₦airaland Forum

Mr. Ibrahim David Salami, a lawyer to Yoruba activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo alias Sunday Igboho has revealed that the Nigerian government did not file any case against his client in court.

Salami, during an interview with BBC Yoruba on Tuesday afternoon, disclosed that he was shocked to find out on Monday that Nigerian authorities did not have any representative in court or any extradition case as earlier reported against the embattled secessionist leader.

POLITICS NIGERIA recalls that Igboho has been in hot water since last week after he was arrested at the Cadjehoun airport in Cotonou, Benin Republic alongside his wife on their way to Germany.

Salami said in Yoruba; "We’ve been at the court before 8:00 am, and we explained earlier that it was three stations -the first, is that of the prosecutor, the second is that of the investigating judge. But when we got to the prosecutor (8am to 2pm), he didn’t receive us on time, perhaps because he had a lot of works to do… after 2pm, he received us, and he explained that we would have to return to the investigating judge."

"And when we got to the investigating judge, which was about 3:00pm in the noon, he accepted us around 4:00pm… then we started talking till around 6:00pm… When we left there, it moved to judge of liberty, and detention, who would decide his fate. It was there we stayed till it was very late."

"What is surprising for me is that, since I started representing people as their lawyer, I haven’t seen such. At first, they said he’s on trial because he committed an offence in Nigeria, and his arrest in Benin Republic was on the order of the Nigerian government.. and that was what we were working on. But when we got to the prosecutor, we were told that it was only because of that, as Igboho didn’t commit any offense in Benin Republic, and nothing like the passport issue as it was speculated."

"They put him on trial due to the offense he allegedly committed in Nigeria, but when we got to the investigating judge, he told us a different thing entirely.. Sunday Igboho, however, defended himself, saying he didn’t commit any offense in Nigeria, and in fact, the Nigerian government has never for once queried him, and he didn’t go to the police station because of the alleged crime, not to talk of sleeping in a cell. Igboho said he was only making efforts to organize meetings, and championing cause for Yoruba nation, as against the Fulanis. And that was why the Nigerian government wanted to kill him, and that was why he ran away from Nigeria and came to Benin."

"So, it was when we left there, we went to meet the Liberty judge, who then asked Igboho, when did he enter Benin and how long was he in the country before his arrest…Igboho then explained that he left Nigeria on Sunday and came to Benin on Monday, and it was in the late hours of that day, he made efforts to secure tickets to go to Germany, then the judge asked him whose house did he live in before going to the airport… The judge was able to discover that Igboho didn’t spend up to a day in Benin before embarking on his trip to Germany."

"The judge said Igboho was part of some hoodlums who wanted to unleash mayhem in Benin. What surprised us was when the judge said it wasn’t because of what Igboho did in Nigeria that he was arrested. The judge said it wasn’t because Igboho committed an offense in Nigeria was why he was arrested. The judge said Igboho was arrested because he committed a crime in Benin, and pending the conclusion of the ongoing investigation about the crime he committed in the country, he had to send Igboho to prison."

He added that the Nigerian government possibly didn't even file any case against Igboho.

In his words; "Before God and man, there was no representative from Nigeria. No one came to stand as a representative from Nigeria to say, “try Sunday Igboho”."

"In fact, there was nothing in the case file that indicates the Nigerian government said he should be extradited."

"The case he has, as the Judges told us, is with the Benin Republic Government."

He revealed that the judges ordered that Igboho should be transferred to Prison until all those involved in his activities in Benin Republic are apprehended. Igboho is currently in a prison in Benin Republic pending the outcome of investigations.

The Adamawa state government, on Tuesday told a Federal High Court, Abuja, that former Vice President Atiku Abukakar was eligible to vie for the office of the president.

POLITICS NIGERIA learned that the Attorney-General (AG) of Adamawa, Afraimu Jingi, told Justice Inyang Ekwo while moving a motion on notice, seeking to be joined in the suit filed by a group against Atiku and three others.

The group, an Incorporated Trustees of Egalitarian Mission for Africa (EMA), in a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/177/2019 had sued Atiku, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) as 1st to 4th respondents respectively.

EMA is challenging Atiku’s eligibility to contest for presidency on the grounds that he was not a Nigerian citizen by birth. The group asked the court to hold among others, that considering the provisions of Sections 25(1) &(2) and 131(a) of the constitution and the circumstances surrounding the former vice president’s birth, he cannot contest for the top office.

But Jingi, through his lawyer, Chief L.D. Nzadon, in the motion dated April 26 and filed June 24, sought an order of the court to be joined in the matter.

Moving the motion, Nzadon based his argument on 21 grounds. The lawyer described the matter as “a public interest suit to ensure that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) is complied with in the election of the President of Nigeria.”

He said the Adamawa AG is a chief law officer of the state who must be brought in as a party.
“The Attorney-General is traditionally the guardian of the public interest in any public interest litigation,” he added.

According to him, this matter can not be effectively and conclusively determined unless the Attorney General of Adamawa is joined as a party.

Nzadon said Atiku, against whom the suit was primarily directed, is a citizen of Nigeria from Adamawa who had been elected as a Governor of the state in 1999 and served as the vice president of the country between 1999 to 2007.

He said the suit threatens the right of not just the ex-vice president to contest the office of president “but that of the citizens of Nigeria of Adamawa State origin covering 12 out of the 21 Local Government Areas in the state.”

The lawyer listed the local government areas to include Ganye, Jada, Toungo, part of Mayo-Belwa, part of Fufore, part of Song, part of Hong, Maiha, Mubi-North, Mubi-South, Michika and Madagali.

He said the total population of the citizens of Nigeria from Adamawa who would be affected by the outcome of the suit was about 2 million people going by the 2006 National Population Census.

“Every citizen of Nigeria whatever his ethnic, religious or cultural background or persuasion should have the same right to vie for any political position under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as any other citizen.”

“To disenfranchise the citizens of the 12 local government areas of Adamawa State in relation to the office of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is to discriminate against them contrary to Section 42(1)(a), (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended),” Nzadon told the court.

According to him, Adamawa has the highest number of Nigerian citizens from the former Trust Territories of Northern Cameroon of the three states that have such citizens, to wit: Adamawa, Taraba and Borno States.

The lawyer said it would be extremely difficult to get each one of these Nigerian citizens to defend this action in court. “This is a public interest Suit and can best be defended by the Adamawa State Government through its Chief Law Officer, the Attorney General of Adamawa State.”

“This cause will be defeated by the non-joinder of the citizens whose civil rights and obligations will be affected in violation of Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended),” he said.

“The citizens of Adamawa in the 12 local government areas ought to have been joined as necessary parties to this suit but were not. The presence of the said citizens is necessary to enable the court to effectually and conclusively adjudicate upon and settle the questions involved in the action.”

“The government and people of Adamawa State have a greater interest in this suit than the 4th respondent (AGF). It is the constitutional responsibility of the Adamawa Government to advance and protect the political, social and economic interests of the citizens of Nigeria from Adamawa State.”

“The applicant is a necessary party to this suit without whose joinder the citizenship issues affecting the indigenes of Adamawa State from the 12 of the 21 local government areas in the state can not be determined with finality,” the lawyer said.

Since counsel to other parties in the suit did not oppose the motion, Justice Ekwo granted the prayer. The judge, who gave the applicant seven days to file and serve all their processes, adjourned the matter until Sept. 27 for hearing of the substantive suit.

Both Atiku and the PDP had since asked the court to dismiss the suit which they said was grossly lacking in merit. In a preliminary objection be jointly filed with the PDP, Atiku, maintained that he is “a bonafide citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

He told the court that aside serving as Vice President from 1999 to 2007, he held many public/private offices in Nigeria, including serving as Governor of Adamawa State and as a Commissioned Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service.

He said both his parents, grandparents and great grandparents were born in Nigeria and they lived, died as Nigerians and were buried in Nigeria. Atiku told the court that he is qualified and eligible to be elected into the office of the President of Nigeria, adding that the Plaintiff filed the suit malafide.

“I know as a fact that this suit as filed by the Trustees of the Plaintiff is aimed at maligning the person and integrity of the 1st Defendant”.

He further queried the locus standi of the group to challenge his nationality, saying it failed to show before the court, the interest it has above other citizens of Nigeria to be entitled to the requisite jurisdiction to institute the action.

The absence of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu in court today has caused serious concern among his supporters and people in Diaspora.

This led to various speculations on Social media as conspiracy theories and postulations about the whereabouts of the secessionist leader spread like wild fire.

Notable among these was a report that Kanu was taken outside Abuja to an unknown location by operatives of the Department of state security service, DSS. It can be recalled that Kanu was re-arrested and brought back to Nigeria in June after 4 years of being on the run.

He is facing several charges amongst which are Terrorism, illegal possession of fire-arms and Treasonable Felony.

CLAIM: At about 3:53PM on Monday afternoon, a report appeared on a website, www.centapost.com, claiming that a lawyer in Kanu's team revealed to journalists in the premises of the Federal high court in Abuja, that the Afara-ukwu born secessionist leader had be taken out of the FCT and has not been seen in 10 days.

The report had the title; "Nnamdi Kanu Taken Out of Abuja, We Have Not Seen Him in Last 10 Days — Lawyer Cries Out"

VERIFICATION: Checks by POLITICS NIGERIA reveal that this report is false. A statement issued by Nnamdi Kanu's lead counsel, Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor, made available to this paper on Monday evening revealed that Kanu was never taken out of Abuja.

Ejiofor disclosed that Kanu is still in the custody of Department of State Security Services, DSS. He also admonished the general public to ignore any report that his client was secretly taken out of the capital city.

The statement read; "Henceforth, Our Client - Mazi Nnamdi Kanu cannot only be visited by his lawyers, but relatives and friends, provided it is only two persons in every of such visit, on his visiting Days. It is now an Order of the Court. Anybody within the above classification will be profiled by Our Head of Chambers."

"We will activate the judicial process to ensure that the Court is granted a Fiat to hear this Case during the Court’s Annual Vacation that commenced today."

"Our discrete findings confirmed that Our Client- Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was not taken out of Abuja to an unknown destination. Kindly ignore the rumour mongers. We will visit him again within the next 48 hours."

VERDICT: The claim that Nnamdi Kanu was taken out of Abuja by the DSS is FALSE

The Department of State Security Services, DSS failed to produce Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB in court on Monday leading to serious concerns.

POLITICS NIGERIA gathered that Kanu was unable to appear in court due to 'logistics reasons'. Presiding Justice, Binta Nyako refused to allow the trial commence in Kanu's absence.

She also turned down requests from Kanu's lawyers to transfer him from DSS custody to Kuje Prisons. Several members of IPOB were seen around the court premises chanting solidarity songs in support of their embattled leader.

This newspaper earlier reported that some IPOB members were arrested by security agents in the premises as they attempted to create disorder. Furthermore, Ex-AAC presidential candidate and Kanu's friend, Omoyele Sowore was also arrested and taken to a police station at Federal secretariat, 200 meters away from the court.

The case was adjourned to October 21st for further hearing.

Nigeria’s president, Muhammadu Buhari had been advised to seek an ‘out of court’ settlement in the case of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

Apex-Igbo group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, in a statement made available to POLITICS NIGERIA on Sunday, called on South-Eastern Governors and Igbo leaders of repute to prevail on the President to seek an ‘Out-of-court’ settlement with Kanu in order to maintain peace.

Kanu is set to appear in court on Monday for a continuation of his trial. It can be recalled that the embattled secessionist leader jumped bail and fled Nigeria in 2017 but was brought back to Nigeria earlier this month after being captured in Kenya.

The statement signed by Okechukwu Isiguzoro, secretary-general of the group, read; “We are calling for the quick political intervention of Southeastern Governors and Igbo politicians to persuade President Muhammadu Buhari to “Out-Of-Court” settlement in the court case of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu”.

The Organization also admonished sympathizers of Kanu and IPOB members to avoid protesting or agitating in court on Monday in order not to sabotage efforts that are currently underway to secure a ‘soft-landing’ for Kanu.

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, is set to appear in court on Monday July 26th as earlier scheduled.

It was widely reported that Kanu’s case may not come up on the said date due to an annual vacation for Nigerian Judges. The Judges’ Vacation is expected to last till September 17, 2021.

However, in a statement made available to POLITICS NIGERIA on Friday, Kanu’s lawyer, Barr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor revealed that the case will be called up for hearing as scheduled.

He wrote; “We have just received a confirmation from Federal Federal High Court Abuja, that Hearing on Our Client’s case above referred will still go on as earlier scheduled on Monday next week being the 26th Day of July 2021.”

The lawyer also called for prayers of Kanu’s supporters.

“Remember Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and the entire Legal team in your prayers. Thank you all and remain blessed.”, he wrote.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has called on the Economic and Financial crimes commission, EFCC, to prosecute former MD of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Hadiza Bala-Usman.

The Party in a statement issued on Thursday, signed by its Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbodiyan, disclosed that Bala-Usman allegedly looted the agency to the tune of N165 billion.

"The party insists that President Muhammadu Buhari should not just ‘ease out’ Bala Usman, but must go head to prosecute her over the alleged looting including revelations from the office of the Auditor General, which also unearthed the alleged stealing of unremitted deductions to Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) amounting to N3,667,750,470. $148,845,745.04, Euro 4,891,449.50 and £252,682.14 during her watch at NPA."

"The PDP charges the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately take in Bala Usman for questioning and prosecution over the alleged fraud, including the reported stealing of N15.18 billion through alleged shady Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects by the NPA."

The party also urged the EFCC to also investigateMinister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, under whose watch the alleged looting in NPA was perpetrated.

"The PDP restates that the fact that it took the minister a clear six years (2016 to 2021) to query the NPA Managing Director, over the looting of N165 billion unremitted operational surplus of the agency, raises public apprehensions of an afterthought, which only came after indicting audit documents had already been exposed."

An account belonging to the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB in the United States of America has been shutdown following concerns of suspected fraud.

POLITICS NIGERIA learned that the said account served as a central account for members to pay their monthly dues and contributions to the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

A statement by the head of IPOB directorate, Chika Edoziem revealed that the legal department of the group has directed that another account should be open to serve the same purpose.

Edoziem said that that the group received a report from the bank that some yet to be determined persons reported that they were operating a fraudulent account and subsequently requested that it should be closed down.

Although the group said it is yet to determine those who originated the fraud report, but noted that a new account has been directed by Kanu, through the legal department to be opened.

Edoziem also revealed that the Bank ordered for the account to be shut down over fraud.

The statement read in part: “Following a report to the bank by yet to be identified persons that this account is fraudulent, the bank requested that the account be closed,”.

Senator Ali Ndume has said that the issue of Electronic Voting is part of an idea hatched by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to rig the 2023 general elections.

Ndume's comments are coming shortly after the national assembly voted against the adoption of electronic transmission of votes. Speaking to Roots TV, Ndume said;

"This electronic voting they are talking about, i think its PDP's idea to rig the election because they are the ones that have the Yahoo-Yahoo boys, they are the ones that have 'puppy'.

"These are the people otherwise i don't see any reason for the cry out on this matter".

He continued further; "The truth of the matter is that we had 6 elections in this country and the one that was administered under the government of APC was adjudged to be very credible where you saw opposition winning elections under a sitting government. That was not the case during the PDP".

"If you are thinking is that APC is doing this to take advantage of it, we would have taken advantage of the previous elections that were conducted credibly".

POLITICS NIGERIA earlier reported that the PDP caucus in the house of reps on Friday, staged a walkout after their argument on adopting Electronic transmission of votes fell through.

The Nigerian House of Representatives has passed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill after much rancour.

Reps adopted the controversial electronic and manual transmission of results where applicable. It was gathered that the minority caucus(PDP) staged a walkout shortly before the bill was passed.

The electoral body released a list of candidates for the November 6 Governorship Election in Anambra state on Friday.

In the list published on Friday, INEC stated that in obedience to court orders, the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Mr Valentine Ozigbo and that of the All Progressives Grand Alliance APGA, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo had to be dropped.

The Senate Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday screened Lauretta Onochie, a personal assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari in consideration of her appointment as a commissioner of INEC.

The screening was done despite public outcry that she’s a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and would be partisan.

Responding to the criticisms that trailed her nomination and screening, Ms Onochie told the Senate that she resigned as a member of the ruling APC and also left active politics since the second election in 2019 that brought Mr Buhari into office.

“Since the 2019 elections, I have removed myself from active politics and even in the ongoing APC membership drive, I didn’t register and currently, I am not a member of any political party,” she said.

POLITICS NIGERIA, however, did a check on the verified twitter timeline of Ms Onochie and our findings revealed that she spoke about her ties with the party on June 24, 2020.

“There is DEFINITELY an APC e-NEC meeting TOMORROW. We are going through a growth process. Thank you everyone,” she posted on Twitter.

This newspaper also obtained an affidavit she swore to at the FCT High Court, Abuja and she stated in a paragraph that she is a member of the APC and was an active participant in a United Kingdom election where she also contested.

“I am also a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress and a volunteer at Buhari Support Organization,” part of the affidavit read.

Verdict

Based on available information, it is unarguable that Ms Onochie's statement to the Senate on Thursday that she left active politics since 2019 is 'False'

BUA Cement Plc, one of Africa’s largest Cement companies, today held its Annual General Meeting for the period ended December 31, 2020 whilst paying dividends of N70billion at N2.067k per ordinary share in a move that shareholders applauded. This is coming on the heels of a profitable year for the Cement producer with a turnover of N204bn and declared Profits After Tax of N72.3billion in the year under review.

Speaking at the AGM, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Chairman of BUA Cement, whilst addressing shareholders and the press, praised the efforts of the Yusuf Binji led management, staff, and customers of the company for ensuring that BUA Cement remained the cement of choice for quality in Nigeria.

In his comments on the increased demand for cement which had led to higher retail prices despite significantly lower ex-factory prices, Rabiu canvassed more investments in the cement industry saying that current national production levels across were not enough to meet the ever-increasing national demand for cement which was increasing at a rate over 3million metric tonnes per annum. He therefore canvassed new investments in the cement sector and encouraged other investors to develop new cement plants. It should be noted that BUA Cement is constructing a 3million metric tonnes which is expected to come on Stream in sokoto by the end of 2021 with new plants already in the works.

In his comments, Yusuf Binji, Managing Director of BUA Cement Plc, said BUA Cement is committed to remaining a value–driven, oriented company that prioritizes excellence and product quality. He also added that the company was well-poised to sustain current profitability despite the very competitive landscape. According to Binji, “Our value proposition, in terms of product and service support offerings has positioned BUA Cement as a market leader. In addition, we continue to prioritize innovation and continuous improvement, thereby ensuring the continued “fit” of our products to ever-changing customer demands and needs. We are also investing in the latest plant designs which not only drive efficiency but translate into value addition to our customer through the cost savings derived.

BUA Cement Plc is Nigeria’s second largest cement company and the largest producer in its North-West, South-South, and South-East regions; BUA Cement operates strategically from Okpella, Edo State and Kalambaina, Sokoto State. Currently, the second most capitalized manufacturing company on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), BUA Cement is committed to quality - a differentiating attribute, driven by its people, innovation, and technology; and positioned to solving Nigeria’s cement under capacity while driving economic growth and development.

Ndubuisi was the Managing director of the Scientific Equipment Development Initiative, SEDI. His Toyota Prado vehicle was riddled with bullets by the unknown gunmen along the Enugu Port-Harcourt Expressway.

His police orderly was also killed in the attack. Spokesperson of the Enugu state police command, ASP Daniel Ndukwe issued this statement on the incident stating;

"Information surrounding a shooting incident today, 07/07/2021 at about 1600hrs, along Enugu/Port-Harcourt Expressway, said to have led to the death of a man and his Police orderly, is still sketchy.

"Meanwhile, preliminary investigation has commenced. Further development will be duly communicated, please,”.

Ndubuisi was a Professor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering with contributions towards research and development of transformers, digital electricity meters, solar powered source of energy.

Nigeria's attorney-general of the Federation, Abubakar Malami has branded Alberta Justice Minister, Kelechi Madu an 'Empty Vessel' over his recent comments on Nnamdi Kanu's arrest.

POLITICS NIGERIA earlier reported that Madu attacked Malami calling him a 'disgrace to the rule of law', a statement that didn't go down well with the AGF. Madu stated; "He has shown himself to be a bigot who does not understand what it means to live in a pluralistic society governed by the dictates of the rule of law,".

In a robust response on Wednesday, Malami called the Canadian justice official an 'ignoramus', expressing disappointment that he faulted the manner in which the fugitive Kanu was arrested.

The statement read in part; "There was no illegality in the entire process and the question of illegality does not even arise. It is a common principle of the law that he who comes to equity must come with clean hands."

"Where was the so-called Madu when Nnamdi Kanu was inciting violence against the country? Why, as a lawyer, would Madu support a fugitive who jumped bail and accused of terrorism and treasonable felony? What stopped Madu from voicing out dissent on the atrocities of Kanu and their group?"

"It is important to educate the likes of Keleche Madu that both Nigeria (his country of birth) and Canada (where he claims to be practicing law) are signatories to the Multinational Treaty Agreement where, among others, fugitive fleeing justice in nations with similar agreement could be brought back to face justice."

"It is a pity that as a Solicitor General of a province, Madu failed to keep himself acquainted with the provisions of general laws of the country where he stays as well as international laws."

He also derided Madu stating that "Empty vessels make the loudest noise".

"We advise the so-called “learned man” to shelve his arrogance and learn to study the law books before opening his mouth to disgrace himself before the right thinking members of the society."

The fiery attorney-general took Madu to the cleaners, going ahead to cite Canadian law on the treatment of fugitives.

"We wish to draw the attention of Madu to the provisions of Consolidated Act Criminal Code under the Canadian Law R.S., C 1985, c. C-46:1-2 on Treason and other Offences vis:

“46(1) Every one commits high treason who, in Canada: (a) Kills or attempts to kill Her Majesty or does her any bodily harm tending to death or destruction, maims or wounds her, or imprisons or restrains her,

"(b) Levels war against Canada or does any act thereto; or

"(C) Assist an enemy at war with Canada or any armed forces against whom Canadian Forces are engaged in hostilities, whether or not a state of war exists between Canada and the country whose forces they are.

"46(2) Every one commits treason who, in Canada (a) Use force or violence for the purpose of overthrowing the government of Canada or a province;

"(b) Without lawful authority, communicates or makes available to an agent of a state other than Canada, military or scientific information or any sketch, plan, model, article, note or document of a military or scientific character that he knows or ought to know may be used by that state for a purpose prejudicial to the safety of defence of Canada;

"(c) Conspires with any person to commit high treason or do anything mentioned in paragraph;

"(d) Forms an intention to do anything that is high treason or that is mentioned in paragraph;

"(e) Conspires with any person to do anything mentioned in paragraph (b) or forms an intention to do anything mentioned in paragraph (b) and manifests intention by and overt act.”

A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, said that the former Finance Minister, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, did not need the National Youth Service Scheme (NYSC) exemption certificate to take up a ministerial appointment or vie for an elective office in the country.

POLITICS NIGERIA gathered that Justice Taiwo Taiwo, in a judgment, held that Adeosun was not qualified to have participated in the scheme when she graduated at 22 years because she was then a British citizen.

Justice Taiwo further held that as at when she formally returned to Nigeria and became a Nigerian citizen at over 30 years, she was not eligible to present herself for the NYSC service.

The judge said Adeosun or anyone did not require a discharge certificate of NYSC to qualify to contest election to the House of Representatives or be appointed a minister in Nigeria.The former finance minister, who was enmeshed in allegation of NYSC certificate forgery, resigned her appointment in 2018.

Adeosun, in an originating summon with suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/303/2021 filed on March 11 by her lawyer, Wole Olanipekun, SAN, listed the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) as the sole defendant.

Justice Taiwo, while delivering the judgment, stressed that the NYSC certificate, based on the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is not a mandatory requirement for holding a political office in the country. He held that Adeosun, from available facts, was a United Kingdom (UK) citizen having been born in the UK in 1967 and remained there till 2003 when she came back to Nigeria.

He said that Adeosun became a Nigerian citizen by virtue of the 1999 Constitution which came into force on May 29 of the year, therefore, the NYSC Act would have no effect on her.

Taiwo held that the former minister would have committed a grave crime against Nigeria if she had participated in the NYSC, having attained the exemption age of 36 years. The judge also noted that the AGF, in his counter affidavit, did not challenge the avirement of the plaintiff. He further noted that the defendant, in one of the paragraphs of the application, stated that the Federal Government neither withdrew the ministerial appointment of the plaintiff nor asked her to resign, but that Adeosun resigned on her on accord.

“I am of the view that denying the plaintiff of the relieves sought is not going to be doing justice to the matter,” the judge held.

The judge, therefore, granted all the four relieves sought for determination by the former minister.

In the application, she sought a declaration that she is under no constitutional disability, disadvantage, prohibition, inhibition or disqualification to hold any of the following offices established by the Constitution, to wit: offices of member of the House of Assembly of a State, a Commissioner in the State Executive Council; Governor of a State; member of the National Assembly; Minister in the Federal Executive Council, on grounds that she did not participate in the NYSC scheme, established by the National Youth Service Corps Act, CAP N84, LFN 2004, among others.

Maryam Katagum, Nigeria’s minister of state for trade and Investment collapsed during an official function in Bauchi on Monday.

POLITICS NIGERIA learned that Katagum was in the state to launch an empowerment programme when she suddenly slumped while trying to deliver a speech at the ceremony.

She was immediately rushed to the Trauma Center of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBU-TH).

An eyewitness disclosed that she “just held her head and slumped suddenly while officials rushed her to the hospital immediately,”.

Southern governors have unanimously stated that Nigeria’s next President in 2023 should emerge from the southern region.

The governors also set September 21, 2021, as the deadline for the promulgation of the anti-open grazing law among its member states.

This was announced by Rotimi Akeredolu, the governor of Ondo state, shortly after the closed-door meeting.

POLITICS NIGERIA earlier reported that the governors had earlier agreed to go ahead with the ban due to the numerous skirmishes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in the southern region.

The vocal minority will always have their say, but the silent majority will have their way. Nevertheless, it is capricious to let the pesky minority govern and dominate the narrative. A solitary story by a negligible decimal could be held as the belief and view of the bulk. This is why the silent Igbo majority who are opposed to the secessioning of the south-east from Nigeria need to speak up.

We cannot discount the perils, ills and concomitants of the civil war. But it has been 51 years since the end of the war, and the Igbo have built back better and stronger. We people every corner of Nigeria and have made where we settled our home. It is customary to find an Igbo native who can speak Hausa and Yoruba fluently – even much better than their indigenous tongue.

A united Nigeria remains a viable emporium for the enterprising Igbo.

With enduring resilience we have made magic out of the ordinary and turned dust into gold in the places we have settled. Whether in the north or in the south, we dominate commerce. We have forged bonds and made families with host communities. We have crossed bloodlines and have nourished our gene-pool with the rich ancestry of other peoples of Nigeria. We have become aboriginal Nigerians.

It gladdened me when the Igbo Delegate Assembly said in June they are opposed to the breakaway of the south-east from Nigeria. The Igbo leaders from the 19 northern states declared that there is a new tribe – The Northern Igbo. This melange of Igbo whose histories have become intertwined and many others with roots in the south-east and even resident there are in the majority.

Really, there is a new and only tribe – the aboriginal Nigerian; a cross-genetic breed.

Those crusading for the secession of the south-east today are deficient students of history and sociology. Even the late Odumegwu Ojukwu, the captain of the secessionist struggle during the war, regretted that devastating episode in our history. Ojukwu said: ‘’I don’t think the second war is necessary. We should have learnt from the first one.”

There is no victory in war; only pain, blood and death. Nobody should provoke another war in Igbo land. Ndi Igbo must not let the vocal minority drown them out. They must speak up and be heard.

At the weekend, I had a robust conversation on Nigeria and the south-east with some friends. It jogged something in me. While the claims of marginalisation by Ndi Igbo cannot be brushed off, Nigeria has not been all grim for the Igbo. The Igbo are perhaps the most financially fortunate of all groups in Nigeria. I recall, under the Jonathan administration, the Igbo ruled the commanding heights of the economy. They peopled strategic places in the government. In fact, the Jonathan administration was passed off as an Igbo government, and rightly so. What we did with that opportunity will be discussed in subsequent columns. But Nigeria has not been all ash and sackcloth for Ndi Igbo.

And who says we cannot seek justice and fairness within Nigeria? Operating in a democracy affords us several vehicles to realise whatever we seek – within the orbit of the constitution. But our pursuit of equity must not come with bloodshed. It must not be at the cost of precious human lives.

So, in our discussion, we idealised the possibility of a movement to drive the quiet thoughts of the silent Igbo majority. That is, a non-partisan and strictly ideological platform to mobilise Igbo voices and consciences for a united Nigeria and to counter secessionist narratives. We came up with the concept of ‘Ndi Igbo for One Nigeria’. Yes, Ndi Igbo stand for One Nigeria. Our voices should be louder than those who seek to divide us.

I believe many are reluctant to speak up for fear of violence. I have been threatened many times for my views, but my belief in a united Nigeria is stronger than my fear. Should we remain reticent by fit of fear and watch our years of hard work tumble down? Do we keep our hands suspended in the air while our kith and kin are slaughtered in avoidable violence?

The silent Igbo majority need to speak up. It is an existential struggle for us and our children. We need to rise up and take a stand. Nigeria belongs to us and every other Nigerian. We must hold the fort.

‘Ndi Igbo for One Nigeria’ berths and our voices against secessionist agitations just got louder.

By Fredrick ‘Mr OneNigeria’ Nwabufo
Twitter @FredrickNwabufo

Former Governor of Imo state, Emeka Ihedioha has denied ever hailing President Muhammadu Buhari over the arrest of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

A statement by his media aide, AIC Akwarandu, seen by POLITICS NIGERIA, claims that the report of Ihedioha's alleged praise of Buhari over Kanu's arrest was doctored by some 'mischief makers' in current Governor Hope Uzodinma's office.

The statement read; "Some days ago, some mischief makers working under the Imo Governor’s office, made a press release claiming that His Excellency, Emeka Ihedioha, commended President Buhari for the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu."

"The good news is that Nigerians all over who came across the news content already knew it was a fake news from the pit of hell. Most people called my attention to it and were not surprised when I disparaged it as a fake news."

"Nigerians are aware that His Excellency Emeka Ihedioha is a very courageous man who does not play hide and seek. He is also one whose Press release will not be a subject of clandestine circulation."

"Also worthy to note is that Emeka Ihedioha was not at any gathering at any point in recent time where such issues were discussed. The picture which the fake press release is being circulated with was taken when He paid a condolence visit to the Governor of Adamawa State on August 11th 2019."

"Those behind the said press release should hide their faces in shame and seek the face of God for forgiveness. It is worrisome that those circulating the fake press release are all media aides and media attaches at the Governor Hope Uzodinma’s office. Very shameful indeed."

"Nigerians and Ndi Imo should remain vigilant as such fake press statements will be pushed into the media from time to time by same agents of the Government."

The Lagos state police command has paraded several protesters arrested on Saturday in Ojota area of the state for participating in a rally calling for the break-up of Nigeria.

POLITICS NIGERIA earlier reported that officers from the Lagos command fired teargas and water cannons to disperse the protesters. The protesters had convened for what they branded 'Yoruba Nation rally', calling for the breakup of the country and an independent state for the Yorubas.

The protesters also expressed displeasure at the raid on the home of its leader and activist, Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as 'Sunday Igboho'. Below are photographs of the arrested protesters paraded by the command on Sunday afternoon.

A federal lawmaker, Abdulraheem Olawuyi, has reacted to allegation of embezzling N70m campaign funds made by Nigeria's information minister, Lai Mohammed.

Olawuyi, who is representing Kwara state's Ekiti/Isin/Irepodun/Oke-Ero constituency in the house of representatives, was accused of financial impropriety on Saturday.

POLITICS NIGERIA learned that the Minister who spoke at the inauguration of a new secretariat of the Kwara branch of the All Progressives Congress (APC), alleged that during the re-run election in Olawuyi's constituency, the lawmaker could only account for N30 million out of the N100 million raised.

“They should explain what happened to the balance of N70 million that Ajulo kept and refused to give us during the election," the minister said.

But Olawuyi, during a press conference on Sunday, debunked the allegations, describing them as "frivolous, baseless, wild".

"The minister is only being economical with the truth, petty and resorting to the politics of pull him down," the lawmaker stated. Stating his own account, Olawuyi stated that he personally handed over 32.5 million naira to the minister, following the donation of a Governor from one of the North central states.

"Let me give you the details by the details of what transpired in the build up to the by-election. A North Central State Governor reached out to me on personal ground to donate to the 2018 by-election and when the minister got wind of the donation, he immediately reached out to me and asked me to bring the money.

"However, I immediately contacted a few of our trusted party elders to intimate them of the development, but they counselled me against sending the money to the minister based on his antecedent with money."

"Also, on my own, I personally gave Alhaji Lai Muhammed the sum of N32.5m, with the full knowledge of the former party chairman, Bashiru Bolarinwa, for election purposes; the minister and Bashir Bolarinwa cannot deny this except there is no conscience left."

"It will also interest the public to know that one senior Federal Government official told Governor AbdulRazaq who was then the candidate of our party that Lai Mohammed reached out to him and claimed that there was no money for the bye-election campaign in Kwara."

"The official whose name I won't mention here spoke and pleaded with our Governorship candidate (now the Governor) and asked him to release N50 mullion to the minister, which was released but the money was never accounted for nor used for campaign purposes as envisaged," he narrated.

He, however, said if anyone is to be accused of mismanaging the 2018 campaign fund, it should be Lai Mohammed, "who till date cannot give details of how the money was spent."

Mr Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Lawyer to the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu has stated that his client needs urgent medical attention.

Ejiofor, in a statement made available to POLITICS NIGERIA on Friday, revealed that Kanu was tortured and subjected to inhumane treatment by security agents.

He added that his client is currently suffering from a heart ailment that requires urgent medical treatment.

"My Client - Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, was actually abducted by the accursed Kenya's Special Police Force on the 18th of June 2021 at their International Airport, and consequently taken to an undisclosed residence under dehumanizing conditions."

"He was tortured and subjected to all forms of inhuman treatment which worsened his health condition. *He was illegally detained for eight good DAYS in Kenya* before being transferred to their Nigerian counterpart."

"He was purportedly investigated on a bogus charge while in their custody, ostensibly, awaiting to be handed over after their findings proved him innocent of all the spurious allegations. They later beckoned on their Nigerian Counterpart to take over."

"Kenyan Government was deeply involved in the abduction, detention and ill-treatment of my Client before the illegal handover to their Nigerian counterpart."

"A scan of his heart showed that the heart has enlarged by 13% due to the dehumanizing treatment meted to him. There will be need for immediate proper medical examination and attention for him."

"Mazi Nnamdi Kanu conveyed his goodwill message to all IPOB family members worldwide, and craved for your unrelentless prayers. We are going back to the Court for the needful. Other details cannot be entertained here. His fortified legal team will address these infractions at the proper forum as we progress. Other details on our legal strategy, may not be made public."

A former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Chukwuma Soludo has emerged victorious in the Anambra governorship primary election of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

POLITICS NIGERIA learned that Soludo garnered 740 votes to defeat other challengers in the party. He will officially represent the party in the governorship election scheduled to hold on November 6, 2021.

It will be recalled that the former banker announced his intention to run for the state's top position in February. Current state governor, Willie Obiano amongst other topshots in the party were present at the event.

Cheers broke out as Soludo was announced winner of the contest that took place in the state capital, Awka.

A few weeks ago, Soludo narrowly escaped death after unknown gunmen attacked him and entourage while he was campaigning in Isuofia, Aguata LGA of the state. Three of his police aides were killed in the attack.

A medical practitioner, Akpe Emmanuel has accused a former Chairman of the House of Representatives ad-hoc committee on Petroleum Subsidy, Farouk Lawan of defrauding him of N10,000 in 2012.

The medical practitioner made the accusation in a Facebook post on Wednesday.

POLITICS NIGERIA reported how a High Court in Abuja sentenced Mr Lawan to seven years imprisonment after he was found guilty of a three count charge bordering on corruptly asking for and obtaining a bribe from Femi Otedola, in order to exonerate Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited from a list of companies that participated in the fuel subsidy fraud.

The court also ordered that Mr Lawan return the sum of $500,000 to the Federal Government.

Reacting to the development, Mr Emmanuel said Mr Lawan defrauded him of N10,000 while he was still working.

“in one of the biggest private hospitals in Abuja.”

“Hon Farouk Lawan walked into the Lab one night around 1:00 a.m. He came in with a request form and I billed him about N10,000 for all the investigations and asked that he go to the cashier to pay.”

“He begged that he didn’t come out with cash so I should run the tests for him and in the morning he will send one of his aides to bring the money. Because I knew who he was, I believed him. He took my phone number and gave me his.”

The medical practitioner however, said Mr Lawan refused to pay him.

“When I resumed in the evening for my night duty, I asked if his aide came to pay but was told he didn’t come. I called him but he didn’t pick his calls. I sent him SMS yet no response. After about a week of trying to reach him without success, I paid his Lab bills (N10,000). Till I left the hospital years later, Farouk Lawan never made any attempt to pay for his tests. In 2012, N10,000 was big money. It was painful but I let it go.This morning, I heard he has been sentenced to 7 years in prison for an offence he committed in 2012.Well, I wish him Goodluck!!!”, he wrote on Facebook.

The Nigerian Senate, through its spokesperson, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, has disclosed that the national assembly is not responsible for the renovation of the national assembly complex.

Basiru, in a statement sent to POLITICS NIGERIA on Tuesday, also added that no money has been released for renovation purposes. His comments are coming a day after images of the national assembly complex roof leaking rain water emerged online.

The statement read; "Contrary to the widespread falsehood being peddled both in the mainstream and online media as a fall out of the reported incident of the leaking roof of the National Assembly Complex after a heavy downpour on Tuesday, 21 June 2021, it is pertinent to inform the General Public that the National Assembly and its leadership is not responsible for the maintenance and renovation of the National Assembly Complex and they has not received a sum of 37 billion Naira or any amount for the renovation of the Complex.

"While it is true that an initial appropriation of the above stated sum was made due to the decaying nature of the National Assembly Complex which has not witnessed any major maintenance or overhauling since construction, the said amount was reduced to 9 billion Naira after the breakout of COVID-19 pandemic. Even with this reduction, the sum of 9 billion or any amount is yet to be cash backed or released to the National Assembly. None of this amount is even appropriated for the National Assembly bureaucracy or its leadership."

"It must be reiterated that the National Assembly Complex is a National Monument which falls under the purview of control of the Federal Capital Development Agency. In essence, the FCDA is responsible for its maintenance as well as renovation and not the Leadership of the National Assembly as being falsely bandied about."

"The leakage witnessed at the foyer of the National Assembly yesterday justifies the apprehension of the leadership of the National Assembly and the FCDA and further underscores the need for an urgent intervention in revamping the dilapidated structures within the complex before it falls into further dilapidation with the attendant huge cost of possible replacement."

Activist, Deji Adeyanju has weighed in on a brewing crisis in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Adeyanju, who is also a former spokesman of the party, disclosed that certain elements of the party are not in support of former vice president, Atiku Abubakar’s bid to contest for the party’s ticket again in 2023.

He revealed that Sokoto state governor, Aminu Tambuwal and Bauchi state governor, Bala Mohammed are the two politicians currently being considered for the party’s 2023 presidential ticket.

He wrote on social media; “PDP stakeholders want to present Tambuwal or Bala Mohd both serving Govs as presidential candidate & someone from South as VP in 2023.”

“They say everybody is tired of the Dubai man with dollars. Why won’t you guys present him now? I want to see you guys in opposition for 16yrs.”

“Many of them are so pained the man abandoned their party after election & relocated to Dubai for 2yrs but is now back to start campaign for another ticket. The only way PDP can get real sense is if they spend 16yrs in opposition. APC should present an acceptable candidate in 2023.”

“Another calculation is that if APC gives GEJ ticket for just 4yrs, Bala Mohd and some PDP governors will defect with him and the PDP might become empty but the law has technically barred Jonathan from contesting next election.”

Popular Telecoms provider, Airtel led the Losers' chart at the end of today's trading session at the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

The market made a bearish trend today posting losses that cleared out significant liquidity. POLITICS NIGERIA learned that the market breadth closed negative today as FIDSON led the chart of 18 Gainers and AIRTELAFR topped the 23 Losers chart.

NGX ASI Top gainers

FIDSON up +10.00% to close at N5.06
VITAFOAM up +9.68% to close at N13.60
REDSTAREX up +9.55% to close at N3.67
VERITASKAP up +9.09% to close at N0.24
CHAMS up +5.00% to close at N0.21

NGX ASI Top losers

AIRTELAFRI down -10.00% to close at N678.00
MBENEFIT down -7.32% to close at N0.38
CORNERST down -7.27% to close at N0.51
LEARNAFRCA down -6.48% to close at N1.01
IKEJAHOTEL down -6.19% to close at N0.91

Market experts have advised cautious buying as the market is facing a period of uncertainties