By: Celestine Ukah

The candidate of the PDP for Warri Federal Constituency and Member Representing Warri Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Chief Dr. Thomas Ereyitomi has cast his ballot at his Polling unit in Ogidigben, , Warri South-West LGA, Delta State.

Chief Ereyitomi voted around 10:am at his polling centre in Ogidigben unit 15.

While commending INEC for early arrival
of materials and accreditation of voters, Chief Ereyitomi expressed confidence of emerging victorious at the poll.

In a chat with areanewsng.com , the PDP candidate urged all eligible voters to exercise their franchise orderly and be peaceful as victory is sure.

However Ogidigben has been described as being peaceful as at the time of filling this report.

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Chief Ereyitomi exercising his franchise at his polling unit in Ogidigben

*Ssys applicant Gwede is a busy body litigant, an interloper

Few weeks to governorship election, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, overcame another legsl hurdle as a Federal High Court in Abuja, gave judgment in his favour and PDP, saying that the applicant, Mr Jenkins Gwede, lacked locus and therefore, a busy body litigant.

Honourable Justice Ekwo came heavily on the Applicant while delivering his judgement on Suit No: FH/ABJ/CS/1918/2022, on Thursday 23rd February; and dismissed the case on the grounds that the litigant brought a frivolous action against the Respondents under unjustifiable cause of action.

The judge ruled that Mr Gwede lacked locus to file the suit, being the governorship candidate of Action Alliance Party in Delta State, and cited Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, which reserved locus to aspirants under same political party, and as such, Mr Jenkins Gwede’s suit suffered a fatal legal lacunas and goofed big time for involving himself in PDP internal affairs as member of another political party.

In swift reaction to the resounding Court Judgement in favour of PDP and her governorship candidate, Spokesperson of Delta PDP Campaign Council, Olorogun Barr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, applauded the ruling, saying that the judiciary which is the last hope of the common man has again proven to be reliable and dependable, especially in the instant case.

He commended the legal foresight and deep knowledge of the Law by PDP and Oborevwori’s legal team, noting that the interloper and busy body litigant, Mr Jenkins Gwede, who is a candidate of the unpopular Action Alliance party, was being used by political detractors of the Respondents without basic understanding of legal restrictions encapsulated in the Electoral Act.

“The Honourable Justice Ekwo of the Federal High Court 5, Abuja, today, the 23rd day of February, 2023, dismissed the suit filed by Jenkins Giane Duvie Gwede, seeking the disqualification of Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori.

“Gwede had filed the suit on the spurious ground that PDP did not submit Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori’s name to INEC. The Plaintiff’s based his cause of action on a counter affidavit deposed to by Oborevwori, in a totally different suit, which was pending at the Supreme Court at the time Gwede’s case was filed.

“Upon receipt of the suit, PDP and INEC’s team led by a legal luminary, Ekeme Ohwovoriole, SAN, and Ayo Asala, SAN, filed notices of preliminary objection challenging the Plaintiff’s locus standi to institute the suit.

“The learned Silks also filed a defence on the merit and exhibited Certified True Copy of INEC’s print out showing that PDP submitted Rt. Hon Sheriff’s name to INEC, and asked the Court to dismiss the suit.

“On February 8, 2023, arguments were taken by the trial Judge and judgment reserved for today, February 23, 2023.

“In its judgment, the Learned trial Judge agreed with all the points raised by PDP and Oborevwori’s legal team and subsequently dismissed the case on the strength of the preliminary objection.

“The court held amongst others, that Gwede, who is the governorship candidate of Action Alliance in Delta State, cannot challenge the qualification of PDP’s candidate under section 29(1) of the Electoral Act or under any other section of the Electoral Act, same having been reserved for only aspirants challenging their own political party’s primaries.

“The Court further held that the Plaintiff cannot base his case on a counter affidavit filed in another suit and which suit was still pending on appeal at the Supreme Court.

“On the whole, the Court described the suit as “strange” and came down heavily on the Plaintiff. The Court saw no need to waste precious judicial time on the merit of the case as the Plaintiff has no locus and did not disclose a cause of action.

“The case was consequently dismissed,” Oghenesivbe added.

As part of efforts to digitalise filing processes, the Lagos State judiciary has deployed Cinfores Court Management Information System, (CoMiS) to automate its filing processes.

The Lagos State Courts Management Information System for Magistrate and Small Claims Court (LagosCoMiS) was formally launched recently at the Lagos High Court in Ikeja, with the signing of the service level agreement between the state’s judiciary and the Cinfores.

The agreement was signed after a three-week test-run overseen by the ICT Committee chaired by Justice Rahaman Oshodi. Justice Oshodi, who delivered the committee’s report, scored the deployment and testing phase of the solution very high.

The event attracted Lagos Chief Judge (CJ), Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba, as well as judges, magistrates, lawyers, representatives of Cinfores and other stakeholders of the state judiciary.

In his presentation, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Cinfores Limited, Mr. Asawo Ibifuro, disclosed the operational modalities of the CoMis, explained various stages of the deployment test-phase, including general trainings for all categories of court personnel and registration of users on the LagosCoMiS portal.

“Approximately 49 court personnel, including registrars, magistrates, and bailiffs, were physically trained on the usage of the LagosCoMiS, while lawyers were provided with videos showing step-by-step processes of e-filing using the platform,” he explained.

He added that the training provided all teams with a fundamental overview of the LagosCoMiS solution, including its features and benefits. Over 350 users, including court personnel and private citizens, according to Mr. Asawo, have registered for e-Filing and e-Affidavit deposition on the LagosCoMiS.

“At the time of the launch, LagosCoMiS has received 66 electronic filings,” he said.

He assured that CoMiS is a robust system that seamlessly manages all court processes such as e-Filing, e-Assessment, Payments, Case (Suit) Number assignment, Case Assignment, Case Management, Applications Management, Probate Management, Lis Pendens Management, e-Notifications, among others with an embedded system for e-Affidavit generation and validation.

His words: “With this system, affidavits are safe, verifiable and secure. The Cinfores CoMiS is the court’s present and future. It is currently defining court as a service, rather than a location, through improved service delivery, which will support effective justice administration.

“CoMiS was first deployed in Rivers in March 2019, where it has continuously managed the state’s judiciary’s e-Filing activities. It has since been deployed to various courts across the country, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Customary Court of Appeal, Oyo State Judiciary, Kebbi State Judiciary and Osun State High Court, among others.

We’re PDP communities, we’re voting all PDP candidates – Chairmen declare

The campaign train of the Member Representing Warri Federal Constituency and also the Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP for the House of Representatives Warri Federal Constituency for the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly Election, Hon. Chief Dr. Thomas Ereyitomi JP received massive welcome and turnout of supporters from communities in Warri.

The various communities visited by the PDP and Chief Ereyitomi campaign team in their large numbers assured Chief Ereyitomi of voting massively for PDP and its candidates for the February 25 and March 11 polls, they noted that since 1999 till date they remained PDP occupied territory and shall always vote inline with their political believe and benefactor the PDP family that has brought development to their areas.

Some of the Communities visited that are under wards in Warri South Local Government Area include: Ugbori, Ekurede- Itsekiri, Okurede- Urhobo, Ogunu, Obodo- Omadino, Ubeji, Ifie, Aja-Etan, Agbarha-Warri, Ugbuwangue, Ijalla-Ikeren, Ugboritseduwa, Uwakeno, Ajamimogha and other communities in the LGA, they both echoed their total support for Ereyitomi for his second term reelection to continue representing Warri federal constituency at the National Assembly.

Chief Vincent Okudolor who’s an indigene of Okurode-Urhobo/Ogunu and also a Chieftain of PDP in Warri South assured Chief Ereyitomi of getting a return vote to the House of Reps from his people, while Chairman of Aja-Etan Community, Trust, Amb. Billy Ekele posited that Hon. Chief Thomas Ereyitomi is the best candidate and better Reps member for Warri Federal Constituency.

According to Amb. Ekele who was represented by Meyiwa Ejegi, Chief Ereyitomi has touched lives positively he is doing his best and remain the best candidate for Warri Reps position.

While addressing the communities, the Warri Rep Member and House of Representatives hopeful, Hon. Chief Thomas Ereyitomi JP commended Warri communities for their support assuring that he will always make laws for the good of the people and influence projects and empowerment to benefit all Warri federal constituents.

Chief Ereyitomi appealed to the people to vote him and all PDP candidates at the polls in order to enjoy more dividends of Democracy.

However the community to community campaign continues.

Hon. Justice Ejiro Emudainowho of the High Court, Warri delivered judgment today in Suit No. W/348/2016: CHUKS CHRISTIAN OFILI V. THE A.G DELTA STATE & DELTA STATE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY.

The Claimant’s counsel, Olukunle Ogheneovo Edun Esq explained that the Court entered judgment against the Defendants in the following terms:

1. A declaration that the provisions of sections 18(1) of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority Law, 2013 violently conflicts with the provisions of section 6(2), 6(5)(a) and 272(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and therefore unconstitutional, null and void l.

2. A declaration that the Defendants, their agents, servahts and/or officials lack the power under the law to impose fine, penalties and/or sanctions on any person that violates any provision of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority Law.

3. A declaration that the Defendants lack the vires/power to remove/confiscate the numbered plates of vehicle registeed as BB 951 AKD belonging to the Claimant.

4. A declaration that the Defendants lack the vires/power to impose a penalty or fine of N30,000 or any sum at all on the Claimant without first bringing a charge against him and conviction by a competent court of law.

5. A declaration that the failure of the Defendants and/or their agents, servants or officials to charge the Claimant before a competent court of law for him to be heard before the seizure of his vehicle plate number and imposition of a fine of N30,000 amounts to a flagrant violation of the Claimant’s right to fair hearing and freedom of movement under section 36(1) and 41(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended.

6. An order setting aside the purported “Notification of New Traffic Offences and Penalties” issued against the Claimant.

7. An order compelling the the Defendants to return forthwith the sum of N30,000 paid by the Claimant as a condition for the release of his plate number.

8. An order striking down the provisions of section 18(1) of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority Law, 2013 on the ground of inconsistency with the provisions of sections 6(2),6(5)(a) and 272(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.

9. The sum of N500, 000.00 as legal expenses incurred by the Claimant.

10. The sum of N300,000.00 as damages.

11. Interest of 10% on judgment sum per annum.

The Supreme Court has said its February 8 order barring the Federal Government and its agencies from enforcing the February 10 deadline for the use of old 200, 500 and 1000 naira notes still subsist.

The court made the clarification on Wednesday following complaint by lawyer to Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara states, Abdulhakeem Mustapha (SAN) that the Fed Govt and its agencies have failed to comply with the order and have allegedly directed the rejection of the old notes.

Mustapha said the plaintiff filed a notice of none-compliance with the order of the court order made on February 8. And demanded that the court take action against the respondent to protect the dignity of the court.

He added: “That order has been flouted by the government. We are talking of executive lawlessness here. We have filed an affidavit to that effect…We want the court to renew the order for parties to be properly guided.”

Justice John Okoro, who presided over a seven-member panel of the court, asked Mustapha to filed a proper application to put forward his complaints and to enable the respondent respond appropriately.

Justice Okoro said there was no need for a renewal of the court’s order.

He noted that, since the order made by the court on February 8 was made pending the determination of the motion for injunctions filed by the plaintiff, the order still subsists since the motion was not yet heard.

The court had, in the February 8 ruling, said: “after a careful consideration of this ex-parte application, and the grounds in support of same, this court finds that there is real urgency for this court to intervene by the grant of this application.

“Accordingly, this application is hereby granted as prayed.

“That is to say, an order of interim injunction restraining the Federal Government of Nigeria, either by itself or acting through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and/or the commercial banks, its agents; agencies, corporations, ministries, parastatals, organizations or through any person or persons (natural and artificial) howsoever, from suspending or determining or ending on the 10th of February 2023 the timeframe within which the now older versions of the 200, 500 and 1000 denominations of the naira may no longer be legal tender, pending the hearing and determination of the plaintiffs/applicants’ motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.”

The Supreme Court has however fixed February 22 for hearing of the suit filed by Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara states challenging the propriety the naira swap policy of the Federal Government.

The court chose the date after joining the Attorneys General of Katsina Lagos, CR, Ondo, Ogun, Ekiti and Sokoto states as co-plaintiffs in the earlier suit filed by Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara states.

The court also joined the Attorneys General of Edo and Bayelsa states as co-respondents. Both states elected to side with the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) originally listed as the sole respondent.

The court ordered that the suits filed by separately by Nasarawa, Rivers and Kano states on the same issue be consolidated with the one filed by Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara states.

The court ordered parties to file all necessary documents before the hearing set for next Wednesday.

Justice Okoro, before adjourning, told lawyer to the AGF, Kanu Agabi (SAN) to advise his client to ensure the availability of currency for the people.

“Tell your client to let people have money. If they go to the ATM and the plaintiffs will come and withdraw the case. Make money available to the poor masses.

“You should know that a hungry man is an angry man. I say no more,” he said.

Responding, Agabi said Nigerians were only blaming the government for their poverty.

“Many people don’t have money. They blame it on the Fed Govt and the AGF. I don’t have money too.

“Things have been bad for long. It is not today that the problems started,” Agabi said.

Governors Nasir El-Rufai and Yahaya Bello of Kaduna and Kogi states were in court to witness proceedings.

Speaking after the court proceedings, Bello said the states were not at war with the Fed Govt over its cashless policy, but are only concerned about its negative impact on the citizens, who are now denied access to their funds.

Members of the Local Government Contributory Retirees of Delta State have disassociated themselves from the recent endorsement of the All Progressives Congress APC Governorship Candidate and the Deputy Senate President, Ovie-Omo-Agege by the Primary School Teachers Retirees under the aegis of the Association of Contributory Retirees (ACR).

Mr Daniel Onosanimoni and Engr. Godwin Ekenini, Chairman and Secretary respectively of Local Government Contributory Retirees, in a press statement said that; “We the Local Government arm of the Association of Contributory Retirees (ACR) wish to outrightly dissociate our members from the meeting between Mrs. Helen Ejieh, Chairman Contributory Retirees (Local Education Authorities/Primary Schools Retirees), her supporters/group (among the LEA/Pry. Sch. Retirees) and the Gubernatorial Candidate of the APC in Delta State, DSP Ovie Omo-Agege.

They stated that the Local Government Contributory Retirees is composed of all categories of Local Government employees who retired from the Local Government Service of Delta State and are yet to draw their Pensions, adding that as a body they were not consulted nor was a part of the meeting at Ozoro “and therefore the Teachers group of ACR cannot speak for us nor serve as our mouth piece. Whatever resolution reached is for the Primary School Teachers and should not be misconstrued as the decision of all Local Government Retirees”.

According to them ; “We are a non-partisan body that is poised for the payment of the pensions and gratuities of our members using only known legal and constitutional channels to press home our demands and we have not resorted to party politics by endorsing any political party or any Governorship candidate for that matter.

“We completely disown the contents of the press release/publicity that followed the said meeting as we remain neutral and apolitical in our approach and agitations for the payment of our pension entitlement,” they wrote.

They added that “We do not begrudge any person or group of persons from associating or holding political opinions. But we object to the use of our umbrella Association and name in the promotion of the interests of a political party (the APC), among political parties on ground in Delta State. While we concede that no pensioner of Delta State ought to be owed pensions, having served for 35 years or attained the age of 60 years, we therefore use this medium to urge the State Government to expedite action with the Technical Committee put in place to clear the backlog of pension and gratuities owed the Local Government Retirees in the State”.

They commended the Delta State Government for a renewed commitment towards the payment of accrued rights of pensioners, especially, with the release of the 2 tranches of N2.5 billion each making a total of N5 billion lately for the payment of the accrued rights of Local Government and Primary School Teachers in the State.

“The information at our disposal from our engagement with the Bureau of Local Government Pension at various times indicate that there are not more than 8,000 retirees yet to be paid. Our figures are not near 10,000 not to talk of the 50,000 cited in the news. And that the number is decreasing on monthly basis due to the enhanced fund release by the Governor for the payment of accrued rights,” they added.

They also said that “We therefore condemn in its entirety the attempt by the Primary School Teachers Retirees arm to drag us into unwholesome politics and unnecessary heating up of the polity as we do not want to be caught in any guise, in the unfolding struggles and contests among political actors, since we are ordinary retirees supporting the government of the day to speedily pay our outstanding pensions”.

“Therefore, we once again deny and reject any attempt by Mrs. Helen Ejieh and her sympathizers to draw us into any political circus show”, they said.

By: Celestine Ukah 

Ambassador. Dr. Toyin Agbolayah JP has hailed the nomination of the wife of the Olu of Warri, Olori Atuwatse III as member of High-level Advisory Committee HLAC on woman’s economic empowerments and gender in Nigeria.

Dr. Agbolayah who is one of the Aides to the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR, said the nomination of the Olori by the Federal Ministry of Woman Affairs to become a member of the High-level Advisory Committee HLAC speaks volume of her passion and expertise to create inclusive and equitable society for women.

Amb. Dr. Agbolayah JP

The Warri monarch’s Aide who is also a  seasoned administrator noted that with the honour bestowed on the Olori Atuwatse iii, she Will be working alongside with fellow members in addressing the challenges that people are faced with and in advancing the opportunities for women in the society.

“The HLAC will be focusing on enhancing economic opportunities and as well promote gender equality in Nigeria’s critical initiative which is a brighter future for all Nigerian woman”.

Dr. Agbolayah congratulated the Olori for the feat and recognition by the Federal Ministry of Women Affaurs, he as well wished her more honours.

Foremost Governorship Candidate in Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori has said that his experience of working closely with Executive arm of government as the Speaker of the State House of Assembly puts him in a vantage position to consolidate and improve on the ongoing reforms in the civil service.

In his remarks at a meeting with the Head of Service and Permanent Secretaries on Monday, February 6th, 2023 at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, the State PDP Governorship Candidate
noted that the House of Assembly that he is privileged to lead for about six years now, worked closely with the Executive arm of government led by Governor Okowa to implement the administration’s policies and programmes.

“This experience puts me in a vantage position to consolidate and improve on the ongoing reforms in the civil service. In addition, an Oborevwori administration in Delta State will prioritize the following:
Training and retraining of staff for leadership development across all strata of the civil service as well as capacity building for the workforce to enhance productivity and promote excellent service delivery. I have done it in the Legislature and I will replicate it in the entire public service”.

Others include, enhance the use of digital technology in the operations of government and ensure its full implementation across the service within a time frame for greater efficiency in service delivery, attract the best brains to the civil service by ensuring that merit and professionalism are the yardsticks for elevation into top management positions, recruitment of staff, especially in some professional areas where the workforce has depleted mostly due to retirement. A good example is the absence of forest guards/forestry officers which are required to check unnecessary felling of trees. Lest we forget, timber is a valuable resource with considerable revenue generating potentials. Our health care system is also in need of more healthcare professionals. As a matter of fact, emphasis will be placed on man power Planning in the Service, provision of low income housing estates for workers through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and continuous regular payment of pensions to retirees”, he said.

According to him, the Delta State Civil Service Commission Regulations (CSCR) 2019, which was an improvement of the 1978 law, is to equip civil servants with a working knowledge of the regulations governing their work, adding that Prof. Chike Edozien Secretariat, an architectural showpiece, has made administration of the State with respect to the implementation of the policies and programmes of the State much easier and faster. “With most agencies of government now under one roof to perform government business, it has enhanced the speed of service delivery and reduced the cost of governance”.

“The Independent Power Project (IPP) in the state, which currently supplies power to all government buildings has made the work of civil servants very exciting and fulfilling. Apart from facilitating the speed of document processing and other documentations, civil servants now enjoy a very conducive environment never experienced in the state to perform their duties”, Rt Hon Oborevwori said.

The Delta State Contributory Health Care Scheme, one of the legacy programmes of the Okowa administration, he said, has made quality health care service available to civil servants irrespective of their cadre and rank, pointing out that; “Civil servants can now work into any of the health care provider to receive health care services without having to pay at the point of service”.

Rt Hon Oborevwori who is also the National Deputy Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria revealed that the Okowa’s administration has also brought some stability and direction to the civil service through the instrumentality of a rejuvenated Civil Service Commission, saying that; “Currently, routine promotion of workers come as at when due, thus eliminating the problems associated with promotion arrears. It goes without saying that this is a morale booster for our civil servants”.

He said that with the full implementation of the procurement process through the instrumentality of the Delta State Public Procurement Commission, civil servants now enjoy some measure of confidence in the procurement process of the State Government, saying emphasis is now on strict compliance with procurement guidelines and procedures in line with financial rules and regulations.

“Finally, upward review vehicle and housing loans to enable civil servants to buy cars and build their houses.The reward for hard work, they say, is more work. It is my hope and expectation that you will reciprocate Dr. Okowa’s good work in Delta State with your support in his bid to become the first Deltan to hold the office of Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. With him as Vice-President, Delta State will reap immense benefits in terms of infrastructural development and federal appointments”, the Delta State PDP Governorship Candidate said.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Patrick Ukah said that;You are the engine room of the Government, you translate the policies of the government on how to make it work or not to work, by attaining the post of a Permanent Secretary you are already on the other divide with us…. You are so important because you understand our programmes and understand what we are doing.We are very grateful and this is the time we need your cooperation more; this is the time we need to work total with each other so that together we will see a very good transition that we all will be proud of . I am very sure we have done very well and look forward to working much more better as we begin to wind down.

On his part, the Head of Service, Mr Reginald Bayako, commended the state Governor and Vice-Presidential candidate of the PDP , Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly and PDP Governorship Candidate, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori for putting the programme together, saying that; “As it were, this is our own rally”.