News
Presidential Election: Legal Practitioner and Social Critic, Inibehe Effiong Urges LP, PDP not to panic over INEC’s objections
A legal practitioner and social critic, Inibehe Effiong has urged people not to panic over objections to admissibility of documents by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, at the ongoing hearings at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, saying
it is a distraction, while claiming that the objected documents by the INEC were duly certified, adding that the Court will act on them.
In a post via his verified Twitter handle on Thursday, the legal expert claimed that “the Electoral Commission’s neutrality is a mirage, especially in electoral litigations”.
He alleged that the INEC had basically aligned its defence strategy with the other Respondents, including the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Effiong said, “People should not panic over objections to admissibility of documents by INEC at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal. I’m not surprised by INEC’s roguish and embarrassing attitude. These are public documents duly certified. The Court will act on them. It is a distraction.
“Ordinarily, INEC being the maker of the documents which they’ve certified, that is Form EC8 series (polling unit & collation results), they’re not supposed to object to their admissibility.
“I’ve always said that INEC’s neutrality is a mirage, especially in electoral litigations.
“The documents have been admitted, though the Respondents will state the grounds for their objections in their final addresses.
“Typically, the tribunal will look into the documents and act on them.
“As long as the documents have been duly certified, there’s no cause for alarm.
“INEC has basically aligned their defence strategy with the other Respondents (Tinubu, APC and Shettima). They’re working in sync as they always do.”
At the resumed hearing of the petition filed by Atiku and the PDP challenging the election of President Tinubu at the Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja, counsel to the petitioners, Mr Chris Uche, SAN, said that the team had prepared a second schedule of documents to be tendered.
Some documents the petitioners tendered in evidence through Mr Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, were certified true copies of Form EC8A downloaded by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from its Result Viewing Portal (IREV).
The Form EC8A was for eight local government areas of Bayelsa, 23 local government areas of Kaduna State, 20 local government areas of Ogun and of 23 local government areas of Kogi.
Form EC8As are sheets used for collection of results at the polling units level.
But counsel to INEC, Mr Kemi Pinhero, SAN, objected to the admissibility of all documents relating to Kogi except for those of five Local Government Areas, namely, Olamaboro, Ofu, Omala, Okehi and Ajaokuta.
He said this was because the five local governments whose documents he did not oppose were specifically pleaded in the petitioners’ pleadings.
Pinhero also objected to the admissibility of the documents relating to the BVAS except for Kogi, Rivers and Sokoto states.
News
Ex -Chief Justice Muhammad Tanko is dead
Muhammed died at a hospital in Saudi Arabia, about two weeks to his 72 birthday on December 31.
A former Chief Justice of Nigeria ( CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, is dead. He was aged 71.
Muhammed died at a hospital in Saudi Arabia, about two weeks to his 72 birthday on December 31.
Born on 31 December 1953 in Doguwa, Giade Local Government Area of Bauchi State, Justice Muhammad was a Fulani and a native of Bauchi State.
His judicial career spanned more than four decades, during which he served at various levels of Nigeria’s judicial system.
Bauchi state governor, Bala Mohammed, confirmed Muhammad’s passing in a condolence message issued by his special adviser on media and publicity, Mukhtar Gidado.
“Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad exemplified the qualities of a patriotic Nigerian who devoted his life to the service of justice and the advancement of our great nation.
His passing is a significant loss, not only to Bauchi State but to the Nigerian judiciary and the rule of law,” the statement reads.
News
Aircraft crashes in Owerri with four persons onboard
According to the NSIB, the aircraft crashed on the approach area of Runway 17, but no fatalities have been recorded so far.
Aircraft crashes in Owerri with four persons onboardBy : Olusegun KoikiDate: 17 December 2025 12:11am WATShare :Mars AviationMars AviationA Cessna 172 aircraft with registration number 5N-ASR, operated by Skypower Express, has crashed at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State.
The aircraft had departed Kaduna International Airport en route to Port Harcourt International Airport before diverting to Owerri after the crew declared an emergency.
The crash occurred at about 8:00 pm on the airport premises, with four passengers and crew members onboard.Confirming the incident, the Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji, said the agency had been notified of the crash.
According to the NSIB, the aircraft crashed on the approach area of Runway 17, but no fatalities have been recorded so far.
The statement said: “Following the occurrence, airport emergency services were successfully activated and arrived on site promptly.
Reports indicate that there was no post-crash fire, and the runway remains active for flight operations, with other aircraft taking off safely after the incident.
“Efforts are currently underway to coordinate the recovery and evacuation of the distressed aircraft from the crash site to allow for a detailed wreckage examination.”
(The Guardian)
Transcorp Hotels Plc, the hospitality arm of Transnational Corporation Plc (Transcorp Group) and operator of the iconic Transcorp Hilton Abuja, has announced the appointment of Dr. (Mrs.) Awele Vivien Elumelu, OFR, as Chairperson of its Board of Directors, effective January 1, 2026.
The appointment follows the scheduled retirement of the current Chairman, Mr. Emmanuel N. Nnorom, on the same date.
Dr. Elumelu, a qualified medical doctor with an MBBS from the University of Benin and clinical experience in Nigeria and the UK, brings extensive expertise in healthcare, insurance, corporate governance, and philanthropy. She currently chairs Avon Healthcare Limited (Avon HMO), Nigeria’s leading health management organization, Avon Medical Practice, and Heirs Insurance Brokers. She is also a founding director of Heirs Holdings Limited.
Her executive education includes programs at Harvard Business School, IMD Switzerland, and the London School of Economics.
Beyond business, Dr. Elumelu is a Trustee and Co-Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Africa’s premier philanthropy focused on empowering young entrepreneurs.
She has played a key role in promoting gender inclusion and supporting over 24,000 African youth with seed funding, training, and mentorship.In a statement, Transcorp Group Chairman Mr. Tony O. Elumelu, CFR — who is married to Dr. Elumelu — expressed enthusiasm about the appointment:
“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Awele Elumelu as the Board Chair of Transcorp Hotels. Her distinguished track record perfectly aligns with our ambition to redefine hospitality through innovation, wellness integration, and responsible business practices. Her strategic insight will be invaluable as we continue to elevate guest experiences and deliver sustainable value to all stakeholders.”
Transcorp Hotels Plc, listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX: TRANSCOHOT), is known for setting hospitality benchmarks in Africa, managing flagship properties like the Transcorp Hilton Abuja and the newly launched 5,000-capacity Transcorp Centre.
The leadership transition comes as the company pursues growth in innovation and wellness-focused hospitality, amid Transcorp Group’s broader investments in power, energy, and hospitality sectors.
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