₦airaland Forum

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has affirmed that there is no going back on his exit from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He told members of OnTiv Professionals Association in Abuja that he would not return to the party for any reason.

Ortom spoke a few hours after emerging from a peace meeting with the APC national chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole where he said he had not dumped the party and had expressed hope of a peaceful resolution of the crisis in the party.

But receiving his guests at the Benue State Governor’s Lodge, Abuja, the governor said “I can assure you and the good people of Benue that there is no going back on my decision to exit from the APC.”

He added “at the appropriate time in the next few weeks, I would make my next move public.”

Eelier, his Chief Press Secretary, CPS, Terver Akase had challenged the APC to “bring out facts to back their claim that they had faulted the performance of the Governor.”

He said: “During the State Congress of the party at Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi, it adopted the Governor as its consensus candidate. Again, the party publicly said its decision was based on the sterling stewardship of Governor Ortom within the last three years. But being the true democrat that he is, the Governor decided that other aspirants be also allowed to vie for the governorship seat to deepen internal democracy in the party.”

Ortom had on Monday stated that he was given red card by the state arm of the party.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/why-i-wont-return-to-apc-benue-gov-ortom.html[/b]

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has disclosed that it had ordered banks to refund N65billion to Nigerians.

The refund covered wrongful deductions and charges from customers’ deposits and other transactions in the last six years.

Acting Director, Corporate Communications, CBN, Isaac Okorafor, confirmed this on Wednesday at a fair with the theme: ‘Promoting Financial Stability and Economic Development’ for stakeholders in Asaba, Delta State.

“We have recovered and returned to customers over N65bn out of complaints by people over acts of treatment on customers, wrong charges, wrong deductions and others since 2012/2013 when we started,” he said.

The official, however, reiterated that the hawking of denominations of the naira was an offence punishable under the CBN Act of 2005.

He warned banks involved, particularly its staff members, to desist from the practice or face sanctions.

Okorafor said, “The CBN is very committed to making sure that people do not hawk the naira, because it is an offence punishable under the CBN Act of 2005. We have made it clear to any of our staff involved in the practice that they will be dismissed.

“We have also made it clear to banks that any of them caught doing it will be severely punished. We are a regulator and not a law enforcement agency. It is the duty of the Nigerian Police to enforce the law. We have collaborated with them at different times.

“We have had raids in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Onitsha, Ibadan and so on, and we will continue to do that, and people have been caught and money confiscated. We are waiting on the police to begin to prosecute those people.”

PLEASE READ MORE>>>http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/cbn-orders-banks-to-refund-n65bn-to.html

The Federal Government has called on cement manufacturers to consider reducing the price of the commodity in order to improve local consumption for various infrastructural projects, even as they continue to build their export capacity.

Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, argued that cement price could be cheaper if per capita consumption increases through adoption of concrete roads and collaboration among local producers.

Osinbajo, during the inauguration of BUA Cement plant in Sokoto, yesterday said: “Currently, Nigeria produces over 40 million tonnes of cement annually. Nigeria produces more cement than any other country in Africa. Indeed, when put together, several other countries still cannot produce as much cement.

“Nigeria’s huge market size of high urbanisation rate of 3.5 per cent, and even now, a low per capita cement consumption of about 125kg, and an estimated housing deficit of 17 million are key drivers for the growth of the Nigerian cement industry in the medium term.

“We have plenty of capacity to consume cement locally. As mentioned earlier, two issues require urgent attention. The first is the price of cement, it surely can be cheaper.

“I know the standard arguments such as power, transportation, and other challenges, but it is still a lucrative business, and I know the reduction of price is possible between the major players.

“The second issue is concrete roads. We can change the narrative on road construction dramatically if we think through using concrete buildings in Nigeria,” he added.

Meanwhile, BUA Group has announced plans to commence exportation of cement with its recently inaugurated 1.5 million metric tonnes (MMT) cement plant in Sokoto to neighbouring countries, while also meeting local demand for the commodity.

With the inauguration of the Sokoto Plant, and completion of the expanded plant in Okpella, Edo State, the Group’s installed capacity is expected to hit 8MMT by the end of 2018.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, said the ultra modern cement plant holds a significant promise for the local market, and has huge export potential to earn foreign exchange for the country.

Rabiu said: “In the event that we choose to export, the Forex savings and potential forex this could generate for the country is huge.”

PLEASE READ MORE>>>http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/osinbajo-makes-case-for-lower-cement.html

•Fed Govt to assist victims
•100 houses destroyed in Yobe

•Boy swept away in Benin

More deaths have been recorded in the Jibia, Katsina State flood. The figure is now 52, up from 44 earlier reported.

The Federal Government last night promised compensation for the victims.

Over 500 houses were destroyed and more than 1,000 people rendered homeless.

The flood also ravaged Yobe State town Babangida where over 100 houses were destroyed but no life was lost.

In Benin city, the Edo state capital, a school boy was swept away by flood.

At the weekend, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, was hit by flood leaving many cars swept away. No fewer tan 12 people were declared dead

The Jibia flood came as an aftermath of a downpour between Sunday night and Monday in the border town between Nigeria and Niger Republic.

Vice President Osinbajo visited the area yesterday, accompanied by Governor Aminu Masari, Director General National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). Mustapha Maihajia and State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA)Chairman Dr. Aminu Waziri

Osinbajo said: ’’efforts will be made to ensure that adequate relief materials reach all of the victims, most of who are present camped at the Mohammed Rabiu Model Primary School.

“The President has asked me to assure you that everything will be done to ensure that everybody is taken care of, and that we will make sure this sort of thing does not repeat itself again’’.

“As Nigerians, we all deserve to live our lives happily, we deserve to be treated well, and the president has assured everybody that working with the state government, we will do all that is necessary.

“Where compensation is necessary, we will compensate, where rebuilding is necessary, we will do so,” he added.

In Yobe, flood, caused by heavy downpour on Monday, destroyed over 100 houses in Babangida, headquarters of Tarmuwa Local Government Area.

Chairman of the local government, Mr. Gidado Muhammad, told reporters that the council had temporarily converted a primary school in the town to a camp to provide shelter for displaced people.

“No life was lost and no serious casualty recorded but over 100 houses have been destroyed, along with food items and other personal belongings of the residents.

“Staff of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) are taking every detail, while the council has made provision for immediate shelter and food to the victims” he said.

The chairman said excavation work was going on to open up more channels for easy passage of rain water in the area to avert future occurrence.

Malam Ali Usman, a resident, said he lost four rooms, food items and clothes to the floods and now taking refuge with a relation.

“I have sent my wife home while I am taking refuge with a relation,pending when government will assist us,” he said.

In Edo State, residents of Uselu community in Egor local government area on Tuesday protested the death of a six-year old pupil during flood after a downpour which lasted many hours.

The protesters blocked the busy Uselu-Lagos road with bonfires while motorists were made to take other routes to Ugbowo and the Kings Square.

Sign boards of the Edo State government in the area were pulled down by the angry protesters.

They said their anger stemmed from the inability of the State Government to send its officials to help find the body of the pupil simply identified as Segun.

Leader of the protesters, Mr. Oni Enoma, said the drainage was a death trap and a nightmare to them whenever it rains.

According to him, “A woman and her baby fell into the gutter. They were dragged out but the baby fell inside.

But we have not been able to find the body of the boy.

“We were surprised that nothing has been done by the fire fighters to find the body.

The late Segun and his mother, whose name was given as Latifat, were walking home after school hours when they slipped into an open drainage at the Omosogie junction along the Bénin-Uselu road.

Policemen were on ground to prevent any break down of law and order.

Governor Godwin Obaseki commiserated with the family of the deceased Obaseki described his death as disheartening.

He said: “As a government, we are deeply saddened by the report of the Uselu flood incident and the death of the young male pupil identified as Segun. I share with the parents and other members of his family in their grief,” a visibly shaken Governor Obaseki said at the emergency Executive Council meeting held at the Government House in Benin City on Tuesday.

PLEASE READ MORE>>>http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/breaking-katsina-flood-death-toll-hits.html

A panel of the House of Representatives will question former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan over the recovery of money stolen by a former military Head of State, late Gen. Sani Abacha.

An 11-member panel of the House will begin work this week.

The panel is chaired by a former Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, Mr Abdulmumin Jibrin.

While the two former leaders will be interviewed in their homes, the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami are to appear at the National Assembly.

Others are Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele; a former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; former AGF, ministers of finance and CBN governors who served during the tenure of the late President Umar Yar’Adua.

On July 4, the House passed a resolution to probe the Abacha loot after President Muhammadu Buhari said the $322m loot recently negotiated with the Swiss Government would be shared out to the poor and the vulnerable.

The House, following a motion moved by a member from Kogi State, Mr Sunday Karimi, resolved to “set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the total Abacha loot recovered from 1998 till date; establish the sources and how the money was utilised.”

Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Abdulrazak Namdas, confirmed the panel’s work.

He explained that the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, set up the commitee “so that we can for once, bring all the speculation about the Abacha loot to rest.”

Namdas told Punch: “The House wants to look into this Abacha loot issue thoroughly and lay the matter to rest. The mandate of the committee is to establish how much was recovered as Abacha loot.

“We have been hearing of loot recovery; how much is the total recovered by all the administrations since 1998?

“Also, what were the sources of the recovery? Was any part or all of the loot spent? What was it spent on and what is the total balance?” he added.

The Nigerian government, last week, explained that the loot would be disbursed to beneficiaries of the direct cash transfer programme.

READ MORE AT>>>http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/abacha-loot-reps-to-question-obasanjo.html
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Super Eagles midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi has insisted he has not thought about leaving Leicester City this summer.

Ndidi joined the former Premier League champions from Genk for £17m in January 2017.

He has gone on to make over 60 appearances for the Foxes since joining the Club.

However, the Nigerian is believed to be attracting a lot of attention, especially following his displays for the Eagles at the 2018 World Cup.

But Ndidi insists that he “feels good” at the King Power Stadium.

“A transfer has never been on my mind. I feel very good at Leicester,” Ndidi told LeicestershireLive.

READ MORE AT>>>http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/ndidi-speaks-on-leaving-leicester-city.html
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Tragedy struck on Friday evening around Oghara Eki in Delta state when an 18-seater bus conveying students and teachers of a school in Ovwian, Udu local government area of Delta state allegedly crashed after its back tire burst causing the bus to somersault severally into the stationary lorry.

It was gathered that the school had gone on excursion to Benin city, Edo state with a supposedly 18-seated bus, but was loaded with 27 persons which included the pupils and teachers and a driver of the bus alleged to be inexperienced.

The proprietress of the school, Mrs Essi Hinges, who confirmed the incident to DAILY POST said “some people said the bus was faulty, it’s not true, it was what was going to happen that happened, the back tire burst, and it somersaulted into stationary lorry after which two pupils, two teachers died, the driver had been the school driver right from the inception, it is rather unfortunate”.

Some of the parents, who spoke to DAILY POST on condition of anonymity, said they were surprised at the urgency with which the school authorities fixed the date and directed parents to prepare their children, adding that apart from compelling them as parents to participate, the school authorities enlisted an inexperienced staff as driver to drive the bus.

It was further gathered that the organizers of the event enlisted five staff, eight students of secondary school arm of the school, and fourteen pupils into the 18-seater bus en route Benin city for the excursion.

But shortly after the driver lost control of the vehicle, eyewitness said the children were flying out of the bus like birds, and many of them landed unconscious on the ground, many of them sustained injuries, two of the pupils and two teachers died on the spot

A parent of the dead pupils, Mr Richard Okwuagwu told DAILY POST, “I lost two of my kids, Daniel and Faith Okwuagwu, I did not pay for the excursion, I paid money for the cultural day, but because of greed the school did not refund my money, they killed my children because of N10,000. I will take the school to court, I will not accept the mess of losing two children one day, it’s painful.”

The police commissioner in the state, Mustafa Muhammed, who spoke to DAILY POST, said, “the police are investigating the ill-fated bus, we are in custody of the driver, and some of the teachers, investigation is ongoing. The aggrieved parents have petitioned the command, and we are looking into the incident.”

READ MORE HERE>>>http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/pupils-teachers-on-excursion-killed-in.html
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Afenifere chieftain, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, has said that anything short of credible conduct of the Ekiti governorship election on Saturday would not be acceptable.

The nonagenarian spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Friday in Lagos.

Adebanjo appealed to stakeholders that the people’s will must be allowed to prevail in the election in order to strengthen democracy.

He said that voters should not be intimidated under whatever guise, and every vote must count.

“We demand nothing short of a free and fair election in Ekiti and we urge INEC and other stakeholders to ensure that.

“There should not be intimidation of voters; there should not be manipulation of votes.

“The process should be fair and transparent. The people must be allowed to choose,” the chieftain of the Yoruba socio-cultural group said.

He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other stakeholders to ensure free and fair election, as the focus of all champions of democracy was on Ekiti.

Adebanjo condemned what he called the manhandling of Gov. Ayodele Fayose by policemen in Ekiti on Wednesday.

He said the incident was an embarrassment to the nation and a threat to democracy.

The chieftain said that if a sitting governor could be so treated by security operatives, then there was little hope for respect of the rights of ordinary citizens.

He said that such action was not good for the credibility of the election.

READ MORE>>>http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/ekiti-election-afenifere-blows-hot.html
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The Police in Minna, the Niger State capital has been thrown into mourning following the death of twin officers in an accident earlier in the week.

The twin brothers were recruited into Police force the same day and had been popular because of their commitment to duty.

Their relations and members of Niger State Police Command wept uncontrollably as they heard the news of their death.

The brothers, Mohammed Hassan and Mohammed Hussaini were reportedly killed when a driver ran into them at Maitumbi, a suburb of Minna.

They were both on a motorcycle when the incident occurred.

One of the deceased was a police sergeant while the other was a corporal but they both joined the force the same day.

Hussaini was said to be a prosecutor and his wife was recently delivered of a set of twins.

The twin policemen were hit by a Peugeot 206 salon car. The driver was also hospitalised as a result of the injury he sustained in the accident.

The Niger State Public Relations Officer, Muhammad Abubakar, confirmed the incident and described it as an accident.

“It is an accident; the matter is being investigated; at the end of the investigation, we will know the next step to take.”

He added that the corpses had been released to their relations for burial.

READ MORE>>> http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/tears-as-twin-police-officers-recruited.html

The Zamfara State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of a Chinese man, Mr Ren Dajun by suspected gunmen.

The command spokesman, SP Muhammad Shehu, in a statement on Thursday in Gusau, said Dajun “is a staff of the China Geological Cooperation (CGC).’’

Shehu said the company is located at Birnin-Tudu village in Bakura Local Government Area of the state,

He said the victim was abducted by gunmen on Wednesday at about 2p.m. in a bush of Irrigation Scheme in Amumu Village of the same local government area.

The PPRO said the command’s search/rescue team and Anti-kidnapping Squad had embarked on coordinated bush combing with a view to rescue the victim and arrest the assailants.

“The command wishes to advise the citizens to be conscious of their security and report strange and suspicious elements in their areas”, he said.

Shehu also urged communities to assist the police and other security agencies with useful information on security threats in their areas.

READ MORE>>> http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/gunmen-kidnap-chinese-man-in-zamfara.html

The lawmaker representing Bauchi Central senatorial district, Sen. Isah Misau, Thursday, alleged that most of the security operatives in the country have abandoned their constitutional roles for partisan politics.
Misau also alleged that it was against this backdrop that insecurity is attempting to overran the country.

The lawmaker made this allegation during his contribution to an adopted motion entitled, “Gruesome killing of 40 people in Sokoto state by armed bandits” sponsored by Senator Aliyu Wamakko representing Sokoto North.

The motion followed the gruesome killing of about 40 innocent and defenseless people of Sokoto by armed bandits last Monday at Dogon-yero district in Raba local government area of the state.

In his contribution, Misau said, “It is only in Nigeria that killings take place without reason. This is because the security men are more interested in politics than doing the security work.

“Right now, we are not doing the right thing that can curtail this killings. Even the press are tired of reporting the killings across the country.

“We have some positions that some people occupy at the expense of life. This menace can come to Abuja if care is not taken.”

However, the upper chamber resolved to mandate the air force and police helicopter division to carry aerial surveillance in Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi states so as to identify the locations and hideouts of the bandits.

It also urged the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, through the Commissioners of Police in the three states to set up a special squad to mob up the whole zone and get rid of the armed bandits.

READ MORE>>> http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/most-security-operatives-have-abandoned.html

22-year-old Michael Boatwright has been arrested by the police for the murder of rapper XXXTentacion.

According to reports, Boatwright was served an arrest warrant for first degree murder, naming him as one of the gunmen in the XXXTentacion case.

The Blast reported that Boatwright was served the warrant yesterday, July 10, after already being arrested for drug charges. He was arrested on July 5th.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/second-suspect-in-xxxtentacions-murder.html

The Deputy Governor of Imo State, Eze Madumere, has countered the allegations leveled against him by the Imo State House of Assembly.

DAILY POST reports that the state House of Assembly commenced impeachment processes against Madumere on Tuesday accusing him of being an ex-convict, among other allegations.

A statement by Uche Onwuchekwa, the Deputy Governor’s Special Assistant, reads in full: “The office of the Deputy Governor of Imo State has received the notice of gross misconduct being circulating round the State and on various platforms on social media platforms signed by 13 members of Imo State House of Assembly that bothers on the following:

“Absence without official reason or permission duly obtained from office for a period of three (3) months.

“Failure to perform any of the constitutional function of Office of Deputy Governor of Imo State including but not limited to:

“Failure/refusal to attend constitutionally mandated proceedings of the State Executive Council;

“Failure/refusal to attend constitutional mandated proceedings of the State Security Council.

“Refusal to attend, and to hold meetings with the Governor and Commissioners of the Government of Imo State for the governance of Imo State made compulsory by and under S.193 (2) of the 1999 Constitution

“Concealment of felonious conduct affecting the presentation of self as eligible candidate of Office of Deputy Governor, Imo State, having been convicted and imprisoned for theft in the United States of America.

“We hereby respond as follows:

“The first claim of absence is rather an old ploy of calling a dog a bad name to hang it. Fortunately, the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere is an administrator per excellence who does joke with his duties especially his constitutional responsibilities. As such he has never absconded from office the period so claimed. He is constitutionally saddled with the responsibilities of superintending Boundary commission. By our records, the Deputy Governor of Imo State has never abdicated from such responsibility or any other. People of Umuoma of Ihitte-Uboma local government, Ihube of Okigwe local government among others can testify of the Deputy Governor’s sagacity in crises resolution with particular reference to April 11, April 16 2018.

“His Excellency also participated in one day retreat for Stakeholders in the management of Nigeria boundaries, which held at the Airforce Conference Center, Abuja in the company of the Surveyor General of the State and the Principal Secretary to the Deputy Governor on May 7, 2018.

“Refusal to attend Constitutional mandated proceedings of the State Executive Council is also one of the allegations that cannot stand any administrative procedure. There are laid down procedures through a Deputy Governor or any member of the executive Council can be invited for Executive council meeting. We hereby state that the Deputy Governor has never been invited for such meetings through either a memo or any official notices and thereby cannot stand against the deputy governor.

“As stated above, the Deputy Governor can only attend a meeting he is officially invited to and he is no spirit to know when meetings are slated except he is duly informed.

“Refusal to attend, and to hold meetings with the Governor is to say the least another exercise in triviality as the Deputy Governor cannot force himself on the Governor especially when he has been tagged a pariah in the Government circle. We state here that Governor Okorocha has never created such opportunity to meet with the Deputy Governor to discuss the programmes and activities of the Government other than the once we embarrassingly hear by the road side and other sources. To this extent, where the Deputy Governor’s inputs are needed, there are right procedures through which he could be reached either through his Principle secretary and other principal officers or directly to the Deputy Governor.

“The most embarrassing among the spurious allegations is the annoying allegation of concealment of felonious conduct affecting the presentation of self as eligible candidate of office of Deputy Governor of Imo State. This is not only astonishing but an extreme show of lack of due diligence. The Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere has never been convicted of any civil matter let alone a criminal matter.

“We are pained to state that two times the Deputy Governor had to go through the pains of losing his freedom in detention were all in the course of saving Owelle Rochas Okorocha from public disgrace. He rather had to carry Okorocha’s cross and bore his shame. It will be recalled that Prince Madumere shortly after Achike Udenwa’s victory at the polls in 1999 where he had to face contempt of Court for failure to make it to the court. He was in detention in the United States for about one month all because he was delayed by Governor Okorocha. To the glory of God, Prince Madumere was acquitted of all charges. We also challenge the members of the House of Assembly to produce the verdicts of the court that convicted Prince Madumere.

“The second time he had to stoop that Governor Okorocha may be spared of the humiliation of getting incarcerated, Prince Madumere again yielded and was detained for almost two months on phony charges, which he also been absolved of all charges.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/imo-deputy-governor-reacts-to-plot-to.html

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has said the alliance against President Muhammadu Buhari is dead on arrival.

Oshiomhole stated this at the APC mega rally, which held in Ado-Ekiti, capital of Ekiti State, on Tuesday.

On Monday, the Reformed All Progressives Congress (R-APC) teamed up with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and 37 parties, to form a coalition to defeat Buhari in the 2019 elections.

“You heard yesterday that they have finally conceded that they are down,” Oshiomhole said.

“Yesterday, they said that they are doing alliance between Volkswagen, Renault, Peugeot 404. They said they are coming together to reinforce.

“I say they are lying. When you see a man that is dying, he will cling to the living to get life. Can a dead man wake the dead?

“I won’t say more than that today, when we get to the other elections, we will speak to those,” he added.

Oshiomhole also alleged that Ekiti workers were suffering, because Governor Ayodele Fayose brought poverty to the state.

“My comrades, you know what your situation was and what it is today.

“Yesterday, I spoke with the workers and they lamented to me that even teachers have not been paid for one year, civil servants, local government workers, even pensioners.

“But then, you will remember that our own President Buhari asked Fayose and some others, ‘How do you sleep when you have not paid your worker over one year?’

“And Fayose collected N10 billion for bailout to go and bailout the salaries of Ekiti workers and pensioners. Fayose decided to bail out his own pocket but our president did not lament about that. He cautioned him, ‘Don’t do that again’.

“Another bailout, N10 billion, Fayose collected, he came to Ekiti and put the money where he put it and as we speak, you know more than me that Ekiti people have been pauperised and because they have not been paid, they can’t pay their rents, they can’t go to the market, and when no one goes to the market, the economy will not boom.

“But I am not surprised because he comes from poverty development party.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/what-oshiomhole-said-about-r-apc-fayose.html

The British Government has revealed the role it would play during the governorship election in Ekiti come this weekend.

The British High Commission to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright, who spoke with newsmen yesterday with regard to the poll, reiterated the interest of the British Government in Nigeria’s democracy.

Arkwright said the Commission would be sending its observers to monitor the election.

He said, “The British High Commission will be sending a team there to observe the election and to ensure that they go smoothly.

“To ensure that INEC can do its job, that the security forces do their job and basically, to ensure that the people of Ekiti State are allowed to freely express their opinion, to vote along with their conscience and to be able to do so in a peaceful manner.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/ekiti-2018-what-well-do-during-election.html

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has finally spoken up on the fire incident at its depot at Pogo Village in Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger State.

The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that the Niger police command had on Sunday, deployed armed personnel to prevent people from scooping petroleum products at the NNPC pipeline that exploded in Paikoro Local Government Area of the state.

Luke Anele, the Managing Director of Nigerian Pipeline and Storage Company, assured residents in Niger State and environs of safety, adding that it will not affect the supply of petroleum products.

Anele gave the assurance while talking to journalists in Minna on Monday.

He said that there was no cause for alarm, adding that the situation had been brought under control.

Anele said that the NNPC would, in the interim, embark on the evacuation of the spills to ensure the safety of the environment.

According to him, “NNPC has commenced a spot assessment to ascertain the level of damage caused by the explosion. The problem was not caused by lack of maintenance.”

He also gave an assurance that the company would continue to ensure constant checks of the facility to forestall such an incident.

“Though no life was lost in the incident, we will soon commence the rehabilitation of the tank that was gutted by fire to put it back to use,” he said.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/nnpc-speaks-on-pipeline-explosion-at.html

The Law graduate shared the picture in her Instagram TL as she stepped out for church

See picture

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/see-ceecs-gorgeous-outfit-to-church.html

The Senator representing Bayelsa East in the National Assembly, Ben Bruce, has called on the Federal Government to apologize to Music legend, Fela Kuti, for sending him to jail.

Ben Bruce said this while reacting to French President, Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Afrika Shrine in Lagos State.

Describing Fela as the “greatest leader to come out of Africa and a tourist attraction, the Senator on Twitter said it took a president of a former white colonial master to recognize Fela and the African Shrine, while our own president, burnt his house, broke his jaw and even jailed him.

According to him, ”Fela is an icon, the greatest in Africa. Fela is a tourist attraction. More people know Fela than the name of any president in the history of Nigeria. Fela is Mr tourism.

”The Federal Government must apologize to Fela and offer him restitution.

”It took a president of a former white colonial master to recognize Fela and the African Shrine, while our own president, burnt his house, broke his jaw and even jailed him for having £1,600 in his pocket.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/why-nigerian-government-must-apologize.html

Nollywood actress,Roseline Meurer came under fire after she claimed she’s 26 years old.

She made the revelation after she registered for her Permanent Voters’s Card from the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Her followers called her out and accused her of reducing her age.

However,she fired back today saying at 26 ,she has achieved more than what even 60 year olds have.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/rosy-meurer-slams-those-doubting-shes-26.html

The President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, has given more insight into the killing of two Catholic priests by Fulani herdsmen in Benue few months ago.

DAILY POST reports that Rev Fathers, Gor Joseph and Felix were in April killed after suspected herdsmen attacked the village.

The Ohanaeze leader, while faulting the country’s security apparatus, said that those President Buhari placed at the helms of affairs were incapable of solving the nagging issues.

He wondered why no one had been arrested for over two two months now, even as the herdsmen
had, after the killing, wore the uniforms of members of the choir they had killed, making songs and caricature of them with all their faces showing.

Speaking to Sun, Nwodo said, [Buhari’s] appointments has negated every advantage that we have acquired over the years in terms of building a united country.

“Why is it that everywhere, Fulani herders have killed, murdered people in their numbers, the police arrived after; the whole essence of security is prevention, not management of crime after it has happened.

“An effective security must prevent a crime from occurring; in order words, it must have information, surveillance, it must have capacity to predict what the criminal is likely to do. We look at all these, social media are awash with pictures of Fulani herdsmen with riffles; their faces are there and nobody has arrested any one of them; those who
are arrested, no one is prosecuted. You get the impression that it’s a religious war.

“What on earth justifies herdsmen entering a catholic church while the service is going on and murdering two priests; parishioners and members of the choir?

“And turning round to wear the uniforms of members of the choir; making songs and caricature of them with all their faces showing, trending on the social media with the entire Nigerian security system seeing them and somebody tells you that this is Libyan inspired.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/how-herdsmen-wore-uniform-of-choir.html

The Transparency International (TI) has asked the Buhari government to respect court orders in the trial of the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

On Monday, the Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court Abuja granted bail to Dasuki after over two years in the detention of the Department of State Services (DSS).

Dasuki, who had been granted bail by four different High Courts in Nigeria and ECOWAS Court of Justice had filed a fundamental human rights suit against the Federal Government to obey all court orders for his release.

On Friday, TI Head in Nigeria, Musa Rafsanjani, said, “Since we are running a constitutional democracy in Nigeria, everything the government does is expected to be based on the respect for the fundamental human rights and the rule of law.

“This is just a bail; it is not an exoneration of any crime committed against the people of Nigeria or the government. I believe that in order to be seen as a responsible people, the court has given him the conditions for bail.

“The Federal Government should comply with that and ensure that it continues to pursue the case until justice is done.

“The government must ensure the return of the monies suspiciously stolen, but the first thing is for the government to respect the rule of law. This is so that any action it takes will be on the basis of the rule of law.”

Similarly, Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL) Director, Debo Adeniran, insists that Dasuki should be freed as ruled by the courts.

He said, “We have actually made it clear several times that the government does not have to flout its own laws. It is a wrong example of civility.

“The appropriate thing is for the Federal Government to obey the law so that it may serve as an example to citizens and bodies.

“Dasuki should be released to his family. For the government to take law into its own hands and violate court orders with that level of impunity does not speak well of a government that is calling itself a progressive. Our position is that Dasuki should be released.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/dasuki-buhari-govt-under-fire-over.html

The Police Command in Enugu State has debunked the rumour making the round that suspected herdsmen militia were planning to attack an agrarian community in the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the Command, SP Ebere Amaraizu, reacted in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Enugu.

He said the rumour of planned attack on Ezi-Nze community in Udi council area was unfounded.

Amaraizu noted that it was a blatant lie being peddled by idle minds, who wanted to cause panic in the minds of residents of the state.

He noted that the rumour was hatched by a radio station and relayed by some unscrupulous elements in the streets, newspaper stands and public places in the area.

The police spokesman said that the state had remained and would continue to be peaceful, adding that the police was not resting on its oars to ensure peace.

He, however, warned those planning to obstruct peace in the state to retrace their steps, stressing that they would be arrested and made to face the law.

“The command is calling on rumour and conflict mongers to steer clear of Enugu State.

“For over two years now, the state government has set-up an active Herders/Farmers Conflict Resolution Committee, made up of prominent people as well as leaders of herders and farmers in the state.

“The committee has been working hard since then and we have not recorded a single clash between herders and farmers close to two years now,’’ he said.

The PPRO however advised persons with genuine security concerns or information about suspected or impending issues that could lead to conflict between herders and farmers in the state to approach the committee.

“The person or group with genuine complaints can also see the police commissioner in the state and confide in him as well,” he said.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/police-speaks-on-herdsmen-militia.html

The Presidency has mocked the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, after the signing of the Executive Order 6 by President Muhammadu Bihari.

The presidency on Thursday, reminded the opposition that the government will wield the big stick against those that indulged in corrupt practices.

Buhari on Thursday signed an Executive Order to improve his administration’s fight against corruption.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu specifically said, “Every day, harsh words against the government are all that the President gets from Wadata House, the Head Office of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, because their leaders, as do some other Nigerians are already feeling the heat.

“To say the truth, I am not sure if there are many of our citizens who expected any PDP support for the President in his war against corruption.

“In spite of all the achievements recorded, you still hear complaints that the anti-corruption isn’t as dramatic asopNigerians wished it to be. Some want the country to do it the Chinese way. Others say the government is not arresting the
powerful people.

“For the Buhari administration, concern lies in the fact that corruption has become a big problem because investigation, prosecution and trial in courts are made harder by persons accused of crimes relating to it. They are using the enormous
resources in their possession to thwart the system.

“The President’s view is that, it is only a clean Nigeria that can attract foreign investment, free money for more of the capital projects the administration is executing and creating jobs for
our teeming population of young men and women.

“The President says in the interest of justice and the welfare of the Nigerian state, persons accused of crimes relating to corruption must be prevented from utilizing the proceeds and dissipating such assets suspected to be proceeds of corruption
(or associated with corruption) pending final determination of any investigation or legal actions related to such assets or owners thereof.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/anti-corruption-presidency-mocks-pdp-as.html

Innocent Chukwuma, the Chairman of Innoson Motors Ltd, on Wednesday in Lagos failed to appear for his scheduled arraignment for the sixth time over alleged fraud.

Chukwuma was scheduled to appear before a new judge, Justice Olusola Williams, at an Ikeja Special Offences Court.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Mojisola Dada, the judge initially assigned to hear the case, had withdrawn following Innoson’s February 12 petition to the National Judicial Council (NJC).

Following the absence of the automobile CEO in court on Wednesday, Williams asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to produce him for arraignment on the new date of sitting.

The judge said: “I believe it is the job of the prosecution to bring the defendant to court.

“The judge is just to make an order that he should appear in court but we cannot enforce the order. The responsibility still lies on the EFCC to make sure he is in court,”

Mr Chukwuma had previously failed to appear before Mr Dada five times and had been declared wanted by the judge following a request by the EFCC.

Earlier during proceedings, Anselem Ozioko, the lead EFCC counsel informed the court that the Innoson CEO and his legal representatives were absent in court.

“My Lord, it appears that the second defendant and my learned colleagues from the other side are not in court.He has refused to come for his arraignment for the sixth time even when the matter was before your learned brother, Justice Dada, despite all efforts to bring him here.

“He has also filed seven different applications in between the period he was supposed to be arraigned,the applications filed by Chukwuma to allegedly stall his arraignment are an application challenging the jurisdiction of the court, an application to disqualify himself from the charge before the court.

“Others are an order of stay of execution on bench warrant issued by the court and a stay of execution of warrant of arrest.

“He has refused to honour the court’s order by his continuous absence in court after he was granted an administrative bail by the EFCC.

“My Lord, in view of the absence of the defendant, we shall be asking for an adjournment date.”

The Presiding Judge, however, adjourned the case until October 10 for arraignment.

Chukwuma and his company, Innoson Motors Nigeria Ltd., were to be arraigned on a four-count charge of conspiracy to obtain property by false pretences, stealing and forgery in a transaction with Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB).

According to the charge, the defendants committed the offences between 2009 and July 2011 in Lagos.

The EFCC alleged that the defendants with intent to defraud, conspired to obtain by false pretences containers of motorcycle, spare parts and raw materials, property of GTB from Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd, Apapa, Lagos.

The offences contravened Sections 1(1)(b), 1(3), and 8(a) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2016 and Sections 309(9), 388, 465 and 467(1)(j) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State 2003.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/again-court-orders-efcc-to-produce.html

Otunba Adebayo Christopher Alao-Akaka, a former governor of Oyo State, has declared his intention to contest the state governorship election under the flagship of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Alao-Akala declared his intentions in his Bodija residence, while receiving letters of offer to contest which was presented to him by Dr Fola Akinosun, the chairman of Akala Support Group, in Ibadan, on Wednesday.

He said, “With all sense of responsibility and with a view to consolidating and surpassing the achievements recorded so far by Governor Abiola Ajimobi towards making Oyo State better, I, Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala, having communed with my creator, the Almighty God, my immediate family and due consultations with the critical stakeholders, do solemnly offer myself to contest for the governorship seat of Oyo state come 2019; So help me,God. “

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/oyo-2019-alao-akala-declares-to-run-for.html

Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, has declared readiness to lead fight against killer herdsmen.

Adams, who called for a South-West Security Summit to discuss herdsmen killings in the region, stated that events of the last few months have shown that Nigeria is at the crossroads.

A statement he personally signed and made available to DAILY POST lamented that blood thirsty maniacs are on the rampage, killing and maiming innocent Nigerians.

It reads: “The insecurity in the land is reaching an alarming peak. Pitiably, the ‘clear and present danger’ today is that the government seems helpless to curtail the situation.

“In some sections of the country, it is no longer ‘breaking news’ that marauders kill farmers at will.

“Because these killings are giving patriotic Nigerians the creeps, patriots are shouting themselves hoarse, telling the government to do something urgently to check the trend.

“While members of the comity of nations are alarmed about happenings in our country, it appears as if they are crying more than the bereaved.

“Although the government has promised to check the rampaging lunatics, Nigerians are still not convinced of a decisive clampdown on these killers.

“Thousands of lives have been lost to these sons of Lucifer, but it is strange that not even a single arrest or prosecution has been affected.

“When I was installed as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland by His Imperial Majesty, Iku Baba Yeye and Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, on January 13, 2018, I vowed that I would do everything to project the image and protect the name of Yorubaland.

“Sadly, my zeal to protect Yorubaland and the will of millions of Yoruba to defend their fatherland are being tested with the invasion of some parts of our land by these killers.

“I find it difficult to comprehend this open insult that some killers, whose kinsmen live in our villages, towns and cities, will invade Yorubaland at will, kidnap, rape and, in some bizarre situations, kill some of our sons and daughters.

“The borders of Ekiti, Ondo, Oyo and Kogi states are becoming too hot for indigenes as many people have been kidnapped, leading to soldiers going after these killers deep inside the forest.

“Recently, the Officer-in-Charge of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Saki Unit, Oyo State Police Command, was killed by these marauders.

“I ask, if we allow killings of innocent farmers and destruction of farmlands in any part of Yorubaland to continue, where is our determination to defend the Yoruba society, values and territory? Obviously, our silence is being misconstrued for foolishness.

“We cannot continue to expose the flanks of Yoruba societies and communities to incursions and attacks because we have enough hunters, traditionalists, farmers and ancestral security outfits to commence the maximum protection of all parts of Yorubaland.

“Strangers are gradually taking over parts of our land but according to history, marauders, arsonists and murderous gangs failed, and will continue to fail, to conquer Yorubaland.

“The first fundamental right of a Nigerian is the ‘Right to Life’. The day will never come when Yoruba men, women, adults and infants can no longer move freely in their fatherland.

“Insult from these killers to the Yoruba Nation is gradually creeping in. You will recall that Senator Ayo Arise was recently abducted on his way to Abuja. A Methodist priest was also abducted in Osun.

“Our traditional institution was desecrated on June 23 when Olori Olukemi Agunloye, the wife of Oba Samuel Kehinde Agunloye, the Alauga of Auga Akoko, in Akoko North-East Local Government Area of Ondo State, was abducted on the notorious Auga/Ise Road in the Akoko area of the state.

“The next day, more than 200 innocent men, women and children were killed in Plateau State. Are we going to wait for this type of barbaric killing to happen before we rise against this evil in Yorubaland? Time to check this madness is now.

“Therefore, I urge the government to urgently liaise with Executives in Yorubaland to convene a South-West Security Summit to be held in one of the state capitals. The meeting will involve, among others, traditional rulers, religious and opinion leaders, farmers, businessmen, herders and security agents in the region.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/im-prepared-to-lead-fight-against.html

The Lagos State Government has concluded plans to prosecute the owner and driver of the ill-fated fuel tanker which exploded last Thursday on Otedola Bridge, towards Ojodu Berger, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

The State’s Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal, made this disclosure on Monday.

The information was contained in a Facebook post by The Lagos State Government.

Confirming receipt of the letter while briefing Government House Correspondents after the Security Council Meeting chaired by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Edgal said investigations into the incident were ongoing, saying that government would not allow vehicles that pose serious danger to residents on the road.

“As regards investigation into the matter, it is in top gear. I have just received a letter from the office of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice which stated very clearly charges which we are going to prefer against the driver and the owner of that tanker.

“Henceforth, we are using this opportunity to call on all tanker drivers, all lorry drivers, all owners of such articulated vehicles to please submit those vehicles for Vehicle Inspection Office test; they must go through the entire hub and get the Ministry of Transportation Certificate of Road Worthiness. We will not allow such vehicles which obviously pose serious danger to other road users on our roads,” Edgal said.

The State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem had, at the weekend, written to the CP to advise him on the relevant provisions of the law that could guide the ongoing investigation which would lead to possible prosecution.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/otedola-bridge-fire-lagos-uncovers-what.html

Femi Fani-Kayode, former Aviation Minister, has lashed out at the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain described the Vice President as a “very sick man.”

Fani-Kayode was reacting to Osinbajo’s reported declaration that farmers, who lost family members to herdsmen will be given money.

In a tweet, the former Minister wrote: “The farmer’s family that were killed by Fulanis will be given money. If your family member was affected, you qualify for the money – Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

“Yemi Osinbajo is a very sick man, a very sick man indeed.”

He also berated President Muhammadu Buhari over claims that more people died during the administration of PDP.

“More people were killed in Zamfara than in Plateau and Benue put together – Pres. Buhari.

“More people were killed under PDP than under our government”- Femi Adesina.

“All these people want is blood, blood and even more blood for ritual sacrifice. They are killing for power,” he tweeted.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/herdsmen-killings-you-are-very-sick.html

The Anambra State Government has barred army and police officers from using motorcycles, as a way of checking any form of abuse on the ban on commercial motorcyclists, which takes effect from Sunday.

The state Commissioner for Transport, Mr Uchenna Okafor, who disclosed this, said the move was to forestall abuse on the ban as was with the previous restriction on various streets, which saw uniformed men taking advantage to ply restricted routes.

Okafor said: “The ban on motorcycle operators is total. There will be no exceptions. We’ve met with the police and army authorities, and made it clear that their personnel won’t be allowed to ride motorcycles in the areas affected by the ban.

“We are not exempting anybody. It’s total and comprehensive. By July 1, no Okada will be seen on any road in Awka and Onitsha areas. It’s total.”

He said that by the ban on motorcycle operators in the state, over “1,000 thieves” would be weeded out.

“It is not in doubt that some of these Okada operators are criminals. They are the people snatching bags from women and students. With this ban, over 1,000 thieves will leave the state because they have lost their jobs,” he said.

The commissioner said Governor Willie Obiano has ordered no fewer than 1,000 shuttle buses from Japan to cushion the effect of the ban on “genuine motorcycle operators” in Awka and Onitsha areas of the state.

He said the buses were being expected in the state any time soon.

According to him, “The buses were ordered from Japan and would soon arrive the state at the cost of about N700,000 each.

“The disbursement of the buses would be handled by the Anambra Small Business Agency, ASBA and many commercial motorcycle operators have been visiting there in Awka to obtain information on the modalities for the acquisition of the buses.”

He said the beneficiaries would be given interest- free loans with which to purchase the buses, adding that the only condition to obtain the loan would be the provision of credible guarantors and attestations.

The commissioner said the buses would be available for both indigenes and non-indigenes, who were commercial motorcyclists, and wished to transmute to commercial bus drivers.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/okada-ban-anambra-govt-bars-soldiers.html

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has reacted to Thursday’s tanker explosion that occurred on Otedola Bridge, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

DAILY POST had reported that no fewer than 9 people died in the fuel tanker mishap.

The Federal Road safety Corps, FRSC, in a statement on its official Twitter handle, confirmed that 54 vehicles were burnt to ashes.

Reacting, Atiku, on Twitter, commiserated with Nigerians on the sad incident.

He wrote, “”My thoughts are with the fellow Nigerians who have lost lives and property in the tanker fire in Lagos.

“My prayers go out to the first responders working hard to bring the blaze under control.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/otedola-bridge-atiku-reacts-to-fatal.html

A yet to be identified man has filmed himself brutally beating his wife just for fun, then it was shared online.

The disturbing video showing the beating has gone viral and angered viewers.

In it, the Mobile Alabama man is seen slapping the woman and stomping on her as she tries unsuccessfully to protect herself from the blows.

The video was recorded by a family member who did nothing to stop the assault.

According to reports, the abusive man accused his wife of “telling their business” to the man’s son from a previous relationship.

Watch the domestic violence incident here.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/man-livestreams-video-of-himself.html