₦airaland Forum

President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived in Bauchi State on a two-day working visit.

The presidential plane touched down at the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport, Bauchi at about 10:20 am on Thursday.

President Buhari was welcomed at the airport by the governors of Bauchi and Adamawa states, Mr Muhammed Abubakar and Mr Mohammed Jibrilla, as well as some ministers.

They include the Minister of Defence, Brigadier General Mansur Dan-Ali (rtd), and the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, among others.

The Chiefs of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar; as well as the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, were also on the ground to receive the President.

Shortly after his arrival, President Buhari inspected a Guard of Honour mounted by the military.

He then proceeded to the Nigeria Air Force Base Special Operations Command, Bauchi, to inaugurate the Air Force Referral Hospital Bauchi.

More to follow…

https://www.channelstv.com/2018/04/26/breaking-president-buhari-arrives-bauchi/amp/

A Federal High Court in Abuja has voided Clause 25 of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018, which seeks to reverse the sequence of the conduct of the 2019 elections earlier announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Justice Ahmed Mohammed, in a judgment on Wednesday, held that the powers to organise, conduct and fix dates for elections resides only with INEC by virtue of Section 15(a) of the 3rd Schedule to the Constitution.


Justice Mohammed said the passage of the Bill, which seeks to alter the election time table earlier released by INEC was a breach of the Constitution and the doctrine of separation of powers.

The judgement was on the suit by Accord Party (AP), challenging the legitimacy of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018, to which President Muhammadu Buhari declined to assent.

Justice Mohammed answered all the questions raised the suit for determination in favour of the plaintiff and granted all the reliefs by the sought plaintiff, except 11(1) which sought to restrain President Muhammadu Buhari from asserting to the Bill.

The judge noted that granting such prayer was no longer necessary since the President has already declined signing the Bill.

Before determining the main suit, the judge earlier dismissed the preliminary objection filed by the National Assembly (1st defendant) in which they argued among others that the suit was not justiciable, that the plaintiff were without the requisite locus standi and that the suit was academic.

Justice Mohammed disagreed with the 1st defendant on all the grounds raised in the preliminary objection.

Details later…


http://thenationonlineng.net/breaking-court-voids-nat-assemblys-attempt-to-alter-election-sequence/

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Senator Peter Nwaboshi at the Federal High Court, Lagos.

Senator Nwaboshi, the lawmaker representing Delta North district at the National Assembly, was arraigned by the anti-graft agency on Wednesday on two counts of alleged fraud.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

Justice Mohammed Idris consequently stood down proceedings till 11 am, when he would hear arguments for and against the senator’s bail application.

More to follow…

https://www.channelstv.com/2018/04/25/breaking-efcc-arraigns-senator-peter-nwaboshi/

Gov. Ayo Fayose’s half brother, Mr Olanipekun Oluwayose, on Tuesday defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Action Democratic Party (ADP).

He said he was quitting the PDP due to the alleged failure of his brother during his tenure, adding that the state was now poorer.


Oluwayose, who shares the same father with the governor, formally announced his defection in his hometown, Afao-Ekiti, Irepodun-Ifelodun Local Government Area, as ADB’s governorship aspirant, Mr Segun Adewale, visited the community.

Oluwayose also described Fayose’s continuity agenda of endorsing his deputy, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, as “an attempt to prolong the sufferings of Ekiti people and hold them in servitude.”

He said his conscience could not be reconciled with “the directionless situation facing the state.’’

“How can I ignore the pains that unpaid wages have brought on our people? If we want a better society, we must not let our relationship allow us to hold us back from standing by what is right.

“My decision to dump PDP for ADP is borne out of my patriotism for an Ekiti that works for everyone.

“ Ekiti is in shambles and we must embrace the right ideas that can take us out of the current economic and social doldrums.

“Let me make something clear here, I think today is the first time I’m meeting him (Adewale) but I have heard a lot about his capacity and resolve to turn a hopeless situation into an endless opportunity.

“We need someone of his standing to bring to bear his experience and discipline to the resuscitation of our social and economic values,” he said.

Oluwayose also pledged his commitment to the success of Adewale’s aspiration in Afao-Ekiti and the state as a whole during the July 14 poll, vowing to resist any attempt to manipulate the votes of the people.

Welcoming the defector and his supporters to ADP, Adewale said the party would provide good governance, create jobs and attract investment to Ekiti while making it a model state.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/04/ekiti-poll-gov-fayoses-brother-quits-pdp-adp%E2%80%8E/

*To be paraded among other arrested criminals today

By Joseph Erunke


ABUJA-SENATOR Dino Melaye, who was arrested Tuesday morning by operatives of the Nigeria Police drawn from its Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS,is at present being moved to Lokoja.

The embattled senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District under the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, is expected to be paraded later this evening among other hardened criminals who implicated him in the crime that necessitated his arrest.

Vanguard learnt that the senator who was taken into SARS detention facility, located opposite the old Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN junction along the Area 1 expressway, Abuja, was moved out around 12 noon today in police vehicle heavily manned by SARS operatives.

The detention facility is where hardened criminals arrested for theft, murder, cultism and other criminal acts are kept.

Vanguard source in the police said the parade of Melaye and other criminal suspects among them the re-arrested suspects who had escaped from prison cell, is to be conducted by the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Aremu Adediran, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP.

He is to carry out the parade assignment on behalf of his immediate boss, Jimoh Moshood, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP, who is currently in China on a course.

Our source said before being moved out into the waiting vehicle for onward journey to his home state, Melaye was handcuffed to avoid possible escape from the security operatives.

Attempts for inquiry from the Force Headquarters’ deputy image maker were not successful as he refused to pick calls made to his known telephone lines.

Recall that the men of the Nigeria Police Force reportedly forcefully carried out the arrest of Melaye without arrest warrant or court order in the early hours of Tuesday.

Initial attempts were made by the police to arrest the senator after immigration officials disembarked him from a flight to Morocco on Monday morning.

Following his release after three hours detention at the immigration office at the airport, the lawmaker’s house was besieged by over 80 armed police men from Monday noon until the early hours of Tuesday.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/04/breaking-police-move-melaye-lokoja/

The police said on Monday night that the siege on Senator Dino Melaye’s residence was necessitated by his involvement in a case of unlawful possession of prohibited firearms.

Speaking with The Nation, the Force Deputy Spokesman, Adeniran Aremu, said: “Our action was prompted by the fact that he was invited in a case of unlawful possession of firearms and other crimes.

“The police had invited him on more than two or three occasions but he failed to honour the invitations. That is why we are there right now.

“You know when a case is in court, there is no law that stops you from further questioning if you need to answer question on the suspects.

“There is no law that stops the police from further inviting him or asking question about the case.”

http://thenationonlineng.net/why-we-stormed-melayes-house-police/

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed a private consultant, Victor Uwajeh, being accused of fraud, to trace and recover undeclared assets and proceeds of fraud as part of the ongoing fight against corruption in the country.

The London based Nigerian private investigator is said to be facing a four-count charge the Federal Government preferred against him for attempting to obtain money through fraudulent means from Senator Andy Uba, who is representing Anambra South Senatorial District.


The office of the Attorney-general of Federation (AGF) instituted the suit against Uwajeh on behalf of the government.

Uwajeh was said to have been indicted by a crack team of the Nigerian Police Force which conducted investigations into a petition that was written to the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, by Senator Uba.

The embattled lawmaker had in his petition, accused Uwajeh of attempting to use bogus and illegally procured documents to extort money from him.

Nevertheless, the defendant insisted that Senator Uba engaged his services for an assignment in the United Kingdom Border Agency and in the United States of America.

Uwajeh said he previously dragged Uba to court over his alleged refusal to pay him the debt of £1.9million that was remaining from their agreed fee.

In the said suit, the defendant accused Uba of parading fake academic credentials.

He said he got details of Uba’s alleged dubious qualifications from documents he was exposed to while he worked as a private investigator for the lawmaker.

However, the appointment of Uwajeh was conveyed in a letter signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Prosecution matters, Okoi Obono-Obla.


The letter said Uwajeh’s application has been considered for engagement as special investigator to his panel.

Uwajeh’s letter of engagement reads: “Reference is being made to your letter dated 15th March 2018,

“I am pleased to inform you that you application has been considered for engagement as a special investigator to the panel.

“Consequent upon this appointment, you are to trace and where necessary recover undeclared assets and proceeds of fraud for the Federal Government of Nigeria in line with the mandate of the panel. This appointment is subject to terms and conditions as may be expressed in a duly executed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).”

Meanwhile, the Federal High Court in Abuja, on April 18th, issued order for substituted service of criminal summons on Uwajeh.

This development stands to question the potency of the anti-corruption mantra of the Buhari administration.

http://dailypost.ng/2018/04/22/buhari-appoints-suspected-fraudster-recover-looted-assets/

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El’rufai, of lack of adherence to law and order and dereliction of duty, and declared him missing in the state.

The party said the governor breached the law by being absent from his duty post as the state’s elected governor.

The party frowned at the governor for leaving the state without transmitting power to his deputy as enshrined in the Constitution.

The governor has not been seen in public for about two weeks and there is no formal explanation from his aides about his whereabout.

The PDP Chairman Kaduna State Chapter, Felix Hyat, in a statement signed by the Publicity Secretary, Abraham Catoh, raised the concern over the governor’s absence.

He said the situation can bring chaos in the administration of the state.

“For more than 11 days running, governor El-Rufai of Kaduna State has disappeared from public glare, without transmitting power to his deputy,” the statement stated.

It also frowned at the APC’s style of leadership in the state “which is without recourse to Constitutional provisions”.

“We advise the APC- led Government to respect the tenets of our democracy so as to sustain the hard-earned democracy the PDP and other Nigerians fought to put in place for the betterment of a liberal society,” Mr Hyat said.

The governor’s aide on media and publicity, Samuel Aruwan could not be reached to comment on the statement as calls to his phone were unanswered neither did he respond to a text message sent to him by the reporter.

The governor was last seen in public on April 5 during the KADINVEST Economic Summit held in the state.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/nwest/265746-pdp-declares-el-rufai-missing-after-two-week-absence.html

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai on Friday said the army would commence Operation Last Hold in northern Borno and parts of Lake Chad Basin to complete the decimation of the Boko Haram Terrorists and ensure the restoration of normal economic activities in the Zone.

The COAS who addressed journalists at the Army Headquarters, Abuja, said the operation would commence on the 1st of May and end by August.

Lt.Gen Buratai who was represented at the briefing by the Chief of Operations and Training, AHQ, Maj. Gen David Ahmadu said the Nigerian Air Force, the Nigerian Navy as well as other security agencies would be participating in the four-month operation. He urged the people in the area not to panic as they would witness heavy movements of troops and equipment during the operation.

Lt Gen Buratai said:” You may recall that the Nigerian Army has been engaged in the conduct of counter insurgency operation tagged Operation LAFIYA DOLE in the North East region for some years with considerable successes. However, the complex and adaptive nature of the Boko Haram insurgency has resulted in the dissident group still sometimes being engaged in abductions, attack on soft targets, Improvised Explosive Device attacks and suicide bombings.

“It has become expedient for the Nigerian Army to change operating tactics, techniques and procedure in the North East region. Accordingly, the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2018 will be commemorated with the conduct of an operation tagged Operation LAST HOLD in Northern Borno within the North East Theatre. The design is to deploy personnel and equipment to showcase the combat efficiency of the NA and thereafter conduct operations to totally destroy Boko Haram locations in the Lake Chad Basin.

” Operation LAST HOLD is expected to last for 4 months and it will entail deployment of 6 additional manoeuvre brigades and other critical assets in Borno State. The operation is intended to facilitate the clearance of the Lake Chad waterways of sea weeds and other obstacles obstructing the movement of boats and people across the water channels. It will also ensure the destruction of Boko Haram Terrorist camps and strong points in the Lake Chad Basin.

” The operation will also facilitate the rescue of hostages. The operational end-state of Operation LAST HOLD is the total defeat of the Boko Haram Terrorist Sect. Strategically, the conduct of Operation LAST HOLD will facilitate the restoration of fishing, farming and other economic activities in the Lake Chad Basin. Additionally, it will facilitate the relocation of Internally Displaced Persons from IDP camps to their communities.

” Operation LAST HOLD is conceptualised to involve the conduct of population influence activities targeted to improve Civil-Military relations in the North East region. It is pertinent to note that Operation LAST HOLD is set to record remarkable achievements that would make the nation proud of the Nigerian Army’s determination at sustaining its constitutional role of defending the territorial integrity of the nation as well as its commitment to aid the civil authority to bring about peace and security.

” In this regard, law abiding members of the public in Northern Borno State are enjoined not to panic as their safety and well-being have been deliberately factored in the operation. The general public is requested to remain vigilant and be security conscious, as suspected insurgents may be fleeing from military operations in the North East and finding safe haven amidst our communities. The public is also reminded to report any suspicious activity or movement to the nearest military formation or other security agencies for prompt action. “

http://thenationonlineng.net/army-begins-operation-last-hold-in-borno-lake-chad-2/

Leaders on Friday approved UK’s Prince Charles as the successor to Queen Elizabeth as head of the Commonwealth at a meeting of the group’s heads of government in Windsor, Sky News reported citing unnamed sources.

There had been calls for the role to be rotated around the 53 member-states, most of which are former British territories, but in recent days the queen and the British government have backed Charles to take on the role.

The Commonwealth Secretariat, which carries out the organization’s day-to-day work, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Prime Minister Theresa May’s office did not comment on the report.

The succession issue was due to be discussed at the final day of the meeting, when leaders traveled 20 miles outside London for private meetings at the queen’s Windsor Castle home.

The Commonwealth evolved out of the British empire in the mid-20th century, and the queen has been its head since her reign began in 1952.

Charles had long been expected to take on the role even though it is not strictly hereditary.

This week’s Commonwealth summit has seen thousands of delegates from across the globe descend on London, debating issues such as the environment, women’s rights and trade. It ends later on Friday, when May is due to speak.

Britain has sought to use its hosting of the event as a chance to reinvigorate the loose alliance of countries, which have a combined population of 2.4 billion people, eyeing increased trade and global influence as it prepares to leave the European Union.

But the summit has been overshadowed by the embarrassing treatment of Caribbean migrants who came to Britain after World War Two to help rebuild the country, but have been caught up in a tightening of immigration rules.

The biennial meeting, taking place in Britain for the first time in 20 years, could be the last attended by the 91-year-old queen as she cuts back on some of her official duties.

The next summit is due to be held in Malaysia in 2020.

NAN reports that the summit which was originally to be hosted by Vanuatu at the end of 2017 was moved to the UK as Vanuatu was no longer able to host the event due to the damage done by Cyclone Pam to the island nation’s infrastructure.

The meeting was postponed to the spring of 2018 due to other international commitments.

The position of Commonwealth Chair-in-Office, held by the government leader of the CHOGM host country, will be transferred at the summit from the Prime Minister of Malta to the Prime Minister of the UK who will hold the post until the 26th CHOGM expected in 2020.

The theme of the summit is “Towards a Common Future”.

The British hosts have set out four main goals for the summit.

These are prosperity: boosting intra-Commonwealth trade and investment security: increasing cooperation across security challenges including global terrorism, organised crime and cyber attacks fairness: promoting democracy.

Others are fundamental freedoms and good governance across the Commonwealth sustainability: building the resilience of small and vulnerable states to deal with the effects of climate change and other global crises

Under consideration will be Commonwealth Blue Charter on ocean governance, a Commonwealth connectivity agenda for trade and investment, a declaration on cybercrime, and revised Commonwealth guidelines on election observation in member countries.

This will be the first CHOGM held following the UK’s decision to withdraw from the European Union, a decision which has resulted in calls for Britain to strengthen its economic ties with and play a greater role in the Commonwealth.

The Commonwealth currently is responsible for one-tenth of British trade compare to the EU with which the UK currently conducts half of its trade.

Intra-Commonwealth trade, overall, is expected to increase by at least 17 per cent around 700 billion dollars by 2020.

NAN reports that the summit ends on Friday. (Reuters/NAN)

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/265670-commonwealth-heads-accept-uks-prince-as-successor-report.html/

A group of Nigerians are currently standing in front of the Nigerian High Commission in London, United Kingdom rallying in Support of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Members of the groups are expressing support for the Buhari-led administration adding that the President is resetting the country on the part of growth and development.

Stephen Kifordu from Delta State who is the leader of the group spoke with Channels Television.

He said there is no credible alternative to President Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo in the 2019 election noting that the group represents the aspiration of many Nigerians who want progress for Nigeria.

Details Shortly…

https://www.channelstv.com/2018/04/20/group-holds-rally-in-support-of-buhari-in-london/

Some Biafran sympathizers are currently protesting at the Pall Mall Street, Westminster, a few metres from Buckingham Palace as President Muhammadu Buhari meet Queen Elizabeth II and other heads of state.

It would be recalled that Buhari while speaking at the Commonwealth Business Forum in Westminster, was quoted as saying that most youths prefer to do nothing because they feel Nigeria is an oil-rich.

The protesters are requesting the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) and a referendum on the fate of Biafra.

https://newtelegraphonline.com/2018/04/breaking-biafra-protesters-hit-london-as-buhari-meets-the-queen-photos/

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday condemned the invasion of the National Assembly and the the seizure of the Senate mace.

DAILY POST reports that thugs suspected to be loyal to the suspended Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial district, Ovie Omo-Agege had invaded the red chambers and forcefully took away the mace.

Reacting to the situation, spokesperson of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan described the seizure of the mace as a “direct assault on the legislature and bold attempt to truncate Nigeria’s democracy.”

In a statement, Ologbondiyan said, “We note that this offensive has been emboldened by series of interferences and direct attacks by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Buhari Presidency on the institution of the National Assembly, particularly the Senate.

“The APC has foisted on our nation an irredeemable autocracy, which has in three years of governance, gone beyond limits to force Nigerians to accept a government that has no respect for freedom and the ideals of democracy, particularly the constitutional separation of powers.

“Is it not strange that a legislative day appointed to further deliberate on the re-ordering of sequence of election will be the day that strange elements would invade the National Assembly, particularly, the hallowed chambers of the Senate, to disrupt legislative proceeding and seize the mace?


“Equally strange is the compromising of security in the National Assembly paving the way for the invasion.

“The parliament, all over the world, is the bastion of democracy, without which government becomes autocratic and totalitarian.

“We urge Nigerians to pause and reflect on the series of assaults on our legislature under the current dispensation; the persecution and harassment of the leaders and members of the Senate on trumped-up charges, including declaring a serving senator wanted by the Police.

“We therefore charge the National Assembly to bring forth every legislative instrument to protect itself from external aggressions as well as unravelling every persons, offices and institutions that played any form of roles in this wild attempt to scuttle our hard earned democracy.

“Our nation has accepted democracy as the best form of governance. Those whose adrenaline cannot accommodate democracy and its constitutionally guaranteed tenets should either shape in or be forced to conform with the best ideals of democracy.”

http://dailypost.ng/2018/04/18/snatching-mace-pdp-reacts-indicts-security-agents-apc-govt/

It can never work, because same sex marriage is against our religious and cultural believes. In fact, it is against God's commandment that said we should be fruitful and multiplied.

Theresa May, Prime minister of the United Kingdom, has called for same-sex marriages in Nigeria and all other countries within the Commonwealth.

While speaking at the first joint forum at Commonwealth Head of Government Meetings in Westminster on Tuesday, the minister said there should be no laws criminalising same-sex relationships across the Commonwealth.

She said she understands that most of the laws against same-sex marriages in the Commonwealth were made by the UK, adding that those laws were wrong then, and are wrong now.

More to follow…

https://www.thecable.ng/just-theresa-may-calls-sex-marriages-nigeria-commonwealth/

The National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus along with members of the PDP National Working Committee met with former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida in Minna on Monday.

The team arrived at the Minna airport with a chartered flight and were driven in a motorcade to the Uphill Residence of Babangida.

The meeting was held behind closed doors in the presence of members of the Niger state working committee of the party led by the Chairman, Barrister Tanko Beji.

One of the Party Chieftains who spoke to newsmen disclosed that Prince Secondus intimated the elder Statesman on the development and progress made in the party and its preparation for the Osun and Ekiti states governorship election.

The Source said that General Babangida commended the reconciliation move by the National Working Committee in appeasing aggreieved members.

Babangida was said to have rated the level of preparation of the Party at a very high level stating that at this rate, PDP would record success in the next general election.

Other members on the National Working Committee present include the National Secretary, the National Publicity Secretary Kola Ologbodinyan, National Financial Secretary, Alhaji Abdullahi Maibasira and the National Woman Leader.

http://thenationonlineng.net/secondus-pdp-national-working-committe-ibb-hold-closed-door-meeting-in-minna/

awyer and human rights advocate, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), has commended members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) for holding a protest rally against the continued detention of their leader, Mr. Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, and his wife by the Department of State Security (DSS). He also urged them to keep protesting until all illegal detainees in the country are released.

The IMN leader and his wife have remained in detention since 2015 despite court orders directing that they be freed. IMN members, otherwise known as Shiites held a protest rally, which shut down Abuja on Thursday

In a message of solidarity to the protesting Shiite community, Mr. Falana said the rally was was justified under the constitution, which guarantees the fundamental rights of citizens to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.

"Your action is legitimate because it is a protest against impunity arising from the executive lawlessness of the Federal Government. Your demand is in order because it is in line with the tenets of the rule of law. Please keep it up," said Mr. Falana, who is also Mr. Zakzaky's lawyer.

He stated that during the struggle to dislodge military dictatorship in the country, he never imagined that elected governments would disregard court orders.

"It is particularly painful for me that court orders are disobeyed under the current political dispensation whereas under the Buhari/Idiagbon military junta, the orders of court for the release of victims of the obnoxious Decree No 2 of 1984 were complied with," he recalled.

The rights advocate urged IMN members and other lovers of democratic freedom not to allow the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to disobey judgments of competent courts as it happened under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. According to him, the Obasanjo administration treated the judgments of the Supreme Court and other courts with contempt.

"As you are no doubt aware, the Federal High Court presided over by Justice G. O. Kolawole ordered the release of your leader, Sheik Ibraheem El-zakzaky and his wife and awarded them N50 million damages. Since the Nigerian Army and the Nasir El-rufai (governor of Kaduna State) regime had demolished and set their residence on fire on 15 December 2015, the Federal High Court ordered the Federal Government to provide them with a suitable accommodation. Those orders which were granted on December 2, 2016 have been ignored by the Buhari administration, which claims to operate under the rule of law," said Mr. Falana.

He added that having personally experienced illegal arrest and detention under the military, he understands the trauma El-Zakzakys are going through in illegal custody, adding that it is ironical that President Buhari, who heads a civilian administration, is detaining people without trial. Mr. Falana noted that as military head of state, President Buhari detained him without any legal justification. Despite that, the lawyer added, he mobliized his colleagues in the human rights community to fight for President Buhari's release following his overthrow and detention by General Ibrahim Babangida (retd.)

As a result, Mr. Falana said he has the moral right and political obligation to demand the release of all detainees from illegal and contemptuous incarceration by the Buhari administration.

"In solidarising with you on this occasion, I wish to join you in demanding for the immediate and unconditional release of Sheikh Ibraheem and Hajia Elzakzaky. However, if the Federal Government has evidence that they have committed any criminal offence whatsoever, they should be arraigned in court," he said.

He called on IMN members to continue the protests until they succeed in compelling the Federal Government to comply with the orders of the Federal High Court and the ECOWAS Court of Justice for the release of all detainees in the country.

http://saharareporters.com/2018/04/16/falana-urges-shiites-keep-protesting-until-el-zakzaky-regains-freedom

Those trying to contest against President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 should wait till 2023, former Military Governor of Plateau Major -General Aliyu Adu Umar Kama has said .

He spoke in Abuja at the Hoba Community Grand Reception for the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) ,Boss Mustapha by the Hoba Elders Council.

Kama ,who was a governor during the administration of Gen Ibrahim Babangida said it would be unwise for anyone irrespective of their inclinations to want to contest against President Buhari.

While commending President Buhari for appointing two sons of Hoba community as SGF successively , Kama pledged continuous support for the Buhari administration.

On his part, the SGF promised to discharge his duties honourably so that at the end of his service, his people would be proud of him.

Acknowledging the individual and collective role and contribution of some of the dignitaries to his political career,Mustapha thanked the community for nurturing him and propelling his growth and development.

https://leadership.ng/2018/04/15/wait-till-2023-former-military-gov-urges-other-presidential-candidates/

The Nigerian community in South Africa has reported the extra-judicial killing of a Nigerian man in that country.

The victim identified as ThankGod Okoro from Ogbaku in the Awgu local government area of Enugu state, is the latest in what has been described as recurring pre-meditated murders of young Nigerians in South Africa.

At least 117 Nigerians have been killed in South Africa since February 2016.

Habib Miller, publicity secretary of the Nigeria Union in South Africa, who is based in Pretoria, confirmed the killing of Okoro in a telephone interview with NAN on Friday.

He said Okoro was allegedly shot in the head by a South African police officer.

“The union is not happy with the latest murder of ThankGod Okoro on April 9 by a member of the South African Police Flying Squad at Hamburg, Florida West Rand in Johannesburg,” he said.

“The officer who shot Okoro claimed that the young man attempted to stab him during a stop-and-search operation.”

He added that Joshua Ogade, acting president of the Nigeria Union in South Africa, Omoreige Ogboro, head of the union’s legal team, had visited the area where Okoro was killed to gather information on the incident.

“Our team has gone to the Florida Police Station to ensure that due process is followed in an attempt to seek justice on the killing,” he said.

“The Independent Police Investigative Directorate has been notified of the killing of Mr Okoro.”

Miller said that the police in Florida state had commenced investigation to unravel the circumstances that led to the killing of the Nigerian.

He pleaded with the South African authorities to wade into the matter to discourage wanton killing of Nigerians by policemen in the former apartheid enclave.

“Anyone suspected or found on the wrong side of the law should be arrested and tried at the appropriate court,” he said.

https://www.thecable.ng/nigerian-shot-dead-south-africa-2/

The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has slated May 21 for ruling on a bail application brought by a member of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Four IPOB members: Bright Chimezie, David Nwawuisi, Benjamin Madubugwu and Chidiebere Onwudiwe, were arraigned before the court, presided by Justice Binta Nyako after a similar charge involving the defendants was adjusted to exclude their leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

The defendants are accused of treasonable felony, following a call by their group (IPOB) for the breakaway of some parts of the country, to form the state of Biafra.

The court had at its previous sitting adjourned hearing of bail applications to April 13.

At the resumption of hearing on Friday, the prosecution lawyer, Colins Eromosele, asked the court for time to file his intended reply to the bail applications sought by the second to fourth defendant.

Mr. Eromosele initially objected to the deposition of the bail applications by the second to fourth defendants, saying his team was not aware it would be heard on Friday.

His objection was, however, overruled by Mrs. Nyako who noted that parties were duly served with the processes for the day’s proceedings.

She adjourned the matter till May 21 for hearing of the bail application by the first to fourth defendants. The court will also rule on the application by the first defendant as well as proceed with the substantive matter.

The trial of the IPOB members, which triggered widespread protests by their supporters, especially in 2017, began in 2015, when IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu was first arrested and arraigned before a magistrate court in Abuja.

Following the release of Mr. Kanu, in April 2017, the protests climaxed resulting in the deployment of soldiers in the South-east region, in what was termed operation python dance.

Shortly after the soldiers were deployed to the region, Mr Kanu’s layer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, accused the Nigerian army of abducting his client during a raid at his (Kanu’s) country home, in Abia State last September.

Following the disappearance of Mr. Kanu, the court separated his trial from that of the other four defendants.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/ssouth-east/264881-ipob-nnamdi-kanus-alleged-accomplices-yet-to-get-bail.html/

The Senate has suspended Senator Ovie Omo-Agege for 90 days over his comment that the amendment to the Electoral Act 2010 to reorder the sequence of polls in a general election was targeted at President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions had investigated Omo-Agege’s comment based on a petition by Senator Dino Melaye.

The report by the committee, which was considered at the plenary on Thursday, had found the lawmaker guilty despite his apology to the chamber and recommended that he be suspended for 181 legislative days (one year).

President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, however, pleaded that the duration of the suspension be reduced to 90 days (six months), which was unanimously granted.

The Senate also resolved that Omo-Agege should withdraw a case he instituted against the chamber, while asking that the pro-Buhari ‘Parliamentary Support Group’ to be disbanded.

Details later…

http://punchng.com/breaking-polls-reordering-senate-suspends-omo-agege-for-90-days/

By Luminous Jannamike
ABUJA — The Federal Government has made clarification on the confusion trailing the whereabouts of recovered looted funds, insisting that they were being paid into dedicated accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN


Vanguard reports that discrepancies in the figures released to the media by Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu, and Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, have raised suspicions over the whereabouts of the recovered funds.

Magu had announced N739 billion as the amount recovered in the first two years of his stewardship, while Adeosun said records available to the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, OAGF, had only N91.4 billion as amount recovered since 2015.

She, consequently, requested the EFCC to clarify where the cash recoveries were deposited, with documentary evidence.

But Special Assistant to the President on Justice Reform, Mrs. Juliet Ibekaku, speaking at a press conference in Abuja, said all stolen public funds recovered so far were paid into special asset recovery accounts with the CBN, which in turn transfered such funds into the Federation Account, from where they had been utilised to fund the budget since 2017.

Ibekaku-Nwagwu, who is also the coordinator of Nigeria’s Open Government Partnership, OGP, said: “As many of you may be aware, government has made significant efforts in asset recovery.

‘’A recent MoU on the co-monitoring of the expenditure of Abacha loot repatriated from Switzerland has been described by stakeholders as model for other countries on how to utilize looted funds when they are returned to their countries of origin.

“However, when the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari began the recovery of looted funds, the President personally authorised the issuance of guidelines on the channeling of the looted funds. He specifically directed that all recovered funds be kept in special asset recovery accounts in the CBN.

“From there, the funds should be moved to the Federation Account for the purpose of funding the national budget. That was the case last year. We can see that even the 2017 budget was partly funded with the recovered loots.”

“As we speak, the President has appointed auditors to examine all the CBN asset recovery accounts. So, there should be no doubts over the whereabouts of recovered funds.”

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/04/971720/

And this one will be teaching those kids English Language. Our education system is something else

The Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina says it is too early to deliberate on whether President Muhammadu Buhari will be part of the debates to be organized for the presidential candidates in the 2019 general election.

But Adesina who took questions from the anchors of Channels Television breakfast programme via Skype from London on Tuesday, said when the time eventually comes, the President will decide whether to be part of the debates for the presidential candidates.

“That should be left for the president to decide. I think it is too early for us to debate on whether the president will go for a debate or not. All that is important now is, the president has declared and Nigerians are happy.”

On why Buhari declared for re-election yesterday, the presidential aide said, “The time has come for him to declare, practically, if you look at the situation in APC, the party is going for an elective convention and it is good the party goes into the convention with a likely candidate in mind because, in one way or the other, it will affect the convention.”

http://saharareporters.com/2018/04/10/2019-buhari-decide-participation-presidential-debates-presidency

The constituents of Senator Murray Ben-Bruce in Bayelsa East, yesterday said the ‘common sense’ senator did not deserve re-election in 2019.

The constituents lamented their alleged poor representation by Ben Bruce and asked him to forget politics and return to his entertainment business.

They, however, backed Nimi Barigha-Amange, who represented the district in the Sixth Senate.

They recalled that during Amange’s period, they had a robust and quality representation.

Rising from a stakeholders’ meeting in Nembe, Bayelsa, constituents, comprising John Thatcher, David Obodor, Afen Bright, Wilson Abel, Oscar Egberi, Jeff Afagha, Angela Ikokote, Rev. Ranami Afagha, and Atim Atim-King, among others, said Amange would be a worthy candidate.

In an address read by Abel, they urged the electorate to reject the years of suffering, cluelessness and ineffective senatorial representation.

The constituents said they would not accept an imposition of “faceless hawks” that had no link with the people they claimed to represent.

“A district blessed with wealth of inestimable value has nothing to show for it. Rather, the district is seen as the poorest of all the senatorial districts in the state. Our children will one day ask what happened to our oil and gas and the answer will be inexplicable.

“This is because of the non-performing senators picked to represent the district. Whatever we have in the district is through the benevolence of the government of Seriake Dickson, the indisputable leader of the Ijaw nation.

“It is pertinent to mention that the only highway linking Yenagoa, the state capital, with Nembe Local Government Area was facilitated by Dickson. The leaders, as well as the government of Bayersa State had single-handed fought for the re-location to the state of oil and gas companies to their operational headquarters.

“But the call has fallen on deaf ears because our senators never tried to add inputs into this demand. As we talk, taxes due the state are rather paid to Lagos and Abuja against our demands.”

They lamented that there were issues the senators that represented them after Amange would have handled, but they turned a blind eye.

“Despite billions of naira being appropriated for projects, for the past eight years, no single constituency had been located in Bayelsa East. Are we not worthy of one or two constituency projects?

“If they claim that we are wrong, let them point at a constituency project they have influenced to the district! Twon Brass, the citadel of Christianity is being washed away gradually by the atlantic ocean.

The community has cried out, calling for embankment. But the senators representing that district have failed to pursue the project for the people.

“They should also tell us how many appointments they have attracted to the people – none as we know. Even their personal relationship with the people is nothing to write home about. Another area our senators have failed the people is their non-commitment towards the realization of the Brass LNG, which had been in limbo for so long.”

http://thenationonlineng.net/2019-constituents-reject-ben-bruce/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday jetted out of the nation’s capital, Abuja.

He traveled to his hometown, Daura, Katsina state, to condole with the people on the passing of Senator Mustapha Bukar.



Bukar, 63, who was representing Katsina North in the Senate, died on Wednesday after a brief illness.

The President will be back to Abuja on Sunday.

Recall that the Senate president, Bukola Saraki visited Daura on Thursday.

Bukar’s body was committed to earth same day at the Daura central cemetery.

Late Bukar’s colleagues at the Senate, who attend the funeral included Ahmed Lawan, Aliyu Wammako, Abu Ibrahim and Umar Kurfi.

Other dignitaries at the burial were Deputy Governor of Katsina state, Alhaji Manir Yakubu and Speaker of the House of Assembly, Alhaji Abubakar Kusada, who led members of the House.

The funeral prayer was performed by the Chief Imam of Daura, Malam Salisu Rabe, at the Emir’s palace.

http://dailypost.ng/2018/04/06/buhari-jets-abuja/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

Olalekan Adetayo, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the release of $1bn for the procurement of security equipment to fight insurgency.

The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, disclosed this to State House correspondents at the end of a meeting Buhari had with security chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday.

The President was also said to have asked the security chiefs to intensify efforts aimed at securing the release of Leah Sharibu, the Dapchi schoolgirl still being held by Boko Haram because she refused to renounce Christianity.

Details later…

http://punchng.com/breaking-boko-haram-buhari-approves-release-of-1bn-for-security-equipment/

By Nwafor Sunday

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has reportedly written to the Former Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala inviting her to explain how the sum of $250million of the $500million recovered from the family of the late Head of State, Gen.Sani Abacha, was withdrawn.


Recall that the sum of $250million was released to the office of former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki after a request of $300million purportedly billed to fight Boko-Haram terrorist in 2015.

In view of the above, the Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Magu on Monday wrote to Dr. Okonjo-Iweala inviting her to explain how the money was released.

The letter according to the ‘Nation’ reads, “Following preliminary findings, a strong recommendation was made to the Acting EFCC chairman for an interactive session with Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

“Magu has approved the invitation of the ex-minister. We have dispatched a letter of invitation to her. We are hopeful that she will respond.

“Her presence is necessary because there were issues about the $250million released especially why $36,155,000(N13,015,800billion) was withdrawn in cash.

“She needs to assist the EFCC team on what became of the balance of $250million which was yet to be traced.

“She has to explain why some of the funds were diverted to extraneous matters including media services, opinion polls and personal matters.”


https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/04/efcc-invites-okonjo-iweala-interrogation-250million/

Former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babaginda has declared that now is the time for the older generation of Nigerian politicians to leave the stage for the younger ones.

Babangida said his generation had overstayed in the corridor of power.

He said this when a new political movement, the New Nigeria, led by its leader, Moses Siloko Siasia visited him at his Hilltop Residence in Minna.

The former military leader said he and other like-minds proposed as far as back as 1989 the possibility of handing over the country’s leadership to younger people.

He added that “some of us assumed leadership at a very young age.”

“The older generation must give way for the new one. We have become analogue but this is a digital age; so the young people should be supported to use their digital knowledge to move the country forward,” he averred.

The former Head of State said he was fascinated when the Not Too Young To Rule Bill was presented on the floor of the House of Representatives.

He said he had followed the ensuing debate since then, adding that “some of us believe in that aspiration and would support its realization.”

http://dailypost.ng/2018/04/02/2019-time-buhari-others-leave-younger-generation-ibrahim-babangida/

Mathew Kukah, bishop of Sokoto diocese of the Catholic church, has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of bringing back ethnicity which Nigerians felt they had overcome.

In a letter to the president, the cleric said Nigerians have never been so alienated from one another.

Kukah said during his campaign, Buhari promised to fight corruption and make the nation secure but he has fallen short of expectations.

He said Buhari needs to connect with Nigerians and fulfil his promises.

“You know sir, that you rode into town like a knight in shining armour, carrying the joys, pains, anxieties and fears of a people whose broken dreams had littered and turned the landscape into a kaleidoscopic scenery of desolation and despair,” he said.

“In your campaigns, you promised to restore a sense of national pride in us by slaying the dragon of corruption, banishing the retrogressive scourge of Boko Haram, bringing back our daughters from Chibok and making our country and citizens truly safe.

“We waited in hope right to the end of the first year, but somehow, amidst some hazy weather, all we heard was the sound of screeching tyres with the plane carrying our hopes seemingly unable to take off. It finally did but we had barely gained altitude when sickness struck and you spent the better part of a year seeking healing.

“The nation prayed for you and miraculously, you recovered. Evidently, you had been saved for a purpose. Our prayer is that this realisation will help you understand that you have a date with history and divine judgment. For now, before your eyes and in your hands, our country, our communities, our people are all in a state of stupor. We have never felt so alienated from one another. The bogeyman of religion, region and ethnicity, which we thought we had overcome by the sheer nature of your support base, has come back with a vengeance to haunt and threaten the very foundation of our existence.

“Mr President, you are too distant from your people. There is a sad feeling that you do not share in the pain and suffering of your people. You must very quickly find a way of connecting with your people before the devil takes over the space. For taking on this challenge and connecting with Nigerians.”

The bishop also asked politicians to desist from the practice of enriching themselves from the government’s purse.

“The average age of governors and legislators across the country is 50. These are the years of dreams, maturity, sacrifice, patriotism and self-giving,” he wrote.

“But, sadly, you do not seem ready to depart from the culture of cronyism, prebendalism and primitive accumulation. The result has been ruination and decay.

“I appeal to you to please abandon the spirit of selfish accumulation and embrace the principles of integrity and genuine service of our country. Do not let this country collapse in your hands. For accepting to make some sacrifice, respect and listen to our people.”

He appealed to Nigerians not to succumb to pressure and allow the rich or the political class divide them.

Kukah reminded them that God has plans for all of them.

“But you yourself, no matter how rich or poor, how educated or otherwise you are, have a duty to understand that God has plans for you and for every individual and you have a duty to both yourself and your neighbour,” he said.

“You have to defend your personal dignity and seek the enforcement of your rights to have property and to raise a family as opposed to waiting for the crumbs from our greedy leaders. “Defend your dignity as human beings and children of God. Do not allow the rich and powerful, who are rich because you are poor, to divide you.

“They have light and water in their high fenced houses, not because they are Muslims or Christians or that they are from this or that or the other tribe but simply because they are rich. You are poor, homeless, have no road, no water, and your children are sick and illiterate, not because you are Christian or Muslim or from this tribe or the other, but simply because you are poor.

“You and your children vote, but their children do not vote because they are abroad. Your children beg and die on the streets while their children are abroad, fraternising with those they call infidels. They give you a fake religion that enslaves you while they give their own children the religion of education that will liberate them and make them rule over you. Rise and defend your right to food and shelter because poverty is not a divine inheritance.”

https://www.thecable.ng/kukah-writes-buhari-we-thought-we-had-overcome-ethnicity-but-you-brought-it-back-with-vengeance/