Anambra Tribunal: INEC Opens, Closes Case Without Witnesses

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday opened its defence in the ongoing hearing of petitions at the Governorship Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Awka, the Anambra State capital, and closed same without calling any witness.

The electoral commission opened its defence in petition No: EPT/AN/Gov/02/2013, brought before the Justice Ishaq Bello-led three-man electoral panel by the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the November 16, 2013 governorship election in the state, Senator Chris Ngige.

Lead counsel to the INEC, Adegboyega  Awomolo (SAN) had at the resumption of hearing yesterday tendered three sets of documents comprising state result sheets, declaration of candidates forms (form EC 8C, Form EC8D and form EC8E, as well as local government results in the disputed election and announced the closure of the INEC case.

However, he didn’t call any witness in spite of the fact that some INEC officials listed as part of the 26 witnesses to testify before the court attended yesterday’s session.

They included the Electoral Officer for Anambra East council, Mr. Nwafor, the state INEC Director of Operations, Mr. Okon Ewa, who were all in the court.

Awomolo had in his brief address before closing the commission’s defence, said they were relying on the documents they had already tendered and the “information obtained during cross-examination of the witnesses called by the petitioners for our defence.”

But Emeka Ngige (SAN) who led the APC and Senator Ngige’s team of lawyers yesterday, said afterwards that the implication of INEC’s inability to call any witnesse was that all the witnesses’ depositions the electoral body filed with regards to the petition would be disconteanced.

Before that decision however, senior counsel for Chief Willie Obiano, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) and Ken Mozie, APGA’s Osita Nnadi (SAN) Okechukwu Anaenugwu, and the INEC, Adegboyega, Awomolo (SAN) had consulted informally.

Yet in another petition No: EPT/AN/Gov/01/2013, the petitioner, Dr. Chike Obidigbo re-opened his case which had been closed earlier to lead further evidence on Willie Obiano’s alleged multiple registration. He tendered an INEC Certified True Copy (CTC) of Oluwakemi/Zainab Street Junction registration Centre Voter Register, Ifako/Soluyi Registration Area of Kosofe local government area of Lagos to show that Obiano is still a registered voter in Lagos.

Obidigbo under-cross examination by the INEC counsel, Awomolo (SAN) denied any knowledge of transfer of voter resistration at Obiano from Lagos to Anambra State. (THISDAYLIVE)

Anambra Tribunal: INEC Opens, Closes Case Without Witnesses

Obiano swears in 19 Commissioners, 10 Special Advisers

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State Friday evening swore in 19 commissioners and 10 Special Advisers cleared by the state House of Assembly on Thursday to serve in his Government.

Obiano while performing the ceremony at Government House, said that he demanded 100 percent loyalty from the newly sworn commissioners and special advisers and that any one he found wanting will be relieved of his appointment.

The Governor described them as some of the finest in Anambra State and encouraged them to abide by the oath of office they have sworn to and so he expected the to deliver.

He reminds them that Anambra people look forward to their delivering on the four pillars of administration.

The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Anali Chude who spoke for the newly sworn in appointees pledged to work at the pace of the Governor and not to disappoint him and noted the vigorous effort put in by the Governor to accomplish his task of sifting from the many names available to him and thanked him for finding them worthy.

The commissioners sworn in are: Anali Chude-Attorney-General; Commissioner for Justice; Callistus Ilozumba who served under Governor Peter Obi administration retains his portfolio as Commissioner of Works, Mrs. Azuka Enemuo who also served Governor Obi again retained her portfolio of Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Greg I. Obi Commissioner for Finance and Prof. Kate Omenugha, former Head of Mass Communication department at Nnamdi Azikiwe University-Education.

Others are: Professor Solomon Chukwulobelu-Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget; Mr. Ifeatu Onyejeme- Trade and Commerce ;  Dr. Mrs. Vicky Chikwelu-Women Affairs,  Chinedu Emeka who was former  Deputy Governor to Chinwoke Mbadinuju was appointed Commissioner for Public Utilities and Water Resources and Community Development; former Sun newspaper Managing Director  Tony Onyima- Information and Culture, Chief Chukwuma Mbonu-Transport, Chief Evaristus Ubah-Environment; Mrs. Stella Onuora –Lands, Survey and Urban Planning.

Others are: Chief Nnamdi Meko, former chairman of Nigeria Farmers Association, Anambra State chapter-Agriculture, Obi Nwankwo-Science and Technology; Tony Nnacheta-Sports, Dr. Joseph Akabike-Health; Chief Nobert Obi-Special Duties; Chief Tony Nnachetam-Youth and Sports as well as Chief Law Chinwuba who is Commissioner for Housing.

Also sworn in were 10 Special Advisers namely: Mr. Alex Ejesieme-Legal counsel;Amaechi Akume- Urban Planning; Hon,Tonia Tabansi Okoye-Special Duties, Mrs. Vivian Nwandu-Millennuim Development Goals; Amaka Ilobi-Public Works, Ngozi Okonkwo-Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), Chukwudi Anara-Security and Onyekachukwu Ibezim-Youth Empowerment; R.O. Udemba-Special Duties, Mr. Amaechi Ogume-Urban Development and Town Planning. One of them Chief Joe-martins Uzodike was absent at the ceremony. He was said to be absent on medical grounds.

Obiano also assented to the Anambra 2014 budget “for the family and wealth creation” and thanked the state House of Assembly for passing the budget saying it  is a sign of continuity.

The budget is N145.4 billion which is 24 percent higher than the 2013 budget.

Obiano said he has commenced alignment of the budget to the economic  focus areas of his government which he called economic pillars including Agriculture , Industrialization, trade and commerce and oil and gas.

He pointed out t that his model for driving economic growth in Anambra is reflected in a wheel of progress which with successful implementation of initiatives developed around these economic pillars, the state sustainably deliver the dividends of democracy to our people such as good roads, an orderly and well secured society.

Obiano concluded : ‘’….so we must focus our energy and resources to being the best in the four economic pillars relative to other states and regions around us. …we will restructure our budget such that over 50 percent of the budget is spent on establishment enabling environment for the four pillars making it easy for investors and businesses to come in and excel here with resultant significant growth in IGR collected in the state. It will also enable us to effectively fund continued investment in achieving our MDG Goals and capacity to deliver the dividends of democracy.

‘’It is my intention to implement this budget successfully and in so doing set the stage for a more vibrant economy in our state……….relevant state functionaries will get copies of the state’s economic blueprint and will participate in various strategic retreats and economic summits planned to keep us adequately informed and prepared to deliver on our budget and make the dividends of democracy available to our people as planned for in this year’s focus based and result oriented budget.

‘’….As you can see , power, security , health , education , the use of modern technology in the civil service called E-Government and by the citizens, roads, and other types of modern means of transportation, law, order and cleanliness as well as SME sector are enablers that will receive a huge proportion of our budget expenditure. These are areas that we must address to pave way for significant investments in the economic engines by private sector.”

Obiano informed that’s special efforts will be made to establish Public –Private Partnership (PPPs).

Obiano swears in 19 Commissioners, 10 Special Advisers