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Proceedings at the sitting of Osun State Panel of Inquiry investigating police brutality and extrajudicial killings took a dramatic turn on Friday when a Legal Officer of the Nigeria Police Force, Mr. Francis Osie boasted that no one can withstand his slaps.

The drama happened when the petitioner’s counsel, Kayode Adebisi was cross-examining a policeman, Inspector Muritala Alayande in a case involving a businessman, Mr. Paul Adeolu, who alleged that some policemen aided the syndicate that defrauded him of a sum of N36million to escape justice after being apprehended.

In the petition the businessman submitted before the panel, he alleged that the police collected money from the syndicate, arrested him and tortured him instead of helping him to pursue justice.

Inspector Alayande who was the Investigating Police Officer(IPO) in the case giving testimony before the panel, said: “In December 2016, one Raji Abdulrasheed reported that the petitioner collected N1.8million from him and refused to pay. We arrested the petitioner and he confessed that he was duped by some people from Lagos. We went to Lagos and arrested five suspects. One of them was indicted and was charged to court before the petitioner withdrew the matter.”

While Adebisi was cross-examining Inspector Alayande, he alleged that he tortured the petitioner while he was in police custody.

Alayande smiled hysterically, saying, “If I slapped him (petitioner) he will not wake up for three days.

The remarked grieved the panel, he was cautioned, however, the counsel tried to get more clarity on the issue, this infuriated the legal officer of the police, Mr Francis Osie, and threatened that the counsel can’t withstand his slaps. Adebisi replied that “the panel should take judicial notice of his remark that he is a man of violence, this is why this panel was set up.

Osie said angrily, “If there is any allegation of torture, there should be medical evidence. If I slap you as you are there can you withstand it? What rubbish? The petitioner did not wake up in the hospital and you the counsel is coming here to lie to the panel.

The Chairman of the panel, Justice Akin Oladimeji, cautioned that the police officer does not have any right to slap anybody saying, “there is no point in saying or making yourself so as a mighty man that if you slap anybody he won’t be able to stand up for days that is making the whole thing messy. You are standing before the panel.

The cross-examination was later concluded as the matter was adjourned to March 26th 2021.

The Reps spokesperson says the Nigerian legislature is the poorest in the world, ''hence its members are dying from illnesses.

The Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, on Tuesday said the National Assembly is the poorest parliament in the world.

Mr Kalu stated this while responding to a question on the status of investigative reports and alleged compromise of the lawmakers on some of the reports.

He refuted the claims of compromise and blamed COVID-19 for the delays on consideration of the reports.

Mr Kalu added that the lawmakers are falling sick due to pressure from constituents making financial demands.

“As per being compromised, you would have seen it on the lawmakers. This is the poorest parliament. You don’t see the lawmakers living in luxury. Compromised with what? With position or money? These guys are suffering,” Mr Kalu said.

“That is why most of the sickness they are passing through are heart attacks. It is this failure or that failure, due to stress from their constituents. The truth must be told, whether you understand it or not. Let the press know this that the pressure from the constituents is killing members of the National Assembly. That is the truth. The pressure is too much,” he said.

Since the commencement of the current ninth session, four senators and three members of the House of Representatives have died from various ailments.

The latest is a member of the House, Ossy Prestige, from Abia State, who died a few days ago in a German hospital.

In 2020, N125 billion was allocated to the National Assembly in the budget, while N134 billion was allocated to the parliament in the 2021 budget

Nigerian Police Force on Monday denied that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu paid N2 billion for tenure extension.

The force described the development as untrue, unfounded, defamatory and libelous, following a report published by an online media.


Reacting to the story, the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba in a statement issued in Abuja and made available to reporters said the extension of service of the IGP was strictly the prerogative of the President Muhammadu Buhari and: “was never paid for as maliciously reported in the publication”.

Mba assured that the IGP is not distracted by the report, adding that he is committed to delivering on its mandate, especially the task of neutralizing current and emerging internal security threats.

The statement reads: “The Police High Command has described as untrue, unfounded, defamatory and libellous, the publication by Sahara Reporters, dated February 07, 2021, which alleged that the Inspector-General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, NPM, mni paid over 2 Billion Naira for the tenure extension.

“The insinuations also by Sahara Reporters that the IGP did not “celebrate” his extension smacks of ignorance and a pathetic misplacement of priority. The extension does not call for merry-making or celebration but a time for more work, rededication to duty and selfless service to the nation.

“The IGP, while assuring the nation of an unwavering commitment by the Force under his leadership, to improved service delivery, safety and security of the citizenry, enjoins members of the public to disregard and discountenance the publication by Sahara Reporters as evidently untrue and unfounded. The IGP is undistracted and the Force remains motivated and committed to delivering on its mandate, especially the task of neutralizing current and emerging internal security threats.

“Meanwhile, the IGP has directed his legal team to commence legal actions against the online publisher.”

Without production, the three national refineries recorded N6 billion operational expenses in October 2020, The Nation learnt Tuesday.

The total value of output by the refineries for the period under review was N0.51billion, which resulted in an operating deficit of ₦5.49 billion by the refineries.

NNPC disclosed this in its October 2020 Financial and Operations Report.

Commenting on Refineries Economics for the Period October 2020, the report said: “The Corporation has been adopting a Merchant Plant Refineries Business Model since January 2017.

” The model takes cognizance of the Products Worth and Crude Costs. The combined value of output by the three refineries (at Import Parity Price) for the month of October 2020 amounted to approximately ₦0.51billion.

“No associated crude plus freight cost for the three refineries since there was no production but operational expenses amounted to ₦6.00billion. This resulted to an operating deficit of ₦5.49billion by the Refineries.”

NNPC also noted that petroleum Product Supply from Direct sales Direct Purchase (DSDP) in October 2020, 2,391.15 million litres of PMS were supplied into the country through the DSDP arrangement as against the1,578 93million litres of PMS supplied in the month of September 2020.

It added that a total of 1,224.54 million litres of white products were sold and distributed by Pipeline Products Marketing Company (PPMC) in the month of October 2020 compared with 603.39 million litres in the month of September 2020.

According to the report, this comprised 1224.20 million litres of PMS,0.31million litres of AGO and 0.033 million litres of DPK.

“There was no sale of special product in the month,” NNPC said in the report.

Meanwhile, the report noted that total sale of white products for the period October 2019 to October 2020 stood at 16,462.50 million litres and PMS accounted for 16,344.36million litres or 99.28 per cent.

The corporation said a total sum of ₦158.04 billion was made on the sale of white products by PPMC in the month of October 2020 compared to N80.15 billion sales in September 2020.

Total revenues generated from the sales of white products for the period October 2019 to October 2020, according to NNPC, stood at ₦1,951.42 billion, where PMS contributed about 99.07 per cent of the total sales with a value of ₦1,933.22 billion.

Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed says apart from body protection, his orderly provides him updates of happenings in the country.

He said this on Wednesday in Abuja at a ceremony to decorate his Police Orderly, Lucky Moses.

Moses was recently promoted by the Police Service Commission (PSC) from the rank of Inspector to Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP)

Mohammed told NAN that Moses has been with him since he was sworn-in as minister in November 2015.

“He exhibits his loyalty in various forms. He is pained when he hears anything bad about me and he tries to defend me”, he said.

“Moses is like a sounding board for me and every morning, the first thing I ask him is: What are they saying in town about the government and your minister?

“There is no popular Radio station and discussion that he does not follow. From his own way of understanding, he will present issues to me.

“Sometimes, when some policies of the government are misunderstood, I will take time to explain to him what the people think and what the real situation is.”

Mohammed hailed the officer for his loyalty and dedication to duty,

The APC chieftain disclosed that Moses never reported sick in the past five years, adding that he allows him to take some days off at intervals.

Moses expressed gratitude to God, the PSC, Inspector-General of Police and the minister.

The new rank is an additional responsibility to work harder and be more dedicated, the ASP said.

PROMOTERS of the hybrid mega party being plotted to emerge from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are reaching out to more chieftains of the two leading parties for membership.

Governors Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, Willie Obiano of Anambra State, Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa State, and former House of Representatives Speaker Dimeji Bankole are among the prominent figures of the ruling APC and opposition PDP being wooed to come on board.

Former governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, had during the week confirmed plans to float a new political movement in the country.

Okorocha, who currently represents Imo West in the Senate, said that he and other progressive-minded politicians were perfecting plans for a new mega party in response to the silent agitations and complaints across the country against the current state of the nation.

Investigation revealed that Okorocha is working with a group of ex-governors and National Assembly members who are currently chieftains of the APC and PDP. According to very reliable sources, a prominent South-south governor is also being pressured by the Okorocha group to dump the PDP and join the new movement. The said governor has recently expressed his dissatisfaction with the current leadership of the opposition party, accusing its NWC of working against unity in the party.

The Nation also gathered that promoters of the new party, through some prominent Igbo leaders, have reached out to Governor Obiano of Anambra State, urging him to be prepared to move his faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance into the emerging party.

Consequently, Obiano and his political camp are now considering shelving alleged earlier plans to dump APGA and join one of the two leading political parties.

A source familiar with the development said: “With our leaders, political and socio-cultural, unanimous in their belief that power should shift to the south, and with daily indications suggesting that some people have other plans, it is important we are not caught unawares.

“Leaders of the Southeast are convinced that entering the mega party with a party as strong as APGA will give us a good edge in the negotiations. That is why many people are putting pressure on Obiano and others to consider the invitation.”

Another source in Lagos said that leaders of the new movement, at a recent meeting, agreed on moves to reach out to Obiano, Tambuwal, Badaru, Bankole and others.
The source said: “I can tell you that the mega party will not fail to contact all those we consider as assets to the movement.

“It is wrong for anybody to think Okorocha is trying to form a political party for himself alone. Let me tell you that what is coming is a broad based movement that will change the face of Nigerian politics ahead of 2023.

“Majority of those who were part of the failed attempt to form a mega party during the build up to the 2019 general election have been contacted.

“Many are willing to join this new effort. As a group, we are already part of the movement and I can tell you some PDP and APC governors are already talking to us with varying degree of commitments.”

Speaking recently while commissioning some projects in Rivers State, Okorocha who was a guest of Governor Nyesom Wike, had said the regrouping of ‘good politicians’ was urgently needed to restore public confidence in governance and save the country.

“The movement for a new Nigeria has begun and we must come together, I mean progressive Nigerians, to make the country work,” Okorocha said.

Meanwhile, the invitation of Tambuwal by Governor Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa State to commission some developmental project in the state is generating speculation that the governor is romancing the PDP governor ahead of 2023.

This is just as the newly elected Jigawa State chairman of the PDP, Babansu Ibrahim Gumel, said the party is working to receive members of the ruling APC and governor Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar into its fold soon.

The chairman made the disclosure while speaking to news men in Dutse, the state capital shortly after the inauguration of PDP reconciliation committee at the party secretariat.

Babansu Ibrahim said: “The party constituted a powerful contact and reconstruction committee. Their main task is to meet all people irrespective of political party, region, religion and tribe, and I have the belief the party will bounce back stronger and wrest power in the state and even the country.”

He added: “I’m assuring you that you will see wonder in 2023. People you do not expect will return and others will join PDP.

“Our party is welcoming any interested opposition, including President Muhammad Buhari and Jigawa State governor, Muhammad Abubakar Badaru, and we will treat them with fairness and equality.”

When contacted the special assistant to the governor on media, Auwalu Sankara, said: “I heard this from you for the first time. To my knowledge, there is nothing like this.

“As you know, Badaru Abubakar is the governor of the state; he is for everyone.

“The governor was voted into power not by APC members, but also millions of PDP members. Disregard this speculation as just a rumour without basis.”

The defence headquarters says Boko Haram insurgents are “weakened enemies” of the country and no longer have “sovereignty or authority” on any territory in the country.

John Enenche, defence spokesman, stated this on Friday while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

To commemorate the armed forces remembrance day, the presidency had said Boko Haram insurgents are weaker compared to 2015.

“Boko Haram is much weaker today than in 2015, as attested to by the governor of Borno state on December 6, 2020,” Femi Adesina, presidentiaal spokesman, had said in a statement.

Affirming the stance of the presidency, Eneche said as of 2015, Boko Haram had between 17 and 20 local government areas under its control.

He said but those territories were recaptured under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Yes, the commander-in-chief is very right by saying that we have a weaker BOKO Haram. Why is it so? In the sense that as at 2015, before they came on board, we had a very terrible situation in the northeast.

“Between 17 and 20 local government areas were under the full authority of the insurgents, that is the Boko Haram group and what does that translate to. It translated to a fact that they (referring to Boko Haram) constituted authority, local administration and judiciary.

“They were even collecting levies, which we can term taxes, the people were subject to them, they sack traditional rulers and most of them were into exile. By 2016, the whole place were recaptured.”

Eneche said the current crop of Boko Haram insurgents are hiding from one bush to another enclave with no capacity to fight.

“Now what we have as Boko Haram is a weakened enemy of the country, so it is very right going by my analysis I just made,” he said.

“Whereby they were moving from bush to enclave, from enclave to bush. They do not have any sovereignty or authority in any territory in the northeast, by extension Nigeria, so we now have a weakened Boko Haram.

“Of, course if they are strong force to be contended with, why don’t they come out? They cannot come out.”

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, says the Nigerian Army will shame and disgrace the Boko Haram and the Islamic States for West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists in 2021.

Buratai gave the assurance at a sit-out night to usher in the 2021 New Year at the TY Buratai Institute for War and Peace in Biu Local Government Area of Borno.

He said the troops of Nigerian Army had done a lot in the fight against insurgency in the North East and banditry in the Northwest in 2020, adding that they were committed to decisively deal with all forms of insecurity in the country.

Buratai urged the troops to dedicate themselves to the task of eradicating terrorism by maintaining the tempo in 2021 with more determination and action to end the insurgency in the country.

He also advised the troops to work with more discipline, commitment and courage, adding that the military had the responsibility to solve the nation’s problem of insecurity.

According to him, they must work extra hard to win the confidence of Nigerians. The nation trusted and believed in us to deal with the security challenges, – issues of insurgency, terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and other forms of insecurity. We must not fail, we should see it as a challenge and a task that must be done to resolve it once and for all.

“I am very optimistic that 2021 will be different, totally different from a remarkable difference from 2020.

“I want you to see it as a challenge and a task that must be done because we are the one that can do it because Nigerians believe in us and believe that we can do it.
“You should go into the year with full conviction that we can do better to address the insecurity in our country,” he said.
Buratai also promised that officers and men of the Nigerian army would enjoy a lot of welfare packages in 2021.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his support and confidence in the Nigerian army during the preceding years.

President Muhammadu Buhari has pleaded with Nigerians to once again invest their trust in his administration’s commitment to restore peace, security and prosperity to all parts of the country.

President Buhari made the plea in his Christmas message to Nigerians, which was made available to State House Correspondents by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Mr Femi Adesina on Thursday.

The President also challenged all Christians, and indeed, all Nigerians to reinvent to one another the values that the Christmas celebration represents, noting that the country is most in need of such virtues at the moment, having gone through series of stressful circumstances.

He said his administration would continue to work to make Nigeria safe for all residents by ensuring that the armed forces are properly and adequately equipped.

He however commended the armed forces and all security agencies for their efforts at keeping the country safe, charging them to do more to ward crimes and criminals out of circulation in the country.

“In Christendom, Christmas season represents joy, peace, hope, love, goodwill and imminent salvation. These worthy values which Jesus’ Advent symbolize, are very much needed in our country at this time when we are confronted with diverse challenges like the rising spate of armed banditry, kidnappings, insurgency, economic recession, and an upsurge of COVID-19 infections.

“I wish to, therefore, enjoin fellow compatriots to appropriate the hope that comes with Christmas and reinvest trust in this Administration’s determination and unwavering commitment to restore peace, security, and prosperity to our dear country.

“Under my watch, the Federal Government will continue to provide the needed support within available resources to the gallant members of our armed forces and security agencies as they confront threats to our citizens. While I commend them for their efforts so far, I urge them to do more to checkmate increasing incidents of security threats, especially in the northern parts of the country as well as the entire nation in varying degrees.

“Their display of tact, camaraderie, and expertise that led to the recent return of abducted schoolboys of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, will remain a milestone in the annals of the country.

“For me, providing security for all residents in the country remains an article of faith. It formed a vital segment of this Administration’s three-point agenda right from inception, and we must follow through with it.

“I cannot in good conscience shirk this cardinal responsibility to secure lives and property. I feel pained each time a breach of peace and security occurs in any part of the nation. I am even more distressed when our youths, especially school children, are the targets and victims of mindless and malevolent elements in society.

“As a parent, I share the emotional torture and agony parents and guardians go through whenever their children and wards fall into the cruel hands of these enemies of decency and good society.

“I plead with fellow compatriots to give our military and other security agencies more time, cooperation and support by volunteering credible intelligence/information on activities of armed bandits, insurgents and other criminal elements within their communities in order to put an end to this blight on our security landscape”, he said.

On how to combat the security crisis in the country, the President noted that the situation is not as simplistic as those proffering solutions are seeing it, but said he would ensure to follow up with bringing the multi-faceted security crisis into the barest minimum.

“To be sure, the problems are beyond the simplistic options being bandied around. We shall remain focused on following the complex, multi-dimensional route to reducing the incidents of insecurity to the barest minimum. Our people must be free to live and move without let or hindrance. This is crucial not only to enthroning an atmosphere of calm and social cohesion, but for the economy to grow”, he said.

On the celebration, he called on citizens to use the season of goodwill and joy to renew their faith in the ability of his administration to make a lasting difference in the lives of hard-working people.

“Let us use this season of goodwill and joy to renew our faith in the ability of this Administration to make a lasting difference in the lives of our hard-working people. Our Social Intervention measures and other economic policies are already yielding positive results even at modest rates”, he said.

The President said his administration would continue to target the youth for development so they would not be available to the lure of those with unpatriotic intents.

He, however, noted that his administration would no longer allow protests to fester into chaos.

“We shall deliberately target our youths so that they will not fall into the trap of unpatriotic elements to foment social disobedience leading to avoidable loss of lives and property.

“Let me reiterate that while the right to peaceful association and protest is guaranteed under our laws, this Administration will not fold its arms and watch protests however well-intended, degenerate into wanton killings of law enforcement and other security personnel as well as the destruction of private and national assets.

“It is gladdening to note that the various schemes and components of the Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP) are being implemented faithfully to support micro-small businesses. I am particularly delighted that artisans, small-time transporters, traders and farmers are the main beneficiaries as we continue to provide safety nets to the most vulnerable members of our society as well as business owners to mitigate the harsh economic environment occasioned by COVID-19.

“In spite of dwindling national revenue worsened by the pandemic, we will do all that is required to fully implement the 2021 Budget of Economic Recovery and Resilience. We are optimistic that all things being equal, we should be able to exit recession at the shortest possible time”, he said.

He charged Nigerians to go about celebrating the Christmas and New Year festivities discreetly, noting that there are indications that the nation had already entered the second wave of the COVID-19 spread.

“There is every indication that our country is already experiencing a second wave of COVID-19 infection. As we celebrate Christmas with families and friends, I urge all citizens and residents to adhere strictly to the non-pharmaceutical prevention guidelines of regular hand-washing, wearing masks and social/physical distancing with a view to mitigating the spread of this devastating virus.

“While national and state institutions are trying their best, we must take individual responsibility and resist the strong temptation of compliance-fatigue by following the recommended protocols put in place by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and beat the ravaging pandemic.

“I have absolute confidence in the spirit of resilience of our people to do the needful and remain vigilant even as this festive season witnesses increased travels and celebrations. Staying alive to enjoy future festivals should be the watchword.

“I wish all Nigerians divine protection and Merry Christmas,” he said.

Former President Jerry Rawlings of Ghana has died from complications of COVID-19.

The Cable gathered that the ex-president died at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, capital of Ghana, on Thursday morning.

A military ruler, who later joined politics, Rawlings ruled Ghana from 1981 to 2001.

He led a military junta until 1992, and then served two terms as the democratically elected president of Ghana.

A flight lieutenant of the Ghanaian Air Force, Rawlings first staged military coup as a young revolutionary on May 15, 1979, five weeks before scheduled elections to return the country to civilian rule.

When the coup failed, he was imprisoned, publicly court-martialed and sentenced to death.

After initially handing power over to a civilian government, he took back control of the country on 31 December 1981 as the chairman of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC).

He then resigned from the military, founded the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and became the first president of the Fourth Republic.

He was re-elected in 1996 for four more years. After two terms in office, the limit according to the Ghanaian constitution, Rawlings endorsed his vice-president John Atta Mills as presidential candidate in 2000.

Hw was born on June 22, 1947.

Youths in Okitipupa council area of Ondo state again went on rampage by setting school shuttle buses on fire.

Vanguard was informed that the shuttle buses were parked in the premises of the local government.

The youths in their hundreds reportedly invaded the council area and set the buses ablaze.

Also burnt include the prison in Okitipupa, the INEC fence and the private residence of a governorship aspirant under the APC in the state lfe Oyedele.

The Nigerian Army has clarified that “Operation Crocodile Smile” is not targeted at #EndSARS protesters.

Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Sagir Musa, made this known in a press statement on Sunday.

The statement read in part, “The attention of the Nigerian Army (NA) has been drawn to some social media stuff wrongfully condemning the Army and its Leadership over the announcement of Exercise CROCODILE SMILE VI particularly the Cyber Warfare Component of the Exercise. This year’s Exercise CROCODILE SMILE is scheduled to commence from the 20th of October to the 31st of December 2020 has no relationship with any lawful protest under any guise whatsoever.


“For the records, Exercise CROCODILE SMILE is a yearly exercise in the NA Calendar/Forecast of Events which traditionally holds from October to December of each year.

“Thus, to now insinuate that it is an exercise meant to stifle the ongoing ENDSARS protest is to say the least highly misinformed. Exercise CROCODILE SMILE VI has nothing to do with the ongoing protest and the NA has never been involved in the ongoing protest in any form whatsoever. So far, the army has acted professionally since the civil protest started over two weeks ago.

“The army hereby enjoins all law abiding Nigerians to go about their lawful activities unhindered as the Exercise has nothing to do with ENDSARS protest, but a yearly event set out to train NA officers and soldiers in its efforts to ensuring safety and security of Nigeria and her citizens.”

PRESS RELEASE

NIGERIAN ARMY SETS TO COMMENCE EXERCISE CROCODILE SMILE VI NATION WIDE

1. The Nigerian Army is set to start its annual Exercise CROCODILE SMILE which is traditionally conducted in the last quarter of the year. This year's Exercise CROCODILE SMILE VI is scheduled to commence from the 20th of October to the 31st of December 2020.

2. The Exercise is deliberately intended to be all encompassing to include cyber warfare exercises designed to identify, track and counter negative propaganda in the social media and across the cyberspace. This is the first ever Cyberwarfare exercise to be conducted in the history of the African Armed Forces. Accordingly, the exercise will also include positive identification component aimed at identifying Boko Haram terrorists fleeing from the North East and other parts of the country as a result of the ongoing operations in the various theatres of operations especially in the Northeast, North Central and North Western parts of Nigeria.

3. The Nigerian Army, once again, reassures all well meaning Nigerians of its commitment to the sustenance of peace and security in Nigeria and urges members of the public for their support and understanding throughout the period of the exercise.

SAGIR MUSA
Colonel
Acting Director Army Public Relations
17 October 2020