Prof. Mahmud Yakub, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) told the Senate Committee on INEC yesterday that the commission would recruit about one million ad hoc members of staff for the conduct of the 2019 general elections.
According to him, the ad hoc workers to be deployed for the polls, which will begin in 484 days, will be about 300k higher than the 700k engaged for the 2015 general elections. The INEC boss, at the interactive session with the lawmakers, also disclosed that the commission was planning to make the five categories of disfranchised Nigerians participate in the 2019 general elections. Yakub assured Nigerians that the smart card readers to be deployed for the polls would function efficiently as users would be adequately trained on its usage before the election.
7. SENATOR MISAU DOCKED, GRANTED N5M BAIL
The Federal Government, on Thursday, arraigned Senator Isah Misau before an Abuja High Court at Maitama for making “injurious falsehood” against the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mr. Ibrahim Idris and the Nigerian Police Force.
Senator Isah Hamma Misau who was docked on a five-count charge pleaded not guilty before the Chief Judge, Justice Ishaq Bello and was granted bail to the tune of N5million with two sureties in like sum. The embattled lawmaker who is representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District, had after the charges were read to him, applied through his lawyer, Chief Godwin Obla, SAN, to be granted bail on self-recognizance.
Misau said he would be available to defend all the allegations FG levelled against him, adding that he appeared before the court voluntarily to face the charges.
The Director of Public Prosecution, Mr. Salihu Bakun who represented the federal government said he was not opposed to the bail request.
8. NIGERIAN AIRFORCE DEPLOYS FIGHTER AIRCRAFT, TROOPS TO PLATEAU STATE
The Nigerian Air Force has deployed its troops and fighter aircraft and attack helicopter to Jos, Plateau State.This is to put an end to the herdsmen’s killings in the state.
The deployment was announced on Thursday by the Nigerian Air Force Spokesman, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya, who was directed by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Adesanya said The joint military operation in the state, ”Safe Haven” would ensure a lasting end to the killings.
9. KIDNAPPER EVANS CHANGES PLEA TO ‘NOT GUILTY’
Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, the man considered by police as Nigeria’s biggest kidnapping suspect has changed his plea against the case against him to ‘Not Guilty’.
Better known as Evans, Onwuamadike is facing a two-count charge of kidnapping and conspiracy to commit felony at a Lagos High Court. He pleaded guilty to the charges when he appeared in court in August, but at yesterday’s proceeding, Evans and five other accused pleaded ‘not guilty’.
The case will continue on November 3.
10. ATIKU REACTS TO PAYMENT OF PENSION TO PARDONED BIAFRA POLICE OFFICERS
Former vice-president of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has reacted to the approval of payment of pension to police personel who served under the defunct Biafran police during the civil war by President Buhari.
Atiku, writing on his Twitter page, said Buhari’s move “shows a commitment to peace and unity and our share of belief in one Nigeria, with justice and equality for all”.
It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the payment of the pensions of retired Biafran police officers who served in the defunct Biafran Police during the 30-month civil war ages ago.