THE Election Petition Tribunal adjudicating over complaints arising from August 9, 2014 governorship election in Osun State, on Tuesday, admitted as exhibit a subpoena and four bags of ballot papers used during the exercise in Ilesa East Local Government.
Standard bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the poll, Senator Iyiola Omisore, is contesting the result of the election won by the candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Governor Rauf Aregbesola, in 17 local local government councils, including Ilesa East.
At Tuesday’s sitting, a star witness and forensic expert, presented by the petitioner, Omisore, Mr Pius Bakare, appeared before the commission to give his testimony.
The lead counsel to the petitioner, Dr Alex Izinyon, leading the forensic expert in witness, tendered a subpoena and four bags of the ballot papers produced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
However, the move was objected by counsel to the 1st Respondent (Rauf Aregbesola), Akin Olujimi, APC counsel, Professor Yemi Osinbajo and counsel to INEC, Ayotunde Ogunleye.
In his argument, Olujimi contended that the subpoena tendered from the bar by Izinyon was not a Certified True Copy (CTC), hence it is not admissible before the panel, stressing that the forensic expert brought by the petitioner had no connection with the subpoena.
He also maintained that there was no fact to authenticate that the sacks of ballot papers brought to the court were produced by INEC officials.
Olujimi, who observed that the expert witness was not the author of the documents and therefore cannot tender them, said that certain marks were made on the subpoena which makes it inevitable for the person who made the marks to be cross-examined.
TRIBUNE

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Photos of the Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Director National Military Strategy of the National Defence College, Course 23, Commodore Abdul Ganiy Olabisi, during a Team from Defence College’s visit to the Governor at Government House, Osogbo, the State of Osun on Tuesday 02-12-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Director National
Military Strategy of the National Defence College, Course 23,
Commodore Abdul Ganiy Olabisi, during a Team from Defence College’s
visit to the Governor at Government House, Osogbo, the State of Osun
on Tuesday 02-12-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Director National
Military Strategy of the National Defence College, Course 23,
Commodore Abdul Ganiy Olabisi, during a Team from Defence College’s
visit to the Governor at Government House, Osogbo, the State of Osun
on Tuesday 02-12-2014

From left, Commander, Engineering Company, Ede, Brig. General Gbenga
Adeyemi; Deputy Governor, State of Osun, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori;
Governor Rauf Aregbesola and Director National Military Strategy of
the National Defence College, Course 23, Commodore Abdul Ganiy
Olabisi, during a Team from Defence College’s visit to the Governor at
Government House, Osogbo, the State of Osun on Tuesday 02-12-2014

From left, Head of Service, State of Osun, Mr. Sunday Owoeye;
Commander, Engineering Company, Ede, Brig. General Gbenga Adeyemi;
Deputy Governor, State of Osun, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori; Governor Rauf
Aregbesola; Director National Military Strategy of the National
Defence College, Course 23, Commodore Abdul Ganiy Olabisi; Brig. Gen.
Joel Unnigbe; Commodore Micheal Okonkwo; Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Yusuf and
Captain Muktar Abdulai, during a Team from Defence College’s visit to
the Governor at Government House, Osogbo, the State of Osun on Tuesday
02-12-2014

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One of the witnesses called by Senator Iyiola Omisore of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Moshood Adejare, to prove the allegation of malpractices in the August 9th governorship election failed to prove the allegation of overvoting he alleged in his witness statement on oath at the Election Petitions Tribunal.
Adejare, who was called by counsel to the petitioner, Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN), had earlier adopted the statement he deposed to at the registry of the tribunal as his evidence before the court.
Adejare, a ward supervisor for PDP in Ede South during the poll had alleged overvoting among other irregularities before the tribunal.
However, the All Progressives Congress’ counsel, Mr. Kunle Adegoke, during cross examination confronted the witness with exhibit 207 which is result for the ward but he said he could not find evidence of overvoting there.
He added that his explanation might not have been full.
The counsel described him jokingly as a witness of truth and said he should be given an award by his religious leader.
The counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mr. Ayotunde Ogunleye, also challenged the witness to prove the allegation of superimposition which was contained in his deposition but he failed to establish this before the panel.
Asked what he superimposition meant, Adejare said, ” It is when you complain of irregularities and your complaints are not attended to.”
Another witness, Taofeek Opaleye, from Boripe Local Government Area of the state also alleged that eligible voters suspected to be supporters of the PDP were prevented from voting by some APC leaders.
He admitted that he voted but he stated that PDP agents were forced to sign election results.
The third witness, Oluwaseun Fapohunda, stunned the tribunal, when during cross examination, he said that Governor Rauf Aregbesola voted at his polling unit in Oriade Local Government whereas Aregbesola is from Ilesa in Ilesa West Local Government Area.
Fapohunda also alleged overvoting and he was presented exhibit 203 ( election result for his areas) but he said it was not clear after the counsel had given his ( counsel) glasses to the witness to assist him to read the result.
The tribunal’s proceedings are still going on.
DAILY TIMES
Aregbesola Opposes Omisore’s Forensic Expert’s Report 
Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola has urged the Election Petitions Tribunal hearing matters arising from the August 9th governorship election to reject the report tendered by the forensic data analysis and ICT expert called by Senator Iyiola Omisore to prove his petition.
Counsel to the petitioner, Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN), led the expert witness in evidence on Tuesday at the resumed hearing of the matter.
Izinyon sought to tender the report of the witness but Aregbesola’s counsel, Chief Akin Olujinmi (SAN), Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), who represented the All Progressives Congress and the INEC counsel, Mr. Ayotunde Ogunleye raised objection to the admissibility of the report.
The first respondent (Aregbesola) said that the document did not comply with the provisions of Section 84 of the Evidence Act.
According to him, the report is computer generated and such requires a certificate that the computer used in arriving at conclusion was working properly when it was used.
Osinbajo, who aligned himself with the arguments of Aregbesola’s counsel cited a Court of Appeal ruling in Akeredolu versus Mimiko to back his argument.
Counsel for the INEC said computers could be used to do photo tricks and that was why the provision of Section 84 of the Evidence Act was sacrosanct.
Izinyon while reacting on point of law said that Appeal Court just warned court to be weary of using experts opinions.
He also described the reliance of the respondents on the Section 84 of the Evidence Act as a gross misconception and misapplication of what the section contained.
The tribunal admitted the document and reserved ruling on its admissibility until judgment stage.
Meanwhile, the tribunal has warned lawyers and those attending the proceedings against taking photographs of witnesses and uploading same on social media.
The Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Elizabeth Ikpejime gave the warning before the proceedings started on Tuesday.
She said, “It has come to our notice that some persons are taking photographs of witnesses and uploading them on Facebook. This is wrong. I believe all of us here are matured.
“I observed somebody (a lawyer) was fidgeting with his phone yesterday and he denied. But there was no evidence against him.
Why are those involved doing this? Is it to expose the witnesses to unnecessary danger?
“Be warned! If you are eventually found out, justice will take its course.”
PUNCH

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It was remarkable as Osun civil servants thronged on Governor Rauf Aregbesola on arrival at Bola Ige House- his office- the first time after taking oath for his second term as Osun governor.
The workers; led by the Head of Service, Sunday Owoeye were ecstatic as they sang praise songs- thanking God for bringing back the man that has brought various inovation that has impacted positively on Osun workers.
Governor Aregbesola took second oath of office last Thursday.
Addressing the workers, 5 he Osun governor noted that the song with which the workers welcomed him to office reminded him that three days was already out of his second term calender. He explained that he made a pronouncement after he took the Thursday oath to further develop the state with the speech of twenty years within the next four years of his new administration. He urged the workers to stand up to the task ahead.
Aregbesola thanked the workers for appreciating what was achieved by his government the first term.
He urged the workers to ignore the grandstanding of the opposition; adding that no amount of shenanigans of the opposition can truncate the steady growth Osun is experiencing. He said members of opposition “are telling all sorts of lies on a radio station in Ife in order to continue their grip on ignorant members of their fold”. He however decried the inaction of the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission, NBC- adding that the broadcast regulatory body “is allowing evil by not cautioning a radio in Ife.
“This is not how to operate in a civilised community. Don’t insult our senses by inciting the public.
“What they were saying before the inauguration on the radio was that inauguration would not hold. Unfortunately for them the inauguration has held”, Aregbesola said.

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Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, has urged members of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) to see their call to service as a call for dedication and commitment to the success of the nation now and in the future. The governor stated this yesterday at the NYSC orientation camp, Ede, Osun State during the formal opening of orientation exercise and swearing-in ceremony of the 2,780 batch ‘C’ deployed to the state.
The Chief Judge of the state, Justice Adepele Ojo administered the oath of office on corps members comprising of 1,339 males and 1,441 females. Aregbesola who was represented on the occasion by his Deputy, Mrs. Titi Laoye Tomori, told the corps members that their deployment to the state was designed for a purpose and charged them to strive hard to be relevant in the state in the next one year.
THISDAY

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One of the witnesses called by Senator Iyiola Omisore of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Moshood Adejare, to prove the allegation of malpractices in the August 9th governorship election failed to prove the allegation of overvoting he alleged in his witness statement on oath at the Election Petitions Tribunal.
Adejare, who was called by  counsel to the petitioner, Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN), had earlier adopted the statement he deposed to at the registry of the tribunal as his evidence before the court.
Adejare, a ward supervisor for PDP in Ede South during the poll had alleged overvoting among other irregularities before the tribunal.
However, the All Progressives Congress’ counsel, Mr. Kunle Adegoke, during cross examination confronted the witness with exhibit 207 which is result for the ward but he said he could not find evidence of overvoting there.
He added that his explanation might not have been full.
The counsel described him jokingly as a witness of truth and said he should  be given an award by his religious leader.
The counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mr. Ayotunde Ogunleye, also challenged the witness to prove the allegation of superimposition which was contained in his deposition but he failed to establish this before the panel.
Asked what he superimposition meant, Adejare said, ” It is when you complain of irregularities and your complaints are not attended to.”
Another witness, Taofeek Opaleye, from Boripe Local Government Area of the state also alleged that eligible voters suspected to be supporters of the PDP were prevented from voting by some APC leaders.
He admitted that he voted but he stated that PDP agents were forced to sign election results.
The third witness, Oluwaseun Fapohunda, stunned the tribunal, when during cross examination, he said that Governor Rauf Aregbesola voted at his polling unit in Oriade Local Government whereas Aregbesola is from Ilesa in Ilesa West Local Government Area.
Fapohunda also alleged overvoting and he was presented exhibit 203 ( election result for his areas) but he said it was not clear  after the counsel had given his ( counsel) glasses to the witness to assist him to read the result.
The tribunal’s proceedings are still going on.
DAILY TIMES

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Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has raised the alarm over Boko Haram’s ceaseless attacks on the country, expressing fears that Nigeria could be destroyed.
Aregbesola in a statement issued on Sunday by his media aide, Semiu Okanlawon, strongly condemned last Friday terrorist attack on Kano mosque where over 150 were killed.
The governor was said to have stated this in Osogbo, the Osun State capital on Sunday at a prayer session of Nasrullahi -il Fathi Society of Nigeria, Osogbo Branch where he joined other Muslim faithful to pray for the country as well as Osun State.
Aregbesola, while describing the Friday’s attacks as sad and unfortunate said every Nigerian irrespective of religion or ethnic background should come out and condemn the act.
He said, “Last Friday’s bombing of the Central Mosque in Kano has proved beyond reasonable doubt that the nation is in the throes of life-threatening crisis. Nigerians should be alerted to the serious danger that lurks around with the ceaseless spate of bombing in some parts of the country.
“The bombing of Emir’s palace’s Mosque has proved ultimately and beyond any doubt that this country faces daunting challenges posed by the Boko Haram insurgents.
“Condemnable as the act is, yet it baffles one that a lot of us still deceive ourselves by reading religious colouration to this whole violence.
“I do not believe that a Muslim, who is a true Muslim, can do this to a Christian let alone a fellow Muslim hiding under the guise of promoting his religion.
“It is painful to hear that the places of worship are no longer safe places for our people.
 

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OSUN state governor, Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday said Nigerians have demonstrated capacity to stand by and support any government that is committed to their welfare.
The governor while expressing gratitude for what he called an impressive turnout at the Thursday swearing in ceremony at the Osogbo Township Stadium, said the people, with their massive turnout, made an impactful statement of affirmation that the governor they voted for on August 9 this year was the one being inaugurated.
In a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, Aregbesola was quoted as saying that he was highly appreciative of those who made the inauguration a huge success.
According to the statement, the governor said he was elated to see national and state leaders of the party, members from across the country as well as well wishers from all walks of life.
The governor noted that he was impressed by the conduct of the huge crowd, who came out to make the ceremony a memorable one.
He said: “I wish to express my joy and appreciation to all who blessed us with their presence at the inauguration of our second term in office: artisans, market women and men, professional bodies, associations, corporate organization, members of the diplomatic community, traditional rulers, religious leaders and religious organizations up to national leaders of our party. Words are not enough to express our appreciation.
“That crowd could only be interpreted to mean one thing: That the outcome of the August 9 governorship election was the true reflection of the wishes of our people and a complete triumph of the wishes of the people.
“It is a demonstration of the fact that our government in its first four years, worked with the people and changed their conditions as never witnessed before our advent. We are therefore committed to doing more.”
THE GUARDIAN

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