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PDP Accuses INEC of Thump printing Ballot Papers in Borno A Month After Election
PDP Accuses INEC of Thump printing Ballot Papers in Borno A Month After Election
By: Michael Mike
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the Borno Central Senatorial election, Hon. Muhammed Kumaila has alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are still thump printing ballot papers in its keep barely a month after the election.
Kumaila who said this amounted to destroying and tampering with evidence that would be presented before the Election Petitions Tribunal, alleged that some adhoc staff of the commission in Borno were caught thumb printing and stuffing ballot boxes within the premises of Borno office of INEC in Maiduguri last Wednesday almost a month after the Presidential and National Assembly elections were held.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Saturday, Kumaila said following the outcome of the National Assembly election, where he lost to the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Kaka Shehu Lawal, he had filed a petition before the Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Maiduguri.
He added that he subsequently obtained a court order to inspect materials used for the elections, which he said included the ballot boxes, used and unused ballot papers as well as obtain Certified True Copies of the result and collation sheets among others.
When contacted, Head of Department, Voter Education and Publicity, Abba Liberty, said the issue was beyond him.
“I am not in a position to respond. I think you should contact the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC). I have restrictions to what I can respond to please. That is the nature of my work and that is my stand”, he stated.
Kumaila, however, disclosed that while his team of lawyers were undertaking the inspection of materials on March 22, 2023, they discovered some INEC ad-hoc staff sorting out, rearranging and counting ballot papers and stuffing them in different ballot boxes in respect of Mafa, Kala Balge and Dikwa Local Governments.
He said: “Our inspectors immediately raised alarm and accordingly reported the incident to the Borno State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC). They drew the attention of the REC that the actions of the Ad-Hoc staff amount to tampering with evidence. The REC assured our team that the Ad Hoc Staff were only rearranging the documents that were dumped on them by the respective Local Government Electoral Officers who brought the materials from the local governments. Although we were not satisfied with the explanation, we gave them the benefit of the doubt and continued with the inspection.
“To our surprise, by the next day, Thursday March, 23, 2023, our inspectors this time around caught red handed two ad-hoc staff actually thumbprinting ballot papers and stuffing them into ballot boxes for Mafa Local Government right inside the premises of the INEC office in Maiduguri. Our Inspectors immediately arrested the two staff involved in the thumb printing and stuffing of ballot boxes and took them to the Bulumkutu Police Station together with the bundles of ballot papers that were thumb printed and the indelible ink they used.
“We were surprised that no official of the Maiduguri INEC office took interest to accompany our team to the police station in order to ensure the arrest of the ad-hoc staff and undertake investigation of any possible crimes.
“The police officials took the statements of the complainant and the two ad-hoc staff and arrested them. They also invited the Electoral Officer for Mafa Local government who brought the materials to the Maiduguri INEC office from Mafa Local Government to give a statement. Our team was informed by the police at Bulumkutu Police Station to come back the next day so that the case will be transferred to the Maiduguri Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation and prosecution.”
Kumaila explained that since the ballot and results sheets would serve as evidence in court, any attempt by any official, permanent or adhoc to thumb print or move ballot papers from one ballot box to another after the elections have been concluded amounts to tampering with evidence.
He added: “When our team arrived the police station the next day as requested for the case to be transferred to the CID, the DPO informed our team that the suspects have been released to the officials of the Maiduguri INEC office and the bundle of ballot papers and the indelible ink (Exhibits) have been returned to the INEC office in Maiduguri.
“They opined that the case is not within their jurisdiction and that we should go to the police station at Mafa Local Government to complain, ostensibly forgetting that they had a day earlier informed our team that the case will be transferred to the Maiduguri CID department. The action of the DPO amounts to obstruction of justice and failure to carry out his lawful duty.
“One issue that begs for an answer is who are the INEC officials that the suspects were released to and also collected the bundles of Ballot papers from the Police station and returned to the INEC office? Those INEC officials that collected the ballot papers from the police station and returned them back to the INEC office are as complicit as the Ad-Hoc staff that were caught thumbprinting the ballot papers. It is therefore obvious that the INEC officials and the DPO are involved in suppression, concealing and aiding of crime as well as tampering with evidence.
We have video evidence of the suspects when they were caught thumbprinting the ballot papers.
He urged the Inspector General of Police and the Director General, Department of State security Service (DSS) to immediately direct investigation into this matter with a view to apprehending the culprits and prosecuting them in accordance with the law.
He said the IGP should direct the Borno State Commissioner of Police to arrest the two ad-hoc staff of INEC by names that were caught thumb printing and stuffing ballot boxes in respect of Mafa local government right inside the premises of INEC office in Maiduguri.
He also urged security agencies to investigate the culpability of the INEC officials that caused the release of the suspects and also took back the ballot papers and indelible ink that were handed over to the police as exhibit.
PDP Accuses INEC of Thump printing Ballot Papers in Borno A Month After Election
Koton-Karfe Jailbreak: Killers of Correctional Officer Would Be Brought to Justice- NCoS
By: Michael Mike
The fleeing inmates of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Koton-Karfe, Kogi State, which expressed jailbreak on Monday would have to face justice especially the killing of a Senior Correctional Assistant (SCA) Shuaibu King David
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) regrets to announce the tragic demise of Senior Correctional Assistant (SCA) Shuaibu King David during the unfortunate escape incident at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Koton-Karfe, Kogi State, on 24 March, 2025.
The Acting Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche made this vow on Tuesday while on behalf of the entire Nigerian Correctional Service extended heartfelt condolences to the family, colleagues, and loved ones of the late personnel, noting that the service and ultimate sacrifice of the falling hero would forever be remembered and honoured.
The statement read that SCA Shuaibu King David, in the line of duty, bravely stood his ground in an effort to prevent the escape of inmates and protect the integrity of the custodial centre. His courageous sacrifice reflects his unwavering dedication to service and national security.
Nwakuche said the Nigerian Correctional Service is working closely with relevant security agencies and communities to recapture those still at large and bring them to justice, adding that measures are being taken to enhance security in all custodial centres across the country to prevent such occurrences in the future.
He added that: “The Service remains committed to ensuring the safety of officers and the security of custodial facilities nationwide.”
Koton-Karfe Jailbreak: Killers of Correctional Officer Would Be Brought to Justice- NCoS
Nigeria, Spain Sign MoU on Political Consultations
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria and Spain have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on political consultations, establishing a mechanism for regular dialogue to advance areas of mutual interest and consolidate cooperation between Spain and Nigeria.
Joint Statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Spain and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria issued on Tuesday read that: “Today, in Madrid, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Spain, José Manuel Albares, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, held a working meeting aimed at further strengthening bilateral relations between both countries within the framework of the Spain-Africa Strategy 2025-2028.
“During this meeting, both Ministers signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on political consultations, establishing a mechanism for regular dialogue to advance areas of mutual interest and consolidate cooperation between Spain and Nigeria.”
It added that: “Nigeria is a strategic partner for Spain in West Africa, a region of special priority within the Spain-Africa Strategy. Likewise, Spain is a strategic partner for Nigeria and a key ally within the European Union, playing an active role in promoting stronger relations between the EU and the African continent. In this context, both Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration in various fields, including economic development, security, education, energy, and the fight against climate change.
“They also discussed the regional situation, particularly in the Sahel and West Africa, highlighting the importance of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as a key player in regional stability and development. Additionally, they exchanged views on other challenges facing the continent.
“On international affairs, the Ministers shared their concerns regarding the situations in Gaza and Ukraine, reaffirming their commitment to peace, stability, and respect for international law.
“Both Ministers agreed that this visit represents a significant step in deepening relations between Spain and Nigeria. They reiterated their commitment to continuing close cooperation for the benefit of their peoples and the strengthening of Africa-Europe relations.”
Nigeria, Spain Sign MoU on Political Consultations
NAPTIP, DSS Smash Cross-Country Human Trafficking Syndicate
By: Michael Mike
Operatives of the National Agency Prohibition of Ttaffickixlng in Persons (NAPTIP) and officials of the Department of State Service (DSS) have smashed a human trafficking syndicate headed by a female truck driver who is alleged to be a staff of one of the nation’s topmost cement company.
A statement on Tuesday by the press officer of NAPTIP, Vincent Adekoye read that a suspect, Hassana Jacob, 33 years old, an alternate female truck driver of a popular Cement Company was arrested along with the Cement Truck branded in the name and logo of the Company together with six other suspected members of the gang namely Aisha Suleiman, Murtala Tanimu, Shamsu Tanimu, Adamu Jacob, Abubakar Ahmed, and Ali Muhammed.
Adekoye said they were caught in Abuja by the operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS) while trying to sell off their latest victim, a 3-year-old girl that was stolen from Damaturu, Yobe State.
He said investigation revealed that Hassana Jacob commands a professional human trafficking syndicate that specializes in stealing children from age 1 and above, selling them to interested buyers at the rate of N600,000 each.
Adekoye, said investigation revealed that because Hassana because she is a Truck Driver with this popular Cement Company, had several successes stealing children at any of the terminals across the country, evading security checks on the roads, and delivery of stolen children to her gang members at any location without being noticed.
He said it is strongly suspected the syndicate has membership across the country with different assigned roles, with some members of the trafficking ring, hunting and luring victims to the truck terminal where they will be picked up by Hassana, others arrange interested buyers at any of the terminals across the country even before the arrival of the victims thereby making it fast for the gang leader to dispose of the stolen child and collect her money.
Speaking on the development, the Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, while thanking the Director General of the DSS for his sustained support to the agency which culminated in the arrest of the smashing of the notorious human trafficking syndicate, expressed sadness over the situation describing it as a heinous crime against humanity.
The NAPTIP Director General who was represented by the Director, Research and Programme Development, Mr. Josiah Emerole, said: “I am deeply sad by the latest arrest. It is painful to note that human beings will organize a criminal gang, use a branded vehicle of a Company, move from one part of the Country to another, steal children belonging to other families, and sell them to interested buyers whose motives for the children are not known.
“They create everlasting sorrow and pain for those families and smile to the bank after selling those children. This is unimaginable and it is a condemnable act of wickedness. This is more painful when the arrowhead of this evil syndicate is a woman who knows the pain of motherhood.
“I sincerely appreciate the support of the Director General and Operatives of the DSS for the agency in the fight against human trafficking. I thank other sister law enforcement agencies also and I sue for more robust cooperation as we continue to scale our activities to ensure the protection of our children from human traffickers in Nigeria.”
Meanwhile, the 22-tired cement truck used to traffic the Child has been impounded by NAPTIP.
NAPTIP, DSS Smash Cross-Country Human Trafficking Syndicate
Koton-Karfe Jailbreak: Killers of Correctional Officer Would Be Brought to Justice- NCoS
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Nigeria, Spain Sign MoU on Political Consultations
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