₦airaland Forum

The former national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Olisa Metuh was in tears on Monday while his doctor explained to the judge his health condition.

This was during his resumed trial in an Abuja High Court.

Metuh is facing trial for alleged diversion of N400 million received from the office of the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

The doctor during the continuation of Metuh’s trail on Monday told the trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, why Metuh needs top be flown abroad for treatment.

Justice Abang in his reaction said the court will seek the opinion of the Chief Registrar of the court on the recommendations of the doctor.

The trial judge also rebuked Metuh’s counsel, Emeka Etiaba, for his ‘rudeness’ to the court.

He said the court had refused Etiaba’s application for withdrawal of the case. He added that Etiaba’s refusal to answer some questions asked by the court is compounding issues before the court and this is considered rude.

Etiaba during the trial had earlier expressed disapproval after the Justice Abang overruled his application for withdrawal of the case. This was after Metuh collapsed in court trying to make his way to the dock.

Etiaba said he cannot go ahead with the trial when his client is lying on the floor. He noted that his client is obviously ill and has been confirmed by the medical personnel of the court.

The trial judge, however, continued with the trial even though Metuh was still on the floor. He insisted that Metuh’s counsel call his eleventh witness in the trial and also overruled the application by Metuh’s Counsel.

According to the trial judge, Etiaba’s application for withdrawal of the case is an attempt to delay the matter.

The case was then adjourned to May 22 for the continuation of trial.

http://www.theadvocate.ng/dasukigate-metuh-cries-in-court-as-doctor-explains-his-health-condition/

A former Publicity National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, collapsed Monday morning as he was making his way to the dock for his resumed trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

http://www.theadvocate.ng/metuh-collapses-in-court/

The National Legal Adviser of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Muiz Banire, has said there is no rift between him and a chieftain of the party, Bola Tinubu.

A statement issued by Banire on Sunday said reports insinuating that he is plotting to displace Tinubu as the leader of the party in Lagos state are untrue.

The statement said there is no rivalry between Messrs Banire and Tinubu, whom the National Legal Adviser described as his “leader”.

The lawyer described the insinuations as the handiwork of mischief makers, threatened by the cordial relationship that exists between him and Mr Tinubu.

The lawyer, who has been having a running battle with Governor Akinwunmi Ambode led government in the state, accused some members of the Lagos State cabinet as the sponsors of the ‘mischievous’ reports, stressing that he remained unperturbed by their antics.

“The mischievous write ups in respect of contest for leadership between myself and Bola Tinubu, obviously manufactured by some members of the Lagos State cabinet.

“Let me thank them for the continuous publicity given to me. However, it is important to state in the first instance that I am not in the same business with Asiwaju so as to have any form of contest.

“I have said it severally and I still repeat it that I am not a professional politician but a professional in politics for the purpose of good governance. Consequently, there certainly cannot be any rivalry between us, nor am I interested in any political leadership at any level.

“The writers have their motives which is understandable because they fear my relationship with Asiwaju which to the best of my knowledge remains cordial. He is undoubtedly my leader.

“It is not in my character to be disrespectful to any elder and neither am I interested in displacing anybody. I have faith in the words of God that He appoints leaders and empowers them.”

The new development came against the backdrop of the crack withing the ruling APC in Lagos state, leading to the emergence of factions in the party state congress on Saturday.

Fouad Oki, a former loyalist of Tinubu, had led other aggrieved members to hold a parallel congress in the state, in defiance of Tinubu’s authority in the party.

Although Banire was not present at either of the parallel congresses which held at the Lagos Airport Hotel and the party secretariat in Ikeja, some reports on social media claimed Banire was behind Oki-led faction. He, however, denied the allegations on Saturday.

In his statement on Sunday, Banire vowed to remain resolute in his campaign for the entrenchment of internal democracy in the party.

He also argued that he was not seeking public office at all cost because he had a thriving legal practice which pays his bills.

“I am not in the struggle for any leadership position. However, I remain committed to my ideals and principles, particularly on internal democracy and good governance,” he said.

“I encourage the goons to continue in their strides as I know is that in so far as God remains on the throne, I shall remain unhurt.”

http://www.politico.ng/mischief-makers-are-at-work-i-am-not-plotting-to-displace-tinubu-says-banire/

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, says education is the master key that will unlock the huge potentials in Nigeria and set her on the path to full socio-economic development.

Abubakar made the observation while speaking to NAN at the end of events marking the 10th Commencement and Presidential Inauguration of the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola.

The former Vice President said in order to achieve this, there must be the right mix of adequate funding of the education sector and a curriculum that promotes entrepreneurship among undergraduates, as is the practice at AUN.

Abubakar, the founder of AUN noted that with the diminishing role of crude oil as the mainstay of the national economy, it has become expedient for Nigeria to focus on the development of her most important resources, human capital, which he said was far much more sustainable than oil or any other resource.

“It is becoming evident by the day that the future of Nigeria lies not in the bowels of the earth, but in what is in the head of our people, that is, the human capital,” Atiku said.

He noted that there is a nexus between education, development, and security, as an enlightened, multi-ethnic society would be more tolerant leading to social cohesion and harmony.

“An educated citizenry will be less prone to being willing tools in the hands of divisive elements who exploit existing fault lines. Consequently, we will have fewer crises that are inimical to national unity and stability.”

The PDP presidential hopeful who is also the Waziri of Adamawa Emirate Council said that he is made more by the education he received than anything else.

According to him, his investment in AUN has generated dividends in terms of raising men and women who are problem solvers.

“This (AUN) is my most fulfilling investment, not just because it provides jobs like my other endeavours, but more importantly because its graduates are change agents needed for transforming our great country to the benefit of all,” Abubakar said.

http://www.theadvocate.ng/education-key-to-unlocking-nigerias-potentials-says-atiku/

100 Edo Secondary students trafficked to Libya in four months http://www.theadvocate.ng/100-edo-secondary-students-trafficked-to-libya-in-four-months/ via @The Advocate