₦airaland Forum

CHAIRMAN, Caretaker Committee of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mai Malla Buni on Friday said that President Muhammadu Buhari has endorsed the governorship candidate of the party in the September 19 elections, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

Buni, who stated this while briefing State House correspondents after presenting the APC candidate to the President said that Buhari gave his blessings to the candidate.

Pastor Ize-Iyamu at the briefing debunked the allegation that 14 members-elect of the Edo State House of Assembly sat in his house on Thursday to impeach the Speaker of the House and elect a new one.

He said: “Let me debunk the statement that 17 members of the State House of Assembly sat in my sitting room, it is not true.”

He also said that there was no truth in the insinuations that President Buhari did not want to see him, alleging that it was a falsehood being spread by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Also speaking, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State described his Edo State counterpart and candidate of the PDP in the September elections, Godwin Obaseki, as a liability to the PDP.

“I can assure you that Governor Obaseki is a liability to the PDP. I can assure you that we are contesting against a governor who failed most woefully.”


https://www.inform.ng/post/edo-obaseki-is-a-liability-to-pdp-gov-ganduje

Anti-corruption groups in Nigeria have submitted corruption allegations against the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Their letter was titled “Compilation of Corruption Allegations and Abuse of Office”.




It was signed by the Chairman, Civil Society Network Against Corruption, Olanrewaju Suraju; Chairman, Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, Debo Adeniran; and Co-founder, Say No Campaign, Ezenwa Nwagwu.

The coalition called for the immediate probe of Malami to ensure a full inquiry devoid of interference.

It insisted that there are very strong allegations Malami with clear evidence and urged Buhari to act immediately.

“We have listed these corruption cases after painstaking compilation of high profile corruption cases involving the country’s No 1 law officer. The President must act without delay,” the groups said.

The groups told Buhari that his action has the prospect of determining the future of the anti-corruption campaign in the country.

The allegations include the alleged auctioning of sea vessels holding crude oil seized by the Federal Government, violating Section 31(2) and (4) of the EFCC Act 2004.

The coalition said Malami also authorized the sale of these vessels by companies under EFCC prosecution for similar offence of illegal bunkering.

“This action was admitted by the AGF through his media aide pleading presumption of innocence on the part of the accused, in the case being prosecuted by the Federal Government through EFCC,” the letter read.

The minister was accused of twisting the law to shield his family members, corrupt officials and institutions in the most brazen manners.

The AGF was blamed for the reinstatement of Abdulrasheed Maina, former Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team, into the Federal Civil Service Commission without due process.

Malami was accused of filing for the discontinuation of a N25billion criminal charge against Senator Danjuma Goje without any justification after over seven years of diligent investigation and prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He was alleged to have withdrawn criminal charges against soldiers who were accused of killing police officers and a civilian in the bid to aid the escape of billionaire kidnapper, Bala Hamisu, popularly known as Wadume.

The letter recalled that on November 18, 2018, Malami, through a lawyer from his office, Pius Akuta, withdrew a fraud case filed by the EFCC at Lagos High Court against John Abebe, younger brother to late Stella Obasanjo.

It noted that EFCC resisted the illegal move in the case before Justice Mojisola Dada on the ground that the AGF has no constitutional power to take over a case filed in the court.

The coalition cited withdrawal of a criminal case against the Chairman, Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Yakubu; demand for the withdrawal of the cases against Bello Adoke, Diezani Alison-Madueke and others involved in the Malabu Oil scandal; suspension of investigation of alleged fraud in Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NISRAL).

The AGF was also accused of duplicity of payment of $16.9million fees to two friends as new lawyers for the recovery of the loot traced to a former Head of State, Sani Abacha, after a Swiss lawyer, Enrico Monfrini, who helped in the reovery was fully paid by the previous government.

The minister was indicted for halting the prosecution of former Comptroller General of Customs, Mohammed Inde Dikko, through an alleged suspicious deal between the AGF and the immediate past DSS Director General, as well as shielding the ex-Customs boss from refunding of $8million to the government.

The groups said their investigations suggest that Malami allegedly owns assets worth billions, acquired after his appointment.

Those listed were a multimillion naira Rayhaan Hotels worth about N500million, located at opposite Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Zaria Road, Kano State; a property worth about N600million located at Ahmadu Bello Way, Nasarawa GRA, Kano; a newly constructed school at the back of Nitel at Gesse Phase 1, Birni Kebbi, Kebbi State, worth about N700million.

Others: A multi million Naira property allegedly built by Malami for his son located at Gesse Phase II in Birni Kebbi worth over N400million; a mansion known as Azbir Arena allegedly built by Malami for his second son; Azbir Arena, an entertainment centre worth over N3billion, with a big plaza and kids playing centre and hotel, all combined in one expansive property.

Malami was accused of using the official letterhead of the office of AGF to seek support for his son’s wedding and that he encouraged the defacing of Naira and other currencies to the embarrassment of the country and in violation of section 21(1) and (3) of the Central Bank Act, 2007.

He was accused of allowing the breach of COVID-19 protocol and regulations, putting the lives of Nigerians at risk during the wedding of his son.

The minister was said to have displayed “his unpretentious hatred for the fight against corruption by writing a letter dated 16th December, 2016 withdrawing the case of fraud filed against Mr. Godsday Orubebe, the former Minister of Niger Delta, in a case involving over N1.97billion, on the ground that in his opinion, there was no basis for filing the charge against him.”

The coalition said they believe in due process “which is why we have forwarded this petition to your Excellency for investigation and action in order to restore the sanity of the core mandate of your administration to fight corruption which is at the verge of collapse as a result of the alleged abuse of power and office by the incumbent Attorney General and Minster of Justice.”


https://www.inform.ng/post/corruprion-group-ask-buhari-to-fire-malami

The Benue State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reacted to the return to the All Progressives Congress (APC) of Senator Barnabas Gemade, Terngu Shawon and others.

Gemade, a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, announced his defection from the Social Democratic Party, SDP, to the APC on Saturday.




The PDP said it views the decision with amusement, describing it as irrelevant.

In a statement by Bemgba Iortyom, the state’s Publicity Secretary of PDP, the party said ordinarily it should not concern itself with an exercise which it described as a mere charade by well known perennial political nomads.

It, however, said its attention was drawn to a statement by Senator Gemade where he was quoted as saying that his move to APC has sent jitters down the spines of PDP and other political parties in the state.

Responding to the former lawmaker’s comments, the PDP said “underscoring the irrelevance of this charade of a decamping is the loud question; As a former national Chairman of a ruling party, former Minister and former Senator, why was the Benue State Leader of the APC, Senator George Akume, conspicuously absent at the decamping ceremony yesterday?

“Was Senator Gemades’s diminishing political value not highlighted by his abysmally poor performance in his Senatorial re-election bid in 2019 on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), where he lost even in his native Mbawar and placed third in the race behind a political greenhorn like Mimi Orubibi, after he had junketed from APC to PDP and then to SDP all in the space of a few months?

“Senator Gemade needs to be reminded that his party SDP has not won even a single councilorship seat in all elections since he joined the party in 2019. It lost in all the polls he actively participated in last year.

“He ought to also remember that PDP won the governorship election, 3 senatorial seats out of 3, 7 House of Representatives seats of 11 and 23 Benue State House of Assembly seats out of 30.

“The party also has 23 elected council chairmen out of 23 and 276 elected councilors.

“So why would PDP be jittery? Was Gemade a member of PDP when it emerged victorious in all of those elections?

“It is unfortunate that while politicians of Senator Gemade’s generation, like Senator David Mark, are retiring and leaving room on the leadership stage for their proteges, the septuagenerian is still embarking on political quests suitable for his children’s generation.

“Moreover, by his known antecedent, the erstwhile Benue North-East Senator’s insatiable appetite for political power makes him more of a disruptive influence wherever he goes.

“His current voyage into the APC is most likely ill-fated, as feelers indicate his motive is to wrestle the leadership of the party in Benue from Senator Akume whom he believes lost relevance following the party’s defeat to PDP in 2019.

“Terngu Shawon’s case is even worse, as the man, in his capacity as Director-General of the gubernatorial campaign organisation of the sitting governor, failed to deliver a single polling unit in his council ward, even ran away and could not vote at his polling unit in the 2019 election. Such a man need not be taken seriously by anyone.

“PDP, as a solidly grounded political party, will not be distracted by this mere gallivanting of nomadic politicians whose antics are well known to the electorate and won’t be taken seriously, as the party focuses on guiding and supporting the Ortom administration towards delivering on its mandate to the people of Benue State.”


https://www.inform.ng/post/pdp-mocks-ex-national-chairman-for-defecting-to-apc

Amaechi, in a statement on Saturday, said that the $500 million loan was collected during the regime of former president, Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan and not in the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has stated that Nigerian government has the capability to pay back loans collected for the construction of rail projects within the stipulated period of 20 years, but that the loan was not collected by the present government as claimed by many. Torixus reports.




Amaechi, in a statement on Saturday, also said that the Chinese government are the only rich country in the world that can give out loans with a very low interest rate of 2.8 percent. And that’s why the last Government proceeded.

“The 500 million dollars was not taken by us, it was taken by President Goodluck Jonathan in his term and that clause was there.

“Nigeria has the capacity to pay back for the period of 20 years at 2.8 per cent, which country will give you that loan? Secondly, these loans are not given to us, they are paid directly to the contractors.

The minister also said that the Nigerian government has paid 96 million Dollars already and will complete the full payment before the next 20 years.

“We are paying the loans. In the same National Assembly sitting, they were told that of the 500million dollars loan, we have paid 96 million dollars already, Nigeria is already paying.

https://www.inform.ng/post/jonathan-not-buhari-signed-500m-china-loan-agreement-with-china-amaechi

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has declared that “the other party” was provoking him.

He made the veil reference about the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday in Benin after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders’ meeting.




The Edo helmsman condemned the attacks on PDP supporters in front of Oba of Benin palace.

Obaseki said his administration would ensure that the perpetrators faced the law.

The governor warned that his administration was not weak in responding to political violence.

Obaseki noted that being a governor, he would not misuse state powers.

“I believe my powers should be used responsibly, particularly in the face of provocation, and especially what the other party did in the palace by attacking our supporters in an attempt to provoke me,” he said.

On the governorship race, Obaseki declared: “If we have an election today in the state, PDP will win by 75 per cent. PDP has always won every national election in Edo.”

The APC had alleged that Obaseki and Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike, were behind the palace incident.

APC stated that the destruction of property was a glimpse into the do or die plot the PDP planned to unleash.

https://www.inform.ng/post/edo-2020-i-will-win-poll-by-75

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abuja reacted for the first time on the allegations of corruption levelled against the leaderships of some Federal Government Agencies and Commissions.

These commissions include the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).




The president, who spoke after observing his Eid prayers at the forecourt of the presidential villa, observed that some appointees of the government in both his administration and the previous one have abused their trust.

He, however, expressed delight that some stolen assets are being recovered, sold and proceeds put into the Single Treasury Account (TSA), which is inaccessible to the corrupt persons involved.

When asked how he felt about recent revelations coming out from the EFCC and the NDDC, President Buhari said:

“There has been an abuse of trust by people trusted by the previous administration and this administration.

“A number of assets have been recovered and some money.

“But we have introduced TSA where all the monies are taken and I said asset should be sold and the money be put through TSA so that it can be identified at any level and I will see who will come after us and take it back again to those who misappropriated public funds.”

While assuring that all past and present cases would be fully investigated, he said: “This is why we put the commission (of investigation) in place.”

He stressed that all of such cases would be uncovered and firmly dealt with by his government.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports Senate and House of Representatives are currently investigating how the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) allegedly squandered N40 billion within few months.

NAN also reports that the Presidency had instituted a Presidential Probe Panel headed by retired Justice Ayo Salami to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against the suspended acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu.

https://www.inform.ng/post/there-are-corrupt-people-in-my-government-buhari

Napoli have officially signed Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen from Lille.

The Serie A club made the announcement in a statement via the club’s official website on Friday.




The statement read: “SSC Napoli acquired the sports performance of footballer Victor Osimhen from Lille outright.

“Victor Osimhen was born in Lagos, Nigeria on December 29, 1998.

“His experience continued at Lille in 2019/20, where he collected 38 appearances and 18 goals.”

Meanwhile, Napoli star, Dries Mertens, has since promised to help Osimhen to settle at the club next season.

https://www.inform.ng/post/napoli-signs-victor-osimhen

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says the party has witnessed a 200 percent increase in membership since Governor Godwin Obaseki joined the party.

State Chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, said this on Thursday in Benin after the party’s stakeholders meeting, NAN reports.


He said membership cards had risen from 20,000 to 100,000.

Aziegbemi added that more requests were being processed.

Meanwhile, the Chairman, PDP Governors’ Forum, Aminu Tambuwal, has urged leaders of parties contesting the governorship election to appeal to their supporters to be law-abiding.

The Sokoto Governor recalled that “a small crowd of a political party came to the Benin monarch’s palace to boo leaders and supporters of the PDP during the flag-off of our campaign.”

Tambuwal noted that it was a sign that the party was planning violence.

The governor warned against alleged plans to use security agencies to rig.

“We have seen cases where might is used in isolated elections in Nigeria through the deployment of security personnel to such a state to intimidate voters. This must not be done in Edo”.


https://www.inform.ng/post/pdp-received-80000-new-members-from-apc-after-obasekis-joined-state-party-chairman

Find Press Statement below...

Recently, i wrote an editorial published by The Vanguard, The Nation and the Nigerian Tribune Newspapers on the politics of Elitism in Nigeria titled: "Battle Between Lions and Foxes".

Using the work of Italian Scholars, Genato Mosca, Vildredo Pareto and Robert Mitchel, I perused into the reasons behind the continuous ruling of the tiny minority Elites - the owners of means of production, the top military genius and the political generals etc - above the absolute majority - the middle and lower cadres - civil/public servants, private employees, artisans etc- and concluded that the tiny Elites, classified as the LIONS, will rule till eternity over the common people, tagged as the FOXES.

However, corroborating the position of Robert Mitchel, I recommended that the panacea out of the hegemony of LIONS is for the FOXES who have the numbers, energy, creativity and passion to their advantage, to UNITE and speak with ONE VOICE against the forces of Elitism and they shall TRIUMPH amazingly.

Lawyers in Nigeria are currently voting for who will take over from Paul Usoro, SAN, as the President of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). The Presidency of NBA used to be a position reserved through an unwritten law for the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SANs) not until young lawyers decided to challenge this TANGLE of Injustice.

Olumide Akpata, a legal czar on Corporate, Immigration, Merger and Acquisition and Employment is currently leading the revolution against the REIGN OF SANs at the ongoing election of the NBA.

Voting to end 11pm tonight but Akpata, the only non-Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) among three presidential candidates, had polled 8075 votes (53.7 percent) as at 2:02pm today.

His closest challenger, Dr Babatunde Ajibade SAN has garnered 3616 votes (24.1 per cent).

A former NBA General Secretary Dele Adesina (SAN) is in the rear with 3343 (22.2 per cent) of the votes cast.

15,034 votes tallied and there were 32 abstentions from the 15,077 votes so far.

A total of 29,636 lawyers are voting nationwide in the electronic poll, according to the Electoral Committee of the NBA.

I am sure we know the winner already?

Nigerian Young Lawyers (FOXES) who are tired of the consistent domination of their senior learned colleagues (THE LIONS), formed a revolutionary cartel around Akpata and the result is what you are seeing now.

I appeal to the younger generation to let us unite. We are the best. The Elites are nothing without us. The LIONS have funded disunity among the FOXES to their advantage but the TIME for liberation is NOW! We can take over the reign of power If we are united. We must not be slaves to seven generations.

CAVEAT: WE PRAY FOR LONG LIVE BUT PLEASE, IF YOU ARE MORE THAN 50 YEARS OF AGE, KINDLY EXCUSE US, WE DO NOT TRUST YOUR SINCERITY AND HONESTY.

- Maxwell Adeyemi Adeleye
July 30th 2020.

https://www.inform.ng/post/the-lions-and-foxes-in-the-nigerian-bar-association

PRESS RELEASE

RE: REPORT OF ATTACK ON THE CONVOY OF BORNO STATE GOVERNOR

1. The convoy of the Executive Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Gana Zulum came under Boko Haram Terrorists fire while visiting Baga Town on the 29th of July 2020. The Executive Governor had earlier paid a visit to the Commander, 19 Brigade at the Nigerian Army Super Camp Baga where he was fully briefed about the prevailing security situation in the general area. The unfortunate incident occurred shortly after the Governor and his entourage departed the Super Campaign to visit other parts of Baga town. The incident forced the Governor to abort his planned movement to Baga.

2. Although, details of the unfortunate incident is sketchy and under investigation, efforts are ongoing to comb the area where the incident occurred with a view to track down and deal decisively with the attackers. An investigation is also in progress to identify the circumstances that led to the attack.

3. Regretably, this is an isolated and most unfortunate incident that occurred in a territory where normalcy has since been restored with socio-economic activities picking up. The Nigerian Army wants to reassure the general public that this will be interrogated with a view to forestalling future re-occurance.

4. Additionally, Nigerian Army wishes to inform the general public that it will continue to discharge its responsibilities professionally with respect for the fundamental human rights of all Nigerians and in compliance with the extant rules of engagement. The good people of Baga town and indeed the entire Borno State are enjoined to continue to provide credible information that will assist the security agencies to successfully combat terrorism as well as apprehend and flush out the perpetrators of the attack.

SAGIR MUSA
Colonel
Acting Director Army Public Relations
30 July 2020

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=163086308640007&id=109357300679575

The Court of Appeal, Ilorin Division, on Wednesday ordered the immediate swearing-in of Raheem Agboola, the Peoples Democratic Party candidate for the Ilorin South state constituency in the 2019 general elections into the Kwara State House of Assembly.

The appellate court dismissed the motion filed by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the election, Azeez Elewu, and declared that the APC had no candidate in the election.




The appeal court in November last year had earlier declared Agboola as the winner of the Ilorin South constituency of the Kwara State House of Assembly election held on March 10, 2019 and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to issue certificate of return to the PDP candidate in the election.

The appellate court also ordered that Elewu and his party should pay a fine of N50,000.

But the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi, refused to swear in Agboola, who is the only member of the opposition party in the APC-dominated Assembly, as he insisted that Elewu, the substituted candidate of the APC in the House of Assembly election, was not joined in case that challenged the election result at the election petitions tribunal.

As a result, the Speaker and the APC headed to the Federal High Court to file a petition against the judgment of the Appeal Court which was subsequently dismissed by the court while another appeal was filed on the matter.

The appeal court in deciding the case set up a special panel of three Justices to look into the case.

Reading the lead judgment on Wednesday, Justice J. Onyemenan dismissed the motion filed by the four respondents that included Elewu, the APC, the Speaker and the Clerk of the Kwara State House of Assembly.

The court frowned on the leadership of the Kwara State House of Assembly for allegedly refusing to swear in the PDP candidate as the duly elected representative of Ilorin South Constituency in the House, as ordered by the court.

He said that Speaker and the Clerk of the House of Assembly had no right not to recognise any member declared by the court as the duly elected winner of an election.

While Elewu was fined the sum of N200,000 by the court, he was also directed to return all the salaries and allowances he had collected so far as a member of the Assembly.

The court also ordered the Speaker and the Clerk of the Assembly as well as the APC to pay a fine of N300,000.

The court also ordered that Agboola of the PDP should be admitted and sworn in as the duly elected member of the House, representing the people of Ilorin South


https://www.inform.ng/post/court-orders-immediate-swearing-in-of-agboola

Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has been barred from executing any project in Rivers without the consent of the state government.

This followed the judgment of a court sitting in Port Harcourt in the 2017 suit instituted by Governor Nyesom Wike, and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Rivers State against the NDDC, its former Managing Director, Nsema Ekere, and former Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Derick Mene and others.

Justice Adolphus Enebeli, who delivered the judgment also granted a declaration sought by the Rivers government that under the State Physical planning law, state land law, and Urban Development Law, the NDDC or its agent have no power to claim any land or execute any project, including street light, water, road, and other infrastructures in any part of Rivers State without the consent of the State Government.


https://www.inform.ng/post/court-bars-nddc-from-executing-projects-in-rivers-without-wines-consent

A man kidnapped his ex-wife at knifepoint and stuffed her inside a blue sports bag before dragging her to a forest for a "romantic date".




Video footage below shows "jealous" Yaroslav Fokin, 35, a former special forces officer wheeling silver medalist runner Elena Rukhlyada, 34, out of her flat in Novosibirsk, south Russia.

Fokin carefully wheeled the bag to the carpark before driving off to a remote forest, where he released her and gave her a bouquet of flowers during the bizarre "romantic date".




Police later found the athlete unharmed after she was reported missing and arrested Fokin. He was found guilty of kidnapping by the Zaeltsovsky District Court and is currently serving a four-and-a-half year sentence in a maximum-security prison.

Elena, who won a silver medal in the 2011 Mountain Running World Championship, has now recounted her terrifying ordeal at the hands of her ex-husband.

Speaking to Russian paper Komsomolskaya Pravda, she said: "I was very scared at that moment because about a month before he had got mad and told me ‘I’ll kill you. Slowly.’

"That’s why I decided to not fight back.

Describing former special forces officer Fokin as "very jealous," she said: “He always tried to limit me, in all terms.”

Elena said Fokin burst into her kitchen in July last year, tying her and a friend up, before she was stuffed into a sports bag.

“I was trying to chew the tape to release myself but understood that there was no way I could escape.

"I thought it was the end.”

“I did not interfere as he was evil and could use the knife. He brought me to a place in the forest and presented me with flowers like it was a romantic date.”

According to Elena, she is worried about what will happen when Fokin leaves prison.

“I will do everything possible to minimise contact with him. I want to appeal to the state to provide me with protection after he is freed.

“I don’t need any money or alimony from him. I want to think that he simply doesn’t exist. It’s scary when you can’t even freely walk outside your house without someone watching you.”


https://www.inform.ng/post/jealous-man-kidnaps-ex-wife-puts-her-in-bag-moves-her-to-forest-for-dinner-date

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is grief-stricken over the dead of the Chairman of Abia state Chapter of our great party, Chief Johnson Onuigbo.

The death of Chief Onuigbo, particularly at this critical time in the history of our nation, is indeed a big blow to our great party both at the national level as well as Abia state and our nation, Nigeria, in general.

Chief Onuigbo was popularly known, remained a loyal party man and an exceptionally committed leader, who played sacrificial roles towards the stability and growth of our great party at the local government, state and national levels.

Chief Onuigbo was a team player, who spared nothing in serving the interest of the people, as a local government chairman in Abia state, Abia Central Zonal Vice Chairman as well as the State Chairman of our party.

Our party leaders, members and supporters across board are in deep sorrow, but we draw solace in the fact that Chief Onuigbo lived a worthy life in the service of humanity to the glory of God.

The PDP condoles with the Onuigbo family, the government and people of Abia state, the Abia state PDP family, the people of Umuahia North Local Government as well as the Anglican Church of Nigeria, where Chief Onuigbo was a Knight of St. Christopher.

Our party prays God to grant us all the fortitude to bear this huge loss.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary

https://www.inform.ng/post/pdp-mourns-abia-state-chairman-johnson-onuigbo

A 16-year-old girl has tragically died after her uncle allegedly threw her from an 11th floor apartment in Tehran, Iran.

The victim, Fatemeh Ghozat was allegedly beaten and then murdered by her uncle Mojtaba Namdar after speaking out against his abuse on May 22.

Fatemeh's heartbroken mom, Bariha Rahmani, who witnessed the alleged incident told Iran International TV that Mojtaba threw her daughter out of a window from an 11th-floor apartment in the Shahrah-e Aseman neighbourhood of Parand in southeast Tehran.

Speaking out after Ghozat was released on bail just two weeks after the incident, Bariha said: 'He threw my girl out of the window in front of my eyes, and then placed her body in my hands.

'He has now been released on bail and walks free. He threatens my son, and tells him, "It's your turn now!".

'I'm afraid for myself and my children. Tell me, in what other country in the world, when a murder has occurred and all the evidence points to the fact it was murder, would the accused be released on bail two weeks later?'

Relatives also claimed that the said uncle confessed to killing Fatemeh in front of all their neighbours before emergency services arrived at the crime scene.

When emergency services arrived, they pronounced the girl dead but Mojtaba allegedly retracted the confession and claimed there had been no witnesses.

Reacting to the case, Legal analyst and Journalist at Iran International TV, Nargess Tavassolian said: 'This case is very strange, it is not known why the uncle was released after only two weeks.

'The most important issue is the independence of the judiciary so that a criminal cannot get off the hook through his "connections" and get freed on bail easily.'

She added: 'The judiciary is losing its independence more and more.

'There are only two cases where the law allows for the murderer to either escape punishment or receive a more lenient punishment, but none of these laws apply here.'

https://www.inform.ng/post/man-freed-after-killing-16-year-old-niece

Ever since his controversial visit and chieftaincy title in Zamfara state, the former aviation minister and PDP chieftain, Chief Femi Fani Kayode, has given more incite on the incident.

Speaking via his Facebook page, he gave real incite on his 7 days sojourn to the northern state.

He mentioned that during his 7 days stay in Zamfara, he had the opportunity of learning a lot of things about the region. He appreciated the hospitality of his host, the executive governor of Zamfara state, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, and thanked him for shedding more light on how the region has coped with insecurity and economic development.

He also mentioned that he visited the 3 massive RUGA settlements built in the state and also took the time to learn more about how the project functions and how the people of the state have benefited from it.

The settlement, he noted was a part of the efforts put in place by the government to curb the incessant crimes and wars between some communities in the state.

Recall just after His Royal Majesty, Alhaji Muhammad Makwashe, the Emir of Shinkafi, and the Shinkafi Emirate Council conferred on him with the ancient and historic title of Sadaukin Shinkafi, which means the "warrior/hero" of the Shinkafi Emirate, the emirate council was bedeviled with crises as many of the chief makers resigned.

They sited the fact that FFK was not worthy of receiving the title bestowed on him.


The three officials of Shinkafi Emirate Council in Zamfara State had tendered their resignation letters to the emir, Muhammad Makwashe, as they vehemently refused to support the conferment of the traditional title Femi Fani-Kayode.

The officials are Bilyaminu Yusuf (Sardaunan Shinkafi); Umar Ajiya (Dan-Majen Shinkafi) and Hadiza Abdul’aziz-Yari (Iyar Shinkafi).


FFK instead, said he had learned how to be a bridge-builder and sued for peace among the warring regions. He added that his tour included a visit to the sultan of Sokoto in the company of the Zamfara governor.

He thanked the Zamfara governor, Matawalle, who he referred to as "the man of the moment and the man of peace" for building the bridge and he also encouraged other northern and southern leaders to take a cue and do the same.



 https://www.inform.ng/post/emulate-zamfara-monarchs-ffk-urges-nigerians

Admin why?

•Amnesty International insists on reform of police



The name – Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, usually sent cold shivers down the spines of criminals who saw the unit not just as an antidote to their atrocious acts, but capable of sending them to their graves at the snap of the finger.

SARS, which is one of the units under the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, headed by a Deputy Inspector-General of Police, was established to detain and prosecute those involved in violent crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery, among others.

The unit was founded in 1992, by a former Commissioner of Police, Simeon Danladi Midenda, to address the surging wave of crime in Lagos State.

That year, one Col. Rindam. an Army officer from Plateau State was killed by some policemen at a check point in Lagos. His death sparked protests as soldiers took to the streets of Lagos in search of any policeman to avenge the death of their officer. Policemen therefore abandoned all checkpoints and flash points in Lagos and withdrew to their respective barracks, thereby giving robbers room to have a field day as they operated with impunity. The era witnessed the reign of terror by the Shina Rambo robbery gang.

To put an end to the reign of terror, SARS was formed with only 15 policemen who operated in two Peugeot station wagons, until the rift was settled after much deliberations between authorities of the Police and Army.

One unique feature of this unit was its mode of operation. Its operatives operated in plain clothes and used vehicles that could not be associated with the security or any government agency. They were also barred from carrying Walkie Talkie and guns openly in order not to destroy their element of surprise.

The operatives were fully combat-ready at all times and stayed undercover while monitoring radio communication of conventional police operatives.

As soon as robbery incident was reported anywhere in Lagos, they went out with speed, each team to a predetermined location.

At their various locations, they patiently waited while the conventional policemen continued to chase the robbers around Lagos.

In their bid to escape, robbers always fell into the operatives’ traps and met their waterloo. All robbers arrested in combat had no option but to give details of their composition and number of the operations they had carried out to the operatives. The information were then used to solve previous cases of robberies and also gave them names of other robbers on the loose to go after.

One other distinctive feature about the unit at its initial stage, was that the operatives never stood on the road looking for robbers.

Rather, they met the robbers on their beds and hideouts. Gradually, they were able to dislodge the terror gangs and restored calm in the state.

Between 1992 and 2002, SARs only existed in Lagos. With time, it existed in every state command but unfortunately, it deviated from its original concept. Today, the element of surprise and facelessness have disappeared, as they are seen in every nook and cranny of every state of the federation, brandishing their weapons.

Another original concept which the unit deviated from, was in dealing strictly with violent crimes such as armed robbery and kidnapping as the operatives started receiving complaints from members of the public, some of which were civil issue in nature and had nothing to do with violent crimes.

In their bid to stem the tide of crime, operatives went off course and at a point, became a national embarrassment as Nigerian youths were routinely arrested for frivolous reasons such as wearing dreadlocks, driving posh cars or having expensive phones.

These youths would be arrested on allegation of being internet fraudsters and at the end, forced to part with cash.

Also, the unit was turned into a money spinning machine where suspects were forced to cough out huge amount of money before they would be granted bail. Operatives were also accused of turning the units into a torture chamber, just to extract truth out of suspects, some of whom died in the process.

The new trend of extortion, which was copied from the conventional policemen reached an appalling height where victims were forced to transfer money from their Automated Teller Machines, ATM, with some policemen owning POS machines for easy transaction.

In December 2016, an online advocacy campaign to end SARS brutality, was championed by Segun Awosanya, a human rights activist.

The signal bell echoed across the country with calls to the concerned authorities to scrap the unit. Calls for the scrap of SARS, however, received knocks from some quarters on the ground that it was being championed by some criminal elements who did not want to be hindered in their nefarious activities.

Before the campaign, Amnesty International, a Non Governmental Organisation, had threatened to sue the Nigerian Police for human rights abuse following the arrest and detention of three commercial motorcyclists, for over one week, by SARS operatives in Borokini, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Amnesty International alleged that the suspects were beaten every night with the butt of the gun and iron belt.

Disturbed by the calls for the unit to be scrapped on the grounds of violation of human rights, the Federal Government ordered its total overhaul on August 14, 2018, consequent upon which the then Inspector-General of Police, Idris Ibrahim, announced a change in its name from SARS to Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, FSARS.

But this change witnessed a brazen disregard for constituted authorities as most SARS operatives carried on without reporting to Commissioners of Police in their states of operation.

This was because their operation was monitored from Abuja and since they did not take orders from the state commands where they were based, the Commissioners’ hold on them was limited.

When it became apparent that the initial change did not get the desired result, the present IGP, Mohammed Adamu, in 2019, ordered the immediate decentralization of the FSARS. Consequently, it was removed from the Force headquarters, Abuja, back to its original state.

In addition, IGP Adamu charged the DIG Force Criminal Investigations Department, FCID and Commissioners of Police across the state commands to take charge of the unit and threatened to hold them responsible for any unprofessional conduct by the operatives.

As first step to ensure that human rights were upheld in all SARS offices across the country, investigation into series of complaints ranging from indiscriminate detention, extortion and human rights violation, were carried out by the DIG, FCID and his team, where all SARS offices were visited and suspects interviewed to know whether the crime they committed warranted their being in SARS custody.

Also, strict warning was handed down to officers in-charge of SARS offices across the country, to restrict their duty to violent crimes such as kidnapping and armed robbery. They were also warned not to handle any case that has not been transferred to them by the Commissioners of Police in the state commands where they were operating, and also to carry out routine checks of their cells, to ensure suspects were not detained illegally and more than the mandated period of time.

Investigation carried out by Crime Guard revealed that some of the officers in-charge of the unit have introduced a human face to treatment of suspects in their custody.

For instance, at the SARS office under the Lagos State Police Command, suspects who spent festive periods such as Christmas, Eid-el- Malud and Fitri, and Easter celebrations, were usually given free breakfast and dinner on the expenses of the former O/C SARS, CSP Peter Gana.

In spite of moves by the concerned authorities to project positive changes in the unit, Amnesty International, recently accused Police authorities of not prosecuting erring policemen from the unit.

In its new report, titled “Time to End Impunity”, Amnesty International documented 82 cases of torture, ill treatment and extra-judicial executions by SARS between January 2017 and May 2020.

The report signed by the Director, Amnesty International Nigeria, Osai Ojigho, read: “The complete failure of Nigerian authorities to bring an end to the gross human rights violations perpetuated by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad or to bring any SARS officers to justice is shocking and unacceptable. Nigerians are outraged by the systemic human rights violations perpetrated by the SARS with impunity.

“The systemic use of torture and other ill treatment by SARS officers for police investigations and the continued existence of torture chambers within the Nigerian Police Force points to an absolute disregard for international human rights laws and standards”

The findings of the report showed that these violations were carried out under the supervision of high-ranking police officers.

Continuing, Ojigho, said, “No circumstances whatsoever may be invoked as a justification of torture. In many cases the victims are the poor and vulnerable, easy targets for law enforcement officers whose responsibility it is to protect them. Impunity sends the message to torturers that they will get away with it. Impunity denies victims and their relatives the right to have the truth established, the right to see justice served and the right to reparations.

“The Nigerian authorities must go beyond lip service to ensure there is real reform within the Nigeria Police Force with an emphasis on SARS.

“These reforms must translate into holding police officers suspected of torture to account, ending torture, unlawful detention, extortion, extrajudicial execution and other human rights violations that SARS officers have been known for across Nigeria”, he stated.



https://www.inform.ng/post/intriguing-sars-now-use-pos-to-extract-money-from-victims

Yebosola:
Has Ipob started growing weeds? Alawada.

your family is ipob

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, is said to have officially decamped to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The acting Chairman of the party, Mai Mala Buni, disclosed this to Channels Television on Friday, after he and Dogara met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the villa.

The former Speaker said he would address the press on a later date.

Details later.

https://www.inform.ng/post/breaking-ex-speaker-dogara-dumps-pdp-returns-to-apc

NWC to lift suspension on Elumelu, others
Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has resolved the crisis among its members in the House of Representatives over the leadership of the minority caucus, THISDAY has learnt.




It was gathered thursday that the issue featured at the Wednesday’s meeting between the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and other leaders of the party in Abuja, where the gathering resolved to pardon members who allegedly worked against its choice of Hon. Kingsley Chinda as the minority leader.

A source told THISDAY that with the new development, the main opposition party will soon lift the suspension slammed on the House Minority Leader, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, and his group.

Crisis hit the main opposition party when Elumelu, Hon. Wole Oke, Hon. Lynda Ikpeazu, Hon. Anayo Edwin, Hon. Gideon Gwadi, Hon. Toby Okechukwu and Hon. Adekoya Abdul-Majid, on July 9, 2019, emerged minority leaders of the House, against the choices of the party.

Elumelu and his group were subsequently suspended for alleged indiscipline, insubordination and disobedience to party’s directives.

The source said though the meeting was called to discuss the need for the PDP lawmakers to present a united front on electoral reforms and amendment of the Electoral Act, it provided an opportunity for the resolutions of the year-long crisis over the House minority caucus leadership.

A chieftain of the party who attended Wednesday’s meeting told THISDAY that one of the issues discussed at the meeting was the resolution of the controversy over the emergence of Elumelu as the House minority leader.

The source added that the NWC had earlier set up a panel chaired by Sokoto State Governor, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, to use his experience as a former House speaker to make PDP lawmakers close ranks and to recommend to the NWC how to resolve the dispute.

The source stated that Chinda, leader of the PDP House Caucus, however, appealed to the meeting to lift the suspension on Elumelu and others.

Chinda was said to have told the meeting that PDP cannot present a united front during the debate and public hearing on the amendment to the Electoral Act, if the crisis is not resolved.

THISDAY gathered that the meeting, therefore, resolved to get the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to implement the resolution.

“The PDP caucus in the House of Representatives is a mother of necessity and is established and recognised with Hon. Kingsley Chinda as leader.

“PDP lawmakers in the House of Representatives to work together as one strong opposition.

“They’re to work together and fight and promote electoral reforms so that the will of the people is not frustrated by security agencies.

“The chairman of governors’ forum to be informed on decisions taken here today and given two weeks to address same in line with resolutions taken here today,” the source said.

It was learnt that the NWC would meet in the next one week to decide whether or not to lift the suspension on the Elumelu group.

However, despite the resolution of the crisis, the source stated that the PDP would retain the extant arrangement of Chinda remaining PDP caucus leader in the House.

The source added that another issue discussed at the NWC meeting with House of Representatives members was how to ensure that the PDP caucus in the National Assembly press for electoral reform, especially ensuring that the amended Electoral Act that was not signed by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019, was recalled and updated.

“The party charged members to work toward electoral reform, especially the review of the Electoral Act that was not endorsed by Mr. President should be brought forward and ensure it includes the current exigencies, including COVID-19,” the source said.


https://www.inform.ng/post/pdp-resolves-house-of-reps-minority-leadership-tussle

Tinubu is a boy to Ngige

Aisha Yesufu, co-convener of BringBackOurGirls, BBOG, advocacy group has mocked President Muhammadu Buhari over his trip to Mali.

Aisha Yesufu said Buhari has become a ‘travel blogger’, who enjoys hopping around the world.




She made the remark while berating Buhari for travelling to Mali while there are issues of insecurity back home in Nigeria.

The activist, who spoke via a video on her Facebook page, said the President should have known that leaving for Mali is the least expectation of Nigerians who look up to him for result-driven leadership.

She said: “Our travel blogger is back in business as he has jetted out to Mali. Anything that will make him be on the plane and anything that has to do with travelling outside the country, President Muhammadu Buhari will do it.

“He is there to talk about the political situation, unrest and everything in the Francophone country. Meanwhile, his country is boiling, his country has practically fallen but that doesn’t concern President Buhari.

“All that concerns him is an opportunity to stand on the steps of the Presidential plane and wave. They are already sending the pictures to us and that is all that matters!”

The BBOG co-convener lamented that Buhari was more concerned about the perk of office than ensuring the security of Nigerians.

She said: “The Commander-in-Chief that is not concerned that Boko Haram insurgents have just murdered some Nigerians whose lives and properties he is supposed to protect and it doesn’t matter that citizens are being killed every day. It doesn’t matter that security agents are being killed all over Nigeria.

“His being a President is to enjoy the perks of office and never to take any responsibility.

“Do you remember those aid workers taken by Boko Haram and so many Nigerians that have been executed? They send gruesome videos hoping that can shock Buhari but they are mistaken.”

https://www.inform.ng/post/our-president-has-become-a-travel-blogger-says-aisha

Alottery shop operator, identified simply as Baba Pool, on Thursday committed suicide over his alleged failure to pay some of his customers their winnings. It was gathered that the deceased hanged himself inside his shop in Kayode Market, Abule Ijesha, in the Sabo area of Lagos State.




Report also learnt that the deceased, in a suicide note, blamed two people for his death.

He wrote, “For your information, Bourney and Osuma. Two of them kill me. A killer must surely die."

Report further learnt that, the deceased pasted the note at three strategic places in the market before he took his own life.

According to the Iyaloja of the market, Aderemi Thomas, the accused persons played lottery in the deceased’s shop, but after winning, they could not get their money.

She said, “I was called around 8am to come to the market because Baba Pool had committed suicide. I called the owner of the shop to join me in the market, but he said he was far away.

“When I got to the market, I was told what happened and not long after, the police came to interrogate us and we took them to the scene.

“I learnt that Bonny and Osuma came to play lottery in his shop, but he did not submit their tickets to the lottery office. So, when those people realised that they had won, they asked for their money. Instead of explaining to them that he did not submit their tickets, he committed suicide.”

The Babaloja of the market, Najimudeen Ajadi, said he was doing sanitation when someone notified him of the incident. Report, however, learnt that the matter was reported at the Sabo Police Station.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, who confirmed the incident, said the two accused persons had been arrested for questioning.

He said, “We received a report about a 70-year-old who committed suicide in the market. The man accused one 85-year-old man and another man. He left a note that those two people were responsible for his death; we want to look at the extent of their culpability. We have commenced investigation on the role they might have played and on why he accused them.”




https://www.inform.ng/post/lottery-operator-commits-suicide

AFTER waiting for a copy of the allegations against him, the Presidential Investigation Committee on the activities of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Wednesday agreed to give the suspended Acting Chairman of the agency Mr. Ibrahim Magu a report to enter his Defence.

The report is that of the Presidential Committee on Audit of Recovered Assets( PCARA), which contains all allegations against Magu.




But the Chairman of the panel, Justice Isa Ayo Salami extracted a commitment from the counsel to Magu, Barrister Wahab Shittu that PCARA’s report will not be leaked to the press.

Magu, who said all the allegations against him were false, is expected to open his defence today.

The suspended EFCC chairman was at the panel’s venue for about eight hours but he had a brief encounter with the team

Wearing a white Kaftan with a white cap to match, the suspended EFCC chairman took a 78-page response to the committee, bordering on a query by the AGF, PCARA’s report and other allegations in public domain.

The committee however said it may accept Magu’s response only after serving him the issues in PCARA’s report.

A top source said: “After waiting for hours, the panel met with Magu for a few minutes. The committee later decided to make a copy of the PCARA report available to Magu to enable him to address all the allegations against him.

“It however gave a condition that PCARA report must not be leaked in any manner to the press to avoid distraction of its activities.

“With the concession by the panel, Magu will now open his Defence from Thursday or thereabout. He will be able to tender his defence which has not been accepted by the panel because the allegations were yet to be served on him. This is a good dimension.”

A letter written to Salami’s panel by Magu’s counsel, Wahab Shittu however pledged that the suspended acting EFCC chairman will cooperate with the panel.

In the letter, Shittu said Magu had not at any time challenged the mandate of the panel or engaged in any boast or queried the panel.

The letter, which was submitted yesterday, reads in part:”We state for the records that we are not in a position to query the Honourable panel and certainly will never set out doing so.

“Rather, our intention was to draw the attention of the Honourable panel to persistent falsehood publications concerning our client being orchestrated consistently in the public space in a manner that could prejudice the proceedings of this Honourable panel.

“We apologize if any contrary interpretation of our intention is conveyed by the context in which the questions were raised in the referred letter. We hold the panel in the highest esteem.

“Our client wishes to place on record his appreciation to the chairman members of the panel for ordering his release from custody on the 15th day of July 2020 without any conditionalities.

“Our client appreciates this gesture given the fact that the panel has repeatedly stated that it did not order the detention of our client in the first place. Our client is grateful for the gesture.

“Our client while appreciating the panel offers full cooperation to the panel in the discharge of its assignment.

“Our client believes in the work of the committee because of his commitment to ridding the country of corruption.”


https://www.inform.ng/post/magu-opens-defence-before-salami-committee

THIRTY-year-old Musa Abubakar from Jigawa State on Wednesday admitted defiling her nine-year-old stepdaughter in Rivers State.

The suspect, in confession to the crime at the State Criminal Investigation Department, claimed he indulged in the awful act because, “my wife refuses to sleep with me, complaining of weakness.”




The nine-year-old victim narrated that her stepfather started defiling her at the age of four by sticking a finger in her private part, adding that she was too afraid to tell her mother because the first time she did, the mother beat her up.

The minor who stated that they lived at Rupokwu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area, said she had to open up after the mother assured her she would not be beaten.

“I told my mother the truth and I was examined by neighbours before the matter was reported to the Police,” victim stated.

Nnamdi Omoni, Police Public Relations Officer, Rivers Command who confirmed the incident said the law will take its course against the suspect.



https://www.inform.ng/post/30-year-old-man-caught-molesting-9-yr-old-stepdaughter-blames-wife

Goals from Naby Keita, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Georginio Wijnaldum put Liverpool into a commanding lead on the night of their title coronation, but Olivier Giroud has given Chelsea a lifeline


Liverpool have got their title party off to an almost perfect start - but an injury time goal from Olivier Giroud has given Chelsea hope of mounting a comeback.

There is more riding on it for The Blues, who can seal their place in the Champions League next season if they emerge from Anfield with at least a point.




But Liverpool were in no mood to let Frank Lampard's side ruin their celebrations.

Naby Keita fired the home side in front with a thumping effort from distance which clipped the crossbar on the way in.

Soon after Trent Alexander-Arnold whipped in a pearler of his own, curling a free-kick over the wall and past Kepa Arrizabalaga who didn't even move.

Georginio Wijnaldum looked to have put Liverpool out of sight just minutes later as he shot high into the net after Chelsea failed to clear a corner.

But just as Liverpool were dreaming of an early glass of champagne, Giroud struck on the stroke of half-time to remind them there is still time left in this fixture.

Follow all the second half action below.

Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Keita, Salah, Mane Firmino

Subs: Adrian, Lovren, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Minamino, Lallana, Shaqiri, Origi, Jones

Chelsea: Kepa, James, Azpilicueta, Zouma, Rudiger, Alonso, Jorginho, Kovacic, Willian, Mount, Giroud

Subs: Caballero, Christensen, Tomori, Emerson, Loftus-Cheek, Hudson-Odoi, Pedro, Pulisic, Abraham

https://www.inform.ng/post/epl-liverpool-stuns-chelsea-at-anfield

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, has now appeared before the House of Representative Committee which is investigating the alleged misappropriation of funds in the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.

Recall that the committee had on Friday summoned Akpabio, following allegations levelled against him by the former Managing Director of the NDDC, Joy Nunieh.



The House Committee is investigating alleged mismanagement of funds by the current NDDC’s Interim Management Committee (IMC).

Nunieh had accused Akpabio of fraud, padding, sexual harassment, among others.

However, Akpabio has ordered his lawyer to commence legal actions against Nunieh over the said allegations.

The former Governor of Akwa Ibom had State described Nunieh’s claims against him, as “cornucopia of false, malicious and libelous.”

https://www.inform.ng/post/senator-akpabio-appears-before-nddc-reps-committee

The Acting Chairman of NDDC, Pondei has collapsed in the ongoing house committee public hearing on NDDC.

Mr Pondei was responding to allegations of N1.5 billion financial misappropriation when he suddenly collapsed and couldn’t respond to questions from the chairman of the probe panel.

Efforts from another witness to resuscitate him were however effective when he regained consciousness shortly afterwards.


https://www.inform.ng/post/breaking-nddc-acting-md-collapses-during-our-probe-session