Crime Facts

Military destroys illegal refineries, recovers stolen crude

The Defence Headquarters says military has intensified its aggressive fight against crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, bunkering, economic saboteurs and other criminal activities in the country. The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, said this while giving weekly update on the operations of Armed Forces of Nigeria on Friday in Abuja. Enenche said that between Sept. 12 and Sept. 17 , the military arrested seven suspected oil thieves, discovered barrels of stolen crude oil and destroyed numbers of illegal refineries in the South- South and South West zones. According to him, within the period under review, Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER patrol team in the South South located and immobilised an illegal refining site at Mudukiri Creek, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers. “The site had a metal reservoir laden with an estimated 150,000 litres of illegally refined AGO. “In the same vein, Forward Operating Base BONNY patrol team discovered and dismantled an illegal refining site in Ataba, Andoni LGA of Rivers. “The team discovered eight metal storage tanks and four dugout pits laden with about 1,289.45 barrels of product suspected to be stolen crude oil,”he said. He said that Nigerian Navy Ship JUBILEE clearance operation team acting on credible intelligence on a suspected pirates and sea robber’s camp at Otoyo, Akwa-Ibom, raided the camp. He said that the patrol team with superior power dislodged and deactivated the camp in the area. “The team recovered one AK 47 rifle with two magazines, two Pump Action Rifles, 20 rounds of 7.62 and 39mm ammunition, one Fishing Gun, one Tecno phone, a bag of hard drugs, one diving face mask and one hand held metal detector. “ Between Sept. 12 and Sept. 17, Forward Operating Base IBAKA patrol team around Utan Inyata Creek arrested two suspects and two small-sized wooden boats laden with 165 bags of 50kg of foreign parboiled rice suspected to be smuggled from the Republic of Cameroon,”he said. According to him, the items and suspects are currently in custody of the Base and will be handed over to Nigeria Customs Service Component of Operation SWIFT RESPONSE for further action. “Also, within the period under review, Forward Operating Base IBAKA patrol team arrested five suspects with 45 drums of products suspected to be Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). “The suspects and items are currently in custody and will be handed over to NSCDC Uyo Command for further necessary action,” he said. He explained that Troops of Operation AWATSE in the South West zone, also intensified the fight against pipeline vandals, economic saboteurs and other criminal elements in the area. According to him, on Sept 11, Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT handed over MT SEA SUPPLY and her crew to NIMASA after proper documentation in line with the existing Standard Operating Procedure. He recalled that the vessel and her crew members were arrested on July 31 for sailing without obtaining requisite documents. “On Sept. 12, the patrol team of Forward Operating Base IGBOKODA immobilized three illegal refineries containing 30,000 litres of illegally refined AGO at Agbelemsema Zion 2. “The location is a border community between Ese Odo Local Government Area (LGA) of Ondo and Warri North LGA in Delta. “Troops have continued to dominate the general area with clearance and aggressive patrols while maintaining surveillance to rid the area of pipeline vandals and other economic saboteurs,” he said. He expressed the Military High Command commendation to all the gallant troops of the Armed Forces and personnel of other security agencies involved in various operations across the country for their commitment, determination and dedication. He encouraged the troops to remain firm and decisive in curtailing the activities of all criminal elements in the country. “Members of the general public are hereby assured that the Armed Forces of Nigeria working with other security agencies will continue to tackle the security challenges and will ensure that normalcy is attained in all the geo-political zones of the Country. He, therefore, solicited for the support of the public in providing credible information to assist the military’s operations, (NAN)

36 persons feared dead as bus plunges into Akaeze river in Ebonyi

…5 persons have been rescued so far – Police No fewer than 36 persons have been feared dead, following an accident that occurred at Akaeze Development Centre in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. Vanguard gathered that the accident occurred at Akaeze bridge in Akaeze development centre. Unconfirmed report has it that a 608 bus conveying 36 people coming from a burial ceremony in Ebony State lost control and plunged into Akaeze River. “After the burial ceremony in Ebonyi, the 608 bus conveying 36 persons going back to Enugu, while trying to overtake a trailer, the driver lost control and the bus jump into the River.” In a phone conversation with the Coordinator of Akaeze Development Centre, Mr Sinbad, he said; “rescue has begun. There are a few dead bodies. I cannot fully confirm the situation now. One person is alive. We are looking for more people. We cannot ascertain the number of people.” Confirming the incident, the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Loveth Odah, stated that five persons have so far been rescued from the River as one of the victims died while receiving treatment in the Hospital. “The Victims are receiving treatment at St Denis hospital, Akaeze”.

Gunmen Kidnap Five Family Members, Two Others In Kaduna

At least five persons including a mother and her four children have been reported kidnapped by some yet-to-be-identified gunmen in Barkallahu community in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The fresh attack comes barely one week after 17 family members were kidnapped who were said to be on their way to the farm at Udawa village in Chikun Local Government Area of the state. While the police authorities are yet to confirm the incident, eyewitnesses told Channels Television that the attack occurred in the early hours of Friday when the gunmen invaded the community and started shooting sporadically while the residents were still sleeping. A resident of the community, Abdulsalam Haruna, whose wife and four children were kidnapped, said the gunmen invaded his house and forced the door open before gaining access into his apartment and later took away his five family members. He added that the gunmen abducted two of his neigbour’s children and attacked two other houses. The gunmen were said to have escaped with the victims before the arrival of security operatives.

Kidnappers free ex-US Army officer in Ekiti

After four days in captivity, a former officer of the United States army and native of Ijan Ekiti in Ekiti, Mr Jide Ijadare, has been released by his abductors. Ijadare was kidnapped about 2.05p.m on Tuesday at his palm oil producing factory on Tuesday alongside one of his staff. A contractor working with the factory was also shot dead by the assailants. A family source told journalists that Ijadare regained freedom after paying the ransom demanded by the kidnappers. The source said the abductors had called few hours after the incident and demanded for N20 million ransom. “My brother was released this afternoon around 4.15 p.m and he has reunited with the family,” he said. The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr Sunday Abutu, confirmed that the victims had been freed He, however, said that the police were not aware of any ransom being paid before the release. “We are not aware of any ransom being paid. ” We believe he was released after the pressure the security agencies and local hunters had put on them by combing the surrounding bushes,” he said.

Imo Law: There’s nothing tyrannical about the assented law -Imo Deputy speaker

THE Deputy Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Amarachi Chyna Iwuanyanwu has stated that there is nothing oppressive or draconian in the provisions of sections 484 and 485 of the Imo State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2020 assented to by the State Governor. This is contained in a press release which was made available to Crimefacts.News Metro News “There Is Nothing Tyrannical Or Draconian About Sections 484 & 485 Of The Administration Of Criminal Justice Law Of Imo State”, Says Imo Deputy Speaker By Unini Chioma – September 18, 2020 WhatsApp THE Deputy Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Amarachi Chyna Iwuanyanwu has stated that there is nothing oppressive or draconian in the provisions of sections 484 and 485 of the Imo State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2020 assented to by the State Governor. This is contained in a press release which was made available to TheNigeriaLawyer (TNL). Meanwhile, it was noted that the Law was passed “for an enhanced and efficient justice system in Nigeria, which would be in conformity with international best practices”, and sponsored by “Member Representing the Oguta State Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Frank Ugboma”. Meanwhile, it was noted that what the Governor did “was to assent to a Bill passed by the State House of Assembly, which is his constitutional” duty. “Contrary to the skewed views of those who are trying to cause mischief, this provision is not inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution nor is it a tool for intimidation, suppression and violation of the fundamental right of citizens rather it is a provision specifically designed to protect offenders below the age of criminal responsibility and persons of unsound mind. “Detaining someone at the governor’s pleasure is not new to the Nigerian law; it has always been in the criminal procedure law and the penal code. Check section 303 and 319 of the criminal procedure law”, he said . In addition, it was noted that “chapter 44 of the criminal procedure law gave the court the powers to order detention at the governor’s pleasure” and that an “example is the OTOKOTO trial saga where one of the young men sentenced to death was not killed even though the judge made a death sentence pronouncement on him but was instead detained at the governor’s pleasure.” “From the explanation above, there is nothing tyrannical or draconic about section(s) 484 and 485 of the administration of criminal justice…(law) of Imo State instead the house of assembly should be commended for thinking about citizens who cannot take criminal responsibilities such as the mentally unstable persons and under-aged children” In another development, the Deputy Speaker said that “Barr. Frank Uboma who sponsored this bill wherein he erroneously held governor Hope Uzodimma responsible for the said section, as a lawyer who has practice law in Nigeria, he should have known that section 484 is simply a reproduction of section 401 of the criminal procedure law which has been in existence since 1960 and the said sections only gives(sic) directions in respect of section(s) 230, 235, 328 and 368 of the criminal procedure act” and added that they “apply when a person is acquitted on the ground of insanity (section 230) or cannot understand the proceedings thou not insane (section 328) or an offender has not attained the age of 17 or 18 years (as the case may be) as at the time he or she is found guilty of a capital offence.” “If Uboma feigns ignorance of these provisions of the law, it is obvious that he is playing to the gallery of the other political divide he belongs to, because if a bill is sponsored, it is debated in the house, there is room for public input which in this case happened under the leadership of the immediate past Chief Judge of Imo State under Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, with technical support from the legal defense and assistance projects (LEDAP), these erudite lawyers, professors and human right advocates could not have supported this law if indeed it was draconian and oppressive”, he said . “For emphasis, the law in question was not an executive bill. What is more it has been in existence for six months now and there is absolutely no evidence of executive abuse. Those making a mountain out of a molehill should advise themselves accordingly. “Leave the executive Governor Senator Hope Uzodimma out..(of) this attempt to score cheap popularity.” He concluded.

Visa Ban: Kogi Govt Accuses US Govt Of Partisanship, Says Action Is Unacceptable

The Kogi State Government has written a letter to the United States Government, protesting against the recent visa ban imposed on politicians suspected to have rigged the November 2019 election in the state. The US had on Monday imposed a visa restriction on some individuals for allegedly rigging the November 2019 governorship polls in Kogi and Bayelsa States as well as in the run-up to the September and October 2020 Edo and Ondo governorship polls. “We find this unacceptable, and we protest your presumption. The least you could have done if indeed this is about democracy and human right as claimed is create a room, no matter how slim, for a fair hearing,” the letter issued by the State Government, Folashade Arike Ayoade, partly read. The letter addressed to the Ambassador of the United States of America was dated September 16. According to the SSG, Governor Yahaya Bello argued that the US should have created room no matter how slim for a fair hearing. “As it is now, partisan speculation as to who is indicted, who is not and for what has become cudgels, furiously swung in the media space by all comers. “Your action has therefore added abundant grist to the rumour mills and electrified the merchants of fake news.” Although the state government admitted that there were some challenges with the governorship poll conducted last year, it, however, noted that subsequent elections would be improved upon. SEE THE LETTER BELOW: KGS/GO/ADM/25/II/XXX 16 September 2020 The Ambassador Of The United States of America Embassy of The United States of America 1075 Diplomatic Drive Central Business District Abuja, NIGERIA Your Excellency, RE: VISA RESTRICTIONS ON INDIVIDUALS AND INCLUSION OF THE 2019 KOGI STATE GUBERNATORIAL ELECTIONS IN US STATE DEPARTMENT LIST OF ALLEGEDLY COMPROMISED ELECTIONS – A LETTER OF PROTEST I have been so directed by His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State and I hereby make and forward this Letter of Protest to you in respect of the matters contained in it. The Kogi State Government became aware of a United States Government list of individuals who received US visa restrictions for alleged electoral malpractices via a Press Statement to that effect posted on your Embassy website at https://bit.ly/32vD96M. In your own words, the still-unnamed individuals are cited as guilty of ‘acts of violence, intimidation, or corruption that harmed Nigerians and undermined the democratic process.’ They are also alleged to ‘have operated with impunity at the expense of the Nigerian people and undermined democratic principles and human rights.’ You also noted in the statement that the sanctions are derived from unspecified misconducts by the said individuals which extend from the February/March 2019 General Elections in Nigeria through the off-cycle November 2019 gubernatorial elections in Kogi and Bayelsa to the as yet unheld governorship contests in Edo and Ondo States. Please note that for the purposes of this protest letter we are only interested in the citations to the extent that they are referable to Kogi State and her citizens. For the most part, we concede that elections in Nigeria are complex affairs which will continue to require improvements for the foreseeable future. The 2019 Kogi State Gubernatorial Election was also not without its challenges. However, it is also crystal clear from critical and composite analyses of the records (official, media, observers, etc) of the November 16, 2020 polls that regrettable incidents were limited to a few polling units, while the overwhelmingly larger portions of the ballot were free, fair and credible. Further, and in line with Nigerian law, the few political parties and individuals who alleged widespread electoral malpractices had free rein to contest the outcome in court. They vigorously litigated their claims over a gruelling 9-month period, through a 3-step hierarchy of courts, to the inescapable conclusion at the Supreme Court of Nigeria that the said elections satisfactorily complied with the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act. Our concern right now is not the prerogative of the United States of America to impose entry restrictions on anyone, for any or no reason at all, which prerogative remains unfettered, but the room for atrocious misinformation which the timing of your Press Statement and the mention of the Kogi elections therein has created in our state. For the February and March 2019 General elections, your advisory came out in July 2019, long before the Supreme Court delivered her judgments in the petitions against those elections, including challenges to President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election. The presumption is that in spite of your intervention, the Supreme Court still discovered no merit in the petitions and dismissed them accordingly. In our case, i.e., Kogi State, you made the tactical decision to release the update shortly after the Supreme Court delivered judgments in the 4 petitions which made it before her. Amongst a plethora of well-reasoned pronouncements, the Apex Court dismissed the said petitions for failing to prove their allegations and for having no ‘scintilla of merit’. The inference from your timing is that the judgment is somehow tainted and did not meet the justice of the case, thereby casting aspersions, not only on the Nigerian Judiciary but on the second term mandate freely bestowed on His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello by the good people of Kogi State. We find this unacceptable, and we protest your presumption. The least you could have done if indeed this is about democracy and human rights as claimed is create a room, no matter how slim, for a fair hearing. As it is now, partisan speculation as to who is indicted, who is not and for what has become cudgels, furiously swung in the media space by all comers. Your action has therefore added abundant grist to the rumour mills and electrified the merchants of fake news. For instance, a United States-based blog, saharareporters.com, has made inflammatory publications in which they named His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, among others, as a definite recipient of your visa restriction. Though you have named no names, accuracy is

Okonjo-Iweala makes shortlist of five for WTO DG job

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been named among the five candidates that will proceed to the next stage in the race for the position of the director-general of the World Trade Organisation. In a statement on Friday, the WTO said member countries showed a preference for five out of the eight candidates who expressed interest in the position. The other candidates in the race are Yoo Myung-hee of the Republic of Korea, Amina C. Mohamed of Kenya, Mohammad Maziad Al-Tuwaijri of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Liam Fox of the United Kingdom. Jesus Seade Kuri of Mexico, Tudor Ulianovschi of Moldova and Abdel-Hamid Mamdouh of Egypt were eliminated from the process. Advertisement David Walker, the ambassador from New Zealand who is the general council chair for the selection committee, said the second phase of consultations will begin on September 24 and run until October 6. During this time, members will be asked in the confidential consultations to express two preferences to the facilitators thus reducing the number of candidates from five to two. “Following this process, Amb. Walker will call another heads of delegations meeting at which the results will be announced to the WTO membership. The timetable for the third and final round of consultations will be announced at that time,” a statement by the WTO read. Advertisement “The ultimate objective of this measured and clearly defined process is to secure a consensus decision by members on the next director-general.” During the candidates’ presentation stage, Egypt had kicked against Okonjo-Iweala’s nomination. President Muhammadu Buhari approved her candidature to replace Yonov Frederick Agah, Nigeria’s former candidate for the WTO DG position. Egypt and the AU’s Office of Legal Counsel had opined that Okonjo-Iweala’s nomination violated the candidature guidelines provided by the AU. Advertisement However, the WTO told TheCable that the former World Bank managing director is eligible to run for the office. Okonjo-Iweala, who currently chairs the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) backed by the Bill Gates Foundation.

Man kills 85-year-old mum, two kids, injure three others

A 47-year-old man, Emeka Ezimadu, has allegedly killed his 85-year-old and two children in Nnewi, Anambra State. The suspect was said to have also injured three of his children in critical condition in a hospital. The Nation gathered that the victims were fast asleep on Thursday night when they were reportedly attacked by the suspect with a matchete after he suprisingly ran amok. Police spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed, confirmed the incident, saying the suspect had been arrested. He said the victim corpses had been deposited at the hospital’s morgue for autopsy, while the victms the three other children were receiving treatment. He said: “On Thursday at about 11:55pm, Police operatives attached to Nnewi Division arrested one Emeka Ezimadu,47, of Okpuneze Uruagu in Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State. “Suspect allegedly ran amok in a circumstance yet to be ascertained; attacked and killed two of his biological children namely Ifechukwu Ezimadu,9, Mmeso Ezimadu, two years and his own mother one Agnes Ezimadu, 85, years of same address allegedly with a cutlass while they were sleeping. “Suspect equally used same offensive weapon and injured his three other children namely Nonso Ezimadu, 12, Chinaemerem Ezimadu,1, and Ngozi Ezimadu 8years old of same address. “Police detectives visited the scene and rushed victims to the Akwudo hospital for medical attention where the two children and the aged mother were certified dead by a medical doctor while the three other children are receiving treatment. “Corpses had been deposited at the hospital’s morgue for autopsy and case transferred to State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka for discreet investigation.”

Gana’s death: Council chairmen, traditional rulers flee to Makurdi

The Local Government Area chairmen in Sankaraland of Benue State have deserted their domain and relocated to Makurdi for fear of their lives. It was also learnt that many traditional rulers involved in the surrendering of the notorious militia leader, Terwase Akwaza (aka Gana) have abandoned their palaces for unknown places. A member of the House of Representatives, Dr Richard Gbande, has raised alarm that his life and those of other leaders who negotiated the surrender of Gana was in danger. Gana was killed last week by soldiers in a controversial manner after allegedly accepting amnesty offered by the Samuel Orthom administration. Forty out of the 100 other militiamen that surrendered, were also shot dead by the soldiers. Sankaraland is made up of three local government areas of Ukum, Logo and Katsina Ala. A councillor in one of the councils made this known yesterday while on a visit to Lafia, Nasarawa State. The councilor said: “As I talk to you, the Ter Ukum, Arc Orkar Kaave, Ter Logo, Jimmy Meeme and Ter Katsina Ala, Benjamin Fezanga Wombo left their domain that same day and are in Makurdi. Even the whereabouts of Tor Sankera, HRH Abu King Shuluwa is unknown Nobody is safe. “All the council chairmen have run away to Makurdi. Nobody is sure of his safety any longer in the area. The atmosphere is not clear; you can’t see any official or government vehicle in Sankera. There is fear there.” It was learnt that the people of Joota, a community in Ukum Local Government Area, are highly worried over the whereabouts of four of four “strong men’’ who usually protect them against incessants attacks by the Jukum militia.

Edo Election Day: Over 300 policemen lay siege to Wike’s hotel in Benin, PDP cries out

…..APC alleges violent plots by Wike, Obaseki to disrupt election ……PDP raises alarm over alleged harassment of its governors in Edo …..Again, INEC Chairman warns staff members against partisanship ……Yiaga Africa to adopt PVT methodology to check credibility of election results ……..Anxiety among journalists over fear of kidnap Ibe Pascal Arogorn The hotel where Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, is lodging in Benin, Edo State capital is under siege by over 300 policemen, People Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, Rivers chapter, Akawor Desmond, has alleged. A thread posted on the Twitter handle of the Rivers State governor, Friday evening and credited to Desmond explained that “The Hotel where the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike is lodging while on official assignment in Benin, Edo State has been held siege by over 300 Policemen. “Recall that Governor Wike was appointed Chairman of the PDP National Campaign Council for the Edo Governorship election; this is the same position Governor Ganduje of Kano State occupies for his party the APC. “Governor Ganduje and Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State are all in Benin, Edo State carrying out their assignment for the APC without any molestation or intimidation. “And in a breach of the pledge, they made security agencies have decided to harass and intimidate Governor Wike who has not done any wrong. “Rivers People Warn that we Shall hold the IGP responsible for anything that happens to our Governor,” signed: Ambassador Akawor Desmond, Chairman PDP Rivers State. The Hotel where the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike is lodging while on official assignment in Benin, Edo State has been held siege by over 300 Police men. — Gov N E Wike Information. (@GovWike) September 18, 2020 APC alleges violent plots by Wike, Obaseki to disrupt election THE All Progressives Congress, APC in Edo State yesterday alleged that the Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Campaign Council who is also the governor of Rivers State, Nyesome Wike and Governor Godwin Obaseki who is the candidate of the PDP have perfected plans to unleash violence in the state before snd during the September 19th election A statement yesterday by the Chairman Media of Edo State APC Campaign Council, John Mayaki while reacting to comments by Wike in a television interview aired yesterday alleged that PDP was planning to mar the election for fear of defeat. Wike during the programme was said to have stated that the people of Edo already knew the type of candidate the APC was presenting, going by what the former national chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole said about the APC candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu four years ago. He said“Adams Oshiomhole told Edo people that Ize-Iyamu was rusticated from school; that he poured acid on a fellow student that destroyed his manhood. That he is an armed robber that cannot be trusted with money,” Wike reportedly said. But Mayaki in a statement alleged that Governor Obaseki like Wike has perfected strategies including intimidation vandalism, destruction of opponent’s properties, and harassment of innocent persons to obtain power. He said, “According to reliable data sourced from Peace Map, political violence in Rivers State steadily increased beginning in January 2015, peaking in the lead-up and aftermath of the April gubernatorial elections and this was due largely to the violent attitude of Nyesom Wike. “In Edo State, we have seen the same trait. There is a persistent problem in the violent, dishonest, and generally deplorable conduct of the rejected PDP which poses a great threat to the peaceful conduct of the September 19 election. “A clear example of their violent conduct and brutality was witnessed by all in the incident that took place on July 25, when Mr. Godwin Obaseki and his cohorts of tax-collectors were confronted, through a peaceful protest, by the people of Edo State who are both repulsed and angered at the continuous unraveling of his collapsing government marked by daily resignations and revelations of fraud. “As video evidence and several objective eye-witness accounts show, this incident took place outside of the Palace, in the Oredo Local Council. PDP raises alarm over alleged harassment of its governors in Edo Few hours to the Edo State governorship election, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has raised alarm over alleged harassment of governors elected on its platform. Addressing journalists in an emergency press conference, national chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus said while Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo state and the deputy senate President, Ovie IMO-Agege were chilling in the Benin home of Adams Oshiomhole, PDP governors were being harassed in the Edo state capital. Secondus said: “Hope Uzodinma and Ovie Omo-Agege are in the home of the former chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC. Oshiomhole. PDP governors are being harassed in Westend Hotel, Benin. Policemen Have Surrounded The Hotel and their lives are in danger. We call on Inspector General of Police to ask the police to leave the place because their lives are in danger. If APC governors are in Benin, the PDP governors should be in Benin too. Our governors would remain in Benin, no one can intimidate us. “We are bringing this to the attention of the international community. Elections must be free. Elections must be allowed to hold. You cannot allow APC governors in Edo, and bar PDP governors,” he said. Again, INEC Chairman warns staff members against partisanship The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has appealed its staff not to accorded any advantage to a political party or candidate over the other in the conduct of Edo governorship election. The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, in his message issued in Abuja on Friday, urged the staff to be neutral at all times and stick strictly to INEC’s Code of Conduct and Oath of Neutrality to which they all subscribed. “Let me appeal to all of you to remain steadfast and committed to the ideals of the Commission. “Nigerians and the international community expect so much from us. They are watching. “It is important that we all