, more especially, the High Court of Rivers State, for your support, for keeping this administration afloat up until this hour.

“We know quite alright that a good number of you have been threatened by way of phone calls and even physical assaults. We are also aware that some of you have been threatened professionally through petitions that are fake and frivolous.

“But one thing that you need to understand is that you must be persecuted when you are doing the right thing.

“And those of you who are doing the right thing that are being fought from all sides, be courageous. Very soon, this whole thing will be over. Nothing lasts forever,” stated.

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Customs Intercepts Four Containers with N1.1bn Illicit Drugs in Apapa

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From Anthony Nwachukwu, Lagos

Riding on the mantra of zero tolerance for smuggling, the Apapa Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it has foiled an attempt to smuggle illicit drugs worth approximately N1.1 billion in four 40ft containers into the country.

The command said the items included 236,783 bottles containing codeine and barkadin cough syrup packed in a total of 2,174 cartons, adding that three of the seizures were made in APM Terminals and one at Kachicares Bonded Terminal.

The Area Controller, Compt. Babatunde Olomu, explained that during a joint examination of 1×40 container number MRKU0377493 on October 11th, the officers “found prohibited CSP cough syrup in 34,800 bottles.

A statement from the Customs Public Relations Officer, Apapa Area Command, CSC Usman Abubakar, quoted Compt. Olomu to further disclose that “the offensive importation was also found to have expired. The smugglers packed them in 174 cartons with 200 bottles per carton.”

He added: “On the same day, during another examination in the same terminal, a 1×40 container TGBU8886020 was found to be laden with 39,700 bottles of DSP cough syrup packed in 100 bottles per carton.”

Also, on October 15th, another 1x40ft container, TCKU6800526, which was dropped at APMT Container Terminal and declared to contain essential goods, was upon examination found to contain a concealment of 19 cartons of CSJ cough syrup for throat and chesty cough with codeine 100ml packed in 200 bottles per carton.

At Kachicares Resources Terminal, a 40ft container, SUDU8579006, said to contain kitchen wares, was upon examination on October 15th discovered to have concealed Barcadin cough syrup for throat and chesty cough in 100ml, Olomu said.

“They were packed in 1,584 cartons. Another set of 83 loose bottles was also found in the container.”

He restated that “Apapa Command is committed to seamless trade facilitation powered by robust stakeholder engagement, but will not compromise on our revenue collection and anti-smuggling mandates as we facilitate trade.

“For the umpteenth time, I want to warn perpetrators of unlawful trade to steer clear from Apapa Port, as our eagle-eye officers relying on intelligence, technology and on-the-job experience are out to uncover all their smuggling antics.”

Olomu has directed further investigations into the seizures to unravel further details that could lead to the arrest of the suspect(s) involved.

It will be recalled that Federal Government banned the importation of codeine cough syrup in 2018 following its abuse and the adverse effects on many youth who get addicted to it.

Codeine abuse has been found to cause nausea or vomiting, making addicts feel sleepy, unable to concentrate or think clearly, and further behave irrationally, including spurring criminal activities and deviant behaviours capable of setting the society backward.

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