INEC Issues Certificate Of Return To Osun Governor-Elect

Alhaji Gboyega Isiaka, the Osun Governor-Elect on Wednesday
received his certificate of return from the Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC), in Osogbo.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the INEC National
Commissioner in charge of Oyo, Ekiti and Osun states, Prince
Adedeji Soyebi, presented the certificate to Oyetola.

NAN also reports that the Deputy Governor-Elect, Mr Benedict
Alabi also received his Certificate of Return at the event.

In his remarks, Oyetola promised not to disappoint the people of
the state who gave him the mandate in the Sept. 22 governorship
election.

He said the people of Osun would continue to enjoy the benefit
of good governance in the state.

Oyetola, who vowed to justify the confidence reposed in him by
the people of the state, said he would run all-inclusive and
participatory government.

“I want to assure the people of the state that I will serve to
the best of my ability and I will run all-inclusive and
participatory government.

“I will always consult majority of stakeholders in the
implementation of the policies and programmes that would have
positive effect in the lives of the people of the state.

“I will run people’s friendly government. The focus of my
administration will be the welfare of the people of the state.

“We are going to work together to ensure that we justify the
confidence people reposed in me,” he added.

Oyetola also commended INEC and security operatives for ensuring
that the election was free and fair.

He also thanked Gov. Rauf Aregbesola for giving him the
opportunity to serve under his administration and also prepared him
for the task ahead.

In his speech, Mr Segun Agbaje, INEC Resident Commissioner in
Osun said that the commission had done its best to deliver credible
election and also promoted the image of INEC.

Agbaje commended the people of Osun for the maturity displayed
before, during and after the election.

The REC said that issues raised by the US, UK and EU and the
domestic observer groups during the election would be closely
studied by the commission for further appropriate action.

He said, “I remained neutral throughout the election
process.

“If at the end of litigation at the Supreme Court of Nigeria,
the commission is found culpable for not discharging its
responsibility faithfully and diligently, I will take full
responsibility for any such laxity.

“And also publicly apologize to all Nigerians and thereafter
resign my appointment with the commission.

“It should be put on record that the Commission carried out
thorough investigation of all the allegations of intimidation of
voters suspected to belong to a particular party, violence, arrest
of Journalists and observers raised by some groups.

“The commission discovered that all the allegations were not
absolutely correct while the case of those arrested by the police
with fake observer tags are still being investigated”.

NAN reports that Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, the APC candidate,
defeated Sen. Ademola Adeleke, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),
candidate with 482 votes in the rerun poll.

Oyetola scored a total of 255, 505 to defeat Adeleke who scored
255, 023.

ICPC
arraigns Ex-Kebbi Gov, Dakingari over Alleged N1bn Fraud

The immediate past Governor of Kebbi State, Alhaji Saidu Usman
Nasamu Dakingari, has been docked before Honourable Justice Ismail
Haruna Bashir of Kebbi State High Court 2, sitting in Birnin Kebbi,
by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences
Commission (ICPC) for alleged misapplication of the sum of
N1,094,320,000.00  belonging to the State.

The former Governor was accused of conniving with the then
Commissioner of Finance, Mohammed Bello Tunga and the Secretary to
the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Garba Rabiu Kamba to defraud the
State of the sum of N349,475,000. The fund was meant for the
provision of power generators and “other logistics” for all polling
units in Kebbi State for the 2015 general elections.

Tunga and Kamba are already facing prosecution by the Commission
at the Kebbi State High Court. However, immediately after the
commencement of proceedings today (03/10/2018), the court was
informed that Tunga, the former Commissioner of Finance had passed
on. Consequently, the prosecution counsel by way of oral motion
prayed the court to strike out the late commissioner’s name, which
was granted.

Alhaji Dakingari, who was the state governor between 2007 and
2015, was further accused of conspiring with his political
associates to misappropriate the sum of N430,000,000 which was
released to provide logistics support for security agencies during
the 2015 general elections.

The two-time Kebbi State Governor was also charged of siphoning
N315,000,000 which was approved and disbursed to enable Imams and
Mallams organize sensitization and enlightenment programmes 
against religious incitement of supporters for the 2015 general
elections in the 21 Local Government Areas of Kebbi State.

However, ICPC’s investigation activities revealed that the said
amounts were shared among his political allies as no power
generators were purchased nor was any Imam or Mallam among the
beneficiaries of the sensitization money.

The former governor was therefore arraigned on a 6-count charge
of offences bordering on criminal conspiracy, theft, conferring
corrupt advantage on political cronies and using position for
gratification.

In a Charge No: KB/HC/27C/2017, ICPC’s counsel Elijah Akaakohol,
averred that the defendant’s actions were contrary to and
punishable under sections 19 and 26 (1) (c) of the Corrupt
Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000. If found guilty, he
shall, on conviction, be liable to a term of 5 years imprisonment
without an option of fine.

He pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against him
when they were read out to him.

Counsel to the accused person, Asiwaju Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN,
through a written application, sought the relief of the court to
grant his client bail.

Bail was granted to him in the sum of N10m and one surety in
like sum who must be resident and possess property worth N10m
within the jurisdiction of the court.

The case has been adjourned to 4th and 5th December 2018 for
trial to commence.

Signed:

Mrs. Rasheedat A. Okoduwa, mni

Spokesperson for the Commission