Ribadu Confessed To Me That He Was Being Used By Obasanjo – Soyinka

Nigerian Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka has stated that pioneer EFCC Chairman Nuhu Ribadu, informed him while on exile in the UK that he was being used by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Soyinka, who berated the former President for interfering in the war against corruption, wondered, in an interview with the latest edition of Zero Tolerance magazine, a publication of the EFCC, “Why should a President involve himself in what is already structurally established and dedicated to that purpose?”

According to him, “I warned your former boss, Ribadu, I told him that, your task will be done when in the course of your investigation; you discover that the source of the problem is the very person who appointed you.

“He looked shocked a bit, and eventually he and I met in London, after he was removed and (the current Governor of Kaduna State Mallam Nasir) el-Rufai was also in exile after they tried to kill him. We met and Ribadu refused to sit down. I asked him to sit but he said no, that until I accepted his apology, he won’t sit down. I asked what apology? And he said ‘I should have listened to you. I failed to listen to you.

“Something you have said to me and I failed to listen’ Ribadu admitted that he realised very late that Obasanjo was using him.

“So we have to destroy that link between power and corruption. Audu Ogbeh confirmed what I am telling you. Then, it was ‘go after this one, go after that one, ahh you did not arrest him? Arrest his mother! I am challenging Obasanjo to deny it.

“So, when you are looking for corruption, you should look at the entire stratum of the society, while some forms of corruption are direct, others are indirect”.

#KogiDecides: LIVE UPDATES from Kogi State Governorship Elections

Kogi state is bubbling with activity as a new governor will be elected today. 

Voters have options of 22 candidates, but the most popular candidates are Abubakar Audu, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, and Idris Wada, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party.

While Mr. Wada is the incumbent, Mr Abubakar was governor of the state between 1999 and 2003.

The governorship candidates and their political parties are as follows:

1. 
   Isah Yakubu Kamaldeen, AA
   Dickson F. Fred, Accord
   Ukenya Musa, ACD
   Michael Abdullahi, AD
   Usman Zainab, ADC
   Odufu Cosmas Friday, APA
   Abubakar Audu, APC
   Akwu Umar Goodman, APGA
   Yinka Cherry Oloruntoba, CPP
   Philips Ezekiel Koleola, DPC
   Abubakar Ibrahim, DPP
   Ibrahim Adejoh, ID
   Raji Ogirima KOWA
   Philips Omeiza Ozovehe Salawu, LP
   Mohammed Ibrahim Dangana, NCP Mallam Abdul Hussein, NNPP
   Emmanuel Daikwo, PDC
   Idris Ichalla Wada, PDP
   Emmanuel Enesi Ozigi, PPA
   Ojuh Godwin Hussein, PPN
   Enema Paul, SDP
   Saád Mukailu Yaro, UDP

   Today at 9:47 AM
2. 
   
    

   09.31 Gov Idris Wada Raises Security Alarm
   
   There is security lock down in Dekina , Gov Wada's LGA, since 5:00 am by soldiers. Governor Idris Wada claims there situation is hampering voting process.
   
   Voters can’t go out, neither can party agents move. There are also cases of alleged missing result sheets. The polling unit where the result sheets are missing is Ajetachi.

   
   

    
   09:33 Card Reader Malfunction
   
   
   
   There are reports of difficulties with finger print recognition is widespread.
3. 
   Electoral officers at Polling Unit 015, Ward A in Lokoja, are having a hard task as one of the card readers won't recognize finger prints.
   
   But voters on queue were restless for a while but officials efforts to calm frayed nerves paid off. Accreditation however went on slowly.
   
   At Polling unit 012, ward A, card readers are selecting the fingers they would identity making the process slow.
   
   Affected persons will have to fill the incident forms.

   09:45 'Nothing For Belle' 
4. 
   There are indications that welfare of security personnel is not properly taken care of. Two of the police officers deployed to Dekina LGA, Idris Wada's LGA, were complaining over poor welfare.
   
   "Oga you say make we go but nothing for bele?" one of the officers asked INEC staff leading the team to Dekina.

    

   10:20 Tension as Card Readers Close Accreditation in Ganaja
5. 
   "Accreditation closed" is the reading of some card readers at Ganaja Unit 009, when fingers are placed on them for accreditation.
   
   Voting point 4 is also witnessing the same problem, but waiting voters complained that the machine was tampered with and needed to be urgently fixed.
   
   The apprehension is that given the history of the unit, officials are not certain if the voters will continue to be patient.

   
   

   10.35 Police officers unveiled
6. 
   Good news. Things are going well at Odu-Ogbaloto Polling Unit, Ward 1, Dekina LGA. 
   
   This is the first polling unit in Dekina where police officials are sighted. They stand by the road, without interference in the process.
   
   "The situation is encouraging; no problem," a teacher said. 
   
   "If the situation continues like this, the election is well and credible," a voter, Jacob Awodi said.

    

   10:54 'We are Here'
   
   Photo of women who turned up to vote at okele in ofun LGA
   
   

SHAME: Over 50m Nigerians defecate openly –UNICEF

THE United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, has disclosed that over 50million Nigerians do not have access to toilets hence resort to open defecation.

UNICEF: Over 50m Nigerians defecate openly

The world body also revealed that Nigeria ranks among the five countries in the world with the greatest rates of open defecation.

This was made known in a report issued yesterday by Ijeoma Onuoha-Ogwe, UNICEF ‘A Field Office’ Communication Officer (Advocacy, Media and External Relations) on behalf of Sanjay Wijesekera, head of UNICEF’s global water, sanitation and hygiene programmes, to coincide with World Toilet Day.

The report titled, Improving Nutrition Outcomes with Better Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, pointed out the emerging evidence of links between inadequate sanitation and malnutrition among children.

Wijesekera was quoted as saying that “Nigeria loses over 150,000 children to diarrhea annually. After pneumonia, it is the biggest killer of Nigeria’s under-fives; 88 per cent of diarrhoea cases in Nigeria are attributed to unsafe water and sanitation. Where rates of toilet use are low, rates of diarrhoea tend to be high.

“Intestinal parasites such as roundworm, whipworm and hookworm are transmitted through contaminated soil in areas where open defecation is practiced. Hookworm is a major cause of anaemia in pregnant women, leading to malnourished, underweight babies.

“We need to bring concrete and innovative solutions to the problem of where people go to the toilet, otherwise we are failing millions of our poorest and most vulnerable children.”

OPINION: Every Pastor Who Collects Tithes is a Thief - Femi Aribisala

            Femi Aribisala

Nigeria - Popular political analyst and social commentator, Femi Aribisala, in an article has branded pastors who collect tithes as thieves. 

As far as many pastors are concerned, the most important scripture of all is not to be found in the word of Jesus. Neither is it even in the New Testament. That scripture says: “‘Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and try me now in this,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.’” (Malachi 3:10).

This scripture is drummed repeatedly into Christians on Sundays. However, the only time Jesus mentioned tithing in scripture, he pointed out that it was not a weighty matter of the law. (Matthew 23:23). Hebrews says people only receive tithes “according to the law.” (Hebrews 7:5). It then insists tithing (and everything else under the law) has been annulled: “The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless.” (Hebrews 7:18-19). Nevertheless, mercenary pastors continue to insist on the payment of tithes.

Latter-day pharisees 

Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for keeping part instead of the whole law. (Matthew 23:23). That is what tithe-collecting pastors do today. If we insist our congregants must pay tithes, we must also insist that they keep the rest of the law. James says: “Whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” (James 2:10). Therefore, if we insist on tithing, we should also refrain from eating pork. We should stone adulterers, execute homosexuals, kill Sabbath violators and restore blood-sacrifices.

Tithe-collecting pastors counter this by maintaining the payment of tithes pre-dated the law. Here Abraham is cited as the cardinal example of someone who paid tithes before the promulgation of the Law of Moses, as did Jacob, his grandson. However, such arguments are disingenuous.

Before the law, tithing was at best an example but not a commandment. Moreover, pastors fail to mention that Abraham only tithed once in his lifetime. When he did, he did not even tithe his own money: he tithed the spoils of war. He gave ten percent of the plunder he took when he rescued Lot to Melchisedec, king of Salem. But then he did not even keep the rest but returned it (all ninety percent) to the king of Sodom.

For his part, Jacob also tithed only once. He did this in a “let’s make a deal” arrangement he offered to God: “Jacob made a vow, saying, ‘If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, so that I come back to my father’s house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God. And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will surely give a tenth to you.’” (Genesis 28:20-22). This kind of deal about accepting God only under certain self-serving conditions should certainly not be a term of reference for any serious believer.

Lies upon lies

The first lie pastors tell Christians is what some have referred to as “the eleventh commandment:” “Thou shalt pay thy tithes to thy local church.” But the bible says no such thing. The storehouse of Malachi was not a church. It was a place where food was kept.

Pastors hide from church-members the fact that money was not acceptable as tithe. The tithe was a tenth of the seed and fruit of the land and of the animals which ate of the land. (Leviticus 27:30-32). That is why God says: “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be FOOD in my house.” (Malachi 3:10). He does not say “that there may be MONEY in my house.” The food was used to feed the Levites, the poor, widows, orphans and strangers.

Pastors also conveniently fail to teach the biblical tithe. The principles of tithing were not laid down by Malachi. They were laid down by Moses. The study of Moses’ guidelines quickly reveals that the biblical tithe has no application whatsoever to Christians and is mischievously violated by tithe-collecting pastors today.

According to the Law of Moses, the tithe was divided into three allocations. The first year, it was given to the Levite. The second year, it was given to widows, orphans and the poor. The third year, it was eaten in the company of the faithful before the Lord as thanksgiving for his faithfulness. (Deuteronomy 14:22-28). In the seventh year, there was no planting and no reaping and therefore no tithing.

So the next time your pastor asks you to pay tithe, ask him about the seventh-year reprieve. Also ask him if you can give your tithe to the orphanage, or bring it as food items to be eaten in church. Believe me; he will not agree with you because it is your money he is after.

Inapplicability of tithes

Tithing was only applicable to Jews and to the land of Israel. When large populations of Jews lived in Babylon, Ammon, Moab, Egypt, and Syria, these lands became tithe-able lands. However, tithes were not acceptable from strictly Gentile lands. So you need to ask your pastor how come he is collecting tithes in Nigeria.

Servants or slaves who worked on the land did not tithe because the land did not belong to them. Since only agricultural and animal resources were included, a fisherman gave no tithe of his fisheries. Neither did a miner or a carpenter pay tithes, nor anyone from the various professional occupations. So if you are not a farmer or a keeper of livestock, tell your 419 pastor tithing is biblically inapplicable to you.

Moreover, the only people authorised to receive tithes were the Levites. (Hebrews 7:5). So if your Pastor is a “tithe-collector,” ask him if he happens to be a Jew. Remind him that, even though a Jew, Jesus could not receive the tithe because he was not from the tribe of Levi but from that of Judah.

The trick, of course, is for pastors today to claim we are “Levites.” If your pastor is one such dissembler, ask him if he lives as a Levite. Remind him that Levites had no land and did not have private property. Ask him also how he knows he is from the tribe of Levi, which happens to be one of the lost tribes of Israel. Point out to him that even Jewish rabbis don’t claim to be Levites today because all Jewish genealogical records were lost with the destruction of the Temple in AD 70, ensuring that it is no longer possible to ascertain the true identity of Levites.

Therefore, if Jews no longer tithe because the Levites are a lost tribe, how can Christian pastors collect tithes when we are not even Jewish, how much more Levites? If Jewish rabbis, whose terms of reference remain the Old Testament no longer collect tithes, then pastors who insist Christians are under a New Testament have no business doing so.

The conclusion then is inescapable. Every pastor who collects tithes is nothing but “a thief and a robber.” (John 10:1).

Biting Fuel Scarcity and Sliding Economy

Somebody should please stop the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Ibe Kachikwu from squandering the limited resources of this country. He is going in search of oil in our side of Lake Chad. Previous administrations have wasted billions of USD on this bogus search without result. Now, my dear Kachikwu has indicated that the country may well be on the verge of a significant oil find in the Lake Chad area in North-east Nigeria based on analysis of recent seismic 3D data generated from the Chad Basin.

In a presentation to the Petroleum Club, Lagos, the NNPC boss stated that NNPC was injecting a lot of energy into the effort to ensure success in this regard.  The GMD said. “There are signs from the latest 3D seismic studies that oil may well be very close to being found now in Lake Chad after very many years of trials. I think that this is very key. It is key both for the geographical balancing of oil production and it is also very key for the purpose of refinery placement in the North in terms of access to crude. I am optimistic that by the end of the year we should be able to announce something major on this.’’ Haba, Kachikwu! Why do you want to continue putting our money in this fruitless search? Don’t you know how much has gone into this in the last 30 years without result? You are apparently doing this to satisfy your paymasters and secure your position. This is a big shame.

Presidential Fleet Gulps N2.3 billion in 5 Months

This is official. The federal government has spent “a little above N2.3 billion on maintenance of the presidential fleet between May 2015 and now.” At interbank rate, this is about $11.5 million. I repeat: 11.5 million USD was spent in about five months on maintaining the 10 aircraft on the presidential fleet; salaries and repayment of old debts inclusive.

This is what the Buhari administration calls “little”. $11.5 million is a lot of money anywhere in the world. This country is broke and we are still keeping 10 aircraft in the presidential fleet. The 10 aircraft include: 737 BBJ (1); G550 (1); G500 (1); Falcon 7X (2); HS 4000 (1); Agusta139 (2); Agusta 101(2). Why must this country continue to keep 10 aircraft in the Presidential fleet in an era of Change? Yet, Buhari is telling us that this country is broke. How many “broke” countries can afford to do this? Just imagine the number of tattered hospitals and schools we can fix with N2.3 billion in just five months? This is food for thought.

Oshiomhole Vs Igbinedion: The Unanswered Questions

Former Governor of Edo State, Lucky Igbinedion, and current Governor, Adams Oshiomhole have been fighting in the mud in the last two weeks over allegations and counter allegations of corruption. 

It took a frightening dimension on Tuesday when a group of elderly women protested half naked in Benin City in support of Igbinedion.

My problem with these guys is that they have simply been making general statements instead of addressing specific issues, with documents, facts and figures. 

Lucky Igbinedion needs to explain his role (with facts and figures) in the $31 million allegedly fraudulently taken from the government coffers during his tenure as governor. 

He also needs to address the issue of himself and his father (Chief Gabriel Igbinedion) converting government properties and funds meant for the people of the state to private use during his tenure.

Canadian couple cancels wedding to help Syrian refugees

Image copyrightJim MartinImage caption
The couple, Samantha Jackson (left) and Farzin Yousefian (right), had a small wedding at Toronto's City Hall instead

A Canadian couple has decided to cancel their large wedding so they could help a Syrian refugee family.

Samantha Jackson and Farzin Yousefian had a civil ceremony instead and asked guests to support a Syrian family's bid to live in Canada in lieu of gifts.

The Toronto couple was planning their wedding when they saw a photo of Aylan Kurdi, a young refugee who died on the shores of Turkey.

They realised then their wedding could be an opportunity for fundraising.

Canada plans to release details on its pledge to take in 25,000 refugees from Syria by the end of the year next week.

The pledge is a key component of the new Liberal government under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Image copyrightJim MartinImage caption
The couple hopes to raise enough to sponsor a Syrian family of four

The couple told the BBC that Ms Jackson had been working on helping Canadians to become private refugee sponsors before deciding to forego their traditional wedding.

"We could not stop thinking about the difficult decisions that many Syrian families are forced to make... [we] immediately began redrawing our plans with the hope of helping a Syrian family start a new life in Toronto," Mr Yousefian said.

Family and friends were supportive of the couple's decision, he said.

They planned their wedding fundraiser in three weeks. The message was clear, said Mr Yousefian - that refugees are welcome in Canada.

The couple has raised C$22,750 (£11,224) so far and hope to raise C$27,000 (£13,300), which is the cost to sponsor a Syrian family of four.

"Our decision is a reflection of the very values that Canadians hold so dear," Mr Yousefian said.

"We are certain that our initiative will inspire others, just as the acts of others have inspired us... We are truly privileged to have had the opportunity to use our wedding for a greater cause than our own."

Helicopter crashes at New Zealand glacier

A helicopter has crashed in New Zealand, with the fate of seven people believed to be on board still unknown, officials say.

The country's Rescue Co-ordination Centre says helicopters have been sent to the crash site at Fox Glacier.

A mountain rescue team will then be winched down to the site along with a paramedic.

The glacier, on the remote west coast of South Island, is visited by thousands of tourists each year.

The helicopter that crashed is believed to be a Eurocopter "Squirrel" operated by local firm Alpine Adventures, the New Zealand Herald website reports.

In 2010, nine people died when a plane carrying skydivers - which was heading to Fox Glacier - crashed shortly after take-off.

Mali attack: Why the country is an insurgent hotspot

While most global attention has been focused on Nigeria, Mali has been West Africa's other insurgent hotspot in recent years.

It is threatened by various armed groups - from Ansar Dine, which is linked to al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), to Touareg separatist rebel groups.

The lawlessness in Libya after Colonel Muammar Gaddafi was toppled in 2011 led to a spread of weapons across the Sahel region of northern Africa, which fell into the hands of such groups and fuelled unrest in the region.

In 2012 the handling of the Touareg rebellion prompted some army factions to stage an uprising, sparking a civil war.

Jihadist groups took advantage of the situation and took control of the north of the country, imposing strict Islamic law.

Image copyrightAPImage caption
The Islamist group Ansar Dine was involved in taking control of Timbuktu

The resulting fighting needed the intervention of French forces to push away the militants and regain much of northern Mali.

But the jihadists are still active and have carried out numerous attacks across the country.

Key players

The most prominent group is Ansar Dine, led by Iyad Ag Ghaly. The group is linked to AQIM and has vowed to destabilise the Sahel region. Ghaly recently called for attacks on France and its interests in Mali.

The group implemented Sharia law in towns it captured during the 2012 uprising, including the ancient city of Timbuktu.

A new jihadist group known as Macina Liberation Front (FLM) has recently emerged in central Mali.

It is linked with Ansar Dine and just last week, carried out an attack on a military checkpoint in the region of Djenne, a town 500km (310 miles) north-east of the capital Bamako.

Its leader has called for continued attacks on the government.

Last week, the Malian authorities said that information from members of the public had led to the arrest of one of the group's leading financiers during an army operation in the central region of Mopti.

More on Mali:

In pictures: Hotel attackProfile: Al-MurabitounMali: World's most dangerous peacekeeping missionFind out about Mali

AQIM has a much larger reach, operating across North Africa and the Sahel, including Mali.

One of its offshoots, al-Murabitoun, says it carried out an attack on a hotel in the central Malian town of Sevare in August, during which at least 13 people were killed.

Both AQIM and al-Murabitoun have said they were behind Friday's attack on the Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako.

Al-Mourabitoun is led by Mokhtar Belmokhtar, a prominent jihadist in North Africa, notorious for the January 2013 siege on a gas facility in Algeria during which at least 37 hostages were killed.

Boko Haram, the group linked to Islamic State and based in the Lake Chad Basin, has also been known to have links to Malian extremist groups, receiving training and weapons from some jihadists in the north of the country.

Well co-ordinated attack

This security situation in Mali has prompted counter-insurgency measures by the country's military forces including just north of the capital Bamako. France has also maintained its involvement.

It has 3,000 forces operating in the Sahel as part of an anti-terror operation known as Operation Barkhane.

In response to the latest Bamako attack, France is also deploying its Special Forces unit to Bamako, including the National Gendarmerie Intervention Group (GIGN) involved in countering the recent Paris attacks.

Image copyrightAFPImage captionThe Radisson Blu hotel is popular with foreign workers and air crew

Mali's neighbours like Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast have expressed concerns about the spread of jihadist fighters and have stepped up the security operation on their border areas in an attempt to keep the militants out.

The attack on the Radisson Blu Hotel in Bamako appears to have been well co-ordinated and carried out by a group that had studied the layout of the building and knew the hotel normally has a large number of international guests.

This was a group that had strong a local knowledge but also a wider agenda to grab global headlines.

Paris attacks: UN backs 'all necessary measures' against IS

Image copyrightAPImage captionFrance says 130 people died in last week's attacks on a number of sites - including this cafe - in Paris

The UN Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution to "redouble" action against Islamic State, following last week's deadly attacks in Paris.

The French-drafted document urges UN members to "take all necessary measures" in the fight against IS.

IS said it carried out the Paris attacks, in which 130 people died.

It also claimed deadly bombings in Lebanonthis month, while an IS-linked group said itdowned a Russian passenger plane in October.

The UN resolution 2249 also condemns recent attacks in Sousse, Tunisia, andAnkara, Turkey.

It came as the Belgian authorities raised the terror alert to the highest level in the capital Brussels, warning of an "imminent threat".

Some of the Paris attackers had lived in Brussels. The only survivor of the group, Salah Abdeslam, is still on the run and is thought to have gone back there.

The Belgian authorities also announced that a suspect had been charged with involvement in the attacks, bringing the number of people charged there to three.

The UN Security Council called on member states to "eradicate the safe haven" IS and other militant groups had established over parts of Iraq and Syria.

The document also stresses that nations should "redouble and co-ordinate their efforts to prevent and suppress terrorist attacks".

However, it does not invoke the UN's Chapter VII, which gives specific legal authorisation for the use of force.

France and Russia have argued that military action is already justifiable because of the right of countries to self-defence.

Image copyrightDHImage captionHasna Ait Boulahcen had been thought to have blown herself up during the raid

Earlier, French officials said the cousin of the presumed ringleader of the 13 November attacks in Paris did not blow herself up in Wednesday's police raid in Saint-Denis as previously thought.

In an exclusive interview with the BBC, a member of the police assault team involved in the raid said Hasna Ait Boulahcen, 26, was "trying to say she was not linked to the terrorists, that she had nothing to do with them and wanted to surrender".

But he said that due to prior intelligence, "we knew that she was trying to manipulate us".

Officials said the suicide bomber was a man, who - alongside with alleged ringleader Abdelhamid Abaaoud - was also killed.

Media caption"Female terrorist pretended to try to give up", says 'Hugo', head of the elite police assault group which carried out the raid in Saint Denis

In a separate development, French prosecutors said that a second suicide bomber from the Stade de France attack passed through Greece on his way to France.

The prosecutors had previously said one of the other attackers had come on the same route, via the Greek island of Leros. The men may have been posing as Syrian refugees.

Media captionKhemissa: "I don't think [Hasna Ait Boulahcen] had the intention to be a suicide bomber. She was influenced. She was vulnerable."

Hundreds of people were wounded in the near-simultaneous attacks on Paris bars and restaurants, a concert hall and sports stadium.

Islamic State (IS) said it was behind the attacks - the worst in Europe since the 2004 Madrid bombings.

More on the Paris attacks

A doctor's story An emergency department medic describes his Friday night shiftRethinking strategy Time for West to review its priorities in SyriaHow vulnerable is Europe? Putting the dangers in perspectiveWhat happened in Paris? How events unfolded on Friday evening in the French capitalShoot-out in Saint-Denis How the raid on suspects unfolded

Special report: In-depth coverage of the attacks and their aftermath

What is Islamic State?

IS is a notoriously violent Islamist group which controls large parts of Syria and Iraq. It has declared its territory a caliphate - a state governed in accordance with Islamic law - under its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

What does it want?

IS demands allegiance from all Muslims, rejects national borders and seeks to expand its territory. It follows its own extreme version of Sunni Islam and regards non-believers as deserving of death.

How strong is IS?

IS projects a powerful image, partly through propaganda and sheer brutality, and is the world's richest insurgent group. It has about 30,000 fighters but is facing daily bombing by a US-led multi-national coalition, which has vowed to destroy it.

More on Islamic State

NDLEA Chairman Accused of Compromising War Against Illicit Drugs

 N.D.L.E.A.’s Chairman/Chief Executive, Alhaji Ahmadu

By Benneth Oghifo

The problems of illicit/narcotic drugs in the country have been compounded and the drug war terribly compromised by those appointed/employed and remunerated to combat illicit drugs.

Paul Audu, Chief Superintendent of Narcotics, NDLEA, stated this in his petition to President Muhammadu Buhari, titled ‘Re: N.D.L.E.A.’S Chairman/Chief Executive’s (Alhaji Ahmadu Giade’s) Fraternity With Drug Barons; How I Am Being Persecuted For Waging War Against Drug Barons.’

When we called Giade to get his response to the allegations, he neither picked his call not called back.

Audu, a lawyer, said he had earlier sent the petition dated 24th July, 2015 to former President Goodluck Jonanthan, but that the investigation was “blatantly compromised” and “made me a scapegoat. Hence, I deem it imperative to revive the petition for proper re-investigation in the interest of our beloved country, with the understanding that it is no longer business as usual.”

The Chief of Narcotics said, in the petition made available to THISDAY, that he arrested a known drug baron and was in the process of arresting four others when he was allegedly posted out of Lagos, where the investigation was taking place, by the Chief Executive of NDLEA to stall it.

Audu said, “I was singularly instrumental to the arrest of one of the most notorious and volatile/dreaded and wanted  international drug Baron by name Akindele Ikumuloyi, in Lagos in March, 2006, after an enduring and painstaking surveillance spanning over a period of about one and half years.
“I also singularly traced his landed properties in 13 different locations in Lagos even several months before his arrest. I was equally equipped with avalanche of information that could immediately lead to the arrest of four other drug barons and I had cause to discuss same with the Chairman/Chief Executive (Alhaji Ahmadu Giade ) in confidence.

“Surprisingly, however, Alhaji Ahmadu Giade, who felt I was out to take bread and butter off his table by arresting Akindele and further planning to arrest some other Drug Barons, personally and punitively posted me out from Lagos to Adamawa/Taraba States Commands of the Agency immediately to keep me away from his flocks and has abandoned me there in bad faith for the past nine years  as against the three-yearly postings of my colleagues while he has refused to promote me for an upward of about 10 years now, thereby making me to serve under and take directives from my juniors whom he has now elevated far above me.”

He urged President Buhari to investigate his petition on account of the ordeal he was passing through and for his subsequent suspension from work without pay, saying it was “for no other reason than my patriotic zeal and determination to fight drug war to the root which Alhaji Ahmadu Giade sees as being counter-productive to his selfish pecuniary interest.”

Nigeria, he said “has never had it so bad like it is now under Alhaji Ahmadu Giade’s 10 years administration. It is common knowledge that illicit/drugs have taken over our country so much so that it has now become openly and cheaply available on our streets, motor parks, markets, schools etc. we all can attest to the fact that the quantum of drug abuse in Nigeria today is higher and worse than when there was no Agency to control or combat illicit/narcotic drugs.

“This is because Giade would not allow NDLEA officers to arrest the real drug barons who are the real problems of the society but whom he is benefitting from. As a matter of fact, NDLEA officers know who the barons are and how to get them arrested, but touch drug barons and you will have Giade to contend with.”

He cited the case of Kashamu as an example, saying he was untouchable until former President Olusegun Obasanjo waded into the matter.

Kogi Votes Today, Wada, Audu in Battle Royale

Gov. Idris Wada; Ex-Gov. Abubakar Audu

 INEC promises free, fair and credible election     Results may be close

By Onyebuchi Ezigbo and Ataboh Julius in Lokoja

Palpable tension, anxiety and apprehension are the words to aptly describe the mood of the people in Kogi state as they file out this morning to elect a new governor.

The police looks well prepared for any untoward action with the deployment of over 16,000 officer and men for security duties.

Although 22 candidates have been recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to participate in the battle for the Lord Lugard House as the Government House is called, only two parties have so far shown considerable desire to be taken seriously for the election.

They are incumbent governor Idris Wada of the Peoples Democratic Party and Abubakar Audu of the All Progressives Congress.

With the return of the Baba Kogi and political generalissimo, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris to the Wada camp, the incumbent governor’s chances looks very bright.

In addition to Wada’s sterling performance, the resilience of Kogi kingmakers, who have largely remained intact since the PDP took over power in the state in 2003, could also, be an albatross for Audu’s governorship dream.

Audu, who has contested all the governorship elections held in the state since the state was created 24 years ago, hopes to reclaim the office he vacated 12 years ago with the help of his party at the centre.
He seems to believe that with the whirlwind of the Buhari election, the state could re-enact the feat to actualise his stunted aspiration, committing his energy and resources with the determination to prosecute the rescue mantra.

Lokoja, the state capital was a beehive of activities yesterday as all the stakeholders put finishing touches to preparations for poll.

People were seen making frantic efforts to travel to the hinterland to cast their votes, while others tried to make last minute buying in the markets to avoid being caught napping with the restriction of movement order which comes into effect with the commencement of the election.

The situation resulted in traffic congestion in most of the exit routes from Lokoja.

For instance, traffic on the Kogi east axis was building up by evening on Friday with motorists struggling to make their way out of the state capital.

Security in the state was further beefed up with the arrival of several contingents of security operatives in Lokoja.

At the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in Lokoja, combined team of security operatives mounted a cordon frisking and searching everyone that comes in.
Several journalists and election observers also besieged the commission's office to process their accreditation to enable them cover the election.

Speaking to journalists on preparations for the poll, the Resident Electoral Commissioner Halilu Pai said all vital materials had been moved to the 21 local government areas of the state.

He assured the people of the state that the election would commence on time as scheduled, adding that INEC is poised to deliver a free, fair and credible election.

Though campaigns officially stopped yesterday, politicians, especially from the camp of frontline parties were still busy engaging in late minute lobby for votes.

Sources told THISDAY that there had been house to house campaign with offer of inducements to woo electorates.

At the house of the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Lokoja, a large crowd of supporters assembled at his expansive mansion apparently to show solidarity and patronage.
PDP Alleges Plot to rig Kogi election…

Meanwhile, PDP has alerted the nation to an alleged plot by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC government to deploy partisan military operatives to assist it in rigging today’s Kogi state governorship election.

The party said instead of allowing the forces to concentrate on their statutory role of providing peripheral security during election, the security operatives had received orders to clamp-down on PDP members and supporters to pave way for some pliable INEC officials to manipulate the election in favour of the APC.

In a statement issued on Friday, the  PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh said the development was not only a recipe to civil disorder but also a clear invitation to total disruption of free and fair polls in the state if not immediately checked.

The party said intelligence information available to it showed that some compromised military personnel led by a senior officer of the rank of a Colonel have been detailed by the Presidency to carry out specific assignments in support of APC candidate in the election.

“Available intelligence shows that the deployment to Kogi State of the Army Colonel, who is a known APC sympathiser is part of the fallout of last week’s secret meeting coordinated by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), where orders were issued to clamp-down on PDP members and supporters to pave way for some pliable INEC officials to manipulate the election in favour of the APC.

“Compromised troops have already been detailed to Dekina Local Government Area, the largest PDP stronghold in the state and home of Governor Idris Wada, where they have been instructed to create panic, strong-arm PDP supporters, frighten and scare away voters, ostensibly to deprive our party of its expected large votes from the area.

“We are also aware of how the head of Security of APC candidate’s Campaign Organisation, a retired Army General, is coordinating the movement of partisan security operatives into other key local governments, including Igalamela, Ofu, Ankpa and Idah, to harass and frighten PDP supporters and provide a leeway for the APC to manipulate the election.

“The PDP also has information of the copious involvement of a retired police officer, who is working with some men of the Directorate of Security Services (DSS) in providing illegal arms, vehicles and cover for APC thugs who have been positioned to attack PDP supporters during the election.

“We find it absolutely shocking that President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC government, a huge beneficiary of free, fair and credible election conducted by the PDP, would so early in the day, seek to corrupt the electoral system and willfully attempt to subvert the will of the people.

“The PDP however notes that no amount of force and intimidation can bend the will of the Kogi people from appropriately exercising their franchise and using every means within the law to protect their mandate.

“While we charge our members and the entire people of Kogi state to remain vigilant and continue to assert their constitutional rights and liberty, we also call on the security forces to note that their duty is primarily to the nation and its citizens, and as such must ensure that they do not become tools in the hands of anti-democratic forces seeking to truncate our democracy".

Addressing newsmen in Lokoja, the Chief Communication Officer to The Governor Idris Wada, Frank Shaibu said Specific intelligence report to the campaign committee indicated that the APC had manipulated the posting and deployment of security and electoral personnel in order to achieve their aim.

"Apart from the use of security and electoral personnel, the APC has equally recruited several thugs from the Odua People’s Congress (OPC) and several cultists from Edo State.

"These persons who were imported into Lokoja with a cache of arms were lodged in three hotels. These bandits are led by, a serving member of the House of Representatives and a former president of the National Association of Nigerian Students".

Wada ends campaign…
Meanwhile, in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2010, as amended, that all campaign activities be terminated effective 19th November, 2015, the Wada/Wonky Campaign Organisation has since then terminated its campaigns.  

In a statement signed by the Peoples Democratic Party Publicity Secretary in Kogi State, Bode Ogunmola, the organisation said: “Any campaign material that is seen or heard in the public space (Newspaper, Radio, Social media, Bulk SMS, Voice Call) etc. after 19th November, 2015 did not originate from either our great party (PDP) or was commissioned by the Wada/Awoniyi Campaign Organisation.

“All media houses and advertising platforms are encouraged to get clarification on source before publishing campaign materials. This notice is for record purposes.”

Jonathan: Buhari’s Corruption Figures Staggering, Untrue

 Former President Goodluck Jonathan

At no time did I award a single contract of $2 billion for procurement of weapons

By Yemi Adebowale

Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday in Washington, United States faulted claims made by President Muhammadu Buhari during his recent visit to the United States that $150 billion was lost to corruption in Nigeria under previous administrations.

He also said that some of the corruption allegations against his administration were grossly exaggerated.
Jonathan, who spoke in the United States on Thursday at an event titled: “Presidential Elections and Democratic Consolidation in Africa: Case Studies on Nigeria and Tanzania” and co-hosted by National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), said in as much as he would not join issues with the new government, the figures made public were staggering and untrue.

“Corruption is now used for political campaign. During the first visit of  President Buhari to the United States, he said that about $150 billion was lost to corruption, though he didn’t mention me, he said by previous administration. The figures are staggering and untrue, another governor said someone stole a million barrel of oil per day”.

Jonathan stated that like most governments around the world, there might have been issues of corruption during his time as President.

However, he maintained that the story was being unnecessarily embellished, adding that there are ongoing investigations and court processes that would establish the truth.

For instance, he frowned at the allegation that some officials in his administration were stealing one million barrels of crude oil a day at a time when Nigeria’s production peaked at 2.25 million barrels.

“To claim that half of that was being stolen on a daily basis doesn’t add up; otherwise the government wouldn’t have functioned at all to even be able to pay salaries,” Jonathan said.

The former President also faulted the $6 billion which one of the officials that travelled with President Buhari to the United States (Adams Oshiomhole) claimed was stolen by one minister under him.
“We all know that US has denied being the source of this information”, he said.

On the alleged misappropriation of the sum of $49.8 billion within a 12-month period while he was in office, Jonathan dismissed it as being outrageous.

He said: “In Nigeria, if you lose $59.8 billion in a year, federal and state governments will not pay salaries,” he said, adding that there is no way Nigerian budget could accommodate such a loss without the country grounding to a halt.

“Of course, we brought international audit teams, forensic auditors and they didn’t see that. It is good that that issue has now been laid to rest as those who first raised it had admitted that they were in error.”

Jonathan also spoke on the issue of security contracts for which his former security adviser, Sambo Dasuki, is currently facing charges and the believe that his administration spent a sizable amount of money equipping all the security and intelligence outfits in the country over his five-year period in the presidency.

But Jonathan at the NDI forum stated that his administration never awarded a single contract that was worth $2 billion, stressing that the economy couldn’t have supported such huge amount of money to be awarded at once.

“At no time did I award a single contract of $2 billion for procurement of weapons,” he emphasized.
While addressing the issue of weak African institutions, Jonathan observed that African democracies were becoming stronger, adding the situation would have greatly improved in the next decade.

He further noted that although some leaders in Africa were still able to manipulate their way to elongate their tenure, the people are increasingly raising their awareness and African parliaments are becoming stronger to be able to resist such tendencies in future.

He made reference to Burkina Faso, where he noted that although the parliament approved an extra term for the former president, the people resisted that, forcing the President and speaker of the parliament to go on exile.

Also in Senegal, Jonathan noted that the former President thinking he would win another term increased the tenure of his office to seven from five years. But the opposition candidate won the election and returned the tenure to five years, believing that seven years was too long for one term.
He further cited the case of Nigeria, where he noted that the strong resistance of the Nigerian National Assembly actually frustrated the third term bill of former President Olusegun Obasanjo
“Of course, I was a governor at that time under the People’s Democratic Party, the same party as Obasanjo, but due to strong resistance from the National Assembly, the third term bid failed.”

According to Jonathan, Africa needs strong parliaments to checkmate sit-tight presidents who influence parliaments to consider amendment to the constitution that would extend their stay in office.
“Changing constitutions to eliminate term limits in order to favour incumbents is inconsistent with democratic principles and reduces confidence in democratic institutions,” he said.

The former President who recently led an international observer delegation of the Commonwealth to the Tanzanian national elections also shared his views on the elections and their significance in the consolidation of democratic progress in Tanzania.

He said that the elections in Tanzania was an improvement from previous ones and revealed that the only weakness was that once the electoral umpire had declared a winner, the loser cannot contest the results in a law court or election petitions tribunal.

Jonathan also used the opportunity to educate the audience on the problems in Zanzibar and how he is mediating in the dispute.

The event at the NDI was moderated by U.S former deputy Secretary of State for Africa, Ambassador Johnnie Carson, who is now a USIP Senior Advisor to President Obama and member, NDI Board of Directors.  

The event also had in attendance U.S Policy makers, think-tanks, members of Congress, and U.S government officials.

Fresh Labour Crisis Looms Over Minimum Wage

Wabba

• Oshiomhole Disagrees With Fellow Govs
• Labour Set To Begin Mobilisation Of Workers

EDO State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole has disagreed with the decision of some governors to reduce the existing N18,000 minimum wage.

Speaking in Abuja yesterday at the reconciliation meeting of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Oshiomhole said collecting N18, 000 in 31 days is low enough and any decision to lower it because of low allocation to states from the federation account cannot justify the criminality of such an action.

He said: “I believe that the issues in the economy have got nothing to do with minimum wage. I always remind my colleagues that the minimum wage was not imposed. It was negotiated; state governments agreed to it, the President at the time signed it, not under duress.

“When you look at the minimum wage as it is today, at N18, 000, it less than $100. When that is divided by 31 days, it comes to less than $2 a day. It cannot be argued that workers in the formal sector in Nigeria must not earn $2 per day.

“I would not subscribe to that because at the heart of governance is the welfare of the people.”

Oshiomhole was quick to explain that there are indeed issues about the management capacity in the economy and looting of the economy, which went unchallenged by institutions, such as the labour movement.

“I have been loud about the massive looting of our collective patrimony. My only complain is that the NLC’s voice was not loud when it mattered. There was a criminal silence on the part of the NLC when the looting was going on,” he said.

Meanwhile, organised labour has voiced its readiness to mobilise against attempt by any state governor to reduce the minimum wage.

Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, reportedly said the N18,000 minimum wage was no longer sustainable, given the slide in the monthly allocation arising from the fall in petroleum prices.

Speaking at the African Industrialisation Day in Abuja yesterday, NLC and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) warned the governors not to precipitate another round of industrial unrest, vowing to mobilise Nigerian workers against the move.

NLC President, Mr. Ayuba Wabba, who spoke on the sidelines of the event, said rather than contemplate a downward review of the minimum wage, state governors should shun frivolous spending, cut down on their retinue of aides and security votes.

According to Wabba, the Labour Centre would mobilise Nigerian workers to grind the country’s economy aground should the governors succeed in the downward review of the legally biding minimum wage.

He said: “Let me use this platform to respond to the uncharitable proposition of the state governors on the minimum wage issue. Labour is not the problem. The point to be made is that they have not been able to reduce the cost of governance. They should go and reduce their security votes.

“Let them also cut down on the number of their entourage. They must also be accountable to the citizens that voted them into power. We are going to resist any attempt to tamper with the payment under any guise. Let them also note that the N18,000 minimum wage was not allocated; it was negotiated through a tripartite process and it is a product of law that is even due for review. We are going to champion the review.

“Let us also put them on notice. If attempt is made to reduce, review or do anything outside the legal  minimum wage of N18,000, which cannot even take us home, we are going to resist it. Nigerian workers will be mobIlised to resist”, Wabba said.

Also, in a statement jointly signed by the TUC President, Mr. Bobboi Kaigama and the Secretary General, Mr. Musa Lawal, the union described as laughable, the position of the governors on the minimum wage issue.

It said: “What baffles any Nigerian is that the governors assert that the minimum wage was ‘imposed.’ We are all living witnesses to the processes the last minimum wage negotiation took.

“There was a tripartite meeting, involving government at all levels, employers (through Nigeria’s Employers Consultative Association NECA) and the organised labour.

“One will say that the negotiation that took place fulfilled International Labour Organisation (ILO) standard of tripartism, after which the National Assembly enacted the new Minimum Wage Bill to law. And now, our leaders, the governors, short of suffering from total amnesia, are talking of imposition.”

Italian Detained At Lagos Airport For Refusing Screening

SECURITY operatives at the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2, Lagos yesterday detained an Italian woman, Lilian Abdulrahman for hours after she refused to let her luggage be screened in accordance with civil aviation rule protocol.

Abdulrahman, who is married to a Lebanese, was detained by officers of the Nigerian Police Force, Bi-Courtney Airport Security and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) officials.

The woman arrived Lagos on an Aero Contractors Airline flight from Abuja around mid-day Thursday.

It was gathered that upon arrival, she was alleged to have prevented the Bi-Courtney officials from screening her bags, which is against the standard aviation protocol at all airports across the world.

Abdulrahman was alleged to have insulted the officials before she dragged her luggage from the Arrival Wing to a waiting Honda car.

This prompted the aviation security to alert the Nigeria policemen attached to the airport who prevented the car from leaving the premises until the bags were subjected to screening.

This attracted a large crowd of people to the scene as they wondered what the bags could contain, despite the fact that they were exposing their lives to danger if those bags contained explosives.

AGF, IGP, EFCC Ask Saraki Not To Politicise Trial At CCT

*Challenge Him To Defend Charges
THE Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Inspector General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase, yesterday advised Senate President Bukola Saraki to brace up to charges against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), rather than politicise his trial.

In a counter affidavit they filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja in response to a fresh suit by Saraki, the trio counselled him to devote his energy to defend the charge against him, instead of dissipating same on claims that his trial was politically motivated.

They denied being influenced by any political consideration to initiate the 13-count false asset declaration charge against him (Saraki) before the CCT.

The AGF, EFCC, IGP, Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Mohammed Diri, and Muslim Hassan (a Deputy Director in the Federal Ministry of Justice) said Saraki’s trial was informed by the outcome of a joint investigation conducted by the EFCC, Department of State Services (DSS), Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) between 2003 and this year.

They noted that the investigation revealed, among others, that Saraki lied in the information he presented in the CCB Forms he completed between 2003 and 2011 in Ikoyi and Ikeja, both in Lagos State, using third party companies in which he had interest, with the intension of concealing his interests in such property.

They gave the name of the companies as Tiny Tee Limited; Vitti Oil Limited; Skyview Properties Limited; and Carlisle Properties.

The AGF, EFCC, IGP, Diri and Hassan added that Saraki lied in his claim that an official of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Bulus Michael, informed him that his trial was politically-motivated, saying no official of the ministry bears such name.

“The charges preferred against him before the CCT were based on the conviction that a prima facie case was disclosed after investigation and not on any political consideration.

“The 1st, 2nd, 4th, 10thand 11th respondents (AGF, EFCC, IGP, Diri and Hassan) are not politicians and they have no interest in who becomes the Senate President.

“The 1st, 2nd, 4th, 10th and 11th respondents do not take instructions from any politician, but are public officers and public offices, who are only interested in the performance of their statutory and constitutional duties.

“No one has made or is making any effort to trump up allegations against the applicant, but the charges that were preferred against him were preferred upon being satisfied that a prima facie case was disclosed against him.”

They denied Saraki’s allegation that his rights were being violated with his trial before the CCT, arguing that aside that the charges were validly preferred, the Court of Appeal, Abuja has, in its judgment of October 30, this year, upheld the CCT’s position that it possessed the jurisdiction to try Saraki, based on the charge.

In their notice of objection, they challenged the court’s jurisdiction to hear Saraki’s fresh suit, noting that the reliefs he was seeking in the new suit are contained in a similar suit marked ‘FHC/ABJ/CS/775/2015,’ which he earlier filed before the court and which has now been assigned to Justice Evoh Chukwu of Court 8 for hearing.

Saraki is, by the new suit, seeking to stop all the respondents, including the CCT and CCB, from proceeding with his trial, accusing them of violating his rights.

Last Monday, Justice Abdukadir Abadulkafarati heard an ex-parte motion for interim restraining order filed along with the new fundamental rights enforcement suit by Saraki.

The Judge declined to grant the applicant’s prayer, but instead directed that the respondents be served with the motion and other processes in the case for them to show cause yesterday (November 20) why the order sought by Saraki should not be granted.

Justice Abdulkafarati yesterday found that not all the defendants were served by the applicant, as ordered by the court, and refused argument by Saraki’s lawyer, Ajibola Oluyede, that he takes further steps in the case.

The Judge insisted that every respondent in the case must be served before any further steps could be taken in the case.

He consolidated the originating summons and preliminary objection, in view of his decision to hear all the processes simultaneously, and adjourned to December 2 for hearing.

The Judge ordered that hearing notices be issued on the 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th respondents (ICPC; CCB; CCT; CCT Chairman, Danladi Umar; Atadaeze Agu Azda, a CCT member; and Sam Saba, Director General, CCB), who are yet to be served as earlier ordered by the court.

Man Beheads Grandmother Over Rent

A 23-year-old man, identified as Solomon Bakoma yesterday cut off the head of her grandmother and inflicted injuries on his aunt over his alleged deprivation to collect the rent of his late mother’s building. The mother was said to have died in Morocco some years ago on her way to Europe.
  
The incident was said to have occurred at 13, Igubor Street, off Technical College Road in Benin City.
 
The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Osifo Abiding confirmed the incident.
  
The suspect, said to be a Togolese, attacked her grandmother identified as Mrs Janet Ogbeifun, aged 55.  
 
Solomon, who is said to have a sister in Togo, was reportedly brought to Benin City by his paternal uncle in September last year.
 
An eyewitness, 12-year-old Hassan Stephen, while explaining what transpired, said he was in the house with his grandmother preparing for school at about 7:30a.m when his cousin, Solomon, cut his grandmother’s head with a sharp cutlass.
    
Another relation, Joy Frank, said Solomon had severally threatened to kill her grandmother for not allowing him to collect rent from the tenants occupying three flats in the four flats built by his late mother.
  
She alleged further that he had last Wednesday threatened to kill her grandmother, a threat that prompted the woman to invite her other children to the house.
   
“I heard my grandmother screamed once, when I rushed to the sitting room I saw Solomon cutting my grandmother with cutlass.

Appeal Court Orders Fresh Trial Against Ekiti Monarch

The Court of Appeal, Ado Ekiti Division has ordered fresh trial of a suit filed by the Edemo of Ado Ekiti, Chief Bamidele Aduloju, to restrain the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe from suspending or deposing him.

Justice Boloukuromo Moses Ugo, who delivered the lead judgment set aside the verdict of an Ado Ekiti High Court, which dismissed the suit, saying the lower court was wrong in its decisions on Aduloju’s statement of claim and statement of oath and consequent dismissal of the suit.

The Appeal Court panel, which also had Justices Adzira Msheila and Ayobode Lokulo-Sodipe, in the unanimous judgment, said: “The said suit is hereby restored to the Cause List of the Ekiti State High Court for trial on its merit by any other judge beside O.I.O Ogunyemi that the Chief Judge may deem fit to assign it”.

Justice Ogunyemi of an Ado Ekiti High Court had last year dismissed the suit, no HAD/226/2011, saying Aduloju’s statement of claim did not disclose a reasonable cause of action and that his witness statement on oath accompanying his originating processes was fundamentally defective.

But Aduloju, through his lawyer, Olalekan Olatawura, filed the appeal to challenge the dismissal by the lower court of the suit, praying the Appeal Court to determine whether Aduloju’s statement of claim truly did not disclose a reasonable cause of action. Olatawura also urged the Appeal Court to determine whether the lower court was correct when it held that Aduloju’s only witness statement on oath was defective and liable to be struck out.

Counsel to Oba Adejugbe, Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), urged the Appeal Court to resolve the issues against Aduloju, saying that the lower court was right when it struck out his (Aduloju’s) statement of claim and dismissed the suit

Man in trouble for stabbing Redeemed Church pastor

A 49-year-old man, Edward Campbell, was on Friday charged before an Ota Senior Magistrates' Court in Ota, Ogun State, for allegedly assaulting a pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Dotun Olojede.

Campbell, who lives at No. 23, Ilo Awera Street, Ota, is facing a charge of assault.

The prosecutor, Sergeant Chudu Gbesi, told the court that the accused committed the offence on November 8 at about 10:30 a.m. at the RCCG, Fruitful Vine Parish, Ilo Awera, Ota.

Gbesi said that the accused assaulted Olojede, who is the pastor of the church, by stabbing him at the back with a knife, causing him serious injury.

He said that the offence contravened Section 355 of the Criminal Code, Vol.1, Law of Ogun, 2006.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Senior Magistrate, Mr S.O. Banwo, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N50,000 with one surety in like sum.

He ordered that the surety must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court and swear to an affidavit of means.

Banwo also directed that the surety should produce two-year tax clearance certificate and submit a recent passport photograph to the court.

In addition, the surety should produce a reasonable means of identification either through the National Identify Card, a National Voter Card, a Driver’s Licence or an International Passport.

The case was adjourned till December 4 for hearing

Otti Files Notice Of Appeal Against Judgment

Otti- image source searchnigeria

The Abia State Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr. Alex Otti, has filed notice of appeal against the judgment delivered some weeks ago by the Abia State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, delivered on the November 3, upholding the election on April 11, of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate and governor of the state, Dr. Okezie Ipkeazu.

One of Otti’s lawyers, Chukwudi Oracle Nwala, disclosed this to The Guardian on Thursday night in an interview, noting that his client was challenging the judgment according to the specified 21 days of the law to do so.

He said the Notice of Appeal was filed on the November 18, signed by Chief Akin Olujinmi, a Seniour Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), on 30 grounds of Appeal, to set aside the judgment, except portions that were in favour of the appellant.

The appeal, according to Oracle, allegedly did not handle the issues around the elections in Osisioma Ngwa, Obingwa and Isiala Ngwa North, as earlier declared inconclusive.

Sultan, Fayose Warn Against Injustice, Bad Governance

Sultan Abubakar III

The Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, have said that the country would witness no meaningful development, except the cankerworm of injustice is fought and banished from the system.

Of particular reference, Fayose said the continued incarceration of the ex-National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki over alleged N333 billion arms deal was a flagrant abuse of the constitution and the rule of law by President Muhammadu Buhari-led government.

The duo spoke in Ado Ekiti yesterday when Alhaji Sa’ad paid a courtesy call on Fayose, being part of programmes lined up for the investiture of the Chief Imam of Ekiti, Alhaji Jamiu Kewulere as the President General, League of Imams in the Southwest, Edo and Delta States.

Alhaji Sa’ad charged Fayose to continue to carry the people along in his leadership role and treat all ethnic nationalities and religious organisations as equal entities, for the state and Nigeria to move to a higher pedestal in all spheres.

“As leaders, we owe it a duty to lead by example and with the fear of God. If you are a leader, it is left for you to work your way to hell or heaven. God believes strongly in leadership, that is why people must continue to support them rather than fighting them.

“I want Governor Fayose to treat all the various nationalities and religions in Ekiti as one. You must be just in handling their affairs. When there is injustice, no development can take place. When we are just, then there will be security in the society. I know that governor Fayose is well loved by the people, but he must continue to work hard for people and most importantly God to love him more;” he advised.

Fayose, who begged Sultan to caution Buhari to eschew abuse of human rights said: “I take the opportunity of your visit to bare my mind on some national concerns, particularly as it affects the unlawful incarceration of the former NSA, Alhaji Sambo Dasuki.

“President Buhari has proved me right by my claims before the election that Nigeria is in the making of a dictator if he is voted into power. By choosing which orders of the court to be obeyed, the President has exhibited his great disdain and disrespect to the judiciary as an independent arm of government and hope of the common man.

“The continuous siege on the residence of the former NSA against a court order is a clear manifestation of fundamental human right abuse. If the president flouts court orders with impunity, judicial independence will be fatally compromised and Nigeria’s embryonic democracy is in great danger. With this act, the President has left nobody in doubt that Dasuki cannot get fair hearing.

He called on the international community to support independent human right observers to monitor former NSA’s prosecution and trial, noting that Buhari must honour his vow to follow due process and the rule of law.

CDS Urges Defence Advisers, Attaches To Key Into Change Agenda

Olonisakin

THE Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, has urged the nation’s Defence Advisers and Attaches to key into the present administration’s change agenda and the realities of Nigeria’s security challenges.

Olonisakin spoke in Abuja yesterday at the closing of this year’s Defence Advisers/Attaches Conference. He said critical stakeholders in the defence intelligence community must strive to align their expertise and experiences with the programmes and policies of the Federal Government.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Olonisakin said that stakeholders and particularly defence practitioners, must brainstorm on contemporary issues and challenges of national security.

He said the theme of the conference reflected conventional wisdom in this period of change to optimise one of the critical factors of Nigeria’s security.

“However, this conference provides me the opportunity to charge the defence intelligence community to shift the fundamental paradigm of its engagement in line with the change agenda of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“I charge you to always apply yourself to your working environment and deliberately identify and project the comparative advantages therein for the progress of Nigeria. Therefore, you must strive to be an agent of progressive change for Nigeria,” he said.

Olonisakin urged them to apply knowledge gained at the conference to their professional and personal development as well as in their respective working environment.

The defence chief said the conference would also help to shape the operational procedures and methodologies of the defence intelligence community.

He said the Federal Government through the Defence Headquarters would support the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) to optimise its strength in national defence intelligence.

“The conference also considered the operational conditions of our various defence sections and took particular notes of the operational and administrative constraints you face.

“The discharge of these strategic duties requires a defence intelligence community that is undoubtedly imbued with impeccable professionalism.

“I wish to use this occasion to restate my commitment and that of the Defence Headquarters to work closely with the DIA in providing an enabling environment for you to excel in your duties.’’

Earlier, the Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI), AVM Monday Morgan, expressed confidence that the challenge of insurgency and other violent crimes affecting some communities in the country would be surmounted.

Morgan said Nigeria was on course in its fight against insurgency as the intelligence community was better positioned to support combat operations in parts of the country.

He said the conference was a huge success as participants were better equipped to deal with the increasing demands on them.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria’s defence advisers/attaches from across the world attended the conference.

World Bank Team Visits Anambra

THE visiting World Bank experts to Anambra State, led by the Task Team Leader (TTL) Dr Amos Abu, has urged the citizens of the state to adopt as a way of life all the erosion control measures taught them by the group’s field officers and other partners agencies including the Anambra state government.

Dr. Abu noted that the involvement of all, especially the affected communities in the long and short term fight against flood and gully erosion menace in the state and other parts of the country has become paramount in the fight against the menace.

Speaking to newsmen at the Uruokpala/Umudunu gully erosion site, Dr. Abu said that the human being has been found to be at the centre of all erosion control efforts as well as causes.

The essence of the projects, he said, was to improve the livelihood of the people who live in the shadows and perimeters of gully erosion sites, adding that in doing so, the people would be restoring hope, life and jobs. 

The role of the Nigerian Erosion and Watershed Management Project, (NEWMAP), Abu reiterated, has a development objective of reducing vulnerability to soil erosion and other forms of land degradation in targeted watersheds.  In doing so, they the sponsors were coming up with a sustainable solution that combines the best of engineering with the human factor, adding that with the human factor is actually the game changer.

The team also visited the Nkpor Flyover Bridge on the Federal Highway a section of which has collapsed due to unexpected erosion activities at the base of the newly completed bridge.
This has forced closure of a section of the highway, thereby creating untold traffic jam at the Newparts/Nkpor market area round the clock.

‘Engage Public To Promote Democracy and Good Governance’

THE Public Affairs Officer, US Consulate General, Dehab Ghebreab has said that each year, the Humphrey Fellowship Alumni Association of Nigeria usually come together to organise a seminar to create awareness of major issues of social concern in order to find solutions to the problems.

Speaking during the 2015 Annual Lecture and Awards Luncheon of the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Alumni Association of Nigeria in Lagos, she said that the spirit of Hubert Horatio Humphrey lives on through the work of the alumni who engage the general public to promote democracy and good governance, national development, and a commitment to public service.

“I would also like to thank the Nigerian Humphrey Fellows for working closely with our office to organise this annual event and for their continued efforts to make a difference in their communities.

“This year is historic for the US Department of State as well as US Embassies and Missions abroad. We have been organising events to mark the 75th anniversary of the State Department’s international exchange program, including the Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program. Approximately 114,000 from the US and 186,000 citizens of other countries have participated.”

Nigeria To Have Borderless Relationship With Other Countries, Says ECOWAS Boss

ECOWAS Commission Headquarters

NIGERIA and other countries may soon have a borderless relationship, which could further foster economic growth among African nations.

The Vice President, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Dr. Toga McIntosh said that the regional body is closer to completing its “Borderless Africa” project, which would allow legitimate movement of goods and persons from one country within the region to the other without any restrictions. 

McIntosh, who spoke at this year’s Management Day of the Nigerian Institute of Management on Thursday said the move was part of ECOWAS efforts to foster a long-term economic integration policy across the sub-region, with a view to addressing the ravaging pangs of poverty and insecurity that lead to mass exodus to Europe and America. 

He said one of the challenges delaying the completion of the project, was the insistence on the adoption of the right measure to ensure proper screening and prevention of rebels across the borders.