Federal High Court Of Nigeria Issues Practice Directions On Use Of E-Affidavit

The Federal High Court of Nigeria wishes to notify the general public of its Practice Directions on the newly introduced Electronic Affidavit (E-Affidavit).

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, the Honorable Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, OFR, KSS, FCIArb.(UK), in exercise of his powers as conferred by Orders 57 and 58 of the Federal High Court(Civil Procedure) Rules 2019 and all other powers enabling him in that respect, has made the following Practice Directions:

ORDER I

APPLICABILITY

1. These Practice Directions shall, save to the extent as maybe otherwise directed by The Honorable, The Chief Judge, apply to E- Affidavits issuing from the Federal High Court of Nigeria.

2. ⁠ORDER II

OBJECTIVES AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES

1. Whereas E-Affidavits issued by the Federal High Court are accepted globally and internationally, the       purpose of this Practice Directions is to carry into effect for various purposes, the new E-Affidavit         regime to be adopted by the Court particularly in;

     a. Ensuring efficient, transparent and prompt issuance of E-Affidavits in compliance with global 

         best practices.

     b. Protecting the interests of litigants and other users who desire the use of E-Affidavit.

     c. Regulating standard of issuance of E-Affidavit upon payment of prescribed fees.

ORDER III

IMPLEMENTATION OF E-AFFIDAVIT REGIME

1. Without prejudice to the provisions of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019 and the      Oaths Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2010; all E-Affidavits of the Federal High Court shall      emanate from the designated E-filling Unit of the Court.

2. The E-Affidavit shall be in an electronic format with such specialized features as approved by the          Court.

3. The application shall be made online from the official website of the Court.

4. The E-Affidavit software would be implemented by the E-filling Unit under the supervision of the          Deputy Chief Registrar (Litigation).

5. For the purpose of swearing to an E-Affidavit under this provision, a deponent to the E-Affidavit            shall upload his application electronically through a platform approved by the Chief Judge.

6. A task force shall be set up under the hand of the Chief Judge to give effect to this innovation.

7. The cost of each E-Affidavit shall be as approved and/or reviewed by the Chief Judge from time to         time.

8. The Honorable, the Chief Judge may review this Practice Directions and/or issue further directives        upon any prevailing circumstance.

ORDER IV

CITATION

These Practice Directions shall be cited as the Federal High Court (Practice Direction on E-Affidavit), 2024

COMMENCEMENT

These Practice Directions shall take effect from the 1st  day of July, 2024.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

1. The E-Affidavit shall not be a replacement for the manually sworn affidavit.

2. The aim of these Practice Directions is to ensure data protection in a user-friendly automated system      of deposing to E-Affidavits.

PROSPERITY CUP SEASON 6: Anyama FC Record Big Win In Bayelsa Governor's Football Tournament.

            

 ***Movers FC, Hummels Stars FC, Abureni FC, Bayelsa United Feeders and Agbere FC Secure Victories

Anyama FC of Ogbia on Friday made a clear statement of intent in the ongoing Bayelsa Governor's Football Tournament christened The Prosperity Cup with an emphatic 6-0 victory over WAI Brigade FC at the Otuokpoti Center 

Azibapu Vincent put Anyama FC ahead five minutes into the game from a smooth finish to unsettle WAI Brigade FC. Godgift Agala and David Odiba compounded the woes of WAI Brigade FC to make it 3-0 just before the half-time mark.

Anyama FC continued with their dominant display on resumption as Godgift Agala netted his second on 64 minutes making it 4-0 followed by David Odiba and Azibapu Vincent with their own brace on 71 and 76 minutes respectively to qualify Anyama FC for the next phase of the showpiece.

In the last game at the Otuokpoti Center, Hummels Stars FC beat Otuaba 2-1 to progress to the next round of the tournament.

Goals from Brilliant Ogo and Blessing Dressman gave the Hummels Stars FC the deserved victory despite conceding early in the second half from Godknows Olarua who had put Otuaba FC ahead on 59 minute.

At the Kolo Center, Abureni FC beat Agholo FC  3-1 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in regulation time while Movers FC of Otuasega pipped Golden Stars FC of Ogbia 3-0 to move to the next stage of the tournament.

Otuokpoti FC at the Otuasega Center beat Social Int'l FC 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in normal play, while Police Machine in the second fixture hammered Dynamics FC 3-1 to advance to the next round of the competition.

Elsewhere, at the Ebedebiri Community Primary School Center and CSS Ebedebiri Center in Sagbama Local Government Area, Bayelsa United Feeders FC moved to the next round of the competition with a 5-3 victory on penalties over Ebedebiri FC having played a barren draw in regulation time.

Niger Success FC in the last fixture at the Center were humbled 3-0 by Kumbowei FC. University of Africa, Toru-Orua at the  Ebedebiri Community Primary School Center defeated Eric FC of Ogobiri 2-1 to progress to the next round.

Mabinton Jonathan's 70th minute goal against Dovvy FC of Ofoni was all last year's semi finalists Agbere FC needed to secure a place in the next round of the showpiece.

Action continues Saturday in different centers in the ongoing Bayelsa Governor's Football Tournament tagged the Prosperity Cup.

Prosperity Cup Season 6: Six Teams Book Round of 32 Qualifications in Bayelsa Governor's Football Tournament

More teams have qualified for the round of 32 of Nigeria's biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor's Football Tournament tagged the Prosperity Cup after weeks of electrifying football in different centers.

The latest team to book a place in the round of 32 of Nigeria's prestigious tournament is defending champions Krusaders Feeders FC. Others who have justified their entry into the tournament are Nembe City FC, Petroleum Boys FC, Fisherman Son's FC, Kongho United, Kurotee FC and Water Striker from Ekeremor, Nembe and Brass Local Government Area centers.

To reach the round of 32 Nembe City FC and Fisherman Son's FC, qualified from the Ogbolomabiri Centre. Nembe City FC beat B.M.U Feeders 4-3 on penalties after 1-1 in regulation time having drawn bye in matchday one.

Fisherman Son's FC in the other fixture pipped Okoroma FC 2-1 to progress into the round of 32 of the showpiece. At the Ekeremor centre defending champions, Krusaders Feeders FC made a clear statement of intent with a resounding 3-0 victory over Oburu FC.

Petroleum Boys FC on matchday one defeated Isampou FC 3-2 in a penalty shootout after a barren draw in regulation time. Petroleum Boys FC in the second game beat Ekeremor FC 4-2 on penalties to advance to the round of 32 in the tournament.

Kurotee FC, Water Striker FC, and Kongho United FC came out on top in the two centres in Brass LGA -  Twon Brass and Ogbokiri Akassa Centers.

Kurotee FC who were on bye at the opening of hostilities at the Twon Brass Center pipped Twon Brass FC 5-4 on penalties after a barren draw in regulation time in their opening match and went ahead to defeat Agbalakoko 2-1 in the third fixture to seal one of the tickets for the round  of 32  slots. 

Water Striker FC in the same centre pummeled Egwe-ama FC and Diema FC to move into the round of 32 alongside Kurotee FC. 

At the Ogbokiri/Akassa Center, Kongho United pulled out two slim victories over Blue Sea Strikers FC and Sangana FC to progress to the round of 32 in the ongoing biggest grassroots football tournament in Nigeria and beyond.

Action continues in other centres in the spectacle, having completed the preliminary round fixtures in Brass, Nembe, and Ekeremor centres. 

Unsurprisingly more players, teams and football stakeholders have continued to express their joy at seeing the display of  wonderful skills by young lads in the tournament and showered their appreciation on the Miracle Governor for his steadfastness in sponsoring the tournament saying this will go down as one of his undeniable legacies in his time as governor of Bayelsa State. 

Presidential Amnesty Office Deploys More Aviation Industry Trainees To South Africa

The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has deployed four cadet pilot trainees for type-rating training at the SIM Aerotraining Ltd in Johannesburg, South Africa, under the implementation of the vocational objectives of the programme.

It is in pursuit of the PAP objectives to ensure that delegates and beneficiaries acquire the requisite skills for gainful employment in the aviation sector.

This is a continuation of the PAP's deployment of its delegates and beneficiaries to aviation training institutions locally and around the world to enable them to become useful to themselves and the society.

In September and November 2023, the PAP Office sent 40 trainees (20 in each month) for aircraft maintenance engineering at Leadstream Aviation Training, Lagos, who finished their programme and are currently undergoing on-the-job training.

The PAP Office had also in November 2023 deployed two batches of six cadet pilot trainees each to SIM Aerotraining Ltd and ALT Academy, also in Johannesburg.

In January this year, the PAP Office also sent eight cadet pilot trainees for type-rating training at SIM Aerotraining Ltd on ERJ-145 and another six to ALT Academy on Boeing 737 aeroplane, while two trainees were also sent for helicopter instrument-rating and type-rating training, respectively, at Henley Airfreight Training Ltd, also in Johannesburg.

Lambert Daunemighan (middle), Head of Vocational Training Unit,
Presidential Amnesty Programme,  representing the Administrator
during the pre-departure briefing for four cadet pilot trainees
in Lagos for training in South Africa.

Speaking at the pre-departure briefing in Lagos for the four cadet pilot trainees, the PAP Administrator, Dr. Dennis Otuaro noted that vocational training was a key component of the programme in the planned development of the Niger Delta manpower base.

A statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media to the PAP Administrator, Mr Igoniko Oduma, quoted Otuaro to have noted that the deployment was in continuation of the significant feat achieved by the Presidential Amnesty Office in the aviation training of its delegates and beneficiaries.

Represented by Lambert Daunemighan, PAP's Head of Vocational Training Unit, Otuaro thanked President Bola Tinubu for his strong support to the programme to achieve human capital development, peace and security in the region.

He said, "The enlisting of these four cadet pilots for training, also highlights our passion and commitment to the implementation of the mandate of the PAP in the area of human capital development for our teeming youths in the Niger Delta.

"The Office has received the unwavering support of President Bola Tinubu, who has demonstrated the desire to ensure the peace, security and development of the Niger Delta. This event is a product of Mr. President’s commitment to peace and development in the Niger Delta.

"We will continue to thank Mr President for his favourable disposition towards achieving the noble objectives for the establishment of the Programme."

Congratulating the trainees on their deployment, the PAP boss urged them to take their training seriously, shun all forms of distractions and social vices and "be good ambassadors of Nigeria, the Presidential Amnesty Programme and the Niger Delta as well as your communities while in South Africa."

He further said, "The aviation sector is a huge industry. You now have the rare opportunity to acquire the relevant skills and knowledge that will prepare you to begin a career in the aviation industry. Please, grab it with both hands and make yourself worthy ambassadors of this programme."

The trainees expressed gratitude to the Administrator and the Federal Government for the opportunity, saying they would take their training seriously and also be of good conduct.

Prosperity Cup Organizers Salute Gov Diri At 65

...Describe Him As A Focused,Visionary Leader.

The organizers of the biggest grassroots football spectacle in Nigeria, the Bayelsa Governor's Football Tournament, tagged the Prosperity Cup   felicitate with Governor Douye Diri on the occasion of his 65th birthday anniversary.

Director General of the tournament, Mr. Ono K. Akpe in a statement made on behalf of the Central Organizing Committee, commended the governor for his  infrastructural drive in the state, describing him as a focused, visionary and down to earth administrator,who leads with the fear of God.

The statement extolled the virtues and hardwork of Governor Diri especially for the peace and stability the state has enjoyed thus far, as well as his patriotic and unrelenting service to his state and the nation, praying God to continue to grant him good health and wisdom to sustain his good works for the people.

According to the statement, the governor's  developmental drive in the state has crystallized the success of Bayelsa in the sports sector with a continuous dominance of the state’s athletes in all the national events they have participated in in recent years, particularly the National Sports Festival, Para Games, Nestle Milo Basketball Championship, Bayelsa United and Bayelsa Queens triumph in the 2021 AITEO CUP in Benin City, Edo State.

The statement lauded the governor, Senator Douye Diri for his tireless commitment to see that the Prosperity Cup remains the biggest grassroots football tournament in the nation, noting that the showpiece has impacted positively upon the lives of many youths in the state, especially in hosting all three of the female, para soccer and male editions of the tournament.

“Since your emergence as Governor of Bayelsa, you have remained irrevocably committed to your prosperity mantra which centres largely on infrastructure, sports, human capital development, education, healthcare, political tolerance and justice for all irrespective of tribe, creed, party and religion. Your leadership prowess has continued to reverberate across the entire state and beyond and we celebrate your unforgettable contributions to advancing our state, your commitment to humanity and how at different times various impactful approaches and activities on the people you lead has marked you out as a light that cannot be hidden. 

On behalf of the Central Organizing Committee (COC) of the tournament, I congratulate you, Your  Excellency, our father, our boss, as you clock a year older today. It is our prayer that God will grant you more years in good health to render more services to the people of Bayelsa State and the entire nation.” Akpe stated.

Gov Diri's Spokesman Thumbs Up Prosperity Cup Organisers

Defending Champions, 3 Others Qualify For Round Of 32

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, has commended organisers of the ongoing Prosperity Cup in the state for their consistency in discovering football talents through the competition. 

The Prosperity Cup, which is the Bayelsa Governor’s  Football Tournament, is Nigeria's biggest grassroots football showpiece.

Mr. Alabrah, a former youth international and professional footballer, gave the commendation at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa when he was presented the tournament’s branded jersey by the Director-General, Mr. Ono Akpe.

The governor's spokesman noted that youths in the state look forward to the tournament yearly as it offers them the opportunity to showcase their talent just as it promotes unity among Bayelsans.

He said for the competition to have reached the sixth edition, it tells a lot about the consistency in the sports policy of the state government and the organisers.

According to him, the continuity of the tournament in the last four years of the Governor Diri administration was also indicative of the governor’s unparalleled commitment to sports development.

Alabrah stressed that this has manifested in the performance of the state’s athletes within and outside the country, describing it as heartwarming.

He urged the youths to take advantage of the tournament as it is capable of exposing them to foreign scouts and clubs, noting that the inclusion of the female competition, para soccer as well as the scouting programme were a testament to the tournament’s growth.

He further commended the organisers for adopting a holistic approach to the tournament, particularly for also giving the physically challenged persons a sense of belonging.

The former footballer equally lauded the inclusion of the foreign scouting programme, which he said was a veritable initiative for  players discovered during the tournament to be exposed to foreign clubs, stressing that the competition had gone beyond mere participation and winning trophies to a platform to showcase Bayelsa youths to the world.

He expressed the optimism that in the next few years, Bayelsa youths would populate the country’s national teams as the competition has positioned Bayelsa as a brand in youth soccer coupled to with the avalanche of talents it has produced.

Meanwhile, defending champions, Krusaders Feeders FC, romped into the next round of the tournament with a 3-0 spanking of Oburu FC in a fixture decided at the Ekeremor centre. 

Goals from Anthony Moses, Handsome Iwasoma and Tony Akpagra gave the Peretorugbene based side the deserved victory.

Petroleum Boys FC in the second game beat Ekeremor FC 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time. 

At the Ogbolomabiri centre in Nembe Local Government Area, Fisherman Son's FC pipped Okoroma United FC 2-1 to progress to the next phase while BMU Feeders FC suffered a 4-3 defeat against Nembe City on penalties having played out a 1-1 draw in regulation time. 

Action continues in other centres.

Otuaro Tasks Presidential Amnesty Programme Employees On Productivity

 

Pix 6- Chief Dennis Brutu Otuaro, PhD. Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme, (PAP), Edgar Biu Daniel, Technical Assistant, PAP, and other management Staff in a group photograph, during the Orientation/Operational Excellence Workshop for Presidential Amnesty Programme Staff, held at NAF Conference Centre, on Saturday 1st June 2024 in Abuja.

Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro, the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), has urged members of staff to be more efficient and productive in accomplishing the programme's mandate of ensuring enduring peace and security in the Niger Delta.

Speaking at a re-orientation workshop for new and existing PAP Office employees in Abuja at the weekend, Otuaro reiterated his commitment to diligently working towards achieving the goals for which the programme was established.

He assured the President that the programme was in "safe hands" and vowed to leverage his position to make a positive impact in the region by achieving sustainable peace and security through the proper implementation of the programme.

"I know all the major stakeholders in the Niger Delta and don't need intermediaries to engage with anyone," Otuaro stated. "I am not here to make money. My passion is the peace, security and development of the Niger Delta through the mainstreaming of ex-agitators and creating opportunities for them to become self-sufficient and independent."

Otuaro explained that the purpose of the workshop was to foster an environment where workers could collaborate rather than work in isolation, to achieve the programme's objectives more effectively. 

He said, "This exercise aims to enhance our efforts to harness the elements of collaboration and teamwork for effective implementation of the mandate of the Presidential Amnesty Office.

"In this regard, we will strive to deepen collaboration and consultations with critical stakeholders in the implementation of the Programme. This noble objective can only be achieved with the effective, efficient and dedicated input of our staff members."

The Administrator further stated that the programme would explore funding opportunities for beneficiaries who have been trained in vocational skills, assuring all stakeholders that they would be treated fairly.

Established in 2009 to disarm, demobilize and reintegrate former Niger Delta agitators, the Presidential Amnesty Programme, currently in the reintegration phase, aims at mainstreaming the former agitators and providing institutional support for impacted communities in the region.

At the workshop, all department and unit heads made presentations to the participants on their respective divisions. 

External resource persons also delivered talks on themes such as "Building a World-Class Organization," "DDR – A Global Interventionist Model for Peacekeeping," and "Focus on Personal Effectiveness."

Some PAP members of staff including, Theophilus Tikpa and Mirabel Idoh of the Technical Support and Administration Departments, respectively, commended the Administrator for the workshop saying it was very educative and that lessons gained would help the workers to work better as a team in the discharge of their duties.