₦airaland Forum

By Taiwo Adeyemi
Ibrahim Magu, suspended Chairman of the Economic Financial Crime Commission, EFCC rattled the whole country when holding sway as the nation’s anti-corruption Czar, he led to court as sheep for slaughter few former Governors, they were made as sacrifice and scapegoat to serve as deterrent to others not to deep their hands into public coffers for personal enrichment. Joshua Dariye, Joyle Nyame were to spend years behind bars, Orji Uzor Kalu was rescued from the slaughter slab because of judicial laxity. He would have lost his senate seat to imprisonment.

Magu’s name shook the world of cybercrime, he went after internet fraudsters like a lion running after its prey, when the prey hid under the earth, Magu dogged to bring it on earth for justice. Fear of Magu and his boys is the beginning of wisdom for them, he shocked us when he made revelation that “yahoo Boys’ Parents’ have an association”. Our mouth was ajar, our heart trembled. He was dreadful Efunsetan Aniwura of the Old Oyo Empire in the cybercrime world, he made connection far and beyond on his quest to preserve Nigeria’s soul from Coronavirus of corruption that is infectious.

He got to office after many subterranean plots to stop his appointment, Department of State Service, DSS damning letters to the Eighth Senate stopped his confirmation after nomination by President Muhammadu Buhari, the DSS claimed Magu lacked character to lead anti-graft war, his hands were not clean, he has been indicted by the Police Service Commission, PSC for actions that threatened national security. The Senate rejected him, reactions from all quarters trailed his rejection. Human Right Activist, Femi Falana schooled the Presidency that Magu did not need senate confirmation to become substantive chairman of the EFCC. Many forces wanted him out of office but Buhari was his wall of Gibraltar, he shielded him from his enemies. He wanted him to be his anti-corruption Tsar, Buhari preferred to retain him in office but Magu most live with “Acting” as part of his nomenclature in office.

Magu in his strides to rescue Nigeria’s soul from corruption, beamed his searchlight on nooks and crannies of the nation, present and past Public Officers were careful about their activities. He was assisted by now comatose whistle blower policy and ever effective Bank Verification Number. We saw money at the Airport, Ikoyigate came to our attention, Kaduna abandoned house produced stashed fund, many properties that were secured through illicit funds were recovered. Everybody hailed Magu for a job well done, national ovation for the man at the helm of affairs at the EFCC. Every Citizen screamed Alas!!! Money, money and money everywhere.

Magu stepped on toes, he crossed redlines set by powerful personalities, he attracted wrath of government agencies. He attacked the judiciary, the DSS, the National Intelligent Agency, NIA suffered assault from him, Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Ministry of Justice was side tracked in his operations. Some of them wanted a pound of flesh from him according to Shakespeare in “Merchant of Venice”. They all waited for the right time to attack him, they were salivating for his flesh, and his blood will be a distilled water to their thirsty souls.
Abubakar Malami, Minister of Justice and the Attorney General of the Federation activated the assault against him, one of the walls around him that preserved him in office against Senate’s rejection. Malami fell on him, Magu thought he has muster enough stamina to withstand Malami’s assault but Malami has upper hand over him. Malami in a memo to President Buhari that was leaked to the media recommended that Magu should be sacked as EFCC Chairman. Buhari was helpless, his inaction will cast aspersion on his image. It will be another dint on his anti-corruption white linen, which his political opponents will feast on like Vultures.

In Malami’s world, Magu is another Nuhu Ribhadu that sidelined office of the AGF who is the National Legal Adviser in his operations. Magu must be caged to prevent further insubordination. Contractions in recovered loots, failure to extradite Former Petroleum Minister, Alison Madueke to Nigeria to face corruption allegation levelled against her by the Commission were part of Malami’s allegation against Magu.
Magu played significant role in his downfall, he wanted to be in the media. He wanted media to capture his achievements. Magu will rush to the media when he has not concluded investigation, his activities were called media trial of suspects. He told the world that Former Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke must come back home to eat his own share of justice in his alleged role in popular Malabu Scam, Adoke was extradited from Dubai to Nigeria, Magu’s agency appeared again in court to get another fourteen days to keep Adoke for further investigation.
President Buhari’s inaugurated a seven man panel headed by retired Justice Ayo Salami, a former President of the Appeal Court in what Presidency termed “no man is above scrutiny”. Magu was served summon in traffic, he has no time no prepare for defence. DSS disassociated itself from news that it arrested Magu, a move to exonerate itself from Magu’s fall. He was drilled for hours by the panel but he was at the mercy of his lawyer to help him.

Salami’s Panel recommended his suspension which president Buhari has assented to, this is the end of another anti-corruption Tsar, he was disgraced out of office by forces powerful than him. Magu has suffered fate that befell previous occupants of the office. Nuhu Ribhadu, Farida Waziri, Ibrahim Lamorde and now Ibrahim Magu. The list is increasing in every political dispensation.

Farewell, Ibrahim Magu.

Ghanaian President, Nana Akufo-Addo, Friday, announced that the late former Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, will be given state burial in Ghana, September 13. The announcement is sequel to President Akufo-Addo’s meeting with Annan’s family.


source and more http://kaakakinews.com/2018/08/25/kofi-annan-for-state-burial-september-13-ghanaian-president/

President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday returned to Abuja after celebrating Eid-el Kabir in his hometown, Daura, Katsina State.

Buhari had left Abuja on Monday ahead of the Tuesday and Wednesday public holidays declared by the Federal Government for the Sallah.



source and more http://kaakakinews.com/2018/08/25/president-buhari-arrives-abuja-after-sallah-celebration-in-daura/

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders in Kogi West Senatorial district has said no automatic ticket for all aspirants seeking for political office from the senatorial district.

Senator Dino Melaye is the present Senator representing the district at the upper chamber.



source and more http://kaakakinews.com/2018/08/25/no-automatic-ticket-for-melaye-and-other-candidates-kogi-west-pdp/

Adamu Garba, presidential aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has appointed Mr. Opeyemi Oriniowo, a former Special Adviser to the Ekiti State governor-elect, Kayode Fayemi, as the Director General of his 2019 presidential campaign.



source and more http://kaakakinews.com/2018/08/24/2019-buharis-apc-opponent-adamu-garba-appoints-campaign-team/

Crisis has engulfed Ekiti State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) as two different factions issued different directive to workers over unpaid salary arrears.Some workers, led by former chairman of the NLC, Ayodeji Aluko and his counterpart in TUC, Kolawole Olaiya, led the “rescue team” who declared industrial action against the state government.


source and more http://kaakakinews.com/2018/08/24/tension-hits-ekiti-state-labour-union-over-unpaid-salaries/

There is rising anger within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area Council of Bayelsa State over the decision of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Kombowei Benson to back out of the Federal House of Representative race and seek 5th term in office.


source and more http://kaakakinews.com/2018/08/17/tension-in-bayelsa-pdp-over-speakers-fifth-term-ambition/

Former Governor of Abia State and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Orji Kalu has accepted the traditional title of “Dan Baiwan Hausa” to be conferred on him by Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk Umar.


source and more http://kaakakinews.com/2018/08/17/buharis-village-head-to-turban-kalu-as-dan-baiwan-hausa-during-sallah/

The National Assembly Joint Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has again invited the Chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to give further clarifications on the 2019 General Elections Budget.


source and more http://kaakakinews.com/2018/08/16/senate-invites-inec-chairman-for-clarification-over-election-budget/

American Embassy has said that the suspended consular services in Abuja may resume after the Eid-el-Kabir holidays.


more and source http://kaakakinews.com/2018/08/16/abuja-american-embassy-to-resume-consular-service-after-break/

Governors under the auspices of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) say they have hired lawyers to challenge the power of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe security vote of states.


source and more http://kaakakinews.com/2018/08/16/governors-hire-lawyers-to-tackle-efcc-over-probe-of-security-vote/

The Nigerian Police have made a first public statement on the arrest and detention of PREMIUM TIMES journalist, Samuel Ogundipe.

Rather than explain the unjust detention of the journalist amidst global calls for his release, however, the police spokesperson, Jimoh Moshood, said he is not aware of the details of the arrest.



source and more http://kaakakinews.com/2018/08/15/we-are-not-aware-about-the-arrest-of-premium-times-journalist-nigerian-police/

#TakeItBack movement, a support group loyal to presidential hopeful and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, has been announced as one of the newly registered political parties by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).


source and more http://kaakakinews.com/2018/08/14/omoyele-sowore-support-group-registers-political-party/

Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State on Tuesday visited former President Olusegun Obasanjo at his Presidential Library Complex in Abeokuta.



source and more http://kaakakinews.com/2018/08/14/ibrahim-dankwambo-declines-comment-after-meeting-with-obasanjo-in-abeokuta/

Adams Oshiomhole, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) says the only way Senate President Bukola Saraki can retain his position is to return to the ruling party but such will not happen.



source and more http://kaakakinews.com/2018/08/14/oshiomhole-saraki-could-have-retained-his-seat-is-to-return-to-apc-but-we-will-reject-him/

The Governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Dakwambo, is currently in a closed door meeting with the former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Mr Dakwambo, a presidential aspirant under the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) arrived his host’s private residence located inside the premises of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta and shortly entered into the meeting.


source and more http://kaakakinews.com/2018/08/14/olusegun-obasanjo-meets-dakwambo-another-pdp-presidential-aspirant/

The African Democratic Congress in Osun State has picked a retired judge of the Osun State Judiciary, Justice Folahanmi Oloyede, as the running mate to the governorship candidate of the party, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade.


source and more http://kaakakinews.com/2018/08/04/osun-poll-adc-picks-retired-judge-as-fatai-akinbades-running-mate/

The coalition of over 30 political parties under the auspices of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), has agreed to form a government of national unity if they win the 2019 general elections.


source and more http://kaakakinews.com/2018/08/04/opposition-partiesll-form-government-of-national-unity-if-cupp/

The past weeks have witnessed defection of politicians from the two major political party- the ruling All Progressives Party, APC and the main opposition, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The APC is the major victim as federal lawmakers, including the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, state governors left the party for the PDP and Obasanjo’s African Democratic Congress.


source and more http://kaakakinews.com/2018/08/04/gale-of-defection-governors-politicians-at-war/

Ebonyi State government has announced two days intensive training at the state township stadium which has been a subject of media tirade between the state government and the All Progressives Congress (APC) for all members of Neighbourhood Security watch to ensure adequate security within the state.


source and more http://kaakakinews.com/2018/08/03/ebonyi-state-government-to-use-stadium-for-intensive-security-training/

Alia Ghanem, mother of Osama bin Laden, deceased al-Qaeda leader, says her son was radicalised in the university.

Speaking in an interview with UK Guardian, she said her eldest son was brainwashed into extremist ideology.

Ghanem said bin Laden was a shy, academically capable boy, who turned into a strong, pious figure while an economics student in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in his early 20s.


source and more http://kaakakinews.com/2018/08/03/how-my-son-was-radicalised-in-the-university-mother-of-osama-bin-laden-speaks/

The Police in Imo State have reportedly withdrawn the security details assigned to the ‘former’ deputy governor of the state, Eze Madumere, a spokesperson said on Thursday.


source and more http://kaakakinews.com/2018/08/02/police-allegedly-withdraw-security-details-of-sacked-imo-deputy-governor-eze-madumere/

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Aisha Alhassan (Mama Taraba), says she has not resigned her position as a member of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

Mrs Alhassan disclosed this while speaking in a phone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday.


source and more http://kaakakinews.com/2018/08/02/ive-not-resigned-from-buharis-government-aisha-alhassanmama-taraba/

After 24 hours that the office of the embattled Imo State Deputy Governor, Eze Madumere, had been locked, policemen attached to the state Government House, Owerri, on Thursday evening unlocked it.



source and more http://kaakakinews.com/2018/08/02/police-unlock-embattled-imo-state-deputy-governors-office/

Ike Ekweremadu, Nigeria’s deputy Senate president, was permitted to go home after being questioned from morning till evening Tuesday by anti-graft detectives on Tuesday.

But the lawmaker was asked to return on Wednesday morning for further interrogation at the the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, according to two senior officials on Wednesday morning.

source and more http://kaakakinews.com/2018/08/01/ike-ekweremadu-to-spend-second-day-with-efcc-over-corruption-allegation/

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives congress (APC) has accused Senate President Bukola Saraki of breaching Article 21 of the party’s constitution.

Article 21 deals with how the party can punish members who violate its constitution by acts such as “activities or any conduct, which is likely to embarrass or have adverse effect on the party or bring the party into hatred, contempt, ridicule or disrepute.”

source and more http://kaakakinews.com/2018/08/01/despite-defection-apc-moves-to-punish-bukola-saraki-for-violating-partys-rule/

Former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja has perfected plans to quit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

source and more http://kaakakinews.com/2018/07/31/former-oyo-state-governor-rashidi-ladoja-dumps-pdp-to-adc/

Members of Benue State House of Assembly on Friday scaled the high perimeter fence surrounding the Assembly Complex and jumped into the premises in an attempt to hold a parliamentary session.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that both the impeached speaker, Mr Terkimbi Ikyange (APC Ushongo ) and his successor, Mr Titus Ubah, (APC Kyaan) were at the premises, both laying claim to the post of speaker.


source and more http://kaakakinews.com/2018/07/27/drama-as-lawmakers-scale-fence-to-enter-benue-state-house-of-assembly-building/

Akogun Oyedepo, chairman of the Kwara state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says he cannot be in the same party with Senate President Bukola Saraki and Abdulfattah Ahmed, governor of the state.

He said this in response to the rumour of Saraki and Ahmed’s imminent defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) party.

source and more http://kaakakinews.com/2018/07/27/2019-kwara-pdp-chairman-rejects-saraki-ahmed-back-in-the-party/

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that the validity of Nigerian International passport issued in the country, should be increased from five to 10 year.

The Comptroller-General of Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Muhammed Babandede, revealed this on Thursday, when he visited the Ikoyi passport office in Lagos.



source and more http://kaakakinews.com/2018/07/27/nigerian-international-passport-now-valid-for-10-years-from-5-years/