₦airaland Forum

The Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Barr. Paul Ohonbamu, has just resigned his appointment.

The Commissioner tendered his resignation in a letter exclusively obtained by Igbere TV on Thursday, which was addressed to the governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki.

He said he has “decided to step aside as a cabinet member and operate outside it for the general good of Edo State and pursuit of happiness for the citizens.”

Ohonbamu’s resignation comes barely a month after the governor’s ex-Chief of Staff, Taiwo Akerele walked away, amid the trend of high-profile exit from the Obaseki-administration

Reliable sources in the Government House say several other senior aides, including serving Commissioners, are planning their exit ahead the Edo 2020 governorship election.

The latest resignation comes weeks to the Edo All Progressive Congress (APC) primaries, in which Obaseki is seeking to fly the party's ticket in the September 19 governorship election.

The, governor, however, have top contenders to battle to clinch the APC ticket, including a former Secretary to State Government and Peoples Democratic Party 2016 governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

Rumours are rife that the now resigned Commissioner had pledged loyalty to Adams Oshiomhole, Obaseki’s estranged godfather and national chairman of the APC. Both Obaseki and Oshiomhole have been at loggerheads for some time now.

More details later...

Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has just been released from the Nigerian Correctional Service’ custody in Kuje, Abuja.

This followed yesterday's order of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos ordering the immediate release of the former Governor of Abia.

Justice Mohammed Liman, who ordered Kalu’s release, also quashed the 12-year jail term imposed on him last December 5 by Justice Mohammed Idris.

Here are moments the Abia North senator walked out from custody freely, as captured by Igbere TV.

Uwa: IGP orders immediate transfer of case to Abuja

...directs ‘speedy and thorough investigation’

...case now to be handled by DCP Michael led Force-CID

By: Campus Gist, Benin City

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the immediate transfer of the ongoing investigations into the incident from the Edo State Police Command to the Force headquarters, Abuja.

A statement exclusively obtained by Campus Gist late Tuesday, June 2 and signed by DCP Frank Mba, Force Public Relations Officer, confirmed the transfer directive issued by the IGP.

“The IGP’s directive is sequel to the preliminary report from the team of investigators and forensic experts earlier deployed to assist the Edo State Police Command in the investigations into the unfortunate incident,” he said.

“The DIG in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), DIG Anthony Ogbizi Michael, fdc will henceforth provide direct supervision and ensure speedy and thorough investigation of the case.”

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the immediate transfer of the ongoing investigations into the death of Miss Vera Uwaila Omosuwa from the Edo State Police Command to the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

Omosuwa was raped and brutally killed by unknown men in a church in Edo State.

The 22-year old was a first year student of the University of Benin.

According to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba, on Tuesday evening, the IGP’s directive is sequel to the preliminary report from the team of investigators and forensic experts earlier deployed to assist the Edo State Police Command in the investigations into the unfortunate incident.

“The DIG in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), DIG Anthony Ogbizi Michael, fdc will henceforth provide direct supervision and ensure speedy and thorough investigation of the case.

Read Also: PDP to FG: Reduce fuel price to N70
“In a similar vein, the IGP has ordered the immediate deployment of specialized investigators and additional investigation assets to all the Gender Desks Offices and the Juvenile Welfare Centres (JWC) across the country.

“This is to strengthen and enhance the capacity of the Units to respond to increasing challenges of sexual assaults and domestic/gender-based violence linked with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and other social ills within the country.

“Meanwhile, the IGP has called on members of the public to provide the police useful information that could aid investigations into ongoing cases of sexual assaults and domestic/gender-based violence across the country.

“He also enjoins parents and guardians to pay closer attention to their children and wards in these trying times,” he said.

Management of the University of Benin says it received with shock, the news of the rape and subsequent murder of one of its students, Miss Vera Uwaila Omozuwa, 100 level, Microbiology Department.

Igbere TV had reported the death of the 22-year-old, who was said to have been raped at a church where she had gone to read on Friday, around Ikpoba Hill area of Benin City where she lives.

In a statement signed and made available to Igbere TV Sunday by the University spokesperson, Benedicta Ehanire, PhD she said the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lilian Salami was saddened by the development.

“The actions are condemnable and should not be condoned by any society,” the VC was quoted as saying. “The current pandemic was already hard on everyone and that compounding it with inflicting additional pain on any family is a wicked act.”

While commiserating with the bereaved family on the loss of their dear daughter, Professor Salami prayed God to grant her soul, peaceful rest.

The Vice Chancellor called on students of the institution and indeed all young people to be wary of the company they keep and the places that they visit.

Meanwhile, a delegation has been sent by the University’s Management to commiserate with the bereaved family, said the institution’s spokesperson.

https://igberetvnews.com/1353461/nigerian-student-raped-inside-church-smashed-death-photos/

Lalasticlala Seun Mynd44

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has ordered full investigation into the alleged rape and murder of Miss Vera Uwaila Omozuwa, a 100 level student of the University of Benin.

Igbere TV had reported the death of the 22-year-old, who was said to have been raped at a church where she had gone to read on Friday, around Ikpoba Hill area of Benin City where she lives.

In a tweet sighted by Igbere TV on his official Twitter handle Sunday, Governor Obaseki said he had ordered the police to identify and bring the culprits to book.

The tweet reads, “I have ordered the Nigeria Police Force to thoroughly investigate the circumstances that led to the death of Miss Vera Uwaila Omozuwa, a 100-level student of the University of Benin (UNIBEN).

“The Nigeria Police Force has been mandated to identify, arrest and prosecute anyone found culpable in her death. The Violence Against Persons (VAP) Law is in effect in our state.

“Using this law, we would ensure to investigate what exactly transpired and deal decisively with the those found complicit in the dastardly act, whoever they might be.”

https://igberetvnews.com/1353461/nigerian-student-raped-inside-church-smashed-death-photos/

budaatum:
Another one?

UNIBEN Student Raped Inside Church In Edo, Dies (Graphics Photos)

Miss Vera Uwaila Omozuwa, a 100 level student of the University of Benin, from the department of Microbiology, faculty of Life Sciences, has died from injuries sustained from rape.

The 22-year-old victim was said to have been raped on Friday 29th May near Ikpoba Hill in Benin City, at her church, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

Igbere TV gathered that the deceased had gone to the church to read as usual, in preparation for the lifting of the coronavirus-imposed shutdown of schools.

The perpetrators were said to have attacked her at the RCCG Ohovbe road branch, raped and smashed her head with a fire extinguisher, leaving her for dead.

Miss Vera was rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), where she battled for her dear life at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

She, however, gave up the ghost Saturday midnight, May 30, following excess loss of blood and deep cuts sustained from the attack.

A family source, who confirmed the development, described the deceased as “an easy-going somebody (sic).” Her remains had been deposited at the morgue.

Nigerians have since taken to Twitter, using #JusticeForUwa, to demand for justice for the fallen student and one of the numerous victims of rape in the country.

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Abubakar Adamu has ordered the immediate posting and redeployment of Command Police Commissioners to nine states including Edo and Ondo states where gubernatorial elections are scheduled to hold in a few months’ time.

The new Commissioners of Police are CP Babatunde Kokumo, Edo state; he had served as one time CP of Edo State, the new CP Ondo State is CP Bolaji Amidu Salami, CP Undie J Adie moves to Osun state from Ondo state.

CP Lawal Jimeta Tanko, formerly of Edo state is the new CP Bauchi state, CP Philip Sule Maku is the new CP Ebonyi State, CP Ahmed Maikudi Shehu is the new CP, Gombe state, while CP Joe Nwachukwu Enwonwu is the new CP, Oyo state.

CP Evelyn T. Peterside becomes CP in charge Eastern Port, CP Okon Etim Ene is CP in charge Bomb Disposal (EOD), CP Bello Maikwashi is CP Airport Command and CP Olukolu Tairu Shina is CP Anti-Fraud Unit (FCID Annex Lagos).

A statement by DCP Frank Mba, Force Public Relations Officer, quotes the IGP charging the newly posted officers to ensure they consolidate and advance the gains of their predecessors particularly in the implementation of community-policing, crime prevention, public security, public safety and general crime fighting.

“The IGP also enjoins the citizens of the affected states to cooperate with the Commissioners of Police to enable them succeed in their new areas of responsibilities.”

The Nigerian Presidency on Tuesday denied reversing appointments and memos / approvals made by late Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari.

There were media reports (not on Igbere TV) that Buhari has canceled some appointments made by Kyari because he (Buhari) was not consulted before such approvals and memos were issued out.

Reacting, however, the Presidency in a statement made available to Igbere TV by senior presidential spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, described the media reports as “fake news.”

Shehu, who insisted Buhari had never at anytime ceded his powers to anyone, said there was no iota of truth on the allegation that the President recently upturned about 150 memos issued by his late CoS.

The statement reads, “The attention of the Presidency has been drawn to media reports alleging that President Muhammadu Buhari has cancelled a number of memos and appointments signed off by his former Chief of Staff. Not surprisingly, these reports have quoted unnamed sources.

“There is not a grain of truth in these reports and Nigerians should please ignore the insinuations behind them.

“President Buhari was duly re-elected by Nigerians in February 2019. He has not and will never cede to anyone else, that power and trust given to him by the Nigerian people.”

https://igberetvnews.com/1352840/presidency-speaks-reversing-appointments-approvals-made-abba-kyari/

bolaayenimo:
You are tagging mods to put this trash on fp?

All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Aba North and South Federal Constituency in the 2019 general election, Hon. Mascot Uzor Kalu, has congratulated Prince Paul Ikonne on his appointment as Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority, NALDA.

In a statement he personally signed and made available to Igbere TV on Tuesday, Hon. Kalu described Ikonne’s appointment as well-deserved, considering his experience over the years, expressing confidence that the appointee would bring his experience to bear in the new national assignment.

He said the appointment would rightly place Prince Ikonne in the right stead to contribute his quota to national development, as a thorough-bred administrator with vast knowledge in management of human resources.

According to him, “I congratulate Prince Paul Ikonne on his recent appointment by Mr. President as Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority, NALDA.

“The appointment is well-deserved. Prince Ikonne, with the appointment, is in the right stead to contribute to national development, with his decades of vast experience in public administration.”

Hon. Kalu said he believes Prince Ikonne would do well in serving the country given his background, adding that he was confident that the new appointee would make necessary contributions for the strengthening of the Commission’s work.

“Your appointment speaks volume of the confidence that Mr. President reposes on you to steer the affairs of NALDA towards attracting intervention programmes for the Nigerian agriculture, and strategic public support for land development.

“As my former colleague in a government where you served as Commissioner, while I was Chief of Staff, I know your work habits and equally know you will do well in this new role. It is, therefore, my prayer that you will use the opportunity of your appointment to promote and reposition NALDA for optimal performance.”

Stating that the family relationship between the Uzor Kalus and Ikonnes spans over 40-years, the APC candidate said Ikonne had equally worked tirelessly to promote the APC in Abia, urging him not to relent now.

While wishing Prince Ikonne a very successful tenure, Hon. Kalu commended President Muhammadu Buhari for finding him worthy of such appointment, saying, “Prince Paul Ikonne is someone who has toiled for the country.”

Igbere TV reliably gathered that Hon. Mascot Uzor Kalu, who enjoys a long-standing personal relationship of over two decades with Prince Ikonne, had personally called to congratulate him on his new appointment.

Prince Ikonne was APC gubernatorial candidate under the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in 2011 and former Commissioner for both Lands and Works in Abia State between 2007 to 2009. He was at a time the vice-chairman of APC, Abia South zone.

https://igberetvnews.com/1352838/nalda-mascot-uzor-kalu-felicitates-paul-ikonne-appointment/

By Ogochukwu Isioma, Abuja

The Federal House of Representatives has denied the allegations that it inflated the budget submitted to it by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and equally delayed the passage.

Igbere TV recalls that the Commission had, through its Executive Director, Projects and member of the Interim Management Committee, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, accused the House of “vandalising” its budget.

Appearing on Arise Television in a recent interview, the NDDC executive director equally accused the lower legislative chamber of “removing” all the regional projects of President Muhammadu Buhari from the budget.

Reacting to the allegations, however, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Reps Spokesman, in a statement made available to Igbere TV, described it as “defamatory claims” engineered to cast aspersions on the credibility and integrity of the House.

He said, “The claims by Dr. Ojougboh that the House of Representatives delayed passage of the 2019 NDDC budget are simply untrue and indicate a concerning ineptitude, ignorance and/or deliberate mischief by the Executive Director to deceive Nigerians about the financial improprieties of the Commission. When in reality, it has been the House pushing the Commission to do the needful and render account to the Nigerian people.

“Section 18(1) of the NDDC (Establishment) Act mandates the Commission to, not later than 30 September in each year, submit to the National Assembly, its budget estimates for the following year. The House recalls that for more than 13 months after the time required by law, the Commission deliberately failed to submit its 2019 budget to the National Assembly for approval, choosing instead to engage in illegal and unauthorized spending to the tune of billions of naira. It took the intervention of the House, following a motion moved by Rep. Benjamin O. Kalu on November 26, 2019, to compel the Commission to present its 2019 budget.

“The House further recalls that on December 10, 2019, the date fixed for the budget defence, the Commission failed to appear with its 2018 budget performance report, a document critical to assessing its previous expenditures and approving its 2019 budget; as a result of which, the budget defence had to be stepped down. The Commission was only able to return with their budget performance report on February 5th, 2020 following which the House passed the 2019 budget 3 weeks after (February 27th, 2020).

“The House states that the negligence and/or deliberate mischief of the Commission has also frustrated all efforts by the National Assembly to expeditiously approve the Commission’s 2020 budget. We recall that on April 28 and May 12, 2020, the National Assembly sent joint reminders to the Commission requesting copies of the 2019 budget performance report to enable it consider the Commission’s 2020 budget. Unfortunately, in a reply dated May 13, 2020, the Commission cited the COVID-19 pandemic as excuse for their failure to provide their 2019 performance report. This is curiously ironic considering that despite the pandemic, they have been able to access their offices to spend monies, handle sharing of palliatives, make payments in billions of Naira and undertake transfers, promotions and suspensions of public officers, etc. Therefore, till date, the Commission has refused to render an account of their 2019 budget expenditures to Nigerians.”

On the allegations of budget padding made against it by the NDDC, the House of Reps said it were simply untrue, insisting, however, that the estimates had to be cut down to available funds, having exceeded the agency’s revenue source.

“Dr. Ojougboh’s claims that the House of Representatives “vandalized and raped” the 2019 budget by adding N85bn Naira are not only false, but paint a rather disturbing image of the Executive Director’s emotional state as well as his relationship with facts and reality.

“Contrary to the allegations of padding, the House recalls instead, that it was forced to cut down the budget estimates from N409bn to N345bn when it was discovered that the Commission’s projected expenditures were unrealistic, having exceeded their revenue source by N63bn.

“The House is also concerned by Dr. Ojougboh’s grave allegations attempting to indict President Muhammadu Buhari of influencing the 2019 NDDC budget by inserting the so called “President’s regional projects”. While we have a duty to remove any suspicious items identified in the budget, it must be stated that the House is not aware of any line items in the 2019 budget estimates bearing the name or indicating the personal interests of the President.”

The green chamber said the insinuations by the NDDC that the House is against the ongoing forensic audit of the Commission are untrue and misleading, saying, “the House has always expressed its total support for the forensic audit ordered by the President.”

“This is further evidenced by the fact that it was the House at Committee level which added a provision for the forensic audit in the 2019 budget after discovering that the Commission’s original budget estimates failed to include a line for the forensic audit.

“Echoing the sentiments of Nigerians, our only concern is as to the propriety of the appointment or supervision of the forensic auditors and also to ensure that any auditing process is done in accordance with the Constitution. The House insists that a supervision of the auditing process by the IMC or any other subjects of the audit, defeats the cardinal principle of natural justice, nemo judex in causa sua (no-one is judge in his own cause) and undermines the integrity of the investigation.

“As the People’s parliament, the 9th House of Representatives remains committed to exposing corruption, inefficiency or waste in any aspect of the government. We state that our support for the forensic audit does not in any way silence or preclude our oversight mandate in Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN) (as altered) as both arms of government must continue to work according to the principles of the doctrine of separation of power. It is an exercise of the system of checks and balance and not a duplicity of effort. Therefore, the House will continue independent investigations in order to be equipped with information in anticipation of the outcome of the forensic audit.”

https://igberetvnews.com/1352802/house-reps-debunks-allegation-budget-delay-padding-nddc/

Lalasticlala Seun Mynd44

The ten Lagos State Government House staff who earlier tested positive for Coronavirus, have all recovered from the disease.

Governor of Lagos, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, disclosed this at a press briefing at the Government House on Sunday.

He said the ten officials have fully recovered having tested negative twice, discharged and returned to their beats.

Sanwo-Olu said the disclosure was necessary to further promote transparency in the reporting and management of coronavirus cases by the State Government.

The Governor hinted that the state is considering re-opening critical sectors of its economy, including worship centres, companies such as banks, restaurants.

Sanwo-Olu, in the broadcast monitored by Igbere TV, however said the move will not be pushed in a hurry.

He said in the coming days, the state government would be rolling out Register-to-Open initiative as part of the plans that would enable it assess the level of readiness of the players in the identified sectors for supervised operations.

The Governor, however, warned that residents must not take the easing of lockdown for granted, saying everyone residing in the state must work collectively to rid Lagos of coronavirus.

https://igberetvnews.com/1351696/breaking-10-lagos-govt-house-staff-recover-covid-19/

Lalasticlala Seun Mynd44