Metro

Nigeria’s opposition cries out over presidential tribunal’s delay in releasing judgment copies

Published

1 year ago

September 9, 2023

Candidates who lost out in Nigeria’s presidential election on February 25 have decried the non-release of judgement documents by the
Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT), which was delivered last Wednesday.

The tribunal had thrown out all petitions by the opposition during the trial while also affirming the victory of President Bola Tinubu.

The candidate of the major opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, who was the first to react on Friday, said the delay in releasing the documents was another ploy by the judiciary to further box his party into a corner.

Atiku, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Communications, Phrank Shaibu, noted that three days after its ruling on the February 25 presidential poll, the PEPT has yet to provide his lawyers and the PDP with the Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the judgment.

“By not making available to Atiku and PDP the CTCs of the judgment for their filings at the Supreme Court, the PEPT is undermining Atiku’s and Nigerians quest for justice,” the statement said.

“This is coming as Atiku and his lawyers have just 14 days to file their appeal to the Supreme Court on the judgment.”

Shaibu said the delay could hamper Atiku and the PDP in progressing with the filing of their appeal at the apex court, while reminding the PEPT that it had “made heavy weather at the delivery of its judgment on Wednesday that parties needed to adhere strictly to the time schedule set by the court.

“The PEPT is not oblivious that three precious days of the 14-day limit for parties to file their processes at the highest court have been wasted by the Appeal Court.

“We wish to remind the PEPT that it struck out the testimonies of some of the witnesses of Atiku during the litigation at the court of first instance because their statements on oath were filed out of time.

“And now, from all intents and purposes, the same court wants to have Atiku and PDP’s appeal to the Supreme Court disqualified by the reason of time deadline”, he added.

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Metro

Zambia: Expert warns of food security threat due to climate change

Published

5 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A prominent Zambian climate-smart agriculture expert, Oliver Bulaya, has warned of a collapse of the county’s agricultural sector with a potential threat to food security due to the worsening impact of climate change.

Bulaya, who bared his mind in an interview with Zambia Monitor on Friday, warned that ignoring the crisis could lead to severe disruptions in the country’s food supply and economy.

“Unless concerted efforts are made, the country will continue facing dire consequences from climate change,” the expert noted.

He lamented a growing trend of farmers relocating to regions experiencing above-normal rainfall, such as the northern block, as they struggle with losses caused by climate variability.

Bulaya emphasized that the once-reliable rainfall areas like North-Western Zambia are now experiencing lower precipitation, as seen during the 2023/2024 farming season and cautioned that poor farming practices, which had already strained the Southern region, could lead to similar challenges in other parts of the country if proactive measures were not implemented.

Metro

Outrage over murder of Nigerian beaten to death by South Africans inside estate security office

Published

10 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Nigerian community, under the auspices of Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), has raised the alarm over the murder of a 37-year-old Nigerian, Julius Chukwunta, who was beaten to death by four South Africans inside an estate.

According to the association, Chukwunta, a native of Aninri Local Government Area in Enugu State, was reportedly attacked on Saturday, December 7, while driving to his residence in Midrand Protea Estate.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the President-General of NICASA, Dr Frank Onyekwelu, Chukwunta was blocked by the four men while approaching his residence.

Onyekwelu stated that information available to the association noted that after attempting to pass through, Chukwunta was met with resistance by the assailants, prompting him to seek help at the security office of the estate.

“At that moment, the four men allegedly attacked him, leaving him severely injured with a head wound,” the PG said.

“His female companion, who was sitting in the car, rushed to the security office and discovered him bleeding on the ground.

“In spite of attempts to call for help, the security office and residents did not assist in calling the police or an ambulance.

“After an hour, Chukwunta’s partner contacted her father, who, along with other family members, took him to Tembisa General Hospital.

“Chukwunta was placed on life support but later succumbed to his injuries and died at the Tembisa General Hospital on December 10, 2024.”

Onyekwelu also confirmed that the case was reported to the police by Chukwunta’s partner at the Midrand Police Station and was registered under file number 262/12/2024.

The NICASA President said the four suspects, aged 20, 24, 27, and 28, were arrested, and the case was presented in Alexandra Magistrate Court on December 13, 2024, where they were charged with murder.

“The court proceedings on December 18, 2024, saw three of the suspects granted bail of R10,000 each, while the fourth had not yet applied for bail. The case was adjourned to February 3, 2025.”

Onyekwelu however, expressed disappointment at the proceedings, wondering why three of the suspects were released on bail and vowed that the Nigerian community would continue to demand justice for Chukwunta and support his family.

He emphasised that the community would not rest until justice was served and the value of Nigerian lives was upheld in South Africa.