₦airaland Forum

The Executive Governor of Rivers State, Barr. Nyesom Wike on Wednesday received in audience the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu at the Rivers State Government House.

Although details of the visit are were still sketchy as at the time of filing this report, however Kalu’s visit to the Rivers Government House is his first since he left as Abia Governor in 2007.

The visit comes barely 24 hours after Senator Kalu on Tuesday presided over the joining and subsequent registration of former Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant-General Azubuike Ihejirika in the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Gen Ihejirika was appointed during the tenure of former President Goodluck Jonathan of Wike's Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Igbere TV reports.

General Ihejirika’s defection comes months after Senator Kalu made a series of advances for the ex army chief to join the APC.

Meanwhile, Kalu arrived at the Rivers Government House at exactly 9:15 PM and was duly received by the Governor who was already awaiting his arrival. Both men exchanged pleasantries and proceeded for a meeting behind closed doors.

Details later...

https://igberetvnews.com/1382870/just-governor-wike-receives-senator-orji-kalu-govt-house-photos/

Lalasticlala Seun Mynd44

Chancellor of Gregory University, Uturu in Abia State, Professor Gregory Ibe, has congratulated former Nigerian finance minister Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on her emergence as head of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Igbere TV had earlier reported the emergence of Okonjo-Iweala as Director-General of the WTO. She assumes the new role on March 1 as the first elected woman and African to lead the world trade body.

In a personally signed statement made available to Igbere TV, Monday night, in Umuahia, the Gregory varsity chancellor Prof. Ibe eulogized Okonjo-Iweala, while lauding the former minister's reputation as an erudite technocrat.

The statement reads; “I am elated and absolutely beside myself with joy at your resounding victory and selection by the WTO’s General Council as the 7th Director-General of the world’s leading trade body, the World Trade Organization.

“Indeed, you have made history as the first woman and African to lead such a global outfit. Being a woman of many firsts and of immense sterling qualities, I must offer my joyous congratulations to you, Madam Director-General.

“Upon your arrival to our nation’s consciousness and being gracious to accept to serve your fellow citizens at the turn of an important page for Nigeria, you made your mark immensely, immediately and indelibly such that to this day, you have remained the benchmark with which to examine those who have come after you.

“Madam Director-General, you embody the true essence of excellence. There is no iota of doubt that your leadership at the helm of affairs of the WTO for the next four years would yield outstanding results.

“Indeed, your reputation as an erudite technocrat precedes you. Under your steady hand and distinguished leadership, global trade activities are bound to see sustained growth.

“Again, I offer my congratulations to you. My earnest prayer continues to remain that all your giant strides and determined efforts to reposition global trade and the World Trade Organization will continue to yield great results for the global community, our continent of Africa, our country Nigeria and for your people of Abia State.”

https://igberetvnews.com/1382779/wto-dg-gregory-chancellor-prof-ibe-congratulates-okonjo-iweala/

Lalasticlala Seun Mynd44

Mrs Blessing Oko Ikpor, wife of estranged Sterling Bank manager Mr Anthony Oko Ikpor, has reacted to the allegations of infidelity levelled against her by her estranged husband, Anthony.

Mr. Anthony, manager of Sterling Bank, Rumuola branch in Port Harcourt, was in the news for secretly dating and later impregnating a lady despite being married to Mrs Blessing for 17 years.

The secret affair, however, came to the fore and got leaked to the public after the estranged wife Blessing stormed and disrupted the recently held wedding ceremony, in a video that has since gone viral.

The banker had, in an interview published by Igbere TV, accused Mrs. Blessing, whom he had four children (three boys and a girl) with in their 17 years of marriage, of adultery by allegedly bringing men into their matrimonial home.

He said he sent the wife packing after he discovered she got pregnant for another man and was almost bleeding to death in her effort to procure an abortion of the pregnancy. Anthony claimed to have the text message through which Blessing confessed to the alleged adultery to him, at the point of death.

But reacting in a statement made available to Igbere TV, on Tuesday, Mrs Blessing denied all the allegations levelled against her by her husband, insisting she was still legally married to Mr Anthony under the law as no divorce had been procured in the court of law.

The statement, which doubles as her formal response to the publication and interview granted by her estranged husband Anthony, was signed by Ibezimakor Ude Esq., a legal practitioner, on behalf of Worgu Boms Chamber.

It reads; "Our attention has been drawn to mountains of falsehood concerning our client, Mrs. Blessing Oko Ikpor, legal wife of a banker, Mr. Anthony Oko Ikpor which falsehood, against his wife of 17 years with 4 children - one female and three males - of Secondary School ages, we venture to state, is very, very unfortunate.

"In the mountains of defamatory falsehood making the rounds on social media which the said Mr. Anthony Oko Ikpo caused to be published, it was announced that Mr. Anthony allegedly got estranged from his wife because, according to him, he discovered that his wife used to bring in men which he later discovered were her lovers, into their matrimonial homes whom she disguised as her gym instructors and business partners.

"Mr. Anthony, in the trending falsehood, claimed that he sent his wife packing after he discovered she got pregnant for another man and was almost bleeding to death in her effort to procure an abortion of the pregnancy.

"Mr. Anthony claimed to have the text message through which our client, his wife, confessed the alleged pregnancy and the alleged adultery to him, amongst others.

"Whereas, Mr. Anthony claimed that the legal marriage between him and Our Client was over, at the same time, he stated that he had not been able to obtain a divorce in Court because of Corona virus Pandemic.

"Mr. Ikpo claimed that by returning our Client's properties to her people in her ancestral home, the legal marriage they contracted in the Marriage Registry had ended, because, according to him, such was the traditional native law and custom manner of ending the marriage.

"It is curious that an educated citizen and a banker of standing, as Our Client's husband, Mr. Anthony Ikpo, could so publicly speak abusively and lyingly and even ignorantly, about his marriage and his wife of 17 years with whom he had four children.

"For instance, he described her as valueless and useless a fellow. How a woman of 17 years in marriage with 4 (four)children could publicly and correctly be described as valueless and useless defies logic.

"We are aware that this is a matrimonial matter involving tender children whose future is yet unknown.

"We are also aware of the need not to deceive the public with lies and deception and manipulation, all intended to smear a mother of 17 years in marriage with four children for reasons that are obvious.

"We are guided by these two considerations in making the clarifications in this letter, guided also, by law and in the public interest since our client's husband went public. For the records, we states as follows:

"1. Mrs. Blessing Ikpo, is still legally married to the banker, Mr. Anthony Ikpo, (as husband and wife) under the Marriage Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, their marriage having been contracted under that Act and regulated thereunder especially as to its dissolution and not by or under any lgbo Native Law and Custom as ignorantly touted by Mr. Anthony Ikpo.

When a marriage under the Act has to be dissolved, how it is done under any Native Law and Custom is absolutely irrelevant since it is not, in the first place, a marriage subject to Native Law and Custom.

"2. Mr. Anthony claimed that he went for an engagement or knocking on door or Introduction as prelude to marrying another lady.

However, from the video making the rounds, the ceremony was more than an Introduction or knocking on door as Mr. Anthony and the lady were seen kneeling before an elder for final marriage blessing.

The point must be made that whether it was Introduction or knocking on door or marriage proper, it is legally impossible for Mr. Anthony, still married to our client under the Marriage Act, to marry or purport to marry the lady or any other lady, for that matter, under whatever Native Law and Custom.

It is obvious from the video that Mr. Anthony has impregnated the lady and decided to blackmail our Client with tales of moonlight of an imaginary adultery against her, all to pave way and provide a leeway to legitimize his adultery as evidenced in the video, as one could hear references to pregnancy concerning the lady our Client's husband is purporting to knock on day to marry.

"3. The allegation of pregnancy via adultery against our Client is most unfortunate. We state quite categorically that Mr. Anthony lied, to his knowledge, when he alleged that his wife of 17 years engaged in adultery, and got pregnant and was dying from her efforts at aborting it and had to confess to him. Mr. Anthony, luckily, said the confession was via text message. Mr. Anthony will do well to share it with the public having publicly claimed its existence.

"4. We state that Our Client has been a virtuous and faithful woman and wife to her husband of 17 years and has been faithful to her husband and in accord with her Christian belief and virtues and marriage vows. Our client had been worshipping God at the same Church where her husband was an elder and a member or the Church's Board of Trustees.

"5. Since Mr. Anthony eloped from his matrimonial home with his new lover, he had shunned all attempts by the church and its elders to intervene and has since ceased to worship there. Was the church also involved in adultery? He even refused to grant audience to the Church's General Overseer. This is not consistent with the allegations of infidelity against our client as he would have been keen to prove it with the church's intervention.

"6. The assertion by Mr. Anthony that no member of his wife's family made any efforts at resolving the issues between him and his wife is another lie from his because the eldest brother of his wife, whom he gave his wife's dowry, called him thrice at different times for them to meet and discuss. On each occasion, Mr. Anthony told his in-law that he has not taken a decision on the matter and that once he takes a decision he will revert.

"7. In which Court is the said Divorce Proceeding pending which had been allegedly stalled by Covid-19?

"8. Which Legal Practitioner or human being issued this faceless Statement credited to Mr. Anthony?

"9. To which hospital was Our Client taken to when she was allegedly almost bleeding to death?

"As stated, we are restrained in escalating the washing of Mr. Anthony dirty linen in public for reasons we have stated earlier.

"However, we state that we have a duty to protect our Client's good name, hard earned name and integrity, from being slouched by Mr. Anthony for temporary romantic gains together with his collaborators especially the media house through which our client was defamed.

"We state too, that under our law, to impute unchastity to a woman, any woman, is defamatory.

"The parties shall have their day at the appropriate Forum where truth shall prevail."

https://igberetvnews.com/1382751/wife-sterling-bank-manager-reacts-allegations-infidelity/

Lalasticlala Seun Mynd44

Chief Whip of the Senate and former Governor of Abia State, Senator (Dr) Orji Uzor Kalu is currently delivering a lecture on Entrepreneurship in Anambra state.

The lecture is being delivered at an exclusive business Master class event tagged "Access More with Stannel", Igbere TV reports. The event is organized by Dr. Stannel Uzochukwu CEO MD Stannel group in collaboration with Access Bank, BON Hotel, Office of the Governor, Anambra state amongst others.

The youth-themed event organized to empower Youths in the areas of business startup and management, has in attendance business moguls from the Southeast to share their experiences in the business sector.

Also present at the event are Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr Nkem Okeke; former Senate President and Secretary to Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim; Founder President and Chairman Coscharis Group, Dr. Cosmos Maduka; former Governor of Central Bank, Prof Charles Soludo; Chairman/CEO Airpeace Airlines, Dr. Allen Airlines; Founder, Centre for Value in Leadership, Prof. Utomi; Hon. Chris Azubogu; Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Victor Uche Okafor; Hon. Edozie Madu traditional rulers among others.

Senator Kalu, a Nigerian billionaire businessman and politician who delved into business at the age of 19 is expected to share his experiences to the thousands of Youths currently gathered at the Stannel Dome, venue of the event.

https://igberetvnews.com/1382324/senator-kalu-delivers-powerful-lecture-entrepreneurship-anambra-photos/

Lalasticlala Seun Mynd44

Youths numbering in their thousands on Friday besieged ever-busy roads in Anambra state calling on Chief Whip of the Senate and former Abia governor, Senator Orji Kalu to contest for the 2023 presidential elections.

Senator Kalu who was billed to deliver a keynote address at an entrepreneurship youth programme held in the state was received with chants of solidarity by the youths, as witnessed by Igbere TV correspondent.

The entrepreneurship programme tagged "Access More With Stanel” was organized by Anambra born business mogul Dr. Stanley Uzochukwu in collaboration with Access Bank, Anambra state government, Airopay, Bon Hotel and other top-rated business entities.

Displaying their various colourful placards and banners with inscriptions such as "Orji Kalu for president 2023”, the youths in their thousands trooped to the major road on sighting Senator Kalu's convoy.

The development prompted the Chief Whip's convoy to slow down for Senator Kalu to acknowledge the greetings and cheers of the visibly elated groups.

Igbere TV recalls how the executive Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano ealrier received Senator Kalu at the Awka Government House, Anambra State. Obiano who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Nkem Okeke received Senator Kalu and his entourage at exactly 1:10 PM and proceeded for a private meeting.

In an exclusive chat with one the youth leaders Mr. Okezie Ibezim on the motive behind the rousing welcome, Ibezim told this Newspaper that the Southeast are with the interest of becoming equal among other regions of Nigeria in the leadership of the nation.

In his words: “The relative peace of the nation can be achieved if all stakeholders of the United Nigeria are carried along, given equal opportunity and 2023 is actually the time to include the South East into the leadership of Nigeria.

“We are here today to welcome one of our own, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu to Anambra State. The youths you see gathered today had prayed for a time like this, an opportunity to tell Dr Orji Kalu our view on the Presidency in 2023.

“We want him to run for the presidency in 2023 for it’s our right, going by the rotation seen so far since 1999. We’re happy he’s here today, you can see that from the crowd here to welcome him”.

Speaking further on the agitation and unrest by some Southeast indigenes to secede, Mr Okezie said those motives were driven by the way the region had been marginalized.

He said, “We have not forgotten how this region has been marginalized for decades. That is the very reason we still have some Igbos not believing in the nation Nigeria.

“2023 is another time for Nigerians to prove we are a one united nation, 2023 will either change the thinking of an average Igbo man to if we’re united in one purpose or not.

“We’re ready to support our own, we are ready to even change the economy of the nation. We have the skills naturally and we have the people that are with the capacity to make Nigeria a great nation. Dr Orji Uzor Kalu is one of those persons from this region that we know and believe can take on this task. We have our rally around him”.

Mr Okezie stressed the need of other regions to throw their weight on the Igbo presidency vision of 2023 just as they have supported other regions, be it in the PDP or APC.

He said, “No region is an island to the success of elective presidential positions in Nigeria. We had supported other regions in past elections, be it the PDP or the APC. Anambra is APGA state but you can’t say the state had no single votes in respect to elected presidents from other political parties that had mounted the presidential seat. I see no reasons why other regions should turn their back on the south east for no one knows where the messiah would come from.”

The Governor Okezie Ikpeazu led Abia state government has ordered all tricycle operators in the state to register with organized “keke” transport groups in the state.

This was disclosed in a statement made available to IGBERE TV, on Monday February 8, in Umuahia, endorsed by the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Chris Ezem.

He said the tricycle operators have 48 hours, from the day of this announcement, to register and/or validate their membership with the associations.

According to him, the latest directive was to enable government keep track of legitimate tricycle operators, otherwise known as “keke”, in the state.

They are to validate their membership with either the Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN), Abia state chapter or Allied Tricycle Riders Integrated Welfare Association (ATRIWA).

The Abia state government warned that the TOAN and ATRIWA are the only Abia government accredited and organized “keke” transport groups in the state.

The statement further directed the Ministry of Transport and all security agencies to ensure strict compliance to the directive “as defaulters will face the full weight of the law.”

https://igberetvnews.com/1381880/abia-govt-orders-keke-operators-register-organized-groups/

Lalasticlala Seun Mynd44

The Abuja division of the Federal High Court on Monday gave a former Abia State Governor and Senate Chief Whip, Dr. Orji Kalu the permission to challenge his retrial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on alleged money laundering charges.

Consequently, Justice Inyang Ekwo has ordered that the planned re-arraignment of the politician in the alleged N7.1billion money laundering charges be put on hold until the resolution of the legal questions raised against his retrial.

In a motion exparte which was moved an argued by his counsel, Prof. Awa Kalu (SAN), Igbere TV reports that Senator Kalu asked for an order of Court prohibiting the EFCC from retrying him on same alleged money laundering charges against him.

He contented that having been tried, convicted and sentenced in the same charges FHC/ABJ/CR/56/2007, by the court by Justice M.B. Idris, it will amount to double jeopardy if is subjected to a fresh trial on same charge.

Justice Ekwo in his ruling, granted leave to Kalu to seek an order prohibiting the Federal Republic of Nigeria, through the EFCC (her agent), her officers, servants, others, agents, privies and any other person or bodies driving authority from the Federal Republic of Nigeria, from retrying him on charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/56/2007 between FRN vs Orji Kalu & 2 ors or any other charge based on the same facts de novo, there being no extant judgment and ruling of a competent court in Nigeria mandating same.

An order prohibiting the Federal Republic of Nigeria, through the EFCC (her agent), her officers, servants, others, agents, privies and any other person or bodies driving authority from the Federal Republic of Nigeria, from retrying, harrassing and intimidating him with respect to the charge as concerns charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/56/2007 between FRN vs Orji Kalu & 2 ors or any other charge based on same facts as he need not suffer double jeopardy.

The court further ordered that the leave should operate as a stay of proceedings until the determination of the application.

Justice Ekwo in his ruling held that the applicant who is fully clothed with the locus standi has placed sufficient materials in his supporting affidavits to warrant the court to exercise it's discretion in his favour.

"Leave is at the discretion of the court under order 34(2) of the Federal High Court. In granting leave, there must be sufficient material fact placed before the court by the applicant to enable it exercise it's discretion judicially and judiciously.

"The averrements in the affidavit in support of the motion are about the applicant who has demonstrated sufficient interest to cloth him with a locus standi to bring the action.

"By section 34 (9) of the constitution, no person who shows that he has been tried by any court of competent jurisdiction or tribunal for a criminal and either convicted or acquitted shall again be tried for that offence having the same ingredients as that offence serve upon the order of a competent court."

Meantime, the court gave Kalu seven days to file and serve his process to the EFCC and adjourned the case to February 23 for mention

In his supporting affidavit deposed in support of his motion, Senator Kalu chronicled the historical background of the trial from his first arrangement and re-arraignment in 2016 and 2017, before the Abuja division of the Federal High Court after the initial charges were amended by the EFCC.

He further narrated how his application to quash the charges was not granted by both the trial court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

Kalu told the court that following an application by the EFCC, to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, the charge was transferred to the Lagos division of the court and was assigned to Justice M.B. Idris (now a Justice of the Court of Appeal).

That upon the transfer of the charge to Lagos, he bore the cost of movement of his entire legal team from Abuja to Lagos including the cost of accommodation up till judgment.

Senator Kalu disclosed that at the trial, the prosecution called a total of 19 witnesses and thereafter, closed it's case, necessitating him together with other defendants to enter individually and respectively a no case submission.

He stated how midway through the trial, Justice Idris was elevated to the Court of Appeal as a Justice of the Court and subsequently took the oath of office and subscribed to the oath of Allegiance on June 22, 2018 and lost his position as a Judge of the Federal High Court.

The applicant also narrated how by a Fiat dated July 2, 2018, issued under the hand of the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Idris was directed to return to the Federal High Court to conclude the trial, then part-heard in charge no: FHC/ABJ/CR/56/2007, between FRN vs Orji Kalu and 2 ors.

That in his judgment on December 5, 2019, Justice Idris convicted and sentenced him with respect to the extant charge.

That following his conviction and sentence, he was incarcerated at the Kuje Correctional Centre where he served part of his term having first spent a few days in the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.

That on May 8, 2020, the Supreme Court in judgment in appeal No: SC.62C/2019, Udeh Jones Udeogu vs FRN & 2 ors, held that the trial of the appellant at the trial court was conducted without jurisdiction and thereby ordered the retrial of the appellant (Udeh Jones Udeogu) without reference to him.

He argued that there is no extant ruling or judgment of a competent court in Nigeria ordering his trial having regard to the fact that the Supreme Court excluded him from the explicit order for retrial arising from charge No: FHC/ABJ/56/2007.

That the unassailable position of the law is that no person who shows that he has been tried by any court of competent jurisdiction or tribunal for a criminal and either convicted or acquitted shall again be tried for that offence having the same ingredients as that offence serve upon the order of a competent court.

That his trial having been pronounced a nulity by the Supreme Court in it's judgment of May 8, 2020 and without more cannot entitle the EFCC to institute the same charge against him.

After listening to Awa Kalu (SAN), Justice Kwo reserved ring till Monday, February 8, 2021.

While Prof. Awa Kalu (SAN) led the defence team of Senator Kalu, Chief Solomon Akuma (SAN) and K.C. Nwafor appeared for Udeh Jones Udeogu and Slok Nigeria Ltd respectively.

Meanwhile, the EFCC is seeking the transfer of the trial from Abuja to the Lagos division of the court.

When the case was called up, the prosecution counsel, Mr. Chile Okoroma informed the Judge of a letter by his client, seeking the transfer of the case to the Lagos division of the court.

He said that the request is predicated on previous decision of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal which held that "no element of defense in the charge took place in Abuja".

Okoroma accordingly urged the court to adjourned the matter indefinitely (sine dine) pending the decision of the Chief Judge.

However, trial judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo declined adjourning indefinitely and fixed June 7 for report on the decision of the Chief Judge.

Social media giant Facebook has revealed “real reasons” behind the removal of the account run by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

Igbere TV had on Tuesday reported the deletion of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) initiator's account, amid the controversy surrounding the operation of ESN in the Southeast.

In response to a mailed in inquiry to Facebook on Thursday, by Igbere TV, a spokesperson for the social media giant said Kanu’s page was removed for violating the Community’s guidelines.

“We believe in giving people a voice, but we also want everyone using Facebook to feel safe. It’s why we have Community Standards, which set out what is and isn't allowed on Facebook, and we remove anything that violates them,” the spokesperson said.

“In line with our rules, we removed Nnamdi Kanu’s page for repeatedly posting content that breaks those Community Standards, including content that violated our rules on coordinating harm and hate speech,” Facebook added in the mail to Igbere TV.

The deletion of Nnamdi Kanu’s Facebook account came days after the IPOB leader posted a video showing the eviction of killer herdsmen from Southeast forests and killing of cows owned by Fulani herders by the ESN.

Spokesman for the IPOB, Emma Powerful could not be reached for comment. But in a backup account allegedly owned by Kanu, the IPOB leader alleged that the Nigerian government paid Facebook to pull down his page.

“The zoo(a term he uses to address Nigeria) have payed(sic) Facebook to delete my the other page, but we are unstoppable, We are the great children’s of chukwu okikeabiama, the zoo is gone forever, #wemove,” he wrote.

Checks by Igbere TV on Thursday afternoon shows that the Kanu’s Facebook account, which he uses to front his Biafra agitation and some times issue order to ESN, was still 'down' 48 hours later.

This is not the first time that Facebook is pulling down accounts belonging to top political figures and activists across the globe over alleged violation of their Community’s guidelines.

In January, the social media giant suspended the official account of former United States president Donald Trump over persistent posts alleging election fraud and for allegedly calling for violence in the U.S. Capitol.

The deletion of Nnamdi Kanu’s official Facebook account has been met with mixed reaction with many users alleging a clampdown on dissenting voices and infringement on people’s rights to freedom of speech.

https://igberetvnews.com/1381384/removed-nnamdi-kanus-account-facebook/

Lalasticlala Seun Mynd44

Social media giant Facebook has shut down an account run by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The deletion comes hours after the Eastern Security Network (ESN) founder vowed to reveal some strategies to flush out killer herdsmen from the Southeast.

It also comes days after the IPOB leader posted a video showing the eviction of killer herdsmen from Southeast forests and killing of cows by the ESN.

Spokesman for the IPOB, Mr. Emma Powerful could not be reached for comment. Facebook did not provide explanation over of the deletion.

Meanwhile, the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu has disclosed that the organisation’s Eastern Security Network (ESN) will commence the full enforcement of Southeast anti-grazing law in less than two weeks.

Details later....

https://igberetvnews.com/1381268/breaking-mark-zuckerberg-deletes-nnamdi-kanus-facebook-account/

Lalasticlala Seun Mynd44

A foremost Southeast democracy advocacy group has condemned the retrial of former Governor of Abia State and Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Igbere TV reports.

Kalu was re-arraigned on Tuesday at a Federal High Court in Abuja by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), despite the verdict of the apex court which nullified the trial.

The group known as Southeast Patrons for Good Governance (SPGG) said the development was a clear attempt to cripple the chances of the South East producing the next President of the country in 2023.

SPGG, while expressing disappointment, said Senator Kalu's re-arraignment was unwarranted “because it is clear the former Governor was innocent of all the allegations.”

Led by the convener, Chief Justin Chukwuka, the group said the nation's judiciary is being used as a tool to carry out selective justice.

Chief Chukwuka in a statement he personally signed, on behalf of the group, insisted that the retrial was a grand plot by some forces with vested interests in 2023 Presidential election to whittle down the soaring influence of Senator Kalu in the nation.

He said, “It is worrisome because we see how countless individuals with hard evidences of corruption walk freely, hold public offices and even speak at public events.”

Chief Chukwuka said it was more worrisome because it's clear to all that the Genesis of Senator Kalu's case was as a result of political disagreement when he defended the nation's constitution by not fighting the third term agenda of former President Olusegun Obsanjo.

“For instance, a former Lagos State Governor and leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, is alleged to have connived with his cronnies to loot the coffers of Lagos state to the tune of N300billion.

“Implicating documents were published how his Tax consulting firm called Alpha Beta Consulting LLP, used same with his fronts to loot and launder the said amount N300billion.

“Till date his proteges and beneficiaries of his alleged corruption proceeds head major public offices across the country, yet there has been no attempt to prosecute Mr. Tinubu or any of his cronies before a court of competent jurisdiction. His case is just one of so many others, yet Senator Orji Kalu has remained their only target till date since 2007.

“We have studied with keen interest the recent developments in our nation most especially on the political angle, and we have discovered the converted plot to further destabilise the Igbo nation.

“While we are still lamenting our exclusion from the list of newly appointed security Chiefs in the nation, we were greeted with the news of the re-arraignment of our illustrious son Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.

“As a group speaking on behalf of well meaning Southeasteners and Nigerians at large we condemn in absolute totality his retrial before the Federal High Court, our reasons are not far fetched because it's nothing but a clear attempt to not just  silence Senator Orji Uzor Kalu's rising profile but to also further suppress the Igbo nation.

“It is unfortunate because there are countless personalities with questionable wealth but are walking freely majority of them are even holding offices in this administration yet they have not for once been arraigned. Why must it always be Senator Orji Uzor Kalu?

“Senator Orji Uzor Kalu became a billionaire long before he got into office as Governor, his travails can be traced to his disagreement with fomer President over third term agenda. Besides, Senator Kalu's rising profile and sterling performance at the Senate has made him a potential Presidential candidate for 2023, this has however made him an imaginary stumbling block to some interests. 

“We ask why must the Igbos continue to be made sacrificial lamb? Only recently President Muhammadu Buhari excluded Igbos in the appointment of the new Service Chiefs, there have also been several appointments no single Igbo man or woman was chosen, yet the very few Igbo leaders remaining are prosecuted. 

“The Federal Government should beware that the seed of destruction which they are sowing will definitely boomerang and it would difficult for them to withstand it's ripple effects. 

“We would also like to remind the Federal Government and Nigerians that Senator Kalu made his wealth legitimately; this was further proven when he was listed by Forbes till date as the only politician among Billionaires in Africa. We also remind that Senator Kalu has contributed immensely to the development of this country with his massive investments in both the North and South and has so far engaged over 16,000 workers. 

“We state categorically that the Igbos are solidly behind Senator Orji Uzor Kalu; since his assumption into office as a Senator despite being a first time Senator asides his legislative duty Senator Kalu has facilited 19 road projects, reconstructed over 15 schools, constructed boreholes these are in addition to his skills and agricultural empowerment within his Senatorial district,” the statement concluded.

https://igberetvnews.com/1381224/southeast-group-condemns-kalus-retrial-exposes-plot-deny-zone-presidency/

Lalasticlala Seun Mynd44

The Ekehuan Campus of the University of Benin was agog as the Vice Chancellor, Professor Lilian Salami, visited to inaugurate an Art Square put together and named in her honour by the Fine and Applied Arts Department of the University.

According to a statement made available to CAMPUS GIST by Public Relations Officer of the University, Dr. Benedicta Ehanire, Monday, in Benin City, the Square boasts of exquisite sculptural and other artistic creations.

Acting Head of the Department, Dr. Samson Ukweku, said the Professor Lilian I. Salami Square was initiated by the department as part of efforts to identify and key into the Vice Chancellor's aesthetic vision for the University.

The Deputy Vice Chancellor, Ekehuan Campus, Professor John Ogene, who drove the project and was also honoured at the event, commended the Vice Chancellor's uncommon foresight and intellectual capacity as well as zeal to ensure the transformation of the University.

He said her leadership style was to be emulated.

The Vice Chancellor, Professor Salami, who was visibly elated, thanked Professor Ogene and the Ekehuan Campus community, especially the Staff of Fine and Applied Arts Department, for re-branding the department with the laudable project, carried out purely by their sacrificial efforts.

She promised to continue to pay great attention to the needs of the campus residents who were currently enjoying accelerated infrastructure development like their Ugbowo campus counterparts.

The Vice Chancellor was accompanied on the visit by Principal Officers of the University.

A cultural presentation by students of the Department of Theatre Arts spiced the event.

https://campusgist.com.ng/2021/02/01/uniben-fine-art-department-surprises-vc-births-prof-salami-square-photos/

Lalasticlala Seun Mynd44

Don't Involve Yourselves In Cult Activities, UNIBEN Warn Students

The management of University of Benin (UNIBEN), Benin city, in Edo state, has reiterated its existing ban on all cult groups and outlawed clubs on campus.

The ban is contained in the latest rules and regulation book released over the weekend to students ahead of the February 1, 2021 resumption of academic activities.

The University management advised students to join only registered clubs and associations in the University and avoid nocturnal clubs or have themselves to blame.

UNIBEN listed some of the banned groups and outlawed clubs to include: Neo-Black Movement, Eiye, Maphite, Buccaneer, Female Amazon, Jezebel, Black Bra, among others.

“All social activities must be carried out with permission from the Dean of Students in accordance with the rules and regulation laid down by the University,” the latest guideline said.

UNIBEN warned students against manhandling of any staff, saying such act will attract maximum sanction, while a breach of any of the rules and regulation will attract serious disciplinary action “as deemed appropriate by the University.”

https://campusgist.com.ng/2021/02/01/dont-involve-yourselves-in-cult-activities-uniben-warn-students/

Lalasticlala Seun Mynd44

Ahead of the February 1, 2021 resumption of academic activities, the University of Benin has made wearing of facemasks compulsory as a preventive measure against COVID-19.

For the avoidance of doubt, the university management says students without facemasks would be denied access to campus, insisting, ‘no face mask, no entry.’

This was contained in the latest 'rules and regulations' book released by the University management over the weekend, in Benin city, and obtained by CAMPUS GIST.

UNIBEN, in the guideline, directed all students to come to campus with face masks, face shields and two 50mls vials of hand sanitizers each.

The university says staff and students should avoid crowding and practice regular hand washing using soap/sanitizer at all time.

UNIBEN further directed students to report any suspected symptom of COVID-19 to the PEO and use of COVID-19 guideline on 08055619250.

“Subscribe to [the University's] use of ‘see something, say something’ on +2348128180042; +2349066759262,” the latest UNIBEN rule book said.

The University of Benin is not taking any chances with the reported upsurge in coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in parts of the country.

Just recently, the University constituted and inaugurated the UNIBEN Surveillance Club as part of measures to forestall outbreak of the disease and ensure safety of all.

The core mandate of the Club is to monitor compliance with the University's regulations on COVID-19 non-medical protocols.

In addition to formation of the Surveillance Club, UNIBEN announced the deployment of special vehicles on campus on continuous sensitisation of staff and students.

Olude193:
Have these hostels been renovated?