Headlines

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has renewed its call for the establishment of a special tribunal to handle electoral offences, citing delays in the prosecution of cases.

INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, made the appeal on Friday in Abuja during the commission’s first regular quarterly consultative meeting with the media.

“A major obstacle to the speedy dispensation of justice in this regard is that electoral offences are not time-bound as is the case with post-election offences handled by tribunals,” Yakubu stated.

He noted that electoral offences are currently prosecuted by Magistrate and State High Courts within the jurisdiction where they occur, without priority attention, as courts handle various other cases.

“Consequently, electoral offences are carried over from one general election to another, which may sometimes affect diligent prosecution. It is therefore imperative to renew our call for the creation of the Electoral Offences Tribunal, which will have a specific jurisdiction and limited timeframe for the speedy dispensation of cases,” he added.

A 33,000-litre tanker carrying diesel overturned on Friday morning along the Onitsha-Awka-Enugu Expressway near the Army Gate in Onitsha, Anambra State.

The incident, which occurred around 7:05 a.m., happened as the driver attempted to turn into a filling station. Reports indicate that the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to spill some of its contents before emergency responders arrived.

The accident led to the closure of the Awka-bound lane, with traffic diverted to the Onitsha-bound lane, resulting in heavy congestion.

Firefighters from the Anambra State Fire Service arrived promptly and sprayed chemical foam compound to prevent a fire outbreak. Despite their efforts, some residents were seen scooping spilled diesel from gutters, while security operatives struggled to control the situation and manage traffic.

As of the time of filing this report, the resulting gridlock had extended from the Army Gate to the MCC axis of the expressway.

Confirming the incident, State Fire Chief Chukwudi Chiketa stated that the tanker began rolling backward while attempting to discharge its contents at the filling station.

“The driver, according to the owner, failed to engage the handbrake. The vehicle rolled backward, and the driver, in an attempt to jump out, sustained a head injury. He was rushed to the hospital for treatment. Fortunately, no lives were lost,” Chiketa said.

Meanwhile, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) spokesperson in Anambra, Margaret Onabe, confirmed that personnel had been deployed to the scene to manage traffic flow.

Suspected bandits attacked a mosque in Bushe community, Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, abducting at least 10 worshippers, including the Imam.

Eyewitnesses told Reporters that the assailants stormed the mosque on Thursday morning while worshippers were performing the early morning Subhi prayer.

Residents reported that the gunmen had been terrorizing the community despite the presence of security operatives. However, they acknowledged that the swift intervention of Nigerian Army troops helped limit the extent of the attack.

The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed the incident on Friday. Spokesman Ahmed Rufai stated that security agencies were actively working to rescue the abducted victims.

A member of the Sokoto State House of Assembly representing the Sabon Birni B Constituency also verified the attack and commended security operatives for their prompt response.

Suspected pirates on Thursday hijacked a passenger boat carrying 20 travelers along the Bonny-Okrika waterways in Rivers State.

The Bonny Local Government Council confirmed the incident, stating that nine passengers had been rescued while efforts were ongoing to secure the release of the remaining 11.

Bonny LG Chairman, Anengi Claude-Wilcox, disclosed that the rescue operation was conducted in collaboration with security agencies. In a statement by her media aide, Boma Waribor, she noted that the boat driver violated safety regulations by taking a prohibited route at Kilometer 10.

“Security briefing at the disposal of the Executive Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area, Anengi Barasua Claude-Wilcox, indicates that a passenger boat comprising 20 persons en route Bonny was intercepted this afternoon by sea pirates around the precincts of Isaka in Okrika Local Government Area,” the statement read.

It further assured that security operatives had intensified efforts to rescue the remaining passengers.

Meanwhile, the Maritime Union Workers of Nigeria (MUWN), Rivers State chapter, expressed concern over the persistent pirate attacks in the region.

The Chairman of MUWN, Rivers Commercial District, Isreal Wariboko, lamented the increasing attacks despite efforts by the state government to curb them.

“These criminals monitor security movements and strike when the area is vulnerable,” Wariboko said. “Sometimes security is stationed in one area, and they attack another. As long as they remain in the mangrove, these incidents will continue to happen.”

He called for enhanced security presence along the waterways and confirmed that the latest attack had been reported to the police.

“You will recall that after our protest and the donation of gunboats by the Governor, pirate attacks reduced. However, they have now devised new strategies,” he added.

Wariboko stated that the marine police were handling the situation while the union had deployed search teams to assist in the rescue efforts.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has proposed the death penalty for individuals involved in drug peddling.

NAFDAC Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye, stated that only severe penalties would deter drug peddlers, particularly when their actions result in the deaths of children.

Speaking on The Morning Brief on Channels Television, Adeyeye cited an incident where counterfeit children’s medicine was discovered in the market.

“Somebody bought children’s medicine for N13,000, while another person was selling it for about N3,000 in the same mall,” she said. “That raised an alarm. When we tested it in our Kaduna lab, there was nothing inside that medicine. So, I want the death penalty.”

She emphasized that harmful drugs could be as deadly as a weapon. “You don’t need to put a gun to a child’s head to kill them. Just give them bad medicine,” Adeyeye added.