PDP Rejects Tribunal’s Verdict, Heads To Court Of Appeal: Edo

PDP rejects tribunal’s verdict, heads to Court of Appeal: Edo. The Edo chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has rejected the judgment of the election petition tribunal.

The Edo chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has rejected the judgment of the election petition tribunal.

The Edo election tribunal in Abuja on Wednesday upheld the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo and dismissed the PDP and Asue Ighodalo’s petitions.

In a statement by Tony Aziegbemi, the chairman of the PDP caretaker committee, said its candidate was duly elected by the majority of the voters in the September 21, 2024, governorship election.
Mr Aziegbemi said the PDP was certain that it sufficiently proved its case before the tribunal.

He said, “The Edo Election Petition Tribunal has delivered its ruling on our petition, challenging the result of the governorship election held September 21, 2024. Although we hold the judiciary in the highest esteem as a political party and respect the judgment, we completely disagree with the decision of the tribunal.

“We believe, without any doubt, that our candidate, in the election, was duly elected by the majority of the voters in that election. We are also certain that we sufficiently proved our case before the tribunal.”

Mr Aziegbemi added, “It is on the back of this conviction that we call on all our members to quickly rise up from the ashes of this temporary setback as we take our matter to the appellate courts.

“As firm believers in the rule of law and the ultimate superiority of right over wrong. We call on all our supporters to keep hope alive as we explore all available democratic means of enthroning the will of the people of Edo.”

The three-member panel led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi passed its verdict in a unanimous judgment, stressing that the petitioners failed to prove its allegations of over-voting and electoral non-compliance.

The tribunal held that it was the duty of a petitioner to prove its electoral malpractice allegations against INEC and not the other way around.

On the petitioners’ allegations that the number of votes cast was greater than the number of registered voters in disputed polling units, the judge agreed with the defendants that the petitioners failed to present polling unit agents and presiding officers to prove it.

Court Of Appeal

The judge said it was “clear to us that the documents tendered from the bar(by the petitioners) were dumped on the tribunal without any competent witness” to substantiate the claims of over-voting and electoral non-compliance.

“These witnesses (presented by the petitioners comprising local government agents and others) are total strangers,” the judge stressed. “The failure of the petitioners (PDP and Ighodalo) in this case to call polling unit agents and registered voters is fatal to their case.”

The judge also faulted the PDP for dumping the BVAS machines before the tribunal without calling competent witnesses to turn them on and demonstrate its claims of over-voting.

EFCC Tenders More Evidence Against Kore Holdings oOn Alleged $9.6b P&ID Scam

EFCC Tenders more Evidence against Kore Holdings on Alleged $9.6b P&ID Scam. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Wednesday, April 2, 2025 tendered additional evidence against Kore Holdings Limited before Justice J. O. Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court Abuja.

The Commission is prosecuting the company alongside Muhammed Kuchazi (now deceased) in connection with the Process & Industrial Development, P&ID fraud portfolio on amended four-count charges that border on non-compliance with Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment requirements, money laundering and other illegal acts.

At Wednesday’s proceedings, Second Prosecution Witness, PW2, Umar Hussein Babangida, while being led in his testimony by prosecution counsel, Bala Sangha, advanced eleven documents which were tendered in evidence in court. They include, a letter of request to Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, letter of request to Special Control Unit against Money Laundering, SCUML, extra-judicial statements of Kuchazi which he voluntarily made to the EFCC, statements of other directors of the company: Mustapha Kuchazi, Bello Kuchazi, Belkisu Kuchazi, Aisha Kuchazi and statement of PW1, Temitope Erinomo.

EFCC

The witness, while disclosing that Kore Holdings Limited was not a liquidated entity but was active and did businesses in Nigeria, submitted that “The status of Kore Holdings Limited through our investigation and interaction with Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC and First Bank of Nigeria Limited revealed that there was no evidence to show that it was liquidated or closed up because the documents showed that the company is active.

“Kore Holding Limited and Muhammed Kuchazi continually facilitated meetings between Rilwanu Lukman, the then Minister of Petroleum and the Process and Industrial Developments, P&ID for a fee of three per cent of the net profit of P&ID project which led Kuchazi to testify against the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the High Court of England and Wales in the matter of Nigeria Vs P&ID in the first quarter of 2023 in which judgment was delivered in favour of Nigeria,” he said.

Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter till September 24, 2025 for continuation of trial.

Police Mark Sagamu Interchange As Crime Black Spot, Intensify Surveillance: Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

Police mark Sagamu Interchange as crime black spot, intensify surveillance: Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. According to Ms Odutola, security measures are being taken in response to recent concerns about security on the axis.

The police command in Ogun says it has beefed up security at the Sagamu Interchange on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to ensure the safety of residents and commuters.

CSP Omolola Odutola, the command’s spokesperson, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

According to Ms Odutola, security measures are being taken in response to recent concerns about security on the axis.

She explained that police commissioner Lanre Ogunlowo had proactively led efforts to reinforce security at the Sagamu Interchange section on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Ms Odutola said operatives from the Quick Response Squad, OP Mesa and Mobile Police Squadrons 71 had been strategically stationed at key locations in the area.

The police spokesperson, however, listed the locations under the bridge, at the roundabouts, and along the inward and outward routes of the four intersections.

“A two-hour assessment of the area conducted by the commissioner of police revealed illegal trading activities and presence of touts.

“Earlier in the day, a criminal hideout was discovered in the surrounding bush at the interchange, and three suspects were arrested.

Police

“Thereafter, an immediate disbandment of illegal trading activities under the interchanged bridge was carried out,” she said.

The command’s spokesman urged citizens to remain vigilant and avoid falling victim to criminal activities. She advised commuters to plan their travels early to minimise security risks.

Ms Odutola assured us of increased security presence, collaborative efforts by sister security agencies, and continued support from the Ogun government on highways in the state.