General
INEC Insists on Use of BVAS, IReV for 2023 Elections
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it would use the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal for the 2023 general elections and others.
Chairman of the electoral umpire, Mr Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this on Tuesday at the opening ceremony of a two-day Master Trainers on Technologies training for 2023 polls in Abuja.
There have been reports lately that INEC is under pressure to jettison BVAS because it makes rigging of election results almost impossible.
The electoral body, worried about rigging and the snatching of ballot boxes during polls, came up with BVAS and the electronic transmission of results to a central portal accessible to electorates and observers.
This technology was deployed in the governorship elections in Edo, Osun and Ekiti States. The polls were adjudged as credible, with incidences of ballot box snatching at the barest minimum.
As the 2023 general elections draw closer, some politicians are reportedly looking for ways to stop the use of BVAS. Recently, INEC was taken to court over the matter, and when it looked like nothing good may come out of it, a call was made for the removal of Mr Yakubu.
At the event, organised in collaboration with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) Nigeria, the commission’s chairman declared that BVAS and IReV “have come to stay as a means of voter accreditation and transmission of election results.”
According to him, these two initiatives have brought sanity into the electoral process in the country, noting that INEC will not bow to pressure to do away with them.
In her remarks, the Administrative Secretary for INEC Sokoto State, Hauwa Aliyu Kangiwa, explained that the workshop was put together to sensitise the general public at the grassroots on the necessity of peaceful polls, participation and ways to reduce invalid ballots.
“I implore you to pay attention to the new electoral legal framework and new technological innovations in the electoral process and communicate with them effectively,” she said.
Business Post gathered that the programme aims to facilitate a good outing for the participation of electorates at the polls, with emphasis on the need to encourage the electorates to collect their PVCs and also understand election day procedure as outlined by the commission.
General
Lagos Police Investigates Ammunition Package Delivery to First Bank MD
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Lagos State Police Command is investigating the delivery of a parcel containing live ammunition delivered to the managing director of First Bank Nigeria, Mr Oluwasegun Alebiosu.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State command, Mr Tijani Fatai, confirmed the incident on Tuesday during a press briefing at the command headquarters.
He said Mr Alebiosu reported the case on May 7, noting that two rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition were sent to him through a parcel.
“The managing director reported the matter to the police after a package containing two rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition was delivered on his behalf by his security guard at his residence. The case is still under investigation, and we are treating it with the seriousness it deserves,” he said.
According to him, the parcel was first received by the bank chief’s security guard, who then handed it over to him.
The police commissioner said that operatives have launched an investigation, including forensic analysis and intelligence work, to identify the perpetrators and the circumstances of the incident.
He added that no suspect linked to the crime has been brought into custody.
“Presently, no suspect is in custody. Even though the MD has mentioned some people whom he suspected of being the brains behind it, that is his suspicion, anyway. We are still working on it,” he said.
Mr Fatai noted that detectives are reviewing information provided by the complainant, including details of individuals who may have relevant knowledge of the incident.
He assured the public that the command would keep them informed as the investigations go on, adding that the public should allow the police to carry out their duties.
General
Makinde Imposes 16-Hour Curfew in 10 Oyo Local Councils Over Insecurity
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Governor of Oyo State, Mr Seyi Makinde, has approved the declaration of a 16-hour curfew in 10 local government areas of the state, as part of measures targeted at tackling insecurity.
According to a memo issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Musibau Babatunde, the curfew takes effect from Wednesday, June 24, 2026.
The movement restriction, between 4 pm and 8 am, lasts for 48 hours in the first instance and affects local government areas bordering the Old Oyo National Park.
The affected local councils are Oriire local government (Headquarters: Ikoyi-Ile), Orelope (Headquarters: Igboho), Irepo (Headquarters: Kisi), Saki West (Headquarters: Saki), Saki East (Hq Ago-Amodu), Atisbo (Headquarters: Tede / Ago-Are), Itesiwaju (Headquarters: Otu), Iseyin (Headquarters: Iseyin), Olorunsogo (Headquarters: Igbeti), and Atiba (Headquarters: Offa-Meta, Oyo).
The development followed a series of protests that rocked the state over the abduction of children and teachers in the Orire Local Government Area in May.
The National Coordinator of the movement, Mr Juwon Sanyaolu, who spoke during the latest protest held on Monday, said the demonstration was part of ongoing efforts by the group to push for the freedom of the victims.
According to him, the protest “is a continuation of actions the organisation has embarked upon since the abduction of children and teachers” in the Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State in May.”
“We will continue to protest for the release of all abducted victims until they are free. We believe that government officials are in the comfort of their rooms and offices while innocent 46 students and their teachers are languishing in the kidnappers’ den.
“We are demanding freedom for all captives in the North, South, West, and East of Nigeria,” Mr Sanyaolu said.
He also criticised political leaders for focusing on preparations for the 2027 elections while insecurity continues to threaten the lives of Nigerians.
“We will not be sitting until 2027. By that time, we won’t even know how many will be alive.
“So that is why we are at the heart of Ibadan in Oyo State, where the abduction took place. The state and federal governments must act, or they will continue to witness mass action,” he added.
General
Alleged Wiretapping: El-Rufai to File No-Case Submission as DSS Closes Case
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Department of State Services (DSS) has closed its case against former Kaduna State Governor, Mr Nasir El-Rufai, in the ongoing alleged wiretapping trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
At the resumed sitting on Tuesday, prosecuting counsel, Mr Oluwole Aladedoye, informed the court that the prosecution would not be calling further witnesses in the matter, prompting the formal closure of the DSS case.
Following the development, defence counsel, Mr Paul Erokoro, told the court that the defence intends to file a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution has failed to establish sufficient evidence against the former governor.
The defence subsequently sought two weeks to file the application, while the prosecution requested two weeks to respond.
The defence also applied for a variation of some of the bail conditions earlier granted to El-Rufai, describing them as stringent and difficult to meet.
They argued that the bail terms were too stringent, particularly the requirements for level 17 civil servants with properties in Maitama or Asokoro, as well as verification and attestation letters from the Kaduna state traditional council.
However, the prosecution opposed the request, insisting that qualified public officers who meet the conditions exist and urging the court to refuse the application.
Delivering the ruling, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik declined the request to vary the bail conditions, ruling that there are civil servants who own properties at the said location.
The court, however, adjourned to September 22 for the filing of the no-case submission and continuation of the trial.
In February, the federal government filed a three-count charge against the former governor of Kaduna State over an alleged interception of communications belonging to Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Mr Nuhu Ribadu.
In a television interview, he confessed that he and other unnamed individuals listened to conversations from Mr Ribadu’s phone after it was tapped by a third party. While acknowledging that such interception is technically unlawful, he argued that illegal surveillance was not unusual.
However, the FG, through the secret police, filed charges against Mr El-Rufai at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
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