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JUST IN: Tribunal dismisses APC’s petition, affirms Diri as Bayelsa governor
The Bayelsa governorship election petition tribunal has affirmed the re-election of Douye Diri as governor of the state.
A three-member tribunal led by Adekunle Adeleye, dismissed the petition filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate Timipre Sylva, for lacking in merit.
In its unanimous decision on Monday, the tribunal held that the petitioners failed to adduce any credible evidence to substantiate any of the allegations they raised against the outcome of the Bayelsa poll.
The tribunal struck out all the additional evidence as well as statements on oath of some of the petitioners’ witnesses for being incompetent.
The tribunal held that the petitioners failed to file their additional proof of evidence within the 21 days allowed by law.
The tribunal held that the decision by Sylva and his party to file their additional proof of evidence and statement on oath of witnesses, long after they had filed the petition, was “tantamount to a surreptitious attempt to amend the case of the petitioners”.
‘CERTIFICATE FORGERY’
The tribunal dismissed the allegation that Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Bayelsa deputy governor, tendered a forged university degree and NYSC exemption certificates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
It held that the allegation was a pre-election matter that ought to be litigated before the federal high court.
The court held that the matter had become statute barred since the petitioners failed to challenge the genuineness of the certificates 14 days after it was submitted to INEC.
The tribunal also noted that the issue of Ewhrudjakpo’s educational qualification has been determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.
The tribunal said it took judicial notice of the fact that Ewhrudjakpo is a legal practitioner and was qualified to contest the election.
CONTRADICTORY PRAYERS
The tribunal also ruled that the petitioners sought contradictory reliefs by asking the court to declare them winners of the poll while also asking the court to nullify the same election.
It held that Sylva and APC did not tender any electoral material to show that the poll was marred by irregularities.
It held that the petitioners were unable to discharge the burden of proof that was placed on them by law.
The tribunal held that it found no reason to set aside the result of the election announced by INEC.
“The result declared by INEC enjoys presumption of regularity and a party desirous to challenge the result must do so with convincing and credible evidence,” the tribunal ruled.
“None presentation of BVAS machines and voters register used for accreditation in the election proved fatal to the case of the petitioners.
“I hold that the onus of proof of positive assertion that valid election took place in the disputed 184 polling units in 57 wards, rests on the petitioners.
“I also hold that the margin of lead principle is not applicable in this case as the petitioners made contradictory prayers.
“The petitioners, having failed to establish all the pleaded facts, I hold that this petition failed on all the three grounds that it was predicated upon.
“I hereby dismiss the petition as lacking in merit. Parties are to bear their respective costs.”
Robert Mugabe Junior, 33, the son of late former president Robert Mugabe, has been found guilty of illegal possession of drugs by the Harare Magistrates Court. Magistrate Lisa Mutendereki delivered the ruling on Thursday, 13 November 2025.
Mugabe pleaded guilty to possessing two grams of dagga, admitting the offence in open court. During proceedings, he appealed to the court for leniency, revealing that he is a single father of two.
“I am a single father raising two children. I ask the court to be lenient with me,” he said.
Sentencing is scheduled for later Thursday afternoon.
Found With Dagga During Traffic Stop
The case stems from a traffic stop on 1 October 2025, when police intercepted Mugabe’s silver Honda Fit in central Harare. Officers discovered a small quantity of dagga in his bag.
Prosecutor Mandirasa Chigumira told the court the search uncovered:
- Two sachets of dagga
- One pack of Rizla rolling papers
- A white dagga crusher
The total haul weighed two grams, with an estimated street value of US$30 (R550). Chigumira also noted that Mugabe had initially refused to sign the seizure receipt issued by police.
Previous Court Appearance and Bail
Mugabe first appeared in court on 2 October 2025 and spent two nights in custody before being granted bail of US$300 (R5,500). Magistrate Mutendereki ordered him to report weekly to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and remain at his registered address until the case concluded.
The trial has attracted widespread attention on social media, with public reactions divided over his conviction.
Police Allegations of Wider Syndicate
Earlier, the Zimbabwe Republic Police suggested Mugabe might be connected to a larger drug network. Commissioner Paul Nyathi told reporters on 2 October 2025 that authorities had recovered 25 sachets of Indo hybrid dagga and six ecstasy pills linked to a syndicate allegedly involving Phillip Munetsi Chiyangwa, Mitchel Jackson, Simbarashe Kaseke, Wellington Icube, and Tanaka Kashamba.
However, prosecutors focused solely on Mugabe’s personal possession charge in court, leaving the wider syndicate allegations unaddressed.
History of Legal Trouble
This is not Mugabe Junior’s first legal issue. In February 2023, he was arrested for allegedly damaging property at a party in Harare. That case was later dropped following compensation. His lawyer, Ashiel Mugiya, who represented him in 2023, again defended him in this case, saying:
“He accepts responsibility for what happened and has cooperated with the authorities.”
Mugabe is expected back in court Thursday afternoon for sentencing, when Magistrate Mutendereki will determine his punishment.
The Nigerian government has suspended the planned 15 per cent import duty on premium motor spirit (PMS) and automotive gas oil (diesel). The announcement was made by George Ene-Ita, spokesperson for the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), in a statement on Thursday.
The regulator urged Nigerians to avoid panic buying, assuring that there is adequate supply of petroleum products nationwide.
“It should also be noted that the implementation of the 15 percent ad valorem import duty on imported premium motor spirit and diesel is no longer in view,” NMDPRA stated.
The statement added that both domestic and imported supplies of petrol, diesel, and other petroleum products are sufficient to meet demand, especially during the peak period. The authority warned against hoarding, panic buying, or unwarranted price increases, and affirmed that it would continue to monitor supply and distribution closely.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved the 15 per cent import duty last month to encourage the use of products from Dangote Refinery. While some stakeholders supported the move as a boost for local refining, critics argued it could increase fuel prices and worsen economic hardship for Nigerians.
The Lagos State Government has cleared beggars and individuals deemed a public nuisance along the Ketu-Alapere corridor as part of its ongoing environmental sanitation and urban renewal efforts.
The operation was carried out by the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) and confirmed by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, in a statement on his official X account on Wednesday.
“Operatives of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps today commenced a clearance operation at Ketu-Alapere, removing beggars and other individuals constituting nuisance along the road median,” Wahab said.
He noted that those apprehended would be properly profiled and handed over to relevant authorities for further action. A video released by the commissioner showed LAGESC officials evacuating individuals from the busy corridor, a major link between Lagos Mainland and key transport routes to the Island.
Wahab emphasized that the exercise is part of broader efforts to improve public order, ensure free traffic movement, and maintain the aesthetic appeal of public spaces across Lagos.
“Every part of Lagos must reflect the standard of a #CleanerLagos and a #GreaterLagos,” he added.
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