There is tension in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, as the proceedings for the core case lodged against Joshua Maciver, the deputy governorship candidate of the Bayelsa All Progressives Congress (APC), regarding his purported disqualification to participate in the November 11 election, is scheduled to recommence today.
A female governorship aspirant of the APC, Ikisima Johnson, who participated in the party’s primary, ultimately won by Timipre Sylva, is contesting Maciver’s eligibility. She is seeking his disqualification as the party’s running mate.
Her petition is based on the allegation that Maciver has a criminal record; he was reportedly sentenced to a 10-year prison term for terrorism and sea piracy but managed to escape from prison before completing his sentence.
The case is filed under suit number FHC/YNG/CS114/2023/, with the APC listed as the 1st defendant, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Timipre Sylva, and Joshua Maciver as the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th defendants, respectively.
In light of recent developments, a civil society group known as the Coalition for Social Justice and Equity Initiative has expressed concern about an alleged scheme involving the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Maj. Gen. Tariye Ndiomu (rtd.), and Sylva to subvert legal proceedings.
They claim that Sylva and Ndiomu have been engaged in clandestine discussions aimed at adding Maciver’s name to the PAP database and providing a sworn statement as supporting evidence in court.
In a statement released in Yenagoa, the group has called upon the presiding Judge, Justice Olaide Quadiri, and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to remain vigilant and take necessary action to apprehend Ndiomu, Sylva, and Maciver for their alleged attempt to submit falsified affidavits and documents to the court.
The group, through its Public Relations Officer, Ezra Areo, said: “We are calling on the trial judge and IGP to be aware that the document to be tendered is fake and an alleged attempt to lie on oath. Maciver has long been verified not to be on the list of amnesty beneficiaries.”
”The Bayelsa APC deputy governorship candidate, a few months ago, was involved in a controversy over his conviction and involvement in jailbreak after he was allegedly convicted by a court, and was sent to Kaduna State to serve his 10 years sentence for sea piracy and terrorism.”