₦airaland Forum

crossfm:
Hehehe.

Nigeria and wahala is like 5&6.

Abeg,who is holding that one trillion naira they saved from subsidy removal, please channel the fund here .

yarimo:
KEYAMO is next ambassador to UK

We’ll pay World Cup prize money directly to players because of Super Falcons – FIFA


World football governing body, FIFA says the 2023 World Cup prize money will be paid directly to the players without interference from a third party.

Fatma Samoura, FIFA secretary-general who made the disclosure in a viral video, noted that the decision is due to unpaid allowance issues involving the Super Falcons of Nigeria.

Recall that the Super Falcons coach, Randy Waldrum, disclosed in the lead-up to the World Cup, that some players are owed “per diem and bonuses” from two years ago.

Samoura, in the video, acknowledged that “things have been tough” for the Falcons, adding that FIFA will for the first time monitor that match bonuses get to the players directly.

“I know that things have been tough. We have to face the realities of Nigeria. It pains me a lot. It is because of you [the Super Falcons] that, for the first time, the prize money has been ring-fenced in the history of FIFA to ensure that it goes to you,” the FIFA secretary-general said.

FIFA had announced that every player participating in the World Cup group stage will earn $30,000.

The match bonuses will increase to $60,000 in the second round of the competition.

The Falcons have qualified for the round of 16 after finishing second in group B. Every team player will earn at least $60,000 for the feat.

Nigeria is billed to take on England in the second-round contest on Monday.

TemplarLandry:
Well, it's a possibility.

Judiciary appointments must be merit-based, not family affiliation – Lawyers

ONOZURE DANIA writes about the appointment of the children of retired and serving judges and justices into the Bench while other qualified candidates are denied access

On July 14, 2023, the National Judicial Council recommended Justice Olukayode Ariwoola Jnr, the son of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola Snr, for appointment as a Judge of the Federal High Court.

The recommendation was made at the 103rd meeting of the council presided over by the CJN in Abuja. Ariwoola Jnr was recommended for the Federal High Court bench alongside 22 others who passed the screening and interview of the council.

All the recommended candidates are expected to be sworn in after the approval of the NJC recommendations to the President and their respective state governors and confirmation by their state Houses of Assembly as the case may be.

Critics have alleged that the judiciary has been biased and corrupt in its selection process.

On July 26, 2023, a Professor of Practice in International Human Rights Law at Tufts University and former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Chidi Odinkalu, condemned the selection process. In a tweet, he said,” If the legal or judicial genius of the child can manifest itself only when their dad, auntie or uncle is in charge of judicial appointments (or when their genital partner is), it should be evident that the person is unfit for judicial office. But this is #Nigeria, so we’ll argue.”

The first procedural rule for the selection of judges states, “The Federal Judicial Service Commission, state Judicial Service Commission and the Judicial Service Committee of the Federal Capital Territory shall comply with these rules in their advice to the National Judicial Council for nominations or recommendations of candidates for appointment of judicial officers for the Superior Courts of Record under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).”

The following rules provide a step-by-step vetting process for prospective judicial officials. In the case of federal court candidates, the head of a federal court first sends a notice to the Chief Justice and the Chairman of the Federal Judicial Service Commission. The federal court head will state the number of judicial officers intended to be proposed for appointment.

Afterwards, a call for expression of interest by suitable candidates by way of public notice is placed on the website of the Judicial Service Commission concerned. The public notice is also sent to suitable courts and the Nigerian Bar Association.

On May 13, the former Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Professor Itsay Sagay, alleged that “sons and daughters of retired and serving judges and justices are being nominated for appointment into sensitive judicial positions at the expense of more qualified candidates without privileged support and backing.” Sagay said the trend, which placed emphasis on favouritism/nepotism over competence, was a pathway to future judicial malfeasance and miscarriage of justice. He urged Nigerians and other stakeholders in the fight against corruption to halt this malpractice now so as to save the nation from grave deterioration in our judicial system.

Also, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Jibrin Okutepa, said there had been persistent outcry by Nigerians about the continued recruitment of sons and daughters and or relations of serving or retired judicial officers to the Bench. Okutepa said the perceptions by Nigerians of undue favouritism to the disadvantages of other well-deserving and well-qualified candidates who have no godfathers and godmothers cannot be dismissed with the wave of hands.

“There is a need for recruitments to the bench not to be hereditary. Nigerians are really worried. In judicial processes either in judgments or recruitments, there is a need to avoid the appearance of impropriety. Appearances of impropriety erode public confidence in the judiciary. While such recruitments may be legal, impropriety is an issue here,” he said.

Similarly Yomi Alliyu (SAN), who supported the appointment of the children of judges and justices stated that the judiciary had become a family affair throughout the world, especially common law nations, adding that this might be due to investments made in buying books and other paraphernalia. He said there are three main streams in the law profession that affect lifestyles of practitioners.

According to him, the choice shapes the practitioners. His children either take to his antics or completely abhor it. Those who admire his life pursue the profession with a view to attaining the same height of their parents.

“This is the situation that leads to many judges having their children aspiring to the bench. Save that a corrupt judge might have a child toeing his path, most of these children of judges perform wonderfully on the Bench starting from My Lord Justice Adenekan Ademola, the son of the first indigenous Chief Justice of Nigeria. They almost always turn out to be good judges. We should encourage it, albeit on merit,” he said.

Another lawyer, Malachy Ugwummadu, admitted the fundamental issues in the recruitment process of judicial officers in Nigeria and by extension the quality and content of justice delivery in Nigeria had been largely compromised.

He said, ”In the event, we must rethink the processes to include public advertisement and rigorous scrutiny….”

Similarly, another lawyer, Ige Asemudara, stated that all judges appointed to the Nigerian Bench are qualified in terms of the book requirement. However, he agreed that there is hardly a Nigerian judge who gets appointed without knowing someone who knows someone or who recommended or appointed him.

“The process should have been whether you know anyone or not, you should be appointed once you have the character, the competence and the book requirements. It is a huge problem,” he said

He also stated that he had no issues with the appointment of the children of judges or justices as judges once they have the character, the competence and the book qualifications and are equally subjected to the same processes and opportunities that others are subjected to.

Asemudara said it is unfair to judges to just make a blanket complaint that their children are getting appointed as judges. “An ordinary tailor wants his children or some of them to take his vocation. How much more a judge,” he said.


“My noble Lord, M. B. Idris JCA is one of the sons of our erstwhile Honourable Chief Justice, Idris Kutigi. I can stake my head that he is one of the finest judges ever appointed to the Federal High Court bench and now the Court of Appeal bench.

“We also have examples of children of judges appointed as judges and magistrates who are disappointing us. We have some of them in Lagos State here.Yet I will show you one Magistrate called Alogba, few years ago, I did a case before him. I was impressed.

“I hardly conduct cases before the Magistrates’ Court but once I saw the way the gentleman was handling his judicial responsibilities. I told my colleagues I would conduct this case myself instead of sending them.

“I did, I was impressed. His comportment, his understanding of the legal issues was impressive. We have children of nobody appointed to the Bench and they are disappointing everybody. So, it is neither here nor there.

“The recommendation is that whoever the person’s parents are should not matter, once he or she has the character, the competence and other legal requirements and subjected to the same standard of scrutiny as others and he comes out in flying colours, he or she should be appointed. Nothing more, nothing less,” he said.

Israel Mbaebie, a lawyer, stated that in saner climes, it won’t be out of place to have a long lineage of family members toeing the professional lines of their forebears. “We put personal/family interests and consideration far above national/collective good. It’s an anomaly. It’s condemnable,” the lawyer stated.

Challenging people to rise up and protest against such wickedness, Mbaebie said, “Just imagine the Senator Bulkachuwa’s show of shame at the floor of the Red Chambers where he ignobly and unashamedly admitted that he had used his position as the husband to then President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachawa, to influence judgments in favour of his political goons.

“In those saner climes, both he and his wife should be answering to the appropriate authorities. Not here. Is it not in Nigeria that a serving Governor of Kano State was caught on camera receiving bribes. Today, the same man has been put forward as the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress. Criminals are simply rewarded rather than being punished.

“This is why we should not worsen the already bad situation by trying to encourage the enthronement of what I call “familitocracy” into our body politic. We aren’t mature for that yet. That’s nepotism on steroids.”

Another lawyer, Kelechukwu Uzoka, reiterated that the selection process for judges should prioritise merit, competence, and qualifications above any form of family or political connections. He warned that appointing individuals to judicial positions solely based on their family ties would undermine the principles of an independent and impartial judiciary and might compromise the integrity of the entire legal system.

Uzoka said this practice, often referred to as “judicial nepotism,” raises questions about the transparency, fairness, and integrity of the judiciary, which is a cornerstone of any democratic society. This pattern of preferential appointments could lead to a decline in the quality and competence of the judiciary.

“Highly qualified and experienced candidates who may be more deserving and capable of serving in such esteemed positions might lose out to less qualified individuals, merely because of their familial affiliations.

“The negative consequences of judicial nepotism extend beyond the immediate impact on the individuals involved. It also has broader implications for the overall functioning of the legal system, as well as its ability to effectively dispense justice.

“The reputation of the judiciary could be tarnished, and it may lead to an erosion of public confidence in the institution responsible for upholding the rule of law.


“The appointment process of judicial officers must be more transparent and merit-based with a view on fostering diversity within the judiciary.

“It is this process that will help the country make significant strides toward ensuring an independent and trustworthy judicial system that serves the best interests of its citizens,” he stated.

47-year-old man kills policeman, swindles PoS operator of N4.4 million in Ondo

Operatives of Ondo State Police Command have arrested a 47-year-old man, Godson James, for allegedly killing an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) at a checkpoint in Ifon axis of Ose Local Council of the state.

The suspect was arrested on July 22 by military personnel in the Sobe area of Edo State, while trying to escape from Ondo State, and handed over to the police.

The Guardian gathered that James hit the deceased policeman, Emmanuel Oyewole, with his Ford Edge SUV, while attempting to escape from the state after swindling a 48-year-old Point of Sales (PoS) operator of N4.4 million in Akure, the state.

Parading the suspect at the police headquarters, the Ondo State Commissioner of Police (CP), Taiwo Jesubiyi, said the suspect, upon discovering that the police had mounted a roadblock, intentionally ran over the deceased ASP to evade arrest.

He said: “Oshodi Mubowale reported at the Police Scorpion Office in Akure that on July 21, 2023, an unknown man with an unregistered Ford Jeep came to her shop at Omolere Shopping Complex, Adesida Market, Akure, through one Thomas Toyin, 48, and Omonigba Kehinde, 47, both traders in the same complex.

“The said man requested a cash sum of N6 million, but was only able to get N4.4 million from her, and promised to send the money back through bank transfer, but failed to do so.

“However, the complainant later traced him to the DeJavu Hotel in Alagbaka, along with some of her relatives, after she realised that the man was not ready to transfer her money. However, the suspect escaped from the hotel with his car, while effort to trail him failed.

“The police officers and military men at the checkpoints within the axis he took were alerted. In the process of trying to evade arrest, the suspect intentionally ran over an Assistant Superintendent of Police attached to Ifon Division, Emmanuel Oyewole, at Police Pin Down, Ori Ohin, with his vehicle. The officer was confirmed dead at a nearby hospital.

“Officers of the 4th Brigade Headquarters in Sobe, Edo State, later arrested him. The suspect, Goodson Tender James, 47, was handed over to the police, with the sum of N1.515 million by the military,” the commissioner said.

On her part, Oshodi said after receiving the money, the suspect made a fake transfer, and bolted away from the terminal with his vehicle.

However, the suspect claimed that his friend sent the fake alert, and had to hurriedly leave the state after realising that his life was in danger.

“On my way, I saw some people in police uniforms, with one of them bending over on the road. When I tried to manoeuver, a gunshot hit my car from the front. Believing that the police could not just shoot at me, I thought they were robbers and managed to come out at another location. That was when I hit one of them. I was trying to save my life when I hit the person.

“When I packed, I saw that my radiator was affected by gunshots. Some trailer drivers told me kidnappers were coming, and I drove off. The military uniform they claimed to have seen in my car was just a seat jacket.

“I would have reported at a police station in Akure before leaving, but I don’t know anywhere in the town. I was able to locate the hotel I lodged in with the help of Google Maps,” the suspect alleged.
In this article
Godson James
Ondo State Police

FIFA Secretary General Tells Super Falcons Prize Money Will Be Paid Directly To Players Because Of Nigerian Government's Irresponsibility

The FIFA secretary general who addressed the Super Falcons after their 0-0 draw with the Republic of Ireland in their dressing room, noted that she knows “it has been tough” and that they had to “face the reality of Nigeria.”

The Secretary-General of the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), Ms Fatma Samoura has told Super Falcons of Nigeria that it is because of players like them that FIFA decided to pay prize money directly to players.

The FIFA secretary general who addressed the Super Falcons after their 0-0 draw with the Republic of Ireland in their dressing room, noted that she knows “it has been tough” and that they had to “face the reality of Nigeria.”


She, however, added that for the first time, the prize money would be paid to them – players – because of such realities.

“It is because of you that for the first time in the history of FIFA, the FIFA women world cup prize money will be paid directly to you, the players,” Samoura said, amid cheers from the nine-time African champions.

A former Arsenal player and football pundit Ian Wright also sent a message to the Nigeria Football Federation after the Super Falcons earned a historic win over the co-hosts of the tournament, Australia on Thursday.


The Super Falcons will not be paid their tournament match bonuses, following an announcement from FIFA that all players would receive around £15,760 (AUS$30,000) for participation in the group stages of the tournament.

There were set to be separate payments following each of Nigeria's group games - against Canada, Australia and Ireland - in addition to this.

The team had even threatened to go on strike for the first match of the competition against Canada who are also in the middle of a pay dispute with their own FA seeking equal pay and support with the men's team.

After a stunning win against hosts Australia, Wright took to social media to send out his message of support for the Nigerians.

“Pay them!!!!!” he wrote, lending his voice to the country's continuing dispute between players and governing body.

Pay them!!!!!! @thenff 🇳🇬

It has been a debate bubbling away beneath the surface of Nigerian women's football for some time, with manager Randy Waldrum outspoken in his criticisms over the treatment of his players. His previous complaints include disagreements over unpaid wages, poor travel arrangements and the cancellation of a pre-tournament camp leading up to the Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. The Nigerian squad even resorted to enlisting the help of global players' union FIFPRO over the matter. “I know we are not prepared the way we need to be … I've been very frustrated with the federation and the lack of support,” he said on the Sounding off on Soccer podcast, Daily Mail reports.

“We were supposed to have a camp for 10 to 12 days in Nigeria before going to Australia for another 10 to 15 days, but the federation cancelled the home camp.

“We have less days than a College pre-season to prepare for the World Cup, and it blows my mind because we've known about this since last year.” His thoughts were unsurprisingly met with disapproval from the NFF.

Federation representative Ademola Olajire called for Waldrum to 'simply concentrate on the task at hand'. However, Samoura commended the Super Falcons for progressing at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, a first-ever for an African team at the competition.

According to Samoura, their feat brought joy to women’s football as a whole with their elegance and self-assuredness on the pitch, as well as African women's football and the African girl-child. “I must say that I am proud of you. As you know, I am the first woman to be Secretary General of FIFA since the organisation was founded in 1904, and I am also an African. So, I am easily excited by any accomplishment that glorifies women’s football and African football,” she said.

The FIFA scribe who was in company with Nigeria’s leader of the delegation, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu and others, described the Super Falcons as the “best team of Africa”. She said their performance would inspire other African teams at the tournament. “You have won one match here, as Morocco and Zambia, but you are the only team that has made it to the knock-out stage yet.

I am also excited because when FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced my name as the new FIFA Secretary-General, I was in Nigeria working for the United Nations. So, Nigeria is a second home for me. “You should continue to believe in yourselves and play as a team, and be ready to lift the African flag higher in this tournament.

” Osasu Obayiuwana, a British-Nigerian journalist, who posted the video on Twitter, noted that Samoura had mandated FIFA’s Director for Africa, Gelson Fernandes, to ensure that the players received the money as she would be leaving soon. Samoura is leaving after seven years as the highest-profile woman working in the world football governing body. However, she will stay in the job through the ongoing Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand and leave at the end of the year.

illicit:


He is probably a bird

Drug trafficker

Morbeta11:
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/613596-ministerial-nominee-weeps-during-senate-screening-says-she-comes-from-poor-family.html

Gbajabiamila presents new set of ministerial list to Senate.

The Chief of Staff to the President and the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has presented the new batch of ministerial list to the Senate.

The Rules of the chamber were suspended at 3:15 pm to allow for the Chief of Staff to enter the hallowed Red Chamber.

Gbajabiamila had last Thursday presented the list of 28-man ministerial nominees to the Senate President, GodsWill Akpabio.

Prominent Nigerians who made the list are the immediate past Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, and his colleague from Kaduna, Nasir El-Rufai, and former Ebonyi Governor, David Umahi.

The Senate is currently screening the first batch of ministerial nominees, a process that started on Monday.

Police abducted me in Lagos, shipped me to Abuja — Alawiye, oil magnate

An oil magnet, Jide Alawiye, has called on the acting Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to investigate how he was abducted from Lagos by a top Police officer, taken to Abuja, intimidated, harassed and forced to pay a huge sum of money to a suspected fraudster, without cause.

He lamented that the incident, which took place three years ago, led to series of actions by police authorities in Lagos and Abuja, only for the case to be abandoned at the instance of the top police officer, after detailed investigation was carried out at the instance of former Inspectors General of Police.

Giving details of his abduction, Alawiye stated: “Triber Energy Limited chartered a ship from Finneke Shipping Limited (ship managers) in 2018. The payments, as agreed with the bank and Finneke, were to be credited to the account of Zirconia Marine and Energy International Limited (owners of the vessel) who were indebted heavily to Union Bank (UK) Plc.

“As at July 2019, there was a $175,000 outstanding payments, which an unknown Kehinde Ogbor wanted to convert to cash payment fraudulently. To achieve that, he enlisted Deputy Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Kontagora of Force Criminal Investigation Department, FCID, Port Harcourt, and they agreed to a script that began with a petition and an invitation to me as the Chief Executive Officer of Triber Energy Limited. The petition claimed that Kehinde Ogbor signed the charter with me in a Port Harcourt hotel and there was a $250,000 outstanding.

“Note that I have never met or heard about Kehinde Ogbor before this petition and invitation. The PH encounter, in Kontagora’s office, was the first. DCP Ahmed Kontagora, in a very unprofessional way, attempted a shake down and requested first payment of $20,000 cash from whatever balance is owed Finneke, which we tried to explain was not proper, as there is an underlying agreement.

“The then Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, on noticing this anomaly, moved the case file from Port Harcourt to FCID annex, Alagbon, under AIG Mani. When AIG Usman Mani retired, Kehinde Ogbor, believing money was still owed Finneke, approached Deputy Commissioner of Police, Edwin Eloho, serving at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, and encouraged him to abduct, rather than invite me, claiming that I have connections and that when Ahmed Kontagora harassed me in Port Harcourt, I signed an undertaking to bring cash but I did not.

“DCP Eloho, believing there was $250,000 or $175,000 on the table for recovery, never bothered to call for the file in Alagbon, but went about requesting photos from Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, for me, tracked my phone and carried out surveillance around my offices for about two days by sending two officers, David Attamah and Patrick Azu of the Cryptography and Cybercrime Unit, in Abuja, which Eloho headed, to abduct me and to bring the casefile from Alagbon.

“It is important to note that the monies so owed Finneke ($175k) had been settled in March 2020, a year after DCP Eloho tried to recover same in March 2021, because they didn’t bother to do basic investigations.

If he did, he would have discovered that Kehinde Ogbor is not a Director of Finneke Shipping or Zirconia Marine, as we checked at CAC during our plan to sue Kehinde Ogbor at the Federal High Court.

“Further, the instruction of DCP Eloho that I be held in a hotel, which I was forced to pay for after my abduction in Lagos, was illegal and unlawful.

“After I was released, and on receiving a petition on the ‘contract arrest’, recently retired IGP Baba Alkali Usman, in order to obtain a prompt report on the matter, directed the AIG in charge of Force CID annex, Alagbon, Lagos, Usman Belel, to supervise the investigation of the abduction and professional misconducts relating to DCP Eloho, as other cases of professional misconducts relating to Eloho had been brought to the attention of the Police High Command.

“The responsibility of the internal investigation fell on the then Commissioner of Police, Anti Fraud at FCID Annex, Alagbon, Lagos, Yomi Oladimeji, who sent two invitations to DCP Eloho, which he did not honor.
“Ironically, the report, reference CB;700/X/AD.ANNEX/Vol 124/85, indicting Eloho, was sent to the FCID Headquarters, Area 10, Abuja, where DCP Eloho was able to intercept it and prevented the file reaching the IGP’s office.

“The Force CID, Area 10, Abuja, on receiving a request for the file, have been playing cat-and-mouse game with the police monitoring unit, in order to frustrate efforts at exposing atrocities committed by one of their senior officers. DCP Eloho even got his non police foot soldiers to intimidate the lawyer handling the matter for the intended prosecution of the fraudster, while efforts to scuttle internal investigation are continuing.”

Ministerial nominee weeps during senate screening, says she comes from poor family.

Katsina nominee, Hannatu Musawa, says her father sold kolanut to send her to school.

Ministerial nominee weeps during senate screening, says she comes from poor family
Katsina nominee, Hannatu Musawa, says her father sold kolanut to send her to school.

A ministerial nominee from Katsina State, Hannatu Musawa, could not control her emotions on Tuesday when she broke down in tears while appearing before the Senate for screening.

Ms Musawa, a lawyer, was among the 28 Nigerians nominated by President Bola Tinubu as ministers last Thursday.

She is currently the presidential adviser on culture and entertainment economy.

She was the ninth nominee screened by the upper chamber on Tuesday.

When she was asked to introduce herself and summarise her resume by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Ms Musawa began to speak about her family background and her upbringing but, at some point, betrayed her emotion and started shedding tears.

Ms Musawa said she came from a poor family struggling to survive but that her father, Musa Musawa, a politician, ensured she got the desired Western education.

She said her father traded in Kolanut to sponsor her education before he died.

“I come from a family that struggles to make ends meet. My father sells ‘goro’ (Kolanut) to send me to school,” she said.

The nominee also told the senators that her biggest regret was that her father, who laboured for her, could not witness her nomination for the ministerial appointment despite all the hardships.

“My greatest regret is that my father is not here to witness her daughter’s screening for a ministerial position,” she said while cleaning her eyes with a handkerchief.


The Katsina nominee said she started her political career with the Buhari Foundation in 2022.

While she sobbed and spoke, some senators chanted loudly, “It’s okay. ”


At this point, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, stopped her from continuing with her address.

He told her she did not need to read an address because she was “not addressing the UN.” He said she was expected just to summarise her resume.

Adamawa North senator, Elisha Abbo, interjected and sought to speak and was recognised by the senate president.

Mr Abbo commended President Bola Tinubu for nominating seven women as ministers-designate and pleaded that Ms Musawa should be allowed to go.

Kawu Sumaila (NNPP, Kano South) also supported Mr Abbo.

Mr Akpabio then put it to vote, and the senators voted in support of Ms Musawa to take a bow and go.

The Senate president subsequently ruled that the nominee should bow and step out of the Senate chamber.

Ms Musawa, a former deputy spokesperson of the APC Campaign Council, then left the Senate chamber without answering a single question.

ECOWAS Mulling ‘Imminent Military Intervention’ In Niger, Junta Claims.

The African Union has given the military in Niger two weeks to restore "constitutional authority".


The leaders of the military coup in Niger claim that regional body ECOWAS could stage an imminent military intervention in the capital of the Sahel country.

The regional body met over the weekend to map out strategies to address the crisis in the West African nation.

But before the crisis summit in Niger, the junta claimed the regional body’s aim of convening the meeting is to deploy military aggression against the country.

“The aim of this meeting is to approve a plan of aggression against Niger, in the form of an imminent military intervention in Niamey, in cooperation with African countries who are not members of the regional body and certain Western nations,” it said Saturday.

Already, the African Union has given the military in Niger two weeks to restore “constitutional authority”.

It condemned the coup in “the strongest terms possible” and expressed deep concern over the “alarming resurgence” of military overthrows in Africa.

The United States — which has about 1,000 troops in Niger — has offered Bazoum Washington’s steadfast support and warned those detaining him that they were “threatening years of successful cooperation and hundreds of millions of dollars of assistance”.

Landlocked Niger often ranks last in the United Nations’ Human Development Index, despite vast deposits of uranium.

It has had a turbulent political history since gaining independence in 1960, with four coups as well as numerous other attempts — including two previously against Bazoum.

Tinububalls:
Somebody should check if he's holding a plate of gbegiri.

Scarrr:
oga save your quote for your fellow delusional Igbos.. also don't do crime in Canada.

Scarrr:
yenyenyen! Quit thinking like cow, what's my business with whatever u got in Canada or Burundi 😒, good for u, cos it's cloudy in your side doesn't mean it's cloudy everywhere else.. Mumu

Scarrr:
Lmao.. truly Igbo's love been on the very very wrong side of history .. not surprised tho, team rogue (ipob/ugm) wan tag with another rogue group(Wagner)

Godwin4444:
so because Yoruba man is in power u igbos want coup again right?

When u repeat d mistake of 1960 n u are dealt with u will start tagging nfa

yarimo:
Labour party miscreants

ruffhandu:
So the so-called South South are a bunch of poor people? In fact, I don't believe this report.

Alleged Certificate Forgery: Court Dismisses NYSC’s Objection To Mbah’s N20bn Suit

In his a ruling, Justice Ekwo held that the provisions of Section 20 of the NYSC Act does not relate to Mbah.



Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court Abuja has dismissed the preliminary objection filed by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) against Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah’s N20 billion suit over alleged certificate forgery.

In his ruling, Justice Ekwo held that the provisions of Section 20 of the NYSC Act do not relate to Mbah, as he is not currently a serving NYSC member, an intended one, or an employee of the corps.

At the last adjourned date, the counsel for NYSC had argued that Mbah contravened the NYSC Act in the institution of the suit.

While urging the court to strike out the suit, he said Mbah did not appeal to the President as required by the provisions of Section 20 of the NYSC Act before instituting the suit against them.

Mbah’s counsel urged Justice Ekwo to dismiss the objection on the grounds that the sections cited in the NYSC Act were not applicable in the instant suit and that a counter affidavit and written address had been filed in response to the preliminary objection.

Amongst other reliefs, Mbah in his counter affidavit said that Section 20 of the NYSC Act, which NYSC’s lawyer referred to, did not apply to him.

The NYSC issued a disclaimer on February 1, 2023, in response to a request for information on the NYSC status Peter Mbah, pursuant to section 1 of the Freedom of information act 2011.

Mbah averred that upon completion of the NYSC service, he was issued the certificate of National Service No. A.808297 dated 6th January 2003.

DSS’ Tribunal Testimony
Earlier this month, the Department of State Security (DSS) debunked claims by the NYSC that Mbah forged his discharge certificate at the ongoing Enugu State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.

The DSS made its position known in a written statement on oath adopted by its representative, Mr Yahaya Isa Mohammed.

Giving evidence, the subpoenaed DSS Deputy Director, Operations and Strategic Department said the security agency commenced an investigation into the discharge certificate controversy, following a petition to it by Mbah dated February 8, 2023.

The DSS said the certificates in a series that included Mbah’s were found to have been issued to Corps members in Lagos, contrary to the NYSC’s claim.

sarkinbauchi:
DHQ should translate what he said into Igbo so that Simon Ekpa and Ndi Obidients can read it

seunmsg:
Penguin2 is a well known tribal bigot on this forum. Pretending otherwise is crassly playing the ostrich.