Law
Appeal Court Strikes Out Sylva’s Petition, Upholds Diri’s Tribunal Victory
Appeal Court Strikes Out Sylva’s Petition, Upholds Diri’s Tribunal Victory
By Tobouke JEMINE
The Court of Appeal in Abuja dismissed Timipre Sylva’s petition challenging the Bayelsa governorship election results. The court upheld Governor Douye Diri’s re-election victory, deeming Sylva’s appeal incompetent and lacking merit
The three-man panel of Justices of the Court of Appeal led by Justice Adekunle Adeleye, while delivering its judgement, upheld Governor Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party re-election victory.
The court held that it found no reason to set aside the earlier judgment of the tribunal which refused to nullify the outcome of the governorship poll held in the state on November 11, 2023.
The appellate court also ruled that Ewhrudjakpo’s educational qualifications were previously validated by a court of competent jurisdiction. Additionally, the tribunal acknowledged that Ewhrudjakpo is a legal practitioner and determined that he was fully qualified to run for election.
The court dismissed Sylvia’s appeal for being incompetent and lacking in merit, and awarded N500,000 each as a cost in favour of the respondents.
IduwiniVoice
By Tobouke Jemine
Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Afam Osigwe, has emerged as the president-elect of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) following the 2024 NBA election held online.
Osigwe, a former Secretary-General of the NBA, secured the highest number of votes, with 20,395, surpassing his closest rival, Tobenna Erojikwe, who garnered 10,970 votes, and Chukwuka Ikwuazom (SAN), who received 9,007 votes.
Osigwe will succeed the outgoing president, Yakubu Maikyau (SAN).
In other election results:
1st Vice-President: Sabastine Anyia with 12,114 votes, defeating Bartholomew Aguegbodo, who received 6,864 votes.
2nd Vice-President: Mrs. Bolatumi Animashaun with 26,534 votes, defeating Pius Oiwoh, who scored 11,121 votes.
3rd Vice-President: Mrs. Zainab Garba with 23,550 votes, defeating Michael Olorunmola, who received 13,897 votes.
General Secretary: Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara with 25,713 votes, defeating Abdulwasiu Alfa, who received 11,730 votes.
Assistant General Secretary: Henry Ehi with 28,552 votes, defeating Oluwaseun Aka, who received 8,317 votes.
Treasurer: Mrs. Blessing Udofa-Poromon with 17,998 votes, defeating Mbamala Chukwuemeka, who garnered 9,825 votes.
Welfare Secretary: Nyada Auta with 18,369 votes, defeating Oaikhena Osagie, who scored 12,855 votes.
Assistant Publicity Secretary: Miss Ebiere Ekpese with 26,955 votes, defeating Lawrence Ayewa, who scored 9,690 votes.
© 2024 Vanguard Media Limited, Nigeria
IduwiniVoice
CHILD CUSTODY: BBNAIJA PERE CHIDES DAVIDO’S SOPHIA MOMODU…
By Tobouke JEMINE
BBNaija’s Pere has scolded Davido’s baby mama ,Sophia Momodu for denying the Afroboat icon joint custody of their daughter, Imade.
According to him: “No child should be denied knowing and spending time with and being a part of their father’s life”
Slamming Sophia via his social media handle, the BBNAIJA star and actor wrote, “You ain’t cool with the dad; that’s not the child’s fault. Some women are just unbelievable.”
IduwiniVoice
Hon. Amietimi Isiayei Gives Legal Perspectives on the Call for State and LGs Creation
By Tobouke JEMINE
Following the renewed call by the human and environmental rights activist, Comr. Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli for the creation of Toru-Ebe State and additional local government areas in Bayelsa State, Isiayei Amietimi Esq., the Senior Legislative Aide to Hon. Agbedi Frederick (the Member Representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency in the House of Representative), has given some legal grounds upon which the issue could be built.
Read his response below:
MY OPINION
The issue of creating an additional Toru-ebe State out of Delta, Edo and Ondo should be sponsored by the National Assembly members representing the states concerned. National Assembly members from Bayelsa State would be nothing but meddlesome Interlopers if they sponsor a Bill to that effect. They can only support the Bill.
On the issue of creation of additional local government areas in Bayelsa State we were ready to draft a Bill to that effect a month ago but discovered that by virtue of Section 8 (3) of the 1999 Constitution as amended the process starts from the State House of Assembly. Our representatives at the National Assembly become involved and put the icing on the cake at the final stage by virtue of Section 8(5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
The relevant provisions concerning the creation of new local government areas is posted here for you to draw your conclusion.
Section 8:
(3) A bill for a Law of a House of Assembly for the purpose of
creating a new local government area shall only be passed if –
(a) a request supported by at least two-thirds majority of members (representing the area demanding the creation of the new local
government area) in each of the following, namely-
(i) the House of Assembly in respect of the area, and
(ii) the local government councils in respect of the area,
is received by the House of Assembly;
(b) a proposal for the creation of the local government area
is thereafter approved in a referendum by at least two-thirds
majority of the people of the local government area where the
demand for the proposed local government area originated;
(c) the result of the referendum is then approved by a simple
majority of the members in each local government council in a
majority of all the local government councils in the State; and
(d) the result of the referendum is approved by a resolution
passed by two-thirds majority of members of the House of
Assembly.
(5) An Act of the National Assembly passed in accordance with
this section shall make consequential provisions with respect to
the names and headquarters of State or local government areas as
provided in section 3 of this Constitution and in Parts I and II of the
First Schedule to this Constitution.