Law
Niger judicial Panel of inquiry seeks cooperation of witnesses, general public
From Naseer Minjiyawa, Minna
A judicial Panel of inquiry constituted by the Niger State Government to investigate killings in some communities of Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State has urged witnesses and the general public to cooperate with the commission for Justice to be achieved.
The Chairman of the Judicial Commission of inquiry, Justice Danladi Ahmed Baddegi made the call at the inaugural sitting of the Commission in Minna on Monday.
He explained that the Commission was constituted by the Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello to look into the killings in Mazakuka, Adogomallam, Kuluho and other surrounding communities in Mashegu Local Government area by unknown gunmen.
He stated that the Commission being a fact finding panel was constituted to ensure justice is given to all parties, stressing that the findings of the Commission would be transmitted to the governor for the necessary action by the Government
He cautioned all stakeholders and witnesses that would appear before the Commission to adhere strictlly to the laid down procedure to avoid any act of distraction during the proceedings of the Commission.
The Chairman of the Commission equally urged the counsels that would appear before the Commission to assist in making available the required envidences that would enable the commission do justice to all parties.
He admonished parties to guide against any act that will truncate the procedures and standing rules of the Commission, warning that any body that tries the patience of the Commission would face the full wrath of the Commission.
“Any body that tries our patience, I as a judge can arrest or order for his arrest. And I don’t pray for that. But I’m seeking for the support of all stakeholders in the commission with all the necessary evidence that will assist the commission in arriving at Justice.” he stated.
Speaking on behalf of the Counsels of the Commission, a senior legal practitioner in Minna, Barrister Musa Suleiman assured the Commission of the support and cooperation of all the Counsels that would appear before it in ensuring smooth procedures of the hearing.
He noted that the Constitution of the Commission of inquiry by the State government would assist in curtailing the increasing proportion of banditry activities in some communities in Niger State.
He commended the State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello for deeming it necessary to constitute the Commission of inquiry, stating that with the calibre of personalities in the commission, the aim and objective of the Commission would be achieved.
Also, speaking the chair of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), in Minna, Barrister Mohammed Abubakar El-Surur commended the State Government for appointing Justice Danladi Ahmed Baddegi as the Chairman of the Commission.
He described the Chairman of the Commission as a man of integrity that would not compromise in arriving at justice in the discharge of this onerous responsibility given to him.
“The Chairman of the Commission, His lordship Justice Danladi Ahmed is a person I knew right from our University days in Sokoto. I know him to be a man of integrity and a man of honesty and Justice. I don’t have doubt in my mind that Justice would be done with the person at helm of the Commission as chairman” he asserted.
He then assured the Commission of the NBA’s support and cooperation at ensuring the successful completion of its proceedings.
The Judicial Commission of inquiry was constituted as a result of the invasion of some communities in Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State where some gunmen suspected to be armed bandits killed some worshipers in the mosque, while observing their Subhi prayers on the 25 of October 2021.
The Judicial Commission was constituted by Governor Abubakar Sani Bello to investigate the remote causes of the killings.
It is also to fish out those behind the killings and recommend the appropriate action to be taken against any body found wanting..
The commission has one month to submit its report to the government.
Members of the Commission include Justice Danladi Ahmed Baddegi as the Chairman, Hon Kasimu Danjuma, CP Wakili Mate Rtd, and CP Mohammed Danjuma Rtd. Others are Barrister Moses Chiroma Gamzhi the State Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, Col. Abdullahi S. Judy Rtd and Mallam Yakubu D. Musa.
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has sacked the Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a judgement delivered on Tuesday, the court declared the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Hon. Sa’ad Abdullahi Ibrahim (Turakin-Opanda), as the rightful winner of the election for Umaisha/Ugya State Constituency.
The Court of Appeal, sitting in Abuja, on Monday, upheld the election of Hyacinth Alia as declared by INEC after the March 18th, 2023 election as governor of Benue State
The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the March 18 governorship election, Titus Uba, had approached the appellate court to set aside the judgment of the tribunal that upheld Alia’s election.
At the tribunal, Uba accused Alia’s deputy, Samuel Ode, of presenting a forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) contrary to Section 182(1)(j) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended)
He also alleged that Alia’s name was submitted less than 180 days before the election date, and Ode was also not submitted to INEC after the party conducted a further re-run primary election.
A three-member panel of the tribunal, headed by Justice Ibrahim Karaye, dismissed the petition on the ground that it was a pre-election matter and was statute-barred.
Ruling on the appeal on Monday, the appeal court’s three-member panel led by Justice Onyekachi Aja Otisi held that Uba failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt the allegations of forgery against Ode
Plateau Governor, Caled Mutfwang spoken with confidence that as long as God remains on the throne, the people’s mandate will be preserved and protected as he reiterated his commitment to the rule of law, while assuring the people that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Mutfwang who was reacting to the Appeal Court judgement that sacked him on Sunday described the verdict as a temporary setback that will not deter him from repositioning the state.
“We have unwavering faith in the judiciary and the Constitution of Nigeria,” he added.
The Governor said he has instructed his legal team to file an appeal at the Supreme Court, admonishing citizens of the state and PDP supporters to remain calm.
Mutfwang gave the indication in a press statement signed by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, expressed optimism that the mandate overwhelmingly given to him by the citizens would be restored.
Mutfwang polled 525,299 votes in the March 18 governorship election in the state, while Goshwe polled 481,370 votes.
Goshwe challenged the victory of Mutfwang at the tribunal, claiming that the Governor was not validly nominated and sponsored by his Party, insisting there was non-compliance with the Electoral Act in the election.
In a unanimous decision, a three-member panel of the tribunal headed by Justice R. Irele-Ifijeh dismissed the petition for lacking in merit.
Displeased with the judgment, the APC candidate appealed the tribunal judgment.
The appellate court ruling on Sunday, led by Justice Elfrieda Williams-Dawodu, held that the PDP did not validly sponsor the Governor during the election.
She held that the Party violated a court order to conduct a valid Congress in that state’s 17 Local Government Areas.
She said there was no evidence that the PDP complied with a subsisting High Court order which had directed it to conduct a valid party congress before sponsoring the governorship and other candidates.
The court held that the issue of qualification is both a pre-election and a post-election matter contrary to the tribunal’s findings, which held that the appellant lacked the locus to contest the validity of the respondent.
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