Flowerbud News

Author: Ibrahim Abusadiq

  • Flood: N-HYPPADEC hails FG’s prompt response, sympathises with Niger, Kebbi victims

    Flood: N-HYPPADEC hails FG’s prompt response, sympathises with Niger, Kebbi victims

    By Mohammed Baba Busu

    The National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission has commended the Federal Government for setting aside N3 billion to ameliorate the plight of flood victims in Niger and Kebbi states.

    The commission also symphathised with the farmers in Argungu Local Government Area and other parts of Kebbi and Niger States whose farm produce were destroyed in recent flood disasters.

    The Managing Director of the commission, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq-Yelwa, described the incidence as a very sad development, capable of affecting the country’s drive to enhance sustainability and food security.

    Sadiq-Yelwa, who spoke through the commission’s Head of Press and Public Affairs,
    Nura Tanko-Wakili and made available to newsmen on Monday in Minna, urged farmers to apply caution in their farming activities.

    Sadiq-Yelwa noted with concern the effects of the situation on the livelihoods of the affected communities.

    The commission had earlier embarked on sensitisation campaigns through the mass media and advocacy visits which minimised the impact of the flood in riverine settlements.

    In spite of the measure, farmlands, especially on the flood plains, could not escape the natural disaster.

    The commission therefore, emphasised the need for strict adherence to safety measures by the affected communities.

    He said predictions by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) of rising water levels on the rivers Rima and Niger as well as a report of another rising water level on River Niger system by Niger Basin Authority (NBA), in Niamey Niger Republic, posed a serious threat of more floods in days to come.

    The situation, which is reported to be an update of a similar one in Niamey, was informed by upstream activities in both Niger and Mali flood waters, expected to move gradually into Nigeria through Kebbi State.

    “The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) however continues to monitor the flood situation in the country and provide periodic updates to the general public accordingly,

    “N=HYPPADEC urges communities to be vigilant, listene to updates on radio and television stations and abide by instructions from relevant authorities on safety measures” he added.

    NAN

  • Supreme Court upholds Diri’s re-election as Bayelsa Governor

    Flowerbud News

    The Supreme Court  on Friday upheld the re-election of Sen. Douye Diri as the governor of Bayelsa.

    The apex court in a judgment, dismissed the appeal brought before it by the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress APC, Timipre Sylvia and his party.

    The lead judgment delivered by Justice Garba Lawal, held that the appeal by Sylvia and APC was not only lacking merit but a gross abuse of court process.

    The unanimous decision of the apex court upheld the earlier decision of the Court of Appeal and the Election Petition Tribunal.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Court of Appeal in Abuja had, on July 18, affirmed the re-election victory of Gov. Diri of Bayelsa in the Nov. 11, 2023 governorship poll.

    The three-member panel of justices led by Justice James Abundaga, in a unanimous judgment, held that the appeal filed by the appellants; Mr Timipre Sylva and the All Progressives Congress (APC), lacked merit.

    The panel held that the tribunal was not in error when it struck several paragraphs of the petitioner’s reply against the governor’s election.

    NAN reports that the election tribunal had, on May 27, dismissed the petition filed by Sylva and APC.

    The three-member tribunal, led by Justice Adekunle Adeleye-led, dismissed the petition for lacking in merit.

    In a unanimous decision, the tribunal held that the petitioners failed to adduce credible evidence to substantiate their allegations against the outcome of the state’s governorship poll.

    It struck out all the additional proof of evidence and statements on oath of some of the witnesses who testified for the petitioners as incompetent.

    According to the tribunal, the law expressly provided that an election petition must be filed no later than 21 days after the election result was declared.

    NAN

  • NELFUND acknowledges receipt of ₦50bn from EFCC

    NELFUND acknowledges receipt of ₦50bn from EFCC

    Flowerbud News

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government had  injected N60 billion into the fund.

    Mrs Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, the Director, Corporate Communications, NELFUND, announced this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

    Oluwatuyi said the release followed the directive of President Bola Tinubu on Aug. 4, directing the EFCC to transfer the funds to NELFUND to further boost the student loan programme.

    She said the significant injection of the funds represented a major milestone in the administration’s commitment to bolstering access to education, by providing financial support to students across Nigeria.

    “The fund extends its deepest appreciation to Tinubu for his unwavering dedication to the education sector, and his continued efforts to support the most vulnerable segments of the population.

    “By deciding to allocate these funds to the student loan scheme,Tinubu has once again demonstrated his visionary leadership and commitment to fostering a brighter future for Nigerian students.

    “NELFUND also wishes to acknowledge and thank the EFCC under the leadership of its Executive Chairman, Ola Olukayode for their swift action ensuring the release of the funds,” she said.

    According to her, tNELFUND has ensured that the resources were promptly made available to benefit the education of our nation’s youths.

    She added that the decision to direct the funds into NELFUND’s student loan scheme, underscored the administration’s broader social intervention policy aimed at uplifting the most populous segment of Nigerian society.

    “This infusion of funds will significantly boost NELFUND’s ability to provide much-needed financial support to students, enabling them to pursue their academic aspirations without financial hindrance,” she said.

    Oluwatuyi assured of NELFUND’s commitment to utilising the funds equitably, responsibly and efficiently, while ensuring that they directly benefit those who need them the most.

    She said that NELFUND would continue to drive the mission of expanding tertiary education access for all Nigerian youths.

    She said that through the fund, there would be increasing employability of  well-educated graduates in both the academic and vocational sectors.

    The EFCC had on Aug. 13 pledged to release N50bn to support the loan scheme when NELFUND’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, led his management team on a courtesy visit to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja.
    NAN
  • Supreme Court affirms Gov. Uzodinma’s re-election victory

    Supreme Court affirms Gov. Uzodinma’s re-election victory

    Flowerbud News

    The Supreme Court on Friday, affirmed the re-election of Hope Uzodimma of Imo in the Nov. 11, 2023 governorship election.
    A five-member panel of the apex court, in a lead judgment delivered by Justice Mohammed Idris, dismissed the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate in Imo election, Samuel Anyanwu, for lacking in merit.
    Justice Idris resolved all the issues raised for determination in the appeal against the appellants.
    Justice Idris equally dismissed the appeal by
    the Labour Party (LP) and its candidate, Athan Achonu, for being unmeritorious.
    The judge, who authored and read the lead judgment, resolved the three issues identified for determination against the appellants.
    He found that the appellants as petitioners at the election tribunal, failed to prove their case as required.
    He proceeded to affirm the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which upheld the decision of the Imo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which dismissed the appellants’ petition.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Court of Appeal, Abuja had, on July 16, dismissed the appeal filed by the PDP and  Anyanwu, challenging the decision of the Imo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which affirmed the election of Hope Uzodinma as the authentic governor of the state.
    The three-member panel led by Justice Bitrus Sanga held that the appeal lacked merit having resolved all issues formulated against the appellants in the suit.
    In the same vein, the appellate court also dismissed the appeal by the Labour Party and its candidate, Achonu Nneji, and that of the Allied Peoples Movement for also lacking in merit.
    NAN reports that the appellants, who were dissatisfied with the election tribunal judgment, had approached the Court of Appeal on grounds that the Nov. 11, 2023 election, was invalid because of non-compliance with the provision of the Electoral Act.
    The appellants also challenged Uzodimma’s qualification with an allegation that his West African Examination Certificate (WAEC) result was forged.
    While delivering that judgment, the court of appeal held that the appellants in their appeal, failed to prove the allegation of non-compliance as alleged.
    The panel also held that the appellants failed to prove that the governor submitted a forged certificate.
    NAN
  • Supreme Court upholds Ododo’s election, dismisses Ajaka’s case

    Supreme Court upholds Ododo’s election, dismisses Ajaka’s case

    Flowerbud News

    A five-member panel of the apex court, in a judgment, held that the appeal by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and  its candidate, Muritala Ajaka, marked: SC/CV/654/2024 was without merit and proceeded to dismiss it.
    Justice Sadiq Umar, who authored and read the lead judgment, resolved all the three issues identified for determination in the appeal against the appellants.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a three-member panel of the Appeal Court, in a unanimous judgement delivered by Justice Onyekachi Otisi on July 11, had upheld the decision of the Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.
    The appellate court held that the SDP and its governorship candidate,  Ajaka, failed to prove the allegations contained in their appeal beyond reasonable doubt as required by law.
    The court equally dismissed the appeals filed by Action Alliance (AA) and its governorship candidate, Olayinka Braimoh; and that of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and its governorship candidate, Dr Abdullahi Bayawo, challenging Ododo’s victory.
    Justice Otisi, while delivering judgment on SDP and Ajaka”s appeal, agreed with the election petition tribunal which sat in Abuja.
    The judge said the tribunal was right to have expunged the evidence of the 1st prosecution witness (PW-1) called by the petitioners on the ground that the evidence tendered by the witness was a documentary hearsay.
    She said witnesses, whether subpoenaed or normal, are supposed to front-load their witness statements on oath as required by law.
    The judge held that the petitioners’ witnesses were incompetent because their statements did not accompany the petition in line with the electoral laws
    She agreed with the tribunal that there were inconsistencies in the case of the appellants.
    According to her, the allegation of forgery of document that Ododo submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is a pre-election matter which is handled by the Federal High Court and not the tribunal.
    The said action, Justice Otisi held, happened before the conduct of the Nov. 11, 2023 governorship election in the state and as such, cannot be legislated upon by the lower tribunal.
    The judge also held that the allegation of forgery of document ought to be proven beyond reasonable doubt.
    Justice Otisi subsequently resolved all the issues raised in the appeal against the appellants.
    NAN reports that the tribunal had, on May 27, affirmed the victory of Gov. Ododo of APC in the Nov. 11, 2023 Kogi governorship poll.
    The three-member panel of justices, headed by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu, held that the petition was bereft of substance and accordingly dismissed it.
    The tribunal held that SDP and Ajaka failed to prove the allegations of over-voting and non-compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022 in the petition.
    The panel, in a unanimous, decision held that all the witness evidence filed before it were incompetent and full of inconsistencies.
    It also agreed with the submissions of the respondents that the allegations of forgery raised in the petition were pre-election matter, which ought to have been raised 14 days after the documents were submitted to INEC.
    Kogi had, on Nov. 11, 2023, held its off-cycle election in which Ododo of the APC emerged winner, beating his closest rival, Ajaka of the SDP with a wide margin.
    Unsatisfied with INEC’s declaration of Ododo as winner of the poll, Ajaka and his party dragged the electoral umpire, Ododo and APC to the tribunal as 1st to 3rd respondents respectively.
    NAN
  • Commotion as Supreme Court delivers judgment in Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi governorship election dispute

    Commotion as Supreme Court delivers judgment in Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi governorship election dispute

    Flowerbud News

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the court had fixed today, Aug. 23 for the final judgment of the Nov. 11, 2023 governorship poll conducted in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
    However, lawyers, litigants, journalists and supporters of different candidates found it difficult to access the courtroom as police officers and private security guards from Halogen Security, restrained everyone from going into the courtroom.
    NAN reports that at about 1pm, accessing the court had become difficult as many journalists were denied entrance into the courtroom.
    The development resulted in commotion at the premises of the court as supporters of candidates in the elections struggle to have access into the courtroom at all cost.
    NAN reports that a five-member panel of the court is  presided over by Justice Garba Lawal.
    The panel is to is deliver judgment in the petitions filed by the APC governorship candidate in Bayelsa, Timipre Sylva; PDP candidate in Imo, Samuel Anyanwu and Murtala Ajaka of Social Democratic Party (SDP)’s candidate in Kogi by 2pm.
    They are challenging the election  victory of Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa (PDP); Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo (APC) and Gov. Usman Ododo of Kogi (APC) respectively.
    NAN
  • Immigration CG tasks commanders on border security

    Immigration CG tasks commanders on border security

    Flowerbud News

    The Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nandap, has urged commanders to ensure efficient border security and migration management.

    Nandap made the call at a meeting with Comptrollers of Border Commands and Commanders at the Service Headquarters in Abuja.

    She underscored the significance of border security.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting is aimed at assessing border situations to guide policies and operational strategies for enhanced national security.

    The NIS CG stressed the need for “extra layers” of security to prevent infiltration by criminal elements.

    She instructed commanders to employ supervisory strategies, report major movements timely, and handled sensitive intelligence professionally, submitting weekly reports through approved channels.

    Nandap also directed the immediate submission of reports on manpower and logistics audits, emphasising robust inter-agency collaboration for effective intelligence sharing.

    She ordered the removal of unauthorised checkpoints and routine patrols to prevent dangerous elements from entering the country.

     

    Nandap reiterated the service’s commitment to deploy e-solutions, training, and ensuring officers’ welfare.

    NAN

  • EFCC arrests 14 suspected fraudsters in Benue

    EFCC arrests 14 suspected fraudsters in Benue

    Flowerbud News

    Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Makurdi Zonal Directorate, have arrested 14 suspected internet fraudsters in a sting operation at the Federal Low cost Housing Estate, Makurdi, Benue.

    The EFCC Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

    According to him, their arrest followed actionable intelligence about their suspected involvement in internet fraud.

    “The suspects are Austine Okwori, Osita Valentine, Skott King-David, Thomas Ifebuche, Akor Oche, Henry Adah, Scott Inalegwu, Ogbu Alpha, Samuel Moses, and  Ogbonna Ckukwuaogwu.

    “Others include Mustapha Adinoye, Sylvanus Ogbu, Emmanuel Adamu and Samuel Otene,” he said.

    He said that Items recovered from the suspects included phones, laptops and charms.

    Oyewale said that they would soon be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

    NAN

  • 5 people killed in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon

    5 people killed in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon

    Flowerbud News

    Five people, including a child, were killed on Friday in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, state-run media said.

    Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) said an Israeli drone struck a house in the town of Aita al-Jabal with two guided missiles, killing two people, including a 7-year-old child.

    An earlier Israeli strike on the town of Tayer Harfa killed three people, the Lebanese Health Ministry said.

    The pro-Iranian Hezbollah movement announced the death of three of its fighters, but did not specify where or when.

    Meanwhile, Lebanese security sources, however, said they died in the strike on Tayer Harfa.

    The Israeli army confirmed the strike, saying in a statement:

    “A terrorist cell that was planning to fire projectiles from the area of Tayer Harfa in southern Lebanon towards Israeli territory was identified by Israeli soldiers and was eliminated.”

    Furthermore, Hezbollah said that it targeted surveillance equipment in the Meron Air Base in north Israel, in response to Israeli attacks in south Lebanon.

    However, since the beginning of the war in the Gaza Strip, there have been daily military confrontations between the Israeli army.

    The Hezbollah militia in Lebanon and other groups in the border area between the countries.

    There have been deaths on both sides – most of them members of Hezbollah.

    dpa/NAN