The National Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria has announced a new initiative to verify the documents of political aspirants ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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This measure aims to prevent electoral fraud and enhance the credibility of the electoral process.

Dr. Iliyasu Gashinbaki, the Pioneer President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Institute, made this announcement during a meeting with the leadership of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Abuja on Tuesday.

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He emphasized the institute’s commitment to ensuring that all candidates’ documents, including NYSC certificates, tax clearance certificates, and academic qualifications, are thoroughly authenticated before the primary elections.

Dr. Gashinbaki highlighted the necessity of this intervention to avoid embarrassing situations, such as the nullification of the Bayelsa governorship election due to certificate forgery.

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“Politics is too important to be left in the hands of politicians alone,” he stated, underscoring the institute’s role in strengthening the electoral management process.

The institute plans to establish two laboratories dedicated to the verification process, aiming to eliminate the submission of forged or dubious documents by political candidates.

“We’ve had several instances where the deployment of forensic tools could have saved the country from embarrassment and spared the electorate undue stress,” Gashinbaki added.

He pointed to the Bayelsa case as a significant example of the potential impact of their work.

“The election of an elected governor was nullified because of certificate forgery. This shouldn’t have happened. We need to ensure that the people elected by the masses are the ones who actually serve in office.”

The initiative also addresses broader governance issues in Africa, where fraudulent elections can contribute to political instability.

“This is one way to address impunity and improve the recruitment process for political offices, from councilor to president,” Gashinbaki explained.

IPAC Chairman, Alhaji Yusuf Dantalle, welcomed the partnership, viewing it as a crucial step towards resolving the country’s electoral challenges.

“We all agree as Nigerians that we want a better system for all of us,” he said.

He stressed the importance of domesticating solutions to Nigeria’s problems and expressed optimism about the collaboration’s potential to create a more reliable electoral system.

“This partnership is a welcome development,” Dantalle affirmed.

“It must be encouraged and consolidated to ensure we address the foundational issues of our electoral process and governance.”

By working together, the National Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators and IPAC hope to set a new standard for the verification of candidates’ documents, ultimately fostering a more transparent and trustworthy electoral process for Nigeria.

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Two lawmakers from Abia State, previously elected under the Young Progressives Party (YPP), have defected to the ruling Labour Party (LP).

The legislators, Iheanacho Nwogu and Fyne Ahuama, who represent the Osisioma North and Osisioma South State Constituencies respectively, made their switch official during the plenary session on Tuesday, May 14.

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Before his defection, Nwogu served as the Deputy Whip of the House.

The Speaker, Emmanuel Emeruwa, formally announced their letters of defection to the Labour Party during the session.

In their statements, Nwogu and Ahuama expressed their full support for the administration led by Alex Otti, citing the Labour Party’s commitment to justice and fair play as their primary reason for switching allegiance.

Reports indicate that the YPP had previously suspended both lawmakers due to alleged anti-party activities.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is poised to arraign former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, and his brother in court on Tuesday.

Both individuals face eight-count charges before Justice Belgore at the FCT High Court in Garki, Abuja.

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Previously, a Federal High Court in Abuja granted bail to Sirika, his daughter, and two others in the sum of ₦100 million with two sureties.

This legal action stems from an alleged ₦2.7 billion fraud case against Sirika and his associates.

The conditions for bail set by the court include sureties with landed properties in Abuja and the requirement for them to be responsible citizens, as well as the deposition of an affidavit of means.

Justice Oriji has also placed restrictions on the defendants, prohibiting them from traveling abroad without the court’s permission.

Failure to meet the bail conditions could result in the defendants being remanded in prison custody.

In April, the EFCC detained the ex-aviation minister and questioned him for several days before filing six-count charges against Sirika, his daughter, and two others.

The charges revolve around allegations that Sirika abused his office by awarding a N1.3 billion consultancy contract for the Nigerian Air start-up to Tianero Nigeria Limited, contrary to Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

Additionally, the EFCC accuses Sirika of using his position to confer unfair advantage upon Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, involving his daughter and son-in-law, by influencing the award of a contract for the Apron Extension at Katsina Airport for the sum of N1,498,300,750.

The charges assert that Sirika’s actions violated Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, rendering him liable to punishment under the same section.

Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday dismissed a suit brought by the Labour Party (LP) seeking to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct fresh elections in the Rivers House of Assembly.

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The LP had initiated legal action to fill the seats left vacant by lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Justice James Omotosho ruled to strike out the suit after counsel for the LP, F. I. Adariku, requested its withdrawal.

INEC, represented by lawyer Victor Giwa, opposed the suit, labeling it as frivolous and incompetent, urging the court to dismiss it on these grounds.

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Giwa argued that the LP lacked the standing and territorial jurisdiction to bring the case forward, citing a similar ongoing case in a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt.

After INEC filed its objection, the LP opted to withdraw the suit.

Adariku, acting on behalf of the LP’s national legal adviser, Kehinde Edun, applied for withdrawal and requested the court to strike out the suit.

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A. S. Adisa, representing Giwa, did not oppose the withdrawal application.

Subsequently, Justice Omotosho, in a ruling delivered on May 3 but sighted on Monday, ordered the LP to pay a cost of N50,000.

The judge declared the matter struck out and awarded the cost of N50,000 against LP in favor of INEC.

The suit involved multiple defendants, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara and others.

In a significant development, Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has declared his intention to conduct a thorough investigation into the operations of the state government over the past eight years.

Governor Fubara made this announcement during the swearing-in ceremony of Dagogo Iboroma, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, as the new Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Rivers State.

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Earlier in the day, Iboroma had been screened and confirmed as the Commissioner designate.

Governor Fubara, in his address, directed Iboroma to promptly establish a panel of inquiry to scrutinize the activities of the state government during the preceding eight years.

In a session led by Victor Oko-Jumbo, the Rivers State House of Assembly has successfully screened and confirmed Dagogo Iboroma, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), as the commissioner-designate.

The screening occurred at the Press Unit of the Government House in Port Harcourt on Monday.

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This confirmation follows the resignation of former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Zaccheaus Adangor, more than two weeks ago.

Oko-Jumbo extended an invitation to Iboroma for screening and confirmation as a member of the state executive.

Iboroma, SAN, is expected to assume the position vacated by Adangor, SAN, who resigned after being redeployed.

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Adangor rejected his redeployment to the State Ministry of Special Duties (Governor’s Office) by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The nominee’s invitation was conveyed through a letter signed by the factional Clerk, Dr. G.M. Gillis-West, requesting Iboroma’s appearance before the House at 10 am on Monday.

The factional Clerk directed Iboroma, SAN, to appear at the Hallowed Chamber, Rivers State House of Assembly, Auditorium, Admin Block, Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who contested as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 2023 presidential election, met with Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) on Monday. Advertorial

Atiku shared images of their closed-door discussion, captioning it, “It was my privilege to host @PeterObi today.”

In an interview, Atiku’s spokesperson, Paul Ibe, revealed that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, played a role in Peter Obi’s departure from the party.

Ibe also mentioned Atiku’s readiness to allocate the PDP presidential ticket to the Southeast.

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During a segment of Seun Okinbaloye’s Mic On podcast, Ibe stated, “Atiku did not push Peter Obi out of the party; Wike was influential in Obi’s exit due to his advocacy for zoning the presidency to the south.”

Ibe further explained Atiku’s stance, noting, “Atiku Abubakar expressed his willingness to step aside if the party decides to zone the ticket to the Southeast.

“However, Wike hindered this effort, believing that a southern zone other than the southeast would favor his chances of securing the ticket.”