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Binanin Vs Fintiri: Supreme Court reserves judgement in Adamawa Guber Tussle.
From Lateef Taiwo
The Supreme Court, on Monday, reserved its judgement on the fresh appeal brought before it by the All Progressives Congress, APC, and its candidate, Senator Aisha Dahiru Binani, to contest the declaration of Umar Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the Governor of Adamawa State.
After taking arguments from parties in the
appeal, a five-member panel of the Supreme Court led by Justice Inyang Okoro, adjourned the matter for judgement.
Binani’s legal team led by cheif Akin Olujinmi, SAN, and Fintiri’s legal team headed by Damian Dodo,SAN both adopted final briefs of argument on behalf of their clients.
Binani, in her appeal asked the apex court to unseat Fintiri as governor of Adamawa State.
The appellant urged the Supreme Court to set aside the concurrent verdicts of the Court of Appeal and the Adamawa State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, which upheld Fintiri’s re-election.
Binani held that she won majority of valid votes cast during the March 18 Governorship election held in the state and was validly declared the winner by the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC.
Fintiri’s lawyer, however disagreed and urged the apex court to dismiss the appeal and uphold his election victory.
Recall that the appellate court had in a judgement it delivered on December 18, 2023, dismissed Senator Dahiru’s appeal, even as it awarded a cost of N1million against her.
While affirming the election of governor Fintiri’s election the appellate court held that Senator Dahiru’s appeal was vague.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had at the end of a supplementary election that held in Adamawa State, announced that Fintiri polled 430,861 votes to defeat Senator Dahiru of the APC who got a total of 398,788 votes.
Dissatisfied with the outcome of the poll, Binani approached the tribunal, alleging that the election was fraught with corrupt practices and manifest non-compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.
She urged the Justice Theodora Obi Uloho-led tribunal to declare that she was the valid winner of the governorship election, a prayer the panel refused and dismissed her petition.
While affirming the decision of the tribunal, the appellate court, in its lead verdict that was read by Justice Ebiowei Tobi, held that the 27 grounds of appeal the APC candidate brought before it, lacked competence.
It held that the Appellants failed to by way of credible evidence, substantiate the allegations they raised against the outcome of the election, stressing that their claim that electoral fraud took place in 14,104 polling units in the state, was not proved.
Also, the court noted that the record of proceedings transmitted from the tribunal, as well as the briefs of argument that were filed by the Appellants, were incomplete.
The appellate court further emphasised that only a Returning Officer at an election has the statutory power to declare results of the election.
Meanwhile, the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had earlier granted INEC the permission to prosecute its suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in Adamawa State, Hudu Yunusa-Ari.
Yunusa-Ari is facing a six-count charge over alleged unlawful role he played in the Adamawa State governorship election that held on March 18.
INEC had initially declared that the gubernatorial election was inconclusive and ordered a supplementary poll.
However, midway into the collation of results of the supplementary poll that held on April 15, the suspended Adamawa REC, Yunusa-Ari, sidelined protocols and announced the APC candidate, Binani, as the winner.
This led to INEC placing Yunusa-Ari on indefinite suspension and voiding his declaration.
Investigations by Nigerian Concord Newspaper reveal that the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Mr. Pius Akutah, has allegedly misappropriated public funds for a lavish lifestyle.
According to our findings, within months of assuming office, Akutah allegedly purchased a bulletproof SUV valued at approximately N850 million. In addition, he is reported to have acquired over twenty exotic SUVs for use as a convoy.
Akutah is also said to have acquired multiple high-value properties, including three in Abuja’s Maitama and Asokoro districts worth over N2 billion, and two in Lagos’ Banana Island valued at N1.8 billion. These acquisitions appear far beyond the scope of his official salary and allowances.
Further investigation suggests that Akutah may be using public funds to support political ambitions, including allegedly grooming militants across 23 local government areas in Benue State for a potential 2027 gubernatorial bid.
Staff of the Shippers Council reportedly claim that Akutah frequently accesses the council’s treasury without proper authorization. Some insiders have indicated that a petition will soon be filed with the EFCC, ICPC, and the Presidency to report his alleged misconduct.
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Investigations by Nigerian Concord Newspaper reveal that the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Mr. Pius Akutah, has allegedly misappropriated public funds for a lavish lifestyle.
According to our findings, within months of assuming office, Akutah allegedly purchased a bulletproof SUV valued at approximately N850 million. In addition, he is reported to have acquired over twenty exotic SUVs for use as a convoy.
Akutah is also said to have acquired multiple high-value properties, including three in Abuja’s Maitama and Asokoro districts worth over N2 billion, and two in Lagos’ Banana Island valued at N1.8 billion. These acquisitions appear far beyond the scope of his official salary and allowances.
Further investigation suggests that Akutah may be using public funds to support political ambitions, including allegedly grooming militants across 23 local government areas in Benue State for a potential 2027 gubernatorial bid.
Staff of the Shippers Council reportedly claim that Akutah frequently accesses the council’s treasury without proper authorization. Some insiders have indicated that a petition will soon be filed with the EFCC, ICPC, and the Presidency to report his alleged misconduct.
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I am writing to felicitate with Your Excellency, Atku Abubakar, GCON, former Vice-President of Nigeria (Zege Mule u Tiv & Wazirin Adamawa)
on the occasion of your 79th birthday anniversary.
I join your teeming admirers globally in celebrating you on this special day, an adorable Statesman and my Boss.
I recall with nostalgia, how countless generations have benefited from your generosity, wealth of experience and benevolence including being my key benefactor even as a young lawyer for my professional success.
Your Excellency, may your special day be filled with grandeur befitting your illustrious career.
I wish you continued success, prosperity, and an unending stream of accolades.
It takes a remarkable kind of fortitude to remain active in public life well into one’s golden years. Your dedication and patriotism remain truly exceptional.
May you enjoy a day of reflection on your many years of fruitful service to humanity. It is my prayer that God Almighty grants you many more healthy, fruitful, and fulfilling years ahead, and continues to endow you with wisdom, strength, and the grace to keep contributing to our nation-building.
Happy Birthday, Your Excellency.
Michael Kaase Aondoakaa SAN.
Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice
TAU reaffirms commitment to globally competitive learning
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