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Suswam, Reps Member, Gbande Win at Benue Tribunal

From Chris Gaga, Makurdi
The National and State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Makurdi Tuesday, upheld the election of former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam as Senator for Benue North – East district
In a lead judgment delivered by the Chairman of the panel, Honourable Justice R. A. Odudu, the Tribunal dismissed the petition filed by Mrs Mimi Orubibi of the All Progressives Congress(APC) against the election of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s Suswam for lacking in merit.
In the petition, Mimi sought among others, an order of the Tribunal, an order nullifying the election of Suswam for reasons of non compliance with Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and that Suswam did not win the election by majority of lawful votes cast.
The APC candidate alleged over voting, allocation of votes, violence among other irregularities.
However, the Tribunal held that Mimi and APC failed to establish their case against Suswam, PDP and INEC and consequently dismissed same for lacking in merit.
According to the decision, the sole issue for determination was to establish whether or not there was over voting.
Beside, Justice Odudu held that the margin of win was enormous compared to the figure said to have been inflated.
The petitioners were therefore, ordered to pay Four Hundred Thousand Naira (N400, 000. 00) as fine.
In his reaction, lead Counsel to Senator Suswam, Barr. Andrew Wombo described the Judgement as a sound one and challenged the petitioners to test the judgement at the appellate court if they were dissatisfied.
On his part, lead counsel to the petitioners, Chief Frank Nomor said they will test the validity of the decision at the Court of Appeal.
In another Judgement delivered by Honourable Justice M. A. Onyetenu (Member I), the Tribunal dismissed the petition by Dickson Pawa of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), who challenged the victory of Richard Gbande of PDP as member, House of Representatives (Ukum/Katsina-Ala/Logo).
The Tribunal held that Pawa, former ADC to former Governor Suswam failed to join in his petition, parties he made criminal allegations against them.
Above all, it was the decision of the Tribunal that the petitioners failed to establish their case to warrant judgment to be entered in their favour.
Reacting to the judgement, Counsel to Suswam, Barr. Andrew Wombo described the ruling as sound, and challenged the petitioner to test the ruling if not satisfied.
The lead Counsel to the Petitioner, Chief Frank Nomor said he will test the validity of the case at appellant court.
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NSCDC Begins Psychological Assessment of Personnel in Osun
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Osun Command, has begun psychological assessment for its arms-bearing personnel and new recruits.
The command’s spokesperson Atanda Olabisi made the disclosure in a statement on Wednesday in Osogbo.
Olabisi said that the assessment, which started on Tuesday, was to ascertain the mental, emotional and psychological status of the personnel.
The spokesperson said that the evaluation was being conducted in batches to give a greater opportunity for one-on-one interactions between the personnel and healthcare experts.
The spokesperson said that the command had cautioned its personnel on handling of weapons, saying that it would not accept any excuse of accidental discharge.
“There is nothing called accidental discharge, as the process of firing a bullet entails certain fundamental principles.
“The exercise is to forestall any unprofessional act of misuse of firearms that may emanate from any uncontrolled emotional outburst.
“This assessment will also be used to determine where our new recruits will be placed professionally,” she said.
Olabisi said that the state Commandant, Emmanuel Ocheja urged the personnel to commit themselves to the exercise, adding that Ocheja lauded the NSCDC Commandant-General, Dr Ahmed Audi, for repositioning the corps for excellence.
According to Olabisi, Dr Stephen Oyebode, Head of Forensic and Psychological Services Unit, NSCDC, Osun Command, had given the assurance that the unit would offer psychotherapy and psycho-social interventions to personnel who might need assistance after the evaluation. (NAN)
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NECO Commences 2022 SSCE Internal June 27th
By Evelyn Terseer, Abuja
The 2022 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) for school based candidates conducted by the National Examinations Council (NECO) will commence on Monday, 27th June, 2022.
In a press statement by the head information and public relations division of NECO, Azeez Sani, the Council enjoined ministries of Education, Principals, Commandants and all stakeholders to disregard any speculation on the alleged postponement of the examination.
He said thw Council has put all necessary measures in place to ensure a seamless conduct of the 2022 Senior School Certificate Examination.
“The 2022 NECO Senior School Certificate Examination will end on Friday, 12th August, 2022.
Candidates are to be examined in 76 Subjects during the examination.”
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Police Confirms Kidnap of Seven Persons in Kogi

From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the kidnap of seven travelers along Itobe-Ajaokuta road in the State.
Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers had abducted seven people, including a Doctor and Lawyer at about 2pm on Tuesday and carried them to the bush.
The State Police command confirmed the incident on Wednesday evening in Lokoja.
According to an eye witness, the gunmen laid siege on the said road for hours, shooting sporadically and in the process many passengers were abducted, with many also receiving various degrees of injuries from the smoking fire power of the Kidnappers.
This source posited further that among those abducted to unknown destination were Mr Joe Abba, his wife and Barrister Abba Aduojo who were returning from a burial in a village near Alloma in Ofu local government Area of the state.
Also abducted is a yet to be identified Doctor said to be on his way back to Lokoja from an official assignment to the Prince Abubakar Audu University Teaching Hospital,
Anyigba.
“They were kidnapped on gun point around 2pm, my friend’s wife was shot in the leg and is presently recuperating at Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja”, said a Relative of one of the victims.
According to the State Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, William Ovye Aya, the command got winds of the attack of the hoodlums and drafted the men of the Rapid Response Squad operating in the area to their rescue.
“Seven persons were abducted to the bush; six people were rescued with bullets wounds and six vehicles were recovered at the scene of the incident”, he said.
He added that a combined manhunt against the hoodlums, including the sister security agencies and vigilante have been mobilised to comb the areas in order to rescue the seven abducted persons in their custody.