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JUST IN: INEC explains kicking against tendering own documents against Tinubu’s election

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has shed light on why it kicked against the tendering of its documents as exhibits by the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Gregory Obi, to establish his petition against the election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The electoral body had on Thursday vehemently objected to the admission of several documents brought to the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) by Obi and the Labour Party for the purpose of tendering them as exhibits to justify their petition.

However, at Friday’s proceedings, INEC lawyer Kemi Pinheiro SAN, told the court that the electoral body kicked against the tendering of certified true copies of the documents, mainly election result sheets, because Obi and the Labour Party did not challenge the conduct of the election in the areas relating to the documents.

Pinheiro explained that issues were not joined in the local government areas where the result sheets were sought to be tendered, adding that it was wrong of the petitioners to go beyond the areas where the election is disputed.

He accused Obi of trying to confuse issues by bringing result sheets where he did not dispute the election and the returns adding that the presidential candidate ought to have guided himself with the pleadings in his petition.

According to INEC, the local government areas unlawfully smuggled into proceedings of the court are totally strange to the petition and cannot stand in the face of the law.

INEC’s explanation offered while lawyers were ordered to make an appearance, however, drew the anger of the Presiding Justice of the Court, Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani.

Justice Tsammani held that it was wrong of INEC’s lawyer to have smuggled the explanation into the proceedings because all parties in the petition had agreed to offer such explanations at the address stage of proceedings.

Pinheiro, in return, apologized to the court but said that he was forced to speak up on the objections because of the deluge of criticisms suffered in the media by his client.

The senior lawyer hinted that social media users had turned his client to an object of ridicule without finding out reasons for objections against the admissibility of the documents.

Meanwhile, the court has admitted as exhibits form EC8A from 21 local government areas of Adamawa and eight local government areas of Bayelsa States and parts of Rivers and Niger State as tendered by Obi and the Labour Party.

Peter Afoba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN, is conducting proceedings for Obi and LP.

Earlier, hearing in the petition of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) was further shifted to June 9 by the court to enable lawyers to obtain the May 26 judgment of the Supreme Court that would determine whether the petition still has life to sustain it or not.

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Troops Free 8 Abducted Wedding Guests in Kano

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Nigerian troops have successfully rescued eight wedding guests who were kidnapped earlier this week in Kano State, the military announced today.

The victims, all attendees of a wedding ceremony, were abducted by gunmen in a rural area on the outskirts of Kano metropolis. The attackers reportedly ambushed the convoy of guests returning from the event late at night.

Acting on intelligence and swift response, troops from the Nigerian Army conducted a coordinated rescue operation in the early hours of Wednesday. The eight hostages—five men and three women—were freed unharmed during the raid on the kidnappers’ hideout.

According to a brief statement from the Defence Headquarters, the operation also resulted in the neutralization of several suspected kidnappers, with others fleeing into nearby bushes. No military casualties were reported.

The rescued individuals have been reunited with their families and received medical checks. Authorities are continuing efforts to apprehend the remaining fleeing suspects and recover any looted items.

This rescue comes amid heightened security concerns in parts of northern Nigeria, where kidnappings for ransom targeting social gatherings, travelers, and rural communities remain a persistent threat.

The military reiterated its commitment to intensifying operations against banditry and kidnapping syndicates across the region.

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Judge Withdraws from EFCC’s Case Against Ex-AGF Malami

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A Federal High Court judge has recused himself from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) high-profile case against former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), citing personal reasons.

Justice Obiora Egwatu made the announcement in open court on Thursday, stating that he was stepping aside “for personal reasons and in the interest of justice.

”The matter involves the EFCC’s pursuit of interim forfeiture of properties allegedly worth over ₦213 billion linked to Malami, as well as related proceedings.

The case had earlier been assigned following an ex-parte order granted by another judge.

With the recusal, the file is expected to be returned to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for reassignment to a new presiding judge.

The development marks the latest twist in the long-running legal action against the former minister, which continues to attract significant public interest.

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Man dies, wife injured as truck crushes car in Lagos

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A man lost his life while his wife sustained critical injuries on Thursday morning after a granite-laden truck overturned and crushed their Toyota saloon car at Eleko Junction along the Lekki–Ajah Expressway in Lagos State.

The incident was confirmed in a statement by the Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Adebayo Taofiq.

Rescue teams from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and other first responders arrived at the scene, where the man was confirmed dead on the spot.

His wife was extricated from the wreckage with multiple injuries and rushed to a nearby hospital for urgent treatment. Her condition remains critical, according to hospital sources.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and police have cordoned off the area to manage traffic and commence investigation.

Preliminary findings suggest possible speeding and brake failure on the part of the truck driver, who has been taken into custody for questioning.

This latest road crash adds to the growing concern over reckless driving and poor vehicle maintenance on Lagos roads, where heavy trucks frequently share space with smaller vehicles and commuters.

Authorities have appealed to motorists to exercise caution and adhere to traffic rules to prevent further loss of life. The identities of the victims are yet to be released pending family notification.

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