₦airaland Forum

The Kano Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Wednesday secured the conviction of three internet fraudsters: Ndukwu Chukuemeka, Abuma Olamonu Monday and Onayedu Tolulari.

They were convicted before Justices Baraka Iliyasu Wali and Abbas Bawale of the Katsina State High Court.

Ndukwu was arrested alongside nineteen others by operatives of the Commission during a raid at Dutsinma, Katsina State following intelligence linking them to fraudulent activities around Dutsinma Local Government.

Investigation revealed that he posed as one Dwayne Kate, female, and defrauded his victim, one Barry Bull by sending him nude pictures.

The charge read, that “you Ndukwu Chukuemeka sometimes in 2021 within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court with intent to impersonate presented yourself as Dwayne Kate, a citizen of America by collecting the sum of $750 from one Barry Bull by sending him nude pictures and you thereby committed an offense contrary to section 306 of the Penal Code Law of Katsina State and Punishable under section 307 of the same law”.

The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge.

Counsel for the prosecution, A.T Habib asked the court to convict the defendant accordingly.

Counsel to the defendant, Chief I.C Ekponibu pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, adding that the defendant is a first time offender who did not waste the time of the court.

Consequently, Justice Wali convicted and sentenced Ndukwu to two years imprisonment with option of N100, 000 fine.

In a related development, Justice Abbas Bawale of the Katsina State High Court also convicted the duo of Abuma Olamonu Monday and Onayedu Tolulari on one count charge each for offenses bordering on internet fraud.

Justice Bawale convicted Abuma and sentenced him to fine of N50, 000, while Tolulari bagged a fine of N200,000

The court also ordered the forfeiture of Abuma’s Tecno phone and Tolulari’s Apple IPhone XR, HP Laptop and Infinix phone, to the Federal Government.

President General Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Ambassador George Obiozo has commended the Nigerian Army for its role in restoring peace to South East Region.

He made the commendation in Enugu when he hosted the General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Maj Gen Taoreed Lagbaja on a courtesy visit on Wednesday.

Ambassador Obiozo expressed his delight for the visit saying “without peace nations cannot progress and without the Armed Forces, we will have more problems. They are the pillars of Nigeria’s unity.”

He described the Nigerian Army among “the best in Africa”. He calls on troops to continue to do their best to ensure peace and security nationwide.

Responding, the General Officer Commanding described Ohanaeze Ndigbo as a key stakeholder in managing the affairs within the Divisions core Area of Responsibility.

He said the[b] “Nigerian Army is an instrument of the state to safeguard peace, security and to ensure economic activities”[/b] hence the need to partner all stakeholders to achieve its mandate.

General Lagbaja commended the leadership of the group for their recent pronouncement against the threat of using force in enforcing secessionists’ planned weekly sit at home order.

He assured the entire residents of the region of security and warns troublemakers against any breach of security.

He extended the hand of cooperation of the Division to the group in areas of security in the region.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo is a socio-cultural organisation designed to provide a platform where Ndigbo, within and outside Nigeria come together for the purpose of nurturing better understanding and harmonious relations amongst themselves and with other ethnic groups in Nigeria and beyond.

President Muhammadu Buhari today congratulated the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, and wished him well on his 60th birthday. Buhari appreciated the economist and banker for his patriotic service to the country at a time of difficult economic challenges.

The president prayed that Emefiele’s efforts would yield positive dividends for the generality of Nigerians to reap from.

Buhari equally wished the CBN governor good health and greater service to fatherland.

In a congratulatory letter to Emefiele, which was personally signed by the president, he stated, “It gives me great pleasure to rejoice with you on the occasion of your diamond jubilee. Kindly accept the felicitations of myself, family and Nigerians at this auspicious milestone.

“As Governor of Nigeria’s apex bank, you have rendered selfless service to your country at a most challenging period of our economic development, and I salute your commitment, passion and doggedness. As you continue to build on these achievements, it is my hope that your efforts translate to more positive results on the nation’s economy for improved living standards we envisage for our people.

“While using this medium to pray Almighty God to bless you with many more years in good health and service to your fatherland, please accept my best wishes and personal regards.”

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Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, also congratulated Emefiele and praised his diligence and commitment to the country’s economic project. In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, Gbajabiamila said Emefiele was one Nigerian whose track record of excellence was there for all to see.

The statement quoted the speaker as saying regarding Emefiele, “Nigeria and Nigerians are proud of him for his services.”

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Similarly, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, felicitated Emefiele, describing him as an invaluable asset to Nigeria.

Sanwo-Olu, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, noted that the CBN governor’s input to the country’s economy and the financial sector were clear testament to his visionary leadership.

The governor said the renowned economist and banker had used his wealth of experience for the benefit of the private sector, especially the banking industry, at a most challenging period of the country’s economic development.

Sanwo-Olu stated, “On behalf of my adorable wife, Ibijoke, and the good people of Lagos State, I heartily congratulate the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, on the occasion of his Diamond Jubilee.”[/b[

The governor said attaining the age of 60 year in grace was worth celebrating, considering Emefiele’s remarkable track record in the financial world. He said the CBN governor’s performance had earned him an enviable place as Governor of Nigeria’s apex bank.

According to Sanwo-Olu, over the years, Emefiele has proved his worth as a good manager of human and capital resources in both the private and public sectors.

The governor stated, [b]“As CBN Governor, Emefiele has been a worthy partner in our administration’s quest to build a Greater Lagos for millions of Lagosians, by creatively working with us in some areas of intervention aimed at building institutions for sustainable economic growth and development of Lagos State.

“Mr. Emefiele’s intellectual input to the nation’s economy in this globally economic depressing period has helped in no small measure to stabilise the business environment, while restoring confidence in the ecosystem.

“As Mr. Godwin Emefiele celebrates his Diamond Jubilee, I wish him good health and more fruitful years. I pray that God will continue to preserve and grant him good health to enable him render more service to humanity and our dear nation.”

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Emefiele has been at the forefront of Nigeria’s economic diversification drive, by providing the critical financial support to operators in the non-oil sector. Under him, the CBN has rolled out massive development interventions in critical sectors of the economy, especially in agriculture, manufacturing, and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).

The interventions Emefiele include the SME Credit Guarantee Scheme (SMECGS); Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund (MSMEDF); Agri-business/Small and Medium Enterprises Investment Scheme (AGSMEIS); Creative Industry Financing Initiative (CIFI); Targeted Credit Facility (TCF) and the Nigeria Youth Investment Fund (NYIF); the Youth Entrepreneurship Development Programme (YEDP); and the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP), among several other development finance initiatives in the past seven years.

Under the MSMEDF, which charges nine per cent interest rate, the disbursement of over N83.9billion to 216,704 beneficiaries was recorded at the end of 2020. AGSMEIS is an initiative of the Bankers’ Committee, in collaboration with the CBN, that was also set up to improve access to affordable and sustainable finance by agri-businesses and MSMEs.

The initiatives have enhanced job creation and boosted the managerial capacity of agri-businesses and MSMEs.

So far, a total of N111.7 billion has been disbursed to 29,026 beneficiaries. Furthermore, a N50 billion Targeted Credit Facility was introduced in March 2020 as a stimulus package to cushion the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on households and MSMEs across the country. The fund has been increased N400 billion.

In terms of the ABP, over 3.1 million farmers have been financed for the cultivation of crops across 21 agricultural commodities. Also, a total of 3,107,890 farmers have been financed for the cultivation of 3,801,397 hectares across 21 commodities through 23 Participating Financial Institutions in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from the inception of the programme till date.

For the YEDP, which was launched in 2016 to enhance the deployment of the ingenuity and resourcefulness of Nigerian youths to achieve maximum economic development, a total of N173.4 million has been disbursed to over 67 beneficiaries. The target beneficiaries are members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), non-NYSC (but not more than five years post-NYSC), holders of verifiable tertiary institution certificates, and artisans with First School Leaving Certificate or a technical certificate or accredited proficiency certificate from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

Emefiele also earned his stripes as one of the heroes of the country’s efforts to contain COVID-19. The CBN under Emefiele’s leadership was proactive in mitigating the effects of the pandemic on the economy.

Immediately the first COVID-19 case was recorded in Lagos, the Emefiele-led CBN took decisive actions and unfolded a raft of measures to moderate the effect of the virus on households, businesses, and the economy.

Emefiele was also instrumental to the formation of the private-sector-led Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID), which was able to mobilise billions of naira and has immensely supported the country’s COVID-19 fight by setting up healthcare facilities across the country and distributing palliatives to states. It also established a health sector grant to promote research in the development of vaccines, among other policy measures.

The health sector facility has provided loans to pharmaceutical companies to expand and open drug-manufacturing plants in the country, and it has helped hospitals and healthcare practitioners to expand and build health facilities.

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State salutes the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, on his 60th birthday. 

#EnuguStateIsInTheHandsOfGod
#amokelouis

The apex socio-cultural Igbo organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has said the next President of Nigeria to emerge in 2023 will come from the South-East.

The group also stated that the region will not fall for the blackmail of political enemies using the Biafra agitation in the region against it.

Ohanaeze enumerated diverse agitation and militia groups that emanated from other regions which did stop the ambition of their people to rule the country.

According to Vanguard, it stated that the movement of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) did not prevent Olusegun Obasanjo from becoming Nigeria's President nor did the Niger Delta militia groups stop Goodluck Jonathan from becoming Nigeria's leader.

The group also said Boko Haram insurgency in the North was not used against President Muhammadu Buhari when he wanted to become the President.

It then reiterated that there are no activities or agitations from the South-East that can be used against the region from fielding the President to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

The group in a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo World, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, condemned what it termed as attempts by critics of Ndigbo to blackmail her with the activities of Biafran agitators over Igbo presidency.

It said, “The South-West has no strong claim for the presidency in 2023. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo led Nigeria as President from 1999 to 2007 while Professor Yemi Osibanjo will conclude 8 years as Vice President from 2015 to 2023. So, 2023 will be the turn of the Igbo to occupy the exalted office of the president.

“Ohanaeze condemns attempts to blackmail the Igbo with activities of Biafra agitators resurrect the rhetorical questions about the activities of other ethnic militia’s activities in the past. Did the activities of OPC stop Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s emergence in 1999? Did the activities of the Niger Delta militants stop Dr Goodluck Jonathan from emerging the President in 2011? Did Boko Haram insurgents and bandits stop General Muhammadu Buhari in 2015?

“Since the activities of these groups did not stop the people from the aforementioned areas from emerging Presidents of Nigeria at different times, the rise of self-determination agitators from the South-East will not stop the zone from producing the president in 2023. Igbo Presidency in 2023 will rather assuage the burning flames of Biafra agitation and put Nigeria back on track for greater heights.”

Ohanaeze Ndigbo also tasked Igbo presidential aspirants to reach out to all political parties and geopolitical zones and build bridges of friendship and support ahead of the 2023 election.

Abba Kyari’s wire fraud, money laundering charges not against Nigerian law: Mike Ozekhome | Peoples Gazette.

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The senior lawyer said the disgraced police chief should be treated with dignity in his ongoing case with the United States

Mike Ozekhome, a senior Nigerian lawyer based in Abuja, has said the offences levelled against disgraced police officer Abba Kyari by the United States may not necessarily be against Nigerian criminal statutes.

Mr Ozekhome, while appearing on Channels TV earlier, also said Mr Kyari should be treated with dignity because his might matter might be politically or religiously motivated.

“Abba Kyari is safe under Nigeria law,” Mr Ozekhome said. “He is entitled to his protection under the Constitution of Nigeria, particularly section 36, that presumes his innocence.”

It was unclear how Mr Ozekhome arrived at his suggestion. Nigeria has extant provisions against money laundering and wire fraud, which are some of the most common criminal charges amongst law enforcement authorities, including the police and anti-graft EFCC.

Mr Kyari has been indicted by a grand jury in the U.S. for his involvement in an international crime syndicate that defrauded a Qatari businessperson of $1.1 million. He has denied wrongdoing, claiming his relationship with the principal of the syndicate Ramon ‘Hushpuppi’ Abbas was only for a short period.

However, American prosecutors, said they established a strong link between Mr Kyari and Hushpuppi and filed two charges of wire fraud and money laundering against him. He was subsequently suspended from office and will now face extradition to the U.S.

The police chief, long celebrated as tough on crime and incorruptible, has received support from some corners, although he was more widely rebuked for his indictment.

Mr Ozekhome, weighing in on the matter on Tuesday, said Mr Kyari will continue to enjoy the protection of the Nigerian law unless otherwise decided by the attorney-general.

MrColdsweat:
This moniker is always making divisive threads.

ATTENTION! You can't use your positions in IPOB to defraud the family members. Your #CORPORATIONACCOUNT has nothing to do with #ESN OR #IPOB
Those BIAFRANS that failed in hijacking IPOB'S account in 2015/2016, are on it again.

Very soon I will make their names public & country.

People are more concerned with money then the release of @MaziNnamdiKanu ! I’m taking serious notes. Please put your energy on @MaziNnamdiKanu release and nothing else!!!

Please for your own peace of mind do not donate to this fake #ESN or #IPOB account. #FAKEACCOUNT

ESN worldwide Bank Account Details for your donation and support, we move!

Popular activist and Convener of Concerned Nigerians, Deji Adeyanju has called for the immediate arrest of DCP Abba Kyari.

Adeyanju’s statements are coming shortly after reports emerged that Kyari had ties to disgraced fraudster, Ramon Olorunwa Abbas a.k.a Hushpuppi. On Thursday morning, unsealed court documents reveal that Hushpuppi allegedly bribed the top cop to arrest an associate in Nigeria.

A US court has also ordered the FBI to arrest Kyari. Adeyanju wrote on Twitter:

“Sack Abba Kyari now.”

“The Interpol should arrest Abba Kyari if he ever goes to Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Europe , etc and hand him over to the FBI.”

Kyari has since reacted to the report stating that he has no business with Hushpuppi adding that he only responded to complaint from the fraudster that someone was threatening to kill his(hushpuppi) family in Nigeria over a deal gone wrong.

He stated that he only helped hushpuppi to get native attires which cost N300,000 and that the money was paid directly to the account of the tailor.

More facts have emerged in the ongoing trial of Nigeria’s serial Internet fraudster, Ramon ‘Hushpuppi’ Abbas, and his secret relationship with a Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation in court documents, Kyari abandoned his duties in Nigeria sometime in 2019 and flew to Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, to “enjoy a good time” with Hushpuppi, who lived at Palazzo Versace in the Emirati commercial capital.

The September 2019 trip was only an episode of a mutually-beneficial cozy affair between Kyari and Abbas that was uncovered by the American authorities as part of their ongoing prosecution of Abbas for a multimillion-dollar internet fraud.

Abbas pleaded guilty this week after his legal representatives successfully negotiated a plea deal with prosecutors in Central California, court documents said.

He faces up to 20 years in jail at sentencing in the coming weeks.

He will also forfeit some of his plunder from years of online fraud and pay restitution to some of his victims, court filings said.

Additional documents seen by Peoples Gazette showed that Kyari in 2019 travelled to Dubai to enjoy a good time with Hushpuppi.

Abbas “sent a car and driver to drive” Kyari around “during that trip,” FBI unsealed indictment said.

Also during the trip, Kyari bragged to Abbas about some of his so-called crime-busting activities in Nigeria, to which Abbas responded by playing allegiance to the police chief.

“Am really happy to be your boy,” Hushpuppi told Kyari in an intercepted message. “I promise to be a good boy to you sir.”

SaharaReporters had earlier reported that Hushpuppi narrated how he bribed bribes To Kyari.

According to the US Department of Justice, a criminal complaint initiated the prosecution of Hushpuppi in February as court documents ordered unsealed showed that Abbas, a 37-year-old Nigerian national, pleaded guilty on April 20.

It had been reported that officials said in court filings that Abbas disclosed during interrogation that he paid bribes to Nigeria’s police chief, Kyari, to have one of his rivals arrested and jailed in Nigeria following a dispute over a $1.1million dupe of a Qatari businessperson.

Abbas had asked Kyari to arrest and jail a fellow fraudster Kelly Chibuzor Vincent after both were locked in a dispute presumably over how to share the $1.1million loot received from the Qatari businessperson.

Vincent subsequently contacted the victim and informed them that they were being scammed by a syndicate involving him and Abbas.

This elicited anger from Abbas, who contacted Kyari to arrest and jail his rival over the dispute. Abbas said Kyari sent pictures of Vincent in jail and subsequently sent his bank account number to Abbas to which a wire transfer should be made having done a good job as sent by Abbas.

“Court documents outline a dispute among members of the conspiracy, which allegedly prompted Vincent to contact the victim and claim that Abbas and Juma were engaged in fraud. After this contact, Abbas allegedly arranged to have Vincent jailed in Nigeria by Abba Alhaji Kyari, 46, of Nigeria.

“According to the affidavit, Kyari is a highly decorated deputy commissioner of the Nigeria Police Force who is alleged to have arranged for Vincent to be arrested and jailed at Abbas’ behest, and then sent Abbas photographs of Vincent after his arrest. Kyari also allegedly sent Abbas bank account details for an account into which Abbas could deposit payment for Vincent’s arrest and imprisonment,” U.S. Justice department said in a statement.

I wish all muslims would abandon and condemn violent, bloody Jihad and focus on peaceful, intellectual, spiritual, verbal Jihad. I think the dispensation of violent Jihad has passed. The world has changed. In the modern world, practicing violent Jihad leads to Islamophobia.

Violent Jihad is any use of violence or the threat of violence against the perceived enemies of your Religion. For example, rioting violently and killing people over cartoons, allegations of blasphemy, comments made about the Prophet in news media, etc. This causes Islamophobia.

I appreciate the peaceful majority very much but their silence makes them seem to approve of the violence of the minority. When Sheikh Bello Yabo called for extra-judicial murder I expected organizations like MURIC and all moderate muslims to condemn what he said, but no one did.

CREATORS OF RELIGIOUS EXTREMISTS.

Religious extremists are created by religious teachers.
Boko Haram cannot die as long as Imams in the north continue to teach young men that violence is not only permitted, but it's an obligation that God will reward.
The solution involves controlling religious leaders.

The founder of Boko Haram started as a religious teacher. He was allowed to preach his intolerant interpretation of Islam to thousands of people. One of those people was Shekau. The rest is history. Nigeria shouldn't tolerate any religious interpretation that promotes violence.

POLITICAL REMEDY

We should have DSS agents in every house of God in the north, listening to what people are being taught and warning clerics who encourage or call for any form of violence. If they persist, they should be jailed. Laws against promoting religious violence should be enforced.

To prevent govt over-reach the law must only allow the government to prosecute religious teachers if they advocate or support actual violence.

It must explicitly state that it doesn't apply to political opposition or criticism of the government.

NORTHERN MUSLIM WOMEN AND ISLAM.

We should include northern Muslim women in the discussions about religious extremism and insecurity in Nigeria. They have a different perspective from their brothers and fathers. If your view of the north is based on conversations with only men, it's likely to be very innacurate.

e.g. Kadaria Ahmed does not like extrajudicial killings, but she cannot condemn Sheik Bello Yabo who called for extrajudicial killings because doing so will get her into trouble with the men around and above her. She's a journalist, but still muzzled. Let's empower these women.

I wish to call out Kadaria Ahmed for speaking out against Islamophobia even as Sheik Bello Yabo orders muslims in Sokoto to kill a man accused of blasphemy when he's released by the govt.

I hereby challenge Kadaria Ahmed and other muslims to condemn what Sheik Bello Yabo said.

The International Refugee Law permits Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho, to enter any country even with a “fake passport”, Olasupo Ojo, Coordinator, Legal Affairs for the agitator, has said.

Article 31 of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees provides thus: “The Contracting States shall not impose penalties, on account of their illegal entry or presence, on refugees who, coming directly from a territory where their life or freedom was threatened in the sense of Article 1, enter or are present in their territory without authorisation, provided they present themselves without delay to the authorities and show good cause for their illegal entry or presence.

“The Contracting States shall not apply to the movements of such refugees restrictions other than those which are necessary and such restrictions shall only be applied until their status in the country is regularised or they obtain admission into another country.

“The Contracting States shall allow such refugees a reasonable period and all the necessary facilities to obtain admission into another country.”

Speaking on Wednesday while featuring on PUNCH Online interview programme, The Roundtable, Igboho’s lawyer, however, said his client didn’t obtain a fake Beninese Passport as reported by some section of the media.

Ojo said Igboho’s life was under threat by the State Security Service, hence, the activist felt the need to run for his life.

According to the lawyer, Igboho, having fled Nigeria, photocopies of his German residential permit and his Nigerian passport were enough for him to travel under international law. “So, he didn’t obtain any fake passport,” he said.

“Anybody fleeing for his life is protected under international law and the fact that he has even applied for asylum makes him untouchable,” the lawyer stressed.

Igboho, an arrowhead of the secessionist agitation for Yoruba nation, has been in detention since July 19, 2021 when he was arrested round 8pm by Interpol at the Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou, Benin Republic.

The secret police in Nigeria had raided his Ibadan residence some three weeks before he was arrested in Cotonou.

The secret police had said it killed two of his associates and arrest about 12 others during the bloody raid around 1am on July 1, 2021.

Igboho was arrested in Cotonou when he tried to catch a flight to Germany after the Nigerian Government notified Interpol that he should be hunted.

Speaking on PUNCH Roundtable, Ojo said the secret police acted illegally by raiding his client’s house and by declaring him wanted without a court order.

The lawyer said, “Anybody faced with such situation is entitled to take necessary steps to protect his life. He (Igboho) has chosen to flee the country for the preservation of his life and international law permits him to do that whether legally or illegally, you have the right to preserve your life first.

“Even if you enter any country illegally, that seeming illegality is legalised by the international refugee law that anybody who is fearful of his life has the right to go out of any country anyhow and enter any country anyhow and apply for asylum.

“Even if you have a fake passport, the moment you get to that country and you apply for asylum, and you explain that ‘this is why I did this’, you have not committed any crime.

“In addition to that, this is ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States), any citizen of West African can enter any country in the region without a visa.”

Senator Shehu Sani, who represented Kaduna Central at the 8th National Assembly, has lambasted the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere for comparing the case of Yoruba activist, Sunday Igboho to Prophet Muhammed (S.A.W).

Afenifere, had in a statement on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, said “We recall that Moses had to be taken away from the prying eyes of Pharaoh and his agents in Egypt. Prophet Muhammed (S.A.W) too had to leave his hometown, Mecca for Medina in order to escape persecution.

“Thus, there is nothing wrong in Igboho seeking a respite first to preserve his life and perhaps to re-strategise.”

The statement has attracted backlash from the Muslim faithful as many described the comparison as insulting.

The former lawmaker, while reacting to the statement, described it as “unconscionable, provocative and disgusting” stating that the comment must be retracted with immediate effect.

He said, “The reported statement by Afenifere stands unreservedly condemned.Their comparison is wrong, unconscionable, provocative and disgusting. It must be withdrawn immediately.

“The Afenifere must tender an unreserved apologies to the Muslim ummah for such acts of irresponsible desecration.

“Nothing is more important and sacrosanct to the Muslim ummah than preserving, defending and upholding the Pious name our Prophet Muhammad SAW.
AGAIN Afenifere’s utterances stand unreservedly condemnable”.

On Monday, July 26, 2021, we published a story titled, 'Igboho Is Like Prophet Mohammed Who Fled Mecca For Media Over Persecution—Afenifere'.

We apologise to all those who feel hurt by the report. As a media platform, we report on events as they occur. We understand that some people who read the report did not understand that it did NOT emanate from SaharaReporters but was a report distilled from a statement released by Afenifere, a socio-cultural organisation. We assure our esteemed readers and followers that it was not our intention to denigrate the Islamic faith and Prophet Muhammad as we hold all faiths in high regard. We thank you for your feedback.

Ibrahim Salami, one of the lawyers representing Sunday Adeyemo, Yoruba Nation activist better known as Sunday Igboho, says a new charge was brought up against his client on Monday.

Salami said Igboho came to Benin through a back channel and the judge said he might have had some criminal association while in Benin, calling for further investigation on his entrance and stay in the country.

The lawyer said there were nine lawyers who represented Igboho at the Beninese court, and they were all shocked to see how the case turned out.

In an interview with the BBC, Salami said if Igboho wanted to cause problems in Benin, he would have stayed longer in the country, but he was willing to leave the country less than 24 hours after coming to Benin.

He said the court eventually ruled that Igboho be held in a Beninese prison until the investigation is concluded.

A final judgement has not been made by the Beninese court sitting in Cotonou, but the lawyers are now seeking to bail Igboho pending the investigation.

He said the case started with fighting off extradition to Nigeria, but ended as a case of Sunday Adeyemo versus the Benin Republic.

TheCable had reported earlier on Tuesday that Igboho was sent back to prison by the court, following a 13-hour hearing at the Cotonou court of appeal.

Igboho and his wife, Ropo, were arrested at an airport in Cotonou last week and detained at the request of the Nigerian government.

His lawyers requested the release of his wife on the grounds that she had committed no offence against the Nigerian state.

On Thursday, the court answered the prayers and ordered her release and a return of her passport. Igboho was taken to detention, where he has been up until Monday.

#NoTosaharareporters

Unfollow them now
Umfollow them now

#FreeDunamis5 #FreeNnamdiKanuNow Lawless DSS had “accredited” only 10 media houses to cover @MaziNnamdiKanu’s trial, it will be a shame and a crime against #freepress for any independent news source to apply to DSS for accreditation. This is highly condemnable and embarrassing! #BuhariMustGo #RevolutionNow
These media houses must withdraw from these sabotage of free press. The DSS has no right to engage in the accreditation of media houses to cover a public trial in a federal high court in Nigeria. The judiciary should be ashamed that its independence has been compromised completely by the executive.

NTA Network News, Daily Post Nigeria, TVC NEWS NIGERIA, AIT Online, thisdaylive.com, Channels Television, @dailyindependent

If you are a lion and the only food available is grass, eat it! Don’t say I am too high to eat grass. Remember, a living dog is better than a dead lion-Ecclesiastes 9:4. Eat grass until you find meat. When meat comes, clean your mouth as if you did not eat grass

#RenosNuggets

As the trial of the leader of the proscribed IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, resumes on Monday, a former federal legislator who authored and co-sponsored the Terrorism Act Amendment Bill of 2013, Kayode Oladele, has called for a procedure which disallows those charged with terrorist acts from using the trials as a propaganda platform.

Kanu’s arrest from an unknown location and his extradition to Nigeria was announced on June 27 by the country’s Attorney General, Abubakar Malami.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the IPOB leader was consequently arraigned before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, amidst tight security on June 29.

The case was subsequently adjourned till July 26.

Oladele, a former Chairman of the House Committee on Financial Crimes in the 8th Assembly, however, canvassed the need for a closed trial of terrorists.

He advised the Federal Government to embrace secrecy in court terrorism trials, being the model used by several Western nations.

According to him, acts of terrorism are tantamount to acts of war.

The former lawmaker stated these in a five-page article entitled: “Terrosim Trials: An Overview of the Delicate Balance between National Security and Human Rights.”

The lawmaker said all terrorism trials anywhere in the world by their nature were always full of intricacies which involved several difficult legal issues bordering on procedure, conflict of laws including the protection of witnesses, issues of disclosure and the use of sensitive evidence during trials.

He urged the Federal Government to ensure a balancing between national security and fairness of proceedings at all stages through proper protection of human rights standards as an international law obligation by the state

The legal practitioner also advised the government to adopt secrecy in the process, maintaining that this had been the common practice globally.

He said: “Secrecy of terrorism trials, which is another common feature of terrorism trials globally, can be found in Nigerian law.

”Section 31(3) of the 2011 Act provides that the court may, on motion by or on behalf of the prosecuting agency, in the interest of public safety or order, exclude from proceedings instituted for any offence under this Act, any person other than the parties and their legal representatives.

“Surprisingly, the 2011 Terrorism Act did not create a separate court for the trial of terrorists.

” The jurisdiction is still vested in the Federal High Court which presumably is expected to use the same procedure used for the prosecution of other criminal cases in terrorism trials, a significant departure from what is obtainable in several other jurisdictions where in addition to secret trials, separate courts such as Military Tribunals are usually used for the trial of terrorism cases.”

He also quoted Section 30 of the 2011 Act as giving the Attorney- General of the Federation the general powers to institute and undertake criminal proceedings on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria even though he may “delegate his power to any agency charged with responsibility of terrorists investigation to institute criminal proceedings against any person in respect of offences categorised” in the Act, ” which he put forward as empowering the government to justify to mode of the proceedings. ”

“Realising that acts of terrorism are tantamount to acts of war, several Western nations including the United States and United Kingdom not only try most terrorism cases secretly by Special Tribunals, they also sometimes adopt special procedures in order to protect national security, public interest and also “achieve a high rate of conviction that would not be achievable in the regular courts, where “due process” is diligently pursued.

“In the trial of terrorists, therefore, the focus is mainly about “dispensing military justice attendant to a military conflict”, not necessarily (though important), the protection of the fundamental rights of the terrorists,” he said.

Soldiers of the 154 task battalion, Ngamdu have arrested a man identified as Ebenezer Odeh who was in possession of illegal ammunition, along Maiduguri-Damaturu highway on Sunday.

A military source stated that the suspect, upon arrest, claimed to be a police officer and member of the police Special Weapons Tactical Team (SWAT) in Rivers State, The Cable reports.

DY Chiwar, the commander of the battalion, was said to have ordered Odeh’s arrest, after noticing suspicious movement.


“The suspect with NPF No: 456647, boarded a Borno Express bus to Nigeria’s capital, Abuja when they arrived at the checking point,” the military source said.


“While the vehicle was waiting for its turn to be passed at the checking point, the suspect dropped from the bus and claimed he wanted to ease himself (urinate).


“This elicited suspicion from the commander who directed troops to search the suspect’s bag.


“On searching the bag, about 220 quantity rounds of 7.62mm special, 1× hand grenade, a dagger and other items were discovered.


“When interrogated by the troops, the suspect was said to have claimed to be a member of the police Special Weapons Tactical Team (SWAT) from the mobile police force, 19 unit, Rivers state.”

Another military source said the suspect might be a fake policeman.


“He is not supposed to carry any arms. He is a suspect. No police is allowed to travel with a single bullet. And when he was stopped, he tried to run away before they intercepted him,” the source said.


The suspect and items recovered have been handed over to the headquarters sector 2, Operation Hadin Kai for further investigation.

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have taken over the premises of the Federal High Court, Maitama in Abuja ahead of the trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Monday.

Kanu is standing trial before Justice Binta Nyako for charges bordering on terrorism, treasonable felony, illegal possession of arms, among others levelled against him by the Nigerian government.

A detachment of hooded armed officers was seen stationed at the entrance of the court with motorbikes and vehicles preventing human and vehicular movements into the area.


The operatives took over the surroundings of the court and the Ministry of Justice building, down to Abia State Government's liaison office, preventing people from accessing the area.

Those who lodged in hotels in the area were prevented from moving in and out of the hotels as the officers insisted that they were on a special operation in the area and appealed to them for understanding.


The situation, however, led to an altercation as some affected persons engaged the operatives and insisted on going to their hotel rooms.

It is not clear if the operatives will allow those working in the area to have access to their offices on Monday.


Meanwhile, supporters of the detained IPOB leader have vowed to storm the court to show solidarity with their leader.


Kanu has been in DSS custody since he was abducted in Kenya and extradited to Nigeria, after his brief appearance before Justice Binta Nyako on June 30.

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Wednesday, explained why Simon Ekpa may no longer continue as a broadcaster on Radio Biafra.

IPOB disclosed that Ekpa has refused to follow laid down rules of operation in Radio Biafra, hence the need to discontinue with his services.

Ekpa was engaged as one of the broadcasters on Radio Biafra, shortly after the rearrest of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of IPOB.

However, the group said Ekpa’s services may no longer be needed because he has refused to sign the rules of engagement and code of conduct guiding those broadcasting on Radio Biafra.

A statement by Emma Powerful, reads: “The global family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by our great leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has observed with regrets, that Mazi Simon Ekpa whom our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu gave an appointment and duty to start broadcasting on Radio Biafra doesn’t want to follow the laid down rules of operation in Radio Biafra. Our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu gave the directive while in detention but Mazi Simon Ekpa has refused to follow the principles.

“Mazi Simon Ekpa has refused to sign the rules of engagement and code of conduct guiding those broadcasting on Radio Biafra. We don’t understand why Mazi Ekpa would not like to follow the steps of other broadcasters on the platform who have since done the needful.

“IPOB is a big movement, and cannot just change the rules because of one individual as this may set a bad precedence. Mazi Simon Ekpa is hardworking Biafran whose immense contributions towards the restoration of Biafra are highly appreciated, but for not signing the code of conduct as a broadcaster on Radio Biafra, he may not continue to have the opportunity of broadcating via the platform.

“This decision was not intended to ridicule or undermine anyone but to prove to all that due process cannot be compromised in IPOB. IPOB is a well structured movement where activities of members are regulated with well-thoughtout rules. No one should act in a way that suggests that the laws are meant for certain group of people.

“While Mazi Simon Ekpa has the right to make his broadcasts on Facebook and other platforms of his choice, he may no longer broadcast on Radio Biafra as one of the official broadcasters.”

A former aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, has condemned the unidentified Nigerian man who harassed the Nigerian women football team, Super Falcons, in Vienna, Austria.

DAILY POST had reported that the Falcons, while on a train, were accused of failing Nigerian youths by representing ‘a terrorist government’.

In a viral video, he accused President Muhammadu Buhari’s government of kidnapping Nigerian youths and killing them.

Reacting on his Instagram page, Fani Kayode queried why the Falcons travelled by public transport in a foreign country.

He also wondered why they had no bodyguards and some security especially because they are women representing the nation in a foreign land.

He further stated that no matter how anyone feels about President Muhammadu Buhari or Nigeria, It is despicable to attack and subject the players to such a vicious verbal assault.

”If he were a foreigner and not a Nigerian he would have been rightly accused of being a racist. He is nothing but a grubby little foul-mouthed and rude self-hating Uncle Tom,” he said.

”Things may be tough in our country and we may be going through hard times but no one has the right to insult, humiliate, threaten, talk down to and treat our people with contempt and disdain. Not even a fellow Nigerian that is stuck abroad!

”The man deserves a hot and dirty Nigerian slap for his impudence and insolence. Pity that none of the young Nigerian men in that bus that were subjected to his foul-mouthed and self-hating rubbish didn’t give him one.”

The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has reviewed guidelines for its decision makers on how to consider and grant asylum applications made by persons fleeing Boko Haram and ISWAP in northeast Nigeria, TheCable can report.

In a recent review seen by TheCable, UKVI is willing to grant asylum to LGBTI persons or women who work or are in education — and other social groups at risk of attack by extremists in the region.

The UK has remained silent about asylum for members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).

In April 2021, TheCable reported that the UK said it would grant asylum to “persecuted” members of IPOB, which has been designated as a terrorist organisation by the Nigerian government, and MASSOB.

A few days later, following the report and subsequent complaints from the Nigerian government, the UK pulled down the policy notes, stating that it was being reviewed.

In the most recent July 2021 review, UKVI updated its designation for insurgent groups in northeast Nigeria, clearly naming them “Islamist extremists” in the region.

It said Nigerians could now claim asylum in the UK if they face “fear of persecution and/or serious harm by members of Boko Haram because of” their “actual or perceived opposition to the group”.

The guidelines, now known as country policy and information note, added that Nigerians could claim asylum if they belong to a social group that is “not compliant with Boko Haram ideology”.

Examples include “women who work or are in education and lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) persons”.

WOMEN AND BOKO HARAM

Boko Haram started as an insurgent group in northeast Nigeria in 2009, but has since gone through numerous changes in leadership, ideology and affiliation.

One thing that seemed to have remained constant is the abduction of women and girls, attacks on schools and general opposition to western education.

In 2016, Boko Haram split into two groups: Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA or ISWAP); and Jamaat Ahl al-Sunna li-Dawa wal-Jihad (JASDJ), which maintained the name Boko Haram.

Following the reported death of Abubakar Shekau, the leader of Boko Haram, a reunion has been reported to have happened between both groups. Boko Haram has continued striking post-reunion, recently injuring two women in the process.

As a result of Boko Haram’s historical and current records, women, especially women in education, are at more risk of persecution from the group, giving them more preference when seeking asylum.

The UK said “the groups have also forcibly recruited and abducted thousands of men, women and children, subjecting many to intimidation and abuse including sexual violence, forced marriage and using young girls, in particular, to carry person-borne IED’s/as suicide bombers”.

LGBTI: HURT BY BOKO HARAM, REJECTED BY GOVT

In January 2014, former president Goodluck Jonathan, signed into law a bill that criminalises same-sex relationships, defying western pressure over gay rights and provoking criticism from the US, UK and much of the international community.

The law prescribes 14 years imprisonment for same-sex “amorous relationships” and membership of gay rights groups in the country.

President Muhammadu Buhari has come under pressure to repeal the law, but that move has made no progress with the incumbent administration.

UKVI prescribes internal relocation for persons persecuted by Boko Haram in the northeast, suggesting they could be taken to central and southern Nigeria, which is “generally not directly affected by activities” of the group.

However, members of the LGBTI community can be victimised anywhere in Nigeria, raising the stakes for them, when applying.

“Boko Haram continues to be able to operate in rural areas of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, and to be able to attack targets in rural and urban areas in the North East of the country,” the UKVI said.

“In areas outside of the North East where the threat is from Boko Haram, the authorities are generally able and willing to provide effective protection. Women, LGBTI persons and non-indigenes may face additional discrimination which prevents them from being able to access effective protection.

As a result, the UK is willing to offer protection for such people if the risk of persecution is confirmed.

“The question to be addressed in each case is whether the particular person will face a real risk of persecution on account of their actual or imputed convention reason,” UKVI added.

While women and LGBTI persons are at a higher risk, UKVI added that decision makers “must, however, still consider all claims on an individual basis, taking into account each case’s specific facts”.

The Imo State police command has arrested six suspected kidnappers and rescued one kidnap victim.

Michael Abattam, the State’s Police Public Relations Officer, in a press release, said the suspected kidnappers were arrested in Tebegbe water side in Delta State.

According to the release, the tactical team of the command acted on a tip off and stormed the hideout of the kidnappers where they were all arrested.

The kidnap victim whose name was given as Cornelia Oluebube, was said to be an indigene of Amakohia in Owerri-north LGA of Imo State.

“On interrogation, the three suspects volunteered useful information which enabled the command made other arrests.

“While the tactical team was escorting the suspects outside their hideout, one of them, Terry Mez, took to his heels and was shot on the leg to prevent him from escaping from lawful custody.

“On arrival to the command, the escaping suspect was taken to the Nigeria Police Hospital Amakohia in Owerri-north, while the victim was reunited with her parents unhurt,” he said.

Meanwhile, the suspects’ names were given as Willine Ebefal from Ogbokuno in Delta State, Terry Mes aged 31 from Aguleri in Anambra state, Obasanjo Kimakia aged 20 from Burutu LGA in Delta State, Augustine Irishaye aged 21, and Jennifer Awolowo female, aged 16.

The statement further said the suspects would soon be charged to court.

Facts have emerged on how Yoruba nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, initially escaped arrest at the Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou, Benin Republic before his eventual arrest around 8pm on Monday.

A top security source told The PUNCH that Igboho and his wife, Ropo, at first, escaped arrest but a travel agent was used to lure them back to the airport.

The source said, “He (Igboho) was arrested in Cotonou on Monday night while he tried to travel. He was already at the airport with a passport. The immigration officers suspected the passport and so they stopped him. In the process, they discovered he was the one. He was able to escape in the course of discussion and we were grateful to God for that.

“But the travel agent called back saying the matter had been resolved. But on going back, he was arrested. He was trying to travel to Germany when he was apprehended.”

Also, another security source present in Cotonou told The PUNCH that Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Benin Republic, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), was instrumental in the arrest of Igboho and his wife.

The source confided in The PUNCH that the former Chief of Army Staff wrote the government of the small West African country and insisted on the arrest and extradition of Igboho.

Buratai, Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff between July 2015 and January 2021, was deployed as Nigeria’s envoy in the Benin Republic in June 2021.