Court documents reveal if new INEC Chair was part of Tinubu’s legal team in 2023 Presidential dispute
Court documents reveal if new INEC Chair was part of Tinubu’s legal team in 2023 Presidential dispute
Contrary to circulating rumours on social media and some sections of the public, court documents show that Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, the newly nominated Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), was never part of President Bola Tinubu’s legal team during the 2023 presidential election disputes at either the tribunal or the Supreme Court.
An investigation by The Nation through certified true copies (CTC) of the three judgments of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) and the two final Supreme Court rulings revealed that Prof. Amupitan’s name does not appear on any lists of counsels who represented Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Sources suggest that the confusion may have arisen from a mix-up with Professor Taiwo Osipitan (SAN), who, alongside Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) and other lawyers, represented Tinubu and Shettima during the proceedings.
The PEPT delivered its consolidated judgment on September 6, 2023, after hearing three major petitions:
Petition No: CA/PEPC/03/2023, filed by Peter Obi and the Labour Party (LP), naming INEC, Tinubu, Shettima, and APC as respondents.
Petition No: CA/PEPC/04/2023, filed by Allied Peoples Movement (APM), with INEC, APC, Tinubu, Shettima, and Kabir Masari as respondents.
Petition No: CA/PEPC/05/2023, filed by Atiku Abubakar and the PDP, listing INEC, Tinubu, and the APC as respondents.
Babatunde Ogala (SAN), the former Coordinator of Tinubu’s Presidential Legal Team, dismissed the claims linking Prof. Amupitan to the team, calling them “false and misleading.”
In a statement, Ogala urged the public to disregard the “baseless” rumours.
His words: “My attention has been drawn to several false and misleading claims currently circulating on social media, alleging that Prof. Amupitan SAN recently appointed as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), was a member of the Tinubu Presidential Legal Team.
“As the erstwhile Coordinator of that legal team, I feel compelled, not as a rejoinder, but in service to truth and public interest, to set the records straight and allay any concerns these malicious fabrications may have caused among well-meaning Nigerians.”
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria said Prof. Amupitan SAN was never, at any point, a member of the Tinubu Presidential Legal Team. “His name does not appear among the over One Hundred and Twenty-three legal practitioners who were formally engaged for that assignment, of whom sixty (60) were distinguished Senior Advocates of Nigeria. At no time during the entire process was his counsel, opinion, or professional service sought or rendered.
“I therefore challenge anyone peddling this falsehood to produce verifiable evidence to the contrary. In fact, any member of the public may apply for Certified True Copies of all legal processes filed on behalf of the President-Elect (as he then was) to confirm the authenticity of this statement. While political discourse is inevitable in any democracy, it is essential that our engagement remains anchored on truth, decency, and national stability. Deliberately twisting facts to inflame public sentiment serves no one and only endangers our collective peace.”
He emphasized that Mr. President has lawfully exercised his constitutional prerogative in making this appointment and the Council of State has approved same. “It is therefore incumbent upon all responsible citizens, leaders, and media practitioners to reject narratives that are baseless, divisive, unkind, uncharitable and capable of undermining public trust.
“I reaffirm my unwavering commitment to justice, fairness, and the continued strengthening of our democratic institutions. Let truth, not mischief guide our national conversations. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
News
My Husband wants to have s3x with me eight times everynight – Housewife cries for help
My Husband wants to have s3x with me eight times everynight – Housewife cries for help
A Harare woman, Melocia Gwata, has successfully obtained a court-issued protection order against her husband, George Kusotera, following allegations of excessive sexual demands and physical abuse.
The case was heard at the Harare Civil Court before Magistrate Judith Taruvinga, where Melocia detailed the severity of her ordeal. She told the court that her husband had coerced her into sexual activity up to eight times a night, resorting to violence whenever she refused.
“He wants to have s3x every day and wakes me up in the middle of the night, even after we’ve been intimate countless times on the same day,” Melocia stated.
She further described how the abuse extended beyond physical coercion, with George allegedly threatening divorce and verbally assaulting her in front of their children.
“He has been assaulting me in front of our children, shouting obscenities and telling them I don’t deserve to be called their mother,” she added, highlighting the emotional toll the behaviour has taken on her and the family.
In response, George acknowledged his actions, apologising to his wife and attributing his conduct to love. “I did not realise I was making her uncomfortable. I apologise and promise not to physically abuse her anymore,” he told the court.
After hearing both sides, Magistrate Taruvinga granted Melocia a protection order, legally preventing her husband from further abuse and ensuring her safety.
News
Scores of terrorists neutralised after Major attacks on military base
Scores of terrorists neutralised after Major attacks on military base
Nigerian troops have successfully neutralised several terrorists and thwarted coordinated attacks in Adamawa and Borno States.
The Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, announced that the successes followed swift and decisive responses by soldiers to attempts by insurgents to overrun military formations in the North-East.
In a statement issued on Friday, Acting Media Information Officer of the Task Force, Lieutenant Solomon Atokolo, confirmed that the operations resulted in heavy casualties for the terrorists.
He explained that the first attack took place in the early hours of January 16, 2026, when insurgents targeted a patrol base at Sabon Gari in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
Atokolo stated that troops under Sector 4 of Operation Hadin Kai quickly engaged the attackers and successfully repelled them. He added that reinforcements from Gulak and the Battalion Quick Reaction Force were promptly mobilised to support the operation, ensuring that the assault was decisively crushed.
“The terrorists were successfully repelled without any casualty to our troops or damage to equipment, forcing them to abandon the attack,” the statement said.
He added that security forces later carried out clearance operations in the surrounding area, scanning for improvised explosive devices and booby traps to guarantee the safety of both civilians and personnel.
In a separate incident on the same day, terrorists staged a large-scale, multi-directional attack on Forward Operating Base (FOB) Azir in Borno State.
The attackers attempted to breach the base’s defensive perimeter but were met with fierce resistance from troops. With support from the Air Component and other Nigerian Army aerial platforms, the soldiers unleashed sustained firepower that compelled the insurgents to retreat.
Although rocket-propelled grenade fire from the terrorists damaged some troop-carrying vehicles and partially affected the base’s CCTV control room, Atokolo said troops maintained full control of the situation and prevented any further breach.
The military spokesperson disclosed that several weapons and ammunition were recovered from the fleeing terrorists.
Items seized included a 60mm mortar tube, mortar bombs, locally fabricated explosives, heavy machine gun rounds, and hundreds of rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition.
The Joint Task Force commended the professionalism and resilience of the troops, reaffirming its commitment to sustaining operations aimed at restoring lasting peace and security to the North-East region.
Scores of terrorists neutralised after Major attacks on military base
Nigerian troops have successfully neutralised several terrorists and thwarted coordinated attacks in Adamawa and Borno States.
The Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, announced that the successes followed swift and decisive responses by soldiers to attempts by insurgents to overrun military formations in the North-East.
In a statement issued on Friday, Acting Media Information Officer of the Task Force, Lieutenant Solomon Atokolo, confirmed that the operations resulted in heavy casualties for the terrorists.
He explained that the first attack took place in the early hours of January 16, 2026, when insurgents targeted a patrol base at Sabon Gari in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
Atokolo stated that troops under Sector 4 of Operation Hadin Kai quickly engaged the attackers and successfully repelled them. He added that reinforcements from Gulak and the Battalion Quick Reaction Force were promptly mobilised to support the operation, ensuring that the assault was decisively crushed.
“The terrorists were successfully repelled without any casualty to our troops or damage to equipment, forcing them to abandon the attack,” the statement said.
He added that security forces later carried out clearance operations in the surrounding area, scanning for improvised explosive devices and booby traps to guarantee the safety of both civilians and personnel.
In a separate incident on the same day, terrorists staged a large-scale, multi-directional attack on Forward Operating Base (FOB) Azir in Borno State.
The attackers attempted to breach the base’s defensive perimeter but were met with fierce resistance from troops. With support from the Air Component and other Nigerian Army aerial platforms, the soldiers unleashed sustained firepower that compelled the insurgents to retreat.
Although rocket-propelled grenade fire from the terrorists damaged some troop-carrying vehicles and partially affected the base’s CCTV control room, Atokolo said troops maintained full control of the situation and prevented any further breach.
The military spokesperson disclosed that several weapons and ammunition were recovered from the fleeing terrorists.
Items seized included a 60mm mortar tube, mortar bombs, locally fabricated explosives, heavy machine gun rounds, and hundreds of rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition.
The Joint Task Force commended the professionalism and resilience of the troops, reaffirming its commitment to sustaining operations aimed at restoring lasting peace and security to the North-East region.
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