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Just In: Supreme Court Declares Rivers LG Election Invalid, Null, Void
The Supreme Court on Friday declared as invalid, illegal, null and void, the local government election conducted in Rivers state on October 5, 2024, and won by the All Peoples Party, APP.
The apex court held that the election was invalid because all conditions precedent billed to be implemented were jettisoned by Rivers State Electoral Commission.
Specifically, Justice Jamilu Tukur who delivered the lead verdict held that the council poll was conducted in gross violation of section 150 of the Electoral Act 2022.
A Federal High Court in Abuja had on September 30, 2024 stopped the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from releasing voters register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, for the purpose of conducting the October 5, 2024 local government elections in the state.
The court had also barred the Inspector General of Police IGP and the Department of the State Services, DSS, from providing security.
Justice Peter Lifu issued the order against INEC while delivering judgment in a suit brought before him by the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The suit was argued on behalf of the APC by a team of lawyers comprising Joseph Daudu, Sebastine Hon and Ogwu James Onoja, all SANs.
Justice Lifu held that the RSIEC was wrong in fixing the October 5, 2024 date for the conduct of the poll into the 23 local governments when all relevant laws guiding the election had not been complied with.
Among others, the judge held that the failure of the Rivers electoral body violated provisions of local government election conduct law for not publishing the mandatory 90 days notice before fixing the date.
Justice Peter Lifu also held that the update and revision of voter register ought to have been concluded before an election date can be legally and validity fixed in law.
The judge therefore ordered INEC not to make the certified voter register available to RSIEC until the law has been fully complied with.
Justice Peter Lifu also barred RSIEC from accepting any voter register from INEC or using it for the purpose of the October 5, 2024 local government poll.
Aliko Dangote, Chairman of Dangote Industries, through his legal representative, has formally submitted a corruption petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Farouk Ahmed, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
This was disclosed in a statement made available to our correspondent by the Dangote Group media team on Friday.
Recall that Dangote had earlier petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate Ahmed for allegedly spending $5 million on his children’s secondary education in Switzerland. He withdrew the petition a few days ago, even as the ICPC vowed to continue with its investigation.
The statement on Friday said Dangote’s petition to the EFCC followed “The withdrawal of the same petition from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, a strategic decision aimed at accelerating the prosecution process.”
In the petition, signed by Lead Counsel Dr O.J. Onoja, Dangote urged the EFCC to investigate allegations of abuse of office and corrupt enrichment against Ahmed, and to prosecute him if found culpable.
The petition further stated that Dangote would provide evidence to substantiate claims of financial misconduct and impunity.
“We make bold to state that the commission is strategically positioned, along with sister agencies, to prosecute financial crimes and corruption-related offences, and upon establishing a prima facie case, the courts do not hesitate to punish offenders. See Lawan v. F.R.N (2024) 12 NWLR (Pt. 1953) 501 and Shema v. F.R.N. (2018) 9 NWLR (Pt.1624) 337,” the petition read.
Onoja further urged the commission, under the leadership of Mr Olanipekun Olukoyede, “To investigate the complaint of abuse of office and corruption against Engr. Farouk Ahmed and to accordingly prosecute him if found wanting.”
The Rivers State House of Assembly formally recommenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.
This marks the second time within ten months that the state legislature has initiated such a move.
At a plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, the Majority Leader of the House, Major Jack, formally read the notice detailing allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara.
The notice, which was endorsed by 26 lawmakers, accused the governor of actions allegedly in violation of the Nigerian Constitution.
Amaewhule announced that the notice would be served on the governor within the next seven days.
During the same sitting, the Deputy Majority Leader, Linda Stewart, read the notice of allegations and gross misconduct leveled against Deputy Governor Ngozi Oduh.
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Supreme Court: President Has Power To Declare Emergency Rule, Remove Elected Officials
The Supreme Court has reaffirmed that the President holds the constitutional power to declare a state of emergency in any state where circumstances threaten public safety or governance.
According to the ruling, this authority may be exercised to prevent a serious breakdown of law and order or to stop conditions from deteriorating into chaos or anarchy.
The court emphasized that such powers are intended to safeguard national stability and ensure the continued functioning of democratic institutions when extraordinary situations arise.
It noted that emergency measures are justified only in exceptional cases where normal governance mechanisms are unable to effectively address escalating crises.
More details later…
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