The company is creating lasting legacies, elated School Principal declares.

It was palpable excitement during the week, when the nation’s engineering construction leader, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, further raised its Corporate Social Responsibility efforts by donating classroom desks and chairs to students at another Government Secondary School Gwarinpa, Lifecamp, FCT, Abuja as part of its sustained contributions to schools in its host communities.

Addressing pupils and staff of the school, the leader of Julius Berger CSR team at the event, Mr. Kola Balogun said the aim of the donation was to help provide a conducive learning environment for students. He said, “At Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, the students’ wellbeing has always been our major concern and providing the necessary essential materials for a conducive learning environment remains our priority. We are here to enable the students to put more efforts into their education through these donations.”

Responding, the Principal of the School, Mrs. Irene Mojisola Akerele, appreciated the efforts made by the company saying, “Julius Berger for the third time, has made a donation to our school and I want to sincerely appreciate the company for its efforts and contributions. Previously, Julius Berger donated books to our students through their literacy campaign initiative to assist the student’s zeal for writing and reading. The company also gave us a beautiful basketball court and now, the company has donated classroom chairs and desks for our students. These donations are remarkable contributions to our school by Julius Berger. Thank you, Julius Berger.”

The Vice Principal Admin, Mrs. Bilikisu Ibrahim, described the day as a very special one for the school. “I want to sincerely appreciate the management of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc for making today a very special day for our school. The company has solved one of our major problems unknowingly, and we can’t withhold our joy. Now, our children don’t have to sit on the floor to learn due to insufficient chairs and desks. We are grateful to the company, and we pray that God blesses the company tremendously.”

The Senior Prefect of the school, Miss Anate Ruth in her vote of thanks said, “We appreciate Julius Berger for what they have given our school today. We now have comfortable desks and chairs to seat on while learning. Thank you, JB.”

The Julius Berger delegation to the event comprised of Mr. Kola Balogun and Uzoma Olivia.

Off-cycle elections: SERAP sues INEC over failure to prosecute electoral offenders in Bayelsa, Kogi, Imo

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) “over the failure to arrest and prosecute suspected perpetrators of grave electoral offences in the recently concluded off-cycle governorship elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states.”

In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1694/2023 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP is seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel INEC to probe the allegations of electoral offences including electoral violence, in the off-cycle governorship elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states.”

SERAP is seeking: “an order of mandamus to compel INEC to promptly and effectively prosecute suspected perpetrators of these grave electoral offences, and bring to justice anyone who sponsored, aided and abetted them.”

SERAP is also seeking: “an order of mandamus to compel INEC to disclose spending details on the off-cycle governorship elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa States, including the specific amount spent to conduct voter and civic education and details of the activities carried out in the three states.”

In the suit, SERAP is arguing that: “There is a legitimate public interest in ensuring accountability for the grave electoral offences in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states. Granting the reliefs sought would compel INEC to live up to its constitutional and statutory responsibilities and end the impunity of electoral offenders.”

SERAP is also arguing that, “The recurring cases of electoral bribery and violence make a mockery of Nigeria’s electoral process and participatory democracy. The electoral offences in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo states show that INEC has learnt little or nothing from the well-documented problems during the 2023 general elections.”

According to SERAP, “Unless INEC is compelled to arrest and prosecute suspected electoral offenders and their sponsors in the elections Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states, perpetrators would continue to enjoy impunity for their crimes.”

SERAP is arguing that, “Many years of allegations of electoral offences and the impunity of perpetrators and their sponsors have continued to undermine public trust and confidence in the electoral process and citizens’ right to participation.”

SERAP is also arguing that, “Electoral integrity is critical to a legitimate democracy. When the integrity of that process is compromised, the legitimacy of the government and the public confidence in public institutions is seriously undermined.”

The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare and Andrew Nwankwo, read in part: “INEC has constitutional and statutory duties to ensure accountability for electoral offences in the country, and to guarantee the effective enjoyment of the citizens’ right to vote in future elections.”

“The right to vote is fundamental and is the essence of a democratic society, and any restrictions on that right strike at the heart of representative government. Nigerians should have the final say in the election of governmental officials.”

“Persistent cases of electoral offences in the country’s elections gravely violate Nigerians’ right to vote, which is central to the effective participation of every citizen.”

“Unless INEC is compelled to arrest and prosecute suspected electoral offenders and their sponsors, impunity for these crimes against the Nigerian people will continue. And citizens will continue to lose confidence in the electoral process.”

“Nigerians have the right to know how INEC is spending public funds in the discharge of its constitutional and statutory responsibilities. It is in the public interest to compel INEC to publish spending details on the elections in the three states.”

“Electoral bribery and violence and other electoral offences undermine the ability of INEC to discharge its responsibilities under Section 153 of the Nigerian Constitution and paragraph 15(a) of the third schedule of the Constitution, and the Electoral Act.”

“Allegations of electoral offences during the off-cycle governorship elections in the three states are contrary to the Nigerian Constitution, the Electoral Act and international standards.”

“The Nigerian Constitution provides in Section 14(1)(c) that, ‘the participation by the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.’”

“Sections 121 and 127 of the Electoral Act prohibit electoral bribery and undue influence before, during and after any election. Section 145(2) provides that, ‘a prosecution under this Act shall be undertaken by legal officers of the Commission or any legal practitioner appointed by it.’”

“Under section 2(a) and (b), the commission ‘shall have power to conduct voter and civic education and to promote knowledge of sound democratic election processes.’”

“The crisis confronting the country’s elections and lack of public trust and confidence in the electoral process can be addressed if impunity for electoral offences is combated through the arrest and prosecution of suspected perpetrators.”

“According to our information, the governorship elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states witnessed cases of electoral offences including electoral violence, vote-buying, conspiracy, and undue influence.”

“There are reports of specific cases of pre-completed result sheets including in five local government areas of Kogi State – Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi and Okene.

“Suspected political thugs reportedly harassed journalists covering the governorship election in Omuma Community in Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State. INEC official in the Oguta Local Government Area (LGA) of Imo State also alleged that some men invaded her polling unit and carted away result sheets.”

“According to the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), there were several reports of electoral violence and vote buying across the three states. For example, there were reports of incidents in PU 1, Ward 8 and PU 11, Ward 1 in Sagbama LGA in Bayelsa West.”

“In Bayelsa Central, vote trading was reported in PU 16, Ward 6 in Yenegoa LGA, PU 22, PU 30 and 31, Ward 13 in Southern Ijaw LGA with reports of voter inducements ranging from N5,000 – N22,000, and items such as wrappers and rice were also reportedly shared to buy votes.”

“In Kogi, there were reports of vote buying in PUs 004, 038 and 039 in Ward A of Lokoja LGA, where party agents were allegedly sharing out money to voters upon confirmation that they voted for their party candidates.”

“In Imo, the two major parties’ agents reportedly engaged in vote buying, sharing between N2000 to N3000. INEC officials were reportedly bribed. Electoral violence was reported in Dekini LGA, town where a thug was reportedly shot and killed by military officials while fleeing in an attempt to snatch a ballot box.”

“INEC presiding officer was also reportedly abducted in Bayelsa while on his way to the Registration Area Centre – 06 (Ossioma) in Sagbama Local Government Area.” There are reports of thugs attacking several polling units in the three states.”

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

Kolawole Oluwadare

SERAP Deputy Director

17/12/2023

Lagos, Nigeria

Emails: info@serap-nigeria.org; news@serap-nigeria.org

Twitter: @SERAPNigeria

Website: www.serap-nigeria.org

For more information or to request an interview, please contact us on: +2348160537202

PRESS RELEASE

SANWO-OLU FELICITATES BUHARI AT 81

• Says ex-President remains consistent in character

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has rejoiced with former President Muhammadu Buhari on his 81st birthday, describing him as a leader, who remained consistent in character throughout his public career.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said Buhari provided honest and transparent leadership in Nigeria during his tenure as Head of State from 1983 to 1985 and civilian President for two consecutive terms.

Governor Sanwo-Olu in a congratulatory message issued on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, said Buhari’s unblemished record in public service, especially as a Military Governor, Minister of Petroleum Services, Head of State and President, has made him a role model to many Nigerians.

The Governor described the immediate past President Buhari as a courageous and passionate leader, whose commitment to the growth and development of Nigeria is worthy of emulation.

He said: “On behalf of my family, the government and people of Lagos State, I congratulate former President Muhammadu Buhari on the occasion of his 81 years birthday. He has sacrificed the greater part of his life in service of our dear country as a military officer and public office holder.

“Former President Muhammadu Buhari contributed immensely to Nigeria’s unity, growth and development right from his youthful days till he bowed out of office as President on May 29, 2023, having served Nigeria passionately in different capacities as Minister of Petroleum Resources, Head of State and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

“During his tenure as President of Nigeria from 2015 to 2023, ex-President Buhari demonstrated unparalleled leadership skills, patriotism, integrity and courage in steering the ship of Nigeria.

“Now that he is in retirement after serving the country for many years with an unblemished record, I urged the former President to not be tired of contributing to the country. We believe his contribution will remain invaluable as an elder statesman and patriotic leader.

“I hereby join family, friends, associates, leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in celebrating former President Muhammadu Buhari’s 81st birthday. I wish him prosperous years of good health and wisdom in retirement.”

SIGNED

GBOYEGA AKOSILE

CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY

17 DECEMBER 2023