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AfAW Wants Sanctions For Abdulrazaq Adamu, Other Witch-Hunting Judges, Magistrates

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AfAW To Collaborate With FIDA In Combating Witch Persecution In Nigeria

An advocacy group, the Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AfAW), has urged the chief judge of Adamawa to sanction Chief Magistrate Abdulrazaq Adamu and other judges and magistrates that try suspected witches. This call has become necessary following a recent disturbing report that Adamu presided over the trial of three suspected witches in Song Local Government Area of the state.

In a statement by the leader of AfAW, Dr. Leo Igwe, the group said that the suspects were accused of killing one person and torturing another through witchcraft. “Chief Magistrate Abdulrazaq Adamu went to the extent of inviting a native doctor who made the accused confess in court. Adamu then remanded the suspected witches in custody until November 9. The trial of suspected witches in state courts in this 21st century is shocking and embarrassing”, the group said.

“Unfortunately, this incident was not an isolated case. There have been other reports of witch trials in courts across the state. The chief judge of Adamawa should bring an end to this miscarriage of justice. The trial of accused witches as we have witnessed in Song ended in Europe centuries ago. Chief Magistrate Abdulrazaq Adamu and other misguided court officials are taking the court system in Adamawa and by extension Nigeria, back to the medieval and early modern European times. The Adamawa chief judge should not allow this to happen”, the group added.
AfAW asked the chief judge to sanction and suspend Chief Magistrate Abdulrazaq Adamu and other witch-hunting court officials without delay.

READ ALSO: AfAW Seeks Prosecution Of Nweke’s Killers Over Witchcraft

He added : “These magistrates and judges should be sent for retraining and be retired forthwith. The trial of suspected witches has no basis in Nigerian law. Witchcraft is not recognized by the law of Nigeria. So, those prosecuting suspected witches in Adamawa are acting ultra vires. And the chief judge should not allow this illegality to continue.

“The idea of inviting a native doctor to help in the trial and prosecution of alleged witches in a state court is unheard of. Such a dangerous trend and development should be nipped in the bud. The chief judge should order the unconditional release of the suspected witches from prison custody and tender an unreserved apology to these innocent citizens. The chief judge should liaise with other state agencies to combat witchcraft accusations and persecution of alleged witches. They should work to ensure that state courts are places where accused witches could come to seek redress, relief, and protection, not places where they would be subjected to further abuse and violations.”

 

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BREAKING:Chicago State University Unable To Grant One Request By Atiku As It Releases Tinubu’s Academic Records

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Senator Withdraws Support For Tinubu Over Choice Of Muslim Running Mate
President Bola Tinubu

The Chicago State University (CSU) was unable to meet one request by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Candidate Atiku Abubakar as it finally released to him the academic records of President Bola Tinubu.

Atiku requested the documents to back his allegation of forgery of CSU certificate against Tinubu. It would mean Tinubu was not qualified to run for the election, which he won, if the allegation is successfully proved against him.

The university, on Monday, presented to Atiku’s legal team, a cache of documents connected to Tinubu’s education at the institution and copies of certificates with redacted names issued to other persons about the same time the Nigerian president finished from the school in 1979.

It also contained Tinubu’s admission records, and a letter dated 27 June 2022 confirming that he attended the university from August 1977 and June 1979 majoring in accounting. The letter said Tinubu was awarded Bachelors of Science in Business Administration with Honours on 22 June 1979.

The District Court in Northern Illinois, had in its judgement delivered on Saturday, given the university up till 12 noon on Monday to deliver the documents to Atiku.

The judge, Nancy Maldonado, gave the other after dismissing Tinubu’s objection in the judgement.

Ms Maldonando dismissed Tinubu’s objection to the 20 September decision of a magistrate judge of the court, Jeffery Gilbert.

The judge fully affirmed Gilbert’s ruling, ordering the CSU to release Tinubu’s academic records as requested by Atiku. She insisted Atiku had the right to have access to the records.

Complying with the court order on Monday, the university produced four sets of documents copies which went viral online on Monday.

In a deposition detailing its compliance with the court order, the university confirmed it was able to grant three of Atiku’s four requests.

Responding to one of the requests it granted, the university said, “after diligent search”. it was able to locate and produce seven different certificates for Bachelor of Science degree it issued in 1979.

Atiku had apparently requested the documents to compare and contrast them with the one presented by Tinubu as his for the 2023 presidential election.

The university also handed to Atiku’s team, documents relating to Tinubu and certified by an official of CSU, Jamar C. Orr, a lawyer.

The university similarly produced, “after diligent search”, copies of three other diploma certificates issued to other students other than Tinubu in 1979.

This was in response to Atiku’s request for “true and correct copies of any diplomas issued by CSU (other than to Tinubu) that contain the same font, seal, signatures, and wording (other than the name of the recipient and the specific degree awarded)”. Atiku sought these documents to compare and contrast them with the one Tinubu claimed to have obtained on or about 22 June 1979.

But the university said it was unable to locate “a copy of the original diploma it prepared for Tinubu in 1979” as requested by Atiku.

This was the kernel of Atiku’s request which is at the heart of the issue he intends to use the documents for in his legal challenge of Tinubu’s victory at the 25 February presidential election.

The university said it “does not in the ordinary course keep copies of student diplomas, and after diligent search cannot locate a copy of the original diploma it prepared for Mr. Tinubu in 1979, hence has no documents responsive to this request.”

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Group Commends Ogun Governorship Election Petition Tribunal’s Verdict

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Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun

A Civil Society Organization, Advocacy for Peace and Good Governance, has commended the Ogun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal for its verdict on  the March 18, governorship election in the State.

It would be recalled that the tribunal, on Saturday, unanimously validated the victory of Governor Dapo Abiodun, as it dismissed all the grounds canvassed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Ladi Adebutu in their petitions.

The group stated that the verdict was a victory for democracy and affirmation of the people’s choice.

The group, in a statement signed by it’s National Coordinator, Waheed Sulaimon, on Saturday in Abuja, described the judgement as explicit without any ambiguity, saying it was a true reflection of what happened across Ogun State on March 18, 2023.

The group noted that the tribunal delivered its verdict based on the facts and evidence presented before it, as well as the credibility of the electoral process.

It lauded the judiciary for its impartiality in the ongoing election petition-related cases across the country, adding that Nigerians have always reposed their confidence in that arm of government.

The group, therefore, urged all parties involved to accept the decision of the tribunal and join hands with Governor Dapo Abiodun, to work towards the development of the state.

It also called on all stakeholders in the Ogun State project to rally round the governor to make the Gateway State among the best in Nigeria in terms of economic prosperity, political stability and social cohesion.

The group also lauded Governor Abiodun for his commitment to good governance and efforts at ensuring the security of lives and property, as well as his unwavering political will to speedily develop the state.

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BREAKING: Tribunal Sacks Nasarawa Governor Sule, Declares PDP’s Ombugadu Winner

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Nasarawa State Governor Abudullahi Sule

The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Monday declared David Ombugadu of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the state’s last election.

This was after the tribunal nullified  the election of Governor Abdullahi Sule of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Delivering the judgment virtually, the Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Ezekiel Ajayi, declared Ombugadu as the lawfully elected governor of Nasarawa State.

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