Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted the traditional ruler of
Long Dorok Chiefdom in Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State,
David Isa.According to reports, the gunmen numbering over ten stormed
Isa’s house on Monday night and whisked him away while shooting at
random.The post Gunmen kidnap traditional ruler in Plateau State.Gunmen kidnap traditional ruler in Plateau State
Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted the traditional ruler of
Long Dorok Chiefdom in Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State,
David Isa.According to reports, the gunmen numbering over ten stormed
Isa’s house on Monday night and whisked him away while shooting at
random.The post Gunmen kidnap traditional ruler in Plateau State.
Sexy mama! Another photo below
The post Photos: Ministry of Women Affairs rescues mentally challenged pregnant teenager from the street
A few days ago a heavily pregnant mentally challenged teenager was
rescued from the street. The teenager was spotted roaming around Enugu -
Agidi junction Amawbia, Awka Capital Territory by the state
commissioner for Children and Women Affairs, Ndidi Mezue, and she
immediately mandated the evacuation team to evacuate the young lady. 
The
team swung to action and rescued the scantily clad young lady. She was
then taken to Community Children Home Awka where arrangement has been
made for a psychiatrist to commence evaluation of her mental state and
subsequent rehabilitation as she awaits her due date of delivery.
Efforts to locate her family has already commenced. 
The post Photos: Ministry of Women Affairs rescues mentally challenged pregnant teenager from the street 25-year-old Nigerian man arrested in Italy for beating another Nigerian man into coma
A 25-year-old Nigerian man on Monday was arrested in Modena Italy for
allegedly slapping and seriously injuring a 32-year-old man on November
9. The victim, who is also from Nigeria, reported severe brain damage
and is in a coma at the hospital of Baggiovara. The suspect was
identified thanks to surveillance cameras at the scene of the attack,
investigators said. He has been living in Italy since 2015 and was
granted a residency permit for humanitarian reasons. The suspect had
applied for asylum in Gubbio and had worked at a factory near Modena
until three months ago but was currently jobless and homeless,
investigative sources said. Source: Ansa EnglishThe post 25-year-old Nigerian man arrested in Italy for beating another Nigerian man into coma.N2.2bn Fraud: EFCC presents four witnesses against Ex-Ekiti governor, Ayo Fayose
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, November
19th, opened its case against a former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele
Fayose, who is being prosecuted for an alleged N2.2bn fraud before
Justice Mojisola Olatoregun of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi,
Lagos . Fayose was arraigned alongside his company, Spotless Investment
Limited, on October 22, 2018 on an 11-count charge bordering on fraud
and money laundering to the tune of N2.2bn. The former governor is
facing trial in connection with N1.299bn and $5.3m out of the N4.65bn
slush funds allegedly shared by the Office of the National Security
Adviser, NSA, through a former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu
Obanikoro.Fayose pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him
and was granted bail in the sum of N50m with one surety in like sum.
The Judge had adjourned to Monday, November 19, 2018 for the
commencement of trial.
In
the course of the sitting, a prosecution witness, Lawrence Akande, told
the court that one Abiodun Agbele informed him sometime in June 2014
that he had about N1.2 billion cash lodgement to make in Akure,Ondo
State.Akande, an employee of Zenith Bank Plc in charge of South West
comprising Ogun, Oyo and Osun States, further told the court that he
subsequently received a call from the first defendant in respect of the
same issue earlier discussed with him by Agbele."Since the lodgement was
in Akure, I had to call my colleague there to follow up on it. This is
all I know about it, " he added.When asked if he knew about the company,
Spotless Investment Limited, Akande, who was led in evidence by the
prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, stated that it was one of his
bank's customers at the Dugbe branch.
When
he was shown the account opening document of Spotless Nigeria Limited,
De Privateer Limited and Still Earth Limited as well as account document
of the first defendant, the witness confirmed the documents. They were
tendered and admitted in evidence as exhibita A-D by the court.When
asked where the account of the first defendant was domiciled, he said: "
It is not domiciled within my domain. "But from the documents before me
here, I can see Apapa", he said.Asked to state if the People's
Democratic Party, PDP, maintained an account with his bank, the witness
said so many parties, including PDP, had accounts with his bank.Under
cross-examination by counsel to the first defendant, Kanu Agabi, SAN,
the witness told the court that he made statements to the EFCC on June
6, 2016. He, however, said that he did not mention the first defendant
in his earlier statement. "I only mentioned him in my subsequent
statements to the EFCC ," he added.
When
the defence counsel told him that his evidence was based on what he was
told by his colleague, whom he said handled the transactions in Akure,
he responded that “I was told how the cash was processed.”He also stated
that he had sought patronage by the first defendant for opening of
government account with his bank in line with his responsibility of
looking for deposits.During cross-examination by counsel to the second
defendant, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, Akande confirmed to the court that a
person who is not a signatory to an account cannot make withdrawals from
such account."There are withdrawal limits in every account and where
withdrawals are to be made above the stipulated limits, it is reported
to the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) to investigate such
transaction," he further stated.When asked if his bank ever lodged any
report of suspicious transactions on the various company accounts, he
said: “We had no reason to do so."Also, when asked if he told the EFCC
that before the account opening of De Privateer, the sum of N200 million
was lodged in the account, he answered in the affirmative.When asked if
he was aware that the PDP organised a fund raiser before the election
and that political parties do organise fund raising, the witness said, "
It is not impossible. But I don’t know."Akande, who confirmed that he
had not had any dealing with the account of the second defendant, also
told the court that the CCTV installed in the bank usually captures
customers making lodgements in the bank, except it is faulty.A second
prosecution witness, Abiodun Oshodi, who is the Zonal Head of the bank
covering South West 2 comprising Ondo, Kwara and Ekiti, recalled some
developments in 2014 in relation to the case, saying, "I received a call
from my colleague (Akande) that Agbele would be coming to make some
lodgments and that I should organise a bullion van. I waited for Agbele
who arrived with one Sadiku and some escorts. Senator Musiliu Obanikoro,
the then Minister of State for Defence, and his aide, also accompanied
them. As soon as the aircraft arrived, I moved with the bullion van
towards the plane to evacuate the money."The total sum amounted to N1.2
billion. They were lodged into accounts supplied by Agbele. Others
include Spotless Nigeria Limited, De Privateer Limited as well as
personal account of former governor, Fayose. Some cash were taken to
Ado-Ekiti."When asked to look at the deposits in the account of Spotless
Limited from June 17 to Aug 4, 2014, Oshodi, who also supervises all
branches in the three localities, told the court that there was a
lodgment of N100 million on June 17. On June 23, there was a cash
lodgement of N49 milion. On June 24, there was a cash lodgement of
N200,000 while on August 4, there was a cash lodgement of N40
million."On same August 4, there were also cash lodgements in the sums
of N35 million, N35 million, N24 million, N20 million and N14 million
respectively," he added.The witness told the court that Agbele made the
deposit on June 17.He, however, said that from the statement before him,
the depositor's name on August 4 was given as Ayo.A third prosecution
witness, Olaitan Fajuyitan, a banker in Diamond Bank, told the court
about the involvement of the bank in the transaction, saying , "We
received payment instructions on June 16, 2014 to pay cash of N1.2bn. We
then moved the funds to CITS account. On the same process on June 17,
2014, we paid N200 millon."The account details, account statement and
instructions were tendered and admitted as exhibit E.He confirmed to
court that the money was legitimate, since it was received from the
Office of the National Security Adviser NSA, through the Central Bank of
Nigeria, CBN.PW3 mentioned the beneficiaries of disbursement funds as:
Santuraki Bello( N200m); Yusuf Ulama (N120m); Chmenun Injoku( N250m);
Josaha Moses( N250m); Abubaka Sodiq Zanna (N200m) and Franklin Tolani
(N150m), respectively.Also, the fourth prosecution witness, PW4, Damola
Otuyemo, Head, Cash in Transit in Service, Diamond Bank, said his duties
involved evacuating cash from a bank that has surplus and supplying
banks that do not have enough.He said on June 16, 2014, his Director,
Premier Oiwoh, informed him that they needed to pay a sum of N1.2bn cash
to a customer, and that he should get the cash ready.He said because
the beneficiaries were not available to pay the cash to, he was told by
his Director to move the cash to the airport.He said: "We had to contact
a company that operates bullion vans and moved the cash to the Muritala
Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos ."On getting to the Airport, we could
not have access to enter. So, my Director spoke to Gbolahan Obanikoro,
who was described as the person that could help us to proccess the pass.
He did and we then entered. After, this Musilu Obanikoro was phoned and
the cash was handed over to him. Obanikoro told me not to evacute the
cash because it had to be loaded in aircraft", he saidGiving further
evidence, he said: " The whole cash was moved into the aircraft and they
left the airport."We did not see the six beneficiaries. We released the
cash to Mr Musilu Obanikoro, having been identified by my Director. It
was Obanikoro who signed for the money. On June 17, 2014, my Director
called me and instructed that I pay a sum of N200m to Malik Bauchi. He
said we should waive identification."But because the amount was too
much, we did not waive the identification, and the money was paid to
Obanikoro. They used a cash bag called "jumbo bags" to pack N1.2bn and
Ghana- must-go bags to pack N200m. The cash was handed over to Musliu
Obanikoro".Justice Olatoregun adjourned the matter to January 21 and 28,
2019 for continuation of trial. The post N2.2bn Fraud: EFCC presents four witnesses against Ex-Ekiti governor, Ayo Fayose.Dad arrested after his 6-year-old daughter killed her baby brother by strangling him with a seat belt
A Texas father of two has been charged with child abandonment after his
six-year-old daughter strangled her one-year-old brother with a seat
belt.According to court documents filed on Friday, 26-year-old Adrian
Dreshaun Middleton from Houston left his two children in his car
unattended and went shopping at a store for more than an hour.Mail
Online reported that Middleton turned himself in at the Baytown Police
Department around 3 p.m over the May 20 incident. He told law
enforcement he gave the youngsters snacks and water, turned on the air
conditioning and played a movie before leaving them alone in the vehicle
for only 30 to 45 minutes.
However,
surveillance cameras showed he was gone between 10.45am and 12.15pm and
also didn't check on them after he claimed to have checked on the
children through a store window and thought they were fine. Middleton
told deputies when he got back to his car, he put the shopping bags in
the trunk and realized his daughter was crying. He said his daughter
told him she had to use the restroom and that she did something bad.When
he looked inside the car he saw his son was unconscious with the
seatbelt wrapped around him. Middleton then called 911 and began CPR on
the boy until paramedics arrived.According to the report, the child was
taken to Texas Children's Hospital where he was pronounced dead.His
6-year-old daughter also told an investigator she was playing with her
brother, and when she stopped playing, he started crying. She said she
became angry and wrapped the seatbelt around the baby. The girl said he
stopped crying, and she thought he was sleeping, but he was
dead.Prosecutors claim Middleton put his son at 'an unreasonable risk of
harm, namely, and a reasonable person would have believed that such
circumstances would place the Complainant in imminent danger of death,
bodily injury, physical impairment and mental impairment'.Licensed
Professional Counselor Bill Prasad says a 6-year-old child does not have
the mental capacity to truly understand their actions, so cannot be
blamed."Six-years-old (is) too young to be held accountable for this,”
Prasad said. "As adults, we have trouble in those situations. A
6-year-old has virtually no impulse control. So you really cannot trust a
6-year-old in that situation to be able to restrain his or herself and
make a good decision.”Prasad cautions most children are not able to make
those kinds of decisions until much later, therefore should not be
given that kind of responsibility until their teens."13 years of age,
with supervision, with training, with access to emergency services, with
a history of having made some good decisions and for a limited amount
of time, maybe an hour or two at the most," Prasad said.The post Dad arrested after his 6-year-old daughter killed her baby brother by strangling him with a seat belt.17-year-old actress, Titobiloluwa Segun-Banjo is missing (photos)
17-year-old actress, Tito Segun-Banjo, has been declared missing by her
family.In an interview with LIB, Tito's mum, Wemimo Segun-Banjo, said
her daughter who featured in Omoni Oboli's Wives on Strike, the
Revolution, left their home in Ipaja, Lagos state on Saturday November
17th to run some errands for her dad and has since not returned
home.Efforts to reach her has failed as her phone is currently switched
off''She left the house on Saturday to run errands for her dad and has
since not returned home. I have tried reaching her but her number is not
responding. I am afraid. Tito is a very bright girl whoknows my number
by heart and would have reached out to me using someone's number if
everything is okay. I am afraid'' the mum saidTito's mum says the case
has been reported to the police in Alagolo, Ipaja. She said the police
officers have asked them to pay some money before they can start
investigating the matter.Mrs Segun-Banjo says Tito just completed her
secondary school and is presently processing her admission into the
Obafemi Awolowo University to study Theater Arts.Anyone with useful
information should call 08023920474 or contact the nearest police
station. 
The post 17-year-old actress, Titobiloluwa Segun-Banjo is missing (photos).Prison decongestion: FG to grant presidential pardons to drug peddlers, fraudsters
On Monday, the Federal Government said presidential pardons would be
granted to drug peddlers, persons convicted of obtaining money under
false pretences and certain categories of prisoners who have shown
remorse while in confinement, to decongest prisons in the country.
Speaking during his visit to prisons in the North-East and
North-Central zones, vice-chairman of the Presidential Advisory
Committee on Prerogative of Mercy, William Alo, who is also the
Permanent Secretary, Special Duties in the Office of Secretary to the
Government of the Federation, said President Buhari was empowered by his
statutory responsibilities and backed by Section 175 of the 1999
Constitution (as amended) to accept, reject and grant pardons to
inmates of Nigerian prisons. He said, “Presidential pardons will be
granted to inmates who committed federal offences such as drug peddling,
vandalisation of public property, obtaining by tricks, otherwise known
as 419, and other related offences, if proved that they are remorseful
of their actions and meet the committee criteria.” Also speaking while
hosting Alo and his team, the Chief Judge of Plateau State, Pius
Damulak, called on the committee to review the cases of prison inmates
with compassion as many of them are serving terms as a result of poverty
and their inability to pay fines imposed as options.The post Prison decongestion: FG to grant presidential pardons to drug peddlers, fraudsters.'You won't be forgotten' - Nigerians mourn Tosyn Bucknor who died at 37
On Tuesday, Nigerians woke up to the news of Tosyn Bucknor's
death. Tosyn was a popular radio presenter, MC and worked with Top
Radio, Inspiration FM and many others. She was reportedly found dead,
last night, by her husband of 3 years, Aurelien Boyer, when he arrived
home from work. The cause of death isn’t known for now, but the Unilag
graduate was born with sickle cell anaemia. See all the reactions to her
death below...This is heart breaking. What's the need of working
tirelessly and just turn dust one day living our loved one's broken?You
won't be forgotten Tosyn Bucknor pic.twitter.com/98PFxPejOl— Enugu
shoemaker (@genius_walker) November 20, 2018RIP Tosyn Bucknor... This is
very shocking and sad to me... You were such a wonderful soul.. Those
beautiful mornings on Top Radio, i called in several times to hear your
voice and win your prizes.. Rest on Tbucks.. God bless your soul.— DOTUN
(@am_dotman) November 20, 2018Nah! I’m going back to bed. Tosyn Bucknor
CANNOT be dead. She can’t be!— . (@xi_iii_) November 20, 2018I would
listened to Top radio every morning until she leftRIP tosyn bucknor—
Poco loco (@seun__oj) November 20, 2018Aw Shit. RIP Tosyn Bucknor. Life
isn’t fair. Such a sad way to die.Melancholy is in the air.
pic.twitter.com/aPHuvxwVFO— (@The_Nifemi) November 20, 2018Tosyn
Bucknor! This hurts, again. But I’m glad I met you. One of the very few
media personalities in Nigeria that I looked up to. Her humility humbles
you. She was an Icon but very accessible and willing to help. We have
lost a gem. Rest is peace, Tosyn. Just rest. pic.twitter.com/Stz4jDdahs—
Elsie Godwin (@ELSiEiSY) November 20, 2018RIP Tosyn Bucknor. God rest
your soul.— Babanla (@biolakazeem) November 20, 2018Tosyn Bucknor dead?
GOD!!! This is not the rite news for me. May God Almighty grant all her
loved ones fortitude to bear this loss. RIP to an angel n Area Mama
pic.twitter.com/LR38qjXWhS— K-SOLO (@OBAKSOLO) November 20, 2018RIP
Tosyn Bucknor— W (@Kingwole) November 20, 2018This can't be true. I
became a radio fan because of Tosyn Bucknor.She was so full of life and
super amazing. Tosyn Bucknor — Oluwafemi Anthony (@RealSOK_) November
20, 2018To think I still saw Tosyn Bucknor last month. This is not a
palatable news for me. May God Almighty grand all her loved ones
fortitude to bear this great loss. RIP to an angel
pic.twitter.com/fjWjPIln6n— Bhadmus Hakeem (@Bhadoosky) November 20,
2018Woke up to the sad news of Tosyn Bucknor's demise. Life really is
not fair. How good people leave us untimely. Rest on, Icon. — Wale
Adetona (@iSlimfit) November 20, 2018Very sad news on my timeline this
morning. Still not clear about the circumstances but... Rest in peace
Tosyn Bucknor. May God Almighty strengthen the loved ones you left
behind.— Amara Nwankpa (@Nwankpa_A) November 20, 2018Listening to the
Radio every morning became a routine because of her TOSYN BUCKNORDamn
the way she said areaaaaaa back then....Rest Easy!— The Royal One
(@OmobaFeyrey) November 20, 2018I emailed Tosyn Bucknor sometime in 2016
and wrote her name as ‘Tosin’. She was so gracious in her response but
noted that she’d rather be addressed as ‘Tosyn’. Then it stuck. The
world has lost a gem. #RIPTosynBucknor— Tolu 'Yeni (@tsmolzz) November
20, 2018I woke up to terrible news. Rip Tosyn Bucknor. The one time I
met you at the station was enough to know you’re a good person and you
still recognized my talent afterwards on inspiration fm’s ig. A great
OAP will be missed. This one pain me ohhh— #DownByReilC
(@kingreilthe1st) November 20, 2018Didn't know her personally but its
sad to lose anyone let alone someone that affected so many.Rest in peace
Tosyn Bucknor. My thoughts go out to the family and her loved ones.—
Yubby (@YubbyNduonofit) November 20, 2018Tosyn Bucknor is dead.AreaMama
is dead.GuguruMorning is dead.R.I.P T-BuckYour legacy and your angelic
voice live on. pic.twitter.com/MJonHtV2Yk— E.T.H...Aina™ (@ETH_Aaina)
November 20, 2018The post 'You won't be forgotten' - Nigerians mourn Tosyn Bucknor who died at 37.OAP Tosyn Bucknor dies at 37
This is very shocking. OAP, Tosyn Bucknor has died. According to
reports, Tosyn who got married to her German beau, Aurelien Boyer, three
years ago, was found dead at her home by her husband last night Monday
November 19th when he returned from work.She was 37 years old.Tosyn was
born with sickle cell anaemia.May her soul rest in peace, Amen. The post
OAP Tosyn Bucknor dies at 37.Presidency reacts as Atiku condemns Service chiefs attending President Buhari's campaign kickoff
Senior Special Assistant to President Buari on Media and Publicity,
Shehu Garba, has reacted to the criticism that has trailed the service
chiefs who attended the campaign kickoff of President Buhari on Sunday
November 18th at the presidential villa. Service chiefs present at the
event were Gabriel Olonisakin, chief of defence staff, Abubakar Sadiq,
chief of air staff, and Ibok-Ete Ibas, chief of naval staff. The
spokesperson of the Atiku Campaign Organization, Segun Sowunmi, in an
interview with Punch, said the presence of the service chiefs showed
that Buhari as the commander-in-chief had compromised the heads of the
military agencies.“The problem with the security agencies is that they
have not fully defined who they should be loyal to. The concern is that
the commander-in-chief has some sort of relationship with them but when
they elevate that relationship to a point where they begin to attend
political events at the launch of the campaign of a political party,
everybody must be scared. This is because it portends a very dangerous
development which is that they have now got themselves involved in
politics to the point that they are now the cheerleaders of another
political party.“I hope when we want to unveil our own political
document in a public forum and if we invite them, they would be
reasonable enough to attend since they now attend political events. We
want to advise them to be removed from politics so that the opposition
can feel safe. I am quite disappointed in President Buhari for exposing
the military to such a compromise and we call on the international
community to take note” he saidReacting to Sowunmi's comment, Garba
Shehu in a statement released, said the service chiefs had thought the
event was non-political and left even before President Buhari arrived
the venue for the declaration. The statement read“They were mistaken in
their assumption that this was a non-political event, to showcase the
achievements of the administration, the success of which they are part.
Hardly were they seated than did the Minister of Defence, retired
Brig-Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali ask them to leave as this was a political
gathering. They quickly left, even before the arrival of the President
and for the event to get underway. The fuss over this is therefore
absolutely unnecessary.” The post Presidency reacts as Atiku condemns Service chiefs attending President Buhari's campaign kickoff.CAN asked to sanction members, pastors fueling insecurity through hate speeches in Nigeria
The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has been asked to sanction its members fueling insecurity through hate speeches and unguarded comments in the country.
Christians Without Border, a religious group, which made the call on Tuesday, said the idea of promoting hate speeches from the pulpit was fast becoming a normal trend among ordained Messengers of God these days, a development it said was now worrisome.
CWB also chided the leadership of CAN for maintaining undignified silence; by failing to caution its members and Pastors who are in the habit of promoting hate speeches and making provocative statements from sacred altars.
“Not even an ordinary condemnatory statement has been issued by CAN to denounce such hate sermons,” Elder Simon Ainoko, the President lamented at a press conference on Tuesday.
Elder Ainoko said the group was also uncomfortable with the recent demand for the removal of service chiefs by the leadership of CAN led by its National President, Rev. Samson Ayokunle during a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He bemoaned that the current leadership of the Christian body was gradually deviating from the dream of the founding fathers of the association who were apolitical.
It, therefore, charged the body to sanction any member of pastor caught making inflammatory comments that could unsettle the peace of the nation.
His words, “The Concerned Christian Forum is uncomfortable with some of the issues raised with Mr. President at the visit by the CAN leadership. By our interpretation, some of the views canvassed by CAN have partisan flavour, which we have reason to believe is unhealthy for the Body of Christ.
“CAN is expected to be neutral and impartial on the affairs of Nigeria, especially sensitive issues. We suffered greatly in recent history, when the immediate past leadership of CAN dragged the Body of Christ into partisan politics. One of the repercussions was that the Roman Catholic Church, one of the major blocs, suspended its membership of CAN because of the apparent embarrassment the partisan indulgence caused Christians in Nigeria. We cannot afford a relapse into this era of disunity and lack of cohesion within the Body of Christ, hence the need for caution.
“We do not think, it is appropriate for CAN to dabble into how Mr. President should appoint his security chiefs or how long they should serve in that capacity. It appreciated the efforts of the Security Chiefs in curtailing the menace of Boko Haram terrorism and other insurgencies.
“For CAN to posture in a manner indicative of indicting the Presidency on such crisis especially in states like Adamawa, Plateau, Benue, Taraba, Kaduna and Zamfara states depreciates the dignity they ought to embody. CAN’s utterances and comments on such sensitive issues should be more of supporting government to enthrone peace and unity.
“In the year 2017 alone some Pastors and CAN members stood on the sacred altars of their churches and spewed hate speeches’, directing their members to go out and kill Fulani herdsmen at sight. A few examples will illustrate us better and how CAN is failing us.
“Apostle Johnson Suleiman of Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide, boasted of directing his congregants during the service of Sunday, January 15th, 2017 that “I have told them in the church here, that any Fulani herdsman that just entered by mistake, Kill him, Kill Him. Cut his head. If they are busy killing Christians and nothing is happening, we will kill them and nothing will happen,” and the video went viral on social media.
“And also last year, a Senior pastor with Mountain of Liberation and Miracle Ministries, Mr. Chris Okafor, said this during a church service, “Enough is enough, no Christian must be killed anymore, if you want to kill one Christian, we are going to reply, we will defend ourselves”
“So, we advise the Body of Christ to be more circumspect in their utterances, least, they be misconstrued as extending support to forces against the progress of Nigeria.”
2019: I will pay workers N50,000 minimum wage if elected – Gbenga Olawepo
The Presidential flagbearer of the People’s Trust Party, Gbenga Hashim Olawepo has stated that he will implement the sum of N50,000 as minimum wage for Nigeria wnorkers within one year in office, if elected.
Speaking at a presidential interactive session in Abuja on Monday, he said, Nigeria has enough resources to pay all workers the said amount if the national leadership was committed to the welfare of Nigerians.
He described past political leaders as parasites who were out to satisfy their selfish interest rather than getting interested in Nigerians after cornering their votes.
He said, the APC and PDP Presidential candidates were the same who possess low educational qualifications, saying both lacked basic knowledge of how a bogus economy like Nigeria works in the 21st century.
“What is the difference between the so-called WAEC certificate and a Diploma that has no foundation? “, he queried.
He lamented that none of the presidential candidates has record of business successes, hence, it was difficult for them to initiate business strategies for the nation to yield increased revenue.
He said candidates of the APC and the PDP have been in government and were used to spending government money. A situation he posited, was counterproductive to a nation that needs someone that will take it to the next level.
The presidential candidate stressed that he will have zero tolerance for the killing of any citizen irrespective of tribe or religion, saying his administration will punish murderers.
“My administration will punish killers severely and stop killing of Nigerians for any reason. That is the only way killings can stop.
“Moreso, the anti-corruption battle of this government is faulty. You have to pay a living wage so that nobody will collect bribe at the gate.”
It would be recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially opened the window of campaign for all Presidential candidates on Saturday.
Eid-el-Maulud: FRSC deploys 460 special, regular marshals to Cross River roads
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Cross River State Command has deployed 460 special and regular marshals to control vehicular traffic in the roads in Cross River State.
Speaking with DAILY POST on phone in Calabar on Tuesday, the Cross River State Sector Commander, Chidi Nkwonta, said the Command has so far not recorded any serious human and vehicular clash.
He said the command deployed 300 special marshals and 160 regular marshals across the state to maintain strict observations of traffic rules as well as to prevent vehicular clash.
“I may not know off head the number of our men deployed on our roads because the Special Marshals are involve and you know they have units throughout the state.
“But I can comfortably tell you that we have 300 Special Marshals who are on the roads now to complement with about 160 Regular Marshall in the State, we have 6 effectively Patrol vehicles and one Ambulance out there,” he said.
According to him, the traffic density is usually very high especially during this period, so the FRSC can’t afford to be off the road, not minding that the security situation is a bit tight so the men have to be on the road.
“We did the Mecca rally for the launch of ember months campaign, that was to sensitize the entire state on the ember months and this includes the celebration we are having today, we mobilized all the stakeholders in the state and everybody is fully aware that activities have move to the road and they have to be cautious.
“Starting from September, we make massive deployment of our men to the high way, if you check the road now you would see our men everywhere, throughout the length and width of Cross River State, from Calabar up to Odukpani, up to Ugep, going forward to Ikom and then to Ogoja, then Yahe axis.
“And in the Southern angle up to Itu and coming down this way, toward Bakassi angle, Special Marshal and the Regular Marshal are in these roads including Ikang axis.
“With massive sensitization carried out by us, we have been able to reach out to everybody and we are out in the roads to make sure that there is no infraction and confident that we shall have clash free celebration up to Christmas period,” Nkwonta stated.
Consequently, on troubled areas like the Abi local government area, the Sector Commander said “We have a Command in Itighidi that covers the whole of Abi axis up to Ebony State, so they are working with the people of the communities and we monitoring the situation because that is the route to the Eastern part of the country to Enugu, Ebonyi and other States”.
2019 presidency: How Buhari is different from Atiku on restructuring – BCO
The Buhari/Osinbajo Campaign Organization has said that President Muhammadu Buhari will not be cunning and deceitful to Nigerians when it comes to the issue of restructuring.
According to the group, this has been the case with the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
The group said Atiku already knows he does not have the powers to single-handedly restructure the country.
The campaign group noted further that Buhari does not oppose any move by the National Assembly to carry out constitutional amendments for true federalism.
It stated this in the Campaign manual that serves as a basic guide for the 2019 elections released in Abuja.
According to the group, “The President himself is not a cunning and deceitful character like some other candidate, who knows he does not have the powers to singlehandedly restructure the country through constitutional amendments and would engage in giving a time-frame within which the country would be restructured.
“Sometimes in 2017, the APC set up a committee headed by Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, the governor of Kaduna state to make far reaching recommendations on restructuring.
“That Committee submitted its report early in 2018. In all his public outings throughout the years, the Vice President has advocated for restructuring and true federalism.
“The President has never indicated he would oppose any move by the National Assembly to carry out constitutional amendments to fully reflect true federalism.”
The group added, “As President and Vice President, President (Olusegun) Obasanjo and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar granted themselves university licences and were building their universities whilst ASUU (Academic Staff Union of Universities) was on strike severally at that period.
“The privatisation programme of the OBJ/Atiku Government was fraught with fraud as most of the deals ended in fiasco. Some of them were NITEL, ALSCON, etc.
“The OBJ/Atiku Government denied Lagos State of its funds for more than two years until it left power in 2007 because of political differences. And this was done despite an order of Supreme Court compelling the Federal Government to release the said funds.
“The OBJ/Atiku Government conducted some of the worst elections in our history which was the 2003 and 2007 elections where results were simply written. Hence, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, on the 3rd of September, 2018, publicly expressed his regret for not taking Lagos from Tinubu in 2003 because Tinubu was his friend.
“Despite all the recent grandstanding on restructuring, the candidate of the main opposition as Vice President never for once used his position to push for restructuring.
“There is no record of any Public lecture or open or secret memo he wrote to his boss or anyone, advocating for restructuring in any form. Instead, he was busy trying to restructure PDP throughout that period to take it over.
“At one time or the other the President has had cause to order the investigation of close aides accused of corrupt practices. Those that were found wanting have been removed from office.
:“The President does not interfere in the work of law enforcement agencies. In many cases, it takes time for people to be investigated and charged to court.
“No one has ever provided any verifiable evidence of corruption against the President or Vice President unlike in previous governments. The integrity of the President is not in doubt as expressed by various individuals, including heads of other governments, who have spoken on the character of the President.”
‘Salvation is personal’ – Tonto Dikeh tells Patience Ozokwor
Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh, has disagreed with her colleague, Patience Ozokwor over claims that a born-again Christian must change their ‘worldly wardrobe’ if they’ve truly repented.
Patience Ozokwor in a recent interview spoke about the importance of changing one’s wardrobe after they had given their lives to Christ.
“The church is separate from the world. Let us know who you are. If you have repented and you have not changed your wardrobe, you still have a long way to go,” she said.
Reacting to this, however, Tonto Dikeh in the comment section disagree with her stating that changing your wardrobe as a sign of repentance was a local way of viewing Christianity as salvation is personal.
“With all due respect mama, biko run your race, salvation is personal and it’s not sin in the bible.
“It’s this local way of viewing Christianity that actually corrupts the house of God with polluted message.
“Too much love for you mama but ya WRONG, If anyone decides to serve God in Rags, designer’s, hair or no hair knock yourselves out.
26-year-old prophetess’ son remanded in prison for raping 9-year-old girl in Ondo
A 26-year-old man, Friday Akinlaja who was reported to have allegedly raped a nine-year-old girl (name withheld) in Akure, the Ondo state capital has been remanded at the Olokuta Medium Prison.
Akinlaja, who is the son of a popular Prophetess of a Pentecostal Church in Akure, committed the offence in Oda area of the state capital.
He was said to have been nabbed by the men of the Ondo State Police Command after the crime was reported by neighbours which subsequently culminated in his arraignment in court on Monday, for sexually abusing the minor.
The culprit who was dragged before Magistrate Olanipekun Mayomi, with a one-count charge of rape and defilement of the minor, blamed the devil for his crime.
He was also accused to have handed the sum of ‘N110’ to the nine-year-old after committing the crime.
Dr. Thomas-Wilson Ikubese, a medical practitioner who was the first to break the news on his social media page accused the suspect of taking advantage of the poor status of her parents to defile the little girl.
“The man decided to take advantage of the little girl because of the poor status of her parents.
“The poor girl was yet to have her meal all day as 8 pm (on the day of the incident) and the man came visiting.
“The man came visiting when her mum had gone out to look for money to feed her children.
“He then decided that the girl should follow him so he could buy her some bread and Ankara, only to rape the poor girl and give her a pantry of N110.
“A sum which she couldn’t even make use of again because of the pains and anguish had taken over,” he said.
Meanwhile, some lawyers from the state chapter of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, have volunteered to make representation for the minor and her parents in order to get justice.
Also, two social media activists, Oluyemi Fashion and Oluwatoyin Adegbenro and Oluyemi Fashipe who both joined their voices to the growing number of those who have condemned the crime, vowed to ensure that the little girl and her family get justice.
“We will ensure that all apparatus are used to fight for justice for this young girl and never shall we encourage this type of physical assault, molestation and attack on our ladies” they said.
What we’ll do in 2019 – Police
Mr Dibal Yakadi, Commissioner of Police, Niger, on Tuesday assured that the Force will be neutral during the 2019 election.
He, however, urged politicians to adhere strictly to the electoral laws during the ongoing electioneering campaigns in the state.
Yakadi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna, that the command had mapped out concrete security measures to ensure peaceful implementation of the electoral process.
“All parties and their candidates vying for various political positions in the forthcoming general elections must be law abiding in carrying out their campaigns
“We will provide a level-playing ground for all candidates as they embark on their electioneering campaigns but will not tolerate the use of dangerous weapons during the exercise,” he said.
The Commissioner enjoined leaders of various political parties to prevail on their supporters to avoid acts capable of causing disaffection among residents and breakdown of law and order.
According to him, the police will arrest and charge to court any politician or supporter caught perpetrating violence.
He said that the police would not fold their hands and watch any person or group of youths carrying arms during and after the campaigns.
BREAKING NEWS: APC Floors PDP in Katsina, Kwara Bye-elections
In what was no less a message, the All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday, defeated its main rival, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in two bye-elections conducted for Kankiya/Kusada/Ingawa Federal Constituency area of Katsina state and Ekiti/Irepodun/Isin/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency Area of Kwara State, while maintaining lead in Toro Federal Constituency area of Bauchi State.
In Katsina bye-election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Alhaji Abubakar Kusada, a former speaker of the state, as winner after polling 48,518 votes.
The returning officer, Prof Adedayo Hamza, who announced the result, said Alhaji Abdussamad Yusuf of PDP came second with 20,193 votes, while Nasiru Kankiya of the Peoples Redemption Party scored 1,810 votes as second runner-up. Abdullahi Umar of the Yes Electorate Solidarity (YES) got 221 votes.
According to Hamza, the total number of registered voters in the constituency was 193,904, while the number of accredited voters was 74,242.
The number of valid votes cast was 70,742 and rejected votes, 2,331.The total number of votes cast was 73,073.
However, from Kwara, INEC, late Saturday night, confirmed Raheem Olawuyi, candidate of the APC as winner of the Ekiti/Irepodun/Isin/Oke-Ero constituency.
INEC’s Chief Returning Officer for the poll, Prof. Abimbola Adesoji, said Olawuyi polled 21,236 votes, while his main PDP rival, Jimoh Alatise scored 18,095 votes.
The Labour Party had 150 votes, the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) cored 76 votes and UPN had 42 votes.
Professor Adesoji said out of the 40,930 total votes cast, the total number of valid votes was 39,599 while 1,331 votes were rejected.
Reacting to the news, President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, thanked the people of Ekiti/Oke Ero/Isin/Irepodun, who “came out to vote today — defying the heavy intimidation and the siege laid by the security agents and thugs invited into the 4 LGAs by the APC.
“The public should note that today’s #KwaraByElection was simply between PDP and security agents plus APC. This was due to the heavy deployment of police, soldiers and other security agents who gathered to support APC and harass PDP leaders and supporters.
“This is the first time that elections in Kwara State will be held under such charged, tensed and militarised conditions. We had INEC officials complaining about their own safety — and PDP supporters were brazenly intimidated, which resulted in low turnout of voters.
“It is important to reiterate that ahead of the 2019 elections, such open displays of intimidation are sending wrong signals. Our democracy is being undermined with this misuse of our nation’s security apparatus,” he said.
Meanwhile, in Bauchi, details of the bye-election results had not been released when the newspaper went to press, but INEC had earlier hinted that only two political parties fielded candidates for the Toro Federal Constituency Area of the state.
Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Bauchi, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi listed the two candidates as Mr. Yusuf Nuhu of the APC and Alhaji Shehu Umar of the PDP.
He said that INEC had recruited 1,550 ad hoc staff to man 1,553 polling units in the 11 wards within the federal constituency. Unconfirmed reports had claimed the APC was in comfortable lead in the election.
The Bauchi by-election was called as the aftermath of the death of Senator Ali Wakili, who represented Bauchi South in the senate.
Twelve persons reportedly killed in communal clash in Cross River
Another communal clash between four communities in Odukpani local government area of Cross River State has allegedly claimed 12 lives with property valued at millions of naira destroyed.
The communities involved include: Mbiabo, Ediong, Obomitiat Edere and Idim Ndom Eki, all in Odukpani local government area of the State.
Emiratco gathered that beside those allegedly murdered during the crisis, residential buildings were also destroyed including the Government Primary School and Community Health Centre in Obomitiat Edere, which were set ablaze.
The Head of Local Government Administration, (HOLGA) Odukpani local government area, Mrs Ekeng E. J. Ebri, in a press release made available to newsmen, advised the warring communities to lay down arms and seek peaceful resolution to their conflict in the interest of their children and generations yet unborn.
Mrs Ebri pointed out that there would be no meaningful development in an atmosphere of war. “No meaningful development can thrive in an atmosphere of chaos and bloodshed,” she said.
She stated this in a meeting with the Head of traditional rulers of the affected communities in her office.
The meeting, which had in attendance, the Paramount Ruler of Odukpani loal government Area, HRM Etinyin Otu Mesembe VI and heads of Security agencies in Odukpani local government area, resolved to send a strong warning to traditional rulers in the affected communities to caution their subjects to stop further escalation of the crisis.
The meeting also resolved that if any security breach is reported in the affected communities, the local government council will not hesitate to recommend to the State Government to consider withdrawing the certificate of recognition of the Clan and Village Heads in the affected communities on grounds of incompetence and inability to maintain peace and order in their respective domains.
Traditional rulers in the affected communities were advised to adhere strictly to this directive.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ms Irene Ugbo told DAILY POST “The communal clash had been there for a very long time.
“Police have been trying to protect life and property. Our men are on ground, you know in most of these villages, people are very mischievous. Our teams of mobile policemen are there,” she stated.
PDP speaks on ‘The Atiku Plan’, reveals Atiku’s intentions for Nigerians
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday commended the launch of ‘AtikuPlan’ as campaign policy for its Presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar.
Atiku Abubakar, on Monday in a Live broadcast, formally launched his campaign for the 2019 presidential elections.
Reacting, the party said the public endorsement that heralded the policy document of its Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, was a confirmation that the document embodied the collective mindset, yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.
The party in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, in Abuja on Monday said that the document reveals Atiku hope for Nigerians for a new leadership and a better life in the country.
Ologbondiyan noted that Abubakar’s policy document offered solutions and practical direction for delivery in all sectors.
The statement read: “The Atiku Abubakar policy document is a product of very wide, painstaking and productive consultations with Nigerians from all walks of live, critical stakeholders and development partners in key sectors, in the overall determination to chart a new course for our nation.
“The policy document foretells a new dawn as it articulates practical solutions and answers to the myriad of economic, social and political challenges facing our nation and sets out all-inclusive templates for national rejuvenation, cohesion, protection of human rights and democratic tenets, wealth creation, transparency and elimination of corruption in governance.
“In line with PDP’s people-based manifesto, the Atiku Abubakar policy document places utmost priority on the people by focusing chiefly on their yearnings for job creation, infrastructural development, poverty eradication, human capital development, inclusiveness and national unity.
“Abubakar had always maintained a strong bond with the people, hence his ability to understand their challenges, collective aspirations and to proffer solutions with underlining political will.
“The PDP, therefore, urges Nigerians to continue to take ownership of the Atiku Abubakar Presidential campaign, which embodies their collective aspiration as a people to make our dear nation work again.”
Impeachment: Anambra lawmakers condemn sealing off of state legislative house
Members of the Anambra State House of Assembly on Monday condemned the sealing off of the house of assembly by police authorities.
The Anambra State Police Command had on Thursday last weak sealed the assembly complex following a fracas that had resulted from the impeachment of the Speaker, Rita Maduagwu, on Tuesday.
They called on the police to unseal the legislative complex to enable them carry out their lawful activities unhindered.
The lawmakers, who spoke at a press conference attended by members in support of the impeachment of the former speaker Maduagwu, described the action of the police as illegal, unconstitutional and an abuse of office.
The lawmakers asked the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris to caution the Anambra State Command, stating that the command’s action amounted to attacking the symbol of democracy in the state.
Speaking on behalf of the pro-Maduagwu impeachment group, the factional Speaker of the Assembly, Ikem Uzoezie said at no time did the leadership of the House request the police to take over the complex.
Describing the police action as uncalled for, Uzoezie urged the public to condemn the development.
His statement read in parts, “The leadership of Anambra State House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ikem Uzoezie, followed by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Harford Oseke, the Majority Leader, Hon. Victor Jideofor Okoye and the Minority Leader, Hon. Onyebuchi Offor and others did not at any time request Anambra Police Command to take over, seal off and secure the entire premises of the House of Assembly as well as order the civil servants to report to vacate the premises.
“It is on record that there was no incident or semblance of any crises that occurred among the members or within the premises of the Anambra State House of Assembly to warrant the leadership of the House to request you (Police) to takeover, seal off and secure premises of the Assembly.”
2019: How I helped Nigeria as VP under Obasanjo – Atiku
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar has revealed what he did for Nigerians as Vice President under Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.
Atiku said as Vice President from 1999 to 2007, he chaired the national economic council that gave Nigeria her highest and most consistent GDP growth of over 6 percent per annum.
The Waziri of Adamawa also disclosed that Nigeria paid off its entire foreign debt despite the fact that crude oil prices at that time were much lower than they were today, under the dynamic leadership of President Obasanjo.
The former Vice President stated this while launching his policy document tagged ‘AtikuPlan’ on Monday via a Twitter live broadcast.
He said: “When I was Vice President from 1999 to 2007, I chaired the national economic council that gave Nigeria her highest and most consistent GDP growth of over 6 percent per annum.
“Despite the fact that crude oil prices at that time were much lower than they were today, under the dynamic leadership of President Obasanjo, Nigeria paid off its entire foreign debt.
“We also introduced the GSM revolution that saw Nigeria go from 100,000 phone- lines to over 100 million today.
“We were able to achieve these, and much more, because we had a plan called the national economic empowerment and development strategy.’’
Abubakar added that ‘Atikuplan’ would help create jobs, saying without jobs, Nigerians could not afford to feed their families and their children live in poverty.
“Without jobs, there is crime, drug use and insecurity. Without jobs, where is the hope for a better life and a better future?
“Today we will begin the process of sharing our policies that form my plan to create jobs, restructure the polity, and get Nigeria working again.
“If Nigeria worked for me, I owe it as my duty to make sure that Nigeria also works for you, your family and your friends.
“It is time to get Nigeria working again, and these are the plans and policies I have for achieving that.”
Enugu one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria – PSC Chairman, Smith
The Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Alhaji Musiliu Smith, on Monday stated that Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State deserves credit for running the state in a progressive, people-oriented and security-conscious manner.
Alhaji Smith, who made the statement while delivering his keynote address at the opening ceremony of a four-day Management Retreat in Enugu organized by the commission, appraised the peaceful and secure atmosphere of the state, saying that “we are in Enugu largely because Enugu is one of the most peaceful sates in the country”.
The former Inspector General of Police said it was gratifying to note that the governor has graciously supported “ this Police Service Commission’s programmes, further confirming his commitment to robust government/police relations in the state, which obviously is to the benefit of people of Enugu and the Nigerian Police”.
He stated that his discussions with the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, confirmed this and commended Governor Ugwuanyi for the partnership and commitment to the security of lives and property of the citizens.
“The Government of Enugu State, led by the Executive Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, must be given credit for running the state in a progressive, people-oriented and security-conscious manner.
“It is gratifying to note that he has graciously supported this Police Service Commission. I must therefore, on behalf of the management and staff of the commission, commend and express our sincere gratitude to His Excellency, the government and people of Enugu State for this”
The PSC chairman disclosed that they were working on having an electronic all-inclusive data for the police that would aid in planning and programming, adding that they were also engaging in wide spectrum of reforms for the police.
He averred that the present management of the commission inaugurated by the president on the 25th of July 2018 was alive to the need to approach the issue of policing strategically to obtain optimal results, adding that the essence of the retreat was to develop a three-year strategic plan as a compass in their quest to remodel the police force.
Declaring the retreat open, Gov. Ugwuanyi, who welcomed the Chairman, other members and staff of the commission to Enugu, reiterated that “the security of lives and property of our people as well as the maintenance of peace everywhere in the state have always been a cardinal policy of our administration”.
Represented by his deputy, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, Gov. Ugwuanyi disclosed that his administration has consciously and consistently maintained a strategic and outstanding partnership with the Nigerian Police and other security agencies in the state.
“This, we are glad to say, has been most rewarding as Enugu State remains one of the safest, secure and most peaceful states in Nigeria today”, he sated, while reassuring the commission of the state government’s continued support, cooperation and assistance towards the successful performance of its duties.
Okorocha’s son-in-law, Nwosu speaks on dumping APC for PDP
Uche Nwosu, the son-in-law of embattled Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha has addressed reports making the rounds of his plans to dump the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Emiratco recalls that Okorocha has been at loggerheads with the National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole over his refusal to field Nwosu as the governorship candidate of the party.
However, Nwosu said he cannot dump the ruling party for anyone.
He further noted that he will regain his mandate from Senator Hope Uzodinma to run in 2019 for Imo state governorship.
Speaking to New Telegraph on Monday, he said “Plans of my defection to PDP is a big lie. l can’t be part of a party from inception and abandon it for people that came and joined.
“l have no reason to dump APC as l am convinced that l will regain my mandate and contest the Imo State governorship election in the state.”
N1.2 billion fraud: What I know about Fayose’s involvement – Witness tells court
The trial of ex-Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose commenced on Monday with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, calling witnesses.
The former Governor is charged with N1.2 billion fraud, a sum he is said to have received from the Office of the National Security Adviser, NSA in 2015.
He had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The former Governor was earlier arraigned on October 22 alongside his company, Spotless Investment Ltd on 11 counts.
Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, the lead Counsel for the EFCC, on Monday, called on first prosecution witness, Lawrence Akande, a banker.
Akande, who is the first witness to enter the box, told the court that in June 2014, he was called by one Abiodun Agbele, who informed him that he had about N1.2 billion cash lodgement to make in Akure.
The witness told the court that afterwards, he also received a call from Fayose on the same issue.
He added that since the lodgement was in Akure, he placed a call across to his colleague in Akure to follow up same.
“This is all I know on this issue,” he said.
Asked if he knew the second accused, (Spotless Ltd), he replied that the company is a customer of his bank with an account at Dugbe branch in Ibadan.
The prosecutor then showed the witness some account opening document of Spotless Nig. Ltd, De Privateer Ltd, Still Earth Ltd as well as account document of first accused.
Being cross-examined by defence counsel, Kalu Agabi SAN, he said that he only made mention of Fayose in his subsequent statements.
Also during cross-examination by second defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo SAN, the witness told the court that he had worked in the banking sector for 28 years.
He confirmed to the court that a person who is not a signatory to an account cannot make withdrawals from such account.
Akabde said there are withdrawal limits in every account and where withdrawals are to be made above the stipulated limits, it is reported to the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) to investigate such transaction.
EFCC then called its second witness, Mr Abiodun Oshordi.
Robbers attack bank in Ekiti, kill four
Suspected armed robbers on Monday killed four persons during an attack on a bank in Ijero-Ekiti.
The victims of the robbery include two policemen, a bank security guard and an aged man.
The robbers were said to have launched attack on the town’s police station where they killed the two cops before heading to the bank for the robbery operation.
The robbers allegedly invaded a police station in the town and killed two policemen on duty, while a chief security guard of the Bank was shot at the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) gallery of the bank.
The robbers were said to have entered Ijero through Aramoko Road in an ambulance with a casket laced with weapons.
An eyewitness disclosed that the robbers announced their arrival with gun shots which sent residents scampering for safety.
The bandits reportedly blew the bank’s security door with dynamite to gain access into the baking hall.
They were said to have made away with unspecified amount of money during the raid which was said to have lasted for about an hour.
The heavy shooting by the robbers paralysed transportation, economic and social activities.
The raid of the bank in Ijero was coming barely three months after a similar incident at a first generation bank in Igede Ekiti, in which a police man was killed.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Ekiti State, Mr. Caleb Ikechukwu, who said he was still at the branch of the bank “to gather reliable information on the armed robbery incident,” said the attack occurred at about 5:30pm. Ikechukwu said: “There was casualty. They succeeded by using dynamite to gain access into the banking hall and the robbery took place around 5:30pm on Monday.”
He, however, said “There was no casualty on the side of the bank while there were one or two on the side of the police.”
APC blows hot over court action by aggrieved members
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has frowned at the actions of some party members who have resorted to litigation as a way of addressing their perceived grievances and disputation without exhausting the party’s dispute resolution mechanism.
APC spokesman, Lanre Issa-Onilu, in a statement said the growing trend was viewed by the party as a manifest indiscipline.
He wrote: “The actions, it should be noted, is considered as anti-party as it goes against our Party’s constitution.
“For emphasis, according to Article 20, Subsection 10 of our Party’s Constitution, offences against the Party include: “Filing an action in a Court of Law against the Party or any of its Officers on any matters relating to the discharge of the duties of the Party without first exhausting all avenues for redress provided for in this Constitution.”
“The Party intends to activate constitutional provisions to penalise such members as their action is capable of undermining the party and hurt the Party’s interest.
“We hereby strongly advise such members to withdraw all court cases, while approaching the appropriate party organs with a view to resolving any outstanding disputes.
“In addition to this, aggrieved members are urged to take full advantage of the reconciliation committees the party has just put in place.
“APC members should understand that as a progressive party that operates on the principle of change, it is not a matter of choice to keep to the rules.
“We therefore advise such members to take this warning very seriously as failure to comply with the party’s dispute resolution procedures would be met with the stipulated disciplinary actions.”
Nigeria Police law outdated, existing since 1943 – NASS
Sen. Bala Na’Allah, the Deputy Majority Leader of the Senate on Monday said the nation was operating an obsolete Nigeria Police law, which had been in existence since 1943. Na’Allah said this at a dialogue session with the National Assembly and Stakeholders on Police Reform and Police Bill organised by the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) in Abuja.
He said that was why he decided to sponsor the Police Reform Bill to make the police to be abreast with global best practice. He said that the bill had passed second reading and was currently at the committee level and hopefully, public hearing would be conducted, then senate would consider the report within the next 30 days.
“The Nigeria police force is always critisised for not delivering on their responsibility; as a party that promised to leave Nigeria more secured than it met it, we decided to initiate this reform. “We are not too comfortable with the situation where only the few get good security while the larger population is left at their own peril. “So we decided that let us look at what happens around the world and check what is wrong with our own system.
“We discovered that the structure of the Nigerian police will never ever give it the kind of efficiency and effectiveness that it requires to be able to secure the population of Nigeria.’’ Na’Allah said that was the reason for the reforms to bring sufficient funding, and localise the operation of the police in such a manner that every community would be secured based on international best practice. He said that the reform when passed would enhance the coverage of the police to the grassroots and enable them carry out their duties without boundaries.
“If you are travelling on the road, and you are robbed at the border between one police station and another, the police will proudly tell you that it is not under their jurisdiction. “Yet we have one Nigerian police, so how can it be that when something is happening somebody will say it is not under our jurisdiction? That is not done anywhere in the civilised world,’’he said. Mr Lawal Abubakar, the Chairman House Committee on Police Affairs, said that the bill was going for public hearing, adding that it would change the narrative of the activities of the police. Abubakar called for the input of citizens and the police to enrich the reform process and produce a bill that would stand the taste of time to face the contemporary Nigerian challenges. The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, who was represented by CP Adat Ududo, CP Admin, Research and Planning Department commended National Assembly for the reform. Idris advised that the issue of funding and manpower should be taken into consideration.
2019: Buhari has no plan for new road, rail projects – APC manifesto
Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2019 general elections, Muhammadu Buhari, will not be initiating fresh road and rail projects if elected for a second term.
This was revealed in the APC’s manifesto titled: ‘Next Level’ which was obtained by DAILY POST.
According to the document, President Buhari will rather focus on completing the ongoing works on the nation’s road and rail infrastructure to pave way for citizens to benefit from the expanded capital investments the current administration has made.
An analysis of the section on infrastructure as contained in the APC manifesto indicates that President Buhari plans to complete the second Niger bridge.
He equally intends to complete all the phased road projects in each of the state of the federation.
On rail projects, the APC and its presidential candidate are promising to complete Lagos-Ibadan-Kano line, Port-Harcourt-Maiduguri rail network running through Aba, all the Southeast capitals, Makurdi, Jos, Bauchi, and Gombe. Additionally, the coastal rail line (Lagos – Calabar) will be completed.
The manifesto further says President Buhari will treat broadband infrastructure as critical by moving coverage to 120,000km of fibre networks across Nigeria as well as prioritising access to internet in education, healthcare, business, and markets.
APC gives Ganduje, Aregbesola, Shettima new appointments [Full List]
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has set up six reconciliation committees to heal the wounds inflicted on the party in the recent primary elections.
Each committee, set up on geopolitical basis, will have seven members, including the Governors elected on the platform of the party, except the three aggrieved Governors.
Governors Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) and Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara) are all not happy, that their preferred candidates did not pick the governorship tickets of their states for the 2019 general election.
Although the committees to be headed by two-term governors will seek to reconcile the aggrieved party members, they do not have the power to make any changes to the party’s candidates’ list for the elections.
All the other 19 APC governors are members of the committees, which consist of other prominent members of the party.
The committees will be inaugurated on Wednesday.
THE FULL LIST South-east 1. Abdullahi Ganduje (chairman) 2. Samuel Lalong 3. Kayode Fayemi 4. Godswill Akpabio 5. Umaru Dembo 6. Nasiru Aliko Koki 7. Ify Ugo Okoye
North-central 1. Ibrahim Geidam (chairman) 2. Godwin Obaseki 3. Rotimi Akeredolu 4. Jibrilla Bindow 5. Pius Akinyelure 6. Vivian Chukwuani 7. Audu Ogbe
South-west 1. Kashim Shettima (chairman) 2. Nasir el-Rufai 3. Akinwumi Ambode 4. Modupe Adelabu 5. Dakuku Peterside 6. Ken Nnamani 7. Seida Bugaje
North-west 1. Abiola Ajimobi (chairman) 2. Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar 3. Yahaya Bello 4. Adamu Aliero 5. Danjuma Goje 6. Jim Nwobodo 7. Fati Balla
South-south 1. Rauf Aregbesola (chairman) 2. Atiku Bagudu 3. Abubakar Sani Bello 4. Gbemisola Saraki 5. Emeka Wogu 6. Sullivan Chime 7. Aleluchi Cookey-Gam
North-east 1. Umaru Tanko Al-Makura (chairman) 2. Aminu Masari 3. Abubakar Badaru 4. Jumoke Anifowoshe 5. Matthew Omegara 6. Hafsat Mohammed Baba 7. Abdullahi Aboki
2019: Atiku’s ally, Shaibu reveals APC, Buhari govt plan against PDP candidate
An ally of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Mr. Phrank Shaibu, has accused mischief makers of promoting the impression that The Atiku Plan suggests that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, has a hidden agenda of two terms in office.
Shaibu described the All Progressives Congress (APC) as one of the biggest disasters to have ever befallen Nigeria.
He said the current government was jittery and that President Muhammadu Buhari’s three and a half years in office was a sad reminder of Nigeria’s arrested development since 2015 “when the clueless party came to power.”
A statement he signed Monday night read in part: “The reason the policy document was authored to cover up to 2025 and beyond was simply meant to address the volatility and unpredictability of global trade and economics, as most progressive leaders who understand the intricate nature of growing their economies, draw up 10 year strategic vision plans for their nations, even when they well understand that their term in office will not extend to such a period.
“Government is a continuum and as such, a sound and effective development plan can serve several leaders who are desirous of enhancing the welfare and well being of their citizens.”
Shaibu cited three examples from Nigeria’s recent past where the current administration continued to implement some major projects and policies of the immediate past PDP administration.
He listed the projects to include Railway projects, the implementation of the TSA and BVN financial policy, by the Buhari administration, which, according to him, were actually inherited by the sound development plan of the President Goodluck Jonathan era.
He added: “Sadly, the mudslinging intentions and diabolic attempts to divert the campaign away from the real issues that continue to bedevil the country, has been given a new twist by the purveyors of negative propaganda.
“This category of persons have simply overlooked the salient points contained in the “My plan to get Nigeria working again” document to invoke ethnic and divisive sentiments by insinuating that the document has exposed a hidden agenda of a second term plan by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and by so doing are directly provoking the South East or even south west into erroneously believing that they have no stake in 2023
“The mention of 2025 and 2030 as delivery dates for some of the critical components of the plan is a clear demonstration that Atiku’s vision reflects the sincerity of his intentions to achieve a better, more progressive Nigeria and the generosity of the mind of a good leader who thinks ahead in a selfless manner for common good.
“What Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has done is simply acknowledging that Nigeria will exist beyond his tenure as such he has set down a road map to make the work easier for those that will take over and continue the good work of reviving Nigeria from its comatose state under Buhari and the APC.
“Indeed, working with a man like Peter Obi, who incidentally is from the South East and whose sterling track record as a financial guru and economic master-strategist, speak volumes for the expansive nationalistic vision of Atiku Abubakar.”
Shaibu called on the APC to apologise to all Nigerians for bringing them nothing but suffering of unquantifiable proportion since 2015, and to make a solemn pledge not to have anything to do with governance, with the 2019 elections fast approaching.
Sacked Akwa Ibom lawmakers hold plenary, install new speaker
As the events following the sack of five lawmakers in the Akwa-Ibom House of Assembly continue to unfold, some members have elected the member representing Essien Udim state constituency, Mr. Nse Ntuen as their new Speaker.
Speaking with journalists in Uyo on Monday evening, the factional Speaker, Nse Ntuen said that their decision to change the Speaker followed members’ lack of confidence in Mr. Onofiok Luke.
He described the process that led to their purported sack as illegal, null and void, as there were subsisting court orders, even as the House rules and procedures were not duly and legally followed.
“In the first place, no such action as declaring our seat vacant took place because there was no mace, the former Speaker did not follow due legislative procedure of being announced into the chamber by the Sergent at Arms rather he came in through the back door.
“What happened in the House today was a normal legislative thing. We were supposed to sit on Tuesday, but yesterday (Sunday) we got notices that the sitting had been rescheduled for today because of the public holiday on Tuesday and nobody objected to that.
“Unfortunately this morning when I came to the house, the gate was barricaded and we were not allowed to go into the premises.
“Moreover, the purported action was not in the order paper for today’s plenary. The two items in the order paper were the consideration of the appropriation bill sent to the House by Governor Udom Emmanuel and a commemorative sitting for former Governor Victor Attah.
“So, in the light of these anomalies, members sat and elected me as the
new Speaker. We will reconvene on Wednesday when other positions will be filled.
“This will not be the first time a minority member will be elected a head of a legislature. The Senate President of the Nigerian Senate is a minority member.” He explained.
Ntuen wondered why Mr. Luke would unilaterally declare their seat vacant when that of a member who defected to the PDP from APC last year was not given the same treatment.
“So, we elected a new Speaker because Luke is not good enough to be Speaker. He is incompetent and is being teleguided by the Executive against our quest to be independent and not to be labeled a rubber stamp Assembly.”
He called on the people of the state not to see their action as confrontational but that which would make the legislature stronger in the discharge of its responsibility to the people of Akwa Ibom State.
Minimum Wage: Why Governors cannot pay N30,000 – Presidential candidate
The Presidential candidate of Peoples Trust (PT) Mr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim says state governments are reluctant to pay the new N30, 000 minimum wage because they lacked creativity in generating wealth.
Olawepo-Hashim said this while promising to pay workers a minimum wage of N50,000 and ensure free health care for the citizens if he is elected as President.
He said this at the inauguration of his campaigns, ahead of 2019 general elections in Abuja, NAN reports.
He said: “Governors don’t know how to create wealth, when we are elected, we will pay N50, 000. It will be how to give Nigerians living wage.
“Nigeria is one of the countries that have the highest rate of returns on investment, but the problem has always been the bottlenecks which public servants put in the way of investors.
“These bottlenecks are man-made that can be removed within 90 days and Nigeria will be able to target five percent of infrastructure funds that will be flowing in this country.
“We have about 7.8 trillion dollars in infrastructure funds in the world looking for where to make money.“
He further said that if elected, he would provide four million jobs every year by creating enabling environment for the effective participation of foreign and indigenous investors and private sector to create jobs.
Olawepo-Hashim said this would be possible because Nigeria remained a very good destination for investment, adding that all the country needed was massive infrastructure deficit.
“We will unite Nigerians and fight ethnicity, 2019 will be about the welfare and security of our people,” he added.
Nigeria vs Uganda: Rohr reveals Super Eagles players that will feature in friendly
Head coach of the Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr, has said that he will field players that did not feature against South Africa, when they play Uganda in an international friendly on Tuesday in Asaba, Delta state.
Villarreal winger, Samuel Chukwueze, was one of the players expected to make his debut for Nigeria against the Bafana Bafana last Saturday.
Chukwueze was listed among the substitutes for the game, but the 19-year-old was an unused substitute, even though he was sent out to warm up at a point.
Rohr instead brought on Henry Onyekuru, Isaac Success and Semi Ajayi, as the Eagles held on for a 1-1 draw in Johannesburg.
“When you play the 3-5-2 formation you have your front two (Ahmed Musa and Kelechi Iheanacho) running all game and they get tired most times, so we have to take them off and introduce players who can offer us same upfront.
“Iwobi was also tired and Ajayi came in to protect the result for us. In our next game we will try some players who didn’t get to play and also those who didn’t make the bench,” the German explained.
Oyo 2019: ADC drops Ajadi, announces Olufemi Lanlehin as authentic guber candidate [PHOTOS]
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has replaced Dr. Bamidele Ajadi’s name with that of Senator Olufemi Lanlehin as its gubernatorial candidate ahead of the 2019 general elections.
Ajadi, EMIRATCO recalls was announced as the tentative candidate of the party in order to meet the INEC guidelines last month.
Leaders of the party included Ajadi, who doubles as the National Vice Chairman of the party confirmed the development.
Other leaders of the party, among whom is the senator representing Oyo central district, Mrs Monsurat Sunmonu, who spoke while addressing ADC supporters at the state secretariat of the party in Ibadan on Monday added that “Lanlehin is the authentic candidate of the party and his name is the one on INEC website”.
They maintained that, “Lanlehin’s name had been sent to INEC as the authentic ADC governorship candidate in the state for 2019 election.
“It is true that Senator Olufemi Lanlehin has replaced Dr Bamidele Ganiyu Ajadi as ADC governorship candidate for 2019 election in Oyo State. Senator Olufemi Lanlehin’s name is now with the INEC headquarters in Abuja”.
Lanlehin, while addressing the gathering, said that he was just coming from Abuja to inform the members that his name has been submitted to the INEC which has been uploaded on their website.
He said, “I salute our leaders from all the zones, this is a party of let me shake your hand, shake my hand. We are going to be in the government house from next year.
“I am the candidate of the party, my name is with the INEC, My sister, Senator Sunmonu is the candidate for Oyo Central district, Barrister Bayo Lawal is the one for Oyo North and the brother to the governor, Soji Akanbi is the candidate for Oyo South.”
Atiku vs Buhari: PDP calls for national prayer for 2019 election
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for national prayer in selecting political leaders ahead of the 2019 elections.
The party in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, on Monday in Abuja urged Nigerians to use Eid-el-Maulud to pray for new direction and God’s guidance, particularly as the nation gears up for general elections in 2019.
PDP explained that the prayer was necessary as the country began the selection of new set of leaders at various levels of governance across the country.
The party urged Nigerians to use the occasion to rekindle citizens’ sense of national unity, fear of God and love for one another as compatriots, while shunning all divisive and disruptive tendencies.
The party pointed out that Eid-el-Maulud, the celebration of birth of Holy Prophet Mohammed (S A W), presented the nation with ample lessons in the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil and truth over falsehood.
It added that it also presented peace over strife, love over hatred, piety over depravity, mutual respect over intimidation and harassment, justice over impunity and discrimination and faith over despair.
The statement read: “The PDP urges Nigerians to use the opportunity of Eid-el-Maulud to reach out and support the needy, the sick, and the deprived, particularly victims of escalated violence and daily bloodletting in parts of our country.’
“The party also calls on Nigerians not to despair but continue to rekindle their faith in the nation as the 2019 general elections will usher in a new beginning.
“A new beginning with a new God-fearing and people-oriented leadership that is set to return our nation to the path of social stability, national cohesion and economic prosperity.
“The PDP wishes the Muslim faithful and indeed, all Nigerians, a glorious Eid-el-Maulud.”
Nigerian Army discovers new terrorist group in North-East
The Nigerian Army has uncovered a new terrorist group, Jama’atu
Nus’ratul-Islami Wal-Muslimina, believed to be operating in the
North-East of the country, and vowed to fight the group with “advanced
technologies.” The army in a statement said it had also identified the
leader of the new group as Abul-Fadl Iyad Gali, adding that the
existence of the group “portends grave danger to Nigeria’s national
security.” The Army also said its troops also killed an Islamic State of
West Africa Province media chief, Sale Ahmad, also known as Baban
Hassan, in a joint operation with the Nigerian Air Force.According to
the army, ISWAP is a faction of Boko Haram, directly affiliated to the
Islamic State and has attacked military troops and civilians in recent
times. The statement read in part, “The new leader of Jama’atu
Nus’ratul-Islami Wal Muslimina, Abdul-Fadl Lyad Gali, has been
identified. The group is a new terrorist group which Ansaru is
affiliated to. In the same vein, the identification of the leader of the
group would enable the army to target the group effectively using
advanced technologies in its arsenal. This is as the existence of group
portends grave danger to Nigeria’s national security.Reports available
reveal that one Sale Ahmad Sale, the leader of Al-Barnawi media group, a
faction of Boko Haram, was killed by a joint operation conducted by the
army and the air force. The killing of the media leader is indicative
of efforts by the army to eliminate key members of the sect. It is
worthy to note that the sect is directly affiliated to the Islamic State
and has carried out several attacks against troops and civilians in the
past.”The post Nigerian Army discovers new terrorist group in North-East appeared 
