| UPDATED AT 19.15 GMT Tribunal okays Atiku's petition against Yar'Adua
Moves by the Presidency to terminate the petition filed before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal by the presidential candidate of the Action Congress (AC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, against the victory of Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar'Adua at the April 21 polls on Thursday suffered a setback. Yar'Adua and his deputy, Goodluck Jonathan, had through their legal team comprising Chief Wole Olanipekun, Dr. Alex Iziyon and Damien Dodo, all Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) filed a preliminary objection, challenging the competence of Atiku's petition and the jurisdiction of the tribunal on the said petition. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Independent National Electoral Commission also filed similar objections against the petition. Ruling on the tripartite preliminary objections, the Tribunal held that Atiku's petition was "competent" and would thus be heard on its merit and consequently threw out the set of objections. Accordingly to the chairman of the five-man panel, Justice James Ogebe, "this panel has full jurisdiction to entertain this petition to enable parties ventilate their grievances. The preliminary objections filed against the petition failed and they are hereby dismissed''. The Tribunal also hinted that it would explore the possibility of consolidating Atiku's petition with that of former Head of State and presidential candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) when it reconvenes next week Tuesday. Gunmen kill seven-month-old baby in Rivers
Gunmen on Thursday invaded a family house in Ogoloma Community in Okirika Local Government Area of Rivers State, killing a seven- month -old baby girl, Godsgift Lima and injuring her parents in the process. The baby's father, Mr. Lima, said the hoodlums, numbering four, stormed his home at about 2.55a.m, armed with a locally made pistol and an axe and shot twice before proceeding to search for money. He said the gang on discovery that there was no money in the house after a long search, shot the baby who was lying in-between the father and the mother out of annoyance. Lima disclosed that the gunmen also shot his wife on the forehead and breast, before shooting him on his right shoulder blade. Lima, who is currently receiving treatment along with his wife at a hospital in Okirika, said the gunmen's intention was not strictly to rob them of their money, but to take his life. The hoodlums however, took away handsets owned by Lima as confirmed by the wife who did not disclose her name to The Guardian. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mrs. Ireju Barasua, when contacted, said she was yet to obtain information from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the area. Turkey indicts cop over death of Nigerian
Efforts by the Federal Government to accord dignity to Nigerians abroad may have started yielding fruits as the Turkish Attorney-General has filed a formal indictment against an unnamed police officer for the death of a Nigerian, Mr. Festus Okey. The Foreign Affairs Ministry said on Thursday in Abuja that the police officer was being indicted for " murder with conscious negligence." Recently, another Nigerian, Osamuyi Aikpitanhi died aboard an airline in the hands of Spanish security officials while being repatriated home. The curious deaths of Okey and Aipkitanhi sparked major demonstrations across Europe by Nigerians resident there. Okey, who was living in Istanbul, Turkey, was killed by Turkish Police last month. Responding to The Guardian's enquiry on the matter, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said: " The recent action on the part of the Turkish authorities was a result of the pressure from the ministry and the Nigerian mission in Turkey on the authorities to investigate the brutal murder of the deceased. Nigeria, Canada, IFPRI to sign agric pact
The Federal Government is to kick-start a tripartite agricultural policy support programme with the Canadian government and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, Ama Pepple said on Thursday at a workshop on implementing the Agricultural Policy Support Facility (APSF) in Abuja that the move was in line with government's commitment to repositioning the country as one of the 20 leading economies by year 2020. She said in the pursuit of the agenda, attention was being focused on eight critical areas of policy intervention that would enhance food security. The areas, according to Pepple, are integrated rural development, special rural development scheme for the Niger Delta, agricultural land reform and integrated livestock and fisheries development, among others. She said government placed high priority on rapid acceleration of rural growth and poverty elimination. Abductors free teenage Rivers prince
The kidnapped 13-year-old son of former Rivers State Deputy Governor and monarch of Evo Kingdom, Eze Frank Eke, Echemadu Eke, has been released by his captors to his parents. The monarch told The Guardian on telephone that his son was released at about 6a.m. on Thursday. He explained that the kidnappers having realised that he was not prepared to pay them any ransom decided to free the teenager. Eke who served as deputy governor in the old Rivers State between 1979 and 1983, said he expressed gratitude to God and the security agents for ensuring that his son was released unharmed and without any payment of ransom. Eke said: "when he was picked up this morning (Thursday), he was still wearing his school uniform and carrying his school bag. I am happy and thankful to God. I am very, very happy that I got him back alive and well." Echemadu, who lives with his mother, left home on Monday morning and never returned. But on Tuesday morning his captors called his father to demand for a N50 million ransom. The state Director of State Security Service (SSS), Mr. Adeola Ajayi, confirmed the release of Echemadu, and corroborated his father's claim that no ransom was paid to secure his release. | | |
