Ibrahim Idris, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) has given reasons he cannot personally appear before the Senate.The Nation reports that the IGP, who faulted the Senate’s insistence on his personal appearance, said his presence at the Senate was unnecessary because the issues for which he was invited were not personal.comgathered that he said if he was to personally honour every invitation sent to the office of the IGP, he would have no time for hismain responsibilities.The IGP said he was allowed under the Constitution and Police Act to delegate responsibilities, including directing some of his subordinates to represent him where he is invited.His position is contained in a suit filed by the IGP before the Federal High Court, Abuja through his lawyer, Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN).The IGP queried the propriety of the Senate’s decision to insist on his physical presence andits decision to enquire into issues relating to the charges filed against Senator Dino Melaye and on which he had been arraigned.The suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/457/2018, has the President of the Senate and the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as defendants.The Senate, in a letter dated April 25 this year, invited the IGP to appear before it in relation tothe purported inhuman treatment of Melaye and killings in the country.The IGP honoured the Senate’s invitation on April 26 this year, but was represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations) and commissioner of police, Kogistate.The Senate denied the two representatives of the IGP audience, but instead, rescheduled the meeting for May 2 and insisted that the IGP must honour its invitation in person.The IGP, in a supporting affidavit, stated that his choice of the DIG (Operations) and CP, Kogi state was because they were conversant with the issues for which he was invited.He argued that it was not compulsory that the occupant of the office of the IGP must honour every invitation in person.The IGP noted that the invitation letter from theSenate, with the title:“Invitation to brief the Senate on the inhuman treatment of Senator Dino Melaye over a matter that is pending in court,”showed that the Senate was aware Melaye“is facing a criminal charge in a court.”The plaintiff argued that he is not answerable to the defendants in respect of a case pendingin court, but to the judicial arm of government, before whom the case was pending.He added:“The said Senator Dino Melaye is facing a charge of criminal conspiracy and illegal possession of firearms before a court ofcompetent jurisdiction in Kogi state.“The heading of the said letter, which reads inter alia inhuman treatment meted to Senator Dino Melaye, who is a member of the 1st and 2nd defendants, clearly show the motive of thebriefing.“Once a charge is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it is only the judicial arm of government that adjudicates and disposes of the matter one way or the other, and not subject to the oversight functions in Section 88 of the 1999 Constitution as claimed by the defendants.“Chapter Viii Rule 53(5) of the Senate’s Standing Order prohibits any reference to any matter in which any judicial decision is pending, in this case, the pending charge against Senator Dino Melaye before the court in Lokoja, Kogi state.“There is no how the discussion on the Dino Melaye’s case by the 1st and 2nd defendants will not relate to or impact on the matter in court,”the IGP said.The plaintiff therefore prayed the court to among others; restrain the defendants, any of their committees or agents from insisting that he must appear before them in person.The IGP also urged the court to declare as unconstitutional, the defendants’ insistence that he appears in person before them or any of their committees is contrary to the combined provisions of Section 21d(1)(a) of the Constitution and sections 2, 5, 6 and 7(1) of the Police Act.The defendants, in a counter affidavit, accusedthe IGP of using the court to shield himself from being scrutinized by the Legislature.They stated that the IGP’s representatives were denied audience because of “the weighty issues which requires clarification, as they touched on the very soul of our national existence and in order to ensure fruitful and meaningful deliberations.”They prayed the court to reject the plaintiff’s prayers and dismiss the suit.When the case was called on Thursday, May 31, Izinyon informed the court that it was scheduled for the hearing of the substantive suit, and that he was ready.The defendants were not represented, but the court confirmed receiving a letter from the defendant’s lawyer, seeking a stand down till 12noon.Izinyon agreed to wait, the trial judge,Justice John Tsoho elected to adjourn to another date on the grounds that a stand downwas not feasible.He adjourned to June 29 for the hearing of the substantive suit.
2019: Our presidential candidate must be a nationalist - PDP
The PDP has said it does not have any preference for any of its presidential aspirants for the upcoming 2019 presidential election.
The party said it would present an acceptable candidate that would shock the ruling All Progressives Congress (2019) in the presidential contest.
The national chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus, told The Punch on Thursday, May 24, that the party was already working out modalities on how to get the best out of its array of aspirants jostling to fly the party’s flag in 2019.
Secondus said that the National Working Committee of the party had resolved not to back any of the aspirants, adding that all the aspirants had been given the mandate to market the party to Nigerians ahead of the general election.
His words: “We, the national leadership of the PDP, have no preferred presidential candidate for the 2019 election. We have eminently qualified members of the party and other Nigerians who are still aspiring to come to the PDP that can fly the flag of the party come 2019.
“While we continue to monitor the activities of these individuals, we want to assure Nigerians that we will present to them a nationally and even an internationally-acceptable candidate that will thrash whoever the disorganised APC presents as its candidate.
“The NWC met, and agreed not to either as an individual or as a body, back any of the aspirants because we are like fathers to them all.
“But I can assure you that, once the aspirant emerges, the party and majority of Nigerians will line up behind him and his running mate.
“We are working round the clock to ensure that our members are united and join us and others, to rescue this country from the hands of incompetent individuals and cabal.”
Asked what would be the criteria for the picking of the party’s presidential candidate, Secondus said that the party would release the guidelines on that soon.
He however said that anyone aspiring to lead the country “is expected to be a nationalist who is interested in the progress of the entire nation.”
He added: “We will field someone who knows Nigeria and Nigerians. We won’t field someone who sees himself and his household as the geographical entity of the country.
“We will give Nigerians a candidate that will travel round the entire country not to give promises he cannot fulfil, but someone they can trust. We will give them a candidate who will not upon assuming office; deny any of his campaign promises.”
Asked on the progress made concerning the ongoing alliance talks with other political parties, Secondus said the committee set up by the PDP and headed by a former governor of Cross River state, Liyel Imoke, was making progress.
“We have a committee that is making steady progress on that. All the opposition parties are working together and as soon as the committee submits its reports, we will swing into action,” he added.
Presidential aspirants in the party at the moment include ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; a former Jigawa state governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido; the Gombe state governor, Ibrahim Dankaambo; and an ex-minister of education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, former chairman of the party, Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi and former minister of special duties; Alhaji Tanimu Turaki. Meanwhile, about 7,000 defectors from various political parties were on Monday, May 14, received by the PDP in Kanam local government of Plateau state. Some of the defectors were those that cross carpeted to the All Progressives Congress (APC) after the 2015 general elections.
PDP chairman in Plateau state, Damishi Sango, who received them during the commissioning of Kanam PDP office and inauguration of chairmanship campaign committee and appeal fund raising, said the defectors would be accorded the same privileges as other members of the party.
PDP's Magnificent 7 for 2019 on
Board sets May 26 for rescheduled examinations for over 12,000 candidates
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Sunday said that it had set May 26 for rescheduled Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) for more than 12, 000 candidates across the country.
The Board’s Head of Media, Dr Fabian Benjamin, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
According to Benjamin, more than 12, 000 candidates are expected to sit for the mop up examinations in few of its centres across the country.
This category of candidates, he explained, are those whose biometrics were not captured during the initial period of the UTME in March.
He said: “ “It would also include those, who are yet to see their results since the end of the examinations in March till date and have not been involved in any form of malpractice.
“
“It will also include those, who were unable to print out their e-slip before the earlier examinations and those whose centres were cancelled for suspected malpractices.’’
According to him, “there are centres that were cancelled because of suspicious activities but the board was unable to identify the actual culprits.
However, he said that those, who were involved and caught in illicit acts and centres where a case of malpractice has been established against them would not partake in the rescheduled examinations.
He advised candidates, who might have fallen into any of the categories qualified for the examination to print their e-slips from Monday, May 21.
NAN recalls the board had earlier promised to reschedule the examinations for some candidates whose cases were exceptional, adding that candidates, who fall under such categories would be contacted before then.
Nigeria will cease to exist if you rig Ekiti election – PDP warns APC
Uche Secondus, national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says Nigeria might go into extinction if the July governorship election in Ekiti state is rigged.
Speaking at the flag-off of PDP’s local government election campaign in Rivers state, the opposition leader said his party would resist any attempt to thwart the will of the people.
He alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) rigged the Kaduna local government election, where his party won four LGAs, while APC swept 14.
“The forthcoming Ekiti state election is going to be a litmus test. We warn that if you attempt to rig Ekiti, it will be a recipe for crisis and we don’t know whether there will be Nigeria or not,” he said.
“We are bold to say it because you cannot take the peoples rights, you cannot deny them of their votes and we are saying and we want APC to say the same that it will be ‘one man, one vote’, ‘one woman, one vote’, ‘one youth, one vote’.
“We will never allow an evil individual to destroy this nation or to destroy our state. If you like wait for us, we refuse to be intimidated. We saw all that happened in Kaduna last Saturday. PDP won in all local government areas, but they over-turned the results.” Secondus said that with the help of Nigerians, PDP is united to take over from the APC in 2019.
He said his party would provide the leadership that will create platforms of the unity for Nigerians.
During a dinner with the southwest caucus of APC at the presidential villa in Abuja earlier in the week, President Muhammadu Buhari urged the members of his party to take the mission to rescue Ekiti from PDP seriously
Court adjourns Dino Melaye’s case indefinitely on Health grounds
Justice Olasumbo Goodluck of FCT High Court, Maitama, has adjourned indefinitely the trial of Senator Dino Melaye docked for allegedly giving false information. The court adjourned the trial sine die (indefinitely) following the confirmation by the National Hospital, Abuja that Melaye was on admission at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital.
The embattled senator was dragged to court on a two-count charge, bordering on giving false information, offences he denied committing. He was arraigned on March 1st by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) on a two-count charge for allegedly giving false information to the police to incriminate the Chief of Staff to Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, Edward Onoja David, as the mastermind of the said assassination attempt on him.
N1.9bn: Billionaire businesswoman, Bola Shagaya, loses bid to unfreeze account
Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Thursday, May 17, 2018, described as “judicial rascality” the issues raised by a businesswoman, Bola Shagaya, in an application seeking an order of the court to set aside the ruling given by Justice M.S. Hassan of the same court ordering the interim attachment of her
account pending conclusion of investigation.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had on December 29, 2016, secured an order of Justice Hassan to freeze a Unity Bank account with a balance of N1,902,673,399.93 belonging to Shagaya. The money was the balance of a total of N3,305,150,000, which Shagaya allegedly received as “Finder fees” on behalf of an organisation, “Women for Change” being promoted by a former First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan.
It was further alleged that the N3.3bn was realized through Shagaya’s fraudulent activities in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, where she was said to have influenced the allocation of Dual Purpose Kerosene to Index Petrolube Africa Limited, with the aid of the former First Lady.
The N3.3bm was allegedly paid by Index Petrolube Africa Limited and sister company, Autodex Nigeria Limited, which are said to belong to Hon. Ezeani ThankGod.
It was also alleged that the reason for the payment of the N3.3bn was to “fraudulently facilitate allocation of Dual Purpose Kerosene to ThankGod’s company, Index Petrolube Africa Limited.”
It was also alleged that the reason for the payment of the N3.3bn was to “fraudulently facilitate allocation of Dual Purpose Kerosene to ThankGod’s company, Index Petrolube Africa Limited.”
Out of the N3.3bn, Shagaya was said to have “paid a cumulative sum of N1,212,000,000 to the former First Lady through her '‘Women for Change Initiative" account domiciled in Diamond Bank, to which the former First Lady is the sole signatory.”.
Shagaya allegedly "warehoused" the balance of N1.9bn in her account in Unity Bank.
Through her lawyer, Shagaya, in an originating summons, had urged Justice Oguntoyinbo to grant her access to the account, which has been frozen since December 29, 2016. Shagaya, who is claiming violation of her constitutional right to fair hearing, filed an originating summons dated October 20, 2017 supported by a 19- paragraph affidavit seeking the court’s order to set aside Justice Hassan’s ruling and also asking for the declarations
that the ruling was unconstitutional, null and void as same violates her right of fair hearing as guaranteed by Section 36(1) & (2) of the 1999 Constitution.
that the ruling was unconstitutional, null and void as same violates her right of fair hearing as guaranteed by Section 36(1) & (2) of the 1999 Constitution.
She is also seeking a declaration that she has the right to own movable properties as guaranteed by Section 44(1) & (1c) of the 1999 Constitution.
In response to the application, the EFCC, in a nine-paragraph counter- affidavit deposed to by Musbahu Yahaya Abubakar, an investigator with the EFCC, urged the court to dismiss the prayers of the applicant and declare it an abuse of court process.
At the resumed hearing today, Justice Oguntoyinbo dismissed the application and held that an interim order of the account of the applicant or forfeiture of her account pending investigation and prosecution did not violate her right to fair hearing.
She also held that “Section 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 of the EFCC Act provides that immediately
after the commencement of investigation, the Commission can attach a property to last till the commencement of criminal trial.
after the commencement of investigation, the Commission can attach a property to last till the commencement of criminal trial.
“The order made by Honorable Justice M.S. Hassan was made within jurisdiction and this court cannot stand as an appellate court against its decision. This suit is an appeal presented in form of originating summons by asking the court to preview the status of a court of concurrent jurisdiction, it is a judicial rascality."
''It was doctored'' Nigeria Police Force finally reacts to a trending embarrassing video of IGP Ibrahim Idris
The Nigeria Police Force has finally reacted to the trending video of the Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris.
In a tweet chat today, the police said the video was doctored. Nigerians on twitter have however asked for the original video of the police chief speaking at the event.
Photos: NDLEA seize 4 Tonnes of Tramadol at Lagos airport
Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) today seized four tonnes of Tramadol drugs at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos.
The NDLEA commandant at the airport, Ahmadu Garba, in a chat with newsmen, said the seized consignments were imported into the country through the United Arab Emirates (UAE) airline, Etihad Cargo and that the antinarcotic agency is yet to determine the importer of the banned substance.
Garba said the first batch of the two consignments arrived Nigeria on April 23rd 2018 while the second consignment arrived on April 25th at the airport. He explained that the two consignments arrived in four waybills while the fifth waybill arrived its command yesterday and that the command only got hold of the consignment today after the owners refused to come forward for clearance.
“We collected the consignments from the Skyway Aviation Handling Limited (SAHCOL) shed today (Thursday) and we got to know of the consignment even before it arrived the country through our foreign intelligence. Since then, we have been monitoring it and waited for either the importer or any clearing agent to come forward for clearance, but no one came. The approved dosage for Tramadol is between 50m and 100m, but what thee importer brought into the country was 250m, which is above the approved milligrams by the government. The total waybills were five.”
“We collected the consignments from the Skyway Aviation Handling Limited (SAHCOL) shed today (Thursday) and we got to know of the consignment even before it arrived the country through our foreign intelligence. Since then, we have been monitoring it and waited for either the importer or any clearing agent to come forward for clearance, but no one came. The approved dosage for Tramadol is between 50m and 100m, but what thee importer brought into the country was 250m, which is above the approved milligrams by the government. The total waybills were five.”
He added that the command had made a total seizure of 187.22kgs of illicit drugs between January and April this year. The breakdown of the seizures indicated that cocaine was 1.88kg, heroin; 4.48kg, cannabis Sativa; 15.64kg, methamphetamine; 41.06kg, ephedrine; 89.06kg and, Phenacetin with 8.2k.
Lai Mohammed denies orchestrating arrest of Kwara youths
Read the statement form the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Moahmmed.
The attention of the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has been drawn to the accusation by the Kwara South Youths Stakeholders that he orchestrated the recent arrest by the police of some youths in the Kwara South.The Hon. Minister vehemently rejects this accusation. He has nothing to do with the arrest of the youths in Kwara South, and believes - contrary to the allegation by the stakeholders - that the arrest has nothing to do with the Ward Congress in his hometown of Oro. Afterall, suspected cultists were also recently arrested and paraded by the police in Ilorin.The Hon. Minister wishes to state that the police, in the exercise of its constitutional responsibility, does not need to be goaded by anyone to carry out arrests where necessary.Concerning the outcome of the election in his Oro Ward 2, the Hon. Minister has made his observations on the conduct of the election known to the appropriate party authorities, in line with his strong belief in the rule of law.Suffice it to say, however, that the only credible Ward election was the one held by the genuine party members in Oro Ward 2. That explains why, after the election, there was a rally around Oro Town that eventually terminated in the country home of the Hon. Minister. He does not believe there is any linkage between the election and the arrests.
Borno state government official defends his decision to empower youths with Shoe shinning kits, bags of oranges
The Borno state Commissioner for Higher Education and aspirant for the house of representatives in 2019, Usman Jaha (Babawo) has defended his decision to distribute kits with shoe polish, bags of oranges and other items to youths in Gwoza as part of his personal welfare programme.
In a statement he released, Usman said he empowered the youths of the area based on their peculiar needs.
Nigerians on social media condemned Usman's choice of empowerment materials immediately the photos surfaced online.
Read part of Usman's statement below
''The programme is my personal effort and it is based on the peculiar needs of the beneficiaries in Gwoza. All communities have their needs and these needs change from time to time. In my years as a politician who served at the Borno State Assembly before becoming a Commissioner, I have always interacted with constituents before making any welfare intervention. I make interventions based on their peculiar needs. There are times people ask for a particular support and we don’t have the liberty of imposing our preferences. We support communities in all sectors that include education, vocational skills and businesses.
There are records. “What do what our people want. I have once seen the picture of a serving Governor from a different part of this country distributing life chickens to citizens and I am sure it was based the peculiarities of needs. A good politician must be conscious of the peculiarities of needs in the communities he or she represents. A politician must be pragmatic and must not shamed of doing what his people want because the people make the politician. What is important to me is the happiness of our people in Gwoza, nothing else really matter”.
Fulani herdsmen kill five farmers in Benue State
Suspected Fulani herdsmen on Thursday, killed five farmers at Ukemberagya district, near Anyiin, in Logo local government area of Benue State.
A community leader, Chief Joseph Anawah, who confirmed the incident told The Nation on phone that the attackers who were armed with sophisticated weapons stormed the settlements in Ukemberagya at 6:30 a.m. and operated for about three hours.
“They moved from one village to another, shot sporadically and razed houses,” he said.
Anawah listed those killed as Bem Torjem, Apedzan Chia and Ikpuku Korya.
Photos: President Buhari in closed door meeting with Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai
President Buhari today received in audience the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, in the State House Abuja. The Army chief briefed the president on the activities of the Army and how it is tackling the challenges of insecurity. See more photos from the meeting below...
EFCC detains another PDP Senator for receiving N303m worth of cars as gift
A member of the Nigerian senate, Senator Albert Bassey who represents Akwa Ibom North East in the senate, has been arrested by EFCC operatives for allegedly receiving vehicles worth N303 million from Babajide Omokore, an oil magnate who is standing trial for allegedly helping ex-petroluem minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke in money laundering.
Akpan was said to have given contracts worth billions of naira to Omokore, who allegedly used the vehicles as payment in return of the favour.
A top source in the antigraft agency who spoke in confidence to The Nation said Bassey has been invited repeatedly to react to the allegations of financial impropriety leveled against him but he has refused to honor all the invitations.
“We have been interrogating Senator Bassey in the last 12 hours on the allegations against him. One of the allegations against him is how N303million worth of vehicles were given out as gifts to Bassey by the owner of Atlantic Energy Drilling Concept Limited between July 30, 2010 and January 8, 2014.” he said
A fact-sheet from the EFCC reads
“The Senator as Commissioner for Finance was also the Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour Coordinating Committee. About N30billion hit the account managed by the committee during the period. The fund came from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and statutory allocations. Following allegation of massive wiring of the cash into private accounts, the EFCC decided to invite Sen. Bassey to give account. This agency is looking into allegation of money laundering against Bassey. Detectives have uncovered how contracts worth N618million to two companies namely Bay Atlantic Energy Services Limited and Sahel Energy/Power between 2010 and 2014 were awarded. The companies belong to the owner of Atlantic Energy Drilling Concept Limited Chief Jide Omokore. At about the same period, vehicles worth N303million were given out as gifts to Bassey by the owner of Atlantic Energy Drilling Concept Limited especially between July 30, 2010 and January 8, 2014. From investigation by detectives, there is a correlation between the transactions and the gifts. The Akwa Ibom State Government has refused to make relevant documents available to the EFCC.”
The embattled senator has however denied collecting kickbacks from Omokore.
”The vehicles are gifts from Omokore on the need to ensure my personal safety. I have known him for 19 years. They were also contributions to my governorship campaign in 2014,” he said
Police officer arrested for extorting N5k from roadusers in Ikorodu
A police officer who extorted N5, 000 from road users in Ikorodu, Lagos state yesterday has been arrested and is currently undergoing interrogation.
Twitter user @@ife_luv12 lodged a complain to Abayomi Shogunle, the Head Police Complaints Commission Unit who just informed her that the erring police officer has been identified and is being interrogated. See their exchanges below...
PDP expresses worry over plots to implicate Saraki
Read the press statement from PDP below
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is deeply concerned over reports by Senate President Bukola Saraki of alleged plots by the Police to use suspected cultists, who have been in detention, to implicate him and the Governor of Kwara state, Abdulfatah Ahmed.The PDP, as a party, has taken judicious note of assertions by the Senate President that the said plot is allegedly being hatched by the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Idris Ibrahim, “to settle scores” with the Senate over its recent declaration that he is not fit to hold public office.The PDP is alarmed by the trend of brazen assaults on the institutions of democracy, particularly the National Assembly and the judiciary, in addition to unrelenting attacks on dissenting voices, especially as we approach the 2019 general elections.Nigerians will recall that the PDP had earlier alerted of plots to arrest, harass, detain dissenting voices and opposition members on trumped-up charges, as well as intimidate institutions of democracy and pave the way for a one-party state in our country.Nigerians will further recall the invasion of the Senate chambers by thugs, who disrupted proceedings and carted away the mace. Only last Friday, hoodlums violently attacked a High Court in Rivers state with guns, in a bid to stop the judiciary from making pronouncements on an electoral matter.The PDP therefore charges the National Assembly to defend the nation’s democracy by sparing no energy in pursuing its resolution of engaging President Muhammadu Buhari on these assaults, in addition to putting in motion, all legislative instruments available to it, to curtail all excesses in government before the situation finally gets out of hand.
EFCC closes case on N49m cash found in Kaduna airport
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Kaduna Zonal Office today, Thursday May 17th 2018, closed its defence in the N49 million civil matter with five others claiming ownership of the money which was intercepted at the Kaduna International Airport on the March 13, 2017.
Lead counsel to EFCC, Joshua Saidi informed Justice S. M Shuaibu of the Federal High Court Kaduna, that the Commission by presenting it's only witness had closed it's case.
In his testimony, DW1 identified his sworn affidavit and adopted same, while counsel to the five plaintiff, E. I Dapo didn't object to it's admissibility.
In his testimony, DW1 identified his sworn affidavit and adopted same, while counsel to the five plaintiff, E. I Dapo didn't object to it's admissibility.
The Court further admitted a Certified True Copy of teller depositing the said sum in the custody of the CBN.
It would be recalled that operatives of the EFCC on the 13th of March, 2017 intercepted five 750kg bags filled with crispy naira notes at the Kaduna International Airport. Further investigation revealed that the bags contained a total sum of N49 million bound for Lagos.
Upon an exparte order granted by the Federal High Court, Kaduna in respect to the intercepted cash, five individuals came forth claiming ownership. They are: Oyebanji Plaits Steve, Taiye Omoniyi Oluwaleke, Risikat Taimiyu Titilayo, Fausat Oni and Joshua Kisabo.
Justice Shuaibu has adjourned the matter to the 28th of June, 2018 to allow for adoption of final written addresses and reply on points of law.
Photos: President Buhari leads Ramadan Tafsir session at the State house, Abuja
Today, President Buhari joined the Muslim faithfuls all over the world who thronged neighbourhood mosques for the Ramadan Tafsir - the translation and explanation of the Holy Quran.
At the Mosque in the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, the Chief Imam, Abdulwaheed Abubakar opened the exercise with gratitude to Allah for freeing the President of the ailment that kept him away from the country throughout this period last year.
He wished President Buhari full health and the energy he needs to discharge the requirements of his office.
The Imam thanked Nigerians for their prayers for the President and the nation, urging them to submit to the will of their creator. Imam Abdulwaheed also prayed to Allah for peaceful elections in the coming year.
''Buhari, APC taking Nigerians for fools'' ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo says
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says President Buhari and his party, APC, have in the last three years been taking “Nigerians for fools.”
The former president said this at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta the Ogun State capital, where he announced that his Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM) platform has adopted the African Democratic Congress(ADC) as a political platform to achieve the dream of changing the current state of governance at all levels in the country come 2019.
The former president lamented that the fortunes of most Nigerians have taken a turn for the worse in the last three years despite claims by the Buhari-led government that the economy was booming.
He also warnedNigerians not to accept the call for forgiveness by the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP). According to the former president who was a chieftain of the party until he tore his membership card in 2015, the party had sought forgiveness but has not deemed it fit to discipline its members who used eight years to bring woes upon the country through poor governance.
THE PEOPLE OF NKPOLU NEEDS THE GOVERNMENT HELP
The people of nkpolu really need the intervention of the Nigeria government as owners of stores cry over flood that happened after the rain that fell yesterday night at nkpolu sellers now using rain boot to attend to costumers across the road living their store unattended to when attending to the costumers who can't dip their legs in the water
Uche Secondus' letter to the UN Secretary General accusing President Buhari of several allegations confirms PDP as a bad loser and desperate - Garba Shehu
Garba Shehu, the senior special assistant to President Buhari on media and publicity has reacted to a letter written by the National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Uche Secondus to the United Nations Secretary General accusing President Buhari of several allegations.
According to Garba Shehu, the letter simply confirms that the opposition is a bad loser and 'desperate for another chance after they were kicked out for failing the nation and its people'.
See his full response below...
The letter written by the National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Mr. Uche Secondus to the United Nations Secretary General accusing President Muhammadu Buhari of several allegations confirm the opposition party as a bad loser, desperate for another chance after they were kicked out for failing the nation and its people.In the said letter which is no les preposterous and comical, the opposition accused the Nigerian government of “destroying Nigeria’s democracy.”PDP’s lecture on democracy and the rule of law coming from a party with a tradition of undemocratic rule is a desperate attempt to pervert history and the course of justice. The sermon, is both trite and hollow, coming from a party with intolerance for dissent as its hallmark. A party that humiliated opposition parties and stunted their growth. This was the atmosphere that nurtured the birth of the All Progressives Congress (APC.)The war against corruption, for which many more politicians may soon be docked, cannot be misrepresented as an attack on human rights and Mr. Secondus should not try to mislead the UN. Nigerian politicians at all levels have been used to dispensing with state funds in whatever manner they please, and to have someone, an administration, finally saying, “No. It doesn’t matter how big or important you think you are; the law must come against you...” That is not something they are used to at all. For the PDP, as has now emerged, national security was the major source of their funding.The PDP Chairman and all other politicians against whom the country’s anti-corruption agencies have on-going investigations, should be assured that it is only a matter of time before the law catches up with them, and makes them pay for the grief their mismanagement of the past has caused, and is still causing Nigerians. Nigerians suffered because of the poison sowed by the PDP.If the public were privy to some of the facts and figures on corruption that President Buhari and the anti-corruption agencies are, they would understand the passion that drives the determination to nail these callous men and stop them in their corrupt tracks.
Regarding the accusation that President Buhari is behind the spate of herdsmen and farmer clashes in the Middle Belt of Nigeria, all we will say is that it as an embarrassing charge that the PDP would make, conveying an allegation from the beer parlours of Nigeria to an international body like the UN.The PDP certainly has no shred of evidence to make such an allegation. These are comments driven by tribalism and that age-old trick of balkanisation in a bid to score political points. This should not surprise anyone given the politics of anger, violence and polarisation that are the stock-in-trade of the PDP.The various lengths to which President Buhari has gone to end the spate of killings, such as mobilising state resources against the attackers, approving the setting up of new police and army formations in the affected areas, and the recruitment of thousands into the police and other arms of the military, are a few of the several steps taken which a more reasonable opposition will acknowledge.What can President Buhari possibly gain from the killings? There is no intelligent angle from which you analyse the matter and see any possible gain for this government in the wanton destruction of life and property going on. For the “new” PDP leadership on the other hand, incapable of thinking big about the nation, they see and treat the unfortunate spate of killing of innocent Nigerians as political gift, about which they seem very happy to cite as the basis for a return to power. They feel bad at every turn the country improves, which is beyond comprehension. They should bury their heads in shame.GARBA SHEHU
Senior Special Assistant to President
(Media & Publicity)
May 7, 2018.
President Buhari in closed door meeting with Saraki, Dogara
President Buhari is right now in a closed door meeting with Senate President, Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara. The meeting is holding at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Real Madrid rally for draw against 10-man Barcelona with late Bale goal
Gareth Bale’s equaliser helped Real Madrid rally for a 2-2 draw against 10-man Barcelona in a combative affair on Sunday night at the Camp Nou.
With Barcelona having wrapped up the league and Real preparing to play in the Champions League final later in the month, the Clasico lacked some of the hype that normally precedes it, but the match was thrilling encounter across the 90 minutes.
Barcelona were on the front foot from the off and found their opener on 10 minutes when Luis Suarez smashed a first-time volley from an inch-perfect Sergi Roberto cross past Keylor Navas.
But Real struck back before the quarter-hour through Cristiano Ronaldo, who tapped home a headed Karim Benzema pass from close range after some nice build-up play from Zinedine Zidane’s team.
The strike from Ronaldo put the Portuguese level with Real legend Alfredo Di Stefano for the second-most Clasico goals of all-time at 18. Lionel Messi has the most with 25.
The match grew testy as the first half wore on, with Messi handed a yellow card for a hard tackle on Sergio Ramos and Roberto being shown straight red for violent conduct after throwing a punch at Marcelo before half-time.
In between those two cards, Bale escaped punishment after a late tackle on Samuel Umtiti that had the Barcelona dugout crying foul.
Ronaldo, who picked up a knock while scoring his goal, was substituted at half-time, with the team telling reporters he suffered a slight ankle sprain, and would not be risked in the second half.
Down to 10 men, Barcelona took the lead against the run of play when Suarez picked out Messi at the top of the Madrid penalty area and the Argentine took two touches to his left and curled a shot in at the near post to make the score 2-1.
Messi nearly had his second on 70 minutes, but Navas did well to keep hs shot out after Suarez had sprung him behind the Madrid defence.
And the miss would prove costly for Barca when Bale scored with a spectacular first-time shot two minutes later, curling the ball around Marc-Andre ter Stegen from a Marco Asensio assist.
With both teams chasing a winner, Marcelo had a legitimate penalty shout waved off before Navas again kept Messi at bay, parrying away the Barca striker’s shot from a difficult angle on the right side of goal.
The result keeps Barcelona’s record 35-match unbeaten season in La Liga going with three games remaining in their season. No team has finished a La Liga season unbeaten since 1931-32, when Real Madrid did so over 18 games.
Both teams are in action on Wednesday, with Barcelona hosting Villarreal and Real heading to the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan for an away match against Sevilla
President Buhari won’t hesitate to fire corrupt officials – Presidency
The Presidency on Sunday said President Muhammadu Buhari would not hesitate to sack any government official found culpable in any shady deal the same way he fired a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, and a former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ayo Oke.
It also insisted that a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke, Jide Omokore and Kola Aluko allegedly made away with $3bn in a strategic alliance contract with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, disclosed these in a statement on Sunday evening.
While saying the present administration was aware of attempts to raise unsubstantiated claims about the government and its officials, Akande said this administration has proven itself to be above board.
He said, “What Nigerians know is that this administration has shown itself clearly to be above board, and has ensured no sacred cows at all where evidence have been tabled.
“For instance, the President has fired the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation when a case was established, and an EFCC investigation is ongoing.
“This is also the same for the former NIA DG, who was removed and investigations are ongoing. There would be prosecutions; these are top members of the administration who have been shown the way out because of the cases established against them.”
President Buhari's aide Bashir Ahmad vows to resign and report himself to EFCC if...
President Buhari's personal assistant on New Media, Bashir Ahmad, has vowed to resign and report himself to the EFCC if anyone has evidence to show he has enmassed wealth since picking up his appointment with this administration. Replying someone's tweet, Bashir wrote
''Your claim that every single person around Mr President is amassing wealth, it shouldn’t just be said, ‘EVIDENCES’ can you kindly provide an evidence against any of them, as his PA, if you’ve such evidence against me, I swear to Allah, I will resign and report myself to the EFCC''.
''Stop with your cosmetic patriotism, your second term will further divide, impoverish Nigerians'' PDP tells President Buhari
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has told President Buhari that his quest for re-election, if permitted by Nigerians, after a horrible first term, will further divide and impoverish Nigerians.
Recall that yesterday at the APC ward congress in Daura, Katsina state, President Buhari said he was seeking re-election for the good of Nigerians.
Reacting to President Buhari's comment, PDP in a statement released by its party spokesperson, Kola Ologbodiyan today, said President Buhari's first term score card showed anti-people policies and failure to serve the good of the ordinary citizens. Read part of the statement below...
It is unfortunate that the same President, who, in an interview with Voice of America (VOA) last week, could not present any agenda to justify his re-election bid, is attempting to sway Nigerians with cosmetic patriotism.What President Buhari’s handlers fail to understand is that Nigerians, being direct victims of his misrule, are aware that the harsh and reckless policies of his incompetent administration, coupled with his body language, are expressly responsible for the untold economic hardship, ethnic division and daily bloodletting currently ravaging our nation.If, indeed, the President was out to serve, as he claimed at the APC congress, we challenge him to show any of his 2015 campaign promises he has fulfilled or any development project initiated and implemented to the benefit of the people in the last three years.President Buhari’s second term agenda is directly a quest to continue to enrich the Presidency cabal, promote nepotism and protect cronies and corrupt members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the long arms of the law.President Buhari's second term is also a quest to continue to ignore and destroy democratic principles; to continue trampling on the rights of citizens and persecution of opposition and perceived political opponents; to continue the derailing of democracy with manifest disdain for constitutional order; to continue with the intimidation and harassment of the legislature and the judiciary; perpetuation of mediocrity in governance; de-marketing Nigeria at international fora and to blame everyone else but himself for manifest incapacity to govern.Nigerians know that the agenda is being pushed by members of the Presidency cabal, who are desperate to protect huge economic empires and to cover their atrocities in government.Nigerians do not need clairvoyants and psychics to know that another term for the President will lead to decimation of the middle class, over-taxation of the poor, the complete erosion of freedom and secret fight against free enterprise.It will surely lead to the complete destruction of our economy, our democracy and most importantly the unity of our nation.On our part, the repositioned PDP stands with Nigerians in the unwavering determination to rescue our nation and restore democratic order. Our platform therefore remains open for all citizens to rally irrespective of creed, ethnicity and class to produce that selfless and truly Nigerian President that has the interest of all at heart.
Photos: President Buhari receives governor Okorocha in his home in Daura
President Buhari today received in audience Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State at his home in Daura, Katsina state. See more photos below...
'Buhari has never recognized or honored Umar Yar'Adua's memory because he defeated him in 2007'' Reno Omokri
Yesterday was the 8th year remembrance of former president Umar Musa Yar'Adua. According to Reno Omokri, President Buhari has refused to honor or remember the former president since assuming office because he defeated him during the 2007 election.
2019: Ensure No Candidate Gets Easy Pass – Ezekwesili Admonishes Nigerian Youths
Former Nigeria’s minister of education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, has called on Nigerian youths not to freely give their votes to any candidates in the 2019 elections.
Ezekwesili, who is also an activist was reacting to a recent speech in which Vice President Yemi Osinbanjo commended Nigerian youths over their roles in economic and nation-building.
But Ezekwesili asserted that no Nigeria government has the right to glory in the individual capacity and successes of Nigerian youths because the government has failed the youths.
Dr. Oby Ezekwesili
Dr. Oby Ezekwesili
The former minister noted that the best resource of a country is the human resources as represented by the youths. She also noted that most Nigerian youths did not believe that government played any role in whatever successes and achievements they may have recorded in their endeavors.
“Our people & nothing else represent our best endowment forever.”
“Do our Young Ones feel that any Government in Nigeria has a right to glory in their respective individual successes?" considering their constant refrain that Nigeria failed, fails and continues to fail them? she asked.
Ezekwesili added that Nigerian youths now have the opportunity of strategically deliberating on problems that matter most to them and which leaders in states and federal, executive and legislative arms of government must solve as the country is heading towards the 2019 general elections.
She lamented that Nigeria political contest is still at a base level where matters of the stomach are deemed more important than issues that matter to the poor and rural business.
Ezekwesili, however, warned Nigerian youths to be wary of selling off their votes or freely voting for any political aspirant.
She urged them to look out for competent and capable leaders who can solve the different problems confronting the country.
She said, “No candidates of political parties should get an Easy Pass anymore from the electorate -especially the young segment of our Voting population- who have URGENT & SERIOUS ISSUES that only Competent, Capable people with Character CAN SOLVE in the Legislative &Executive arms of Govt.”
The former minister also advised youths to channel their anger about the current Nigerian leaders to take the right political decisions that will help in tackling the challenges they are angry about.
“Our Young are ANGRY. Anger can sometimes be USEFUL. Useful Anger is the one I call "Effective Anger". Effective Anger is the type of Anger that pushes the one who is angry to TAKE THE RIGHT COURSES OF ACTIONS that could become Catalytical to tackle the ISSUE that got them angry.”
Ezekwesili also called on the youths to refrain from hurling insults, resorting to violence or embracing criminality, which she described as ‘wrong kinds of anger.’
Offa Robbery: Police release photos of four of the robbers, announce N5m reward for anyone with information that will help in their arrest
The Nigerian police has declared wanted four of the robbers that participated in the bloody bank robbery incident that took place in Offa on April 4th. The state police command released the photos of the robbers from the CCTV footage of the bank.
The Kwara State Government has also announced a N5 million reward for anyone that can help with information that would lead to the arrest of the suspects. The number to be contacted are 08062080913, 08126285268, 08032365122, 07056792065, 08088450152.
Speaking on the recent development, the Assistant Commissioner of police, Moshood Jimoh, said
“All the suspects are cooperating with the Police in the investigation into the incident. Currently, some of the other gang leaders and principal suspects at large are being identified and their pictures obtained for further investigation. Other sister security and safety agencies are equally implored to arrest them and hand over to the nearest Police Station or Formation across the country or avail the Police with any information they may have or come across about these suspects” he said
The police asked for public help to apprehend the gangsters still at large and said they have also been placed on INTERPOL Watch list and Red Alert.
Billionaire businessman, Muhammadu Indimi despite having no formal education, delivered speech at Harvard University
Billionaire businessman and chairman of Oriental Energy Resources, Muhammdu Indimi delivered a speech during an event at Harvard University few days ago.
The Maiduguri oil mogul never had any formal education and learnt English Language by listening and associating with people.
In a recent interview, Indimi, whose son is married to President Buhari's daughter, said he now supervises people with master’s and Ph.D.s who work in his organisation. Read here
Meanwhile his family members took to social media to praise him for the accomplishment.
See their posts beow....
