News

Owners of Burnt PVCs in Plateau Won’t Vote, Says INEC

Published

5 years ago

February 23, 2019

Eric

The Independent National Electoral Commission has declared that it will not print Permanent Voter Cards to replace those burnt in Plateau State recently.

In an exclusive interview with Saturday PUNCH on Friday, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Husseini Pai, who spoke through the Head of Voter Education, Mr Osaretin Imahiyereobo, declared that given the short period left for the commencement of the elections, it would be impossible for the commission to print new cards.

A fire incident had a few weeks ago burnt the INEC office in the Quaapan Local Government Area of the state. The inferno destroyed many valuables, including ballot boxes, generators, voter register and unclaimed PVCs. Sources at the commission’s headquarters put the number of PVCs burnt at over 5,000.

INEC had blamed the incident on a drunken security man.

Pai said, “When the elections are over, I can assure you we will look into the issues with a view to replacing the burnt PVCs. But as it is, those who don’t have PVCs as a result of the fire incident will not be able to vote during the 2019 General Elections.”

But reacting to the development, the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party alleged that the refusal of INEC to replace the burnt PVCs was part of the plan by the ruling All Progressives Party to weaken the party in its strongholds.

The Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee of the PDP Campaign Council, Mr Yiljap Abraham, said, “It is unfortunate that INEC could deliberately deny eligible voters their rights to vote for candidates of their choice for no faults of theirs.

“We are not surprised at what is happening because the APC is desperate to cling to power by using all manner of lies, deceit and mischief. But no matter what they do, the people, who have seen them for what they are, have rejected them and are ready to resist their rigging plans during the forthcoming poll.”

But the APC dismissed the PDP’s allegations, describing them as a figment of their imagination.

The state Secretary of the APC, Mr Bashir Sati, said the party in the state would not be distracted by the allegations but would focus on winning the election for its candidates.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Jos branch of Nigeria Bar Association, Mr Bon Ngyou, flayed the move to disenfranchise eligible voters in Quaanpan as a result of the fire incident, warning that if such was allowed to occur, it could lead to litigation that might invalidate the outcomes of the polls.

He said, “I think the ideal thing to do is to understand that it is not the fault of the voters whose PVCs were burnt. Given the circumstances of their case, INEC should have made an alternative arrangement and allow those who have duplicate copies to authenticate their eligibility and then vote. Nobody should disenfranchise any eligible voter. This is important because if this happens, they have the right to challenge the outcome and the elections might be nullified in court, particularly if the margin between the winner and the loser is considered less than the number of those who have been disenfranchised and whose votes would have made a significant difference in the result so declared.”

News

Ex-Gov Bello Stripped of Security Details, Placed on Watchlist

Published

17 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Eric

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has placed Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi, on a watchlist, just as the police headquarters in Abuja “ordered the withdrawal of all men attached to his excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello, former executive governor of Kogi state”.

Bello was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on April 18 after his absence from the federal high court in Abuja “stalled his arraignment”.

The anti-graft agency alleges that Bello, alongside Alli Bello, chief of staff to Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi; and one Daudu Suleiman, diverted about N80.2 billion belonging to the Kogi government.

In a statement signed by DS Umar, assistant comptroller of immigration, on behalf of Kemi Nandap, comptroller-general of the NIS, the agency said “the above named person has been placed on watch list”.

“The subject is being prosecuted for breach of trust and money laundering. If seen at any entry or exit point, he should be arrested and referred to the Director of Investigation for further action,” the statement reads.

On April 17, the EFCC ended its siege on Bello’s residence in Abuja after Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi, arrived at the house and was later seen leaving with his predecessor.

News

N80.2b Fraud: EFCC Declares Ex- Gov Bello Wanted

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2024

Eric

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, wanted. Yahaya Bello was declared wanted for offences bordering on economic and financial crimes, with special emphasis to an alleged N82.2 billion fraud.

This was contained in a press statement made available to news men on Thursday.

The statement signed by Commission’s management reads as follows:

“Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is wanted by the EFCCfor offences relating to economic and financial crimes to the tune of N80.2 bn.

“Anybody with information as to his whereabouts should report immediately to the commission or the nearest police station.”

News

EFCC Seeks Military’s Help to Arrest Fleeing Ex-Gov Bello

Published

2 days ago

April 18, 2024

Eric

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Abuja, on Thursday, adjourned to April 23, the suit instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello.

The adjournment is for substituted service and possible arraignment of Bello for alleged N84billion money laundering.

At the sitting, counsel for the EFCC, Kemi Phinro, told the court that Bello was absent from court for his arraignment because he was being protected by someone with immunity.

Phinro complained that the former governor was whisked out of his Abuja residence by the same person with immunity.

Phinro said the anti-graft agency might seek the help of the military to fish him out to come face his arraignment.

Responding to this submission, Yahaya Bello through his counsel, Abdulwahab Muhammad, told the court that there is an order of the court restraining the EFCC from arresting or arraigning him.

Muhammad said a Kogi State High Court had on February 9, 2024 restrained the EFCC from arresting or arraigning the former governor.

He added that the EFCC has appealed the ruling and the Court of Appeal was yet to decide on the matter.

He pointed out that the action of the EFCC was unconstitutional and the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain any charge from the EFCC.

Counsel for the EFCC, however, disagreed with the submission of the counsel to Bello.

The EFCC counsel held that the ruling in the substantive matter on the suit was delivered on March 17, 2024 by the Kogi State High Court.

He cleared the air that the court in its ruling held that for the former governor to be arrested or arraigned, the EFCC must first seek leave from the court to do so.

He said it was in line with that judgment that the EFCC, through an exparte application, filed for the order seeking the arrest of the former governor which was granted by the court.

Counsel for Yahaya Bello, however, insisted before the court that the order for the ex-governor’s arrest was made out of jurisdiction. He said the former governor is not a fugitive, but relying on the order of the Kogi State High Court to take protection.

On Wednesday, EFCC operatives stormed Bello’s residence in the Wuse area of Abuja and spent most part of the day attempting to arrest the former governor whom the Commission later confirmed was whisked away by his successor.

The EFCC subsequently warned members of the public that it is a criminal offence to obstruct officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

The Commission’s spokesperson said that Section 38(2)(a)(b) of the EFCC Establishment Act makes it an offence to prevent officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

According to him, culprits risk a jail term of not less than five years.

“On several occasions, operatives of the Commission have had to exercise utmost restraint in the face of such provocation to avoid a breakdown of law and order.

“Regrettably, such disposition is being construed as a sign of weakness.

“The Commission, therefore, warns that it will henceforth not tolerate any attempt by any person or organisation to obstruct its operation as such will be met with appropriate punitive actions,” the statement added.