The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Saturday arrested the Special Adviser to Governor Bala Mohammed on Civil Service and Labour Matters, Mr. Abdon Dalla Gin for alleged vote buying.
Our Correspondent gathered that after casting his vote, the EFCC allegedly found the sum of N1.5 million in Dallas’s car.
Dallas who was a former head of Service was arrested at his “Social Welfare” Polling Unit in Dass at the ongoing Dass State Constituency by-election held in Bauchi state and handed over to the Divisional Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force in Dass for questioning.
However, while briefing newsmen the Chairman of Dass Local Government, Hon. Suleiman Mohammed said that, Dalla was arrested wrongly.
He said: “I was told that one of our stakeholders was arrested and I came to sympathise with him –which is normal. Though, I have not discussed with him but I heard that shortly after he addressed some journalists, he was arrested.
“The money is not his own, the money belongs to our party agents, presiding and returning officers.”
Candidate of the All Progressive Congress APC in the ongoing Plateau South Senatorial bye election Prof Nora Ladi Daduut has expressed confidence that she would emerge victorious at the polls because of the overwhelming supports she has received
The Professor of French made this known shortly casting her vote amidst cheers from supporters and well wishers.
Our correspondent reports that the APC candidate (Prof. Dame Nora Ladi Daduut was successfully accredited at about 9am at her Polling Unit in Kwalla Mada 005, and subsequently casted her vote.
While addressing her constituents after casting her vote, Prof. Dame Nora Ladi Daduut assured them of her total commitment to deliver her campaign promises and to effectively represent her constituents at the floor of the senate.
She further expressed her joy to her constituents and supporters for the massive support she enjoyed since the beginning of her campaign to the moment of the election.
Governor of Plateau state Simon Lalong has expressed confidence that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will emerge victorious in the ongoing Senate by-election for Plateau South.
He said this in Ajikamai polling unit in Shendam local government after casting his vote alongside his wife Regina Lalong at 11 40 am on Saturday .
Lalong also expressed satisfaction with the security measures put in place by operatives .
According to him, the party has continued to remain intact in the state and the leadership steadily delivering on its campaign promises and rescuing various sectors of the economy which, he said, all of which would give his party the needed advantage in the election.
#MURDER: COURT DISMISSES MARYAM SANDA’S APPEAL, UPHOLDS DEATH SENTENCE
An Appeal Court in Abuja has dismissed the appeal filed by Maryam Sanda for lacking in merit.
The court upheld the judgement by the FCT High Court which had sentenced her to death by hanging for killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, son of the former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Haliru Bello,
Her Counsel, Joe Gadzama SAN, however, said they are heading to the supreme court, while Counsel to Police, James Idachaba, praised the judgement, adding that they are also ready to meet them at the apex court.
In his two-hour Judgement, Presiding Judge, Justice Steven Adah, held that the court is duty-bound to do justice according to law and not sentiments. The judge held that the law does not leave room for irregularities, adding that parties must conduct criminal trials according to the law.
Under Section 221 of the penal code, the court held that the trial judge was right in his verdict, stressing that the offence is punishable by death. The court further held that it was not in doubt that Sanda killed her husband, and has no reason to set aside the verdict of the lower court.
The Appeal court also noted that there was evidence that Maryam murdered her husband during a fight after she saw a nude picture on his phone, and she had threatened him, adding that it could be ruled as premeditated murder.
Maryam Sanda was on January 27 found guilty of stabbing her husband to death at their Abuja residence
Justice Yusuf Halilu of the FCT High Court gave the sentence in Abuja while delivering judgment on the protracted trial of Missus Sanda.
He sentenced Sanda after she was convicted for stabbing late Bilyaminu to death, son of former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Haliru Bello.
Upon her conviction by the judge, Sanda broke down in tears and wept uncontrollably.
Not satisfied with the ruling, she had approached the appellate court in Abuja to challenge the decision of the FCT High Court.
In the Notice of Appeal predicated on twenty grounds, Sanda prayed the appellate court to set aside the verdict of the lower court and acquit her.
She claimed that the trial judge, Justice Halilu was tainted by bias and prejudices. According to the appellant, this led to the denial of her right to a fair hearing and her consequent conviction based on circumstantial evidence.
Sanda alleged that the judge gave the verdict despite the reasonable doubt that was created by evidence of witnesses, lack of confessional statement, absence of murder weapon, lack of corroboration of evidence by two or more witnesses, and lack of autopsy report to determine the true cause of her husband’s death.
She insisted that the judgment of the trial court was complete “a miscarriage of justice.”
The appellant also pointed to the failure of the trial judge to rule, one way or the other, on her preliminary objection, challenging the charge preferred against her and the jurisdiction of the court as evidence of bias and a denial of her right to fair hearing as constitutionally guaranteed.
She, therefore, asked the Court of Appeal to allow her prayers and set aside her conviction and sentence and subsequently acquit her.
GOVERNOR LALONG MOURNS FORMER MINISTER OF DEFENCE, GEN. DOMKAT BALI
Governor Simon Lalong says Plateau State and the nation has lost one of its patriotic and loyal sons, former Minister of Defence Gen. Domkat Bali who died at the age of 80.
Governor Lalong in a statement said the passing of the retired military General is a great loss to the country considering the fact that he was one of the highly decorated officers who served the nation meritoriously in various capacities and proved his worth.
Lalong recalled that apart from serving the country as Minister of Defence, Gen. Bali was a key member of the Supreme Military Council and Armed Forces Ruling Council, where he held several positions including the Chief of Defence Staff.
He said ” Gen. Bali was focused and committed to the peace and progress of Nigeria and Plateau State in particular where he contributed immensely to addressing the security challenges in the State, always deploying his wealth of knowledge and advising various administrations. Indeed Plateau State has lost an icon”.
He also said that Gen. Bali, who answered the call or his people to serve as the Ponzhi Tarok many years after his retirement from the military demonstrated so much interest in the welfare of the Taroh nation and did his best to project and protect their interests.
Governor Lalong said even in death, Gen. Bali will continue to inspire young Nigerians who want to serve the nation within the military because of his patriotism, gallantry and principles.
Lalong condoled his widow, Mrs. Esther Bali, his children, the Taroh nation and the entire State while asking God to grant his soul eternal rest.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. December 4, 2020
President Muhammadu Buhari condoles with the people and government of Plateau State over the passing of an illustrious son and highly decorated retired military officer, Gen. Domkat Bali, who served the country as Minister of Defence.
The President, who spoke with the wife of the deceased, Esther on Friday, also commiserated with other family members, friends and professional associates of the former member of the Supreme Military Council and Armed Forces Ruling Council, after rising through the ranks, with a distinguished military career, reaching the peak as Chief of Defence Staff.
President Buhari believes the records of bravery and patriotism of Gen. Bali, the Ponzhi Tarok, will continue to inspire young military officers, while the foundation he laid in all the commands he headed will always be remembered.
The President has also constituted a delegation led by the Minister of Defence, Maj-Gen. Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd) to visit the family, and condole with government and people of the state over the loss.
President Buhari prays that the almighty God will receive the soul of the departed and comfort his family.
GAGDI COMMISERATES WITH HON. SAMA’ILA HUDU BALA NOMA OVER LOSS OF WIFE, HAJ.KAREEMA.
The Member Representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency and Chairman House Committee on Navy Rt. Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi has commiserated with the member Representing Kantana Constituency in the Plateau State House of Assembly Hon. Sama’ila Hudu Bala and the late A A Wana Family over the death of Haj.Kareema Bala who died at the age of 52.
In a statement the Danmalikin Kanam said he was distressed over the demise of Haj. Kareema when she was most needed by her family and the society at large.
Gagdi enjoins the Bala family, A A Wana Family and the entire people of Kanam to find comfort in the fact that the departed lived a quality life, and positively touched all that came in contact with her.
Gagdi prayed that Allah will accept the soul of the departed, and grant her Jannatul Firdaus.
Former Chief of Defense Staff, General Domkat Bali (rtd) has passed on. A family source told correspondent in Langtang Friday afternoon that the retired army general passed on in Jos as arrangements were set to fly him to London for treatment. Bali who is also the Ponzhi Tarok, has been hospitalized after a protracted illness.
RESTRICTION OF MOVEMENT IN PLATEAU SOUTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT
Ahead of the Plateau South Senatorial District by-election scheduled for Saturday 5th December 2020, the Plateau State Government has announced the restriction of movement within all the Local Governments in the zone.
Consequently, all vehicular movement have beeen restricted from 6am to 6pm of Saturday 5th December 2020.
By this directive, only those on essential duties will be permitted to move around during the period of restriction.
The Government wishes to call on all citizens within the Southern Senatorial Zone to fully cooperate by observing this directive in order to ensure that the by-election election is successfully conducted.
In the meantime, security personel have been properly briefed to ensure enforcement and compliance.
Danladi Abok Atu Secretary to the Government of Plateau State. 4th December 2020.
Suspected thugs have attacked the motorcade of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at Mangu Local Government of Plateau State.
The officials were on their way to Shendam Local Government, headquarters of Plateau South Senatorial district, to conduct the bye-election slated for Saturday.
Some of the attacked officials were Mohammed Haruna; National Commisioner, Halilu Pai, the state resident electoral commissioner, and other senior officials.
Sources confirmed that the National Commissioner was physically assaulted while several vehicles were damaged.
INEC had rescheduled the bye-election into Plateau South which became vacant due to the demise of the former occupant from October 31 to December 5 following the #EndSARS protests that rocked the country.
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