₦airaland Forum

On May 24, 2014, PREMIUM TIMES exclusively reported that Gabriel Aduda, a former official of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and brother to Senator Phillip Aduda, was arbitrarily appointed director at the Federal Ministry of Finance despite failing a compulsory confirmation/promotion examination for federal civil servants.

The report generated widespread uproar across the country at the time, with many calling for the removal of the director from his post.

The Goodluck Jonathan administration, reputed for massive corruption and serial abuse of due process, however failed to act at the time, and Mr Aduda was allowed to stay on.

Three years on, the Muhammadu Buhari administration has elevated the controversial official to the position of permanent secretary.

Mr Aduda is among the 21 new permanent secretaries appointed by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on August 10. He is also among the 15 inaugurated on Wednesday. 

He was deployed to the Political Affairs Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Laolu Akande, the spokesperson to Mr. Osinbajo, could not be reached for comment on Thursday morning. He did not answer or return multiples calls made to him.

But an official in the acting president’s office, who requested not to be named because he is not an official spokesperson, said Mr. Osinbajo was never aware of Mr. Aduda’s antecedent.

“I am sure Mr. Osinbajo would be shocked to hear this,” he said.

Gabriel Aduda worked as Head, Strategy and Reorientation Unit, of the anti-corruption agency in 2012 on Grade Level 15 when he took the compulsory examination, which all civil servants must pass before their appointments are confirmed.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that Mr Aduda, a brother to ruling party politician and Senator, Phillip Aduda, failed the examination and then resigned after a re-mark of his papers showed that he indeed performed poorly.

But barely six months after his resignation, Mr Aduda was named the Director in charge of the Economic Research and Policy Management Department of the Federal Ministry of Finance, an appointment that shocked both his former employers and some top officials of the Federal Civil Service Commission.

Mr. Aduda however told PREMIUM TIMES that he did his best in the examination but that he was deliberately marked down, saying he was a victim of “vendetta attack” at the EFCC.

“The claim that I failed the examination is miles away from the truth,” he said. “The truth is that I took the examination as prescribed by law. But, I was shocked when I was told later when the result was out that I failed. Of course, I rejected the result and called for my papers, which were shown to me by the Director, General Services.


“Then I wanted to establish two things. One, to know from the Director what the pass mark was for officers in my grade level, and two, whether the pass mark was fixed prior to the examination or after. When the answers were not forthcoming, it became clear that it was pure vendetta against my person.”

He wouldn’t answer further questions, insisting that this reporter should visit the EFCC to assess his exams script himself.

But the EFCC insisted Mr. Aduda indeed failed the examination and that he was not victimized in any way.

“This matter you are talking about has to do with his employment history with the commission and the records are there,” EFCC Spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, said. “Besides, the EFCC does not have a history of victimizing present or past employees. The person involved in this matter has moved on and the commission would not like to comment any further on the matter.”

Rewarded for failure

Mr Aduda, a brother to Philip Aduda, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power, joined the EFCC on February 2009.

Between September 2000 and October 2004, he also served on the Board of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC.

The public service rules require that all administrative, foreign affairs, executive and police officers, along with their counterparts in the para-military and other professionals in the service, must pass confirmation/promotion examination within two years of their appointments.

Unless specially exempted, Public Service Rule 020302 stipulates that all affected officials must, within the mandatory probationary period, pass the examination prescribed in Chapter 6 of the law appropriate to his or her appointment.

Public Service Rules 060203 and 060204 make it mandatory that any officer who fails to pass the examination after three attempts, or fails to take the confirmation examination after 3 years of his or her first appointment must resign from the service forthwith.

Consequently, more than three years after he was hired by the EFCC, Mr. Aduda was one of the officials due for the compulsory confirmation examination at the end of their probation period in line with those provisions of the Public Service Rule.

When the result of the examination was released Mr Aduda failed in his first attempt in 2012.

He then petitioned the organizers, whom he accused of deliberately marking him down. But when his papers were re-marked, Mr Aduda still did not make a pass mark.

But rather than take another shot at the examinations, Mr Aduda resigned and left the Commission in angrily in January 2013.

However, six months later, he was rewarded with an even bigger job at the Ministry of Finance. In June 2013, Mr Aduda was named Director in charge of the Economic Research and Policy Management Department of the Federal Ministry of Finance.

When asked whether it was aware of the circumstances under which Mr Aduda left the EFCC, the Federal Civil Service Commission, FCSC, which hired him for the new job told PREMIUM TIMES it didn’t bother “about what may have happened or did not happen during his time at the EFCC, as this was a fresh appointment.”

At the Federal Ministry of Finance, Paul Nwabuikwu, the Special Adviser on Media to the Minister of Finance, who said he would not comment on the allegations against Mr. Aduka, claimed the director is highly regarded and seen by many as one of the brightest, youngest senior officials in the Ministry since he assumed office.

The hands of President Jonathan

Mr Aduda sneaked back into the federal service after he became one of the three beneficiaries of a controversial waiver for the appointment of directors in the Federal Civil Service approved by President Goodluck Jonathan on March 28, 2013 for three states identified by the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, HCSF, as under-represented in the federal service.

The HCSF had in a memo to the President claimed that Bayelsa and Ebonyi states as well as the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, where Mr. Aduda comes from, were without substantive directors in the Federal Civil Service.

In response, Mr. Jonathan granted presidential approval for qualified indigenes of those states to be hired as directors.

Mr Aduda was one of the three that benefited from the Presidential gesture. The others include Famous Eseduwo for Bayelsa, and Idowu Afe for Ebonyi states.

Mr Aduda was later assigned to the Ministry of Finance, where he is currently in charge of the highly sensitive Economic Research and Policy Management Department, ERPMD, while Mr Eseduwo was posted to the Public Complaints Commission, PCC. Mr Afe now works with the Federal Civil Service Commission.

The ERPM department is charged with undertaking systematic analyses of the national economy and developing models for forecasting possible future trends; making comparisons with other economies, and forecasting how developments in the global economy might affect the country’s economy.

It is also to generate data and information required to evaluate and plan the activities of the Ministry of Finance on the national economy and socio-political developments, among others.

Some officials at the finance ministry say Mr Aduda qualified as a town planner and does not have the competence for the job he has been given.

“This is a classic case of man-know-man (nepotism),” one source said. “And for as long as we allow this kind of sentiment to dominate our affairs, Nigeria will never make progress.” (PREMIUM TIMES)

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE


A 45-year old Ayo Fadairo has been arrested and charged before a Lagos court for sexual harassment and assault by allegedly touching a woman’s breasts and buttock.

The incident happened at Akanro Street in Ilasamaja area of Lagos where the suspect and the victim reside.

However, the embattled Fadairo had insisted that he used to touch the victim’s breasts and buttock but she had never complained against such action from him.

Fadairo landed in trouble after he caressed Anu Felix’s breasts and buttock with the desire to lure her into sex without her consent.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the action backfired as the victim was not in the mood for such and attacked Fadairo which resulted in serious beating and assault from the suspect on the victim.

The matter was reported to the police at Itire Division and Fadairo was arrested and taken to the station.

At the station, the victim alleged that the suspect assaulted her by touching her private parts and at the same time assaulted her.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that Fadairo admitted that he touched her breasts and buttock and it was not the first time he was doing so to her and she never complained.

However, the police insisted that since he touched the victim without her consent, he committed a criminal offence and he was charged to court accordingly.

Fadairo was charged before Isolo Magistrates court for conduct likely to cause breach of public peace and assault on the victim.

He pleaded not guilty.

The presiding Magistrate, Mr A.O. Ogbe granted him bail in the sum of N30,000 with one surety in like sum.

However, Fadairo was remanded in prison custody pending when he will perfect his bail.

The matter was adjourned till 20 September, 2017.

A grieving mother, Mrs. Bola Sulaimon, yesterday said that unknown people murdered her four-year-old daughter on Tuesday and sprinkled her blood on Ogun shrine at the Iwaya, Yaba area of Lagos State.

The girl, Faridat, was grabbed and killed while in the care of a woman identified Mama Hafsat. Faridat was instructed to stay in the house of Mama Hafsat, along with her other siblings, while her mother rushed down to the market.

A few minutes later, Faridat’s elder siblings walked out. The girl was also said to have gone after them. It is believed that the killers were already around in the compound by the time Faridat walked out of Mama Hafsat’s home. The killers grabbed, killed and dumped her body in the shrine.

The remains of Faridat were discovered by Bola as she was walking pass the shrine to make ablution. Incidentally, the Ogun shrine is situated in the middle of the compound. When Bola saw the body, she realised it was that of Faridat. She noticed that the girl’s throat had been slit and her blood sprinkled all over the shrine.

According to her, when she returned from market, she didn’t even bother to look for her children. She thought they were still in the home of Mama Hafsat.

“When I was going to the market, I asked them to go to the Arabic school in the community.

After closing, they were supposed to attend lesson and then return to Mama Hafsat’s house. I asked them to wait there until I returned from the market.

“What I gathered when I came back from the market was that Faridat left Mummy Hafsat’s house where I told them to wait for me and came home, searching for her sister who had already gone out with some her friends in the community. “The ritual killers, who I still don’t know, must have waylaid my daughter in our compound.

They slit her throat and dumped her in the Ogun shrine. The shrine is in our compound. They have killed my daughter.

They did not allow her to use her God-given destiny. Whoever killed Faridat will never know peace.”

The state Police Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, said that 10 persons had been arrested in connection with Faridat’s murder. Owoseni, who described the incident as sad, added: “It was the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Iwaya Police Station, who alerted the command on the incident.

The bereaved parents of the girl came to the station with her corpse.

“When questioned, the parents explained that the child went with two of her siblings to Arabic school about 1p.m. and since then, she had not been seen. After a thorough search, her body, with a slit throat, was found behind her parents’ window, close to an Ogun shrine in the compound.

The corpse was recovered with the knife used to commit the murder.

“At least 10 persons have been arrested in connection with the murder of the girl.

Investigation, however, revealed elements of conspiracy in the matter. We will continue to update members of the press as investigation continues.

We have deployed our men to the area, which is densely populated to prevent any form of jungle justice.”

By Hamisu Muhammad & Daniel Adugbo


The price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), otherwise called cooking gas, has dropped by 30 percent from N400 per kilogram (kg) in May to N280 per kg currently.

According to a market survey carried out by Daily Trust at different parts of the country, major retailers of the product such as NIPCO Plc and IK Gases Ltd sell at N280/kg while other small retailers sell  at N300 per kg.  

In the first half of this year, the product averagely remains at N400/kg in many parts of the country. 

In Abuja and environs, the price of refilling a 12.5kg of LPG went as high as N6000 in the first quarter of the year. Also, LPG users spoken to have reported a drop in the price in Lagos, Kano, Kogi and Kaduna from what was obtained in the past.

LPG dealers attributed the drop in price to improved supply and distribution. 

“There is more product coming in, that is the reason,” said President of the Nigerian Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association (NLGPA), Dayo Adeshina.

“By September or October the BOP jetty should be on stream so we shouldn’t be having any discharge problems, and immediately after that, there will also be another jetty, PWA, in Lagos. Once these jetties come on stream, we should see increased supply,”  Adeshina said.

Managing Director of Lyushi Oil & Gas Ltd, Ibrahim Salka Bawa, also said, “There is availability of supply.”

The supply logjam that impeded stable availability of LPG was overcome recently following the unveiling of two LPG vessels in Ulsan, South Korea, by West Africa Gas Limited (WAGL), an NNPC joint venture company, and Sahara Energy Limited.

At the unveiling ceremony, Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, said the development promised to be a game changer in the supply network of LPG nationwide.

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The police in Lagos have arrested a man found with a decomposing woman human head at Imota, near Ikorodu, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

Sources at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, told NAN in Lagos that the suspect, simply identified as Emmanuel, was arrested at the home of a native doctor who is now at large.

NAN gathered that neighbours had reported to the police in Imota that a foul smell was emanating from the compound of the native doctor, identified as Jamiu.

“Policemen attached to the division invaded the place, combed the surrounding and discovered a human head.

“Jamiu, the native doctor, however, took to his heels when challenged but Emmanuel was arrested and he confessed that Jamiu helped him to get the human head for protection against Badoo cult group,” a police source said.

The police were on the trail of the native doctor while Emmanuel would be charged to court soon, the source told NAN.

Also, the State CID has also arrested a man for killing another man by stabbing him on the chest during a fight at a bar in Egbeda area of Lagos.

“The suspect will be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded,” the source said.

Confirming the arrests, the Lagos police spokesman, ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole, said that investigation was continuing into the matters.

lalasticlala

A major security breach was recorded at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in the early hours of Wednesday, August 16, 2017, as unknown gunmen attacked the office located at Wuse Zone 7, Abuja.

The group of heavily armed bandits invaded the office at about 05.00 hours and began shooting into the premises, damaging vehicles parked in the premises in the process. However, the attack was repelled by guards on duty. The hoodlums escaped in a getaway vehicle but not without leaving a message; a white envelope dropped by the fleeing attackers was found to contain a death threat addressed to Ishaku Sharu, a senior investigator with the Commission. Ishaku who heads the Foreign Exchange Malpractices Fraud Section is in charge of corruption investigation involving several politically exposed persons and retired military brass hats.

The attack on the Zone 7 office which houses the Commission’s AMCON Desk, Procurement Fraud and Foreign Exchange Malpractices Sections, is coming few weeks after another investigator, Austin Okwor was shot and wounded by unknown assailants in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The latest incident has already been reported to the police for investigation.


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Chidiebube Okeoma , Owerri

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The police in Imo State have arrested one Wilson Nnorom, a suspected member of a three-man gang that had been robbing bank customers after withdrawing cash on bank premises in Owerri, the state capital.

The 33- year - old Nnorom , a native of Ebenator- Ekwe in the Isu Local Government Area of the state , was arrested along MCC Road in Owerri, according to a police source .

Southern City News gathered that the Special Anti - Robbery Squad in the state had launched a manhunt for the two fleeing members of the gang .

One of the victims robbed by the gang , it was learnt , sustained serious injuries on his face after the robbers pushed him out of a moving car .

The police source said the suspects rode in a Toyota Camry vehicle with registration number, Lagos FST 147 BZ , during the operation , adding that the vehicle was recovered as an exhibit .

The source said , “ The gang is made up of three men . What they do for a living is to rob bank customers after withdrawals on a daily basis. One of them will disguise as a customer in the bank , while monitoring customers that are withdrawing huge amounts of money in the banking hall.

“ Once the customer is stepping out of the bank , one of the gang members inside the bank will place a call to the ones outside , describing the target to them.

“ They will immediately trail the target to any point he stops or where there are not many people . They will rob the person and speed off . ”

According to the source , the suspects , after a successful operation , will change their clothes and move to another bank for another operation .

The source said the gang was usually meticulous in its operation , adding that the suspects had earlier operated in Lagos and Borno states before relocating to Imo State.

“ This is what they do for a living . They don’ t have a legitimate means of livelihood . They have a Toyota Camry , which they use for their criminal operation.

“ We have been trailing them and we are happy that we have arrested the ringleader. ”

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By Ameh Comrade Godwin

A 25-year-old Oloche (surname withheld) has been brutally murdered by some unknown gunmen in Ogobia Ugboju, Otukpo local government area of Benue State.

DAILY POST gathered that Oloche was killed on Sunday while still in comma in a local hospital after he was attacked by the same group the previous day.

Oloche, who is alleged to be a member of a notorious fraternity in the community, met his untimely death just few days after his release from prison custody.

A source told our reporter in Otukpo that problem ensued few days back between his group and a rival cult group over a girl.

According to the insider, the deceased was accused of snatching a girlfriend of a member of the rival cult group.

The source said the rival group confronted him and warned him to avoid the girl but fight broke out in the process and he was badly injured.

“He was rushed to an intensive care unit of Blessed Hospital in Ogobia Ugboju but the group still traced him there and shot him in the chest. He was confirmed dead by the doctors.

“Ugboju community has been in conflict for some time now and we suspect that the perpetrators of this were those who are counterparts of the deceased because while he was alive, it was rumoured that he belonged to one of the factions, which I can’t tell now. Our community has become so rotten that majority of youths you see walking about belong to one faction or the other.

“As I speak, some of them have fled the community immediately they heard that the police were on their way from Otukpo while others are have returned to their hideout within the community.”

Confirming the incident to DAILY POST on Tuesday, the Benue State Police PRO, Moses Yamu said 25 persons had been arrested in connection with the crime.

“Yes, we are on top of the situation. The young man was killed over a girl few days after returning from prison.

“The suspects are currently being investigated and would be charged to court when we are done with out findings,” Yamu, ASP added.

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By Chinenyeh Ozor


Confusion engulfed residents of Ogurugu Road in Nsukka over the death of a water corporation retiree, who was crushed to death by his car at a petrol station in Nsukka Local Government Area, Enugu State.

Vanguard gathered that the retiree, identified as Ochi Joseph, of Affa in Udi Local Government Area of the state, drove to Willie Ekere Filling Station along Ogurugu Road to fuel his new car, a Toyota Avensis, with number plates LND 74 ABM.

The deceased, it was learned, started the car after fuelling, engaged the automatic gear only to discover that the bonnet was half-closed.

Attendants at the filling station told Vanguard that the deceased, on noticing that his bonnet was half-closed, came down from the car, forgetting to return the gear to park.

While he was attempting to close the bonnet, the car started to move. He tried to stop it only for the car to gain momentum. The car crushed the owner to death.

The eyewitness further said it was a lone accident, as the deceased was trying to stop the car from crashing into the fence of the filling station by attempting to push it back.

Sympathisers rushed him to Joseph Faith Foundation Hospital opposite the filling station, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

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By Olabisi Olaleye



It has been estimated that about 29 million households may be free from the yoke of pay television monthly subscriptions when the Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) finally activates 34 other states in the country with its digital switch over.

This means that most households, which presently cough out between N6,000 and N38,000 for set-top box (STB – decoder) and monthly subscription fees of between N3,500 and N2,000 depending on the bouquet (package), to access content that may not even be watched owing to poor signal from Pay TV service providers, will have their expenditure cut substantially when this innovation gathers critical mass.

But ahead of this pay cut, the Federal Government said it has fixed price of N1,500 for the purchase of STBs and an annual digital access fee of N1,000.

Already, activated STBs for Jos and Abuja have risen to 105,077 and 283,414 respectively. But by the time STBs are activated for the remaining 34 states, more households would be saved trillions of naira, our investigations reveal.

Under the prevailing Pay TV regime, an average household subscribes to the service with N3,500 and in 12 months that would amount to N42,000 and about N420,000 in 10 years if rates are not hiked along the line.

However, there are other higher premium packages that go for between N9,500 and N12,000 for the elite class while blue chip organisations, government agencies and media owners subscribe heavily to the high end premium monthly to access local and foreign contents.

According to Daily Sun’s calculations, if 29 million households subscribe to N3,500 monthly, private Pay TV firms would be raking in an average of N101.2 billion monthly and over N1.218 trillion yearly.

For government’s STBs, 29 million subscribe at N1,000 annually, could amount to N29 billion. This, however, does not include the Federal Government agencies that pay premium packages.

Aside the projected N9.34 trillion savings from the project, analysts believe that over 8 million job opportunities that would alleviate poverty in the long run would be available because the Federal Government had issued a similar directive with Kenya on the local production of STBs.

According to Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Mr. Lai Mohammed, at least 30 regional channels and 10 national channels catering for local music, news, film, children’s programming and sports, would be created once Nigeria completes full broadcast switch over.

“With 29 million TV households in Nigeria requiring STB or Smart TV, thousands of jobs will be created by the companies licensed to produce the boxes. Besides the licensed companies producing the STBs, hundreds of thousands of jobs will also be created from television production. These will include the production of music and movies, with the active participation of Nollywood, which would move to push for subscription for Video On Demand on the STB and online.

“The TV industry is also expected to experience an increase in number of writers, lighting, sound, camera and editing professionals as well as actors, installers to supply the market with STBs, TV sets and dongles, increase in television and online advertising, as well as the need to create apps to offer goods and services for interaction and entertainment at every level,” Mohammed said.

Meanwhile, some angry stakeholders believe that MultiChoice’s and Startimes’ subscription rates have hit subscribers like lightning and the thinking is that they have no justification for such high rates besides taking advantage of the lack of alternatives in the sector.

At a recent forum, MultiChoice Nigeria CEO, Mr. John Ugbe, who spoke to journalists, acknowledged that increment in price was always painful and “we are very mindful of this. However, they are sometimes necessary for businesses to provide service to their consumers and also provide necessary returns to stakeholders.

They ensure that we can continue to provide quality entertainment to our subscribers even with the rising costs and inflation. It is because of the prevailing economic situation and rising cost of content and our other inputs that we have had to increase the cost of subscriptions and this has affected all the other entities across the continent.”

Meanwhile, Director General of NBC, Is’haq Modibbo Kawu, for his part assured Nigerians that NBC remained committed to the highest standards of broadcast regulation in the country.

“We will do everything to assist the growth of our industry; we will continue to provide the ambiance for the flowering of broadcasting in our country. But we would never tolerate a regime of impunity, refusal to obey the law or being cavalier with licensing issues, especially a prompt payment of license fees.

Recall that the local production of STBs came to the limelight when the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) gave a deadline for a digital switch over (DSO).

The DSO is the process of changing from analogue to digital TV broadcasting. Today, more people are familiar with analogue broadcasting having a restricted choice of programming due to limited space for channels; having to tune the TV to their region to pick up broadcasts or play with the antennae to get a smooth, uninterrupted signal.

Although Nigeria missed the deadlines twice in 2012 and 2015, it was able to sail through in June 2017.

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We’re not aware, says PPRO


Residents of Mowe in Ofada-Mokolokin Local Council Development Area of Ogun State are still reeling in shock following the abduction of three children by a ‘mysterious’ lady. The yet-to-be identified woman was said to have abducted the three children, four days after she moved into the community and occupied a rented apartment.

The woman took the children – John Segun, 5, Darasimi Ilesanmi, (two months old) and Fikayomi Bankole 3 from their parents in the house where she just hired an apartment and said she was going to a nearby shop in the neighbourhood to buy them confectioneries. But she disappeared with them. Although the children belong to different to parents, they, however, live in the same building.

The incident, which occurred on Sunday last week, has thrown the community into shock. The abduction was discovered after one of the parents, tired of waiting and suspected foul play, raised the alarm. One of the parents, Mr. Idowu Bankole, said:

“When I was returning from church that fateful day, I saw the woman with my son. I never suspected her. My wife left church before me, with our two children. I couldn’t go with them; I’m one of the elders in the church and we had a meeting.

When I returned, I met my first child with her mother sleeping. My wife’s mother told me that our new neighbour took Fikayo out to buy biscuit for him and other children.

When she told me our neighbour took my son and two other children out, I relaxed. “I went to the third street to fix a water tap. I returned about 4p.m. and my wife told me that the woman was yet to return with the children. I encouraged my wife to exercise patient.

“After waiting for about two hours, another victim’s grandmother came out and started searching for her grandchild. We rushed to Mowe Police Station and reported the incident. Our landlord and his son who let out the house to the woman were arrested, but were released three days later. “We’re appealing to the Ogun State Commissioner of Police and Governor Ibikunle Amosun, to rescue our children; we have not been able to sleep since the incident.”

The suspect was said to have taken Darasimi from her mother where she was washing clothes in the compound. She even asked the woman to change Darasimi’s clothes that she wanted to take her out to buy biscuits for her down the street. Another affected father, Mr. Ebenezer Ilesanmi, said: “My wife was with my son in the compound, washing clothes when our new neighbour approached her.

The woman told my wife to bring our baby, to assist her to hold, so that she could concentrate on the washing. She took the baby and promised to return soon.

“After washing the clothes, my wife became worried because the woman was not yet back. Moreover, it was time for the baby to breastfeed. My wife later went to check the two other kids’ mothers, to know if their own children had returned.

Unfortunately, it was the same thing. It was at that point that my wife called to tell me what was going on. “Immediately, I left what I was doing and rushed home. I saw a crowd in front of our compound; everyone was searching for the children. Since then, we have not seen them.

Since then, my wife has been weeping, asking for the whereabouts of her son. I’m appealing to the police to rescue the kids. My son is just an infant. I don’t know how they will breastfeed him. He is our first child.

I don’t know where or whom to run to. When we broke into the suspect’s apartment in the presence of the policemen, there was only curtain at the door and window.” The landlord, Mr. Tajudeen Leshi, denied collecting the house rent from the suspect. According to him, the woman paid to his son.

He said: “I was not around when the woman and her husband came to inspect the apartment; after they agreed to move in, they gave my son N30,000, instead of N50,000 for a year. Initially, I refused to collect the money, but my son persuaded me on the phone to collect it from them.

“They promised to balance me N20,000. When I returned, I told my son to call the woman to get her details. When she approached me, she said they were from Calabar. I spoke the language to her, but she didn’t understand it.

She claimed that she was born in Lagos State and didn’t understand her language. The only mistake I made was that, because they were rushing to move in, I didn’t get their details. It was when she abducted the kids it occurred to me that I had made a grave mistake.

I also blamed the kids’ parents; how can they hand their children to someone they had just known for only four days?” When the distraught parents stormed the Mowe Police Station, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the station, told them investigation would commence immediately.

A few days later, he told the parents that he had already passed the information to the Ogun State Police Command, stressing that the Commissioner of Police was aware of the matter. He further told them to relax that their children would soon be rescued.

Yesterday, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abimbola Oyeyemi, expressed shock over the incident.
According to him, he was not even aware of the incident. He, however, promised to get back to our correspondent.

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Chidiebube Okeoma, Owerri


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A 26 - year - old student of Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo, Johnbosco Ashiegbu, and 34-year - old Chinonso Ewurum, have been arrested by operatives of Special Anti -Robbery Squad in Imo State for allegedly stealing two vehicles.

The police claimed that the vehicles stolen by Ashiegbu and Ewurum included a N 19m Hilux van belonging to the Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, adding that the suspects sold the vehicle to one Nnamdi Ejinkeonye in Onitsha for N 300,000.

The other vehicle , a Toyota Camry, the police said , was stolen by the suspects in the Imo Housing Estate axis of Owerri, where it was parked by its owner.

The Toyota Camry, valued at N 3.9m , was said to have also been sold to Ejinkeonye for N 350,000.

The undergraduate , who hails from the Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State , told our correspondent that he took to the crime so as to raise money to “sort out my results in school. ”

He said, “ My desire to sort out my results in school led me into crime. After arranging my results in school , I used the remaining money to live a good life and to take care of my girlfriend. ”

He explained that while he got N 30,000 from the sale of the Hilux owned by the government, he realised N 285 , 000 from the sale of the Toyota Camry.

A police source, who spoke to Southern City News on condition of anonymity, said the suspects were notorious for using fabricated keys to open peoples’ cars, which they usually sold at Onitsha Market .

The source said, “A team of federal SARS operatives led by its commander, Godfrey Victor, a Superintendent of Police, rounded up the suspects in their houses in Owerri when information about their criminal operation had been gathered. ”

The source said police investigation showed that the suspects sold the government ’s Hilux van worth N19m and the Toyota Camry worth N3.9m to Ejinkeonye who was introduced to them by one Nzube.

The police source said, “ Chinonso and Nzube are brothers. The gang is a deadly one. Because they have a waiting buyer, they sell at any amount as long as you are ready to buy in cash.

“ We are closing in on Nnamdi and Nzube. We will soon arrest them and bring them to justice . They cannot run too far. ”

Ewurum, who is an indigene of Okija in Anambra State, said he participated in the stealing of the Toyota Camry and got N 25,000 from the proceeds but denied partaking in the stealing of the government Hilux van.

He said that his younger brother was paid N15,000 for bringing Ejinkeonye, who bought the vehicle.

The police source said the identity card of the undergraduate and the master key used in stealing vehicles were recovered as exhibits.

Confirming the development, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Chris Ezike, said that the introduction of the whistle -blowing policy of his command and Owerri City Policing initiative were part of the measures to curb crimes in the state.

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A 43-year-old Nigerian, Christian Osingwelen, has been arrested with two Malawian ladies for drug trafficking.

They were arrested at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) in Lilongwe for illegal possession and importation of the dangerous drug called Ephedrin contrary to section 11 (a) Regulation 19 of Dangerous Drug Act.

39- year- old Lusungu Mlenga and 33-year-old Nkhata Bayand Rita Juma were arrested with the Nigerian.

Airport Police Branch Public Relations Office Sapulain Chitonde Lee told Malawi News Agency (Mana) police received a tipoff from MRA Officers working in the arrivals hall that Mlenga is suspected to be collecting a table with drug concealment.

“Police searched the table and found packets of unknown powder and later broke one of packet to see the powder where they found a dangerous drug called Ephedrin

“We are yet to finalise interrogating the three to where the drugs were coming from and who owns it,” said Chitonde.

Chitonde added that Mlenga received a phone call from an unknown person (name withheld) to collect a table from the airport, which had gone missing.

He said that USD2000 and additional MK700, 000.00 was paid as custom clearance for the table from MRA without knowing what was inside.

“Juma, a girl friend to the Nigerian man received a call from his friend to collect 1000 USD in town and give it to him at the airport without telling her the use of the said money.

“The Nigerian while accepting the statements from his friends is, however, denying ownership of both the table and the drug, despite giving Mlenga all the money to clear the table at MRA,” said Chitonde.

He further said MRA officers who handled the matter revealed to the police that Mlenga tried to bribe them with the said amount taking advantage that they were all women who needed to be helped saying if they felt they needed they should get it from the Nigerian.

“We are thanking MRA Officers for being professional when discharging their duties and tipping them about the three who they managed to get hold of them until police were informed.”

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Posted By: Miftaudeen Raji


TWO students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) have died in a midnight fire at a Lagos hotel.

Roli Odogwu, a 200-Level Mass Communication student, and Linda Elegeonye, a 300-Level Law student, died of burns, days after they were trapped in the hotel room where they were guests.

Until their death, the two students were residents of Fagunwa Hall.

CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the duo left the campus on Monday to attend an evening event off-campus. When it dawned on them that they could not return to the campus late in the night, they reportedly lodged in the hotel to pass the night.

The late Roli’s friend, who did not want to be named, said she spoke to her mother to inform her of her decision to pass the night in the hotel.

It was gathered that the victims were asleep when the inferno started from a faulty air conditioner. CAMPUSLIFE learnt that the victims were trapped for several minutes before they were rescued from the room. They sustained first-degree burns. They were rushed to Gbagada General Hospital.

Last Saturday, Roli died at 4am and was buried at Atan Cemetery in Yaba. On Sunday, news broke that Linda, who had been in coma for six days, had also died.

A friend, who pleaded for anonymity, said she was informed about the incident by a policeman who picked up the late Roli’s call on Tuesday.

She said: “The policeman told me that the owner of the phone (Roli) and her friend were involved in a fire accident and they were unconscious. I was told they had been moved to Trauma and Burns Unit of the Gbagada General Hospital. I informed other friends and we went to the hospital. When we got there, we were not allowed to see them immediately. Three hours after, we were allowed in with their parents and other family members.

“Roli was conscious and responding to treatment, but Linda was still in a coma. The burns were severe and we hoped both could make it. We are deeply hurt by their death.”

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The President of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, has embarked on a campaign for another presidential term that will begin in 2018 . Mugabe is 93 years old and by the time the new term he will most likely win rolls to an end , he will be 100. Mugabe is not only old and frail , he has long expired. Senescence has longed robbed him of any pretence to vigour and agility . He stumbles and falls in public , and dozes off at important meetings .

Lately, Mugabe was photographed snoozing at his campaign rally while his ambitious wife marketed him to the audience. That image of him was pathetic ; he cut the figure of a narcissistic old clown lacking in either self -respect or dignity . Mugabe is all washed - up , but he still will not pack it up and go home.

A man shorn of decency like Mugabe will contest the presidency until death does him apart from the office . His avowed supporters (led by his wife, Grace) insist that even if he was too frail to keep up with the campaign , they will place him on a stretcher and transport him to campaign grounds . Given the level of ludicrousness that goes on in the African countries that pretend to practise democracy, we know that although Mugabe might have exhausted his leadership capability , he will remain president until nature says otherwise.

President Muhammadu Buhari and Mugabe share unsettling similarities: Both are African leaders who tie down their nations to their infirmities. Buhari is currently sick and has been out of the country he supposedly leads for more than 90 days. Soon , it will be six months in total since Buhari has walked out of his job to take a “ medical vacation. ” Nobody seems to know what ails him and none is certain when he will return . We have been told it is disrespectful to even ask what ails him and so here we are, in total darkness.

Like Mugabe, Buhari too is old and spent, and his ability to run a complex Nigeria with the necessary philosophical depth and ideological perspicacity is doubtful . While I do not primarily blame age for the shortcomings of Buhari ’ s administration , there is no doubt that his inability to live up to the demands of the realities of modern governing can be linked to the inflexibility that sometimes comes with age.

The more I look at Mugabe and his desperate attempts to hold on to power, the more I fear for the future of Nigeria under an equally desperate Buhari . Who says that come 2019 , Buhari too will not attempt to run for a second term even if they campaign for him from his hospital bed in London?

Let us not dismiss the possibility by merely assuming such level of absurdity is beyond his sponsors. Worse things have happened in Nigeria, and that will not be an aberration . We should also not underplay the possibility by waving it away that “this will not be our portion. ” We need to anticipate that possibility and actively pre - empt it . It is only a matter of time before his paid Crusaders seize the airways to begin the raucous noise of campaign that will deafen us to the real issues that concern our lives as Nigerians.

That is why the campaign against Buhari ’ s prolonged absence should not be limited to the two options of “ resume or resign. ”

But first , I must commend the efforts of people like Charles Oputa (aka Charly Boy ) who have stood up to compel Buhari to take either of these options particularly at a time when the so - called “civil society ” industry has all but gone into recession. The fact that these protesters were attacked by Nigeria’ s cowardly police for exercising their civic rights shows that they have rattled the corrupt establishment that does not want to be called to account . Charly Boy and all those who joined the protest deserve our gratitude. This group, by rising to this noble task , started a conversation.

Thankfully , more people are beginning to take up the refrain . We must maximise this moment for collective good .
However, “resume or resign ” should not exhaust the limits of our options , so we do not let Buhari ’ s enablers waste our time by playing cat and mouse . What if Buhari is not in the position to resume for another one year or more because he is physically depreciated, mentally enervated , or too psychologically depleted to be President ?

The constitution does not stipulate how long he can be away from his duty post. The implication is that if the other arms of government do not consider this a bad enough precedent , he can stay out till 2019 while his aides and enablers continue to argue that by fulfilling all constitutional righteousness, he has no further obligations to the country. What if they engage us in such rigmarole for the next two years, only for us to wake up and realise another election period has come and we are unprepared because we spent so much time chin wagging over the ailing President ?

Calling for his resignation has no guaranteed result either . Buhari seems to me like an entitled Messiah ; one who thinks Nigeria owes him the Presidency . He acts like his stay in office – no matter what it costs the nation – is sufficient payoff for the moral capital he brings to the office.

Even if Buhari decides to do the needful, he may still be prevented from taking such decision by members of the political class that surround him. These people , the moochers and the leeches , who have turned the Nigerian Presidency into their privilege will sit by his bedside and narrate tales of how he cannot afford to betray those who love him to eternity by resigning from office.

Then, there is an existing army of followers who see Buhari as a religion. Their zealous defence of him is akin to fundamentalism. One cannot rule out religious and ethnic sentiments from the fire burning in the belly of these folks, but their devotion to him is a cult of personality . They are convinced of their own shrewdness in choosing Buhari and they can hardly be persuaded to put the nation before their small- mindedness.

Those are willing to vote him again and again , no matter how farcical his government becomes by 2019 . One should not underestimate the devotion of his followers otherwise they will handcuff the nation to a dead elephant come 2019.

So, beyond “resume or resign, ” there should , therefore , be a third option : A plan towards a post- Buhari Nigeria. Some of those who are keeping quiet over Buhari's condition have chalked it up to strategic withdrawal. They do not want to be seen as harrying Buhari to death so that his deputy, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, can be ushered into power. While Osinbajo may be better for the health of Nigeria than Buhari, we also should not take it for granted that the man who acts so diffidently around power is the visionary leader Nigeria urgently needs. He may just turn out to be another Dr . Goodluck Jonathan who depended on the myth of “ goodluckism ” to run the engine of his government.

Presently, nobody has an idea how long this present darkness will last and rather than expend all the time on Buhari, we should plan beyond him. Now is the time to seek candidates that will stand in 2019 and direct our zeal towards the fundamental issues that should shape 2019 electioneering before Buhari ’ s devotees take over with their noisomeness. If it happens that come 2019, we find ourselves stuck between the Hobson choice of Buhari and Governor Ayodele Fayose (or any of the jokers in his ilk), that means another four years of ineptitude . Why go through four years of pain when we are not masochists?

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By Ike Uchechukwu


CALABAR— A mother of five, Mrs. Udoaka Sunday, and three others have been arrested by the Cross River State Police Command for sexually abusing her 12-year-old daughter in Calabar.

It was gathered that the woman collects money from various men to sleep with her 12-year-old first daughter.

A neighbour, who spoke anonymously with Vanguard at their Aka Effa residence by Akai Effa Town Hall, confirmed that Udoaka collected money from different men, including a retired 78-year-old soldier, Effiom Okon, and four other persons.


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The suspects arrested along side the girl’s mother.



Her words: “That woman is really insane; she is the biological mother of the girl. How can any sane mother allow men to abuse her daughter because she is poor? There is no excuse for the act apart from insanity.

“She collected N15,000 from old soldier and other petty cash from four other men. Whenever she sends her out to hawk Zobo, Fufu and other items, she also reminds her not to fail to visit old soldier and other clients.

“She has been doing this for long and mostly with elderly men, who are above 50 and mostly those receiving pension, because that is how she ensures that money keeps coming.”

Teacher blows a whistle

Vanguard gathered that the girl reported the matter to her teacher in school, who, after verifying the information, went to a child rights foundation that blew the whistle and had Udoaka arrested.

A Police source told Vanguard that the woman was a “bad case,” adding that she has five children for five different men.

According to the source, “we thank God for the teacher, who the girl reported her plight to before schools vacated. She was the one who reported the case to a foundation that exposed the trade.

“She is currently nursing a baby, and the father of that child has not even visited since her arrest.

That should tell you the kind of person she is; she is a bad person who is insane. No normal human being will allow that old-looking retired soldier to touch her daughter.”

Police

The Cross Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, Irene Ubgo, who confirmed the incident, said three men and a woman have been arrested and that investigation was ongoing.

Ugbo said: “A woman, Udoaka Sunday, and three men, including 78-year-old, Effiom Okon, are now in our custody and investigation is ongoing to get to the root of the matter.”

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Oladimeji Ramon



The Federal Government on Tuesday applied to withdraw the case it instituted against seven commercial banks in the country, which were accused of violating the government ’ s Treasury Single Account policy .

The Federal Government had alleged that the banks connived with some government agencies to illegally hide in their coffers , a total of $ 793,200,000, which was meant to have been transmitted to the TSA account domiciled in the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The concerned banks are United Bank for Africa ; Diamond Bank Plc ; Skye Bank Plc ; First Bank Limited; Fidelity Bank Plc ; Keystone Bank Limited ; and Sterling Bank Plc.

Justice Chuka Obiozor of the Federal High Court in Lagos had on July 20, 2017 granted an interim order in favour of the Federal Government , directing the seven banks to temporarily remit the funds to the TSA.

The court had then adjourned till Tuesday for the banks to appear before him to show cause why the interim order should not be made permanent.

But at the resumed proceedings on Tuesday , counsel for the Federal Government , Prof. Yemi Akinseye- George ( SAN), said he had been instructed by the Attorney General of the Federation to discontinue the case in the overall interest of the public.

“ It is not out of weakness that the Federal Government is withdrawing this case . The banks are corporate citizens and we are interested in the well - being of everybody, ” Akinseye- George said , urging Justice Obiozor to strike out the suit.

But the banks , which claimed that the Federal Government ’ s allegation against them was false and that they had already been unjustly disparaged , urged the judge not to merely strike out the suit but to dismiss it and award N 20m cost against the Federal Government.

They noted that any case struck out could be re - filed while a dismissed case could no longer be re- filed.

Counsel for the banks , including Mr. Seyi Sowemimo (SAN) and Mrs. Abimbola Akeredolu (SAN) , took turn to argue that the proper order that the court ought to make in the circumstances of the case was to dismiss the suit and not strike it out.

Akeredolu, who represented Sterling Bank Plc, argued , just like the rest of the counsel , that the Federal Government decided to withdraw the case having realised that it was filed in error.

“ My Lord should not allow the instrumentation of the law to be used as a vehicle of mischief . And nobody is above the law, even the Federal Government of Nigeria… We are praying the court to make an order for a meagre cost of N 10m against the plaintiffs , ” Akeredolu said.

Counsel for Keystone Bank Limited, Mr . Babatunde Ogungbamila, however, insisted on a cost of N 20m against the Federal Government , saying his client had suffered a substantial damage to its reputation.

“They have destroyed the reputation of our banking industry and they did this recklessly because the fundamental economic underpinning of this country was actually targeted , ” Ogungbamila said.

But the Federal Government ’ s lawyer, Akinseye- George , countered them, arguing that the parties had yet to join issues because the Federal Government had yet to respond to the court processes filed by the banks.

He added that the Federal Government came to court early enough before the maturation of time for the court to listen to arguments on the substantive suit.

Akinseye- George also argued that the banks were not entitled to any cost because they did not file any affidavit to particularise the nature of the damage they claimed to have suffered.

He urged the court to discountenance their arguments and strike out the suit as prayed by the Federal Government , rather than dismiss it.

He said the suit was not being withdrawn because it lacked substance or was baseless but because it was in the overriding interest of the public to withdraw it.

After taking arguments from the parties , Justice Obiozor adjourned till August 9 , 2017 for ruling on whether the case would be struck out or dismissed.

The Federal Government had in the suit alleged that total of $ 367.4m was illegally hidden by three government agencies in UBA, while a sum of $ 41m was illegally kept in a NAPIMS fixed deposit account with Skye Bank.

The court papers stated that $ 277.9m was hidden in Diamond Bank; $ 18.9m in First Bank; $ 24.5m in Fidelity Bank; $17m in Keystone Bank; and $ 46.5m in Sterling Bank.

A lawyer from Akinseye-George ’ s law firm , Vincent Adodo , who deposed to a 15-paragraph affidavit in support of an ex parte application filed by the AGF , stated that seven banks colluded with the Federal Government officials to hide the funds in breach of the government ’ s TSA policy.

The funds, he said, were revenues, donations, transfers, refunds, grants, taxes, fees, dues , tariffs etc accruable to the Federal Government from different ministries, departments, parastals and agencies.

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Oluwatosin Omojuyigbe


The police on Tuesday arraigned a 42- year old driver , Igwe Dike , before a Lagos State Magistrates’ Court in Ikeja , for allegedly beating his wife , Nkiru Egbo , with a plank which left her and their son seriously injured.

Dike was arraigned on two counts of assault and causing of grievous bodily harm, which he pleaded not guilty to.

According to the police prosecutor , Inspector Simon Imhowa , the incident happened on July 30, 2017 , at the couple ’ s residence on Ferry Street, Mile 2 , Lagos.

Imhowa noted that the offence was contrary to and punishable under sections 170 and 171 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

According to the charge sheet , Dike assaulted his 35- year - old wife by beating her with the plank.

He was alleged to have chased her with a cutlass and in the process , their nine - month- old son, whom she was backing , fell into a fire, which burnt his face and right arm.

Dike told the police that he got married to Egbo in 2006 and the marriage was blessed with three children.

He noted that they lived happily until he lost his job in 2016.

He said , “On the day of the incident , at about 12. 30am, I came back to meet another man making love to my wife inside a vehicle.

“ I immediately picked up a stick , opened the door of the vehicle and hit the man on the head with it.

“ My wife took the stick from me and while we were dragging it , the man escaped.
“ I later overpowered her and beat her mercilessly with the stick.

“ She immediately ran towards where our baby was laid and picked him up. When she tried to run away with the baby, she fell and the baby fell into the fire . ”

Dike added that his wife reported to the police which led to his arrest.

The presiding Magistrate , B . O . Osusanmi, granted him bail in the sum of N 100 , 000 with one responsible surety in like sum , adding that evidence of tax payment and address of the surety must be verified .
The matter was adjourned till August 29 for trial.

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A man who gave his neighbours his ATM card and its PIN has accused them of theft and breach of trust.

The neighbours — 36- year - old Smart Iwu and his wife 25-year - old wife, Abigail, both of Rugan Maishayi Mararaba — had approached one Chris Okoro of the same address, pleading with him to lend them N10,000 to buy drugs for their sick baby.

Okoro said he gave them his ATM card and its security PIN to enable the couple make the withdrawal.

Trouble however came, a court was told, when Iwu and his wife conspired and withdrew N30,000, instead of the N10,000 they had asked to be loaned.

They also refused to return Okoro ’ s ATM card , it was alleged.

Consequently, Okoro reported the matter at the Aso Police Station , Nasarawa State, on August 4.

On Tuesday, Iwu and his wife were arraigned in a Mararaba Grade 1 Area Court, Aso Pada, for alleged conspiracy and cheating.

The defendants were arraigned on a three- count charge of conspiracy, breach of trust and cheating.

They both pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charges.

The Prosecutor, Mr. Agabi Auta, told the court that during police investigation, the defendants made confessional statements and the ATM card was recovered from them.

Auta said the offences contravened sections 97, 312 and 322 of the Penal Code , which attracts five - year jail term with fine or both on conviction.

The judge, Mr . Albert Maga, however, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N100,000 each, with one surety each in like sum.

He adjourned the matter till August 22 for further hearing. (NAN )

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Muhammad Sabiu and Dare Adekanmbi



NORTHERN political establishment appears split over who it should back as presidential candidate for 2019 from among those jostling for the highest job from the area.

While the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has zoned its presidential ticket to the North, the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) is expected to do same.

Findings by Sunday Tribune revealed that the North was divided into three camps along the lines of three of its leading presidential hopefuls.

These are President Muhammadu Buhari, who is said to enjoy the right of first refusal as incumbent, former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, a former governor of Kano State and serving Senator, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Among these frontrunners, Atiku is said to have oiled his political machinery, consulting and setting up offices nationwide.

His pet project called the Atiku Care Foundation (ACF), though a not-for-profit organisation ministering to the needs of the common people, is said to be essentially a grass-root mobilisation body.

A member of the Kaduna State chapter of ACF, who spoke to Sunday Tribune on condition of anonymity, claimed that two former military heads of state, Generals Ibrahim Babandiga and Abdulsalam Abubakar, are backing Atiku for 2019.

He added that Atiku’s ‘endorsement’ was sealed recently within the context that he has the capacity to lead the country with his enormous experience as a former number two man.

It was also gathered that a clique of the northern establishment favours the emergence of Kwankwaso, who came second to Buhari during the APC presidential primaries.

His winning more votes than Atiku in the primary election formed the basis of some northern establishment to throw their weight behind his emergence.

Added to this consideration is his experience as a politician who has seen it all in the executive and legislative arms of government as an ex-governor, ex-minister and now a serving Senator.

“Having served as a governor, Minister of Defence and now a Senator, he has garnered for himself the clout to be Buhari’s successor in case the president is no longer interested,” said an associate of Kwankwaso.

A former president, Sunday Tribune learnt, is said to be backing Kwankwaso on the perception that the former governor would be better placed to continue the agenda already set Buhari.

But the recent news that President Buhari might arrive the country any moment from now has cast a lull on the rat race to succeed him in certain quarters in the North.

Ovie Okpare, Warri


The House Representatives on Monday said it would invite Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu , to explain why the four refineries that were recently refurbished for operation are not currently producing six months after they became operational.

Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream ), Mr. Joseph Akinlaja, stated this on Monday when members of the committee visited Matrix Energy Limited tank farm in Warri , Delta State, as part of inquiries into high prices and influx of adulterated kerosene leading to explosions in the country.

Akinlaja, who said the House was deeply concerned about high cost of kerosene in the market as well as incessant explosion due to adulteration, said they were visiting major industry players in the country to ascertain how the situation could be resolved.

He said the situation where Nigeria almost relies on imported petroleum products despite only recently upgrading the four refineries in the country was a national embarrassment.

He urged Nigerians to join hands to ensure that things in the country start working for the general good of the people.

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Posted By: Kolade Adeyemi, Kano



The 10-man Committee of the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) and Igbo Leaders in the North set up to find lasting solution to the quit notice issued to Igbos in the North by Arewa Youths appeared to have more responsibilities than envisaged as it has extended its sitting to the next 10-days.

However, beyond expectations that the Committee would have come up with a stand to call off the quit notice order
Monday, The Nation gathered from impeccable sources within the Committee that there are more that meets the eye.

According to a source, “we sat for more than three times and we find out that there are more issues on ground that should be extensively deliberated upon if we really want to find a lasting solution that will settle the dust already raised.”

The Nation recalled that after a crucial peace-parley of the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) and Igbo leaders in the North last week, a 10-man Committee was set up to further find better ways of resolving the contentious issue.

However, after three days of brainstorming, the joint committee with five representatives from each side adjourned sitting to the next 10 days to make way for wider consultations.

According to a Press Statement issued by the 10-man Committee and made available to The Nation in Kano Monday, there was need for more time so as to enable the committee do a thorough job.

The statement was signed by Chief Chi Nwogu (representative of Igbo leaders), Alhaji Dauda S. Shamakiri (representative of the Coalition of Northern Groups) and Comrade Isa Tijani (convener of the peace parley).

It reads: “Reference to the peace meeting held on the 4th August, 2017 by leaders of the Coalition of Northern Groups and Igbo Leaders in the 19 northern states and the FCT which resulted in the formation of a 10-man committee to find a solution to the quit notice issued.

“The Committee sat and deliberated extensively and agreed that there is need for further consultations from both sides.
“Accordingly, the meeting adjourned to reconvene in the next ten days where a final resolution on issues will be achieved.”

Meanwhile, the Coalition of Northern Groups in a Press Statement issued after their Town Hall meeting in Kano, accused the leader of IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu of sowing the seed of discord in the corporate existence of Nigeria as a country.

According to the statement, “his (Nnamdi Kanu) recent action of forcefully grounding movement of people including those from other regions by shutting down most South-East cities notwithstanding the mild and ineffective condemnation by some Igbo political, cultural and religious leaders has foreclosed the avenues for an expected early peaceful resolution.

“It is further justification of our concern expressed in the Kaduna Declaration and subsequent correspondences with the Acting President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the International Community.

“These renewed threats contained in Kanu’s unwarranted utterances and actions compel us to push further for definite national and international action that would decide the Biafran matter to conclusion once and for all.

“In our usual truly patriotic aim to forestall the drift toward anarchy in Nigeria, and also to alert the international community as to where responsibility would ultimately lie if such momentous events ever came to pass, we have followed up our earlier effort by another round of initiatives of extending similar communications to relevant authorities.”

They added that, “accordingly, we have met with many leaders and groups with positive developments while our doors remain open for discussions with more groups, leaders and agencies genuinely interested in addressing the separatist issues with a view to finally achieving a peaceful and stable Nigeria.”

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Months have passed since the Niger Delta Avengers have launched an attack on Nigeria ’ s oil pipelines, yet leaders in the region are warning trouble is brewing in the southern swamplands.

A charm offensive led by Nigeria ’ s acting president Yemi Osinbajo has kept the uprising at bay, with renewed amnesty payments buying calm in the creeks , helping boost production to around 1.7million barrels per day (bpd) from a low of 1.4million bpd in August last year.

But now those in the Niger delta say the fragile peace is under strain as the Nigerian government takes time to carry out reforms ranging from the construction of a maritime university to cleaning up oil spills.

“ The boys are impatient and they have been disturbing me with a series of telephone calls and messages , with some of them even giving notices to disown us , ” Niger delta leader Edwin Clark , who has been negotiating with the Nigerian government , told AFP .

As frustration has grown , Niger delta leaders have threatened to quit the talks , a new militant group announced it will attack pipelines and oil thieves are syphoning off crude in sabotage that is dragging down production , albeit not as dramatically as bombings.

“ Government announced in March there will be $ 10 billion of investment in the Niger Delta , but of course money is tight and it will be a while before people notice any investment , so there is bound to be pressure, ” said Gail Anderson , lead Nigeria analyst at energy consulting firm Wood Mackenzie.

“ As long as money keeps flowing then the militants will stay quiet. If the money stops flowing then things could flare up again . ”
The pressure comes at a time Nigeria desperately needs oil revenue to keep its battered economy running.

Central bank governor Godwin Emefiele described Nigeria ’ s recovery from its worst recession in over two decades as “fragile ”, warning the country “could relapse in a more protracted recession ” if the right policies aren ’ t put in place.

Minimising output disruptions in the Niger delta is key to growth in Nigeria, which relies on oil revenues for infrastructure investments to diversify the economy, Udoma said , explaining that “ you have to use what you have to get what you want. ”

– New threats –

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) , a group of regional stakeholders , had issued a November 1 ultimatum, saying if its demands aren't met it will pull out of peace talks with government.

But the ultimatum was withdrawn after the group met with government representatives led by Osinbajo on Thursday.

“ No more ultimatum . We agreed on many things, ” Clark told reporters.

“ We are satisfied. We have agreed to work together…” he said.

The presidency said in a statement that long - standing grievances were being addressed, including the opening of the maritime university by next year and approval of two modular refineries for each of the states in the region.

The annual budget for ex -rebels was doubled while funds have also been approved for the clean - up of devastated Ogoniland.

Yet others are calling for an immediate end to the negotiations and a return to violence.
On Sunday, a new militant group called the Niger Delta Revolutionary Crusaders announced they would begin fresh attacks on September 31, saying that Clark and PANDEF are failing the region.

“ Our grievance with government is that after the consolatory statement of the government by Professor Osinbajo, nothing is on ground to show sincerity by government , ” the Crusaders spokesman said in a statement.

There have been a rising number of attacks on soldiers patrolling the creeks, a violent reminder of simmering tension in the oil rich but poverty -stricken south.

From April to July , five marine policemen and seven soldiers spread across the Niger delta have been killed during attacks, while at least 15 have been injured.

– Stolen crude –

The militants may have stopped their blockbuster bombings but analysts point to a recent increase in crude theft as a concerning development.

“They don’t have the support of communities anymore, so you can ’ t carry out the militant attacks, you can ’ t bomb pipelines. So the only option is to steal and we ’ re seeing a resurgence of that, ” said Ecobank oil analyst Dolapo Oni.

“ We’ re just going to see more of the oil thieves trying to break into the pipelines . ”

Last week , Shell shut its Trans Niger pipeline because of a “ leak” — the preferred euphemism in Nigeria for theft.

But for the cash- strapped Nigerian government , this smaller kind of sabotage is the lesser of two evils , said Oni.

“ We’ re relatively ok, ” he said , “ there is still no threat of any major disruptions. ”
AFP

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John Ameh


More than one week after commencing their annual vacation, many members of the House of Representatives have been unable to travel out of Abuja, SUNDAY PUNCH has learnt.

Investigations revealed that the delay in the payment of their salaries and other allowances was responsible for the cash crunch facing the legislators.

Findings by our correspondent indicated that after waiting for bank alerts in the last one week, many members had besieged their banks to find out what the problem was but their accounts officers reportedly told them that no money had been paid into their accounts.

It was gathered that the July salary of the legislators had yet to be paid as of Friday.

A member of the House of Representatives receives between N690,000 and N1.1m monthly.

They also receive a quarterly allocation of between N 27.9m and N 33m.

But a drop in flow of funds to the legislature in recent months forced the bureaucracy to reduce the lawmakers ’ monthly package.

The disappointed lawmakers was said to have blamed the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation for the non - release of funds budgeted for the National Assembly.

As a result, SUNDAY PUNCH learnt that the legislators had no immediate plans of travelling to their constituencies, where they would be faced with financial demands from their people.

A lawmaker, who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “ As we speak , nobody has been paid July salary. It seems to be the normal thing these days not to pay lawmakers on time.

“ Several meetings have been held with the leadership of the House on how to resolve the problem , but all that you hear is no money . Members have asked how other arms of government get funding to run their own operations and pay salaries promptly.

However , sources at the finance ministry claimed that the country was facing some challenges which had affected the flow of cash.

“ The truth is that there is a general drop in cash flow and efforts are being made to stabilise the system , ” the source said.

A Peoples Democratic Party lawmaker from Edo State , Johnson Agbonayinma, confirmed to SUNDAY PUNCH that members were owed salaries.

Although he admitted that the delay in payment of their salary was a “major problem ” workers in several agencies of government faced , Agbonayinma argued that the case of the National Assembly appeared to be deliberate.

He said , “I don’ t know what else to say. We are suffering . Nigerians are suffering . The National Assembly is treated with levity ; they don’t take our case seriously.

“The people in the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank tell us the same story every day. That is why I have been praying that President Muhammadu Buhari should get well quickly and return home . ”

An All Progressives Congress lawmaker from Kano State , Bashir Baballe , also confirmed to SUNDAY PUNCH that members were facing “financial difficulties.

Baballe said , “ I am here in Abuja . We are still waiting for our salary. Travelling is not the issue now . ”

When contacted , the Chairman , House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Abdulrazak Namdas , said the salary issue was not handled at the level of the Committee on House Services but by the bureaucracy of the National Assembly.

However , the bureaucracy blamed the development on “poor budgetary releases" by the finance ministry.

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CYRIACUS IZUEKWE


A husband and wife seem to be competing who will outdo each other in adultery after the husband sent her wife away and went after a mother of eight children and started living with her as his wife.

In retaliation the embattled wife went after a man who had five wives (name withheld) and joined him as the 6th wife.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that the duo were said to be living in agony but do not know how to reconcile and come back together because of their alleged commitment in their past and latest relationships.

P.M.EXPRESS learnt that the husband simply identified as Engineer Ojo married his wife, Tayo 14 years ago and they had three children before their relationship collapsed.

It was gathered that Engr. Ojo rented out an apartment in his house at Shasha area of Lagos to one Chioma, a mother of eight children and a single parent.

However, Ojo’s wife, Tayo joined politics and was busy going for political meetings without caring for her husband and their three children.

Chioma who was said to have had bitter experience with her estranged husband used the opportunity and consolidated her love advances to Engr. Ojo, they became lovers and started living as husband and wife.

When Tayo eventually realised what happened, it was too late as her husband was said to be in deep love with Chioma and her children.

When Tayo wanted to fight to win her husband back, it was gathered that Chioma battered her in the presence of Ojo and sent her away from her matrimonial home.

Tayo was then sent away with her three children without her husband’s care.

The matter was reported to the police at Area M Command, Idimu and Chioma was arrested and charged before Ejigbo Magistrates court for the alleged assault.
Chioma was granted bail, Engr. Ojo made sure she met her bail condition and she was released from prison custody.

Since then, they have been living together as husband and wife.

Tayo was then said to have moved over to her new lover – a man who had five wives at Idimu to console herself.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that the embattled couple refused to go to court to seek for the dissolution of their marriage because of the uncertain nature of their present relationships.

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Posted By: Yusuf ALLI, Managing Editor, Northern Operation; Victor OLUWASEGUN and Dele ANOFI


There were strong indications last night that the Department of State Services (DSS) was planning to invite three ex-ministers and some prominent Nigerians for questioning, following their announcement by a secessionist organisation, Biafra Zionist Federation (BZF) as cabinet members.

The Federal Government was shocked that none of the people the pro-Biafra group appointed as ministers had reacted more than 72 hours after their names were announced.

The BZF had on Monday announced the formation of an interim government for the Republic of Biafra, with one Barrister Benjamin Onwuka as the President.

Some of the people listed as ministers at a press conference the group held in Enugu include former Minister of Power, Prof Barth Nnaji; former Minister of Information Prof Jerry Gana and another former Information Minister, Labaran Maku.

The pro-Biafra organisation also named other key cabinet members to include Prof. Pat Utomi as Foreign Affairs Minister; Prof. Chukwuma Soludo as governor of the Central Bank of Biafra (CBB); Mrs. Aruma Oteh as Minister of Finance and a former Personal Secretary to the late former Biafran leader Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu as Minister of Petroleum.

Other appointees are ace broadcaster, Amarachi Ubani as Minister of Information; Ohanaeze President, Chief Nnia Nwodo as Ambassador to the US; Gana as Minister of Transport; Maku as Aviation Minister; a lecturer at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Mrs. Mary Okafor as Minister of Trade and Industry; Benny Lar as Secretary to the Government of the Republic; Gabriel Oluwole Osagie as Minister of Education; Nnaji as Minister of Energy and Philip Effiong Jnr. As Minister of Health.

The Nation investigation revealed that the Federal Government was disturbed that none of those named as cabinet members has disowned the secessionist movement more than 72 hours after.

A top intelligence source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent in Abuja, said: “Respected citizens such as these should not in any way be associated with acts of treason. Assuming that it was inadvertently or mischievously done, they have a duty to themselves and the nation to renounce such association.

“In this particular instance, we are worried about the deafening silence on the part of these respected citizens. What do they lose by renouncing their listing by the secessionists?”

He, however, said the DSS would wait for a “respectable period” before moving against any of them.

The source said: “If the silence persists, we reserve the right to read meaning into it, and that could lead to the law taking its course.”

Findings made at press time revealed that the activities of BZF had been placed under surveillance.

“We will not condone any act of treason anymore in this country. We have had enough of secessionist agitations under any guise.

“The BZF is under investigation and surveillance by the DSS and other intelligence agencies,” another source added.

Some of the affected people contacted last night reacted in different ways.

Maku said: “Somebody called that I have been appointed a minister of Biafra. How can somebody associate me with a micro in Nigeria? What does that tell you?
“It means there is confusion and desperation among the youths. You need to bring the youths together and reassure them that they have a future.”

A media adviser, Mr. Ike Abonyi, who spoke on behalf of the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, said: “The President of Ohanaeze is presently engrossed in tackling challenges facing Ndigbo. He will not be involved in every issue. He will not give credence to any group.

Disowning the BZF, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Science and Technology, Hon. Beni Lar, said: “It has come to my notice that several media outlets published my name as being part of a Biafran declaration, to include me as a cabinet member. I dissociate myself with any such move or movement.

“As a true democrat, I have repeatedly granted interviews on the need for Nigeria to remain one, indivisible country. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Asked to react to his inclusion in the cabinet of the Republic of Biafra, Prof. Gana, who said he was in transit, said: “I am on my way back, I will talk to you later. I will call you back.

Efforts to speak with Utomi was unsuccessful as calls and text message to his mobile number were neither answered nor replied.

The Police in Delta have arrested a commercial sex worker who allegedly stabbed her client to death during an argument at Destar Hotel, Asaba, Delta, on July 18.

The Spokesman of the Police Command in the state, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, said on Friday in Asaba that the police responded to a distress call from the hotel after the incident.

“The suspect is currently in police custody.

“ A day after the incident, the “C Division’’ in Asaba carried out preliminary investigation on the case and transferred it to Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department.

“ As I speak to you, homicide detectives have commenced full investigation into the case with a view to unravelling what actually transpired between the suspect and the victim to establish culpability.”

The hotel has now been deserted, and attempt to speak with its manager was unsuccessful as he was said to have travelled out of Asaba.

However , a bar attendant , who preferred anonymity , said the incident had thrown “the stakeholders” into a mourning mood.

“The sad incident started like a normal argument inside the hotel room, and before we realised it, a man was down with a fatal stab.

“The incident happened at about 10.45p.m. , so nobody could actually say what led to the fracas.

One of the few sex workers in the hotel who also spoke anonymously, described the incident as horrible and unfortunate, saying it had brought “ our business to a standstill’’.

“However, I will like to use this opportunity to advise our clients to always respect themselves when they come here.

“Many of the clients do invite trouble to themselves. I rest my case, ” she said.

The victim was a married man with four children.
(NAN )

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