Tribunal Upholds David Mark’s Election

Tribunal Upholds David Mark’s Election

Adeboye   12:33:00   No comments:

The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, on Thursday dismissed the petition brought before it by the Senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Daniel Onjeh.

Onjeh had, on March 13, 2016, filed a petition against the former Senate President, Senator David Mark, challenging the victory of the former senate president.

The presiding Judge, Justice Gloria Anulude, in her ruling, said that the petition was filed in one day out of no time.

She disclosed that all other motions and applications filed on March 13 were, ‘thereby, struck out.

Justice Anulude further ruled that the petitioner while filing his petition, substantially refused to state the day of declaration of result.

“This tribunal is bound by the decision of the Supreme Court being the highest court of the land.

“By Arithmetical calculation, the day of declaration is inclusive in computing the mandatory 21 days of filing an election case. Therefore, the tribunal had no jurisdiction to entertain the petition, and as such, the petition is hereby struck out,” she stated.

Onjeh had filed the petition challenging the victory of Mark, who he said, was wrongly declared as the winner of the election in the February21, 2016 Benue South senatorial rerun election.

Counsel for the petitioner, Mr. Adetunji Oso, did not agree with the ruling, adding that there was an opportunity at the higher court. He said emphatically that his client would surely appeal the ruling.

The media aide to the former Senate President, Chief Adakole Elijah, said that the position taken by the tribunal was sound and noble because it was a validation of free mandate given to the senator.

He recalled that people of Benue South senatorial district unanimously voted Mark in, which the appeal court overruled, thus prompting the rerun. He said the people of the senatorial district also re-validated their support for Senator Mark, which he said the tribunal had judiciously ruled on, saying that, ‘The court is the last hope of the common people.’

In a teleconference from Abuja, the defeated APC candidate, Daniel Onjeh said he totally dissatisfied with the ruling of the tribunal and had already instructed his team of lawyers to immediately commence the process of filing appeal at the appeal court.

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EFCC, Interpol To Go After Saraki, Mark, Others

EFCC, Interpol To Go After Saraki, Mark, Others

Adeboye   06:49:00   No comments:

The Federal Government has opened a file on all Nigerians whose names have been mentioned in the Panama Papers as operating offshore accounts in notorious tax havens.

Some of the individuals listed in the papers so far are the current Senate President, Bukola Saraki; and his predecessor, David Mark.

Others listed include Africa’s richest man, Mr. Aliko Dangote; his cousin, Saayu Dantata, and a former Minister of Defence, Lt.Gen Theophilus Danjuma (retd.)

It was learnt that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had been gathering reports from local and international media as well as the responses being given by those named.

It was also learnt that the EFCC would then carry out its independent investigation and involve INTERPOL if necessary.

German newspaper, Süddeutsche Zeitung, had last Sunday released the Panama Papers, the biggest leak in the history of data journalism, publishing online 11.5 million documents from Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca, which showed how some prominent people across the world criminally hid money using anonymous shell corporations across the world.

The Panamanian law firm, regarded as one of the world’s most secretive companies, according to the documents, has helped clients launder money, dodge sanctions and evade tax.

Already, the Nigerians involved have all denied complicity.

In an exclusive report by online medium, Premium Times, it was alleged that about four assets belonging to the Saraki family, which included Girol Properties Ltd., Sandon Development Limited, and Landfield International Developments Ltd., were tucked away in secret offshore territories.

For instance, the report stated that Girol Properties was registered on behalf of Toyin by Fonsecca on August 25, 2004, in the British Virgin Island, a year after her husband became the Governor of Kwara State. But the assets were allegedly not part of the ones declared by the Senate President or Toyin when Saraki became governor and after he was sworn in as the nation’s number three citizen.Mark

Similarly, at least eight offshore companies in the British Virgin Island have been linked to Senator Mark which he allegedly operated while holding public office, a criminal offence according to Nigerian laws.

An impeccable source told our correspondent that the Federal Government was studying the body language of the international community and looking at how other countries were handling investigations.

The source, who pleaded anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, said, “We are studying the matter closely. In fact, we have opened a file and all reports are being gathered.

“We want all the names to be released first before launching full investigations. The issue is a tricky one. After preliminary investigations, we will seek advice from the Office of the Attorney General because investigations of such nature will need foreign collaboration.”

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Panama Leaks: My Name’s Not On List – Mark

Panama Leaks: My Name’s Not On List – Mark

Adeboye   05:30:00   No comments:

Former Senate President David Mark says his name is not contained on the list of persons who operated offshore companies as reported by some online media.

In a statement signed by Paul Mumeh, Media Assistant to the senator, Mark challenged those peddling the media report to prove that his name was on the list.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Tuesday viral reports listed many world leaders and prominent men who had several offshore investments hidden by a company, Mossack Fonseca.

The report, which was published by online media Premium Times, also listed President of the Senate Bukola Saraki, and former Delta governor James Ibori.

However, other online reports alleged that former President of the Senate also had several offshore companies and investments also hidden by the same company mentioned in the Panama Reports.

However, Mark, while reacting to the allegation, stressed that he had no business with `Mossack Fonseca’, said that those who are responsible for the publication were just trying to tarnish his image.

“For the avoidance of doubt, in the released materials of the Panama Leaks, his name is not listed anywhere in the database of Mossack Fonseca Law Firm.

“We reiterate categorically, that he is not directly or indirectly connected to any of the companies registered, operated or managed by the Mossack Fonseca Law Firm.

“We challenge all those behind this propaganda and Media outburst to prove or show that Senator Mark’s name was mentioned in the leaks.

“He is prepared to stand and defend himself against any accusation in relation to this matter,” he said.

According to the statement, the senator had commissioned his team to look at the whole database of Mossack Fonseca and found no item that connected Mark to the company.

It said that none of the family members of Mark had anything to do with the law firm or the Panama Report.

“We recall that in his quest for Senate Presidency in 2007, there was an attempt to bring a similar issue to the fore in order to stop him.

“So what are their fears now in 2016 for regurgitating the same issue?

“Once more, Senator Mark has distanced himself and any member of his family from the said Mossack Fonseca Firm and has no affiliation whatsoever with any company operated, registered or managed by Mossack Fonseca.

“Senator Mark has not contravened any laws of the land and he is treating this for what it is, an attempt to blackmail and tarnish his hard earned image by some political elements.

“As a public officer, Senator Mark has maintained a high level of decorum; respects and observes the laws of the land and believes in the sanctity of the rule of law.

“He will not be distracted by what is clearly a deliberate mischief and propaganda.

“Records of all his assets are available with the relevant government agencies and can be verified,” the statement read in part.

It added that Mark had contacted his legal team to take up the matter accordingly.

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Eight Offshore Companies Linked To Mark

Eight Offshore Companies Linked To Mark

Adeboye   07:40:00   No comments:

At least eight offshore companies in the British Virgin Island have been linked to the immediate past Senate President, David Mark, in a secret assets scam released by a German newspaper, Süddeutsche Zeitung.

The German newspaper had on Monday released the Panama Papers, the biggest leak in the history of data journalism, publishing online 11.5 million documents from Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca, which showed how prominent people including the family of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, a former governor of Delta State, James Ibori, Argentinian footballer, Lionel Messi and criminals hid money using anonymous shell corporations across the world.

The Panamanian law firm, regarded as one of the world’s most secretive companies, according to the documents, has helped clients launder money, dodge sanctions and evade tax.

The data was obtained by the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung and shared by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists with over 100 other media partners in 82 countries.

Files seen by online medium, Premium Times, show the eight offshore companies traced to Mark are Sikera Overseas S.A, Colsan Enterprises Limited, Goldwin Transworld Limited, Hartland Estates Limited, Marlin Holdings Limited, Medley Holdings Limited, Quetta Properties Limited, and Centenary Holdings Limited.

It was, however, unclear as to what business dealings Mark had with the companies.

Attempts to get Mark’s reaction to his alleged involvement in the Panama assets scam failed on Tuesday as his Media Assistant, Paul Mumeh, failed to pick his calls while he did not also respond to the text message sent to him.

Meanwhile, the Presidency on Tuesday said President Muhammadu Buhari would not dabble into the issues of Saraki and Ibori, who are named in secret offshore assets.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said this in an interview with one of our correspondents in Abuja.

There were reports on Tuesday that Saraki’s family and Ibori, were among some prominent Africans named in a newly discovered secret offshore assets released by Süddeutsche Zeitung.

Quoting the report, Premium Times had said the undeclared assets by Saraki included Girol Properties Ltd., Sandon Development Limited, and Landfield International Developments Ltd.

Girol Properties, the report stated, was registered on behalf of Toyin by Mossack Fonsecca on August 25, 2004, in the British Virgin Island, a year after her husband, Bukola, became the governor of Kwara State.

When asked what steps the President would take over the revelations and those mentioned in the report, Adesina said Buhari would not dabble into issues that might later become major legal matters.

He said although the present administration’s anti-graft war was on course and gathering steam, the President respected separation of powers.

“This President is not precipitate. He will not dabble into what may become major legal matters. He respects separation of powers. The anti-graft war is on course and gathering steam,” the presidential spokesman simply said.

Punch

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Atiku, Mark, Oritsejafor Preach Sacrifice, Religious Tolerance At Easter

Atiku, Mark, Oritsejafor Preach Sacrifice, Religious Tolerance At Easter

Adeboye   06:14:00   No comments:

Former Vice President and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar has urged Nigerians to be strong amidst the current difficulties confronting the country.

He predicted that better days would soon come as there was hardly any testimony without a test and a crown without a cross. In an Easter message released in Abuja by the Atiku Media Office, the Turaki Adamawa said that the message of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection was a perfect analogy for the current situation in Nigeria.

“The significance of the celebration of Easter, demonstrates that there is never an indomitable situation that hope, good team-spirit and hard work cannot overcome.” The former Vice President also urged his compatriots not to lose hope, particularly as the ruling APC government continued to work assiduously in finding long term solutions to the country’s hydra-headed problems.

“Things may seem rough and tough today, but it is only for a while. Nigeria will surely rise again in line with the spirit and tenets of Easter.”

The Turaki Adamawa urges Nigerian leaders at all levels to emulate the great sacrifice that was the life of Jesus Christ, by working to ensure that they do everything within their powers to lift majority of Nigerians out of poverty into prosperity.

Similarly, a former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark has canvassed for a peaceful, harmonious and united Nigeria where brotherly love reigns amongst the citizens.

In his goodwill message to Nigerians marking this year’s Easter celebrations, he said that virtues such as religious tolerance and good neighbourliness were strategic for peaceful coexistence and meaningful development. Mark urged Nigerians to respect the sanctity of the constitution which prescribes freedom of worship in which every citizen can uphold and practice his or her chosen faith any where without molestation .

He implored clergymen to inculcate in their followers the time-tested virtues of our faith anchored on love, sacrifice , forgiveness and good neighbourliness which the Lord Jesus Christ symbolizes.

He enjoined Christian National President, Christian Association Of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor has also felicitated with all Nigerians on the occasion of the Easter celebrations, describing it as another opportunity to reflect on the lessons of the season.Easter, Oritsejafor said, was the climax of the Lenten season, was meant to remind Christians of God’s power over everything that he created including death.

“Nigerians, particularly Christians from different denominations must work in line with the teachings of Easter which focuses primarily on penance, forgiveness, sacrifice and the demonstration of unconditional love for one another.

“As Nigeria strives to contain the menace of insurgency and social injustice which has displaced many, Christians are enjoined to offer prayers for the poor and the abandoned in this special period of Easter.

Christians must also respond to evil with good as exemplified in the life of Christ which is summarized in the story of Easter,” he said. The cleric urged Nigerians to remember to lend some help to thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) scattered across the country and remain committed to the service of their fatherland and the cause of humanity.

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