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JUST IN: Delta Election Tribunal dismisses Omo-Agege’s application for new witness

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The application of the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, seeking to bring in a statistician expert witness to testify before the tribunal has been dismissed by the Delta State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba.

Led by Justice C.H. Ahuchaogu, the three-man panel also dismissed another application by the APC candidate seeking an extension of time for INEC subpoenaed witness to file a witness statement on oath and also to testify before the tribunal.

Counsels to the second respondent (Governor Sheriff Oborevwori) and third respondent (Peoples Democratic Party, PDP), had opposed the applications on the ground that granting same would overreach the respondents.

They had argued that the first application specifically, was aimed at bringing in new facts when pleadings had long closed, and would not afford them another opportunity to reply.

In dismissing the first application, the tribunal while citing previous cases, agreed with the respondents that the application cannot be granted, noting that it was brought 101 days after an order for inspection of election materials was granted.

The tribunal faulted the petitioners’ claims that INEC was responsible for the delay, declaring that there was no evidence to show that the petitioners applied to INEC for the materials after the order for inspection of materials was granted on April 3 until May 17.

It added while the inspection was done on May 23, the petitioners waited till July 13 to file the report.

“The petitioners having failed to file their expert witness statement on oath, cannot be allowed to eat their cake and have it. The application for an extension to allow for an expert statistician witness is not grantable as it will overreach the respondents who will be left with the short end of the stick as they cannot file another reply to the petition,” the tribunal held.

On the second application which is seeking extension of time for INEC to file a statement on oath based on the subpoena issued by the tribunal, the panel of justices held that the petitioners exhibited no evidence for the application to be granted.

They further held that INEC as an adversary, the tribunal cannot compel the electoral body to file witness deposition for the petitioners, noting that the best the tribunal could do which has been done was the issuance of a subpoena. 

“It is not logical that a party should make a witness deposition for an adversary who is a respondent against a petition. Expecting that such a witness would sign and adopt a statement is beyond human reasoning. 

“Such expectation is beyond our capacity as a tribunal. The best thing to do and we have done in this circumstance, is to issue a subpoena for INEC to appear. In some, we find no merit in this application, and it is dismissed in its entirety,” the tribunal held.

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National Police Council Ratifies Disu’s Appointment

Disu is now expected to proceed to the senate for confirmation as the last hurdle before attaining a substantive position as the IGP.

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The National Police Council has ratified the appointment of Olatunji Disu as the acting Inspector General of Police.

The decision was taken at a meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu , the third National Police Council session under his administration since taking office.

Disu was nominated by the president last week following the resignation of Kayode Egbetokun .

Disu is now expected to proceed to the senate for confirmation as the last hurdle before attaining a substantive position as the IGP

The National Police Council is responsible for the organisation, administration and operational oversight of the Nigeria Police Force, including the appointment and discipline of senior officers.Governors of Kwara, Ogun, Lagos, Ondo, Enugu and Plateau states attended the meeting, alongside the ministers of Police Affairs, the Federal Capital Territory and Interior.

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DSS Arrests Suspect Over Edo Attack on Peter Obi, Others

Stephen stated online that Obi was lucky to have escaped in Benin, and vowed that the former presidential candidate wouldn’t be that lucky next time.

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• Suspect Udeme Monday Stephen, posted on his X account @stevetom788.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested a man suspected of being behind the recent attempt to assassinate the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, in Benin, the Edo State capital.

Obi, a former governor of Edo State, Chief John Oyegun, and several chieftains and members of the opposition All Democratic Congress (ADC), on February 24, escaped death by the whiskers when armed men fired several gunshots at them at their party’s meeting in Benin.

Shortly after the attack, one Udeme Monday Stephen, posted on his X account @stevetom788.

He claimed responsibility for the attack and threatened further attacks on Obi.

Stephen stated online that Obi was lucky to have escaped in Benin, and vowed that the former presidential candidate wouldn’t be that lucky next time.

“We warned Obi against his entrance into Edo State, but he mistook our resolve for his Obidiots online noise. Thank his stars he (Obi) survived this one…

“I learned that he’s going to my Rivers State… Na my men go handle that one and dem no dey miss target… Speak no peace to a bastard and wish him no long life, for he’s destined to die,” posted Udeme.

A top security source disclosed that, no sooner had Stephen issued the threat than DSS operatives began covert investigation, deploying forensic analysis to track and arrest him.

The source disclosed that the suspect is 26 year old called Udeme Monday Stephen, and teaches at Jessica High School in Eliozu, Rivers State, at Umuehere Community, in Obio-Akpor LGA of the state.

“I strongly believe that the outcome of the agency’s forensic investigations implicated the suspect,” the source stressed”

You know that, as a responsible security organisation saddled with the task of counter-espionage, VIP protection, among other asset protection duties, the DSS is always alive to its responsibility of investigating credible intelligence, irrespective of tribe or religion.

“They swiftly deployed operatives and the man who threatened Peter Obi was nabbed and is in custody,” the source declared, adding that Stephen would soon be charged to court.

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Chaos at Lagos Airport tollgate as cashless policy commences

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The implementation of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria’s (FAAN) new cashless payment policy at airport access gates sparked significant chaos and gridlock at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) tollgate in Lagos on Sunday, March 1, 2026.

Motorists and passengers faced long delays, with vehicles backing up at the toll lanes as many drivers attempted to register for the required prepaid “Go Cashless” cards on the spot.

The policy, which took full effect nationwide on March 1, 2026, prohibits cash payments at airport toll gates, car parks, executive lounges, and other revenue points, mandating the use of contactless prepaid cards issued by FAAN.

The sudden enforcement caught numerous users unprepared, despite prior announcements and publicity campaigns urging early registration at designated FAAN offices or points near entrances.

Reports described heated exchanges between drivers and toll officials, failed electronic transactions, and confusion over the new system, leading to some passengers missing flights and widespread frustration.

FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, confirmed that no cash payments were accepted on the first day, attributing the congestion to on-site registrations. He emphasized that the initiative aims to eliminate revenue leakages, enhance transparency, and align with the Federal Government’s push for a cashless economy, in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria.In response to the disruptions,

FAAN issued an appeal for patience and cooperation from motorists and airport users. The authority noted it had deployed additional personnel to the gates and increased registration points to speed up processing for first-time users.

Officials acknowledged the initial adjustment challenges as typical for such a major transition but assured that operations would stabilize over time.Similar gridlock was reported at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, highlighting nationwide implementation hiccups on day one.

FAAN reiterated that prepaid cards enable faster, safer, and more convenient transactions moving forward, with provisions made for easy access and activation.

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