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INEC fixes all pending by-elections for Oct. 31
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has fixed Oct. 31 for the conduct of the 12 pending constituencies by-elections in the country.
The commission disclosed this in a statement by Mr Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, in Abuja on Tuesday.
He said that the commission would have long conducted the by-elections but for the current COVID-19 pandemic.
“Since then, the commission has developed a policy on the conduct of elections in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It also revised its regulations and guidelines and engaged with health authorities and stakeholders on conducting elections in an environment that guarantees both credibility and public safety.
“The commission has also successfully conducted the bye-election to fill the vacancy in the Nasarawa Central State Constituency and is going ahead with the conduct of governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states on the 19th Sept. 19 and Oct. 10, respectively,” he said.
The pending by-elections are Bayelsa Central Senatorial District; Bayelsa West Senatorial District; Nganzai and Bayo Constituencies in Borno State; Cross River North Senatorial District; Obudu Constituency in Cross River.
Others are Imo North Senatorial District; Lagos East Senatorial District; Kosofe II Constituency in Lagos State; Plateau South Senatorial District; Bakura Constituency in Zamfara; and Ibaji Constituency in Kogi.
Okoye said that the decision was taken after reviewing preparations for Edo and Ondo states’ governorship elections as well as all outstanding by-elections.
Okoye said that the by-elections in the federal and state legislative houses were due to resignation or death of members in eight states of the federation.
“By the harmonized timetable, the commission will give the notice of election on Aug. 17 while political parties will conduct their primaries to nominate candidates between Aug. 24 and Sept. 8.
“Submission of forms and personal particulars of candidates will commence on Sept. 9 and close at 6p.m. on Sept. 13,” he said.
Okoye added that the timetable and schedule of activities for the by-elections had been uploaded on the commission’s website and social media platforms.
He added that INEC’s attention had also been drawn to the existence of vacancies in Isi-Uzo Constituency in Enugu State and Bakori Constituency in Katsina State.
He, however, said vacancies had not been formally declared by the Speakers of the affected state assemblies.
He implored concerned stakeholders, particularly political parties, to take note of the timelines in the schedule and strictly adhere to them. (NAN)
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London Property Dispute Exposes Alleged Corruption, Forgery by Nigerian Politician and Lawyer
By Hassan Taiye
A recent judgment by the UK’s First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) has shed light on a complex web of alleged corruption and forgery involving a Nigerian politician and a senior lawyer. The case revolves around a disputed property in North London, valued at 79 Randall Avenue.
The property was purchased in 1993 under the name “Tali Shani,” which is allegedly an alias for late General Jeremiah Useni, a powerful member of the Abacha regime. Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, claimed the property was gifted to him by “Mr. Tali Shani” in 2021 as payment for legal services. However, the tribunal dismissed this claim, describing it as “fabricated” and “fraudulent.”
The tribunal’s ruling highlights the alleged involvement of Ozekhome and his associates in fabricating documents, including a Nigerian passport, National Identification Number (NIN), and Tax Identification Number (TIN). The NIN was reportedly created remotely from Monaco using a non-compliant photograph and bypassing biometric requirements ¹.
The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate Ozekhome and others over alleged fraud, forgery, and unlawful attempt to acquire the London property. The ICPC has launched an investigation, and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) has also taken notice of the case ²
Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN Senior lawyer accused of forgery and attempting to acquire the property through fraudulent means.
General Jeremiah Useni Late Nigerian General allegedly behind the purchase of the property under the alias “Tali Shani.”
Osilama Ozekhome*: Ozekhome’s son, implicated in the alleged forgery and fraud.
L-r Senate Committee Chairman on Appropriation, Solomon Adeola; Senate Deputy Whip, Onyekachi Nweboyin; Former Senate President, Ahmad Lawan; President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; Senator Sharafadeen Ali; Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau; Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele; Senate Whip Tahir Monguno and Senate Committee Chairman on Financial Institutions, Tokunbo Abiru, after resumption of plenary yesterday. Photo: Senate President’s Office
By: Fabian Apechihin
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has resigned from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet amid a growing controversy surrounding his academic credentials.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga confirmed Nnaji’s resignation in a statement issued late Tuesday.
Nnaji’s exit follows mounting allegations that his academic certificates were forged. Investigations revealed that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), disowned the Bachelor of Science degree he claimed to possess, stating that he never completed his studies at the institution and was therefore not issued any certificate.
According to UNN Vice-Chancellor Prof. Simon U. Ortuanya, Nnaji was admitted in 1981 but failed to meet the requirements for graduation.
In a related development, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) reportedly disowned the certificate of national service presented by Nnaji, describing it as fake.
His resignation marks the latest in a series of controversies to hit the Tinubu administration over questions of integrity and accountability among public officials.
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