The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has nullified the decision of the Delta State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Asaba which dismissed a petition filed by the 2023 governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Ken Pela, against the election of the state governor, Sheriff Oborevwori.

The appellate court held that the Tribunal’s dismissal of the case before the main hearing was null and void.

The appellate court’s decision paves the way for a full hearing of the petition by the Tribunal, according to Pela’s legal team.

Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared the People’s Democratic party’s candidate, Oborevwori, as the winner of the Guber poll with 360,234 votes while Ovie Omo-Agege of the All Progressives Party came second with 240,229 votes and Pela garnered 48,027 votes.

Disagreeing with the declaration by INEC, Pela had approached the Tribunal challenging the election of the incumbent governor.

The grounds of his petitions bordered on non-qualification, accusing the governor of certificate forgery as well as alleged non-compliance to the Electoral Act by INEC in view of the alleged blank polling unit results uploaded to and downloaded from the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IRev).

Those joined as respondents in the petition marked EPT/DL/GOV/01/23, were INEC, Governor Oborevwori, his Deputy, Monday Onyeme and the People’s Democratic party.

But at the pre-hearing stage, the lead counsel to Oborevwori and Onyeme, Damian Dodo SAN, had urged the Tribunal to dismiss the LP’s petition for being abandoned by petitioners.

He had argued that the petitioner’s failure to apply for a pre-hearing notice within time meant his petition was incompetent and ought to be thrown out.

The media unit of the Delta State Government claimed in a statement on July 6 that the chairperson of the tribunal’s panel, C.H Ahuchaogu, said “the petition was incompetent and a flagrant violation of paragraph 18 subsection one of the fourth schedule to the Electoral Act 2022.

“There is merit in the application seeking to dismiss this petition and accordingly, (the) petition, EPT/DL/GOV/01/2023, is hereby dismissed.”

But Pela instituted an appeal (CA/AS/EP/GOV/DL/04/23) before the Court of Appeal saying the Tribunal erred in law by dismissing his petition without hearing and determining it.

On Thursday, the Appellate court agreed with the petitioner’s submission, saying that the decision of the Tribunal dismissing his petition is null and void.

Reacting after the court rose, Adams.M told THE WHISTLER that the petition of his client at the Tribunal was still on course as he will continue with his case.

“I thank God for today. We are heading back to the Tribunal. We are continuing from where we stopped,” he said.

On how the LP can prove its case knowing that the 180 days timeline would elapse in about two weeks time, the legal team said they would strategize to beat the deadline.

“Within the next few days, they should set up a panel for the Tribunal.

“By the special grace of God, we have the strategies that we will try to adopt to speed up the process so that we are within time. I think he has a very strong case at the Tribunal but it is left for the judges to decide,” Pela’s legal team said.

…..Grows Profit By 12.1% To N101.1bn

The Chairman of BUA Cement Plc, Abdul Samad Rabiu has promised to support the efforts of the Federal Government to drive down the price of cement in Nigeria.

Rabiu said this during an interview with journalists held at the sidelines of the company’s seventh Annual General Meeting held on Thursday in Abuja.

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi had last week said that he will dialogue with cement manufacturers for them to reduce the prices of their products.

The Minister who spoke while featuring on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme had said contractors have complained over the high cost of cement in the country and made claims that importing the product would be cheaper.

“I’m going to be running figures with them (cement manufacturers) to check the cost of cement if we import it and the cost they are giving us here,” he said.

But speaking on the development, the BUA Cement Chairman said the company is currently increasing its production capacity, noting that once that is achieved by the end of this year, it will boost availability of the product and drive down prices.

The price of cement hovers between N4,500 and N4,800 depending on the location.

Rabiu said, “I understand that the minister is quite concerned, that the price of cement is high at almost N5,000 per tonne. I appreciate where the government is coming from and the frustration from all the issues in the country.

“The price of cement at N5,000 is not high. If we look at the rate of the US dollar today, to import cement will be at N5,000. The cement cost, insurance and freight to any port in Nigeria will be in the region of about $100 a tonne. So, at $100 per tonne, if you take N800 to $1 then it will be N4,000 per bag. Then the port cost, and transportation from the port.

“It’s not that the government wants to import cement, but they are frustrated that the price of cement is high. What we told our shareholders is that we will engage with the government to support the government.

“Even though we know that the price of cement is high, it will not be cheaper if imported. We have two lines coming up by the end of the year, the Obu Line 3 and the Sokoto Line 5 that will give us a combined capacity of six million tonnes.

“By the time we have those two lines active with the current one, we will have about 17 million tonnes per annum. We are going to reduce the prices of cement once these two lines are up and running. This is the promise we are making to Nigerians.”

At the AGM, the shareholders approved the proposal of the board of directors to pay the sum of N2.80 per share in 2022 compared to the N2.60 per share paid in the previous year of 2021

Speaking on the financial performance, the BUA Cement Chairman told the shareholders that despite the challenging operating environment, the Company demonstrated strength and sustained capacity, which resulted in the excellent financial performance.

According to him, revenue rose by 40.3 per cent to N361.9bn in 2022 as against N257.3bn recorded in 2021, He said this outperformed its peers in cement volume growth during the period under review.

In terms of profitability, the BUA Cement Chairman explained further that profit after tax rose by 12.1 per cent to N101.1bn, in comparison to N90.1bn recorded in 2021.

On the outlook for the company, Rabiu expressed optimism that domestic demand for cement will continue to rise given the increased consciousness on the part of the governments at all level to improve existing economic and infrastructures, continued private-public partnerships, increasing interests in the Federal Government’s Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme and the drive for Foreign Direct Investments.

He said, “As a company, we remain focused on our strategies primarily market consolidation as there is no market across the country where our presence is non-existent.

“We eagerly and excitedly await the completion of the Lines 3 and 5 at Obu and Sokoto during the first quarter of 2024. This would enable us provide more quantities of cement to the domestic market and particularly increase our market share across the African continent.”

Many of the shareholders who spoke at the AGM commended the board and management of the company for the improvement in financial performance.

They urged the board and management of BUA Cement not to relent in their quest to grow the company.

As the transfer deadline approaches, Liverpool is in talks with Bayern Munich over a possible deal for central midfielder Ryan Gravenberch.

The two parties are working towards an agreement for Gravenberch, as per Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, and the player has 'made clear' that he wants out before the end of the transfer window. He's simply waiting for the green light.

In terms of a transfer fee, Plettenberg reports that Bayern has laid out an asking price of $33m (£26m/€30m), which would represent a sizeable profit on the $21m (£16m/€19m) it paid to sign him from Ajax last summer.

Crucially, though, Bayern was only able to pick him up for a relatively cheap fee because he was into the final year of his contract with Ajax. With the protection of a long-term deal, he likely would have been a lot more expensive given that he'd emerged as one of the most exciting young players on the continent.

He was named the Eredivisie Talent of the Year in 2020/21, his penultimate year in Amsterdam, and made the top 20 for the prestigious Golden Boy award (given to the best under-21 player in a top-flight European league) the same year.

Bayern's then-sporting director Hasan Salihamidžić hailed him as 'one of the biggest talents in Europe' on his arrival (via the official club website) and expressed confidence that the club would 'enjoy lots of success with him'. The plan was to make Gravenberch the centerpiece of an imperious Bayern side for years to come.

However, the first year of the Dutchman's five-year contract proved to be a disappointment all round. He would play a mere 576 minutes in the Bundesliga, the equivalent of just 6.4 full matches, and his stocks have consequently fallen to the extent that he's now available for $33m, with Bayern already prepared to cut its losses rather than persevering.#

That doesn't necessarily mean that Gravenberch is a $33m player — instead, his value is simply at a $33m ebb. If Jürgen Klopp can unlock the potential he displayed at Ajax, this has the potential to be one of the great bargains of his tenure.

It also represents an excellent fee in the current central midfield market, especially so late in the transfer window. You need only look to two of Liverpool's closest rivals for favorable comparisons. Manchester United is reportedly demanding $57m (£45m/€52m) for Scott McTominay (via The Telegraph), a somewhat one-dimensional midfielder who's down the pecking order at Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, Manchester City is about to pay Wolves $67m (£53m/€62m) for Matheus Nunes even after his underwhelming start to life at Molineux, which has prompted his managers to shuffle him around the team in search of his best position. Gravenberch could join for half the price of the former Liverpool target, and potentially make a similar impact.

It's fair to say that the 21-year-old may not be exactly what Liverpool needs right now — a specialist number six and an elite left-footed talent in central defense looked like bigger priorities — but for the fee being talked about, you can certainly see why the club is ready to take the risk.

[liverpool]

Novak Djokovic has praised Coco Gauff, saying that she should be aiming high at the 2023 US Open.

Sixth seed Gauff has made a strong start at the last Grand Slam of the season in New York. In the first round, she overcame a dramatic match in which her opponent Laura Siegemund received a time violation to win the match 3-6, 6-2, 6-4.

The 19-year-old then locked horns with 16-year-old Mirra Andreeva in the second round. The clash was a battle of the teens but it was the more experienced Gauff who prevailed, taking a commanding straight-sets victory over the Russian, 6-3, 6-2.

Djokovic predicts great things for Gauff

Gauff's success at Flushing Meadows comes off the back of two victories on the North American swing, winning both the WTA 500 DC Open and the WTA 1000 Cincinnati Open earlier this month.

Now, 23-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic has praised the rising tennis star, talking highly of her ability while also suggesting the American's coach Brad Gilbert, who she started working with in July, has been helping her to improve exponentially.

"Coco is on the rise. She’s yet to win a Grand Slam, but played in a final. She’s still young, but now with Brad Gilbert on her side with the experience of coaching some of the greats, things are coming together for her... she’s got the home support. Physically she’s very fit, striking the ball very well," Djokovic said.

The Serb added that while Gauff broke onto the scene at a very young age, she is now coming close to the level where she can win Grand Slams.

"She broke to the top of the women’s game quite early, but it still takes a few years to come together where you feel you’re complete as a player, ready to win Slams, and dominate the game.

"I think she’s coming very close to that stage and level. I’m sure she has high hopes for US Open, and she should. Because she’s playing really well," he added.

In the third round of the US Open, both players will face the 32nd seeds in their respective disciplines. Gauff will play Elise Mertens, while Djokovic is set to go up against his compatriot Laslo Djere as he continues his bid to win his fourth US Open title.

UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is just under two weeks away from his next title defense against Sean Strickland at UFC 293.

But the often-boisterous champ isn’t focused on Strickland. Instead, it seems he still has his sights set on potential future opponent Dricus Du Plessis.

Du Plessis, who is fresh off a win over former champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 290 in June, was expected to be the next challenger for Adesanya’s title.

The reigning champ even entered the cage to confront him following the victory and the two exchanged words in the days after.

“Even after [UFC 290], he’s like, ‘Oh, bro, all you had to do was put some gloves on, we could have got it on right there.’ B——- f—. You wouldn’t have,” Adesanya said.  ‘Cause guess what? He didn’t want it…People were like, ‘Oh, he’s so classy walking away. He’s so [classy].’ I’m like, ‘Bro, he didn’t even walk away. He felt me.’ He didn’t wanna feel me.”

But the fight never came to fruition due to a lingering foot issue for Du Plessis, who turned down the fight at UFC 293.

Now Adesanya says he may have missed a big opportunity

“I’m not mad, I’m disappointed,” Adesanya told MMA Fighting. “He missed out on his opportunity. That would have been [huge], but again, I think it’s for the greater good. That’s OK. When it happens, it will be one the biggest fights in sporting history. All in due time.”

Though the champion says he has other plans in mind for Du Plessis.

“It could happen in South Africa,” Adesanya said. “It could happen somewhere on the great continent of Africa. (Or) it could happen in Nigeria, Morocco, even South Africa — it would be better if we had it in South Africa. I’d like to whoop his a– in his own home country.”

One thing is certain, when the fight does happen (if it does happen), it’ll be must-see TV.

[brobible]

Colombia women's team coach Nelson Abadia has left his role, the country's football federation said on Thursday just weeks after the South Americans achieved their best-ever World Cup finish.

Abadia, 67, succeeded Fabian Taborda in 2017 and led Colombia to the quarter-finals at this year's tournament in Australia and New Zealand, where they lost 2-1 to England.

Under Abadia, Colombia finished as Copa America Femenina runners-up last year and won gold at the 2019 Pan American Games.

"The technical director Nelson Abadia and the Colombian Football Federation have terminated their contractual relationship..." the governing body said in a statement.

"In the coming days, the Colombian Football Federation will announce the person who will take over as coach of the Colombia Women's Senior National Team."

Next year, Colombia will compete in the CONCACAF W Gold Cup in February and March as well as the Olympics in Paris.

[reuters]

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has launched a portal for the recruitment of ad hoc staff for the 2023 off-cycle governorship elections.

The off-cycle polls are scheduled for November 11 in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states.

Ad hoc staff include supervisory presiding officers, presiding officers, assistant presiding officers, registration area technicians, and registration area centre managers.

In a notice on Wednesday, the electoral umpire said the portal for applications opens at 8am on August 31 and will close at 12am on October 2.

“Are you ready to play a crucial role in the democratic process? The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) invites you to become an Ad-Hoc Staff for the upcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi States,“ the notice reads.

“The Commission has approved the activation of INECPRES both the Mobile App for Android phones only and the web portal (laptops/desktops only), to this end the portal will be available to eligible applicants for registration of all categories of ad-hoc staff (SPO/PO/APO/RATECHs/RAC Managers) except the Collation officers.”

INEC said applicants must not be political party members and must not have demonstrated or expressed support for any candidate or party.

The commission said the applicants must reside in the state selected except for registration area technicians.

Applications can be made via the web address pres.inecnigeria.org or by downloading the INECPRES mobile android app via https://inecpres-app.com/pres-app.apk.

[TheCable]

A human rights lawyer, Prof. Mike Ozekhome (SAN) on Wednesday said the Nigerian Navy, traditional rulers, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and others are complicit in the theft of crude oil in Nigeria.

Ozekhome was speaking as one of the panelists who discussed, “The Impact of Maritime Security Threats on the Nigerian Economy: Nigerian Navy Perspective” at the ongoing 63rd Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Abuja.

The senior lawyer said the Nigerian Navy has the mandate of protecting the territorial waters in the country and that, it has sophisticated equipment to carry out the responsibility, thus, the Navy cannot say, it is free from theft of crude oil in the country.

He also blamed government officials for the crude oil theft, saying that, the issue is like a situation where a non-state actor becomes more powerful than the state itself.

“The people stealing the oil are government officials in collaboration with the Nigerian Navy. The Navy has the constitutional duty to protect the nation’s territorial waters and all the economic activities therein”, he said and called on the Nigerian Navy to name those behind the crude oil theft for them to be shamed and prosecuted.

As a way of addressing the issue of crude oil theft, Ozekhome stressed the need for strong technology to monitor crude oil theft and piracy and that Nigerian youths should be given employment and empowerment.

He also made a case for serious legal reform to put stiffer punishment for crude oil theft to act as a deterrent to others and that government should legalise the illegal refineries that are in the Niger Delta region of the country.

Earlier in his paper, Commander Obiora Bede Anyikwa identified crude oil theft, smuggling and illegal refineries as major security threats to Nigeria’s maritime environment.

Commander Anyikwa disclosed that Nigeria has been removed from the list of piracy-prone countries because of the efforts of the Navy.

While lamenting that some of the actions of non-state actors undermine the performance of security agencies, the Navy Commander called for the upgrade of the maritime domain awareness capability for improved operational efficiency as well as approval for Nigerian Navy lawyers to prosecute maritime offenders.

[Nigerian Tribune]