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.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to pilot national communal ranches in six locations as part of efforts to modernize the livestock sector, reduce greenhouse gas emissions (especially methane from livestock), boost productivity, and help resolve farmer-herder conflicts.
The selected pilot sites are Adamawa State, Benue State, Kaduna State, Kano State, Plateau State, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The initiative forms part of the government’s broader strategy for climate-smart livestock production and improved feed and fodder systems.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, revealed the plans while restating the administration’s commitment to moving away from open grazing toward structured ranching. He highlighted plans for large-scale fodder production supported by solar-powered irrigation, micro earth dams, and upgraded grazing reserves.
According to the minister, land allocation for these national communal ranches is expected to be finalized ahead of the next rainy season. “This is no longer about theory. It is time for boots on the ground,” Maiha said, pointing to Nigeria’s available land, political will, and partnerships as key drivers to transform the sector while addressing climate change, security concerns, and food system challenges.
The development marks a significant step in implementing the National Ranching Policy and related reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The goal is to establish sustainable, conflict-free livestock hubs that create economic opportunities across the value chain.
While some stakeholders have welcomed the move as a practical step toward modernizing pastoralism, previous attempts at similar initiatives have received mixed reactions. Further details on implementation, timelines, and funding are expected in the coming months.
News
Somtochukwu Maduagwu, Arise News Anchor Murder Suspects’ Hearing adjourn February 9-11
Aside from the killing of the Arise News Anchor, they are charged with armed robbery involving other residents at the estate where Somtochukwu was killed.
Photo: Somtochukwu Maduagwu, Arise News Anchor and lawyer
The FCT High Court Abuja has slated three days hearing for suspects that killed Somtochukwu Maduagwu, Arise News Anchor and lawyer.
Ohibaba.com learned that the matter is adjourned to 9, 10 and 12 February, 2026 for definite hearing.
The suspects were arraigned on amended Charges filed on 10th January before the FCT High Court.
Aside from the killing of the Arise News Anchor, they are charged with armed robbery involving other residents at the estate where Somtochukwu was killed.
All of them pleaded not guilty.
Defendants to be remanded in Kuje Correctional Facility.
News
Suicide bomber Kills Five Soldiers in Borno Waylaid
Security sources said that the attack occurred as troops were returning from a successful clearance operation that dislodged several insurgent camps and neutralised many fighters.
Five soldiers were killed while several others sustained injuries when a suicide bomber rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into a military convoy at the Timbuktu Triangle axis of Borno State.
Security sources said that the attack occurred Tuesday as troops were returning from a successful clearance operation that dislodged several insurgent camps and neutralised many fighters.
Two senior officers, a Major and a Lieutenant, were among those affected.
The military has yet to issue an official statement, as clearance operations are still ongoing in the area.
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Somtochukwu Maduagwu, Arise News Anchor Murder Suspects’ Hearing adjourn February 9-11
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