Bayelsa State governor, Douye Diri
THE Bayelsa State Governorship Election Tribunal on Saturday dismissed the petition filed by Mr Ibiene Stephen and his party, the United Peoples Congress (UPC).
In its judgment delivered Justice Yunusa Musa, the tribunal held on the issue of forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate as filled by the third respondent, Senator Lawrence Owhrudjakpo, in his Form C001 submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is a pre-election matter as stipulated in the provision of Section285 (14b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In view of this, the Bayelsa tribunal lacks jurisdiction to entertain a pre-election matter.
It held that none of the 19 witnesses called by the petitioner was able to prove the non-qualification if Governor Douye Diri and Ewhrudjakpo, the second and third respondents respectively.
It added that NYSC certificate is not a requirement to contest for any elections in the country
On the issue of forgery as alleged by the petitioner, the tribunal held that it is a criminal matter which ought to be proved beyond any reasonable doubt.
It held that the petitioner failed to prove the allegation of forgery against Ewhrudjapko beyond any reasonable doubt.
“We hold that this petition merits dismissal and we so hold,” the tribunal holds.
It thereafter awarded a cost of N200,000 against the petitioner in favour of each of the respondents.
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
Plan To Destabilise Nigeria Is Real — SSS
THE State Security Service (SSS), on Friday, insisted that there were plans by some unnamed notable personalities in the country to subvert the nation. In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by its spokesperson, Dr Peter Afunanaya, the service pointed out that part of the orchestrations of the plotters was to engage in divisive acts as well as use inciting statements to pit one group against another in the country…
More Heads To Roll In UNILAG •Babalakin, Ogundipe Trade Words, Resumption In Jeopardy
MORE top officials of the embattled University of Lagos (UNILAG) are to be axed for alleged financial recklessness and mismanagement which consumed the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe on Wednesday, the Governing Council, disclosed on Friday…
How Bandits, Terrorists, Other Criminals Get Their Weapons —Retired Col. Majoyeogbe, Ex-Commandant, Army Intelligence School
Colonel Olanipekun Majoyeogbe retired from the Nigerian Army after holding various posts, including Commandant, Nigerian Army Intelligence School and Commandant, SSS Training School. In this interview by SUYI AYODELE, the graduate of English from the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife, speaks on various issues bordering on the Nigerian security situation…
Residents of the Agbarho community in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, woke up…
He said the country’s “failed experiment in open borders” had led to net migration hitting…
Nigerian rapper and actor Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, has sparked controversy after publicly…
She said, "Keir Starmer once called all immigration laws racist. So why would anyone believe…
A new City Gate for the Federal Capital Territory is underway following the request by…
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned till Tuesday, May 13, to hear…
This website uses cookies.