Author Archives: All African News Network

By Bashir Bello. Abuja.

A Federal High Court in Abuja, Nigeria, has adjourned to June 19 2023 for the arraignment of Directors in five companies for money Laundering and breach of Public procurement law in relation to a multi-Billion naira contract in the Transmission Company of Nigeria TCN.

Among those arraigned is the Managing Director of Nigerian Rural Electrification Agency, Ahmed Salihijo, and his company Velocity Nigeria Limited.

The four other companies are, Winslow Logistics, Equal Logistics, Sahams Crystal Investment and Antaser Nigeria Limited.

The judge Justice James Omotoso fixed the date after listening to both counsels.

The landmark case was instituted by Donnington Limited against the CEO and the four companies for their non declaration of the activities of their companies as specified under the money Laundering prohibition act of 2011 and punishable under the same act.

Donnington believes that it will step into the shoes of Nigeria’s Attorney General in instituting the matter due to noncompliance of the companies to Nigerian laws.

According to the company , ” Our country cannot condone contraventions of the money Laundering Act and non-compliance with statutory provisions by company Directors chasing a Government contract.”

Counsel to Donnington Limited ,Mr. Bala Sanga while speaking in an interview with journalists, said he filed a criminal charge against the five companies and revealed that “the companies broke the provisions of the law”.

*Says its time to focus proactive legislative duties

Honourable Blessing Onuh, has enjoined politicians to resist the culture of filing frivolous petitions that could distract public office holders from delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.

The Lawmaker representing Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), gave the charge at a world press conference in Abuja yesterday, pointing out that elections are over and is time for political stakeholders to begin to work together irrespective of political leanings.

Onuh, while acknowledging that elections petitions was an essential part of our democratic process, however warned that culture of filing frivolous petitions against political opponents was a distraction.

The Federal Lawmaker was reacting to the recent withdrawal of the suit instituted by Hon Alex Enokela Ogbe, against her victory in the February 25th National Assembly election.

Recall that Hon. Ogbe had on Friday, May 19th 2023, announced his decision to withdraw the case instituted against Hon. Lady Blessing Onuh, the APC and INEC in the 2023 election petition tribunal.

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a statement personally signed himself, stated that the difficult decision was for the general interest of Otukpo Ohimini people.

Ogbe, while congratulating Lady Blessing Onuh, vow to offer his support and assistance to her where needed for the betterment of the people.

“We are using this medium to make known our intention to withdraw the case instituted against Hon. Lady Blessing Onuh of the APC, the APC and INEC in the 2023 election petition tribunal.

“We have taken this difficult decision for the general interest of Otukpo Ohimini people who we seek to serve.

“We will offer support and assistance to the house of representatives member elect Otukpo Ohimini where needed for the betterment of the people of Otukpo Ohimini.

“We pray God gives her the strength to meet the desires of the people of Otukpo Ohimini for which she represent,” he stated.

Onuh while applauding Mr. Ogbe’s decision to withdraw his petition, described his action as political maturity which speaks volume about the unity in Benue South.

The lawmaker who however, maintained that she won the February 2023 election conducted in a free and fair contest, enjoined him to work together with her and all Idoma progressives in the progress, unity and development of Otukpo/Ohimini Federal constituency.

In her words, “I acknowledge the withdrawal of the suit instituted against my victory by Mr Ogbe. However, I must state categorically that I won the February 2023 election conducted in a free and fair contest.

“I view the decision of Mr Ogbe as an act of political maturity which speaks volume about the unity in Benue South. I urge politicians to avoid frivolous petitions which is a distraction.

“I feel honoured by the humble demonstration of his sportsmanship and enjoin him to work together with me and all Idoma progressives in the progress, unity and development of Otukpo/Ohimini Federal constituency.

“Elections have come and gone, I want to emphasize that I represent the entire constituency irrespective of political leanings,” she stated.

*Urges EFCC, ICPC to launch probe

A political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the Board and current management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) due to various accusations and counter accusations of corruption within the commission.

Frank said these counter allegations and infighting between the Management team and the Chairman of the Board of NDDC has once again opened up the ugly chapter of the past, where the infighting ends up derailing the overall performances of the commission thereby, short-changing the people of the Niger Delta, yet enriching some with personal gains.

In a statement released to newsmen Monday in Abuja, the Bayelsa born political activist also called on the anti-corruption agencies to quickly intervene and launch probe into some of the revelations of corruption allegations made by the Board against the Commission’s Managing Director.

According to Frank, the inability to properly defend the 2021, 2022 & 2023 budget in unison at the Senate is a clear testament to the fact that the board lacks the basic prerequisites to oversee the affairs of the NDDC.

He said the people of Nigeria Delta had hoped that the new board would grow to become the hope and fresh air to the region, “but alas we’re confronted with the same dilemma of corruption allegations and counter accusations by those responsible in managing the resources of the people.

“It is clear from the foregoing that the inability to work in unison for the overall good of the people will render the activities of the Commission in jeopardy.”

The statement added that the people of the Niger Delta are tired of being the scape goats whenever these infighting arises because of greed and selfishness.

“Following recent revelations of corruption in the NDDC and counter accusations of mismanagement between the recently inaugurated board and management of the commission at the Senate, it will be safe to conclude that the primary objective of piloting the affairs of the commission has suffered yet another setback in the twilight of this new management board.

“Furthermore, the fact that this expose, is coming at a time when all hands are supposed to be on deck in midwifing the rebirth of a new NDDC is very worrisome and embarrassing.

“Instead of harmonizing the blueprint for building a sustainable commission saddled with the responsibility of delivering first class interventions to the people of the Niger Delta, the NDDC is rather confronted yet again with weighty allegations of corruption by members of its own board whose tenure only began less than 5 months ago.

“The startling revelations by the Chairwoman and counter accusations by the Managing Director and his team has once again left a sour taste in the minds of all genuine stakeholders in the Niger Delta project.

“Most shocking is the allegation of inflating the MD’s imprest and the operation of several accounts as confirmed by the Executive Director Finance & Admin rather than maintaining a single account as stipulated by the Federal Government under the Treasury Single Account (TSA).

“Going by these embarrassing scenarios of distrust and the inability to properly harmonize working relationships between the board and its members, it will be safe to recommend a total dissolution of the board to give way for a more proactive and people’s oriented board to midwife the NDDC into a world class intervention agency.

“It is noteworthy that even after a forensic audit was carried out by the FG, paving the way for the smooth operations of the Incoming board, we’re still confronted with the same quagmire bedeviling the commission.”

Frank, who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), Ambassador to East Africa and Middle East, called on the National Assembly, EFCC and other anti-corruption agencies to thoroughly investigate the accusations.

“I’m therefore calling on the National Assembly and the EFCC to urgently investigate these accusations of corruption in the NDDC by the board and come up with its findings for a proper recommendation to the Federal Government.

“We have had enough of these embarrassing situations in the NDDC and the Niger Delta at large and every stakeholder has a responsibility in speaking out at this time whilst ensuring that the proper image of the Commission is maintained in delivering the dividends of the region to the people.”

*Urges EFCC, ICPC to launch probe

A political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the Board and current management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) due to various accusations and counter accusations of corruption within the commission.

Frank said these counter allegations and infighting between the Management team and the Chairman of the Board of NDDC has once again opened up the ugly chapter of the past, where the infighting ends up derailing the overall performances of the commission thereby, short-changing the people of the Niger Delta, yet enriching some with personal gains.

In a statement released to newsmen Monday in Abuja, the Bayelsa born political activist also called on the anti-corruption agencies to quickly intervene and launch probe into some of the revelations of corruption allegations made by the Board against the Commission’s Managing Director.

According to Frank, the inability to properly defend the 2021, 2022 & 2023 budget in unison at the Senate is a clear testament to the fact that the board lacks the basic prerequisites to oversee the affairs of the NDDC.

He said the people of Nigeria Delta had hoped that the new board would grow to become the hope and fresh air to the region, “but alas we’re confronted with the same dilemma of corruption allegations and counter accusations by those responsible in managing the resources of the people.

“It is clear from the foregoing that the inability to work in unison for the overall good of the people will render the activities of the Commission in jeopardy.”

The statement added that the people of the Niger Delta are tired of being the scape goats whenever these infighting arises because of greed and selfishness.

“Following recent revelations of corruption in the NDDC and counter accusations of mismanagement between the recently inaugurated board and management of the commission at the Senate, it will be safe to conclude that the primary objective of piloting the affairs of the commission has suffered yet another setback in the twilight of this new management board.

“Furthermore, the fact that this expose, is coming at a time when all hands are supposed to be on deck in midwifing the rebirth of a new NDDC is very worrisome and embarrassing.

“Instead of harmonizing the blueprint for building a sustainable commission saddled with the responsibility of delivering first class interventions to the people of the Niger Delta, the NDDC is rather confronted yet again with weighty allegations of corruption by members of its own board whose tenure only began less than 5 months ago.

“The startling revelations by the Chairwoman and counter accusations by the Managing Director and his team has once again left a sour taste in the minds of all genuine stakeholders in the Niger Delta project.

“Most shocking is the allegation of inflating the MD’s imprest and the operation of several accounts as confirmed by the Executive Director Finance & Admin rather than maintaining a single account as stipulated by the Federal Government under the Treasury Single Account (TSA).

“Going by these embarrassing scenarios of distrust and the inability to properly harmonize working relationships between the board and its members, it will be safe to recommend a total dissolution of the board to give way for a more proactive and people’s oriented board to midwife the NDDC into a world class intervention agency.

“It is noteworthy that even after a forensic audit was carried out by the FG, paving the way for the smooth operations of the Incoming board, we’re still confronted with the same quagmire bedeviling the commission.”

Frank, who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), Ambassador to East Africa and Middle East, called on the National Assembly, EFCC and other anti-corruption agencies to thoroughly investigate the accusations.

“I’m therefore calling on the National Assembly and the EFCC to urgently investigate these accusations of corruption in the NDDC by the board and come up with its findings for a proper recommendation to the Federal Government.

“We have had enough of these embarrassing situations in the NDDC and the Niger Delta at large and every stakeholder has a responsibility in speaking out at this time whilst ensuring that the proper image of the Commission is maintained in delivering the dividends of the region to the people.”

A Group Known as Professional for good governancen(PGG) has said With May 29, 2023 a few days away, and the inauguration of brand new State Executive Governors in 28 States of the Federation, they are concerned about the quality of leadership and the prospects before Nigerians.

Engr. Ogbonna Nwaiwu spokes person of the group while wishing the incoming Chief Executives the best and said It is trite to state that the group keenly followed the entire electoral process leading to the February 25th Presidential and National Assembly elections, and the March 18th Governorship and State Assembly elections and x-rayed the manifestos of the candidates and assessed their preparedness to improve the lot of the people, and to make their States better.

Engr Nwaiwu further stated that one of the candidates exuded an uncommon preparedness and clear-headedness throughout the period of Campaign, and has continued to inspire great hope even after the election.

He said the Governor Elect of Enugu State Barrister Peter Mbah comes to the Party with a bag full of ideas. And wished him well.

Part of the statement reads. ” Indeed, his extraordinary disposition to the task ahead was manifest from the start, from his campaign manifesto to the grasp of the issues and the challenges facing Enugu State; from his commitment to berthing a New Enugu State to the passion that saw him through the electoral process; and from his promise to light up Enugu, and provide Pipe borne within the first 180days of his stewardship, Barrister Peter Ndubuisi Mbah offers renewed hope to Ndi’Enugu.”

“There is a fervency in the land that calls for responsible and responsive watchmen at different leadership strata, it is that fervency that inspires our group to search out and align with Leaders who are ready to lead right. We are committed to supporting the prepared to do justice to the letters of their manifesto, whilst challenging those who apparently may not be very prepared to take a cue from those who like Barrister Peter Mbah shows the readiness to hit the ground running from the moment he takes the Oath of Office.”

“Clearly Ndi’Enugu are set for a new dawn, a new deal and a new day in leadership. It is palpable, we feel it, and we can see so much happening even before the Swearing-In of the incoming Governor of Enugu State Barrister Peter Mbah.”

“Are you aware that at his personal cost, facilities and materials necessary for the lighting up of strategic areas in the State, and materials relevant for the Pipe borne water he promised within his first 180 days are being assembled?”

“Are you aware that he has assembled a Team of Experts, Technocrats, Eggs heads, Professionals and Ideologues to give life and proactive strategic input to the details of his manifesto, a document he respects as proof his social contract with Ndi’Enugu?”

“Are you aware that Barrister Peter Mbah is not just a Technocrat in Politics, but a Lawyer, an accomplished Businessman and one who has the requisite governmental experience necessary to take Enugu State to a new pedestal. Are you aware that he is Competent, that he has the Capacity, that he is Credible, that he is Compassionate and that he has the Commitment necessary and relevant to build an Enugu State that works for all?”

“As the Peter Ndubuisi Mbah era beckons we wish Ndi’Enugu the best, and pray that the Almighty grant the incoming Governor the candour and the composure to deliver, and to make real the elaborate promises and projections he has on paper.”

“We wish Ndi’Enugu the best, and pray that across the States of the Federation leaders become responsible and responsive to the people.”

“As Barrister Peter Ndubuisi Mbah takes over as the Governor of Enugu State on the 29th of May, 2023, we wish him well. And say Congratulations to Ndi’Enugu.”

One woman is reportedly dead following the invasion of Gbagyi Villa in Chikun LGA of Kaduna State for demolition by KASUPDA, acting on the directive of Kaduna State government under the leadership of Gov Nasir El-Rufai just less than seven days to the end of his tenure, despite that Gbagyi Villa community has judgement from a court of competent jurisdiction in their favour against Kaduna State government, KASUPDA and their agents.

When KASUPDA invaded Gbagyi Villa with fully armed uniform men, the youths both from Gbagyi Villa and environ came out in large number to resist the demolition, since there is a court judgment in favour of the community.

Then the uniform men started shooting to scare the resilient youths away. On hearing the news of the demolition and the gunshots, a woman simply identified as Sarah reported collapsed as her blood pressure was believed to have shot up, since she was said to have blood pressure (BP) issues. She was rushed to the hospital for medical attention, but unfortunately she couldn’t make it, as the report reaching Arise News247 has it that she has given up as at the time of filing this report.

However, youths that massively came out vowed to take their lives into their hands to defend the community and defend the court judgement if the authority that supposed to defend the judgement is now rising against the community in total disobedience to the judgment.

Though some houses had been demolished while the youths were resisting, but eventually the resilient youths prevailed and KASUPDA with their security men retreated with a promise to return on a surprise attack, perhaps at night.

One of the residents who simply identified himself as Haruna who spoke with Arise News247 correspondents lamented that “the same government that imposed hard time on the masses is now out to round off by causing more havoc in destroying the little roof we have over our head.”

Adding that following the court judgment in favour of Gbagyi Villa community, “El-rufai asked us to fill a form for regularization at the cost of N20,000 and majority had done that.

“Again just about ten days ago, KASUPDA brought a letter that El-rufai had ordered that all building approval obtained before the court case is null and void, asking us to go and start fresh building approval processes from beginning, with new building plan reading date not earlier than the month of May, 2023. He gave us sixty days to start the process through KASUPDA and we are ready to comply; as we have visited the KASUPDA to commence the fresh process of approval for our houses including those who had prior approval, but KASUPDA officials said the forms are not yet ready.

“It is not yet sixty days based on the notice KASUPDA gave us and we didn’t even say we are not ready to abide by the obnoxious policy just to keep peace. They are the people that are not even ready with the forms needed: yet this afternoon the same Kaduna State government through the same KASUPDA invaded Gbagyi Villa and started demolition of houses, if not that we took our lives into our hands and resisted with the support of youths from the other communites around. Though they still vowed to come back for the demolition exercises.

“See now an innocent law abiding woman, managing her BP had been sent to her untimely grave! Why? Why? Why? Must APC just be about inflicting unbearable pains on the masses?” he concluded.

It’s of note that at the begining of the tenure of El-rufai in 2015 he invaded Gbagyi Villa and vowed to demolish the over 3,500 houses and 40 churches already built in the community. The landlord association took the matter before a court of competent jurisdiction and won the case after about Seven years in court. Also many Organizations both within and outside the country including but not limited to Amnesty International intervened on the side of the community. Even House of Representatives committee also intervened on behalf of the community. But unfortunately this is happening again at the end of the tenure of El-rufai, provoking the unprovoked peaceful people of Gbagyi Villa, few days to handing over when government supposed to sue for peace considering the tension in the country.

By; Jacob Manta

…

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has called on President Muhammadu Buhari, to convoke a panel to investigate all bribery allegations labeled against the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The call is coming in the face of a recent claim by the Zamfara state governor, Bello Muhammad that the anti-graft Czar demanded $2 million bribe from him.he agency had invited the governor on allegations of N70 billion fraud, against which Muhammad told the EFCC to also investigate the Presidency officials on corruption-related cases.In reaction, the EFCC confirmed that it is investigating the Zamfara state governor for alleged N70bn fraud.Ever since, there has been a constant flow of allegations of misconduct against the EFCC and its Chairman.

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council, in a statement by its National President, Okwu Nnabuike, mailed to ASHENEWS on Sunday, said in parts that Zamfara Governor’s allegation “… opens limitless opportunities for corrupt bargaining and self-enrichment by the operatives of EFCC under Bawa’s watch.”

“Based on the foregoing, it is time for Bawa to pack his luggages and step aside as the Chairman of the EFCC. We even expected that he should have resigned on his own volition judging by some weighty allegations against him,” the Youth Council stated.

“In the past couple of days, we in the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide have watched with dismay the drift currently going on at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.”Needless to say that we are not so surprised owing to the fact that in the not so distant past, we had raised the alarm that the EFCC czar, Abdulrasheed Bawa, was merchandising the anti-graft commission.

“This came to the fore when he unleashed the commission on Senator Ike Ekweremadu, a victim of circumstance, who was then facing charges in the United Kingdom. The EFCC under Bawa has never charged Ekweremadu for any crime, but while the lawmaker was in far away UK, he rushed and misled a Nigerian court to confiscate all his properties.

Thank God that the court later reversed itself. This is just one of the major unholy and sponsored jobs of the EFCC under Bawa.”In the history of the EFCC, no chairman of the commission has ever come under public scrutiny in such a short period of time like Bawa. The same goes for many of the staff under him, justifying the aphorism, ‘like father like son’.

A few days ago, it was even reported that two of the staff members killed another colleague while they were fighting for exhibits. This shows how dirty the commission has become.

“Since the Zamfara State governor, Bello Matawalle’s recent outburst exposing corrupt practices against the Abdulrasheed Bawa, more damning allegations also crept up that some of the Commission’s officials simply negotiate with suspects, get assets and cash retrieved and do plea bargains.

This opens limitless opportunities for corrupt bargaining and self-enrichment by the operatives of EFCC under Bawa’s watch.”We are also aware that EFCC is undertaking a selective invitation to outgoing Governors in Nigeria while exempting other government officials who have loads of petitions against them, while also being unable to deal with the corruption going on within its own workforce.

“Apart from the corruption fight taking a nosedive under Bawa, it is also no longer news that the EFCC under him has totally become a tool for political witchhunt, it is now merely being used to settle political scores.”Based on the foregoing, it is time for Bawa to pack his luggages and step aside as the Chairman of the EFCC.

We even expected that he should have resigned on his own volition judging by some weighty allegations against him.”However, since he is obstinate about towing the path of honour, we advise President Muhammadu Buhari to do the needful by purging his government of all the ridicule brought upon his avowed anti-corruption stance by Bawa and the EFCC under him.”We join the call for Bawa to leave office and face investigations in accordance with the standard practice globally for officials who had been accused of gross misconduct to step aside while investigations were conducted to ascertain the veracity of the allegations the way his predecessor Ibrahim Magu did.

“We insist that all allegations must be thoroughly investigated by a technical Commission of Inquiry to dig into the modus operandi of EFCC investigations in the last three years by thoroughly analysing records of arrests, investigations, outcomes and final closure of each incident and individual suspects and how the matters were eventually dispensed with.

“But should Buhari fail to do so, the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu should consider it as one of his very first assignments- to make Bawa step aside and face investigation.

This is the only way Nigerians would rekindle their hope on the anti-graft commission,” Ohanaeze said.

Mr Nkem Asogwa Spokes Person for Concern Enugu Citizens (CEC) has said the Friday 19th of May, 2023 Arise TV outing by the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Brigadier General Yushau’u Dogara Ahmed despite a 20b naira Legal Suit filed by Attorneys to the Enugu State Governor Elect Barrister Peter Mbah against the Agency and it’s Director of Corps Certification Ibrahim Muhammad smacks not only of contempt of Court and flagrant disrespect for the Rule of Law, BUT shows that the Agency is being tele-guided by political forces for political end.

Asogwa Spokes in a press statement said the NYSC must raise its operations beyond the manipulation of political interests and partisan demagogues. The NYSC and the DG in charge must understand that Nigeria and Nigerians crave a new deal in governance where the best hands are allowed to serve.

Asogwa further said the service must therefore remove from allowing manipulative forces deploy it into settling political conflicts and power debacles. The time to shield our politics from the devious control of subversive forces is now. And we must urge those who superintend Parrastatals and Agencies of Government to be above board.

Part of the statement reads “The question about the Authenticity of the NYSC discharge Certificate of Barrister Peter Ndubuisi Mbah Governor-Elect of Enugu State is before the Courts, and has become the subject of litigation, therefore the action of the DG of the NYSC is not only reprehensible but lampoon-able.”

“We are aware that sufficient investigation regarding the details of the said NYSC Certificate of Barrister Peter Mbah shows that the said certificate was validly issued by the NYSC, to have a DG who resumed office recently and has not grappled with the full details of the matter speak on National TV on a matter which is albeit sub- judice is worrisome and troubling.”

“We the forum of CONCERNED ENUGU CITIZENS hereby implore the National Youth Service Corps NYSC, her DG and the Management to stay off partisan waters and allow the Rule of Law take its course.”

“We also must state without equivocation that our Governor Elect is a law abiding citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and that his commitment to building a vibrant, prosperous and great Enugu State is unassailable.”

“Peter Mbah cannot and will not be pulled down or dragged into the ignoble list of those that have been destroyed by Politicians using the instrumentality of the NYSC as a witch-hunt.”

“The NYSC must stay true to its pristine responsibility of serving the cause of National Integration, Orientation, Brotherhood and Oneness, and must rise above the partisan debacles of devious politicians.”

“Finally, if the meddlesome-ness of the NYSC management in a matter presently before the Court does not abate, we shall be compelled to petition the Agency as well as prevail on the Courts to take serious steps to forbid the Service from further actions that border on contempt of Court.”

*Says INEC acting as busybody

The Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the last election, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku on Friday, told the Presidential Election Petition Court that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) lacks legal right to defend Ahmed Bola Tinubu in the drug and dual citizenship accusations.

Atiku insisted that INEC is a meddlesome interloper in its defence of Tinubu on the qualifications for the last presidential election.

Atiku specifically accused the electoral body of being busy body and fishing in another person’s troubled water.

INEC through its counsel at Friday’s proceedings, Mr Kemi Pinhero SAN had moved a motion on notice praying the Court to strike out some of the allegations Atiku made against Tinubu in his petition.

The electoral body pleaded with the Court to strike out 32 allegations made against Tinubu by Atiku which among others, comprised forfeiture of $460, 000 Dollars in the United States of America (USA), possession of Guinea’s Passport and Allegiance to foreign countries.

Atiku had in the petition challenged the declaration of Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress APC as the joint winner of the February 25 Presidential election.

INEC said that the allegations which formed 32 paragraphs in the Atiku’s petition should be discontenced by the Court for various reasons comprising lack of jurisdiction.

But Atiku through his lead counsel, Chief Chris Uche SAN in a counter argument lambasted INEC’S request and asked the Court to dismiss the electoral body’s position.

Uche argued in the counter affidavit that it was not the duty of INEC to do the battle or argue sny case for Tinubu who is 2nd defendant in the petition.

Specifically, Atiku’s lead counsel insisted that INEC ought to be neutral and defend only the conduct of the election in dispute.

He argued that the electoral body has somersaulted by turning itself to busy body and meddlesome interloper by taking up the defense of Tinubu against the provisions of the law.

The Senior lawyer maintained that the request of INEC in its defence of Tinubu is not only spurious, strange but constituted a gross abuse of court process in addition to lacking in merit.

Uche argued that all efforts by INEC to get fundermrntal averments against Tinubu should be treated as efforts in futility, vexatious and irritating and should not be allowed to hold.

“INEC ought not be here to fight the battle of Tinubu, INEC ought to be neutral and at best, defend only the election it conducted and which is the subject of Alhaji Abubakar Atiku’s petition.

‘This application by INEC in support of Tinubu lacks merit. It is grossly incompetent and should be outrightly rejected and thrown to the dust bin”.

The Senior lawyer therefore asked the Court to dismiss INEC’S motion for being gross abuse of court process, lacking in merit and grossly incompetent.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Court, Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani has fixed ruling till the date of judgment in the substantive petition.