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Edo guber tribunal: APC Supreme Court case stalls hearing of Ighodalo’s petition

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The hearing of petitions filed by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, challenging the declaration of Governor Monday Okpebholo as the winner of the Edo State governorship election, was on Monday stalled due to an All Progressives Congress, APC, suit coming up at the Supreme Court on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.

The three-man tribunal headed by Justice Wilfred Kpochi had on December 21, 2024, adjourned the hearing of the petitions to January 13, 2025, during the presentation of the pre-hearing and scheduling reports to parties and counsel in Benin City.

When the petition was called for hearing on Monday, the tribunal was notified that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the APC had filed a motion for adjournment to enable them to attend to a case at the Supreme Court.

The Assistant Secretary to the Tribunal, Dayo Dahunsi, informed the court that the application was from the Ist Respondent, INEC and the 2nd Respondent, APC, seeking adjournment of the sitting to Wednesday, January 15, 2025.

Dahunsi said the application was premeditated upon the premises that the lead counsel to the two applicants would be before the Supreme Court on Tuesday in a matter slated for definite hearing.

He stated that the applicants said that their requests also applied to other petitions against their clients before the tribunal.

Reacting counsel to the petitioner, Ken Mozia, SAN, said he was not opposed to the application in the spirit of cooperation.Mozia, represented by Oladipo Oshinowo, said the lead counsel to the petitioners got a copy of the motion seeking for adjournment late from the court’s registry.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who said they were prepared to commence trial on Monday, added that they were constrained to concede to the respondents’ request for adjournment.

He, however, averred that on the strength of the undertaking, such a request for adjournment shall not be made by the respondents in future.

The chairman of the tribunal, Justice Wilfred Kpochi who granted the respondents’ application, adjourned all petitions to Wednesday, January 15, 2025.

Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission had on September 22, 2024 declared Senator Monday Okpebholo, the candidate of the APC, winner of the election.

Okpebholo polled 291,667 votes to defeat his closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of PDP, who scored 247,274 votes.

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President Tinubu Signs updated List of Eligible Beneficiaries of State Pardons

Consequently, certain persons convicted of serious crimes such as kidnapping, drug-related offences, human trafficking, fraud, unlawful possession of firearms/arms dealing, etc, were deleted from the list.

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has executed the relevant instruments of release to complete the process of formally exercising his constitutional power of prerogative of mercy to grant pardon and clemency to specific individuals who were earlier convicted for various offences.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (information & Strategy), disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

He said that following consultations with the Council of State and public opinion on the matter, the President directed a further review of the initially approved list for consideration in furtherance of the President’s discretionary powers under Section 175(1)(&(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Consequently, certain persons convicted of serious crimes such as kidnapping, drug-related offences, human trafficking, fraud, unlawful possession of firearms/arms dealing, etc, were deleted from the list.

Others who had been hitherto pardoned in the old list had their sentences commuted.

This action became necessary in view of the seriousness and security implications of some of the offences, the need to be sensitive to the feelings of the victims of the crimes and society in general, the need to boost the morale of law enforcement agencies and adherence to bilateral obligations.

The concept of justice as a three-way traffic for the Accused, the Victim, and the State/Society also guided the review.

The approved list of eligible beneficiaries has been transmitted to the Nigerian Correctional Service for implementation in line with the duly signed instruments of release.

Furthermore, to ensure that future exercises meet public expectations and best practices, the President has directed the immediate relocation of the Secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy from the Federal Ministry of Special Duties to the Federal Ministry of Justice.

President Tinubu also directed the Attorney-General of the Federation to issue appropriate Guidelines for the Exercise of the Power of Prerogative of Mercy, which includes compulsory consultation with relevant prosecuting agencies.

This will ensure that only persons who fully meet the stipulated legal and procedural requirements will henceforth benefit from the issuance of instruments of release.

The President appreciated the constructive feedback and engagement from stakeholders and the general public on this matter.

President Tinubu also reaffirmed his administration’s broader commitment to judicial reforms and improving the administration of justice in Nigeria.

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170 Foreigners Seeking Nigerian Citizenship – Tunji Ojo

According to the Minister, the 170 applications will undergo rigorous scrutiny by a high-level panel comprising representatives from the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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One hundred and seventy (170) foreign nationals are seeking Nigerian citizenship.

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Interior Minister, disclosed this in Abuja after chairing a meeting of the Citizenship Advisory Committee, which vets all citizenship requests before forwarding recommendations to President Bola Tinubu for approval.

Tunji-Ojo noted that citizenship of the world’s largest Black nation is not for everyone.

“Anyone who holds the citizenship of our great country must be a person of strong character and impeccable integrity, reflecting the true values of Nigeria,” he declared.

According to the Minister, the 170 applications will undergo rigorous scrutiny by a high-level panel comprising representatives from the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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NPF to celebrate 70 years of women in policing

In a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, on Wednesday, the celebration is scheduled to hold from December 3 to 4, 2025, and will bring together serving and retired female officers alongside the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

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The Nigeria Police Force has announced plans to celebrate 70 years of women in policing, honouring seven decades of courage, resilience, and service since the first set of female officers were enlisted in 1955.

In a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, on Wednesday, the celebration is scheduled to hold from December 3 to 4, 2025, and will bring together serving and retired female officers alongside the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

The statement noted that the milestone “underscores the vital role of women in strengthening law enforcement and fostering community trust across the nation.

It added that the IGP commended the invaluable contributions of female officers to the operational effectiveness and public image of the Force, saying their “dedication and compassion have continued to be integral to the foundation of policing in Nigeria.”

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