₦airaland Forum

Ex-president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has advised some religious leaders to stop praying for criminals who acquired their wealth through Illegal means.

OBJ said that if Nigerians stop celebrating crooks who enrich themselves from the commonwealth, corruption will disappear. Speaking at the 2017 Foundation day public lecture, titled: “Corruption and the Challenges of the African Child,” to mark the 14th anniversary of Dorcas Oke Hope Alive Initiative (DOHAL), in Ibadan, Obasanjo said;

"This is where our religious leaders have to discriminate in favour of teaching of the scriptures and our cultural values. They anoint criminals for their ill-gotten wealth and demonise the poor. We must show our young people that there is dignity in labour and reward in transparency and integrity. Perhaps, this is one area where organisations like DOHAL must continue to invest.

When I was elected President in 1999, my administration took the issue of corruption very seriously and we established Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), as well as Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), among other anti-corruption initiatives.

These institutions were provided the political support needed to fight corruption and they did their best.But once we left office, they became very politicised and weakened to the point that they were unable to discharge their duties. In fact, one of the governors, who had been labelled and gone to jail for corruption, was to look for replacement for Nuhu Ribadu (the pioneering chairman of EFCC), and you know the type of replacement he would get.

There is need to support and strengthen these institutions, especially in the area of prosecution. The law enforcement agencies or the government alone cannot fight corruption. They must be supported by a judiciary that is upright and transparent. "

https://politicsngr.com/2017/10/29/stop-praising-criminals-obasanjo-warns-religious-leaders/

Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs service, Col. Hameed Ali has revealed that half of President Muhammadu Buhari's government is controlled by members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).

Ali said this on Friday at the commissioning of the new office complex of the Buhari support Organization(BSO) in Abuja. Ali also warned that the government has not been moving forward because of those 'calling the shots' are not in support of the president's vision.

Ali said; "We must agree that we cannot finish our four years without delivering and leaving something to be remembered for in this country for a long time to come. We have no problem with our President because he is on course.

But I must confess here that we have been infused by people who were not part of this journey and these people are the ones that calls the shots today. That is why we are derailing. If we had the right people who had the vision and have been there in and out, I believe that we will not be going the way we are going today.

It is my belief that those of us who have been in the trenches all these years to get good governance will surely be sleeping with belly ache every day, especially in the recent past. Every day, when you wake up, there is a story that makes you shiver.

We cannot, as a people who have fought and committed everything we had to bring this government to sit back and allow things to happen the way they are happening. At the end of the day, the fingers will point at us because we were the ones who went to people and asked them to give us their votes.

These people that are calling the shots today were not there and when the chips are down, they will disappear and melt within the system. We are the ones that will be asked to account for what happened.

Are we willing to face Nigerians and tell them that we have failed? I think this is the time for us to come together, create a system that is very robust enough to fight back and take back government in our hands and ensure that we deliver.

We believe that if you want to change the system, it will happen. Let me say that in the course of the jihad of the Prophet Mohammad, anytime they go out for a battle, they come back with loot, but these loot as far as my own research told me is not distribute to everybody, but to those who took the sword and faced the enemies.

Today, with all sense of responsibility, I want to say that we have 50 percent of PDP in our government. How can we move forward with this load? How can we achieve our target with this load? It is a spoilt system and so. When you come in, you shake off everybody and bring in your own. That is what democracy is all about.

Today, we have members of PDP calling the shots. That is what we will begin to fight for, we will fight for our right position, our vision and our mission for this government. I am sorry to deviate into politics, but it is very essential because we are a political Organisation. It is time for us to wake up from slumber and chat a course for this great nation and I believe that we can do it. May God help u and see us through."

PoliticsNGR has obtained photographs from the event, see  them below;
https://politicsngr.com/2017/10/27/pdp-controls-50-buharis-government-customs-boss-ali/
cc: lalasticlala, mynd44

Governor of Ekiti state, Mr Ayodele Fayose has described the President Muhammadu Buhari led government as one that is rotten and covered with scandalous corruption, saying; “within the last one month, Nigerians have been confronted with messy revelations that gave credence to my earlier position that President Buhari is the life patron of corruption in Nigeria.”

The governor, who also alleged that there was a grand plot to release another set of Chibok Girls as another means of shifting the attention of Nigerians from the various scandals rocking the government, added that the claimed recovery of $85 million as part of funds allegedly looted from the Malabu oil deal and conclusion of negotiation with Switzerland on the return of $321 million recovered from the late Abacha family are diversionary.”

According to a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, PoliticsNGR learnt that Governor Fayose, while addressing journalists in Ado Ekiti on Friday, asked; “when was this $85 million recovered? Has the money been paid into the Federation Account? Didn’t Buhari claim that Abacha did not steal a penny? They are just trying to divert the attention of Nigerians as they have always done.”

He said; “While the President Muhammadu Buhari led government is still being confronted with the MainaGate’s global shame, the Senator representing the Bauchi Central Senatorial District, Isa Misau, yesterday, came with yet another bombshell that the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, gave two Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) to the wife of the President, Aisha Buhari.

“Even though the police has said the vehicles in question were meant for the police personnel in the convoy of wife of the president, Nigerians will like to see records of such vehicles provided for the security personnel of previous First Ladies. Most importantly, what happened to the promise made by the President not to operate the Office of the First Lady?

“In the last one month, Nigerians have been confronted with messy revelations like the fraudulent reinstatement of Abdullahi Maina, who was declared wanted for corrupt practices by the International Police Organisation, (INTERPOL) after he was dismissed from office by the Civil Service Commission in 2013 for allegedly committing N2.1 Billion pension fraud while in office.

“Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Ibe Kachikwu’s allegation of award of $25 billion contracts without following due process against the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC); Dr. Maikanti Baru.

“Reinstatement of the former Chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Lamorde, who was accused of corruption by the Senate, removed from office unceremoniously and declared wanted, as the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Ikoyi, Lagos.

“Appointment of Ahmed Gambo Saleh; the Supreme Court Registrar, who was indicted and put on trial for alleged over N2 billion fraud, as the Secretary of the National Judicial Council (NJC) and Secretary of the Corruption and Financial Crime Cases Trial Monitoring Committee, headship of which has now been rejected by Retired Justice Isa Ayo Salami.

“Today, the President’s claim to integrity is under serious question, with his men dancing naked in the market square and there is no hope that their unclothedness can be covered any longer.”

Speaking further, the governor said; “While I await yet another scandal in what has become a government of one week, one scandal, I ask our President what has happened to the report of the committee that investigated the $43 million discovered in an apartment at Osbourne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos?

“What has happened to the allegation of award of $25 billion contracts without following due process made against Dr. Maikanti Baru by Dr Ibe Kachikwu?

“What happened to the DSS indictment for corruption of the Acting Chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Magu and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) Investigative Panel set up by the President?

“Who is the owner of that shop the LEGICO Shopping Plaza, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos inside which the EFCC claimed that it found N448.8 million cash?

“Who brought the five sacks in which the EFCC claimed that it found N49 million cash to the Kaduna Airport?

“What happened to the probe panel on the alleged N500million bribery said to have been paid to the Chief of Staff (COS), Abba Kyari by officials of South African owned MTN Telecommunications Company with the intent that the COS influence government to discontinue its heavy stance on the $5billion fine imposed on the company?

“Most importantly, the President directed the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, to submit a report on the circumstances surrounding Maina’s reinstatement to his Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, before the close of work on Tuesday, today is Friday, what has happened to the report?

“Is the President going to use APC broom to sweep the report on Maina’s fraudulent reinstatement under the carpet just as he did to others before it?

“One can go on and on, but the painful reality is that Buhari’s government is not only corrupt, the government itself is corruption!

“As posited by APC Senator, Shehu Sani, ‘when it comes to fighting corruption in the National Assembly and the Judiciary and in the larger Nigerian sectors, the President uses insecticide, but when it comes to fighting corruption within the Presidency, they use deodorants.’

“In other words, perfume is being sprayed on corruption when it affects Buhari’s men while insecticide sprayed on corruption when it involves perceived political opponents of the President.

“Like I have maintained, President Buhari is not fighting any corruption. He is indeed the Life Patron of Corruption in Nigeria, who is hiding under anti-corruption fight to harass his perceived political foes. However, like every affliction of the Israelites, all these too shall pass and Nigeria shall be free from this Buhari’s government and its odour of corruption in 2019.”Fayose: Buhari’s govt. rotten, covered with scandalous corruption, alleges plot to release fresh “Chibok Girls”.

https://politicsngr.com/2017/10/27/buharis-govt-rotten-fayose-says-fg-plans-release-fresh-chibok-girls/

Below is a press release made avaulable to PoliticsNGR;

PARADE OF SUSPECTED VICIOUS AND NOTORIOUS KIDNAP FOR RANSOM, MURDER AND ARMED ROBBERY GANGS TERRORISING INNOCENT TRAVELLERS ON ABUJA – KADUNA HIGHWAY AND KANO – JIGAWA – KADUNA STATES, BY CSP JIMOH MOSHOOD FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, AT RIJANNA, ABUJA- KADUNA HIGHWAY 0N 27TH OCTOBER, 2017.

Consequent on the strengthening of Operation Absolute Sanity with additional personnel and Modern Crime Detection and Fighting Equipment by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris NPM, mni on Abuja - Kaduna Highway with effect from 14th of September, 2017 to proactively tackle and deal with the new emerging gangs of Kidnappers on Abuja – Kaduna Highway who from actionable intelligence gathered usually move in from other States in the North East such as Katsina, Sokoto and Kebbi to Kaduna – Abuja Highway and kidnap innocent travellers and after collection of ransoms move back to those States earlier mentioned. The new strategies implemented by the personnel of Operation Absolute Sanity yielded positive results in the arrest of the above-mentioned suspects.

CASE I: ARREST OF SUSPECTS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MURDER OF BARR SHERIFF YAZID AND THE KIDNAP FOR RANSOM OF HIS WIFE

SUSPECTS:
1. Adamu Tukur aka Ado ‘M’ 25 years
2. Ahmadu Bala aka Basso 'M' 30yrs Native of Rijana village
3. Bello Sule aka Yellow Kachalla 'M' 29yrs Native of Pambeguwa in Kaduna
4. Hamza Sulaiman 'M' aka Katsinawa 29yrs Native of Sabon Gayan
5. Sulaiman Abubakar 'M' 25yrs, Adamu Tukur aka Ado 'M' 25yrs Native of Giwa LGA who Negotiated and Collected the Ransom
6. Nuhu Ahmadu 'M' 30yrs Native of Sabon Gayan Abuja-Kaduna Expressway is the gang member who Carries Victims into the Bush with his Motorcycle and also comes to town and buys foodstuff for his gang members.
EXHIBITS:
i. 1 AK47 Rifle
ii. The motorcycle used for the Kidnap attack
iii. Cutlasses
iv. Sticks
v. Charms
vi. Thirty (30) Rounds of AK47 Ammunition

2. On 21/10/2017, after a sustained surveillance and manhunt of kidnappers terrorising the Abuja – Kaduna Highway who were responsible for the killing of a renowned Lawyer and kidnap of his wife after collection of ransom. The Special Intelligence Response Team led by this operation with other Police detachments of Operation Absolute Sanity deployed on Abuja/Kaduna Highway. Six (6) vicious and notorious suspected kidnappers were trailed and arrested in their hideouts and camps located around toll gates, Kakau, Sabon gayan and Rijana axis on Abuja - Kaduna Highway where they were hiding.
All the suspects mentioned in this case were identified by the wife of the slain lawyer, Barr. Sheriff Yazid, she was also kidnapped by the same gang and freed after collection of ransom. An investigation is being intensified to arrest other suspects at large. All suspects will be arraigned in Court on completion of the investigation.

CASE II: ARMED ROBBERY/KIDNAP FOR RANSOM
SUSPECTS:
1. Aliyu Suleiman ‘30yrs’ – Gang Leader
2. Nahuru Abubakar 30yrs
3. Muazu Lawal ‘32yrs’
4. Halilu Garba ‘32yrs’
5. Bello Yusuf 23yrs
6. Rufai Haruna ‘30yrs’
7. Abubakar Haruna ‘35yrs’
8. Mohammed Yahaya 20yrs.
9. Rashidu Husseini ‘22yrs’
EXHIBITS RECOVERED:
i. AK47 Rifles
ii. Pump Action Gun
iii. Toyota Hummer Bus ( Operational Vehicle of kidnappers)
iv. Pairs of Military Uniforms
v. Cutlasses
vi. Twenty (20) Rounds of AK47 Ammunition

3. Further to Case 1 above, another vicious and notorious Kidnap for Ransom gang were dislodged and busted on 25/10/17 by the Special Intelligence Response Team attached to Operation Absolute Sanity arrested the Nine (9) notorious suspected Kidnappers after they carried out several kidnapping on Abuja – Kaduna highway and returned to Jigawa State. The exhibits listed above were recovered from their possession including their operational vehicle, a Toyota Hummer Bus they used to move from Kaduna-Kano Expressway to Kaduna – Abuja and back to Jigawa State. All the mentioned Suspects confessed to several kidnappings and armed robberies along Abuja – Kaduna to Kano Express Way. An investigation is being intensified to arrest the remaining suspects at large.

4. I wish to assure Nigerians that the Inspector-General of Police has directed the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) in zones and commands across the country to beef up security in their Area of Responsibilities (AOR) and ensure massive deployment of Armed Police Personnel, Patrol Teams and undercover operatives to black spots, flashpoints and other vulnerable criminal spots to nip in the bud all forms of crimes and criminality nationwide and make sure that detection of crimes are prompt to serve as effective deterrent to who-will-be criminals. The ongoing raids on criminal hideouts will be sustained throughout the country.

5. The Inspector General of Police wishes to extend sincere appreciations and gratitude to the people in the communities, towns and villages along Abuja – Kaduna highway for the supports and assistance being rendered in terms of prompt information and complaints to the Police Personnel deployed in their localities.
The renewed commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to reduce crimes and criminalities in the country to the barest remains unequivocal and unwavering.

https://politicsngr.com/2017/10/27/police-capture-kidnap-gang-responsible-killing-popular-lawyer-abuja-photos/

The Lagos state commissioner of health, Dr. Jide Idris has given reasons why most women in the state have sex before 18 years.

Idris identified poor access to knowledge about sexual health as one of the major reasons. He lamented that no fewer than 24 women in Lagos has had their first sex as adolescents.

He made these statements on Thursday while delivering a lecture at the Inspiration FM’s (92.3) Inaugural Lecture and Award Ceremony in Victoria Island.

He said, "Nationally, the figures are about 51 percent. This implies that in Lagos, one out of every four women would have been exposed to sex before 18 years, while the national average for Nigeria is one out of two women.

With an average age of first birth at 20 years, about 22.5 percent of pregnancies are by teenagers in Nigeria. More worrying, however, is that reports show that as of this year, about 40 percent of women in the South-West have experienced physical violence since age 15. Sexual violence cannot be excluded from the statistics.

In other words, in a nation where more than 60 percent of its population are young people and significant numbers of these young people are exposed to sexual intercourse at an early age, either voluntarily or violently, a lot of problems emerge. Such problems are associated with sexually-transmitted infections, childhood pregnancy, trauma and its accompanying physical and mental health implications.

This means that there must be access to knowledge about sexual health and systems that modify behaviour, as well as, access to services that prevent and manage them."
https://politicsngr.com/2017/10/27/reasons-women-sex-18-lagos-commissioner/
cc: lalasticlala, mynd44

The ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) has denied reports that its National convention has been postponed to the early quarter of 2018.

In a statement made available to PoliticsNGR, signed by the national publicity secretary of the party, Bolaji Abdullahi disclosed that there was no truth to the reports. The statement read;

"The All Progressives Congress (APC) wishes to refute reports in a section of the press that the Party has postponed its mini national convention to 2018.

There is no truth in the said reports which quoted me as saying that the convention will now hold in the first quarter of next year.

In the interview I granted to a few journalists in my office, what I said was that the date of the convention can only be determined by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Party which will meet on the 31st of this month. At no time, did I make the statement which the journalists attributed to me to validate the purported postponement of the convention.

By this statement, the general public should please take note that reports of postponement of the APC’s mini-convention are false, as the NEC of our party has not made any such decision."

https://politicsngr.com/2017/10/26/breaking-apc-denies-postponing-national-convention/

Elder statesman and former governor of Old Kaduna state, Lawal Kaita has stated that Nigeria does not need any form of restructuring.

Kaita disagrees with the position of the southern part of the country that Nigeria should be restructured. Speaking to Sun, he said;

"My own position is that Nigeria does not need any restructuring. I do not think Nigeria needs any restructuring."

"Tinkering with the constitution is not restructuring. It may be part of it, but you do not have to restructure Nigeria. And I ask you what is restructuring. If you say restructuring, what do you mean?"

When asked if he agreed that those against the calls for restructuring do because they benefit from the existing structure, he said;

"No, how can I agree with that? What other benefits does the North get from the present structure that others are not getting? As far as I am concerned, the North is not benefitting anything. What is the North gaining?"

Speaking on the marginalization of Igbos he said;

"The worst and troubling challenge that we have faced so far since independence was the Nigerian- Biafran civil war, which we fought with our blood and we crushed it. We are now 57 and we are facing a smaller challenge from the same people, the Igbo again. We have faced so many apparent change of governments through coup d’états and we have survived all of them.

I can say that a small minority within the Igbo feels marginalized in their own expectations of Nigeria. But we the majority of Nigerians do not think that the Igbo are marginalized. They are everywhere and are doing well in commerce, business and so on. They have no reason whatsoever to agitate; they are agitating for what?"
http://politicsngr.com/2017/10/14/nigeria-not-need-restructuring-lawal-kaita/
cc: lalasticlala, mynd44

Below is a press release from the Oyo state police command;

As the yuletide inches nearer, the Command will strategize to ensure there is peace and harmony in the state. This we intend to achieve by carrying out our core mandate relying substantially on media support, interagency collaboration and public partnership.

The last few weeks have been relatively peaceful. It is our resolve to make it more peaceful throughout the remaining part of the year. However, some unrepentant criminal elements who have been perpetrating various criminal acts in some parts of the state were arrested recently in the circumstances enumerated below:

1. KIDNAPPERS OF IBADAN-BASED LEBANESE NABBED: On 13/9/2017 at about 1030hrs, a five-man kidnap syndicate invaded a block-moulding industry at Podo area, Ibadan and robbed workers of their money, phones and other valuable property.

The gang, armed with guns and other dangerous weapons, kidnapped one Elias Bashour, a Lebanese who is the CEO of the industry and took him away to an unknown place. As soon as information got to the police, patrol teams along the Ibadan/Ijebu-Ode axis were alerted who gave the kidnappers a hot chase forcing them to abandon the vehicle conveying the victim.

The suspects escaped to the bush but the vehicle was recovered by the police. However, after painstaking investigation, four members of the gang were eventually arrested at their criminal hideouts in Ibadan, Ilese via Ijebu-Ode, and Ibiade Waterside in Ogun State. The suspects confessed to the crime. They disclosed that a member of the gang named Sunday now at large supplied the information that led to the adoption of the victim.
The suspects are:
(i) Joseph Udoma 'm' aged 35
(ii) Mathew Egbulu 'm' aged 23
(iii) Samuel Agu 'm' aged 32
(iv) Monday Omugbe 'm' aged 28 - the gang's armourer.
Exhibits recovered from them include a cut-to-size single barrel gun, one Toyota 4 Runner SUV with Reg.No. AKD 70 BU, phones etc.

2. DISMISSED SOLDIER LEADS ROBBERY OPERATIONS COORDINATED BY PRISON INMATE:
The Oyo State Police Command has arrested two armed robbery suspects, who until their arrest, belonged to a dare-devil armed robbery gang which specialised in snatching posh cars in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and neighbouring states.

The robbery operations were often coordinated by one Ismaila, an inmate in the Ibara Prison, Abeokuta, Ogun State. The two suspects, Saheed Akangbe 'm' aged 24 and Abubakar Isiaka 'm' aged 34 were arrested with a stolen Toyota Camry car with Reg.No. KJA 89 ER by a Patrol team from Iyana- Offa Police Division on 22/9/2017 at about 0215hrs. Further investigation by SARS led to the recovery of another snatched Toyota Camry car with Reg. No. AGL 45 CW in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Investigations also revealed that Saheed Akangbe was released from Abolongo prison in April while Abubakar Isiaka was dismissed from 1 Div of the Nigerian Army for various criminal activities. Other exhibits recovered from the suspects include three cut-to-size guns and twenty live cartridges.

3. POLY STUDENT NABBED FOR STEALING MOTORCYCLES: An ND II Agric Engineering student of the Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Saki, Adedigba Elisha, has been arrested by SARS of the Command for stealing several motorcycles in many places in Saki and its environs. His modus operandi was to target busy viewing centres where football enthusiasts/lovers usually parked their motorcycles, and steal them using fabricated keys. The stolen motorcycles were thereafter sold to criminal receivers at giveaway prices. Nine stolen motorcycles were recovered from the suspects:
The suspects are:
(i) Adedigba Elisha 'm' aged 21
(ii) Chika Eze 'm' aged 47
(iii) Samuel Moses 'm' aged 21
(iv) Abdulsalam Abdulrazaq 'm' aged 47
(v) Musiliu Yusuf 'm' aged 35
(vi) Adedokun Rabiu 'm' aged 35
(vii) Tijani Afeez 'm' aged 29
http://politicsngr.com/2017/10/13/oyo-police-parade-serial-burglar-robbers-kidnappers-photos/
cc: lalasticlala, mynd44

The Bayelsa State Government on Friday suspended all forms of medical outreach program in public and private schools across the state following the scare of a purported injection given to students against the viral 'MonkeyPox' disease.

The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson announced the suspension at a joint press briefing with his health counterpart, Prof. Ebitimitula Etebu.

Iworiso-Markson said the government will monitor the situation and ensure strict compliance while urging the management of schools to verify the identity of those who come around there premises for one thing or the other.

He described as deliberate misinformation the development which has led to the panic and withdrawal of students by parents from schools and stressed that there is no such thing happening.

Speaking also, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Etebu debunked the rumour, saying it is unhealthy and called on parents to return their children back to schools as the government is on top of the situation.

" I want to say that there is no vaccination against 'MonkeyPox'. So proprietors of schools should not allow any stranger to come and administer such on their pupils. Anyone dressed in Army uniform, clinical or lab cloth injecting children should be reported".

"The rumour is unhealthy and we condemn it. As a government, we are on top of the case and we will get to the root of where this falsehood emanated from" he said.
http://politicsngr.com/2017/10/13/monkeypox-bayelsa-government-suspends-health-activities-schools/
cc: lalasticlala, mynd44

The Nigerian ports authority, NPA has detailed reasons why a multi-million dollar contract with Intels, a company co-owned by former vice president, Atiku Abubakar was recently revoked.

Below is a press statement made available to PoliticsNGR, signed by the general manager, Corporate and strategic communications of the NPA, Abdullahi Goje;

"The Nigerian Ports Authority is compelled to issue this statement in reaction to questions raised by the general public on the threat by our erstwhile agents, Intels Nigeria Limited, to fight the recent termination its boats pilotage monitoring and supervision agreement. 

To start with, we must inform our stakeholders and the general public that the Authority relied on the advice of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, in arriving at the decision to terminate the contract.

This legal advice was sought after more than one year of attempts to get Intels to comply with the Federal Government’s directive on the Treasury Single Account (TSA).

The first such correspondence was through a letter written by the former Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Mr. Olumide Oduntan on June 28, 2016, directing the company to pay all revenues collected on behalf of the NPA into the TSA subaccount at the CBN.

All further attempts by the Authority to get the company obey this directive was met with various excuses until the Authority wrote to seek the AGF’s legal advice on how to proceed with the NPA/Intels relationship in a letter dated May 31, 2017.

The legal advice contained in a September 27, 2017, letter addressed to the Managing Director of the Authority, Hajia Hadiza Bala Usman, by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami (SAN) expressly stated as follows : “For the avoidance of doubt, the agreement for the monitoring and supervision of pilotage districts in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Nigeria on terms inter alia that permits Intels to receive revenue generated in each pilotage district from service boat operations in consideration for 28% of total revenue as commission to Intels is void, being a contract ex facie illegal as formed for permitting Intels to receive federal government revenue contrary to the express provisions of Sections 80(1) and 162(1) and (10) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which mandates that such revenue must be paid into the Federation Account/Consolidated Revenue Fund.

In the premise of the above, the conflict between the agreement and the TSA policy presents a force majeure event under the agreement, and NPA should forthwith commence the process of issuing the relevant notices to Intels exiting the agreement which indeed was void ab initio.”

As a responsible agency of the Federal Government, the Authority, therefore, proceeded to act as advised, which is to terminate the contract forthwith.

The Authority has taken note of threats by Intels to withdraw its investment plans in Nigeria and must point that business thrives in favour of everyone involved only when the laws of the country of operation are adhered to. No organisation is above the Nigerian constitution and it is only when all corporate entities obey the laws of the country that everyone benefits. There must be a level playing field for all players in the sector and this is the commitment of the Authority.

However, the Authority respects the right of Intels and all other corporate entities in Nigeria to explore opportunities presented by the courts to enforce their rights in as much as the Authority is confident of the correctness of the step that it has taken.

The board and management of the NPA is committed to serving the best interest of Nigeria at all times and this is what has happened in the case under discussion."

http://politicsngr.com/2017/10/13/2019-terminated-multi-million-dollar-contract-atikus-company-intels-npa/

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has said that he was not surprised by the comment from the President of the World Bank Group, Jim Yong Kim that President Muhammadu Buhari directed specifically that the World Bank should shift its focus to the northern region of Nigeria, maintaining that “the President has never hidden the fact that he is a sectional leader and painfully, because of his nepotism, religious bigotry and favouritism, Nigeria is now more divided than ever before, with the unity of the country being threatened.”

The governor, who spoke through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, asked; “Is the comment from the World Bank President different from the 97 percent/5 percent formula of President Buhari?”

He said; “When a President open his mouth and say that constituencies that gave him 97% votes cannot in all honesty be treated, on some issues, with constituencies that gave him 5% votes, lovers of unity in the country should have raised the alarm and alerted the world of the danger of having a nepotistic president, and I warned then but other Nigerians that should have raised their voice, kept mute.”

President of the World Bank Group reportedly said, “You know, in my very first meeting with President Buhari he said specifically that he would like us to shift our focus to the northern region of Nigeria and we’ve done that. Now, it has been very difficult. The work there has been very difficult.”

Governor Fayose, in his reaction said; “Once again, the fact that President Mohammadu Buhari is an ethnic champion, a religious bigot and the number one promoter of disunity in Nigeria was brought to the fore by the President of the World Bank Group, Jim Yong Kim.

“Nigerians should be reminded that on August 15, 2015, less than three months in Buhari’s government, I raised the alarm that he (Buhari) was operating as a president of the Northern Nigeria only. Then, I described steps taken by the president since May 29, 2015 as tainted in ethnic and tribal colouration and inimical to the unity of Nigeria.

“I also described President Buhari’s Nothernisation of Nigeria and said that the appointments made by the President negated the principle of federal character. Then, we were told that the President made the appointments on merit and I asked whether there were no competent people in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Southern part of Nigeria.

“Now, with the President of the World Bank Group, Jim Yong Kim, telling the world that President Buhari gave specific instruction that the bank should shift its developmental efforts to the North, is anyone still in doubt as to the fact that President Buhari does not see himself as the President of the entire country, Nigeria?”

While reminding Nigerians of his earlier warnings that Buhari was a sectional leader, Governor Fayose said; “Those politicians, who painted the picture of a changed President Buhari to Nigerians before the 2015 presidential election, should remember that I warned that he (Buhari) can never change from an ethnic champion to a nationalist.

“As a Military Head of State, Buhari cancelled the Lagos Metroline Project at a loss of over $78 million (then) to the Lagos tax payers. For terminating the contract, $500 million, which was almost enough to complete the project, was paid as fine to the foreign company handling the project.

“Would Buhari have stopped that project that would have resolved the transportation nightmare Lagosians are facing today, if it were to be in Kano?

“When Fulani herdsmen were killing Nigerians in the South and North-Central states of Benue and Plateau, President Buhari, who is the Patron of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breaders Association simply kept mute.Not even the killing of over 1,000 Agatus in Benue State got the attention of the President.

“The same President Buhari, who led a delegation of Arewa leaders to Ibadan on October 13, 2000, to confront the then Governor of Oyo State, Late Alhaji Lam Adesina over alleged killing of Fulani Herdsmen in Saki, Oke Ogun Area of the state, has never raised his voice against the killings, raping and destruction of farmlands by Fulani herdsmen.”

Describing President Buhari as the number one threat to the unity of Nigeria, the governor said; “Painfully, because of President Buhari’s nepotism, religious bigotry and favouritism Nigeria is now more divided than ever before, with the unity of the country being threatened.

“The father figure of this country is President Buhari and if his language does not represents unity, there will be agitations like we are witnessing now.

“I therefore reiterate my commitment to the call for full and total restructuring of Nigeria through dialogue and negotiation.

“It is my position that for Nigeria to move forward and in unity; there must be no sectionalism, there must be no oppression and there must be justice and equity. All these cannot be guaranteed by President Buhari as he has continually demonstrated that he is a President for the Northern part of Nigeria only.”

The governor promised to rule Nigeria with fairness when he becomes President, saying; “Unlike President Buhari, I am a complete detribalized Nigerian, who treats all the people of Nigeria equally, not minding tribe and religion. Therefore, my presidency will resolve all issues threatening the unity of Nigeria.”
http://politicsngr.com/2017/10/13/buhari-sectional-leader-world-bank-presidents-statement-not-surprising-fayose/
cc: lalasticlala, mynd44

The Benue state police command has announced the arrest of 4 criminals and the recovery of various arms and ammunition.

In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, ASP. Moses Joel Yamu, obtained by PoliticsNGR, the hoodlums have confessed to their crimes and will soon be charged to court. The statement read;

"On 02/10/2017 at about 20:00hrs, SARS operatives on township patrol intercepted one Christopher Abah 19yrs and Iorhen Mark 18yrs at the old bridge, on the spot search, recovered two live cartridges, further investigation led to the recovery of a locally fabricated pistol with 3 face caps including a camouflaged one.
 
Similarly, SARS operatives based on a distress call on 05/10/2017 at about 1800hrs arrested Ben Ukpev, 21yrs and Adanyi Adanyi, 22yrs of various addresses at Logo 1 after robbing an innocent citizen of his handset at gunpoint. A locally fabricated revolver pistol with one live ammunition and a set of criminal charms were recovered from them.  They will soon be charged to court."

http://politicsngr.com/2017/10/08/police-arrest-4-armed-robbers-benue-recover-weapons-photos/

Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State has urged Nigerians to show unconditional support to the military, saying their sacrifices and dedication to duty has helped in preserving the territorial integrity of the nation.

According to a statement issued in Sokoto on Sunday by his spokesman, Malam Imam Imam which was obtained by PoliticsNGR, the Governor said this when he hosted young officers of Sokoto origin who recently passed out from the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).

He said the military as an institution has remained one of the enduring symbols of unity in the Nigerian federation.

"No prayer or moral and material support will be considered too much for the military. The officers and men have continued to show exemplary professionalism in the discharge of their responsibilities," he stated.
While admonishing the officers, among who was Lt. Ahmed Buhari Bature who emerged overall best student, to show unalloyed loyalty to the constitution and constituted authorities, Tambuwal said Sokoto state was proud of their accomplishments.

"We are proud of what you have achieved so far. You are following a tradition of excellence set by many of your predecessors who have gone through NDA and have gone on to make a name for themselves, their families, their state and their country.

"You should be mindful of the fact that you are coming from a background steeped in respect and honour. Don't do anything that will tarnish the image of your families and your state," the Governor added.

Tambuwal said the state government will continue to support Sokoto youths to achieve their potentials in life.

Cardinal Anthony Okogie, Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos has verbally knifed the presiding pastor of the Redeemed Christian church of God, Enoch Adeboye over his plan to have as many church branches as possible.

PoliticsNGR gathered that Okogie criticized Adeboye's move saying that the branches were 'mere business centres' as there was nothing Godly as having churches in close proximity. He told New telegraph;

"In order to bring us together and to get sanity back into this country, the fear of God must be number one. Nigerians of today don’t care a hoot about God.For example, I heard that one of my colleagues, (Pastor Enoch) Adeboye, said that he would love to build churches everywhere so as to make it easy for worshipers to walk to them. But for me, that is a useless statement. How can you say you will build churches everywhere?

What kind of churches are you talking about? Look at traffic in Lagos for example, and those who are pastors are traders and a good number of them are businessmen. Such churches in most cases are more like business houses! Look at the number of churches springing up in Lagos. If the Muslims start building mosques like that, does it show that Nigeria is a religious country?

Every day we hear of killings and other things that we were not hearing before.We can’t even walk on the streets freely. You have to be watching yourself left, right and centre to know who the man coming behind you is. It wasn’t like that before. Churches must ensure that there is fear of God.And I’m just telling you that those churches that he is talking about are just business centres."

http://politicsngr.com/2017/10/08/useless-statement-cardinal-okogie-fires-adeboye-church-expansion/

The Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on New media, Lauretta Onochie has dragged former first lady, Patience Jonathan and Former petroleum minister, Diezani Allison Madueke to the cleaners over their recent 'Weird Demands'.

Onochie wrote on Facebook;

"It’s the season of weird demands. Recently, Nigerians were assaulted by the demand by the wife of the former President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience Jonathan, asking President Muhammadu Buhari to tell EFCC to leave her alone.

Fat chance! EFCC is an institution, not an adulterous man running after someone else’s wife. So, woman to woman, I asked her to look inwards. Patience should wear the sort of aura that dispels, rather than attracts law enforcement agencies.

She can start by being honest and coming clean, regarding everything – cash, properties, etc., that were ill-acquired. Then hand them back to the rightful owners. Yes, back to Nigerians via the EFCC.

You see, EFCC, ICPC, DSS, CCT, all follow the smell of crimes. If she does not have suspicions of criminal activities oozing and buzzing from and around her, there’s no way she’ll be dragging President Buhari to commit impunity by ordering EFCC to leave you alone.

But there again, she’s been busy swatting the bees, she had no time to see that her husband’s reign of impunity, ended many moons ago.But that’s not the end of the story. And then, there’s Diezani Alison- Madueke. She too wants something. She wants to return home. Remember she’s in the UK for medical purposes. Remember the photoshopped images her image launderer plastered all over the tabloid and the Social Media?

Diezani is over 18 years old. That makes her an adult. She dusted her passport and flew out of this country, Nigeria.

She had concluded plans to run off to a Caribbean Island to live off the blood money she stole, not hauled from the poorest and the most vulnerable citizens of this nation.

She had no idea that she had become attractive to the British authorities, and had been in their view since 2013.You see, these women, who own choice properties and obese bank accounts they do not need, across the world including Nigeria, had the best of opportunities to improve the lives of Nigerians, especially those who suffer health hazards from environmental degradation in the bowels of the Niger Delta where these two come from.

If they cared not about their immediate environment, why would they bat an eyelid that environmental issues in the Lake Chad Basin were fuelling Boko Haram.

The adage that what a man can do a woman can do better, has never been proven more by anyone than Diezani Madueke.

The forfeitures the Nigerian people have been awarded against Diezani, the pending and on-going corruption investigations and cases, are a testimony that this woman, who was elevated to the status of a goddess by ex-President Jonathan, has cases to answer, from UK to USA, Italy to the Caribbean.

Why Mrs Madueke suddenly developed an urge to return home, is not clear. But many Nigerians think it’s not unconnected to the perceived cash and carry criminal justice system in Nigeria.

But she’s probably not aware that the Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Onnoghen, has vowed to clean up the judiciary.

But there might be those judges who would be tempted by the mouthwatering inducement that flows from the bottomless pit of Diezani Madueke’s haulage.

May I remind Mrs Madueke that a certain (Rtd) Admiral Alison-Madueke, warned President Muhammadu Buhari to leave his wife alone. May I also remind Diezani that Nigerians assume that she is that wife that the retired naval officer warned the President about.

Now that she has been left alone if she needs to return to Nigeria, she will also need her husband to threaten President Buhari to come after her, Hahahahaha…

Dear Sis, in the meantime, you should make yourself comfortable in the UK. Attend to your criminal trials going on there. When found guilty, happily serve your jail term because it’s just the beginning."

http://politicsngr.com/2017/10/08/lauretta-onochie-blasts-jonathan-diezani-weird-demands/

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has accused the APC Federal Government of plunging the nation into its worst depth of corruption since Independence.

Governor Wike said that the mind-blogging $26billion monumental corruption unveiled in the leaked memo of the Minister of State for Petroleum brings to the fore the high-level sleaze amongst top officials of the APC Federal Government through the NNPC.

He spoke at the Government House, Umuahia on Friday during a state visit to Abia where he commissioned construction equipment and also held a meeting with the Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu.

Wike said: "When they said judges were accused of corruption, they were told to step aside. They have not told anyone to step aside so that they can conclude investigation. When you are in office, investigation will be compromised.

It is for Nigerians to see. Are we fighting corruption? The corruption they are fighting is against some people who are their opponents. All of us are victims. I have never seen this kind of scandal in all my political career. We have never heard of it like this.

What about this $26billion (N9trillion) contract scam and nobody is talking. Everywhere is quiet."

He said the anti-corruption fight is simply aimed at brow-beating the opposition because the APC has metamorphosed into a monumental failure.

"So many promises were made, but none has been fulfilled. Everyday, what they have to say is corruption, corruption, no other statement. Corruption from day one and corruption till the day they will leave office. What have they achieved? No roads, no infrastructure. I could not come to Abia by road. It is not possible ", he said.

The Rivers State Governor said that PDP is ready to rescue Nigerians from the failure and under-development foisted on them by APC.

He said: "They are working to see that there is disunity amongst the governors. But we have realised that we must work together because of the country. We will do everything possible to make PDP stronger.

It is not by propaganda. No amount of blackmail will make the governors to shy away from taking Nigeria to the level Nigerians want it. We are going to work together to ensure that PDP emerges victorious in 2019".

He said that PDP is the solution to the nation's challenges, pointing out that all PDP states are working.

Earlier while commissioning the construction equipment procured by the Abia State Government, Governor Wike commended the Abia State Governor for his commitment to rural infrastructure.

He urged the Abia people to continue to support Governor Ikpeazu for greater achievements.

He announced that the Rivers State Government will work with the Abia State Government to reconstruct the Oyigbo to Aba Federal Highway.

Wike said that the APC Federal Government is in a state of confusion because it has been cursed for meddling in the politics of Rivers State. He said until they confess, they will wallow in confusion.

In his remarks, Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu said that the construction equipment commissioned by Governor Wike will be used to revolutionise infrastructure in the state.

He said that the earth moving equipment will serve the rural communities of the state.

He said his administration has lifted Abia State above her peers in terms of development.

He praised Governor Wike for his commitment to development and good governance.

"I count Governor Wike as a special blessing, not only to our people but to humankind. I thank God for the kind of courage that he has blessed Wike with. Today, he has come here. I pray that the blessing of Rivers State will follow Abia ", Dr Ikpeazu said.

http://politicsngr.com/2017/10/06/missing-26-billion-apc-plunged-nigeria-worst-pit-corruption-wike/

Former president, Goodluck Jonathan has revealed the steps he took to deal with Ethnic tensions during his time as president of Nigeria.

Jonathan said that he convened a National conference in 2014 to douse the rising ethnic tensions across the country.PoliticsNGR learned that He made this revelation while delivering a speech at the opening panel of the Dialogue of Civilizations, Multipolarity and Dialogue in Regional and Global Developments,’ Rhodes Forum’s 15th Anniversary Summit in Greece on Friday.

He said;  "When I was in office as President, I championed the cause for good governance, transparent elections and peaceful power transfers, because I also believed that at the heart of the dialogue for a more peaceful world, is the need to cultivate a culture of democracy and good governance at the national levels. This is a good way to reduce local tensions that could blossom into global crisis.

In Nigeria, through a process of dialogue, we arrived at an amnesty programme that brought an end to the crisis in the Niger Delta, an oil-rich region in my country that accounts for all the oil wells that remain the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy.

Sometime in 2014, I had a thought in my mind. Nigeria is easily the most ethnically and religiously heterogeneous society in Africa, and one of the most diverse nations in the world.

Many times, these different ethnic groups are pulling in diverse directions that as a leader, you may experience genuine fears that the centre may not hold. At that time, I asked myself, how can I as President, help build a more harmonious union in Nigeria. One based on the words of our National Anthem which ends with ‘to build a nation where peace and justice shall reign’.

To address this I convened a National Conference where the various ethnic groups and other stakeholders deliberated for five months on the future of the country. They had the mandate to discuss and advise the Government on all matters pertaining to our nationhood, except the sovereignty of the country.

On Thursday, August 21, 2014, I received the report. Our general elections came up six months after the national conference. The confidence and national goodwill the conference inspired, helped bring down the tension during and after the general elections. It was a confidence-boosting outcome, despite the predictions by some international bodies that Nigeria was going to disintegrate in 2015."

Just a few days ago, the Present Muhammadu Buhari-led administration stated that it will not be implementing the resolutions of the 2014 Confab report.

http://politicsngr.com/2017/10/06/checkmated-ethnic-tensions-tenure-goodluck-jonathan/

Mr Christian Nwosu, a former official of the Independent national electoral commission(INEC) shocked a Lagos federal high court on Friday when he revealed that officials of the Economic and financial crimes commission, EFCC, forced him to admit receiving N30 million from embattled former petroleum minister, Diezani Allison Madueke.

PoliticsNGR learned that Mr Nwosu, a former admin secretary of the electoral commission also claimed the EFCC coerced him into forfeiting N5 million cash and his property worth N30 million.

He told the Justice Mohammed Idris that an EFCC official named Zakari Usman threatened to detain him if he didn't write a testimony he(Usman) would like to hear.

Quoting him;

"On the 28 of December, I was invited to EFCC, interviewed by one Mr Moses and I made statements. He was about to let me go but he said his boss will want to see me. When Mr Zakari came and read my statement, he said no, I have not written what he wants to hear and that he has signed my detention order form and was going to detain me and that even if I bring 10 lawyers, they won’t help me except I write what he dictates to me, he was going to keep me.

He told me that Adedoyin had admitted collecting N28million and was released; that being a senior officer, there was no way I wouldn’t not have benefitted by collecting up to N30million (sic). He said unless I stated that I benefitted N30million, he would dump me in the cell. I quickly told him I benefitted. He dictated to me that I should write it; I did.

I knelt before Rotimi and he said: ‘Baba get up; I’ll only advice you to cooperate with us. He said he would not want me to go through the stress of litigation. He asked if I had landed property and cars. He said I should write out the property worth N30million that I had. He said he would ensure that I was convicted and jailed at all cost if I didn’t cooperate."

http://politicsngr.com/2017/10/06/efcc-forced-admit-taking-n30-million-diezani-inec-official/

A group of youths from Obio Etoi community are currently protesting in front of the Godswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo over non-compensation for using their 'land'.

The angry youths believe that the government should be giving some kind of payment to them for situating the stadium in their community.PoliticsNGR has obtained photographs from the scene. See them below;

http://politicsngr.com/2017/10/04/youths-protest-godswill-akpabio-stadium-non-settlement-photos/

Former Presidential aide, Reno Omokri has reacted to the recent letter written to President Muhammadu Buhari by the Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu over Ille treatment by the GMD of NNPC, Dr Maikanti Baru.

PoliticsNGR gathered that Omokri, a strong critic of the Muhammadu-Buhari led administration, stated the following on his social media page;

"Ibe Kachikwu did not get the memo. There is no Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation anymore. It is now Northern Nigeria Petroleum Corporation. It is very sad that even the Minister of State for Petroleum resources can't even see the President who is the minister of Petroleum resources! If President Buhari truly has integrity and if his anti-corruption war is not a cover for an anti-PDP war then Baru must be investigated.

Just imagine what would have happened if a minister accused Goodluck Jonathan's government of awarding $26 billion contracts without due process! Anti-corruption government my foot! We will not know the extent of the Muhammadu Buhari administration's corruption until they leave office!"
http://politicsngr.com/2017/10/04/reno-omokri-reacts-ibe-kachikwus-letter-buhari/
cc: lalasticlala

A member of the dreaded Boko Haram sect captured in Ondo state has confessed that he had planned to launch an attack in the state before his arrest.

Mohammed Bashir, who was paraded before newsmen in Akure, confessed to his plans and revealed serious details into the activities of the dangerous terrorist group. He was arrested on Isua road, Akoko South LGA of the state.

PoliticsNGR learned that Bashir stated that certain wealthy northerners from Maiduguri and Nassarawa supplied Boko Haram with weapons. The 40-year-old criminal explained that he was a Fulani herdsman before being forced into the sect in Nassarawa in 2016. He claims he has killed only two people including a child.

Speaking in Hausa, he said;

“I only killed two people. The first person was a little child who I murdered inside the bush while the second one was an adult I killed by the roadside. I ran into Ondo State from Nasarawa after the military launched a manhunt for us (Boko Haram) in the North. When I arrived in the state, I went straight to see my younger brother and decided to walk on the streets of the community.

I had planned to strike but first wanted to eat by the roadside when I was arrested by the police patrol team and moved down to their station. Some of our members who ran from the military are still scattered around the local communities in Ondo State," he said.

The police commissioner in Ondo state, Adeyanju Gbenga said that Bashir was a native of Niger republic adding that he was a follower of one Daffo, a close confident of the dreaded Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau.

http://politicsngr.com/2017/10/03/arrested-boko-haram-member-planned-launch-bomb-attack-ondo-photos/

The Benin Zonal office of the EFCC on Tuesday, October 3, 2017, arraigned a suspected fraudster, Favour Eyawie Isikhuanele a.k.a Mr Atekhame, before Justice Efe lkponmwonba of the State High Court, Benin City, Edo State on a one count charge bordering on intent to defraud.

Isikhuanele was alleged to have received the sum of Fifty Eight thousand, Five Hundred Naira (N58,500) from one Silifatus Ohigweni Abu under the pretence that the money was to process employment letter for the victim.

http://politicsngr.com/2017/10/03/fake-employment-officer-arraigned-n58000-fraud-photo/

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, October 3, 2017, secured the conviction and sentencing of Prof. Benjamin Adefemi Ogunbodede, a former Director-General, Institute of Agriculture Research and Training, IART, Ibadan, Oyo State before Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Ogunbodede had been prosecuted alongside the trio of Zacheaus Tejumola, Adenose Clement and Jalekun Omotowoju on a 17-count charge bordering on conspiracy, misappropriation and diversion of funds to the tune of N177 million.

Trouble started for the convicts following receipt of a petition dated December 17, 2012, written by the Academic Staff Union of the institute by the Commission.

The petitioners had alleged that Ogunbodede falsely claimed to have used the sum of N115million to pay hazard allowance to the members of staff of the institute in December 2013.

It was also alleged that Ogunbodede claimed to have used the sum of N15million to harvest crops.

However, investigations revealed that he actually spent N800, 000 to harvest the crops.The convicts had all pleaded not guilty to the charge when they were arraigned on June 16, 2014, thereby setting the stage for their trial.

In the course of the trial, the prosecution counsel had presented 15 witnesses and tendered relevant documents, which were all admitted in evidence.

Also, in 2016, 10 other accused persons in the matter had pleaded guilty to the charge and subsequently entered into a plea bargain arrangement with the Commission.

Delivering his judgement today, Justice Ayo- Emmanuel said the prosecution had proved his case beyond any reasonable doubt. He, therefore, convicted and sentenced the first and second accused persons to 40 years imprisonment without an option of fine.

The third accused was sentenced to four years imprisonment without an option of fine.

The sentences are to run concurrently.

http://politicsngr.com/2017/10/03/ibadan-agric-institute-ex-dg-bags-40-years-jail-n177-million-fraud/

A former minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has asked president Muhammadu Buhari to tell Nigerians the truth about the whereabouts of the leader of the Indigenous people of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.

The fiery opposition figure in a tweet late Saturday, queried the Nigerian government to release the body of Nnamdi Kanu if he has been killed.

He added that Kanu has not been heard or seen ever since the attack on his home in Umuahia, Abia state by soldiers under the "operation python dance II" exercise.

He wrote; "Happy independence day Nigeria! Can @MBuhari now tell us what his army did to Nnamdi Kanu after invading his house and killing the people and dogs that were there?

If they arrested and detained him they MUST tell us. If they killed him they MUST release his body to his family."
http://politicsngr.com/2017/10/01/release-nnamdi-kanus-dead-body-ffk-tells-buhari/
cc; lalasticlala, mynd44

President Muhammadu Buhari inspected a military parade on Sunday while celebrating the Independence day Anniversary of Nigeria with Soldiers in Borno state.

He also cut the independence cake alongside the governor of Borno state, Kashim Shettima and the chief of army staff, Tukur Buratai.

Photos and video below;

http://politicsngr.com/2017/10/01/president-buhari-inspects-military-parade-borno-cuts-cake-troops-video/

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that these are extraordinary times for the country, which is made worse by the failure to successfully redefine and restructure the country towards a progressive path since independence.

As part of the 57th Independence Celebration, Governor Wike also paid the fines for 19 convicts to regain their freedom, commuted 32 death sentences to life imprisonment, approved the unconditional release of 32 convicts from prison and granted free pardon to three convicts.

In an independence day address at the Sharks Stadium in Port Harcourt, Governor Wike said Nigerians must unite behind the national flag, setting aside the narrative of division, violence and hate and replace them with the narrative of peace and unity.

He said: "After nearly 18 unbroken years of democracy and despite positive assertions to the contrary, our democracy keeps floundering under the watch of the Federal Government just as the vast majority of Nigerians are alienated from the State and estranged from the development process and denied the dividends of democracy.

"If economic progress is the test of our democracy then we have woefully failed as a nation. For 57 years we abandoned all other economic options and depended on a single economic product derived from the natural bowels of the Niger Delta."

Governor Wike said that the reality is that the country is deeply divided, constantly flirting with crisis from the hegemonic tendencies of the powers that be, who have failed and are unwilling to even acknowledge the depth of injustice against other sections of the country, especially the minority resource-bearing communities.

He said: "We all crave for strong national institutions to support our democracy, protect our freedoms and advance our development. Unfortunately, instead of advancing our democracy and protecting our liberties, some of our most important national institutions, especially the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigerian Police have become the undertakers of their destruction by acts of deliberate compromise, partisanship and even sabotage in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities."

The governor added: "How else can we attribute INEC’s misfeasance and criminal complicity in the emerging but strange jurisprudential contraption in election disputes where fake results produced and procured from the custody of terribly partisan Police agency were validated and accepted as evidentially superior to its own results by the electoral tribunals to overturn the returns it genuinely and rightly made in respect of the outcome of the 2016 legislative re-run elections in Rivers State?".

Governor Wike said that after 57 of independence, the nation's judiciary constantly suffers from systemic intimidation and denied the strength to act with courage and conviction to defend the constitutional rights of Nigerians to freely elect their leaders through free and fair elections.

"It is obvious that for so long as the Federal Government continues to weaken the nation’s democratic institutions, in including the judiciary our democracy will continue to stutter and Nigerians would never have the genuine chance to effectively exercise their constitutional right to freely and fairly elect the right leaders to move the country forward.

"Apart from its visible involvement in election rigging, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS)of the Nigerian Police has ironically and manifestly become the most serious threat to the security of lives and property in Rivers State. So many people who have been victims of criminal extortion, robbery, kidnapping and torture continue to recount their ordeals from this criminal gang masquerading as security operatives in the State", he said.

The governor said Nigerians collectively have the key to a peaceful, united and better Nigeria.According to him: "We must therefore all commit ourselves to sincere leadership, socio-economic justice, fiscal federalism, the rule of law, free and fair elections, respect for human rights, eradication of poverty, access to quality education, full employment and the guarantee of peaceful existence."

The event was marked by parade by the Nigerian Police, Para-military Organisations, school children and voluntary youth organisations.There were presentation of trophies to winning schools and voluntary youth organisations.
http://politicsngr.com/2017/10/01/independence-nigeria-not-working-nyesom-wike/
cc: lalasticlala, mynd44

Former Nigerian head of state, Yakubu Gowon has advised the leader of the Indigenous people of Biafra(IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu to consult with the daughter of former Biafran leader, Odimegwu Ojukwu over his agitation for secession.

PoliticsNGR gathered that Gowon in a recent interview said that those agitating for the country's disintegration have a poor sense of history. He told Punch;

"Those who think of causing problems for Nigeria should, for God’s sake, think twice. I think we have had Biafra before and it has ended.

Don’t resurrect it. Think of the sufferings of the people in those days, don’t recreate it because any leader will not want to be a party to dismembering the country.All those who are calling for disintegration, let them think twice. Let them ask, will the authorities accept it?

I can assure you I did not accept it and that is the reason why when it was threatened; we had to do something which we didn’t like to do because we know the sufferings of the people.

My prayer to all Nigerians is for them not to think of self-interest by pushing for the disintegration of the nation which we had shed blood to sustain.

It is more valuable to me than anything and I will certainly not be a party to or support anyone who is fomenting trouble."

On Nnamdi Kanu, Gowon said; "I understand that you were one of those who were supporting one Nigerian in the United Kingdom, for God’s sake, don’t foment trouble which is dangerous for this country.

I will like him to consult Ebele, Ojukwu’s daughter, to know the way we related with Ojukwu; I want to see love among all Nigerians."

http://politicsngr.com/2017/10/01/biafra-nnamdi-kanu-must-consult-ojukwus-daughter-gowon/

The new Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Imohimi Edgal has tasked the Chairman of the Lagos State Task Force SP Olayinka Egbeyemi to completely eradicate all criminal hideouts/black-spots across the State, PoliticsNGR has learned.

SP Egbeyemi disclosed that the Commissioner of Police has mandated him and other Divisional Police Officers to wipe out all criminal elements from their hideouts across the State.

He stated that the new Commissioner of Police is poised at tackling all criminal challenges and making sure that criminal elements in the state were no longer allowed any free reign: they will not be given freedom of space to practice any of their criminal acts.

The Chairman listed areas to be raided as directed by the Commissioner of Police to include Egbe-Idimu, Iyana-Ipaja (Abule-Oki & Car-wash), Ikotun, Mushin, Bariga, Apapa, Orile-Agege, Ajegunle, Ikorodu, Lagos-Island, Oshodi, Pen-cinema, Berger, Oyingbo, Mile 2, Fadeyi and Ojuelegba.

SP Egbeyemi stated that government would not fold its arms and watch criminals destroy huge investments already expended on infrastructural development across the state.

He said that the Commissioner of Police warned parents to always monitor their wards particularly during and after these 'Ember-months' as anyone caught engaging in any criminal acts such as selling/smoking illicit drugs, rape, robbery, cultism or any other nefarious activities would be prosecuted in accordance with Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Laws.

The Chairman enjoined criminal elements to turn a new leaf and get themselves meaningfully engaged in vocational skills such as tailoring, carpentry, shoe-making, electrical/electronics, bead-making etc at any of the government established vocational centres spread across the State.

Meanwhile, 76 miscreants and hoodlums were raided by the Agency during an enforcement operations tagged 'Eradication of Criminal Hideouts' carried out at midnight on Saturday around Oshodi and Iyana-Ipaja.

Amongst those arrested at Iyana-ipaja during the operations was a wanted criminal and a ring leader of a notorious cult group 'Omije Boys' (Mr Franklin Anyawun)

Mr Franklin Anyawun (28yrs) of No. 11, Oremeji Street, Iyana-Ipaja who was caught with Bags of Indian hemp confessed to being a ring leader of a notorious cult group known as 'Omije Boys' who terrorised and dispossessed innocent members of the public of their valuable items at Iyana-Ipaja and its environs.

He confessed further to selling illicit drugs to miscreants and hoodlums around Oshodi, Fadeyi, Idi-oro at Mushin and Bariga.

Also, another criminal (Olumide Sanni, 19yrs) who specialises in snatching bags and phones from innocent members of the public around Railway-lines at Oshodi was arrested.

Olumide Sanni who hailed from 'Oderemo' in Ogun State made a confessional statement that the operatives of the Agency had arrested him 3 times before for criminal activities around Oshodi.

SP Egbeyemi who confirmed that the enforcement operations is a continuous exercise however disclosed that the Lagos State Commissioner of Police Mr Imohimi Edgal had directed that all those arrested 76 miscreants and hoodlums including 'Mr. Franklin Anyawun' a notorious cult leader be charged to court for prosecution.

http://politicsngr.com/2017/10/01/lagos-taskforce-arrest-76-hoodlums-one-night-oshodiphotos/

Members of a political party known as the 'Socialist Party of Nigeria, SPN held a serious protest at the Ibadan zonal office of the public complaints commission over the alleged refusal of the Independent national electoral commission(INEC) to issue the party a certificate of registration.

PoliticsNGR learned that the protesters claim that the party has completed all the constitutional requirements and party registration since 2014. It was also gathered that the party has an ongoing legal battle with INEC and the hearing has allegedly been adjourned 18 times.

The party called on its members to keep pursuing the struggle to get registered. Photos from the scene below;

http://politicsngr.com/2017/09/27/political-party-holds-protest-inecs-refusal-issue-registeration-photos/

The Benin Zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested four persons Michael Agun, Osaikuiwomwan Monday, Vincent Odia and Chibuike Ogbonna suspected of obtaining money under false pretence.

The suspects were arrested on September 25, 2017, in Benin City sequel to a petition by a complainant alleging that sometimes in May 2017 he got a call from one Chris Amadi who claimed that he knew him during his National Youth Service year.

According to the petitioner, Amadi informed him that he worked at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Edo State before being transferred to Minna, Niger State and that while he was in Edo State, he transacted businesses with one Alhaji whom he supplied cow medicine (Cow Bruma).

Amadi told him that he would like to connect him with Alhaji for good business but asked him to call David Adeboye whom he claimed was the manager of the company that produces cow medicine.

The petitioner further alleged that upon calling Adeboye, he sent him an account number in which he paid Four Hundred and Ninety Thousand Naira in order to be a cow medicine distributor.


During investigations, operatives of the Commission discovered that Amadi whose real name is Chibuike Ogbonna is the head of a syndicate involving Michael Agun, Osaikuiwomwan and Vicent Odia.

Further investigations revealed that Odia Vincent plays the role of a dubious native doctor, parading fettish objects and charms with which they dupe unsuspecting members of the public.

The suspects will soon be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

http://politicsngr.com/2017/09/27/efcc-capture-fake-native-doctor-3-others-fraud-photos/

The Nigerian senate has ordered for the immediate destruction of firearms illegally imported into the country. This development is coming up shortly after the Nigerian customs has recorded seizures of over 2000 pump action rifles illegally imported into Nigeria from Turkey.

In a statement obtained by PoliticsNGR, the Senate president, Bukola Saraki stated that a bill to increase fines for illegally imported firearms, including firearms without valid licenses has passed a second reading in the Senate.

He stated; "The 8th Senate passed the Second Reading of the Bill to amend the Fire Arms Act to provide for the increase of fines and the destruction of all firearms that are illegally imported into the country or that are in the possession of individuals that do not have valid licenses.

With the recent reports of the Nigerian Customs Service finding 4 illegal shipments of firearms in the last few weeks, this Bill is pertinent, because, with its eventual passage, we will be strengthening the existing Fire Arms Act and making our nation safer.

Apart from the fines and other punitive measures that are imposed against individuals, we will also be looking at the laws that are currently in place to ensure that shipping agents and other companies that are involved in the importation of illegal firearms into the nation are held liable.

Now that the Bill has been sent to the Committee on Judiciary and Legal Matters for further work, we will be having a public hearing on this Bill, to seek the support of experts, security agencies and the general public in coming up with a thorough legislative strategy to combat the proliferation of weapons in our country and our communities."


http://politicsngr.com/2017/09/27/seized-pumped-action-rifles-senate-orders-immediate-destruction-increase-fines/