₦airaland Forum

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has reacted to the collapsed building incident, which killed two people at Jabi, Abuja.

It had been reported that a four-storey building, Friday, collapsed in the Jabi area of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, killing two people instantly.

An eyewitness, who spoke in a condition of anonymity, told Dailypost that the building collapsed because it was built with substandard materials.

Scores were reportedly still trapped as men of National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, the Nigeria Police and other security agencies have been mobilized to the scene for rescue operations.

Atiku, writing on his Twitter page, offered his condolences to the victims of the incident.

The former Vice President wrote: “My thoughts and prayers are with families of all those affected by the tragedy of the collapsed building in Jabi area of Abuja. May they be comforted.”

http://www.vondanews.com/atiku-speaks-on-collapsed-building-in-abuja/

A leader of the Reformed All Progressives Congress, R-APC, Kawu Baraje, has defected from the faction to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Baraje, made the announcement during a media conference in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on Thursday.

He lauded the PDP where he had served as Secretary and acting Chairman before defecting to APC.

On why he is defecting, Baraje said: “I belong to any party Senate President Bukola Saraki belongs to – the reason for my defection to PDP.”

His announcement comes about two weeks after Saraki defected from the APC to the opposition PDP.

Baraje, while announcing his defection from the APC, promised to stage a grand defection ceremony in his ward, Baboko, Ilorin soon

http://www.vondanews.com/baraje-joins-saraki-dumps-apc-for-pdp/

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has called on Nigerians to charge the leadership of the ruling party to face governance instead of distracting the nation with the issue of National Assembly.

In a statement signed on Thursday in Abuja, Frank said the APC has suddenly shifted the blame game from former President Goodluck Jonathan, who the party blamed for three years, to Senate President Bukola Saraki.

The Bayelsa-born politician said: “For good three years, APC was busy blaming former President Goodluck Jonathan for all its failures but it seems the last one year has been dedicated to blame Saraki for the same reason.

“Nigerians must wake up. We must not allow this unnecessary diversionary tactics. APC should tell Nigerians why it is difficult to rescue the remaining Chibok and Dapchi School girls, why insecurity is getting worse, why are people loosing job daily, why is it hard for many Nigerians to put food on their table daily?”

On talks about corruption, Frank challenged the APC government to probe the activities of its cabinet members in the last three years to know the level of corruption associated with the current administration.

“Why is it difficult for the presidency to speak or allow some of the cabinet members who are having one corruption allegation or the other hanging on their necks to be probed?

“Some appointees of this government have been allegedly named in certificate scandals and the presidency is not bothered. White papers in various states have indicted some others but the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari has decided to look the other way.

“I believe that Nigerians will judge right in the coming 2019 elections. The government of propaganda and deceit will be sent parking because all their lies are no longer hidden to the public,” he said.

http://www.vondanews.com/how-apc-is-giving-saraki-the-jonathan-treatment-timi-frank/

Reno Omokri, the former aide to ex president Goodluck Jonathan has attacked spokesman of the campaign organization for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari over his reaction to Bukola Saraki’s defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC)

Keyamo had said that the choice of leaders for 2019 would be between those who have returned to their vomits and those who never returned to lick their vomit.

He tweeted, ”The real joke is not on those politicians who vomit at will and shamelessly return to lick their vomits. It’s on those Nigs who hail & follow them back to their vomits thinking it’s all about national interest. Any sane Party should be relieved to see the back of such characters

”The choice before Nigs in 2019 has NEVER been this clearer: it is a choice between those who have returned to their vomits & are trying to package and sell it as porridge to Nigerians and those who have NEVER engaged in such disgusting enterprise of returning to lick their vomits.”

In response, Omokri said Buhari had defected from one political party to another more times than the Senate President.

He urged Keyamo to target his advise to Buhari instead.

“Dear Keyamo, don’t rewrite history. President Buhari has been in and out of more parties than Bukola Saraki.

“In 2002 he was in ANPP. On February 3, 2010 he resigned from ANPP. In 2011 he was in CPC. In 2014 he was in APC. Preach to Buhari not to Saraki,” Omokri tweeted.

http://www.vondanews.com/saraki-defection-omokri-slams-keyamo/

The Senator representing Sokoto South Senatorial District, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi Danbaba has boasted that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will win 10 northern states in the 2019 general elections.

Danbaba was among the lawmakers who recently dumped the All Progressives Congress, APC, to the PDP at the National Assembly.

Speaking to select journalists in Sokoto on Sunday, the senator said he did not regret dumping the APC on whose platform he became Senator because they were not being carried along.

Explaining further, he stated that he left the party because of lack of equity, justice and fairness to all members.

“The APC-led federal government has derailed from its mandate and failed to meet the yearnings of Nigerians,” he added.

Danbaba, who is also the vice chairman of the House Committee on Army, lamented that the APC has failed to address the three core issues facing the country, which are those of security, economy and corruption for which it was voted into power in 2015.

“I am the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army and I know how much that has been expended on security in the country. We are facing security challenges in Zamfara, Kaduna, Sokoto and many states and people are being killed,” he said.

He added, “No strategy has been adopted to tackle security. Villagers in Zamfara are now running to local government headquarters. So, the situation is getting worse in the country.”

Speaking further, the lawmaker stated that the President was being misled by selfish people who surrounded him for their personal benefits.

Danbaba was confident that the PDP would take over Benue, Kaduna, Kano, Plateau, Kogi, Kwara, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa and Sokoto states in 2019.

He also said that the balance of power was now tilted in favour of the PDP.

The senator accused the APC government of fighting perceived enemies in the name of fighting corruption, citing the travails of the Senate President.

http://www.vondanews.com/2019-sen-danbaba-names-10-northern-states-pdp-will-win/

A former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olabode George has disclosed that political parties in the country don’t have ideological differences.

The PDP chieftain stated this while featuring on Channels Television’s programme, Sunday Politics in Lagos, against the backdrop of recent wave of defections by politicians.

He said, “For me, if you look at the Nigerian politics, all political parties don’t have ideological differences – where you say far-right, far-left or centre-right, centre-left – we don’t have that.”

George continued, “The PDP is not a contraction; the PDP is not a congregation of strange bird fellows, we have our methodologies. We have a concept, the concept by which this party was established are still there.

“The question we need to ask our own electorate is are you better off today than before? If you are better off then vote APC and if you are not better off, you have that date with a history that you look and pray to God to direct you.”

http://www.vondanews.com/defections-nigerian-political-parties-lack-ideological-differences-bode-george/

The Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Cape Town, Professor Bongani Mayosi has died at the age of 51.

The University of Cape Town in s statement about his death said, “It is with great sadness that we‚ the Mayosi family‚ announce the passing of our husband‚ son‚ father‚ brother and uncle‚ Bongani Mayosi who died on the morning of 27 July 2018. In the last two years he has battled with depression and on that day took the desperate decision to end his life."

Mayosi was a cardiology professor who was awarded the county’s highest honour, the Order of Mapungubwe in 2009.

Mayosi was an A-rated National Research Foundation researcher. His research interests included rheumatic fever, tuberculosis pericarditis and cardiomyopathy. Until his death, he was a member of the Academy of Science of South Africa and a former President of the College of Physicians of South Africa.

http://www.vondanews.com/south-african-cardiologist-professor-commits-suicide-after-2-years-battling-with-depression/

The economy of Venezuela, an oil exporter like Nigeria, has gone fully bonkers. Inflation projected to hit 14,000 percent this year, has been reset by the International Monetary Fund to a mind-boggling one million percent.

Prices and inflation are rising so fast that the highest denomination bank notes minted in 2016 are already practically worthless.The biggest of those, 100,000 bolivars, would have bought five kilograms (11 pounds) of rice in 2017, now it’s barely enough for a single cigarette.

“If inflation continues at 100 percent a month,” the new 500 bolivar note, which will be the largest following the currency redenomination on August 20, “will be obsolete by December,” said economist Leonardo Vera.

Currently, a pair of reading glasses can cost one billion bolivars (about $300 on the black market). It would require 10,000 of the country’s largest bank note to pay for those in cash.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro: now wants to remove five zeros from the worthless currency
Some shops had resorted to weighing bank notes to determine their value rather than arduously counting them out.

Unsurprisingly, cash has practically vanished and electronic transfers reign.

Currently, a pair of reading glasses can cost one billion bolivars (about $300 on the black market). It would require 10,000 of the country’s largest bank note to pay for those in cash.

But few people could afford to buy those glasses anyway given they cost 200 times the minimum wage of five million bolivars a month.

As the country grapples with a financial and humanitarian crisis, shortages of food and medicines, and failing public services such as water, electricity and transport, President Nicolas Maduro is planning to zapping five zeros off Venezuela’s almost worthless currency. In March he had announced that he would strike three zeros off the bolivar bank notes, before upping that to five.

The question is how will this latest drastic move help drag Venezuela into recovery?

Henkel Garcia of economics consultancy Econometrica said the latest move of redenominating the bolivar is merely a “partial acknowledgement” of the hyperinflation crisis but “needs to be accompanied by economic reform in order to stop it,” said .

Venezuela has already been down this road, 10 years ago when Maduro’s predecessor Hugo Chavez tried the same trick by deleting three zeros.

“The redenomination in 2008 was a failure because we still ended up with hyperinflation,” said Asdrubal Oliveros, an economist with Ecoanalitica, another economics consultancy.

“The redenomination was made without accompanying policies to combat inflation so it didn’t tackle the causes.”

In the short term the move was a “transactional success,” said Garcia, but by “not containing inflation, that was completely lost.”

The government blames inflation on the opposition and the United States but, in reality, financing of the fiscal hole caused the monetary base to increase 250 fold in two years.

Industry and production minister Tareck El Aissami said the redenomination aims to “improve the spending power of the working classes.”

One tangible advantage, though, will be to ease the pressure on technology systems that are at breaking point due to transactions that run into billions of bolivars.

Many supermarkets, for example, have to divide sales into more than one transaction as their systems are limited to figures of 20 million.

“The monetary redenomination is to prevent the collapse of businesses’ financial systems: every transaction costs hundreds of millions or billions,” said Vera.

Practically the only product untouched by the inflation in this oil-rich country is petrol, which is why it is the cheapest in the world. A single dollar at its black market value could buy 3.3 million litres of petrol. Absurdly, once the redenomination is complete, a half bolivar — currently 50,000 bolivars, or less than two cents on the black market — would buy 50,000 litres.

Banking is affected too, with a source telling AFP that “there’s a real possibility of collapse.”

Practically the only product untouched by the inflation in this oil-rich country is petrol, which is why it is the cheapest in the world. A single dollar at its black market value could buy 3.3 million litres of petrol. Absurdly, once the redenomination is complete, a half bolivar — currently 50,000 bolivars, or less than two cents on the black market — would buy 50,000 litres.

Such a distortion makes it likely the government will be forced to adjust the price of fuel and other heavily-subsidized goods and services.

What could complicate matters, though, is if the government decides to run the old and new currencies concurrently, affecting small payments.

Currently it costs 50 bolivars to fill the tank of a small car. That transaction under the new currency would cost a half centimo — but the bolivar subunit centimo was long made obsolete by inflation.

Maduro has shown limited signs of applying measures to confront the crisis, suggesting he might ease controls on currency exchange, currently monopolized by the government.

Imports of raw materials and machinery will be exempt from tariffs to try to encourage production in the country.

But these measures will only work “if there is economic stability that attracts investment,” said economist Luis Vicente Leon.

http://www.vondanews.com/venezuelas-bolivar-currency-worthless-as-inflation-hits-1-million-percent/

The Peoples Democratic Party has accused the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and others, which it did not name, of allegedly exploiting the fragile health of President Muhammadu Buhari to spite Nigerians.

The party was responding to a claim by the former governor of Rivers State that even if Buhari contested from a sickbed in 2019, he would win in some core northern states.

The opposition party said Amaechi and others in government “actually know that the President is sick” and that Buhari did not possess the mental ability to lead the country.

The National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, who spoke to our correspondent, asked Nigerians to insist on a healthy president in 2019.

He said, “If Amaechi could say that the President would win on a sickbed, then he knows the health status of his principal. He knows that we have a sick leader who will not be able to give his maximum attention to the country.

“We don’t need such a man at this critical time. We need a President who will be able to work 24 hours and read all memos, stand at meetings and debate with people and the parliament. We don’t need a figurehead president that the likes of Amaechi are praying for.

“I know that people like him want a president they can deceive, who will not be on top of happenings in their ministries and in the country. They want a president who won’t watch television and who will not read newspapers. If that is what they want, they will meet their Waterloo in 2019.”

Secondus added that the battle ahead would be between what he called a desperate cabal and Nigerians who he said “will be desirous to get freed from the grip of the wicked.”

The National Publicity Secretary of the R-APC, Kassim Afegbua, said Nigerians deserved better than a President on a sickbed to provide leadership in the 21st century.

Afegbua said, “Unknown to Hon. Minister Amaechi, Nigerians do not want a man on sickbed, hence there is a general consensus that this present leadership should quit.

“The country is terminally ill as a result of bad and ineffective leadership. Nigerians have been prevailing on the President to sit down and offer leadership, but he has been racking his brain.”

Meanwhile, the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, has said he is still a member of the APC. The governor, who spoke through his Director-General, Media, Abubakar Shekara, stated this while reacting to claims by Amaechi.

Among others, Amaechi had said Tambuwal would defect from the APC, adding that Buhari would win Sokoto State without the governor in the APC.

Shekara said the governor would not take issue with the minister.

He stated, “My principal will right now, not take issue with anybody on who will win in what state, particularly Sokoto.

“Maybe, he would have reacted if the comment is centred on the candidate of another party and not the APC, which he is a bonafide member. How do you expect him to be taking issue with a fellow party member on the fortune of his party?”

Shekara also seized the opportunity to denounce speculations surrounding Tambuwal’s planned defection from the APC.

READ ALSO: I’ve Mark’s blessing to succeed him in Senate – Moro

He added, “Tambuwal is still a member of the APC, and if there would be need for him to defect to another party, he would make his stand known at the appropriate time.”

Amaechi could not be reached for comments as his mobile indicated that it was switched off when one our correspondents called him.

http://www.vondanews.com/nigerians-deserve-healthy-president-pdp-r-apc-tell-amaechi/

The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has fired back at the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole over his attack on him after his defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Speaking through Terver Akase, his Chief Press Secretary, Ortom wondered why Oshiomhole, who poured encomuims on him a few days ago at the party’s secretariat in Abuja, would now condemn him following his defection.

On Friday, Oshiomhole said that the party was relieved that Ortom has left party.

“I am relieved as national chairman, and I believe that the leadership of the party in Benue is also relieved that Ortom has left the party and returned to the club he belongs,” Oshiomhole tod newsmen.

But Akase lambasted the APC National Chairman’s sudden aggression towards Governor Ortom, saying it has, among other things, revealed the true oppressive intentions of the APC towards Nigerians.

He wrote: “Oshiomhole appears to be flying a kite of an agenda to intimidate and suppress Nigerians who desire freedom from a party which has clearly failed to secure lives and property, thereby ushering in an orgy of violence never before witnessed in the history of the country.


“Adams Oshiomhole’s diatribe against Governor Ortom has also revealed the plot hatched by APC leaders within and outside Benue to throw the state into political crisis ahead of the 2019 elections.

“Comrade Oshiomhole ought to be telling Nigerians why they should vote for APC next year instead of embarking on a voyage of attacks on perceived opponents. His unprovoked attack on Governor Ortom and other members of the opposition has not translated to a single vote for the APC.

“A man of supposed high political stature like Oshiomhole should rather be out to court the sympathy of the very few key actors still left in the APC even in the face of unprecedented frustration by anomalies in the party instead of launching laughable verbal assaults on those who can no longer stand the strange happenings within the party.

“Insulting almost all those who have left due to the party’s inability to address their grievances would only convince those yet to make up their minds that they are truly in the wrong place.

“Oshiomhole appears to be in a hurry to justify his moniker as an ‘undertaker’ who has come to evacuate what is left of the once popular APC into oblivion as recently observed by the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party.

“We advise the embattled Chairman to get busy with the job of his office and minimize his divisive and hate-filled statements. As a former governor, Oshiomhole ought to be statesmanly in his utterances.

“As the Chairman of the ruling party, he ought to speak with decorum and caution, to market his party and its candidates to Nigerians and not try to whip political opponents into silence.

“Another thing that should occupy Comrade Oshiomhole’s mind at time is the suit filed against him by Bishop Osadolor Anthony Ochie, an Edo based cleric and rights activist, on account of corruption while he served as governor of Edo State. Oshiomhole does not possess the moral credentials to accuse other leaders of corruption.

“On his take regarding security votes, we wonder what Oshiomhole hoped to achieve with such an accusation? Governor Ortom has not done anything outside the laid down procedures in addressing security challenges by a state governor. As a former governor, Comrade Oshiomhole should know this better.

“On his allegation that the Governor’s aides are among those killing people in the state, it seems Oshiomhole is privy to the ongoing investigation of the suspects arrested in connection with the murder of two Catholic priests and 17 worshipers at Mbalom, Gwer East local government area of Benue State.

“With his jumping into conclusion that the suspects were sponsored by the Governor, our suspicion is that either the investigation into the matter has been compromised or the APC National Chairman is influencing it. Benue people know who their killers are, and the attackers are believed to be sponsored by Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore and other Miyetti Allah groups.

“We advise the APC National Chairman to stop his shameful dance on the graves of innocent Benue children, pregnant women and others slaughtered by armed herdsmen.

“Governor Ortom won’t let APC’s latter day media attacks distract his administration from providing good governace to the people as he has been doing.

“Though the Benue State Governor has left APC, he appreciates the leadership and members of the party for recognising and appropriately praising him for his laudable achievements.

“We already alerted Nigerians, particularly the people of Benue State that these attacks on Governor Ortom will surely come from enemies of the state.”

Thirteen out of the 23 local government chairmen in Benue State have dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC).

They subsequently moved to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The local government bosses also pledged their loyalty to the state governor, Samuel Ortom after a meeting with the governor on Saturday in Makurdi.

Their defection comes days after Governor Ortom, announced his exit from the APC to the PDP.

Ortom had said that after various consultations with his party, he was advised to look for another party, stressing that his stay in the APC had expired.

In the same vein, the 13 local government chairmen have joined the wave of defections.

The chairmen include: Anthony Shawon of Guma local government, Justina Sorka of Buruku local government, Mwuese Ubebe of Konshisha local government, Blessing Unogwo of Ado local government, Virginia Kpindi of Katsina-Ala local government and George Alli of Otukpo local government.

Others are: Comfort Echeoda of Agatu local government, Francis Ayaga of Gwer West local government, Uaah Vitalis of Gwer East local government, Richard Nyajo of Logo local government, Ibellogo Tor of Tyokaa- Ukum local government, Adakole Abutu of Ohimini local government and Peter Onche of Obi local government.

http://www.vondanews.com/13-lg-chairmen-dump-apc-in-benue-join-pdp/

An Ilorin High Court has summoned the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to appear before it next Wednesday to justify the continued detention of Lekan Alabi, Personal Assistant to Kwara state Governor Abdulfattah Ahmed, who was arrested over the April 5, 2018 armed robbery in Offa.

This followed protest by lead counsel to the suspect, Adelodun Ibrahim, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

He bemoaned the failure of the police to release another suspect over the same incident, Alhaji Babatunde AbdulWahab, the Chief of Staff to the governor, who has been granted bail by another high court in the state.

Adelodun, leading four other lawyers, told newsmen after Thursday’s proceeding that the refusal of the police to obey the court order on AbdulWahab was worrisome as it portends grave dangers to the deepening of democracy and might lead to a loss of confidence in the fairness of the police to handle such cases among the populace.

The police was not represented at the proceeding although Adelodun told the court they had been served all the processes relating to the case. The case was brought to Ilorin following the refusal of a Federal High court in Abuja to hear it as the alleged crime was committed in Kwara state.

Alabi has been in detention since May 28, 2018 and has not been arraigned before any court of law, a development his counsel, Adelodun, argued is in contravention of the provisions of Order 4, Rules 3 and 4 of the Fundamental Rights enforcement procedure rules (2009) as well as Sections 34, 35, 36, 37, 41 And 46 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

In his ruling, Justice Adebayo Yusuf said there was nothing in the constitution that allows the detention of a suspect without trial for a period beyond 24 hours where there is a court or 48 hours in environment where there is no court.

“The position of the law is as stated by the leaned silk, however I’m inclined to hear from the respondent to come to court and show cause why the applicant should not be released from their custody, since they have been served the motion on notice,” the judge said, adding that it is clear that the police cannot change the constitution.

Adelodun, had while moving the application, pointed out that the detention of the applicant for 60 days without trial is a prima facie case of a breach of his rights to liberty as enshrined in section 35 (7) of the constitution and pointed out that Section 122 of the Evidence Act empowers the court to take judicial notice of the time involved in the exchange of written addresses and affidavit by parties which can compound the suffering of the applicant.

“We are not asking the court to declare our client guilty or innocent at this stage but the police has no right to keep a suspect forever”, he said citing the decision of the Appeal Court in the case of EFCC vs Akingbola, (2015 NWLR p1470,pgh249,pp290) to buttress his submission,” Adelodun said.

http://www.vondanews.com/offa-robbery-court-summons-ig-of-police-idris/

Former Manchester United boss, Sir Alex Ferguson, has spoken for the first time since he underwent brain surgery in May.

The 76-year-old was admitted to the Salford Royal Hospital for emergency surgery.

On Thursday, Manchester United posted a video on their social media platforms, with a message from Ferguson.

“Hello just a quick message, first of all to thank the medical staff at Macclesfield, Salford Royal and Alexandra hospitals.

“Believe me, without those people, who gave me such great care, I would not be sitting here today. So thank you from me and my family. Thank you very much.

“It has made me feel so humble, as all the messages I have had from all over the world wishing me the best and the good wishes do resonate very, very strongly with me, so thank you for that support you have given me.

“Lastly, I’ll be back later in the season to watch the team. In the meantime, all the best to Jose and the players. Thank you very much,” he said


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avCfzIdQ22U


From: http://www.vondanews.com/sir-alex-ferguson-speaks-first-time-after-emergency-brain-surgery/

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a businessman, John Abebe, who is a younger brother to the late former First Lady, Stella Obasanjo for alleged forgery.
Abebe, was arraigned on four counts before the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja on Thursday.

The EFCC, alleged that Abebe, “knowingly forged” a November 30, 1995 letter written by BP Exploration Nigeria Limited to Inducon (Nigeria) Ltd.

The anti-graft agency alleged that the businessman “illegally inserted” into page 2 of the said letter “the following statement, “Also note that the ‘Buy-Out Option’ only applies to the pre-production stage of the NPIA. The $4m buy-out is thus irrelevant from production of oil in any of our fields.”

According to the EFCC, Mr. Abebe also attempted to “pervert the course of justice” by tendering the allegedly forged November 30, 1995 letter “as a fabricated evidence” in court, in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/224/2010 between Dr. John Abebe, Inducon Nigeria Limited and Statoil Nigeria Limited.

The EFCC, however, has accused him of making an attempt to “mislead the court” by using fabricated evidence, contrary to Section 120 (2) of the Criminal Code Cap C17, Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003.

The prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that, Abebe violated Section 126 (2) of the Criminal Code Cap C17, Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003.

Oyedepo added that forgery was a violation of Section 467 of the Criminal Code Cap C17, Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.

The businessman, however, pleaded not guilty.

Justice Mojisola Dada, while adjourning the case ordered that Abebe be remanded in Ikoyi Prison.

http://www.vondanews.com/efcc-arraigns-stella-obasanjos-brother-for-alleged-forgery/

Nigeria

Uche Anichukwu, the Special Adviser to the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekwemmadu has provided update on the police siege on the Deputy Senat President’s home.

it was earlier reported that the home of the Deputy Senate President at the Legislative Quarters, Apo, Abuja was on Tuesday barricaded by security agents.

When asked to confirm Ekweremadu’s whereabouts, Anichukwu told Dailypost.ng that the Deputy Senate President’s “house is still under siege. I cannot confirm his whereabouts at the moment because I can’t have access to him and I can’t speak with him.”

The security operatives also besieged the Maitama, Abuja residence of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki as early as 7am and blocked his convoy as he was set to honour the police invitation at the force headquarters.

The incident has since generated a lot of reactions as some Senators have taken to different platforms to express their pains.

http://www.vondanews.com/ekweremadu-gives-update-on-his-whereabouts/

The aide to former president, Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, has condemned the invasion of the residences of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki

It had been earlier reported that the Police on Tuesday morning blocked the Senate President, Bukola Saraki’s convoy at Lake Chad junction in Abuja.

He was reportedly on his way to report to the police headquarters after he was invited for questioning by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris over Offa bank robbery.

According to him he said the what is happening is an act of tyranny by a leadership afraid of its own shadows

On his twitter page he wrote "What is happening to @bukolasaraki is an act of tyranny by a leadership afraid of its own shadows. You cant lay seige on the nation’s number 3 citizen as if he is a common criminal just to frustrate the suspected defection of people whose defection from PDP you celebrated!"

http://www.vondanews.com/reno-omkri-reacts-to-police-invasion-of-saraki-residence/

It is an unsafe time for the country’s lawmakers as early this morning heavily armed security operatives besieged the residences of both the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu.

It is even said that the whereabouts of Saraki is largely unknown.

It could be recalled that midnight yesterday, the police high command invited Saraki to appear before it for questioning over alleged murder allegation that happened in Kwara, his home state.

Also, with the residences of the two key principal officers of the Senate under siege, the hallowed chamber is unlikely to hold plenary today.

Political pundits attribute the whole development as a political scheming by the presidency to forestall the grand plan by the lawmakers who are members of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, from defecting en masse to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, today.

Meanwhile, there is uneasy calm in the National Assembly as many of the lawmakers are seen in groups meeting to find a way out of the looming political impasse.

http://www.vondanews.com/confusion-at-nass-as-whereabouts-of-saraki-ekweremadu-unknown/

The former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode has slammed President Buhari-led administration over the continued detention of embattled former National Security Adviser, NSA, Sambo Dasuki.

Buhari’s minister, Malami had on Thursday said Dasuki won’t be released despite bails granted to him.

He accused Dasuki of causing 100,000 deaths

Reacting, Fani Kayode on his Twitter page said the allegation by Malami that Dasuki killed Nigerians was a lie, calling on the government to obey the rule of law and release him.

The former minister also condemned the judiciary system in the country describing rule of law as ‘vile, irresponsible, shameful and utterly nauseating.’

He wrote, “Dasuki won’t be released despite numerous bails because he caused 100,000 deaths”– Min. of Justice Malami. This is a LIE from the pit of hell! you must stop believing your own propaganda. your govt is not above the law and whether u like it or not u MUST obey court orders!

“Col. Dasuki did not cause any deaths and he did not divert any money from funds for the war against Boko Haram. Yours is a lying, lawless, govt. that is scared of its own shadow, that is terrified of Dasuki and that refuses to obey court orders and abide by the rule of law.

“You cannot be the accuser, the prosecutor, the judge and the jury. You are NOT a court of law, you CANNOT pronounce guilt on the accused and your villainous contempt for due process, the rule of law and the judiciary is vile, irresponsible, shameful and utterly nauseating!”

Dasuki was arrested by operatives of the State Security Services in December 2015, over his alleged involvement in illegal possession of firearms.

The former NSA was also accused of diverting $2.1billion from his office while he served as NSA.

He is facing separate trials for the alleged offences.

Since his arrest in 2015, Dasuki has been granted bail multiple times by different courts. The latest bail was on July 17.

http://www.vondanews.com/dasuki-fani-kayode-attacks-malami-judiciary-over-allegations-of-killings/

Ok

ChristianNorth:
They were killing christians and their apologists were secretly celebrating in their bedrooms with their wives but now the chicken are coming home to roost.

Lol

bedspread:
Glad to see the Governors are Waking up

Yes

Bayelsa Governor, Seriake Dickson has declared that killings in Nigeria were premeditated.

He stated this in a lecture on “National Security, Cultural Values and the Challenges of Contemporary Governance, the Bayelsa Experience,” which he delivered in Abuja.

He said that when a nation was under attack or security challenge, the leaders, military, civilians, Christians, Muslims, must come together to address it.

The governor said that what was going on in Nigeria was more than the historical herdsmen and farmers’ clashes, pointing out that the country had lost many innocent souls to the killings.

“Who are the farmers having clashes with herdsmen in Sokoto, Zamfara and other places? We must call a spade a spade for the good of our country.

“We are dealing with a calculated attack on our country. We are dealing with machinery of violence against innocent Nigerians.

“Yes, we have historical incidents of herdsmen and farmers clash but what is going on is far more than that.

“All Nigerians and people of goodwill should show patriotism and let us interrogate these issues properly.”

Dickson also condemned what he called “politicisation of the security, law and order’’.

The governor advised political leaders not stay aloof to issues of insecurity but to work with the security agencies in fighting insecurity.

“Political leaders must be proactive, have a vision to better the lives of the people and must support the work of the security agencies.

“It is the responsibility of political leaders to support the work of men and women in uniform to address insecurity,” he said.

He advised President Muhammadu Buhari to lead the security agencies in addressing challenges in the country, saying that security was the first condition for development.

“Nigerians are right to demand for protection. They expect the security agencies to rise to the occasion and put an end to the killings that are moving from one state to the other.

“If the people are under attack by foreign gunmen, that is the more reason why the security forces and the President, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces should lead the security agencies to repel the foreign attack.

“If these merciless people are foreigners, it means that our nation is under attack, and the first duty of any government is to protect its citizens.

“We have lost enough innocent lives. Instead of these killings abating, it continues to spread.

“That is why I said what is going on in the middle belt, North-East, Niger Delta and other regions of the country is clearly the most potent national insecurity.

“It is an essential threat our country has faced since the civil war,’’ Dickson added

http://www.vondanews.com/killings-in-nigeria-planned-dickson-explodes/

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has once again come hard on the Buhari-led government, describing it as incompetent and incapable of addressing the killings and poverty in the country.

Obasanjo said this in a letter read on his behalf at a one-day national summit on insecurity and killings in Nigeria convened by the Northern Elders Forum, Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Pan Niger Delta Forum in Abuja yesterday July 18th.

Represented by former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Obasanjo stressed that President Buhari was, by his action and inaction, encouraging the killings in various parts of the country. He recalled the discussion he had with the elder statesman about the danger to the nation’s democracy when he hosted him (Ango) in Abeokuta some weeks ago.



“When you kindly paid me a visit a couple of weeks ago, we deliberated on the danger to our democracy, our common identity, our commonality of purpose, our dream and our unity in diversity. We lamented the harm that the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, by his action and inaction, has done and is doing to our commonwealth and our common heritage. The obvious indication is that the government is seemingly confused and has got to the end of its tether and the nation is being left divisively and perilously to drift. Earlier last week, I noted in a speech some undesirable elements being allowed and being introduced to our democracy by this administration. If these are not stopped, they could be the death knell of our democracy,” he said

http://www.vondanews.com/obasanjo-attacks-buhari-again-says-government-confused-incompetent-to-stem-killings/

Ekiti election: Coalition of international, domestic observers break silence on rigging

A coalition of domestic and international election observers accredited to observe the July 14 governorship poll in Ekiti State has finally come up with their observations during the polls.


According to the coalition, which comprises of a US group, the election fell short of global best practices and electoral standards.



The All Progressives Congress, APC candidate, John Kayode Fayemi, was declared winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.


The observers, which also had representatives from over 50 domestic organisations, human rights groups and international election observer bodies, based their report on lapses noticed in the conduct of the election, especially the role of security agencies.

They include Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness, Nigeria; Justice and Equity Organisation, Nigeria; International Republican Institute, United States of America; and Patriotic Women Foundation, Abuja, as well as the other bodies from the African Union, among others.

Although they praised INEC for the proper conduct of the poll in line with global and constitutional dictates and standards, the coalition faulted the deployment of 30, 000 policemen for the election.




They observed that the conduct of some of the security operatives and unwholesome practices of vote buying, where voters surreptitiously showed which party they voted to party agents who went behind to settle them, largely marred the electoral process.

The coalition further noted that the election was characterised by ballot box snatching, sporadic shootings and driving away of some party agents as well as intimidation, oppression and forceful influence of electorate’s free will, among others.

The observers, therefore, held that the July 14 poll could not be recommended as a template for the forthcoming 2019 general elections as it fell short of global standards and spelt doom.

Speaking to newsmen on Tuesday on behalf of the domestic observers, Gabriel Nwambu, of the Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness, Abuja, said, “The exercise witnessed a high level of unprecedented electoral related challenges and such abuse will remain contentious until justice prevails, especially in the areas of cash inducement, arrests of political stalwarts by security agents and snatching of electoral materials by political thugs, among other abuses.



“Party agents had huge cash and were close to voting points. Security agents were indifferent to cash inducement of voters. The whole process falls short of the compliance with international best standards.”

One of the International observers, Virginia Marumoa-Gae, of the IRI, USA, said trouble began at 11 am when “see and buy” started and this caused chaos across all the wards and polling units.

“Voters showed their ballot papers to party agents to collect money, thugs disrupted the voting process by shooting, but the police and other attaching security agents did well by establishing their presence at the polling units as stipulated by the constitution.

“We also noted that the INEC has improved on card readers this time,” she submitted.

http://www.vondanews.com/ekiti-election-coalition-of-international-domestic-observers-break-silence-on-rigging/

Zinedine Zidane is reportedly set to make a sensational return to Juventus as a sporting director, according to Spanish outlet, Libertad Digital.

Zidane resigned from his post as Real Madrid boss, after winning the Champions League title for a third successive year.

The Frenchman would be returning to the Serie A club 17 years after he left as a player, in a then world record €77.5m move to Real Madrid.


After hanging up his boots, Zidane worked upstairs at the Santiago Bernabeu, before replacing Rafa Benitez in 2016.

Zidane would work alongside current sporting director Fabio Paratici.

Paratici currently works alongside Beppe Marotta, the general manager, and the pair worked together to bring Cristiano Ronaldo to Turin in a £88m deal.

Should Zidane join Juventus, it would see him back working in conjunction with Ronaldo again, with the pair aiming for a fourth successive European crown.

http://www.vondanews.com/zidane-set-to-join-cristiano-ronaldo-at-juventus-2/

Married Conservative minister Andrew Griffiths, 47, has been forced to resign after more than 2,000 text messages of a sexual nature sent to a 28-year-old barmaid named Imogen Treharne and her friend were revealed.

In the thousands of texts, Mr Griffiths asked the women to send him explicit photos and videos. He also gave £700 to the women and offered to rent a flat to meet them for sex.


Mr Griffiths was formerly Theresa May’s chief of staff. He is understood to have sent the masses of messages over a period of just three weeks after he became friendly with the women on social media.


The crude texts included messages such as: "I’m going to need something filthy to put a smile on my face. I want to see you both naked."

Another read: "I’m thinking maybe we need a flat for Daddy’s girls. I’m taken by you both. You girls are spectacular."

He also bragged to the women that he was powerful in politics and referred to himself as "daddy" in multiple texts.

In one example he said: "Daddy’s busy running the country."



After the texts emerged, the Burton MP apologised and resigned as a Minister in the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy.

In a statement he said:

I am deeply ashamed at my behaviour which has caused untold distress to my wife and family, to whom I owe everything, and deep embarrassment to the Prime Minister and the Government I am so proud to serve.

He went on to apologise to his local Conservative Party and to his constituents in Burton, adding:

I do not seek to excuse my behaviour and will be seeking professional help to ensure it never happens again.

In time I hope to earn the forgiveness of all those who put their trust in me and that I have let down so terribly


http://www.vondanews.com/married-british-minister-resigns-after-thousands-of-sexual-texts-sent-to-women-leaks/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDYnajQiFXc

Ok

He should take the lion share of the blame

The Kwara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has warned the party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena to stop his campaign of uninformed comments against the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.


It cautioned Nabena to stay within the mandate of his new position and stop making unsavoury comments against the Senate President.

The state arm of the party said this in response to Nabena’s claim that Saraki should declare his stand, following the breakaway of Reformed-APC from the ruling party.


In a statement by its spokesperson, Sulyman Buhari, the party said Nabena should first clarify if he was speaking on behalf of APC’s National Working Committee, NWC, or he was “running errand” for some “faceless and mischievous elements who are his paymasters.”

The statement reads, “The Kwara APC has taken note of the immature display and lack of decorum by one Yekinni Nabena in a statement he issued today calling the Senate President names.

“Nabena needs to first clarify if he was speaking on behalf of the National Working Committee of the APC or representing some faceless and mischievous elements who are his paymasters.


“Instead of embarrassing himself with his meaningless diatribe that demonstrates his lack of decorum and immaturity for the position he has accidentally found himself, Nabena should focus on understanding what his current position entails.

“This is necessary because his preparedness and capacity have definitely been called into question by his antics. He definitely cannot use Saraki’s name to get cheap popularity and buy relevance.

“At the right time, our leader, the Senate President, who remains one of the founding fathers of the APC and a deciding factor in our national politics today, will make his decision known to the whole world when he is ready.

“As a grassroots politician who believes in carrying everyone along and works in the best interest of the people at the State and national levels, Saraki does not owe an unknown factor like Nabena any response or explanation. Instead, at the right time, I am sure that his friends, supporters, associates, all Nigerians and the entire world will know where he stands on issues regarding 2019 elections.

“Saraki that we know does not hide to play his politics. He plays in the open. Those who feel uncomfortable with his rising profile will continue to bell-ache for a long time to come. In fact, we enjoy the way he is making his opponents fret and suffer insomnia by his silence.”

http://www.vondanews.com/r-apc-buhari-attacks-apc-spokesperson-nabena-for-comment-on-saraki/