The acting Inspector General of Police, IGP, Olukayode Egbetokun, has directed medical personnel across the country to treat gunshot victims without asking for Police report.
Egbetokun issued the directive while urging health workers to sensitize Nigerians about the issue.
The IGP’s directive, based on the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act, 2017, was contained in a Police internal memo dated October 25, 2023, and signed by the Force Principal Staff Officer, Olatunji Disu.
The memo was addressed to all Deputy Inspectors-General of Police, Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, Commissioners of Police and the Commandants of Police Colleges in Ikeja, Kaduna, Oji-River, Maiduguri and Enugu.
The memo reads, “I forward herewith a copy of letter HMSH&SW/IG/CTCV/ 10/2023 dated 3rd October, 2023, received from Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare on the above-underlined subject, and write to convey the directive of the Inspector-General of Police that you comply with and enforce the provisions of the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act 2017 without any hesitation.
“The Inspector-General of Police further directs that you make this a subject of lecture and circulate widely for the members of the public to be aware of our compliance with the National Law.”
[DailyPost]
The move to impeach the Ondo State Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has taken a different turn as eleven lawmakers of the 26-member state House of Assembly have distanced themselves from the process.
Naija News reports that 11 lawmakers include the Minority Leader, Jide Oguntodu, the Assembly’s Spokesperson, Olatunde Oshati, Japheth Oluwatoyin, Fatai Atere, Gbegudu Ololade, Allen Oluwatoyin, Stephen Abitogun, Tope Komolafe, Felix Afe, Biola Oladapo, and Olawumi Fayemi.
Recall that the Assembly Speaker, Olamide Oladiji, had a few days ago directed the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Olusegun Odusola, to constitute a panel over the 14 allegations levelled against Aiyedatiwa, as he cited the expiration of an ex-parte order given by an Abuja Federal High Court. Justice Odusola had earlier declined the initial request of the Assembly based on the order.
But in a statement to journalists, the 11 lawmakers accused the Speaker of unilaterally writing the Chief Judge to set up a seven-man probe panel against Aiyedatiwa despite a subsisting court order.
According to the lawmakers, they got to know about the letter on social media, a move they claimed was uncalled for, with the subsisting ex-parte order of an Abuja High Court as well as moves by the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to resolve the political crisis in the state.
Oshati insisted that the eleven lawmakers have nothing against Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
Oshati disclosed that the development bothered on internal conflict and the need for the Assembly to follow due process.
“We wish to state further that the decision to transmit such a letter by the speaker, Rt. Hon. Oladiji Olamide Adesanmi, to the Chief Judge of Ondo State, is, in our view, the least unwarranted and uncalled for,” Oshati said.
“The order of interim injunction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Abuja Division, of the 21st day of September 2023, which has restrained the speaker and Ondo State House of Assembly, as 4th and 6th respondents, respectively, is still subsisting since it has neither been vacated nor set aside. For us to act in contravention of the subsisting order of the court will certainly be contemptuous.
“The National Leaders of the All Progressive Congress, on October 17, 2023, invited all the members of the Party, of the Ondo State House’ of Assembly, to the National Secretariat of the Party and pleaded for an amicable and political solution to the issue of the impeachment process initiated by the House against the Deputy Governor of Ondo State.
“Without hesitation, the request was acceded to, in the interest of the party and the peace of Ondo State, by the state chairman of the APC, Engr. Ade Adetimehin and Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oladiji Olamide Adesanmi consequently addressed the press immediately after the meeting. It will be untidy in our view to get back to Ondo State if we act otherwise.”
The lawmakers added that “the decision to transmit the purported letter of the Ondo State House of Assembly, dated October 23, 2023, signed by Rt. Hon. Oladiji Olamide Adesanmi, was taken without a formal sitting of the House and our knowledge as members of the 10th Assembly.
“It is our considered view that we should be honourable indeed by standing with our acceptance at the Abuja meeting to suspend the impeachment process and allow for an amicable and political solution to the issue for the benefits of governance and peace in Ondo State.”
[NaijaNews]
The naira within a span of hours appreciated by N166 to the dollar in the P2P market, as currency traders re-evaluate their strategies.
The naira peaked at N1279/$ on Thursday evening but settled at N1113/$ as of this writing.
Feelers across markets suggest the gains may be due to lack of buyers as very few people are inclined to pay around N1300/$ sensing a potential strengthening of the local currency.
Finance Minister Wale Edun also stated that the country was set to receive $10 billion in foreign currency inflows over the next several weeks to help improve liquidity in the foreign exchange market, which has stifled growth in Africa’s largest economy.
The minister of finance added that President Tinubu signed two executive orders permitting the issuance of domestic financial instruments denominated in foreign currencies as well as the transfer of all cash outside the banking system into banks.
The impression among traders especially speculators is that the exchange rate could gain against the dollar in the coming days and as such no avoid losing their shirts, they have to sell lower.
His remarks were made just after President Tinubu had assured summit attendees that he would clear the backlog and that he had taken action to address liquidity in the foreign exchange market.
He says that every transaction in the foreign exchange market, from the official to the money changers, where large amounts of arbitrage have regularly happened, will be closely watched, and those who transgress will be found out and dealt with.
He acknowledged that illiquidity is the reason Nigeria’s foreign exchange market isn’t operating efficiently, but the government is willing to take all necessary steps to alter the current situation.
The foreign exchange market will be streamlined and restructured so that all rightful and proper transactions will be covered by the government and take place in the official foreign exchange market. Anything beyond that will be punished, considered a criminal offense, and illegal, according to Edun.
Meanwhile the US. S dollar hit a near one-week high versus a basket of currencies on Wednesday as investors’ desire for riskier currencies decreased in the wake of disappointing corporate results that heightened concerns about the state of the economy and as Treasury yields increased.
Risk sentiment also took a hit as tech giant Alphabet fell after its cloud division failed to meet revenue projections, and other large-cap stocks also eased because of lower earnings and rising US Treasury bond yields.
Reaching its highest level in almost a week, the dollar index, which gauges its strength against a basket of six competitors, saw a 0.3% increase to 106.05 points.
Fed Chairman Powell’s speech sent Wall Street into a tailspin. Powell largely agreed with other officials when he said that policy might not be “too tight” and that further rate increases might be required.
Although Powell’s remarks reinforce their long-term bullish mantra, they don’t go far enough to suggest that a rate hike in December is likely.
The Fed will attempt to persuade the market that more increases are possible until inflation declines significantly.
[Nairametrics]
Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, is currently being detained in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The PUNCH can confirm that Emefiele, who is currently being interrogated at the National Headquarters of the anti-graft agency, Jabi, Abuja, was picked up by EFCC operatives Thursday night, less than an hour after he regained his freedom from the dungeon of the Department of State Services.
An impeccable source revealed the development to our correspondent Friday morning, noting that the EFCC is probing Emefiele over alleged impropriety during his term as the head of the apex bank.
“Yes, Emefiele is currently in our (EFCC) custody; he was arrested last night less than an hour after the DSS freed him. He’s currently being interrogated at the headquarters, as he’s being investigated for alleged misappropriation of funds amongst other things during his term as CBN governor,” the source noted.
Our correspondent further gathered that fresh charges may be filed against Emefiele by the EFCC.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, could not be reached for official confirmation when contacted by our correspondent on Friday.
The PUNCH reports that Emefiele had been in the custody of the Department of State Services since June after President Bola Tinubu suspended him from office.
He was thereafter asked to hand over his responsibilities to Folashodun Shonubi, the then Deputy Governor, Operations Directorate at the apex bank.
A day after, the DSS announced that Emefiele was in its custody for ‘some investigative reasons’.
On July 25, he was arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on “illegal possession” of firearms at a federal high court in Lagos and was granted bail in the sum of N20 million.
The two-count charge was later struck out on August 17 after the Federal Government withdrew the same.
However, a fresh 20-count charge was instituted against him over an alleged conspiracy to carry out procurement fraud, among others.
The arraignment has been stalled twice, and Emefiele was reported to have proposed a plea bargain agreement with the Federal Government.
The proposed agreement required Emefiele to resign as CBN governor and ‘disgorge’ some assets.
However, on September 22, the CBN officially confirmed Emefiele’s resignation after Olayemi Cardoso was appointed as substantive governor of the apex bank.
[Punch]
No fewer than 20 people sustained various degrees of injuries following a tanker explosion at a petrol station in Rigasa area of Kaduna.
Paul Aboi, Director, Kaduna State Fire Service, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria.
In the interview on Thursday in Kaduna, Aboi said among those injured were five federal firefighters, some personnel of Kaduna Vigilance Service and passersby.
The Director said the injured fire service personnel are currently receiving treatment at Barau Dikko Specialist Hospital, Kaduna.
According to him, the tanker was offloading petrol at the station on Wednesday when the incident occurred.
Aboi blamed the incident on negligence on the part of the filling station, saying the offloading of the petrol should not have been done in the afternoon.
[EagleOnline]
Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and Presidential Candidate, Professor Kingsley Moghalu, has been appointed as chairman of the board of directors of the Africa Private Sector Summit, APSS.
The body is a pan-African, private sector-led non-profit organization that promotes trade and investment in Africa and is headquartered in Accra, Ghana.
Announcing Moghalu’s appointment, Mr Judson Wendell Addy, founder and outgoing Chairman of APSS, said Moghalu’s “international leadership experience, credibility, and networks will help advance the goals of APSS, as we proceed with the roll-out of the draft charter on private sector development, rights and protection of the environment in Africa [Private Sector Bill of Rights], across all of Africa’s five geographic regions plus diaspora.”
He said the objective is “to strengthen the private sector in African countries, attract increased business investment to the continent, and make strong contributions to enable the private sector to actively drive implementation of the Regional Economic Communities (RECs] and the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) protocols in collaboration with the Pan Africa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PACCI), the Africa Busines Council (AfBC) and other stakeholders.”
Accepting his appointment, Moghalu said he is honoured to have been invited to chair the Board of APSS, promising that he would “work hard with African companies, and other stakeholders including governments and international organizations to advance the critical role of the private sector in the structural transformation of African economies in the context of Africa’s economic integration and African Union’s Agenda 2063, our collective journey to the Africa we want.”
[Vanguard]
The Defence Headquarters said on Thursday that troops in the last two weeks intercepted stolen crude worth N1.2 billion as Nigeria’s oil production capacity increased in September.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba said this on Thursday in Abuja while briefing journalists on the activities of the Military in the past two weeks.
The Defence spokesperson vowed to incapacitate terrorists from conducting small-scale attacks on soft targets.
He also said troops, during their operations, killed 73 terrorists, arrested 182, and rescued 68 hostages in one week.
He said, “The ongoing counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations have prevented these evil elements from accomplishing their strategic objectives.
“The Military will continue to degrade their ability to carry out small-scale attacks which are intended to create panic in localities.”
The director noted that the troops identified and destroyed 63 illegal refining sites containing 15 dugout pits, 45 boats, 87 storage tanks, 128 cooking ovens, one pumping machine, four outboard engines and arrested 14 suspected oil thieves.
Buba added that the troops recovered 962,500 litres of stolen crude oil, 35,420 litres of illegally refined AGO, 38,450 litres of DPK, and 45,000 litres of PMS with an estimated value of N1, ,212,046,140.
DAILY POST recalls that oil theft had been a major challenge, depleting the country’s oil production capacity.
Meanwhile, the improved fight against oil theft had increased Nigeria’s production capacity in September to 1.7 million barrels per day, up from the 1.1mbpd recorded in August.
[DailyPost]
…Quotes the words of Jesus Christ in new testament
The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, invoked Bible prophecy Wednesday during a speech to the nation in which he said the Israeli military would soon launch its ground invasion of Gaza.
He said in a broadcast: “We shall realize the prophecy of Isaiah. There will no longer be stealing at your borders and your gates will be of glory. Together we will fight, together we will win.”
Benjamin Netanyahu said while there will be a time for answers after looking into the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas terrorists at Israel’s southern border, the nation must prepare for what he called a battle between light and darkness.
“We all will have to provide answers to what happened on Oct. 7, myself included — but only after the war,” said Netanyahu.
Despite unconfirmed reports that Israel has agreed to delay a Gaza ground invasion “for now” until the United States can position its air defenses, Netanyahu’s somber tone during his address suggested Israel could take action in the days to come.
The prime minister said while the timing is still undecided, the Israeli government’s final decision would be made by the war cabinet but declined to provide any additional information, according to Reuters.
Comparing Hamas to ISIS, Netanyahu said, “All Hamas activists must die, above the ground, beneath the ground, inside Gaza and outside of Gaza,” adding that he and other Israeli leaders were working to convince world leaders to “support our campaign.”
“Hamas is ISIS, and ISIS is Hamas,” he added, speaking in Hebrew. “Our war against Hamas is their war as well. Our war against Hamas is a test for all of humanity.
“It is a struggle between the axis of evil of Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas and the axis of freedom and progress.”
The prime minister referred to Israel and its allies as “the people of the light.”
In Luke 16:8, Jesus spoke of the “people of the light”: “The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.”
“We are the people of the light, they are the people of darkness and light shall triumph over darkness,” said Netanyahu.
He also called for national unity and said in doing so, the Jewish people “shall realize the prophecy of Isaiah.”
“It is now a time to come together for one purpose, to storm ahead and achieve victory with joint forces in a profound belief in our justice, a profound belief in the eternity of the Jewish people,” said Netanyahu.
“We shall realize the prophecy of Isaiah. There will no longer be stealing at your borders and your gates will be of glory. Together we will fight, together we will win.”
Translated to English, Netanyahu’s statement appeared to be a reference to Isaiah 60:18, which says, “Violence shall no more be heard in your land, devastation or destruction within your borders; you shall call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise.”
In that same chapter, just two verses prior to the one quoted by Netanyahu, is what most scholars believe is an Old Testament reference to the Lord Jesus Christ: “You shall suck the milk of nations; you shall nurse at the breast of kings; and you shall know that I, the Lord, am your Saviour and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.” (Isaiah 60:16)
The Pentagon is reportedly in the process of sending U.S. military advisers and air defense systems ahead of the expected incursion into Gaza. That effort will be led by Marine Corps Lt. Gen. James Glynn, who led special operations against the Islamic State in Iraq, The Guardian reported Monday.
[NationalDaily]
Justice has been served”, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said yesterday. He was savouring his victory at the Supreme Court which dismissed the appeals of Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP).
The Justice John Okoro-led seven-man panel of the apex court thrashed the petitions of the opposition parties and their candidates, reaffirming Tinubu’s victory as president.
In a statement he personally signed, Tinubu said: “I welcome the verdict of the Justice John I. Okoro-led panel of the Supreme Court on the presidential election petitions filed by the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party, challenging the ruling of the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC).
“The court has done justice to all issues put up for consideration in the petitions on the merits of the law, without fear or favour.
“There is no doubt, with the profound judgment of today, that our electoral jurisprudence and constitutional democracy are further consolidated and embedded more indelibly in our national identity because of the diligence and undaunted professionalism of the Honourable Justices who presided over the matter.
“While the verdict of today has laid to rest the agitating discourse over who truly won the 2023 presidential election and met the constitutional requirements as laid out by law, I want to reiterate that my faith in our nation’s judiciary has never been shaken, not even for a moment, because I know that our hallowed courts of law will not fail to administer justice to all Nigerians in all matters and at all times.
“Despite the fusillade of pressure and attempts at intimidation by some political actors, the judiciary demonstrated its unequivocal commitment to upholding the rule of law for the upliftment and defense of humanity.
“It was affirmed once more today, that my party, the governing All Progressives’ Congress, had freely and fairly won the popular mandate of Nigerians, which has since given rise to my leadership of this great nation at a tumultuous period of unprecedented reforms in our history as a nation.
“The victory at the courts have further reinforced my commitment to serve Nigeria and its citizens, adding that with the victory, his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda will now gain fresh momentum.
“With deep gratitude to God Almighty, I solemnly and humbly accept today’s judicial victory with an intense sense of responsibility and a burning desire to meet the great challenges confronting our people.
“The victory of today has further energised and strengthened my commitment to continue to serve all Nigerians of all political persuasions, tribes, and faiths, with honour and total respect for the diverse opinions and uniting values of our citizens.
“Our Renewed Hope agenda for a greater and prosperous Nigeria has further gained momentum and I will continue to work from morning to night, every single day, to build a country that meets our collective yearnings and aspirations.
“We are all members of one household, and this moment demands that we continue to work and build our country together. The strength of our diversity and the great citizenship that binds us must now compel us forward in directing the energy of our people towards building a virile, stronger, united, and more prosperous country.
“With the conclusion of all legal contentions over his electoral victory, the spirit of patriotism would be elevated by all citizens, calling for all hands to be on deck for the good of all.
“In the days and months ahead, I trust that the spirit of patriotism will be elevated into supporting our administration to improve the living conditions of Nigerians. I am prepared to welcome the contributions of all Nigerians to foster and strengthen our collective progress.
“I send my immense gratitude to all Nigerians for the mandate to serve our country. I promise again to meet and exceed your expectations in service delivery and good governance, working with my team and trusting in the grace of God.
“May God continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
[Nation]
FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike has stated that after President Bola Tinubu finishes his tenure, he would vote for him if he contests a second time.
He made this known while hosting some members of the All Progressives Congress today, October 26, hours after the supreme court affirmed the victory of President Bola Tinubu.
Wike stated that he has no regrets about supporting President Tinubu in the last general election because he was out to ensure equity and justice.
Insisting that he owes no one an apology, Wike promised to carry the Rivers APC and all Nigerians along, adding that he would never discriminate against anyone on the basis of religion, ethnicity or political affiliations.
He said;
“Let me say clearly and to the hearing of everyone: we owe a duty to continue to support Mr President irrespective of the political party we belong. My position is not hidden. I owe nobody no apologies that I stand firm with Tinubu. I stand for equity, fairness and justice.
“I thank God today that the battle has ended to the glory of God. We are all members of the Nigerian state and therefore it is important for all of us to also understand that the Nigerian state does not belong to a particular person or group.
“A country of this nature, if A takes, the next opportunity should go to B. Inclusivity. So, I am not going to discriminate against anyone. I am here for Nigerians. I am here for those who are members of political parties and those who are not members of any political party.
“Mr. President, having emerged, is not the President of APC. He is the President of Nigeria. Of course, while he is governing Nigeria, he must also take care of the interests of his political party, no one can argue that. It is natural.
“The interest of Rivers State is key. What will benefit our state is what we must always project. I am not a member of the APC but I believe that the support for Asiwaju was necessary.
“Looking at all the candidates from the South, I knew that nobody could defeat Asiwaju. The capacity and political will to take action; he has it. Most of you worked for Asiwaju. Those who didn’t work for Asiwaju we know. It was not hidden. It was clear.
“I am not a politician for self. I am a politician for all. Not ‘me, me, me’. Nobody does that. Any person who does that does not want to survive because, at the end of the day, you need people.
“But be assured that all of us are working together for President Bola Tinubu. I am sure in the next election, those who scored 2,000 would not get 50 votes again because we have nothing to give anybody again because our votes would go for President Bola Tinubu.”
More...
Grammy-winning Nigerian singer, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has said that her only competition in music is herself.
According to her, nobody can compete with her musically.
The Oscar-nominated diva spoke in a recent interview with Hot 97 FM, New York.
She said, “I’m competitive within myself but I’m not competitive with other artists. Nobody can compete with me.
“I’m original. I have had children. But also, I’m just all about being true to myself. My music is for people that relate to it. So my music is coming from me. And my music is my outlet.
“I started making music because I didn’t have friends. I had something to say and I didn’t have anyone to say it to. So, I would just sing it. I will write it in a song and record it on my phone. I was doing that for years.
“So, music is my outlet. Whether anybody listens to it or not, I’ve to release it. Whether it does or not, it’s none of my business. But I need to release it. And it’s for the people that can connect with it and are going through the same thing.”
Tems added that she had never imagined all the accolades she has received so far, stressing that she just wanted to sing.
Billboard Music Awards: Organisers introduce Afrobeats categories, nominate Rema, Wizkid, others
AdminTop Afrobeats Artist and Top Afrobeats Song were among the nine new categories unveiled this year by organisers of the Billboard Music Awards.
The others are the top global K-pop artist, top K-pop tour, top K-pop album, and top global K-pop song.
The Nigerian quartet of Rema, Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Tems were nominated in the maiden Top Afrobeats Artist category as well as Cameroonian diva, Libianca.
Rema’s ‘Calm Down’ with Selena Gomez, Ayra Starr’s ‘Rush’, Oxlade’s ‘Ku Lo Sa’, Libianca’s ‘People’, and Victony’s ‘Soweto’ with Rema and Don Toliver were nominated in the maiden Top Afrobeats Song category.
In addition, Rema’s ‘Calm Down’ with Selena Gomez was also nominated in the Top Billboard Collaboration, Top Billboard Excl. U.S. Song, Top Billboard Global 200 Song, and Top Radio Song categories, bringing his nominations to a total of seven.
The nominations for this year’s Billboard Music Awards were announced by the organisers on Thursday via their website and social media handles.
American superstar, Taylor Swift leads the nominees with 20 nominations, including Top Artist, Top Female Artist, Top Billboard 200 Artist, and Top Hot 100 Artist.
The 2023 Billboard Music Award is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 19, and will be presented by Marriott Bonvoy.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has affirmed that he has no regrets about supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election. He further pledged to mobilize electoral support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.
Wike made this declaration in Abuja while hosting leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Rivers State, led by the National Vice Chairman, South-South, Victor Giadom.
He emphasized that it is crucial to support the president regardless of one’s political affiliation and that he stands for equity, fairness, and justice. He emphasized that the Nigerian state belongs to all and that inclusivity is essential.
Wike stated that, as a political leader, he is there for all Nigerians, regardless of their political affiliations or lack thereof. He emphasized that while President Buhari is the President of the APC, he is also the President of Nigeria, and governance must benefit all Nigerians.
Wike acknowledged the need for the support he and others provided to Tinubu during the election, emphasizing Tinubu’s capacity and political will. He pledged to work with all members, including those who supported Tinubu and those who did not.
In response, Giadom praised Wike for his support of President Tinubu and requested that members of the Rivers APC be carried along in the process.
Aisha Yesufu, a rights activist and co-convener of the #BringBackOurGirls campaign, has once again made it clear that President Bola Tinubu is not her president. She reaffirmed this statement following the Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of Tinubu.
A seven-man panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice John Okoro, upheld Tinubu’s victory, rejecting the petition of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, stating that it lacked merit.
Aisha Yesufu, known for her vocal criticism of the ruling All Progressives Congress and her previous criticisms of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration over issues like insecurity, used her social media platform to express her stance. She reiterated, “Let me repeat, Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not my President.”
Supreme Court upholds President Tinubu’s election
The Supreme Court, on Thursday, affirmed President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as the valid winner of the presidential election that held in the country on February 25.
The apex court, in its lead judgement that was prepared and read by Justice Inyang Okoro, held that there was no merit in the petition that a former President and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, filed to nullify the outcome of the election.
It held that Atiku did not prove that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, did not substantially comply with provisions of the Electoral Act, in the conduct of the election.
The apex court held that section 185(1) of the Evidence Act provided that an election should not be liable to be invalidated, when alleged non compliance did not substantially affect the outcome of an election.
It held that evidence contained in the record of the appeal showed that the Appellants abandoned the duty imposed on them by the law to not only prove the alleged non compliance, but to establish that failure of INEC to transmit results of the election through its IReV portal, influenced the outcome of the presidential poll.