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A’Ibom CJ inaugurates 15-man LG election tribunal

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By Francesca Hangeior.

 

The Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaette Obot, has inaugurated a 15-member Local Government Election Petitions Tribunal for the October 5th Local Government election in the state.

The Tribunal is made up of five members from each of the three Senatorial districts of the state.

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Speaking while inaugurating the panel on Monday, at the CJ’s Chambers in Uyo, Obot said the constitution of the panel was in fulfilment of sections 43 and 45 (1) of the Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission Law 2024 (as amended).

She said, “Pursuant to Sections 43 and 45 (1) of the Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission Law 2024 (as amended), the Local Government Election Petitions Tribunal for each of the Senatorial Districts has been constituted.”

The CJ charged the panellists to conduct themselves properly and to work within the ethics of the legal profession.

She urged them not to compromise in any way but to exhibit respect, dignity and honour in the discharge of their duties.

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The CJ further reminded the adjudicators that they are time-bound in determining cases brought before them, noting that local government elections are grassroots elections and the anchor of the whole electoral system.

“As you go to start work, make sure you conduct yourselves properly within the ethics of our profession and make sure you do not compromise in any way.

“So you must individually be very careful about how you conduct yourself. Be careful to do your job with respect, dignity and honour that is usually ascribed to our noble profession.

“You must note that you are time-bound in determining cases… Local government elections are grassroots elections and are very important. It is the anchor, I can say, of the whole system,” she said.

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Responding, on behalf of the judicial panel, the Chairman, Uyo Senatorial District panel, George Ituen, Esq., commended both the state government and the state judiciary for the honour done them, promising to uphold the integrity of their profession and to do the judiciary proud in their assignments.

Those sworn in are George Ituen, Esq. (Chairman), Comfort Gladstone, Esq., Sunday Udo Abasiubong, Esq., Unyime Joseph Akpan, Esq. and Godwin Thompson Nkorok, for the Uyo Senatorial district.

Others are Peter Ndem, Esq. (Chairman), Emmanuel Akpan, Esq., Margaret Ekere, Esq., Mr Usen Eden, and Abasiadoama Etim, for the Eket Senatorial district.

Also sworn in include Samuel Akpabio, Esq. (Chairman), Peter Ime Akpan, Esq., Ime Richard Utah, Esq., Udeme Tom, Esq., and Mrs. Jersey Ekpo, for the Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District.

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Celebrity boxing: Speed Darlington wants rematch after losing to Portable

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Nigerian singer Speed Darlington is calling for a rematch against Portable after losing to him in a celebrity boxing match.

Speed Darlington was knocked out in the second round, and he’s unhappy about the outcome.

In a video, he claimed Portable didn’t deserve the win and the prize money, saying he had plans to use the money to build a swimming pool for his community in Imo State.

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Portable, I want a rematch. E dey pain me say you dey carry all that money dey go. E dey break my heart.

” I want a rematch. It’s so unfair. You have up to two experience before me and you fight. I never enter ring before. I did not come from poverty,” he said.

“You don’t deserve that money. E dey pain me. I want to build swimming pool for my villagers. I need a rematch, Portable”, he said.

According to Speed Darlington, Portable had an unfair advantage due to his experience, accusing him of using supernatural means to win the fight.

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He also claimed he suffered a shoulder injury during the match despite not feeling tired.

Speed Darlington, who wants a rematch, said he needs 30 days to prepare better

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Israel’s remote controlled bulldozers breaking ground in Gaza war

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At first glance, there is nothing unusual about the bulky bulldozer turning up soil at a testing site in central Israel, but as it pulled closer it became clear: the driver’s cabin is eerily empty.

This is the Robdozer, a fortified engineering vehicle manned remotely, and in this case operated from a military expo halfway across the globe in Alabama.

Army engineers and military experts say that the Robdozer — the robotic version of Caterpillar’s D9 bulldozer — is the future of automated combat.

The Israeli military has used D9 for years to carry out frontline tasks like trowelling roads for advancing troops, removing rubble and flattening terrain.

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But since war in Gaza broke out in October 2023 and later in Lebanon, the Israeli military has increasingly deployed this robotic version in a bid to enhance its field operations and reduce the risks to its troops.

“The idea is to eliminate the person from the cockpit of the dozer,” said Rani, whose team at the state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries developed the Robdozer.

An unmanned D9 bulldozer digs up a field during a demonstration to the press at the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) quarters near Tel Aviv on March 26, 2025. Israel’s increasing use of advanced technology on the battlefield, from air defence systems to a broad range of AI-driven intelligence tools, has been well-documented but also criticised for inaccuracies, lack of human oversight and potential violations of international law. (Photo by GIL COHEN-MAGEN / AFP)

During the Gaza war, the military has increasingly opted for the unmanned version, which can carry out a full range of tasks “even better than a human”, said Rani, using his first name only for security reasons.

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While such vehicles and other systems are currently operated by humans, future versions could be autonomous, raising ethical and legal concerns over the unchartered future of warfare being shaped by the Israeli military in the Gaza war.

‘Changing the paradigm’
Israel’s increasing use of advanced technology on the battlefield, from air defence systems to a broad range of AI-driven intelligence tools, has been well-documented but also criticised for inaccuracies, lack of human oversight and potential violations of international law.

Analysts say the growing Israeli deployment of the Robdozer reflects broader global trends towards automation in heavy combat vehicles, like remote-controlled personnel carriers that operate much like drones.

An Israeli military official, who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive matters, told AFP that the army has been using “robotic tools for over a decade, but in very small numbers. Now it is being used in large-scale warfare”.

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70-hour Chess Marathon: Onakoya reportedly breaks record set by Norwegians

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Nigerian chess sensation and founder of Chess in Slums Africa, Tunde Onakoya, has broken the chess marathon record of 61 hours, 3 minutes, and 34 seconds, set by two Norwegian players, Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad, in June 2024.

Onakoya and his chess partner, Shawn Martinez, are currently aiming to complete a 70-hour chess marathon in Times Square, New York.

The marathon, a four-day non-stop gameplay, started on April 17.

In a post shared on X shortly after surpassing the current record, he expressed fulfillment and called for action to educate and create opportunities for street children in Nigeria.

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For all the dreamers! We’ve officially BROKEN THE RECORD with my brother,” he wrote.

Although the official confirmation from Guinness World Records is still being awaited, Nigerians and chess lovers from different parts of the world have congratulated the chess master on his latest achievement.

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