By Our Correspondent

State Chairman Elect, African Democratic Congress (ADC), Enugu State Chapter,Prof. Augustine Akubue, has described as false,baseless and malicious forgery allegation against his person by a group under the aegis of “Concerned ADC Stakeholders” in the state.

In a statement signed by by himself and made available to Journalists Prof Akubue said ” my attention has been drawn to a spurious publication by a group parading itself as “Concerned ADC Stakeholders” led by one Raphael Idoko, wherein they made unfounded allegations of forgery and conspiracy against my person.

“I categorically state that the said allegations are false, baseless, malicious, and a calculated attempt at political bullying by disgruntled elements who lost out in the recently concluded, free and fair ADC State Congress in Enugu State.

“For the record, there was indeed a civil matter arising from a property transaction at Trans-Ekulu, Enugu, which I lawfully bought through a legal practitioner. In the course of that transaction, an issue of alleged irregular signature arose and the matter was submitted to court for adjudication.

“Upon diligent inquiry and judicial review, it was established that there was no wrongdoing on my part. Consequently, parties voluntarily opted for an out-of-court settlement, and a Memorandum of Understanding was duly executed by all parties concerned.”

The statement further added,”Any subsequent attempt to impugn the authenticity of the said Memorandum of Understanding was appropriately discountenanced by a High Court of competent jurisdiction, which upheld the settlement. The certified records of the Memorandum of Understanding and the relevant judicial pronouncements are extant and available for verification, and they conclusively establish my innocence.

“Ordinarily, I would not dignify such mischief with a response. However, for the sake of the unsuspecting public and the integrity of our great party, it has become necessary to set the records straight: I, Prof. Augustine Akubue, have never been involved in any act of forgery or conspiracy.

“This contrived allegation is nothing but the handiwork of political detractors seeking to acquire power through the back door, having failed at the ballot during the Congress.

“I therefore advise Mr. Raphael Idoko and his co-travelers to desist from further acts of defamation and political brigandage, and to join hands with the duly elected leadership to build a strong, united, and victorious ADC in Enugu State.

“I remain committed to the rule of law, due process, and the democratic ideals upon which our party is founded.”

By Uthman-Baba Naseer, Minna

The Niger State Local Government Election Appeal Tribunal has upheld the lower Judgement of the election petition Tribunal of Suleja local government chairmanship

The three members of the Appeal tribunal led by Justice Balkisu Gambo Yusuf who ruled that the election should be reconducted the two other members of the tribunal over ruled her decision in a very dramatic and confusing manner.

Justice Usman Ishyaku and Justice Salisu Majindadi in their both decision agreed with the lower tribunal decision striking out the petition as filed by the counsel of the Shehu Abdukadir of the Social Democratic Party (SDP),

Shehu Abdukadir, had approached the Chief Magistrate Maryam King local government election petition Tribunal,challenging the election of Shaibu Bawa Naibi of the All Progressive Congress (APC), claiming that the election was engulfed with irregularities.

The SDP Candidate has approached the tribunal through his Attorney Abdulrahaman Siraj Esq,to challenge the election of Shaibu Bawa Naibi alleging that he did not attend primary school claiming that the primary school Certificate he forwarded to the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC) was forged.

While delivering her judgement,the Chairman of the three members tribunal Chief Magistrate Mariam King struck out the petition and dismissed it in eternity for lack of merit.

Dissatisfied with the decision of the lower tribunal, the Attorney to the petitioner Abdulrahaman Siraj Esq, approached the Justice Balkisu Gambo Yusuf, Appeal tribunal for further redress in the decision of the Chief Magistrate Mariam King led local government election petition tribunal

However,the three members Appeal tribunal,after the Chairman of the Appeal tribunal Justice Balkisu Gambo Yusuf delivered her lead Judgement,directing for the reconduct of the election into the office of the Chairman Suleja local government, she nullified the decision of the lower tribunal.

At this point Justice Usman Ishyaku and Justice Salisu Majindadi distanced themselves from her decision and collectively nullified her decision and upheld the decision of the lower tribunal as delivered by Chief Magistrate Mariam King.

A mild drama and confusion erupted after the judgement as both the Attorney of the petitioner and the respondent engaged themselves in a hot argument on the decision of the two members of the Appeal tribunal Justice Usman Ishyaku and Justice Salisu Majindadi describing their judgement as an alien to the Justice system.

It was observed that the Attorney to the petitioner Mohammed B. Adamu Esq,who held brief for Abdulrahaman Siraj Esq,raised some fundamental issues within the ambit of the law,the Chairman of the Appeal tribunal Justice Balkisu Gambo Yusuf objected to his point and they rose and entered their Chamber.

By Our Correspondent

In its bid to stamp out criminality in Anambra State, the Operatives of the Inspector General of Police, IGP’s Safe School Initiative of the Anambra State Police Command, has arrested one male suspect, Eric Nwombu, for alleged criminal impersonation and unlawful possession of JAMB examination materials.

Among the Items recovered from him at a cyber cafe in Atani, Ogbaru Local Government area, included, 8 JAMB examination slips and an exercise book containing names and examination numbers of students, which he could not satisfactorily account for.

The arrest, it was gathered followed a report of how the suspect was collecting 2026 JAMB examination slips from students who had come to check their examination centers in a Cyber cafe, in Atani.

Upon inquiry, the suspect allegedly claimed to be a JAMB 2026 coordinator in Atani but the Staff of the Computer center, dissatisfied with his response and suspicious of his actions, alerted the Police Operatives in the area.

On sighting the Operatives approaching, the suspect attempted to flee but was apprehended.

According to the state Police Pu LIC Relations Officer, PPRO, Tochukwu Ikenga, (SP), preliminary investigatio has since commenced, and the case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Awka, for discreet investigation.

He said the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, reiterated the Command’s commitment to safeguarding the integrity of public examinations and urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the Police.