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Prosecutors in Florida on Friday said they have filed a slew of criminal charges against a 17-year-old accused of masterminding the massive hack of high-profile Twitter users in mid-July.

Investigators identified Florida resident Graham Ivan Clark as the “mastermind” of the cyberattack and arrested him in Tampa, Hillsborough state attorney Andrew Warren said.

The attack which Twitter said resulted from a “phone spear phishing” attack enabled the hackers to take control of accounts of famous people such as Bill Gates, Elon Musk and former US president Barack Obama and trick people into sending more than $100,000 worth of Bitcoin.



“This defendant lives here in Tampa, he committed the crime here, and he’ll be prosecuted here,” Warren added.

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5'
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POLITICS
Some persons against peace in Nigeria – Gowon
Published July 31, 2020

‌
Friday Olokor, Abuja


A former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd), on Thursday raised the alarm that some persons with sinister motives did not want peace to prevail in Nigeria.

Gowon, however, expressed optimism that through prayers, the country would overcome such challengers so that Nigeria would not break up.

He spoke at a thanksgiving service and reception in honour of the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, Rev. Yakubu Pam, at the National Christian Centre, Abuja.


Represented at the event by a former governor of Benue State and Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Senator George Akume, the former head of state also warned against undermining the territorial integrity of Nigeria.

Gowon said, “There are people with sinister motives who wouldn’t want peace, but through prayers we will overcome so that Nigeria will not go asunder. This country is too big and too versed, with a population of 200 million people. A scholar said that we are structurally complex and plurally diverse.


“If our territorial integrity is undermined, Somalia will be a child’s play. We don’t have to toy with our unity. You are in a very good position working closely with CAN and people of other faith, so that together, we can re-establish peace, push forward our agenda for our territorial integrity, push forward for our oneness so that together, supporting the President, we can take our country to the next level.”

During the event, the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, said Pam should use his position and relationship with the Christian Association of Nigeria “to sustain and improve intra-religious and inter-religious harmony among Nigerians for which you are well known.”



Earlier in his sermon, the President of CAN, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, said Nigeria had been crawling because of untrustworthy embezzlers and rogues in positions of leadership.

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NEWS
Human trafficking worse in US than Nigeria —NAPTIP
Published

‌
Eniola Akinkuotu, Abuja


The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons says the rate of human trafficking in the United States is higher than that of Nigeria.

The 2020 trafficking in persons report had placed Nigeria on a tier two watch list meaning that Nigeria failed to meet the minimum standards of compliance as regards human trafficking.

NAPTIP, however, rejected the report, insisting that Nigeria had a better track record than the US.

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Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Thursday, the Director-General of NAPTIP, Julie Okah-Donli, said it was curious that countries from which the victims are trafficked were placed on tier two while the countries that accept these victims are given favourable reports.

Responding to a question, the NAPTIP boss said, “I am not going to lose sleep about this report because it is very curious in the sense that the destination countries who are the beneficiaries of human trafficking are mainly on tier one while the tier two are the victims.


“Most of our girls and boys are trafficked there, taxes are collected from them, they are forced into prostitution, their organs are taken off them; they are forced into domestic servitude and all of that. I have said it to them that I do not understand how America can be on tier one.

“They don’t even have an agency that fights human trafficking. Nigeria has a whole agency fighting human trafficking. In America it is left to the NGOs and how can they be on tier one? The crime of human trafficking is worse in America than even in Nigeria. So, I don’t even know the criteria.”


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Okah-Donli said the report also centred on allegations that the Nigerian military was recruiting child soldiers and detaining children unjustly.

She, however, said this was false, adding that human trafficking ought to be streamlined.

“We have the Palermo Protocol and we are all signatories to that protocol. Why don’t you define human trafficking the way the Palermo Protocol defines it? Why are you bringing in extraneous matters in rating Nigeria? As far as I am concerned, Nigeria should be on tier one,” she said.

There are strong indications that the Ondo State Deputy Governor , Mr Agboola Ajayi , has concluded plans to dump the Peoples Democratic Party to join the Zenith Labour Party to contest the forthcoming governorship election .
Ajayi , who lost the PDP primary to Eyitayo Jegede last Wednesday , reportedly held meetings with leaders of the ZLP , as well as the National Leader of the party, who is also a former governor of the state , Dr Olusegun Mimiko , to work out the details.
A close associate of the deputy governor , who spoke on condition of anonymity , on Wednesday , said , “Ajayi has settled for the ZLP to run against Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and the PDP ’s candidate , Eyitayo Jegede . ”
When contacted, the Chief Press Secretary to the deputy governor , Mr Tope Okeowo, said he was not aware of the development .

The Peoples Democratic Party has postponed its scheduled party primaries in Ekiti , Niger, Sokoto and Taraba States indefinitely .
This was contained in a letter titled : “Re : Re : Year 2020 Party Congresses in 26 ( Twenty Six ) Chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) , Postponement of Party Congresses in Ekiti , Niger, Sokoto and Taraba States ” addressed to the Chairman , Independent National Electoral Commission , on Monday , July 27 th.
It was signed by the PDP National Chairman , Uche Secondus and National Secretary , Senator Umar Tsauri .
In the letter which was received and acknowledged by INEC on Tuesday , the party said it was postponing the primaries in the four states because of “unforeseen circumstances. ”
A copy of the letter sighted by The PUNCH late on Tuesday read in part “Please refer to our earlier letter with reference No : PDP / DOM CF . 2 /VolIC / 20 -094 , in which we informed the Commission ( INEC ) of our Time table and schedule of activities for the completion of the outstanding congresses of our party.
“Due to unforeseen circumstances we are compelled to postpone our planned congresses in the aforementioned states .
“We will communicate to the commission as soon as a new date is fixed .”
Recall that party stalwarts in the four states especially in Ekiti State were engaged in a war of attrition over the control of the party structure with some state chapters conducting parallel Congresses .
Only recently the faction loyal to former Ekiti State Governor , Ayo Fayose won a court case against the Senator Olujimi- led faction .
It was learnt that the national secretariat of the party is trying to first broker peace among feuding party members in the affected states before setting a date for the congresses .

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The People ’ s Democratic Party in Bauchi state has described the former Speaker of the House of Representatives , Yakubu Dogara as a “political prostitute” having defected from the party to the All Progressives Congress .
The PDP state Chairman , Hamza Akuyam, stated this in an interview with journalists on Monday .
He said that it was unfortunate that Dogara left the party pointing out that as Chairman , he will not want any of his members to leave .
He said , “Dogara wanted to leave the party before now; so the issues he brought are just baseless issues . If he had a problem of the inflation of contracts and others , he ought to have met the governor and discuss with him .
“Now , that he has left the PDP and he knew very well when he joined us in the runoff to the 2019 elections , he said the APC had failed the country , APC had done this and that so he had no reason to stay there . The only option he had then was for him to join the PDP which he said was better . Now this is a contradiction
“What I term him is a political prostitute or a normadic politician who doesn ’t stay in one place .
“As a former Speaker of the House of Representatives , he did say that there was nothing more honourable for him than to leave our party , but I want to challenge him that what is more honourable is for him to resign the position he occupies . ”
Akuyam said that the position Dogara was occupying belongs to the PDP , challenging him to resign the position and come back and contest it again in any other party if he is worthy of his name .
Meanwhile , the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party , Senator Walid Jibrin has said 2023 political calculations ahead of the 2023 elections was likely responsible for the exit of former Speaker of the House of Representatives , Yakubu Dogara from the PDP .
Jibrin said this in a statement to the media in Abuja , on Monday .
He said , he received the news about the exit of the former Speaker with mixed feelings because the former Speaker failed to avail himself with conflict resolution mechanisms available within the PDP before deciding to leave .
He said , “I am equally sorry for Dogara for not adhering to all avenues available in the party constitution for settlement of disputes or complaints by a member of the party .”
The BoT chairman also said he became more disturbed when he read reasons given by Dogara for his decamping considering his position as a former speaker .
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He also noted that the Dogara never raised any of the issues with him even though he , himself was a member of the PDP BoT.
READ ALSO : Buhari names railway stations after Awolowo , Tinubu, others
Jibrin said , “Considering seriously reasons given by Dogara for his decamping one is compelled to say that Mr . Dogara has other strong reasons for leaving PDP .
“I ’m beginning to suspect that former speaker has an underground motive for joining the APC
“I begin to suspect that Mr . Dogara has a plan of becoming president or Vice President in 2023 which he knows he will never archive in PDP .”
“I want to assure the former speaker that PDP shall continue to be very strong and united.”
and it’s doors remain open to all Nigerians therefore PDP will never accept any plan from anybody to destroy the party .“
He announced plans by the BoT and party leadership to visit Edo State to join in strengthening the Godwin Obaseki campaign in order to consolidate the gains so far recorded by his administration in the state .
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Following the continued killings in southern Kaduna communities despite the presence of security operatives, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has directed the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Umar Muri, to enforce the curfew imposed by the state government.

He also asked the CP to equally ensure optimal deployment of both human and material assets of the intervention squad currently on the ground to safeguard the lives and property of people in the affected communities.

No fewer than 63 persons had been allegedly killed by suspected Fulani militiamen in the past weeks.


The gunmen reportedly attacked three communities in Jema’a and Kaura Local Government Areas of Kaduna State and killed at least nine people on Saturday.

Eleven people were said to have sustained varying degrees of injuries during the attack. Several houses were also reportedly razed during the attacks.

The three communities attacked were Zikpak and Ungwan Masara (Fantsuam Chiefdom), both in Jema’a Local Government Area as well as Maraban Kagoro, in Kaura Local Government Area.


The killings had elicited withering criticisms against the state government which imposed a curfew on the affected areas.

But the force spokesman, DCP Frank Mba, in a statement on Monday, said the CP “is to personally coordinate the operations of the security operatives in the state comprising the Police Mobile Force, Counter Terrorism Unit, Special Forces, detectives/intelligence operatives as well as personnel of the Kaduna State police command and the military.”


The IG commiserated with the people of Kaduna State, particularly those who had lost their loved ones and property as a result of the crisis.


He enjoined the people to cooperate with the police and other law enforcement agencies as they enforced the curfew and other measures aimed at ensuring their safety.

“He warns troublemakers in the state to desist forthwith from acts of violence and lawlessness,” the statement noted.

A human rights group, Concerned Nigerians, has called on the Federal Government and the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir Elrufai, to put an end to the killings.


The convener of the group, Deji Adeyanju, in a statement described the attacks as shocking and despicable.

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6'


NEWS
Jonathan, not Buhari, signed Azura power deal – FG
PublishedJuly 27, 2020

‌
Olalekan Adetayo, Abuja



The Federal Government has resolved to formally engage the Senate with a view to clarifying some perceived misconceptions that featured last week when the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power, Gabriel Suswan, presented a report titled, “Addressing Nigeria’s power sector problems” for debate at plenary.

Suswan had said the regime of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), signed power agreements with Azura to generate 450MW of electricity.

But a top Presidency official told journalists in Abuja on Sunday that the Power Purchase Agreement became operational in April 2013 before the Buhari regime.


The Senate had expressed concern over the monthly payment of $30m by the Federal Government for power and resolved to assemble local and international experts to review the agreement.

The Senate said the payment had become statutory because of the Share Purchase Agreement signed by the Federal Government with Azura and ACU gas plants.

A newspaper (not The PUNCH) had said Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, who heads the Presidential Power Reform Transaction; and Mr Babatunde Fashola, who was in charge of power as of the time, could be targets of the proposed review by the Senate.


But the Presidency official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said since the agreement preceded the Buhari regime, Osinbajo and Fashola did not feature in the agreement and did not sign any contract.

He said, “Records show that the Power Purchase Agreement for the transaction in question was signed on April 22, 2013, during the tenure of the then President Goodluck Jonathan.”

He said top Federal Government officials would be communicating with the Senate to clarify this misconception.


READ ALSO: Bauchi outsources salaries to consultants, mismanages resources – Dogara


He added that there was nothing wrong in the Take or Pay Clause in the PPA, which obliges the Federal Government to pay for power declared available by the company, whether or not it is taken by the government-owned Transmission Company.

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“It is fairly standard, especially where, as in this case, the plant is a huge one requiring enormous set-up cost and the country is in dire need of the power.


“Nobody would build a power plant, which is a very costly and capital-intensive venture, and no lender would put money in one, unless someone had committed to pay for the power,” the official said.

Sunday 26th

the wokoma group of houses announced the death of their good loving and simplicity brother, son, and father,
Retired Air force official late chief Norman Bessy wokoma.

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SOCIETY
Friends, families celebrate Soyinka, Alakija, Osinbajo, Obi, others
Published July 26, 2020

‌
Isaac Oguntoye


Some eminent Nigerians, including Professor Wole Soyinka, Folorunsho Alakija, Peter Obi and Dolapo Osinbajo, had reasons to rejoice as they all celebrated their birthdays recently.

Although none of them rolled out the drums in celebration due to the social distancing guidelines released by the Federal Government to checkmate the spread of coronavirus, notwithstanding, the love and encomiums showered on these eminent personalities on social media showed that they are well loved and appreciated by their families, friends and business associates.


One of Africa’s richest women, Alakija, and Dolapo, the wife of the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, share the same birthday, July 16.

While friends and business colleagues ‘flooded’ Alakija’s social media accounts with praise and encomium, political and religious leaders showered Osinbajo with prayers as she added another year.

Dolapo’s husband took to Instagram to express his love for his wife. He wrote, “Happy Birthday to our best friend. And my darling… brave, beautiful and kind. I love you.”


Respected Nobel laureate, playwright, poet and essayist, Soyinka, who turned 86 on July 13, 2020, also received several goodwill messages from within and outside Nigeria.

Meanwhile, a former governor of Anambra State and vice presidential candidate on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2019 elections, Peter Obi, also turned 59 on July 19, and he was apparently ecstatic at being a year older.

Published July 25, 2020

The Ghanaian government has extended free electricity to poor citizens for another three months due to the economic hardship caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, made the announcement on Thursday, adding that all citizens irrespective of social status would enjoy free water supply for the next three months.



The period for free water, which ended in May 2020, would be extended for an additional three months while the free electricity would be enjoyed by lifeline consumers that consume less than 50kWh per month.

President Nana Addo Akufo-Addo, in a compassionate move during the lockdown, announced three months of free electricity for lifeline consumers and 50 per cent rebate for consumers, who went beyond the lifeline threshold.

Additionally, water bills for all Ghanaians for April, May, and June were taken up by the government, following complaints of lack of potable drinking water in communities affected by the lockdown.

The minister announced the extension of the packages in the mid-year budget review presented on the authority of the President to the nation through Parliament, in Accra.

READ ALSO: Student arrested for opening Jonathan parody account denied access to lawyers



The minister assured Ghanaians that the government would continue to put their aspirations first.
“That is also why we further reduced electricity prices by half and completely provided potable water for free for everybody since March this year. And we will extend it for another three months.

“It takes a caring government of the people, and with that, I mean, a government of all the people, to offer cost-free water to all across the country: representing all domestic and commercial customers in Ghana for three months.

“It takes a caring government to be for the people and for business, large and small, to choose to subsidise electricity consumption by 50 per cent to 4,086,286 households and 686,522 businesses at a cost of ¢1.02bn ($176m) in three months.



“And we will extend the coverage for lifeline customers for another three months,” Ofori-Atta added.

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NEWS
Release our members, MASSOB tells police
Published


‌
*…tells Nigeria Police Force to channel energy to Northern Nigeria

Chukwudi Akasike

The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra has called on the police to release its members arrested on Friday in Imo State.

MASSOB’s National Director of Information, Sunday Okereafor, who condemned the mass arrest of the movement’s members, said they did no wrong and did not deserve to be apprehended by the police.


Four persons had been shot when the police operatives clashed with MASSOB members at Orji axis of Owerri, the Imo State capital, while those injured were rushed to the hospital.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Orlando Ikokwu, who confirmed the clash, alleged that MASSOB members attempted to snatch firearms from policemen.

Ikokwu said the MASSOB members also inflicted machete cut injuries on two policemen in the New Owerri area of the state.


But speaking with The PUNCH on Saturday, Okereafor dismissed Ikokwu’s claim, adding that the police fired at the group’s members without any provocation during a peaceful rally.

READ ALSO: Magu probe an achievement, says Malami


The MASSOB spokesman also demanded that the police should pay the medical bills of those injured during the incident, adding that the movement had always maintained its non-violent posture wherever they go.

“It is bad for the Nigeria Police to shoot at and arrest them. IPOB, MASSOB, Zionists have the same ideology; we are not violent. The government knows that we are not violent. Those arrested are Biafrans; they must be released.

“Police should rather channel their energy to the North-East, North-West and North-Central and fight Boko Haram. It was the Nigeria Police that attacked them. We are telling the Nigeria Police to release them.

“They have been killing us; the police should also pay the medical bills of MASSOB members that were injured,” Okereafor said.

The National Association of Resident Doctors has given the Federal Government three weeks to address its demands or its members would resume their suspended strike on Monday, August 17, 2020.

While demanding the payment of COVID-19 hazard allowance to members which, it said, was long overdue, NARD called on government and the National Assembly to probe the non-enrolment of healthcare workers for the Group Life Insurance and non-payment of death-in-service benefit to the next-of-kin of its fallen heroes, despite claims of payment to insurance companies.


The President of NARD, Dr Aliyu Sokomba, made this known in Abuja on Saturday while reading to journalists a communique issued after its virtual National Executive Council meeting and scientific conference held at the Gombe International Hotel between July 20 and 25 2020.

He said, “NEC resolved to extend the suspension of our strike action by three weeks to give the government time to address our demands, failure of which will leave us with no choice other than to resume the suspended strike on Monday, August 17 2020.”


READ ALSO: Abuja-Kaduna train service resumes July 29, says minister

The PUNCH had earlier reported that NARD had embarked on an industrial action on June 15 2020 following its Emergency General Meeting to protest against the lack of payment for COVID-19 inducement allowance for frontline healthcare workers.


But on June 21, NARD announced the suspension of its strike after its NEC meeting attended by over 300 members but, however, said its national officers would continue negotiations with stakeholders while progress made would be reviewed in four weeks during its next NEC meeting in July 2020.

While suspending the action, NARD said COVID-19 inducement allowance “has only been paid to eleven federal health institutions and most state governments are yet to review the hazard allowance of health workers.”

More in Home

Abuja-Kaduna train service resumes July 29, says minister

Magu probe an achievement, says Malami

Minister orders NIPOST to suspend new charges

BREAKING: Resident doctors threaten fresh strike Aug 17

Release our members, MASSOB tells police
Other reasons for the strike were the lack of personal protective equipment to some hospitals; non-provision of medical residency training funding; salary shortfall for 2014-2016; disengagement of resident doctors at the Jos University Teaching Hospital and challenges of its members in LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho.

Olalekan Adetayo, Abuja

A former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has again dumped the opposition Peoples Democratic Party for the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Announcing the development to State House correspondents on Friday, the Chairman of the APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Committee, Mai Mala Buni, said the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), was happy seeing Dogara return to the party.


Dogara, alongside a former President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, and some governors had left the APC for the PDP ahead of the 2019 general elections.

But Buni led him to a meeting with Buhari on Friday to announce his return to the President.

Dogara, who is still a member of the House of Representatives, however, refused to speak with State House correspondents.

Buni told reporters that they were at the Presidential Villa for a courtesy visit to the President in continuation of their efforts to rebuild the party and to brief him on the developments in the party.


When reporters talked about people expressing surprise that Dogara accompanied him to meet with the President, Buni said, “They shouldn’t be surprised because the former Speaker is a member of the APC and it is because the reason why he left the APC is no more there.”

When asked to be specific if Dogara had returned to the party, replied, “Yes, he’s back.”

The Yobe State governor further revealed that Buhari was happy with the development.

“He (the President) welcomed him. He is happy with the development. That is what he’s looking for.

“We are rebuilding the party and these are the steps we are taking towards rebuilding the party.”

https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/dogaras-return-to-apc-excites-buhari-says-buni/%3famp=1





6' 

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METRO PLUS

Police arrest Ogun factory workers for killing boss’ dad

PublishedJuly 25, 2020



‌

Afeez Hanafi

Seven workers at an energy firm in Odogbolu, Ogun State, are currently in police custody in connection with the kidnapping and killing of their boss’ father, one Hongli Song–a 65-year-old Chinese national.

The suspects, Adetayo Adeniran, Hammed Jabiri, Jayeola Adelekan, Animashaun Mustapha, Akeem Lawal, Moruf Razaq and Yinka Jaiyeola, who were rounded up recently, reportedly carried out the crime sometime in February 2020.

City Round learnt that the crime was orchestrated by the company’s security guard, identified simply as Israel, who is still at large, while Adelekan, a tyre repairer at the firm, mobilised other accomplices.

They were said to have demanded N50m ransom from their boss to release Song, who died after falling sick in a hideout where he was tied.

Our correspondent gathered that the boss, Defa, reported the case to the police and operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team led by DCP Abba Kyari went after the suspects.

The team in the course of investigation established a link to Adelekan, who had stopped coming to work, and arrested him.

An officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the tyre repairer owned up to the crime and led detectives to arrest other members of the gang.

The officer said, “The suspects confessed that they kidnapped the man because, since they started working for his daughter (Defa), he used to shortchange them if they make any error. According to them, after they kidnapped the man, they kept him in a house where they fed him with drink and sausage.



“Four days after he was kidnapped, he attempted to escape and they tied him up. He fell sick and died. They put the man’s corpse in a drum and gave it to some fishermen who took it away. We are on the trail of other suspects.”

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How NDDC paid staff N655m for training, foreign trips during COVID-19 lockdown –Report

 



Army’s ‘Operation Positive Identification’ illegal, says court

Narrating his role in the crime, 34-year-old Adelekan, said he was initially a staff member with the company on a monthly pay of N60, 000 but was allegedly demoted to a casual worker by his boss’ father.

He said, “I worked for three months before Mr Song came from China and sacked me because I bought a vehicle with my salary. They started using me as a casual worker. Israel called me and advised that we should kidnap the man so that his daughter would pay us a huge ransom.

“I informed Hammed Jabiri, who also worked in the company, and he invited one Moses, whom he said is a cultist and has guns. This was in October 2019. We planned the kidnap and on February 16, 2020, we got information, from the security man (Israel) that Mr Song had stepped out of his house. We struck and took him away in a car.

“Morufu and Adetayo called the man’s daughter and demanded N50m ransom, but while we were still negotiating, I got a call from the people looking after him that he was dead.”

Jabiri, 29, who worked as an automobile electrician at the company, said he had planned to kill Song after collecting the ransom because he recognised him.

“Unfortunately, the man died before the ransom was paid and we disposed of his body,” he added.

Adeniran, 36, stated that he drove the car used to kidnap Song, adding that he wanted to use his share of the ransom to set up a business.

The Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, has said the former president Olusegun Obasanjo became Nigeria’s military head of state and later, civilian president, as a result of his humility.

Omo-Agege, according to a statement from his media office on Friday, titled, ‘Omo-Agege tasks political leaders on humility’, stated this in Abuja on Thursday.

The DSP, the statement added, spoke at the public presentation of a book, ‘How I became a Senator in 30 days’ written by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Sadiq Umah.


Omo-Agege cited the case of Obasanjo, “who rose to become Nigerian leader both in military and civilian administrations by virtue of his humility.”

He said, “The biggest attribute that we need to serve, which our upcoming politicians should imbibe, is that of humility.

“We have been told of a joke in the past by a former Head-of-State and President.

“He told us that people said he was ‘mumu’. ‘Mumu’ is a euphemism for humility. He may not necessarily be the poster child for humility in Nigeria today but he succeeded.



“He (Obasanjo) said people said he was ‘Mumu’, yet he became Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters which was the de facto number two position in the country at that time.

“They said he was ‘Mumu’, he became head-of-state. They said he was ‘Mumu’ and he became an elected President and was reelected.

“That is what our colleague, Chairman Rules and Business, Senator Sadiq Umah represents.”

The Delta Central lawmaker said that dedicated service to the people in humility would contribute immensely to putting the nation on a path of progress and prosperity.

Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma is the Archbishop of the Enugu Ecclesiastical Province, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), and Bishop of Enugu Diocese. He speaks to RAPHAEL EDE on competence in government and the quest for an Igbo President, among others
A former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi, said last week that the country didn’t need restructuring but competent people in positions to change her fortunes. Do you share this thought?

Both restructuring and competence go together, because it is when you have competent leadership that you can also be able to approve restructuring. Why we are still struggling for restructuring today is because there is no competence in our leadership over the years. But when there is competence in leadership, the leaders will listen to the voice of people for restructuring. As long as we continue to have incompetence, the incompetent leaders will not want to listen to the agitation for restructuring, because they will want to lord it over the people, feeling that that is the opportunity for that person to catch on and do whatever they like; but when there is competence, you will want to have a free mind and want to make sure that for competence to prevail in Nigeria, restructuring will be the right thing to be done for Nigeria to move forward; that is what I feel.


Should the federal character principle that is in the system to ensure that there is equity and fairness in sharing positions of responsibility be jettisoned?

Well, the federal character principle has been bastardised by the present government of Buhari. He has not given any due regards to the spirit and letters of that provision of the law and that is why we have so much agitation in many places. Here in the South-East, the IPOB was agitating and they proscribed it, which is not right; up till now, I still do not support the proscription. All they were doing was agitation against marginalisation and inequality, and the Federal Government did not follow the path of peace in addressing their grievances.


If IPOB had been in existence, they (Fulani herdsmen) wouldn’t get into our land. And again, you find out that in the CBN and the NNPC there is no federal character. I think all over Nigeria, now apart from when you have elections, everything concerning employment and appointments in Nigeria is absolute zero concerning federal character. And the present government should be blamed for it because I don’t think the winner should take it all; there should be equity and justice in the entire country and this is what is causing the problems in the country.


How does the country start addressing the issue of competence in the system when somebody who scores 20 is given preference over the person who scores 80 or 100?

Yes, you see that is why we have incompetence. People don’t think about intelligence anymore. We think more about tribalism and that is the problem; even those you also put in office in the CBN and in leadership positions at the NNPC, many of them are incompetent, because even when before they gained admission to the university, they did not score high marks.


So, you find out that their low standard and their low education do not matter to them; what matters is what position they are occupying for their people and this is the irony of it, because that is why you have incompetence. People are now talking of who has the qualification and those who are really competent to occupy positions, people who are technocrats in leadership positions in Nigeria – you see you don’t put a square peg in a round hole.

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Look at the ministers, most of them are not professionals in the positions they put to them and people who do the job are the permanent secretaries. So, I think that the time has come that we want competence to prevail and until we have competent people in positions of authority, we are wasting our time and there will continue to be under development in Nigeria.


Will nepotism allow competence in Nigeria’s political system?

It will not. Nepotism will not allow competence because as long as we continue with nepotism, then you are promoting low standards of productivity and inefficiency, because you are not talking of people who are competent, you are not thinking about intelligence, you are not thinking about somebody who has been trained and has the technical knowhow to be in that position. Time has come for us to begin to ask what is the nature of Nigeria and what do we want for Nigeria; what can we produce for Nigeria and not what we produce for ourselves. All our leaders in positions are self-centred, including those in the National Assembly. You find that most people, who are elected into positions at both the national and state assemblies are bench warmers. How many of them have moved bills and have sponsored bills from their constituencies? That is part of incompetency, because they are just there in Abuja to get alerts every month.



What is your take on the COVID-19 management in the country and the continued closure of churches, especially in the western part of Nigeria?

I blame the church leaders in the West. I feel very disappointed. If I am in the West, I won’t allow that because I feel that they should be able to let the government know that since you have opened markets and other activities, so the church should not still be closed. Churches are only going to open for a few hours, highest two hours like we have here; churches are only open for one hour and are sectionalised.



So, the government is killing the spirit of people and that is why God is not going to be happy with the leadership in the West if they don’t reopen churches for people to worship God. I want to call upon them that they should open the churches in the western part of the country if they don’t want the wrath of God and COVID-19 to continue to increase, but when you reopen, then the people will be asked to comply with the COVID-19 protocols and you set a task force to find out what is happening in churches rather than closing them.



What do you make of the corruption allegations going on in the EFCC with the acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, at the centre of it?

What you have to understand is that they know what they are doing. They are deceiving themselves. I think nemesis is catching up and the can of worm is being opened. Even, Malami (Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice) who is accusing the EFCC chairman, is he clean? Probably, something must have gone wrong in the agreement of sharing some booty. They should be sincere to themselves. We are in trouble in this country, because even when Bukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu as leaders of the Senate decided that they would not approve the confirmation of Magu as the EFCC chairman, it seemed as if they were against the executive and the executive still maintained that Magu should continue acting for so many years without the confirmation of the Senate.



I think Buhari should be ashamed that he allowed somebody, whom the Senate thought had no character to be there to act for so many years. I feel it has now been exposed that corruption that is being fought in Nigeria is not sincere; it is a witch-hunt, because the person fighting corruption should be free from corruption allegations and that is what I see. So, it is unfortunate and I think there should be a total rejig of the EFCC for a proper fight against corruption.



Where do you see Nigeria after 2023?

Well, Nigeria beyond 2023 is in the hands of God. Because we are praying that what we need in Nigeria now is good governance and competence. You see the thing there now is whether the Igbo are ready in 2023 or not only God knows, and I believe God can do it if the Igbo are ready, cooperative and united, but it is high time the whole parts of Nigeria admitted that power must shift to the South-East. It is important, because if you don’t do that, it means that Nigerians don’t want the Igbos. The only thing that can pacify the Igbo about the Nigerian civil war that was fought is to give them leadership now, because the Igbo are intelligent; they are good people; they are very hardworking and they can bring development as much as possible. Everywhere you have put an Igbo person, he works out and makes sure that that place is developed and he works selflessly.



So, beyond 2023, we are looking for better governance that will set Nigeria free from the present bondage. We have been in a serious bondage and when we said that we are free, we are not free, because we are moving from the frying pan to the fire now. Everybody is crying. Things are getting worse and we need this country to get out of the worst situation because Nigeria is blessed, but unfortunately, we are living in a critical situation.

Making Salami’s probe panel report public

PublishedJuly 21, 2020

Ibrahim Magu


A damp muddle is hanging precariously over the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) regime’s war on corruption. Apart from the nasty allegations and counter allegations emerging from the Ayo Salami presidential panel probing the suspended acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, inter-agency rivalry in the fight against corruption has returned to the fore. Discomfiting as the allegations are, they are generating more confusion because of the secrecy surrounding the probe of Magu and the top hierarchy of the EFCC. And by shocking coincidence, the staggering corruption scandal in the Niger Delta Development Commission is also exposing the inner workings of a government that rode to power on the promise to fight corrupt practices to a standstill. This atmosphere of hypothesising creates distrust among the public on the true intentions of the regime’s anti-graft war, but openness can extensively repair the damage.


Currently, Magu is before the Salami panel, answering questions on 22 allegations of graft, including owning mansions in Dubai, fiddling with the interest earnings on recovered loot and selling assets to his cronies. Other EFCC directors are not spared, with Buhari suspending 12 of them to pave the way for their probe. This is good, but it is just scratching the surface. As grave as these allegations seem, Nigerians are wary of jumping to conclusions because previous graft allegations against top public officials are eventually swept under the carpet. Separately, there are many accusations against the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, including the allegation that he sold five oil vessels forfeited to the Federal Government to a company that was under trial for oil theft. Malami, however, denied any wrongdoing. The Presidency says Nigerians should prepare for surprises.


Undeniably, corruption is a foremost enemy militating against Nigeria’s development. It is just too entrenched, permeating every aspect of society. Shortly after assuming office in 2015, Buhari said public officials looted $150 billion from the treasury in the 10 years to 2015. The stories are becoming worryingly repetitive, as corruption is still the order of the day on Buhari’s watch.

Incidentally, PwC, a global consultancy, warned that unless corruption was tackled comprehensively, it could cost Nigeria up to 37 per cent of GDP by 2030.


Definitely, all the major elements of corruption blight the Nigerian system. Petty corruption by low- and mid-level officials is ubiquitous. Arising from that is political and “grand corruption.” Politicians compromise the election process and loot the treasury brazenly. Several former governors and lawmakers are under corruption probes. Additionally, there is judicial corruption. The late Kayode Eso, a Justice of the Supreme Court, described some judicial officers as “billionaire judges” because of the bribery he noticed in election petitions tribunals. Things have changed in more ways.


Today, Buhari has been softened and weakened by the comforts of power. When he got into office, instead of taking charge of his critical campaign promises, he simply kicked the can down the road. His unchecked obsession of awarding jobs and other advantages to friends or trusted colleagues is the worst form of corruption. He is also not providing that ethical leadership either, which is critically needed for his change agenda. For Buhari to bequeath a legacy of cleanliness, the anti-graft fight needs to be deeper and better coordinated. One thing will make the anti-graft crusade work: ethical and incorruptible leadership from him. This compels a strategic initiative and a new beginning. Buhari should ensure that all those accused reasonably of corruption stepped aside for prosecution, exploiting the Administration of Criminal Justice Act to fast track their trials. Malami has become too embroiled in the investigation of the Magu-led EFCC. He should stand down from ministerial duties to allow unfettered investigations into the activities of all the agencies connected with the anti-graft crusade.


There are too many loose ends in the regime’s anti-corruption war. It behoves Buhari to streamline the team. As currently constituted, the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission are too feeble to fight the ingrained graft and the entrenched interests in the polity. Buhari should instil institutional capacity in them by appointing individuals with unassailable credentials to head these agencies. He should take another look at his appointments to important positions like the Chief Justice, the Inspector-General of Police, the Attorney-General, the Auditor-General and other key positions that uphold the integrity of the institutions of government. These are key officers, essential for the government to function seamlessly without being subverted. In particular, the attorney-general and his office have a huge responsibility for the criminal justice system, Nigeria’s international standing and the rule of law. The ministry needs a complete overhaul.



The Buhari should constitute the EFCC board and headhunt capable candidates fit for the onerous jobs. The EFCC, the main anti-graft agency, should be insulated from the AGF’s office, reporting directly to the President.

Many countries have reviewed their anti-graft legal frameworks to make sure individuals are disallowed from getting away with proceeds of corruption. The law should put the burden of proof on the accused if he had more assets than his income as reported in his income tax returns, from his employment or business could have given him. He has to disprove the presumption of guilt that they were gained by corrupt means. In the United Kingdom, there are “unexplained-wealth orders,” which are part of the Criminal Finances Act 2017 that make it easier to seize the loot of crooked bureaucrats and con artists.



The Justice Salami-led presidential panel appears to be generating so much muckraking plus a dash of politics. In discharging its work, the panel should proceed cautiously and be shielded from coercion or manipulation. The only way Salami, the panel’s head, can retain his hard-earned integrity is to secure Buhari’s assurances that the panel’s full report will be made public.

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In all of this, so much depends on Buhari himself. He needs to live and be seen to live above board. As long as the core leadership is clean, any backsliding can be brought under control.

Protesters on Monday morning stormed the premises of the Federal High Court on Oyinkan Abayomi Drive in Ikoyi, Lagos to protest what they termed judicial bias in the handling of a lawsuit filed by Western Lotto Limited, belonging to politician Buruji Kashamu.

In the case being handled by Justice C.J. Aneke, Western Lotto Limited sued 23 rival lottery firms over alleged infringement on its licence on “Ghana games”.

One of the defendants is Premier Lotto Limited, popularly known as Baba Ijebu Gaming Limited, belonging to Chief Keshington Adebutu.

December last year, following an application by Western Lotto legal team, Justice Aneke had made an Antom Piller order, authorising Western Lotto to enter into and search the offices of the defendants for evidence of the alleged infringement on its licence on “Ghana games”.

On Monday morning, the protesters, who besieged the court, carried placards with various inscriptions accusing the judge of bias.


Some of the inscriptions were, ‘Aneke, do the right thing’; ‘Justice is not for sale’; ‘We say no to Kashamu’s judicial rascality’; ‘Equity & Fairness = Justice; Padi-Padi Judgment = Injustice’; among others.


Meanwhile, hearing in the matter is scheduled for Tuesday.

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8'

LETTERS
Magu’s trial: Averting a perilous precedent
Published July 20, 2020

Ibrahim Magu
‌

The travails of Ibrahim Magu, the recently suspended acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, have brought forth an opportunity for all well-meaning Nigerians to reflect on the reality of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.)’s fight against corruption and the need to quickly disembark on a journey to nowhere.

To see a leading figure in the war against corruption to get enmeshed in the whirlwind of corruption allegations has incontrovertibly dealt a huge blow on the very war itself. Indeed, the “weighty allegations” of massive corruption levelled against Magu are too conspicuous to be ignored; not even for an anti-graft czar who should ordinarily live to the expectation, if not beyond, of the sensitive position he held. As a Nigerian, I was embarrassed with the way and manner the whole imbroglio was orchestrated. Hence, this intervention.


Interestingly, the Federal Government in her wisdom said the crackdown on Magu is a reminder that nobody is above the law and that even the hunter may be hunted by Lady Justicia, whose eyes are blindfolded against the prejudice of anyone, bearing in her hands a two-edged sharp sword. That defence was expected but Nigerians seem to know much better that Magu is yet another victim of power play amidst the President’s political circus just like a member of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption posited.


For a fact, the Presidency has a case to answer in all of this. Recall that Magu was the acting Chairman of the EFCC for over five years despite the fact that his nomination was rejected by the Senate on two different occasions based on damning reports by the Department State Services casting aspersions on his person on account of corruption allegations and moral integrity tests. The President, against the law of the land, ignored the clear warnings of the Senate whose constitutional duty is to confirm or reject appointments based on public interest grounds and went ahead to retain Magu. To arbitrarily keep an appointee, who is required by law to be screened and confirmed by the Senate, in office for that long is an infraction on the constitution and undermines the overall essence of legislative oversight in a constitutional democracy.


The sanctimonious disposition of the Federal Government in absolving itself of the murky waters is at best dishonest. The Presidency appears like the proverbial child who goes to the river to swim and later turns around to complain of the sensation of cold. If despite the grievous reports by the DSS and the rejection by the Senate on the grounds of corruption allegation, the Presidency still went ahead to retain Magu, it lacks the moral authority to now disown its once-upon-a-time favourite. That will be unfair, hypocritical and reprehensible. The Presidency should refrain from acting as though it is holier than thou when it was through its (abuse of) power that Magu remained in that office. If the Presidency had listened to the voice of reason and respected the rule of law, the mess of today would have been easily avoided. Passing all the buck on Magu will be playing on the intelligence of unsuspecting Nigerians – the blame should be fairly shared in love.


Magu was kept in detention for 10 good days. This is clearly illegal, unconstitutional and a gross disrespect to the rule of law. To be clear, the Presidency is not empowered by law to detain anyone for any reason whatsoever. Equally, the police lack the power to arbitrarily keep a suspect in detention for over 48 hours without trial. The arbitrary nature in which the whole tragedy was handled reminded many of how the EFCC under Magu’s watch arrested and detained many without trial; giving no recourse to the rule of law. Left for the media, Magu, who is presumed innocent under the law, should be regarded today as an “ex-convict” as there was a deliberate media trial launched at his person and calculated to achieve a purpose. Funnily enough, the Presidency deployed the same media trial script used by Magu during his days in office to roll out the melancholic drama.


For some Nigerians, Magu’s worrisome ordeal is a case of the chicken that has come home to roost. I absolutely agree that his case is similar to that of the proverbial man whose grave was dug with the shovel he once called spoon. Nonetheless, Magu should not be mocked, he deserves our pity. Indeed, our humanity diminishes the day we close our eyes to any form of evil irrespective of the personality of the victim. Our collective stance against injustice, arbitrariness and abuse of power should not be compromised by emotions as that would amount to sheer dissimulation.


In the final analysis, those who hold power today should be reminded of the vanity and transiency of power and the need to always respect the rule of law. The essence of the rule of law is to check the abuse of power, regardless of who is wielding the power. It is high time we took the bold step of building a strong institution that allows only for the law to rule as against the arbitrariness of the rule of man.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, on Sunday evening took on critics of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), particularly in the media.

He said the authors of the media contents suggesting that Buhari was not in charge of his regime were only endorsing the claims by the opposition.

Shehu said this in a statement he made available to journalists titled “President Buhari’s critics should appreciate due process.”


He wrote, “As many detractors have done lately, these ‘influencers,’ “celebrated columnists’ and ‘editorial comments’ do no more than endorse the opposition’s utterly wrong and fallacious position that the President is not in charge of his government.

“Sometimes, we are forced to wonder whether some writers are mindful of the implication of words for the strategic and territorial interests of the nation.

“An entrenched culture of dissent in our country is not something that anyone, not least a Buhari Presidency wants to stamp down.


“The fact that these baseless and appallingly mischievous attacks can freely be aired is itself evidence of the right to freedom of expression prevailing in the country today.

“Whether it is Ibrahim Magu, Godswill Akpabio, NDDC, NSITF and the others, Nigerians are bound to hold differing opinions, write letters, opinion columns, editorials and even stage lawful protests.

“What is sometimes worrisome is that several of these comments, disguised as objective criticisms are merely speaking the language of the opposition-the people who ruined the country during their 16 years of corruption on an industrial scale.


“These detractors pick up isolated issues like the ones in the EFCC, NDDC, and incidents of crime and corruption which have been with the country for years, and without any serious effort to uncover them, paint them a phenomena orchestrated and happening because President Buhari’s administration has decided to pursue cases of suspected wrongdoing in the anti-corruption agency, pension funds, NDDC and other government agencies.”

Shehu argued that the regime was the first to point out the obvious embarrassment that potential acts of wrongdoing by the EFCC leadership could cause. He wondered if critics expected Buhari to cover up the suspected scandals by not ordering audits and investigations so that they can accuse him of cover up later.



The presidential aide said to do a cover-up and not order audits and investigations as the President did would amount to a historic betrayal of the mandate and the faith placed in him by Nigerians He said Buhari’s integrity, uprightness and probity were intact and well known. He cited the fact that the Economic Community of West African States, Africa Union and the international community at large recognised the President as Champion of the Anti-Corruption fight in Africa.

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He added that Nigerians are convinced that Buhari is honest and they voted for him as President against the background of corruption, public policy paralysis and growing menace of terrorists threatening to take over a sizable portion of the nation’s territory.


In his five years in office, Shehu said there is not a single charge of corruption against Buhari. As the leader of the country, he added that Buhari fully understands and bears the full weight of the solemn oaths he swore to defend the nation’s constitution, its citizens and territory.

While saying that disinformation is not a viable option for opposition, the presidential aide insisted that the Buhari regime has done nothing to warrant the criticisms. He, however, admitted that the war against corruption in the country is currently at crossroads.



He urged all Nigerians to join hands with the regime to prosecute the war successfully. He added, “Under our laws, you are innocent until proven guilty: Investigation, trial, then conviction. Not the other way round.

“To carry out investigations before condemnation or conviction should not be misconstrued as a weakness or a vacuum in leadership.

“The war against corruption is today at historic crossroads. This is the time all Nigerians should stand together to roll it back.



“President Buhari is determined not to be diverted by unfounded attacks, neither would he compromise the sacred mandate of Nigerians. He is determined to get justice for Nigerians on all these corruption cases being pursued.”

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4'

NEWS
Obaseki celebrates Ighodalo at 61
PublishedJuly 20, 2020

Obaseki in a virtual meeting with Buhari
‌


The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has congratulated the Chairman of Sterling Bank and co-founding partner of Banwo and Ighodalo, Asue Ighodalo, as he marks his 61st birthday.

The governor, in a statement celebrated Ighodalo for his outstanding accomplishments as a lawyer and businessman.

He said, “I celebrate my brother and friend, Asue Ighodalo, as he adds another year. An accomplished lawyer and businessman, he remains a shining light and remarkable ambassador of our great state. I wish him more successes as well as a long, fulfilled life.”


Ighodalo is also Chairman, Nigerian Economic Summit Group and Director, Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority.

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5'

NEWS
CCTV reveals Gokada founder’s ex-PA buying electric saw
Published July 19, 2020

‌
Kayode Oyero


Fresh facts have emerged that the prime suspect in the gruesome murder of Gokada founder and Chief Executive Officer, Fahim Saleh, bought an electric saw and some cleaning supplies seen at the scene of the incident.

Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said Closed Circuit Television showed 21-year-old Tyrese Haspil purchasing the items from a hardware store in New York.

Manhattan prosecutors revealed the details in a criminal complaint filed against Haspil, who was arraigned on a second-degree murder charge on Saturday, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Haspil, a former personal assistant to the late 33-year-old, once worked at Saleh’s venture capital firm, Adventure Capital.

Police gathered that Haspil allegedly stole about $100,000 from the late tech entrepreneur but rather than handing him over to law enforcement agents, the late Gokada CEO brokered a repayment plan with him.

He was arrested on Friday in connection to the murder of Saleh whose decapitated and dismembered body was found at his seventh-floor apartment on the Lower East Side of the city.


Homicide detectives had said CCTV from Monday afternoon showed a man identified as Haspil following Saleh up the elevator to the full-floor, two-bedroom apartment.


The masked person following Saleh was dressed entirely in black, according to a law enforcement official who was briefed on the case.

But Haspil’s counsels said investigation was ongoing and no conclusions should be made yet.

“We are in the very earliest stages of ferreting out the truth. The life of this case promises to be long and complex. As the attorneys for Mr Haspil, we urge the public to keep an open mind,” read a prepared statement from Legal Aid Society attorneys Sam Roberts and Neville Mitchell.

DuBLINGreenb:
Except Late Lulu Briggs and belema oil everybody else you listed is VERY VERY USELESS

hmm?

Kalabari is ar treasure base land filled with great men and women both present and the future,
the present firmed men and women;

Late Chief Lulu Brigg's
the founder of Lulu oil

Engr Tein Jachrich
the founder of Belema oil

Hon Ojukaye flag Amachree
the former chairman of Asalga,
and the founder of "Vision"

Chief Amb Sobomabo Jachrich
the founder of K.U.F PDP

Hon Alabo George Kelly
the former NDDC boss

Hon Enemi George
right house of Assembly member

Hon Mpaka long John


Late chief Odiari Christopher Prince will
the founder of GDI PDP

Her Excellency hon Dr Ipalibo banigo
the right assistant deputy Governor of Rivers state

hon Mrs Alaso John-bull Obi
the right acting chairman of Asalga

Hon Rowland Sekibo
the right executive chairman of Akulga

Hon Dr Tony Philmoore
the right executive chairman of Degema

Hon Tammy Danagogo
the principal partner at Danagogo , Oputa & associate

Chief Bar Dumo Lulu Brigg's
the son of the late icon

the present is numerous while the future is still awaiting with more than numerous.

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5'

POLITICS
Ekiti PDP crisis: Fayose-backed exco wins as court dismisses pro-Olujimi’s suit
PublishedJuly 18, 2020

‌
Abiodun Nejo, Ado Ekiti



The Federal High Court, Ado Ekiti Division, on Friday dismissed a suit challenging the conduct of the Peoples Democratic Party ward congresses in Ekiti State by the National Working Committee.

The case with suit number FHC/AD/CS 14/2020 was filed by members loyal to Senator Biodun Olujimi seeking invalidation of the ward congresses which returned members loyal to former Governor Ayodele Fayose as winners of the exercise held in March.

The applicants in the suit filed by one Olalekan Oladimeji and others urged the court to invalidate the ward congresses conducted by Haruna Mani-led PDP committee on the premise that the provisions of the party, the 1999 constitution as well as the Electoral Act were breached.

Joined in the suit were the PDP, Independent National Electoral Commission, Inspector-General of Police, Taraba State Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Congress Committee, Haruna Mani and Chairman of the Congress Appeal Committee, Chief Olusola Akanmode, and others.

Delivering her verdict, Justice Uche Agomoh, said the case was not justifiable because it was a matter that emanated from intra-party affairs.

The judge also agreed with the argument canvassed by the defendants that the ward executives, whose elections were being contested in court, were necessary parties and ought to have been joined as defendants in the suit.


She said, “The preliminary objection is successful, because it is not justiceable to shut out necessary parties who ought to come to the court to show whether they procured nomination form or not. This deprives them of fair hearing. This suit is hereby dismissed.”

Justice Agomoh awarded a cost of N200,000 against the plaintiffs, which is to be paid to the 1st, 4th and 5th defendants on or before 1st September, 2020.


Counsel to the defendants, Kolapo Kolade, said the verdict was a clear confirmation that issues surrounding internal affairs of a party could only be resolved through party’s internal mechanisms.


But counsel to the plaintiffs, Stephen Ademuagun, said his clients would appeal the ruling.





CAPITAL MARKET

CSCS supports COVID-19 fight with N100m

PublishedJuly 17, 2020



‌

Joseph Olaoluwa

The Central Securities Clearing System Plc says it has committed N100m towards the fight against COVID-19 in Nigeria.

The CSCS said it had donated a state-of-the-art ambulance to the Capital Market Support Committee for COVID-19.

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, the CSCS will partner other stakeholders in the distribution of 100,000 reusable face masks to the most vulnerable, low-income households across the country, according to a statement entitled ‘CSCS commits N100m to war against COVID-19,” and dated July 14, 2020.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, CSCS, Mr Haruna Jalo-Waziri, was quoted as saying at the donation ceremony that the safety of Nigerians would not be left to the government alone.

He said, “We have committed N100m to this war against COVID-19, as we are also supporting the efforts of other stakeholders. Whilst we continue to support the society through CSR initiatives, we believe our most impactful support to the capital market and the broader Nigerian economy is through our services.

“I am excited that we have operated seamlessly through this crisis, leveraging our investment in technology and people, in ensuring efficient depository and settlement of capital market transactions across multiple capital trade points, including the Nigerian Stock Exchange, the FMDQ Exchange and the NASD-OTC.”

Jalo-Waziri thanked the board of directors of CSCS for the decision to undertake the endeavour, calling on other corporate leaders to make sacrifices towards fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Chairman, CMSCC, Mr Ariyo Olushekun, said, “I am impressed by this kind gesture of the CSCS to the capital market community and indeed Nigeria at large, particularly as this comes at a challenging time for most businesses, globally.

“CSCS has always proven its critical role as the capital market infrastructure, not only in delivering requisite depository and securities settlement services to the broad capital market but also in its corporate social responsibilities.”

Olushekun promised that the CMSCC would make judicious use of the donation.

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He also encouraged the general public to take personal responsibility by maintaining basic safety protocols such as the use of facemasks in public, regular washing of hands with soap and water or the use of sanitisers.

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NEWS
Dabiri-Erewa hails Egbu on UK varsity appointment
Published July 17, 2020

Abike Dabiri-Erewa
‌

The Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has congratulated Prof. Charles Egbu on his appointment as the Vice-Chancellor of Leeds Trinity University, East London, United Kingdom.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Dabiri-Erewa’s congratulatory message was signed by Gabriel Odu of the commission’s Media, Public Relations and Protocol Unit.

The NIDCOM boss said, “Your appointment is a further testimony of the resilience, determination and dedication of Nigerians to excel in their chosen careers anywhere in the world.

“You will bring with you your wealth of experience and broad knowledge of higher education sector to the university and to the benefits of humanity.”

Egbu, who has authored 12 books and over 350 publications in reputable international journals, is the first black to achieve the historic feat as Vice-Chancellor of Leeds Trinity University.