₦airaland Forum

Stanley Ogidi

At 5:30pm on Thursday when I approached a popular petrol station along the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, I heard several loud explosions on Otedola Bridge. This was accompanied by several balls of fire and thick black smoke rising to the sky. I was in company with two of my colleagues (Kemi Lanre-Aremu and Joy Marcus). We were on the opposite side of the expressway heading towards Alausa en route Maryland.

A tanker had skidded off the road, fallen on its side and emptied its content on the entire place. Sensing the imminent danger, some motorists attempted to manoeuvre their way out of the traffic while a few abandoned their vehicles, jumped over the median and crossed to the other side of the expressway.

We watched from some distance as people at the other side of the expressway began to scream and beckon on people to run for their lives. In an instant, the first explosion occurred and the tanker and many vehicles around it went up in flames.

Due to the ferocity of the flames, I knew this was no ordinary fire. In the ensuing commotion as pedestrians had taken to their heels and motorists had started to pull over, I parked my vehicle inside the filling station. I was lucky to have found a space inside it before its workers hurriedly shut its gates.

I picked up my camera and ran towards the direction of the fire. While Kemi followed, Joy had to stay back to ensure nobody broke into the car while we were away.

On getting to the accident scene, another loud explosion sent onlookers and symphatisers scampering for safety. In all, there were up to six explosions at short intervals that seemed to renew the ferocity of the fire.

At that point, nobody attempted to go close to the burning vehicles but could only watch from across the expressway. Some persons (we counted three) who were lucky to have escaped announced their presence to the teeming onlookers by going on their knees, raising their hands towards heaven and weeping.

I even overheard a survivor, who Kemi later spoke to; telling his wife to prepare him pounded yam and vegetable soup. Another lucky female survivor, who said she was on her way to Mowe, Ogun State, was terribly shaken. She wept and Kemi and Joy had to lead her into the car so she could get herself together.

According to her, she was in a taxi when the accident happened. She said she alighted from the cab when she saw people scampering for safety and realised that danger lurked. She said she did not even know the fate of the taxi driver.

Over 50 vehicles were affected by the inferno and no rescue effort was in sight until about 35 minutes later when some officials of the Lagos State Fire Service arrived with trucks. Even at that, not much could be done because the fire was still intense.

The flames subsided after about one hour and with the concerted efforts of the emergency rescue teams that were on the ground, the fire was brought under control. Even though the rescue teams and the police tried to keep the crowd away, Kemi, Joy (who had by then joined us) and I made our way to the burnt vehicles.

We counted well over 50 vehicles and several corpses. Most of them had been burnt beyond recognition. The smell of burnt human flesh rent the air and there wasn’t a dry eye in sight.

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Mufasa27:
FELA THE G.O.A.T

By Nicholas Ibekwe


As investigators in Seychelles enquire about the multi-million dollar assets owned by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, through offshore shell companies in tax havens, his wife, Toyin, who is suspected to have acted as his front, tried to distance herself as a politically-exposed person (PEP) by submitting documents that suggested she was a British national and not a Nigerian.

New records obtained by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and shared with PREMIUM TIMES have revealed that financial intelligence operatives became interested in Mr Saraki’s offshore assets uncovered in the Panama Papers investigation published in 2016, to see whether transactions linked to the shell companies were used to launder funds or carry out suspicious activities.

Operatives of the Seychelles Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) are trying to uncover whether or not Mrs Saraki stood as a front for her husband in the ownership of some of the offshore holdings linked to the family.

Two weeks after the Sarakis were exposed as owning undeclared offshore assets in violation of Nigeria’s code of conduct regulations, detectives from that country’s FIU asked Mossack Fonseca to furnish them with all documents relating to Sandon Developments Ltd, a firm registered in Seychelles under Mrs Saraki’s name.

But when contacted by Mossack Fonseca to provide it with documents that adequately identified her, for onward transfer to Seychelles’ FIU, Mrs. Saraki sent the law firm her British passport and a statement of her Barclay Bank account, which suggested she was trying to show that as a British national, she could not have been in violation of Nigerian law.

Details of the passport she sent to Mossack Fonseca showed that it was issued on January 17, 2007 and would expire on January 17, 2017.

Mrs Saraki registered Sandon Ltd in 2011 and used it to buy a family property at #8 Whittaker Street, Belgravia, London SW1W 8JQ.

Mr Saraki denied links to the offshore assets in 2016, saying they belonged to his wife’s family. But information obtained by PREMIUM TIMES at the time indicated that the senate president merely used his wife as a front, and Seychelles authorities also found the denial unconvincing.

When Mrs Saraki registered Sandon Ltd on January 12, 2011 in Seychelles, she listed Babatunde Morakinyo, a long-term personal aide and friend of Mr Saraki, as a shareholder.

[img]https://www.premiumtimesng.com/toyin_saraki_passport_001[/img]
Mrs Toyin Saraki's Passport

Mr Morakinyo was amongst the top aides of Mr Saraki who were identified by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as laundering billions of naira in suspected bribes from the Paris Club refund to Nigerian states in 2017.

While incorporating Sandon Ltd, documents show, Mrs Saraki used two nominee directors, Gudson Limited and Roselle Limited, in order to avoid being identified as the beneficial owner of Sandon.


[img]https://www.premiumtimesng.com/toyin_saraki_passport_002[/img]
Statement of Mrs Toyin Saraki's Barclay Bank account,

Nominee directors are sometimes used in tax havens to conceal real owners of companies and assets.

She then made an undertaking indemnifying the Panamanian company “in respect of all claims, demands, actions, suits, proceedings, costs and expenses whatsoever as may be incurred or become payable by you in respect of or arising out of any member or employee or associate of your company or associated companies holding any office, directorship or shareholdings in the company or by reason of or in consequence of any act or decision made by any such person or company in connection with the management and/or administration of the said company.”

Shortly after the company was incorporated, Mrs. Saraki used it, in July 2011, to buy the property on Whuttaker Street, Belgravia, London SW1W 8JQ.

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By Stanley Ihedigbo


A police inspector narrowly escaped being lynched after he shot and killed a woman who went to the station to report that her driver stole and hid her money in Anambra State.

The deceased, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Emeka (38), of Igbuala Ifite Dunu in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State, suspecting that the driver of her lorry was not making complete delivery, reported the matter to the police.

The policeman, who went with her to effect arrest of the driver, was said to have been searching the lorry with Ebelechukwu, when his rifle, which was corked, exploded and a bullet hit the complainant.

The woman died on the spot. Immediately the policeman realised that he had killed his complainant, he ran into the nearest bush. When youths in the community found him hiding him in the bush, they stripped and almost lynched him.

It was learnt that Ebelechukwu, along with her husband, went to meet their driver, who allegedly refused to make full delivery of money he worked for on that day.

The Chairman of Aborji Youth, Oba Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Chief Uche Ezeani, where the incident occurred, described the matter as an accident.

Ezeani explained that the policeman came with the woman and her husband to collect delivery money from their truck driver, when the incident occurred.

He said: “I heard that the conductor, who works with the driver of the truck Mercedes Benz M119 reported to the couple that the driver used to hide money in the vehicle. When the husband and wife got to where the vehicle was parked, they entered into the lorry to search it.

The inspector, who was armed, also joined them in searching the vehicle for any hidden money. In the process, the gun trigger was touched and a bullet was released. The bullet hit the woman. She was rushed to the hospital but was confirmed dead.

“I was walking pass when I saw a crowd. As a community leader, it was my duty to find out what was happening. I saw a woman lying on the ground. When I approached them, they told me that a policeman shot the woman. After shooting her, the policeman ran into the nearby bush.

The youth went into the bush and after a while, found and dragged the policeman out. After I heard what really happened, I prevented the youth from touching him. I instructed them to take him to the police station.”

The Chairman, Human Rights Defenders (HRDN), Mr. Dede Uzor Uzor, commended the Oba Aborji executive members led by Nze Dozie Nweke, the youth leader, Mazi Tony Ezeani and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Ojoto Police Station for the roles they played after the incident and in calming the restive youth.

He said: “It was a case of a recalcitrant police officer’s inability to properly place his gun in its protective chamber, leading to reckless shooting. If not that the policeman was quickly rescued and given protection, the youth would have lynched him.”

Uzor appealed to the state Commissioner of Police, for discreet investigation over the matter with the hope of bringing the killer to justice.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Haruna Mohammed, said the police inspector was attached to Operation Nkpochapu patrol team and was on duty on Owerri-Oba Road, when he accidentally pulled the trigger of his rifle, without applying safety catch.

[img]https://bc.marfeel.com/statics/i/p/cdn.punchng.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/29134801/Accused-pastor-David-Kiamu-e1530276539473.jpg?mrf-size=m[/img]



A Kenyan pastor, David Kamau, who has been expelled from his church for allegedly having sexual relations with seven of his church members said that the women seduced him.

Speaking to The Nairobian, Kamau denied the allegations, claiming the women approached him and he expelled one of them who was pressing him too hard for sex.

“I know the complainants and they have been members of my church. I am surprised that some of them are accusing me yet they are the ones who approached me. The Nyumba Kumi leaders did not give me a chance to defend myself and accused me of being a sex pest,” said the pastor.

When the news broke, Nyumba Kumi leaders (a local vigilante group) led by their chairman from Kiamaina ward, Benson Mureu and other preachers from the area, stormed the church premises, closed it down and removed a signpost at the gate of the church.

“I have seen many temptations. I didn’t understand why women, married and unmarried kept approaching me, yet I am a married man. I never slept with them. Some of them had to be dismissed from the church,” said Kamau, adding that the women wanted him out of the church.

“I turned down their advances and it did not go well with them. They organised a gang to fight back. They have changed the story to make me look bad. I have not sinned in any way,” he insisted.

He faulted the Nyumba Kumi leaders for closing down his church, claiming he was licensed though he did not report the matter to the police.

“It was wrong for them to close down my church without a fair hearing. My church is licensed as Chosen Holy Church and this is just a plan to taint my name and that of the church,” he claimed.

One of the seven women, he is accused of having sexual relations was delivered of a baby while another one is around five months pregnant, reports Standard Media.

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New upgrade by Dr . Sergi Santos, the creator of Samantha the sex doll, means she can turn down sex if she’ s not in the mood or if she feels disrespected.

Santos upgraded the robot at the request of his wife , so it can now shut down if it feels like it’ s being treated inappropriately, reports Independent UK.

The upgrade meant the doll can now enter what is called ‘ dummy mode . ’

The mode was demonstrated at the Life Science Centre in Newcastle, and it is activated if sensors under skin detect a partner is aggressive or if Samantha is bored by its partner’ s advances .

She even has the ability to say “ No ” if she wants to .

Samantha was left “ heavily soiled ” after being presented at a tech fair last year , after people reportedly acted “ like barbarians” towards her .

In theory, the new update will encourage sex doll owners to treat robot woman — and real women — with respect and create awareness about consent.

Samantha does not yet have a release date . But she is expected to go into mass production with the price tag of £3, 600 ( $4, 700) .

The robot has motorised hands , hips and face , and can whisper endearments if properly seduced . She also has ‘ family ’ , ‘ romantic ’ and ‘ sex ’ modes , as well as an ‘ extra naughty ’ level.

Posted By: Chris Oji,



A traditional ruler of an Enugu community, Ogbosinne Autonomous Community, in Nkanu West Local Government Area have been allegedly killed by his subjects.

The royal father’s name was given as Igwe Stephen Nwatu.

A source close to the community disclosed that the traditional ruler met his untimely death in the hands of his subjects when he allegedly wanted to prevent them from attending a scheduled meeting with Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on Monday afternoon.

In the ensued fracas, the Monarch was alleged to have ordered his driver to overrun his subjects but the driver refused to yield to his orders.

The driver was said to have mistakenly knocked down one elderly man with his car and broke his legs when he attempted to reverse.

This angered members of the community who have formed a mob mobilized to carry out the deed.

No fewer than 200 people allegedly descended on the royal father and gave him the beating of his life.

He was later rushed to Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, (ESUTH) Parklane, where he died.

Confirming the development the chairman of the council area, Henry Okenwa said : “I was informed about the incident on Monday afternoon and I rushed to the Parklane Hospital where I met him unconscious. He was later revived and he spoke with me. So, I left the hospital to allow him get more stabilised.

“Regrettably, around 1 a.m. I received another call that the traditional ruler has passed on. I equally rushed back to the hospital were I found it to be true. We made efforts to deposit him to the mortuary.

“Since Monday night police have been battling to ensure that there was peace. The burning of houses might have started after the police left the community and I have briefed the governor. As we speak, I am with the commissioner of police discussing the situation”, he said.

Contacted, the spokesman of Enugu State Police Command, Superintendent Ebere Amaraizu also confirmed the incident but no arrest has been made.

He said: “‎The command through the operatives of the state criminal intelligence and investigations department have commenced a full scale investigations into the incident with a view to finding out the circumstances surrounding the incident as well as those involved amongst other things.”

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A journalist who was caught in bed with a married woman has been forced to roll in the mud.

However, Zimbabweans on social media are demanding that the Police investigate the circumstances surrounding the “derogatory punishment” of Clayton Masekesa, after he was allegedly caught in “compromising position” with another man’s wife.

Clayton, who works with Newsday newspapers, was allegedly caught at the home of Mutare City Football Club secretary general, Soul Tom, whose wife is believed to be his lover, reports iHarare on Monday.


In a viral video, Masekesa was subjected to a military-style punishment, non-stop interrogation, being beaten, being made to display condoms, while he was all the while forced to roll in the mud.

Lawyer Miriam Majome said the “barbarism” in the videos is unacceptable.


“Adultery is not a crime; so, there was nothing to report to the Police.

“There are civil remedies open to the husband such as adultery damages and divorce. This barbarism is unacceptable. Generally, the increasing lawlessness in this country is disappointing,” she tweeted.

Veteran journalist, Nevanji Madanhire, also threw in his two cents on the issue, “Even then he didn’t deserve the humiliation; he should have been reported to the police and properly prosecuted. This treatment of suspects is criminal.”


Many other Zimbabweans took to social media to lambast the treatment Masekesa received at the hands of his attackers, feeling that it was too harsh and those who meted out the mob justice should be arrested.

By Ifreke Inyang

Bashiru, one of the sons of Kaduna state governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has claimed that former president Olusegun Obasanjo and his then deputy, Atiku Abubakar, have become friends again.

According to him, both past leaders now have “a common enemy” in President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Only a common enemy like Buhari can make Obasanjo & Atiku friends again.

“And the unholy merger is dead on arrival,” Bashiru tweeted.

Obasanjo on Friday claimed that the Buhari government was planning to frame him and consequently kill him. http://dailypost.ng/2018/06/08/breaking-buhari-trying-harm-obasanjo-cries/

The former President, in a statement by his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, said the Buhari-led administration intends to use fake documents and witnesses against him.

In reaction, Atiku expressed worry over his former principal’s claims.

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By Hamza Idris, Balarabe Alkassim, Habibu Umar Aminu & Itodo Daniel Sule


Anguish and public outcry have continued to trail the alleged indifference of the National Assembly leadership to give the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the green light to fill the vacancies created by the demise of two senators and one member of the House of Representatives.

Months after the death of Senator Malam Ali Wakili (APC, Bauchi), Senator Bukar Mustapha (APC, Katsina) and Rep Buba Jibril (APC, Kogi), their seats in the red and green chambers of the National Assembly have remained vacant amidst allegations of conspiracy, ineptitude and outride disrespect for the rule of law.

Wakili died on March 17, Rep Buba Jibril (APC, Kogi) on March 30 and Mustapha on April 4. Valedictory sessions had been held for them, a formal bye-bye in political parlance but short of what the law says to warrant filling the vacuum with new legislators.

The two chambers of the National Assembly are yet to transmit official communication to INEC to kick start the process of electing new lawmakers to represent the affected constituencies.
“Our hands are tied as far as by-elections are concerned in the three constituencies until leaders of the National Assembly officially informed us of the deaths,” a top official of INEC said.

“There is provision in the 1999 Constitution that speaks about vacancies in the legislature and what should be done. Similarly, the Electoral Act 2010 as amended clearly states that INEC can only organise by-elections to fill such vacancies after receiving letters from presiding officers of the National Assembly,” he added.

The Electoral Act said INEC should organize by elections within 90 days of receipt of notice of vacancy from the national or state assembly as the case may be; but was silent on what the electoral empire should do in the event the legislative arm did not give formal announcement.

Lawyers, activists, constituents and prospective aspirants have continued to express outrage over the development, saying something must be done to also check the “overstretching powers of the National Assembly.”

“The absence of the three legislators in the National Assembly means the constituencies they were representing are being shot-changed,” said Barrister Aminu Yunus, a legal practitioner based in Abuja.
“The Constitution of Nigeria is very clear about representation in the National Assembly and there is procedure in filling the vacancies during elections or when there is a recall or death.

“But there is a lacuna because the same constitution did not give time frame as to when the legislature must transmit a letter to the leadership of the assembly.

“And sadly, some presiding officers are taking advantage of this gap to hold many people to ransom; I might be wrong but if you take Bauchi for instance, Dogara who is not in good terms with his governor would not want the by election to hold because the tendency is that it is the governor’s preferred candidate that would win,” he said.

He added that the leadership of the National Assembly was also overwhelmed by their personal problems.

“I see no reason why vacancies would not be declared; I am sure INEC is ready to hold the by elections because it had conducted more than 100 off seasons elections after the 2015 general elections,” he said.

Aspirants from various political parties vying for tickets to fill the vacancies have decried “unnecessary delay” by the National Assembly in declaring the seats vacant to pave the way for by-election.

Some politicians eying the vacant Bauchi South Senatorial district seat following the death of Senator Wakili have expressed concern over the delay which, they said, has made it impossible for INEC to conduct by election.

About 30 aspirants across various political parties are now vying for the seat vacated by Senator Wakili.

Speaking to Daily Trust on Sunday, one of the aspirants on the platform of the opposition New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Barr Hussaini Umar, said the delay was unnecessary looking at the importance of representation in democracy.

“Well, I am still hopeful that the by-election will hold. We are waiting to see what will happen, may be after the Fasting is over. After that period, if the National Assembly fails to transmit to INEC about the vacancy, then we know something is wrong.

“I know that there are three cases of vacancies at the National Assembly, there is nothing suspicious yet. However, if the other two were attended to and ours was left out, we would be compelled to suspect something. We are, however, not happy with the delay,” he added.

Another aspirant on the platform of the ruling APC, Barr Lawal Ibrahim, said the issue of the National Assembly transmitting letter to INEC did not even arise as it was not a constitutional provision but something brought in from somewhere.

Lawal, who contested for the ticket with late Wakili in 2015, said INEC should have initiated the process and notified the National Assembly about its intention to conduct the by-election into vacant elective positions after 90 days as stipulated in the constitution.

“There are many things started by late Wakili which need to be completed. There are bills in the Senate for our people but we don’t have anybody there. He has done a lot for the people and that is what we want to continue.

“Our people are now not represented. We are not happy with the delay, because, if there was no delay, we would have conducted party primaries by now and all parties would have forwarded their candidates to the electoral empire,” he said.

In Katsina State, Ibrahim Zakari, who is an aspirant for Daura zone senatorial seat under the APC to replace late Senator Mustapha Bukar, appealed to the Senate to declare the seat vacant so that the right thing could be done.

“This appeal is not because of my aspiration for the seat but for the interest of my zone and Katsina at large,” he said.

According to him, failure to fill the vacant seat was against the dictates of the Nigerian Constitution. “It is not a do or die affair but these places must be represented at the Senate and House of Representatives,” he said.

“Our senator died recently but I am surprised people from Bauchi are silent, the constitution is clear on what needs to be done on such matters,” he added.

And one of the leading aspirants for Lokoja/Kogi Federal Constituency and immediate past Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Umar Ahmed Imam, who expressed concern over the delay in declaring the seat vacant, also urged the National Assembly to do the needful to ensure constituents were not denied representation.

Imam, who is currently a member of the ruling APC and member representing Lokoja 1 Constituency at the state Assembly, said it was unfortunate that declaration was not made to enable the people of Kogi/Lokoja find a replacement for their late lawmaker.

“Constitutionally, INEC cannot do anything until they are communicated. This development is further going to eat into the time left for the tenure.

“As stakeholders, we urge the National Assembly to do something urgent so that our people would have representation at the National Assembly,” he said.

Speaking in the same vein, a PDP aspirant from Kogi local government, Barr. Abdulrahman Ndakwo Tanko, urged the National Assembly to communicate to INEC as time was already running out.

“The truth of the matter is that ours is a federal constituency that needs to be represented. It is most unfortunate that the voice of our people is no longer heard at all in the National Assembly,” he said.

A source in the management of the National Assembly said they were awaiting the directive of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, to act.

“If we get directive, we will act on it by transmitting the declaration of vacancy to INEC,” he said pleading not to be named.

Contacted, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Saraki, Yusuph Olaniyonu, also said he had no comment on the matter.

For Rep Jibril, House spokesman Abdulrazak Namdas (APC, Adamawa) said it was an administrative matter; and that he wouldn’t know if the communication had been sent to INEC on or not.

Also when contacted, the Director of Information at the National Assembly, Mr Lawrence Agada, similarly said he had no information about the matter.

Gabriel Dike



Two weeks after unidentified female student of University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, accused a professor of molesting her in his office, the management of the 56-year-old institution has constituted a panel to investigate the allegation.

Already, the fact-finding committee has requested staff and students to submit memorandum on the allegation. Recalled that unidentified female student on May 23 accused Prof Segun Awonusi of English Department of molesting her in his office and also released three semi-nude pictures of the don, which went viral online prompting public outcry.

In swift reaction, Prof Awonusi, former commissioner in Ogun state and also former Vice Chancellor, Tai Solarin University of Education, Igbesa, denied the allegation and described it as a blackmail because the lady had earlier called to demand N400, 000 or she would make public the nude pictures, which the don said were in his stolen phone.

Statement from the Communication Unit, Corporate Affairs Directorate of UNILAG, disclosed that the university management has set up a fact finding panel to investigate the allegation of sexual harassment involving a lecturer in the university published in various social media platforms.

The statement made available to Saturday Sun entitled: “University of Lagos Fact Finding Panel on the Allegation of Sexual Harassment Involving a Lecturer in the University: Call for Memoranda’’, emphasised that the setting up of the panel is in line with its zero tolerance for such allegations.

It added that the panel has commenced investigation into the allegation and is requesting the members of university community (particularly staff and students) who have useful information on this specific allegation and any other one that could aid its assignment to submit memoranda to the panel.

The fact finding panel has called for the submission of memoranda from staff and student on the allegation to it Secretary c/o Registrar’s office, 5th Floor, Senate Building, University of Lagos.

According to the release, the memoranda should be sealed in an envelopes and submitted from June 11 to June 15, in the Registrar’s office, stating, “confidentiality of responses is assured.’’

The Principal Assistant Registrar, Communication Unit of UNILAG, Mrs. Taiwo Oloyede, when contacted said she does not know when the panel started work and the number of staff that make up the panel.

On the identity of the female student, she said it is part of the work of the panel to unravel who she is and make recommendations to the university management.

By Biodun Oyeleye


Some kinsmen of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, are not leaving anything to chance as his battle with the executive arm of government and the police intensifies. While some his kinsmen at Agbaji area of Ilorin have expressed support for the Inspector General of Police in the face-off, some have stood with their son, to the extent of undertaking spiritual missions to offer prayers for his victory in the controversy triggered by the arrest of some suspects in the Offa robbery.

Some of the arrested suspects in connection with the crime had allegedly confessed to being political thugs of the Senate President. Sources within the Saraki political family informed Saturday Telegraph that intense prayers have begun in some sacred sites in Ilorin, as well as Saudi Arabia to ensure Saraki’s triumph. This came as a former aide to the Senate President and governorship aspirant in the forthcoming general elections, Alhaji Moshood Mustapha, said the Saraki that he knew had neither criminal record nor engaged in criminality all the years he spent working with him.


Clerics in Ilorin, Saudi Arabia offer special prayers

Checks by Saturday Telegraph revealed that the prayers aimed at seeking divine intervention for Saraki involved local and foreign clerics. Although it was not possible to know their specific number, it was gathered that some clerics who are currently in Saudi Arabia for the lesser Hajj, are equally engaged in the task. Some of these clerics are said to be performing the religious rites on the bill of the Senate President who recently took over the sponsorship of Christian and Muslim pilgrimages in the state.

Although some of the Nigerian clerics in Saudi Arabia had departed before the controversy between Saraki and the police began, it was gathered that they have been mobilised to ensure intense intercession for the Senate President during the holy month of Ramadan, using the opportunity of being in the Holy city.

One of the sources, who is in a position to know about the developments, said: “Apart from Saudi Arabia, I can confirm that selected clerics have also begun praying at two sacred sites in Ilorin; we have one site at Oke Sunna which is where it is believed the first clerics in Ilorin actually settled. “It is the origin of the clerics in the city and there is no prayers you take there that is not answered. Oke Sunna is very special and significant to us here in Ilorin and everyone knows”, he said.

The second site according to others sources is the Eid Praying Ground along Asa Dam Road. The site is the central assembly point for congregational prayers on special occasion such as the Eid Kabir and Eid el Fitri. The site is being used by women supporters of the Senate President for their daily prayers, according to investigation.

“The belief here is that these are sacred sites and whenever you have challenges, you can go there and be sure of divine intervention”. Asked for comment on the development, the Senior Legislative Aide to the Senate President on Media, Alhaji Abdullahi Olesin, said there was nothing wrong for Saraki’s kinsmen or his followers to organise special prayers for him at a time like this, saying it is however certain that the people were doing so on their own without being prodded by Saraki himself.

He said: “Oga has a lot of followers who are very committed to his cause and when there is a development like what we have now, they will go all out to offer their best in prayers and intercessions for him. Remember he once thanked the women for their prayers which he said he got to know about during the CCCT trial so it is not that he is the one behind these various prayers you said are going on; they are the works of his supporters and it is legitimate



Women intercedes for Senate President

Hundreds of women from across Kwara State had during the week in Ilorin organised a special prayer, asking God to grant Saraki victory in what they described as his present ordeal in the hands of the Nigeria Police Force. The women recited verses from the holy Qur’an and prayed fervently to God to protect Saraki whom they noted has been having a running battle with the police establishment.

They asked President Muhammadu Buhari and “his cohorts” to leave Saraki alone and direct the police hierarchy to order. Leader of the group, Hajia Ramat Oganija, in a chat with newsmen said they resorted to prayer because they were convinced that Saraki was being implicated in the recent Offa bank robbery whereas they we sure he “couldn’t hurt a fly”.

Oganija said the news of the invitation to Saraki by the police over the recent Offa robbery attacks came to the women group a rude shock, noting that Saraki had encouraged entrepreneurship by empowering women and youths in the state to be economically self reliance. “We were and still shocked by the development because over the years we have known our leader as a compassionate and kind hearted man who could not hurt a fly. Our leader abhors violence in all its ramifications.”

“Just like every right thinking individuals, we, women of Kwara State see the police latest action as nothing but a fresh plot by the Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force, Abuja, to implicate the President of the Senate in the April 5, 2018, dastardly armed robbery attacks on banks in Offa. “Nigerians from all walks of life have blamed the wanton killings of harmless citizens in Offa on that Black Day on the inefficiency of men and officers of the Nigeria Police.

“It’s instructive to note that this latest ploy to frame Saraki came after an earlier failed attempt by the Force Headquarters to frame our leader in a murder case involving some suspected cultists. “It is on record that Saraki, because of his love for the people of Offa was the first public officer to visit the town after the robbery incident to commiserate with Olofa and the people of the town over the unfortunate incident. “We are also pleased that both the Senate President and our amiable governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed had dissociated themselves from the armed robbery suspects.

“We are using this forum to call on stakeholders in the Nigeria’s affairs to prevail on President Muhammad Buhari to call the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris to order. “This becomes necessary in view of the fact that the suspected gang leader had during an interview with newsmen in Abuja confessed that “one dismissed police officer Michael Adikwu was the one that comes with ammunitions” and as well exonerated Saraki and Governor Ahmed from the incident.

“We want Buhari and his cohorts to leave Saraki, who had through his numerous empowerment programmes put smiles on the faces of women and their families in the state. Saraki has through his philanthropic gestures saved a lot of women from engaging in street begging and other demeaning vocations. “He had helped many women with money to start their own businesses and facilitated the training of young women’s in vocational skills and kit them upon graduation.

“We want to use this forum to make it clear to the police hierarchy that Saraki is our leader and a law abiding citizen whose passion is to improve the lots of the common man, especially the women folk. “We shall continue to support our leader with prayers as we have no doubt in our minds that this fresh plot against him like the ones before it shall fail woefully.”


Mustapha: My visit to IGP, nothing to do with Saraki

Meanwhile, Mustapha, who was Special Adviser on Special Duties to Saraki before he fell out with the Senate President to pursue his gubernatorial ambition, also noted that the face-off between Saraki and the police is unfortunate and should not have degenerated to the current level. He denied insinuations, now commonplace in the state that he was the brain behind the arrest of some of the ‘Saraki boys’, which happened soon after his visit to the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris. Mustapaha, in a statement he personally signed confirmed his visit to the IGP but denied that it had anything to do with Saraki. While denying his involvement in the controversy, he explained that his recent visit to the IGP had nothing to do with the Saraki issue but for personal reasons.

“I want to state that the accusation is unfounded, baseless, untrue and an attempt to malign my person and that is totally unacceptable. I am a very upright and principled person and it’s not in my nature to bring down others for selfaggrandizement. “The relationship between Saraki and I spanned several years and he is someone I hold in high regard despite the fact that we are presently on different political wavelength. Therefore, I will never do anything to instigate people against him and I am sure he is aware of this fact.

“The Senate president does not have any criminal record that I know of and he never indulged in any criminality throughout the period I worked with him, so, why will I meet with the IG to indict him? I will advise the detractors to count me out of this issue and take caution with the way they politicize a complex security issue such as this. “My visit to the Police Headquarters was to meet some friends who were colleagues during my days in Immigrations on no occasion did we mention the Senate President’s name during our meeting. I am a social networker and I maintain a cordial relationship with everyone across all spectrums but that does not imply that I will use my connection to tarnish someone’s image”.


Saraki divides Offa groups

In another development, a group of indigenes of Offa yesterday rose against leadership of the community for expressing support for Saraki in his travails with the police. The monarch of the town, Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi, represented by his Principal Private Secretary, Tajudeen Oloyede, and a high ranking chief of the community, High Chief Bayo Akinola, had cast doubt on the police report that Saraki was implicated in the robbery.

Similarly, the umbrella body of Offa indigenes, Offa Descendants Union (ODU), in a statement by its National President, Najeem Yasin, and National Secretary, Wosilat MacArthy, also expressed support for Saraki whom they described as a great lover of their community. However members of Concerned Citizens of Offa Community condemned both the Olofa-in-Council and the ODU leadership on their position in statement signed by its President, Tunde Yusuf and Secretary, Segun Balogun.

They said they support the manner of police investigation of the robbery attack which they said would lead to getting into the root of the robbery to facilitate bringing of all those who are culpable to book. Also, a political group, Yaman Peace Frontier (YPF), said it supports the police investigation because it followed due process.

The convener of the group, Olawale Gbadeyan, said this while speaking during the inauguration of the group in Ilorin. “All of us in Kwara are behind the Inspector-General of Police. We want him to do a full and thorough investigation and prosecute whoever is found culpable in the Offa robbery incident. We are peace-loving people in Kwara; this recent event is strange to us because we are not thugs and armed robbers”.

He maintained that recent event emphasised the need for Kwara people to be more security conscious and alert at all times while commending Buhari’s decision to award Chief MKO Abiola the country’s highest honour, Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR). According to him, no one in Nigeria will talk about democracy without mentioning Abiola because he sacrificed his life for the sustenance of civil rule. He implored youths not to allow any politician to use them for selfish interests.

Posted By: Rukayat Jimoh


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Barely one week after a bouncer, Sunny Braimoh, 47, and his wife, Morenikeji, 40, were gruesomely burnt to death at their Idowu Lane, Olodi-Apapa, Lagos home, witnesses said the late couple, who were trapped inside their one-room apartment, cried out for help, but could not be saved by bystanders before they were killed by the ravenous inferno.

It was learnt that the fire ravaged the eight-room building where the couple lived while other occupants escaped unhurt.

“They started shouting Fire! fire! fire! help! help! help us!, we are inside! That was how Sunny Braimoh, and his wife Morenikeji cried out for help before they were burnt to death,’’ a neighbour who did not want his name in print told The Nation.

According to sources, the fire started around 4pm after fuel spilled on the floor while one of the male tenants (name withheld) was fuelling his generator where a tenant was cooking.



The man whose jerry can spilled the fuel that triggered the fire, according to sources, has since bolted without a trace.

‘’The two victims cried out for help when the fire broke out but could not make it alive as efforts to rescue them proved abortive. They shouted and shouted fire! fire! help us!, but no one could go break into their apartment because the door to their room has a jam-key and was locked,’’ said another source.

It was learnt that the couple could not be rescued from the fire by neighbours because of the burglary protector behind the door to their room which prevented rescuers from opening the door to save their lives.

The late Buraimoh, a bouncer at a night club in Apapa, is a native of Edo State while the wife, was an ex-footballer and trader.

A friend of the couple identified simply as Kazeem said the couple had been married for a while, until recently when Morenikeji became pregnant.

Kazeem said: “We usually spent time together every Sunday evening. So, as my boss, he sent me to fetch some water to take his bath around 3:45pm and I obliged him. He carried the water to the bathroom, and I was expecting him to join me outside later until I received the sad news that he and his wife died inside the fire. My heart is heavy, I have lost a brother ,friend and benefactor. He was generous and kind, he had helped my life a lot.”



A tearful church member and friend of Morenikeji , Solomon Udomi, said the couple’s death was a big loss to their church.

‘’They were humble, generous and friendly during their life time. We are members of the same church, she (Morenikeji) had not come to church for a while until she came to church this morning and I mocked her that she was no longer our member . She was nice, amiable and God-fearing. I was shocked and yet to recover from the news. Their death is a big loss to us.

“I saw their bodies, they were burnt beyond recognition; it was only the man’s (Braimoh) corpse that I can recognise because he was a heavily-built man.

“They could not be saved from the fire because they had burglary protector behind the door that prevented rescuers from opening the door to save their lives.

‘’Neighbours also tried to find a way through the window of their room but it was not possible. Braimoh and his wife were choked by the smoke of the fire as another gas exploded in the fire. The fire razed the whole house at once and all valuables were destroyed; the flames are too heavy,” he added.

A mother of three, identified simply as Janet, who was visiting her parents at the time of the incident recalled how the fire broke out saying: “I brought my three children to visit my parents, then suddenly we saw fire burning from the backyard. Before we could come out the fire had already engulfed the door. My younger brother quickly quenched it with water and we escaped being burnt. I can’t forget this incident, it is a tragedy. Although we lost everything to the fire but valuables are not as important as our lives.”

Another occupant of the building, Razak Ayinde , a Muslim cleric whose only daughter also escaped death by a whiskers, thanked God for saving his daughter’s life.

He said: “I don’t know how the fire started. I was called on the phone that my house was on fire; luckily I was around the street. I quickly rushed down to carry my daughter. Everybody was busy packing the few things they can salvage from the fire. So nobody knew my daughter was inside the room and my wife had gone to the market. I thank Allah for saving her life. I lost all my property but I have hope that God will provide for me.”

A tailor, Sekinat, said: “I was sewing inside my room. My mother and sister were inside the room with me when we heard people shouting that we should come out. All my customers’ clothes, sewing machine and our properties were burnt to ashes.”

By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The sight of four year old Aondongu Gbaior, laying motionless at the pediatric ward of the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, BSUTH, with bullet wounds on his head, leaves more questions than answers on why this should be his fate. He was the only surviving member of a family of four after armed militant herdsmen at the early hours of last Sunday invaded Tseadough village in Mbachom, Yaav Ward Jato Aka, of Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State killing seven persons including women and children.

Though still in critical condition, Aondongu is alive today due to the courage of his late father who was among the victims of that dastardly attack. He took the bullet for him when he attempted to flee the besieged village with the little boy. Regrettably his one year old sibling was not so lucky, he was cuddled by his late mother who also made effort to flee with the toddler, both of them were felled by the bullets of the marauders herdsmen.

Today, he is left with his maternal grandmother who has taken the responsibility of catering for the four year old orphan but whose countenance expressed the deep agonizing pain of a mother who just lost a grandchild, daughter and son in-law in one fell swoop. In the same hospital were four other survivors of the attack, including 19 year old Iveren Zakar-Akanyi who was shot on both hands and mistaken for dead by the attackers.

He was extremely lucky to have survived but still in critical condition. As for 18 year old Deborah Igbadoor, she was lucky to have escaped alive with her husband Iorun Igbadoo, both were in a house that was set ablaze by the militant herdsmen who waited for them to jump out of the blaze to be slaughtered but their resilience in the burning house was their saving grace, regrettably two children in the said building were burnt beyond recognition.

In her account she said, “when the well armed herdsmen stormed our village around 5am on that fateful day, shooting sporadically, my husband and I including two children and two others couldn’t run out of the house where we hid because they were very close.

“Sensing that people were in the house, they set the house ablaze waiting for us to come out. We hid inside while the fire raged, it was share miracle that we did not get consumed by the fire. While the house was burning, the armed men waited for us to come out, but when nobody came out and the house was completely burnt they started singing and dancing believing that we had all died.

“We suffered burns, unfortunately, two children in that same house didn’t make it alive, they were burnt beyond recognition including the two others. “When they finally left, we crawled out not believing that we were still alive until help came and the chairman of our local government area came with security people and rushed us to this hospital,” she sad as she wept.

Her husband, Iorun Igbadoo also narrated the same sad tale of their close encounter with death on the fateful day. As for Gyaaver Ioryom who was also shot on the thigh but managed to escape, his younger brother Tersoo was not so lucky, “he was hacked to death while trying to escape,” Gyaaver said.

“They burnt all our houses, farmland and took away whatever food they could lay their hands on. “We never envisaged the attack because we never for any reason crossed their path but I recall that sometime ago they also attacked some villages that were not too far from our village, we never knew that they would also visit us.”

“They did not only mete this horror on us, they also went as far as killing an innocent blind oldest man in my village who they murdered alongside his son. The man was 99 years old “We are pleading with President Buhari to stop these killings because they are unprovoked and cannot be justified for any reason whatsoever.

If this is not done and urgently too, we will have no option but to conclude that the federal government is behind what is happening to local farmers and rural dwellers in Benue state,” he added. Recalling the attack on Tseadough village, the local government council Chairman, Terdoo Kenti, confirmed that seven persons were killed while six others were injured in the invasion.

“We gathered that the attack which occurred at the early hours of Sunday has compelled several villagers to move out of the area and surrounding villages in droves for fear of another invasion by the attackers. “To my knowledge there was no prior problem between the villagers and the herdsmen, so l wonder why the attackers would just come and swoop on these innocent people without any provocation”.

Continuing, Kenti said when he was alerted of the development, he immediately alerted security agencies who assisted him to move the injured and dead victims to the hospital. Perhaps, the invasion of Jato Aka, a renown ancestral home of the Tiv race, by the militant herdsmen has left tongues wagging, leaving palpable fears in the hearts of many who believe it could spark angry reactions from the Tiv speaking people of Benue state.

The senate has rescinded its decision to confirm Monday Udo Tom as the resident electoral commissioner (REC) from Akwa Ibom state.

Tom was confirmed on Wednesday alongside three other REC nominees.

But on Thursday, the upper legislative chamber reversed the decision after Akpan Bassey, senator representing Akwa Ibom north-east, sponsored a motion.

Bassey said the senate’s committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not include a petition against the nominee in its report.

“I want to draw the attention of this senate to this order regarding the screening and confirmation of Udo Tom which is the resident electoral commissioner nominee for Akwa Ibom state,” the senator said.

“I wish to draw the attention of the committee on INEC headed by Nazif, to the fact that I and the committee received a petition against this nominee on the 5th of February 2018 and the report of the committee that was laid before the senate did not take cognizance of the fact that there is a petition against the nominee.

“I have with me, the report of that committee on page five. There is no reference, whatsovever to the petition. This same petition was also referred to the committee on ethics and privileges and public petition.

“I therefore wish to seek the authority of this chamber and of the senate president that the confirmation of the nominee from Akwa Ibom be stepped down and sent to the committee for proper work and maybe, thereafter, submitted back to the senate. I am not really against the nominee but I believe that the petition be reflected in the report.”

Sam Anyawu, chairman senate committee on ethics, confirmed that his committee received the petition.

“The committee on ethics received the petition but we wanted the committee on INEC to finish their own report before we juxtapose what they have done with our own report. So we have not sent in our own report yet,” Anyawu said.

After this, his confirmation was withdrawn while Senate President Bukola Saraki referred matter to the committee on INEC for “further legislative action”.

Contrary to what most Nigerians are expecting, there will be no public holiday on June 12 this year, despite President Muhammadu’s announcement on Wednesday.

Buhari, in a press release, moved Democracy Day from May 29 to June 12.

The president also announced that MKO Abiola, winner of the annulled election, will be posthumously awarded the highest honour in the land, GCFR.

However, part of the statement read: “The investiture will take place on Tuesday June 12th, 2018, a date which in future years will replace May 29th as a National Public Holiday in celebration of Nigeria Democracy Day.”

DAILY POST reached out to a source around the presidency, to make clarifications and it was indeed confirmed that the date will be a public holiday in future years, but not in 2018.

“It starts from next year,” the source simply said.

He also insisted that May 29 remains the handover/swearing-in day and Buhari is not planning to extend his stay in office by two weeks, in the eventuality he loses next year’s elections.

THERE was a drama yesterday in the Senate over allegation of bribe-taking to reject a nominee for Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) position.

Trouble started during the consideration of the report of the Committee on INEC on the screening of nominees for confirmation as Resident Electoral Commissioners.

Chairman of the committee Senator Suleiman Nazif (Bauchi North) presented its report for the consideration of the Senate.

Nazif said the committee recommended that the nominee from Zamfara State Ahmad Bello Mahmud should be rejected.

But, Senator Kabiru Marafa (Zamfara Central) openly accused the screening committee of being heavily compromised to return uncomplimentary comments on Mahmud.

Marafa insisted that he has it on good authority that the committee was compromised to turn down Mahmud’s nomination.

He challenged the chairman of the committee to provide the affidavit in support of the petition it claimed to have received against Mahmud.

Marafa said: “I have evidence that the committee was heavily compromised to write its report. The committee should tender the affidavit in support of the petition it claimed that was written against the nominee.”

The Zamfara Central senator said the state governor, Abdul Azeeze Yari, was behind the attempt to deny the nominee his confirmation.

He noted that contrary to the insinuation that Mahmud was not from Zamfara State, the nominee was born and bred in the state.

Senator James Manager (Delta South) threw his weight behind Marafa.

Manager said as far as he was concerned, the report was incomplete.

Before Manager could continue, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu raised a point of Order to the effect that it was un-parliamentary to input improper motive against any senator.

Ekweremadu quoted relevant sections of the standing rule of the Senate to buttress his point.

Senate President Bukola Saraki agreed and ruled Marafa out of order.

Saraki asked Marafa to withdraw the “offensive” comments as well as to apologise to Nazif.

Marafa reluctantly withdrew his comments but refused to apologise to Nazif.

Deputy Senate Leader Bala Ibn Na’Allah said Marafa should not only withdraw his comments that the committee was comprised but also apologise to the committee chairman in his “own interest”.

Na’ Allah reminded Marafa that everything done in the chamber was being recorded.

Marafa stood his ground and said that he was not prepared to apologise to anybody.

When Saraki called for vote, the nomination of Mahmud was unanimously adopted.

The Senate President put the nomination to question for the second time. The result was a resounding “aye”.

The Senate President had no option than to rule that the “ayes had it”.

There was jubilation in the chamber as some senators rushed to Marafa to congratulate him for his tenacity in ensuring that the nomination of Mahmud was confirmed.

The confirmation of the nomination of Mahmud as Resident Electoral Commissioner came after two rejections by the Senate.

Apart from Mahmud, the Senate also confirmed Mr. Monday Udo Tom from Akwa Ibom State and Attahiru Madami from Niger State as Resident Electoral commissioners.

It also confirmed the nomination of Festus Okoye from Imo State as National Electoral Commissioner representing Southeast geo Political Zone.

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By Musa Abdullahi Krishi


The House of Representatives on Tuesday resolved to probe alleged deductions in the salary of some police officers running into billions of Naira.

The House, while adopting a motion by Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe (PDP, Cross River), said available records showed that there are massive deductions of up to 50 percent in the salary of policemen.

The practice, the House said, has been going on for some years now as policemen cannot say with exactitude their actual take-home pay monthly.

The House resolved that an ad-hoc committee would investigate the matter and report back within four weeks.

In his motion, Jarigbe said: "For so many years now, no officer could say with all certainty how much he earns every month as salary because their salaries are paid in piecemeal with massive deductions, which is as much as 50% of the actual salary."

He said for over three months now, some police officers have not received their salaries and that the only official explanation given by the police authorities was that the fault was from operators of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

"For instance, a state commissioner of police who allegedly received N40,000 as salary a few months ago was upon enquiry told by the Police authorities that he should refer to IPPIS office in the office of the Accountant General of the Federation," he said.

He added that men of the Nigerian Police are "demeaned, neglected and rejected because they have no union to enable them cry with one voice to agitate for a better condition of work."

"The condition of service is deplorable, unattractive and non-conducive to productive enterprise, as on several occasions, policemen lose their lives to vicious and daring criminals who descend on innocent citizens across the country."

He said if urgent steps were not taken to stop the indiscriminate and illegal deductions of police salaries, corruption in the Nigeria Police Force could not be completely eradicated.

By John Owen Nwachukwu

The Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Social Media, Lauretta Onochie and the Senator representing Kaduna Central in the National Assembly, Shehu Sani, have clashed over the face-off between the executive and the legislature.

There is a feeling among the lawmakers that the Presidency is prosecuting the lawmakers which has heightened tension in the polity.

While the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki was during the week summoned by the Nigerian Police over his alleged involvement in the deadly Offa robbery attack in Kwara State, the National Assembly held a joint session on Tuesday where issues of a posible impeachment of the President were on the front burner.

Senator Sani took to his twitter handle to say that, “Supporting the Executive to persecute the lawmakers is setting a dangerous precedent to democracy and nurturing the seed of absolute totalitarianism.”

And in a swift reaction, Onochie attacked the lawmaker, saying, “Turning the Nigerian Senate into a PLC that serves only the Senate cabal is a gross betrayal of the people of Nigeria who voted you to represent them.



“Some of you were rejects until you rode on the back of the leader of the executive, @MBuhari who you now seek to frustrate.”

By Steve Uzoechi OWERRI


Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state has declared that going by the way Chief John Odigie-Oyegun has managed the affairs of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the outgoing APC national chairman was apparently overrated by leaders of the party who had allowed him to succeed Chief Bisi Akande as party chairman.

Okorocha who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo maintained that Chief Oyegun has taken the Party several years backward to the extent that today, there is no State chapter of the party where there is no crisis or factions.

A statement by Onwuemeodo read in part, “The way Chief Oyegun has pursued the elongation of his tenure also showed how selfish and greedy, he is. He is not interested in the well-being or future of the party, but only interested in staying put as the National Chairman of the Party. And that is why he is after anybody who opposed the tenure elongation.



“The worst thing that would have happened to APC is to allow Chief Oyegun to continue as the National Chairman of the Party. It would have been worst for the Party. Chief Akande never tried to destroy the party when he was leaving as the pioneer Chairman, but Oyegun wants to destroy the party because he is leaving. He is not patriotic.”

He continued, “In the case of Imo, he disobeyed two court orders with regard to the congresses in Imo and the inauguration of strange elements as the state officials of the party just to get at Governor Okorocha because of the issue of elongation. And we have no option now than to ask our lawyers to press for his imprisonment and that of Osita Izunaso and all those who were involved in the lawlessness.”

The statement averred that the only thing Chief Oyegun has achieved in his ‘anger against Governor Okorocha is encouraging elements with no electoral value like Osita Okechukwu and those from Imo to be insulting the Governor. And these are people who cannot win their booths in an election’.

The same elements, he said, came together during the Anambra State governorship election.



“The governor stayed away and at the end of the day, they could not justify their noise making. They have also started again. And these are people who have been running election since 2007 and have not won any”, he said.

The statement warned that Imo APC members would not tolerate factionalization of the party.

“In case Chief Oyegun does not know, Imo APC members won’t allow any faction. The APC in Imo and even in the South-East is Governor Okorocha’s making. And it will be foolish of anybody to think that he would build the party and allow cowards to take it over. If they have the political strength, let them go and pick a party and present a candidate, and it will be very interesting”, the statement stressed.

A Deputy Director in the Kogi Ministry of Education, Mr. Haruna David, suddenly collapsed and died in his office on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria learnt in Lokoja that late David collapsed at about 3 p.m.

He was immediately rushed to Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja, where he was pronounced dead by medical officials on duty.



Until his death, he worked in the Quality Assurance department of the ministry.

The deceased hailed from Ogugu, Olamaboro Local Government Area of the state and was the Unit Chairman of the ministry’s Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria and Chairman, Lokoja branch of the Ogugu Development Association.

His corpse has been deposited at the morgue of the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja.

The Public Relations Officer of Ministry of Education, Seidu Adamu, confirmed the incident but refused to comment further.

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Posted By: Precious Igbonwelundu


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Three suspected firearms fabricators including a father and son have been arrested by the police in Benue State.

The suspects, Thomas Ode alias Tommy, Kingsley Abi and his father, Odah Abi, were apprehended at Oju in Oju Local Government Area (LGA).

Our Correspondent gathered that a G3 rifle, four G3 empty shells of ammunition, two expended cartridges, two cut-to-size iron barrels for construction of locally fabricated guns and three wooden gun butts were recovered from them.

Others include three locally made baretta magasines, three skeletons of locally made pistols, two cut-to-size double barrel for construction of locally made pistol, a toy gun, two iron boxes containing blacksmithing tools, two plastic bottles containing Marijuana seeds and five sachets of Tramadol.

According to Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni, the suspects were caught in the course of investigating a case of abduction and rape.

Owoseni said one of the suspects allegedly abducted and raped a 15-year-old girl in the community on May 21.

He said: “The case was reported to the police and in the course of investigation, it was discovered that the suspects also manufactured firearms locally. Investigations have commenced to fish out the people they supplied to and we would also find out other things they have done.

“The police appreciate the support of law abiding people of Benue State and we continue to count on their partnership towards ensuring security of life and property.”

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The University of Ibadan (UI) is the only Nigerian university to rank among the top 1,000 universities in the world.

The premier Nigerian university is ranked 991st worldwide, and 14th in Africa, according to the 2018/19 edition of the global rankings released on Monday by the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR).

Apart from UI, no other Nigerian university is listed in the CWUR’s global ranking.

Seven universities from South Africa, four from Egypt, and one each from Uganda and Tunisia are also in the list.

Harvard University, United States, for the seventh year in a row, has been ranked as the top global university by the CWUR.

Stanford University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, both in the U.S, are ranked second and third respectively.

University of Cambridge, U.K, is ranked fourth, while University of Oxford, also in the U.K, is ranked fifth.

Among the top 10 universities are University of California, Berkeley, U.S (sixth); Princeton University, U.S (seventh); Columbia University, U.S (eighth); California Institute of Technology, U.S (ninth); and the University of Chicago, U.S (10th).

The U.S leads with 213 universities in the top 1000, followed by China (108), the United Kingdom (62), France (58), and Japan (56).
Germany (54), Italy (45), Spain (38), South Korea (35), and Canada (28) round up the top 10 countries.

In total, 61 countries have representatives in the top 1000.

“CWUR’s rankings grade universities on seven factors without relying on surveys and university data submissions: quality of teaching, alumni employment, quality of faculty, research output, quality publications, influence, and citations,” CWUR said in a press statement.

“The methodology has been enhanced this year, with research now accounting for 70 per cent of the total score.”

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