The 22-year-old Nigeria forward Henry Onyekuru was joined by international teammates including Oghenekaro Etebo, John Ogu, Chidozie Awaziem and Kenneth Omeruo in Benin to celebrate his traditional wedding on Saturday.
Author: The Nation
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PHOTOS: Nigeria stars storm Benin as Henry Onyekuru ties the knot
Kenneth Omeruo with Chinedu Ikedieze Chidozie Collins Henry Onyekuru with his long-time girlfriend and mother of his son, Esty -
Court dismisses Ortom, PDP, INEC appeals against APC
The Appeal Court sitting in Makurdi, the Benue state capital, on Saturday dismissed a triplet appeal filed separately by the trio of Governor Samuel Ortom, Independent National Elections Commission (INEC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The court also awarded N200, 000 each as cost against the appellants.
The trio is all respondents in Emmanuel Jime and the All Progressive Congress (APC) petition at the tribunal holden at Makurdi.
The five-man appeal panel led by Hon. Justice Jummai H. Sankey, while dismissing the appeals, in a unanimous decision, described the appeals as lacking in merit and abuse of court process.
INEC, Samuel Ortom and the PDP had, in separate appeals approached the Court of Appeal to challenge the decision of the lower court (Tribunal) to reserve ruling on applications file before it till the final day of judgement.
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They appellants variously argued and summited before the Appeal Court that by differing ruling on applications to the last day of judgement amount to denial or breach of fair hearing.
But in its ruling, the Appeal Court declared the appellants failed to show course on how their right to fair hearing is breached or threatened.
“We have painstakingly looked at the arguments canvassed by the applicants but failed to see where and how their right for fair hearing is breached.
“We rather found out that the cry for denial of fair hearing is speculative, and since speculation has no place in law, we hereby declare that this appeal is lacking in merit and is hereby dismissed,” the court ruled.
J .H Sankey addressing counsels in court after delivering judgement on the three appeals said: “We are doing everything possible to in discourage these appeals brought before us in piecemeal.
“Counsels should educate their clients on the need to wait till judgement is delivered at the Lower Court before approaching the Appeal Court”.
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Nigeria stars storm Benin as Henry Onyekuru ties the knot
Nigeria forward Henry Onyekuru tied the knot with his spouse in a traditional wedding on Saturday.
The 22-year-old was joined by international teammates including Oghenekaro Etebo, John Ogu, Chidozie Awaziem and Kenneth Omeruo in Benin to celebrate his marriage.A week ago, Onyekuru was a member of the Nigeria squad that finished third at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, where he played just 12 minutes of football.
Read Also: Mo Abudu’s daughter weds in California
Last season, the ex-Eupen star had an outstanding campaign during his loan spell in Turkey, where he helped Galatasaray win the Super Lig title with 14 goals in 31 outings.
(Goal.com)
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Southern leaders to FG: prosecute Northern Youth leaders over Ruga suspension comment
Youth Leaders of Ethnic Nationalities in the Southern Nigeria have called for the arrest and prosecution of leadership of the Coalition of Northern Youths over inciting comment on the suspension of Ruga settlement.
The group also called on the federal government to investigative the killing of Afenifere leader’s daughter, Mrs. Funke Olakunrin with a view to bringing the culprits to justice.
In a 6-point communique in Awka on Saturday after its meeting by twelve presidents, the group warned that the southern youths have capacity within and outside the country to defend their people.
The Presidents included: Amb. Arthur Obiora, Ohaneze Ndigbo youths, Comr. Eric Oluwole, Yoruba Youth Council, Atauko Brown, Supreme Council of Ibibio youths, Nze Egbechue Kingsley, Aro Youths Ethnic Kingdom, Eric Omare, Ijaw Youth Council, Ulap Okon, Coalition of Ethnic nationalities youth leaders of Nigeria and Festus Igherebuo, Urhobo Youth Council.
Read Also: Ruga project: Ganduje, Kano Igbo leaders reject call for Fulani’s relocation
Others include Innocent Ebhote, Esian Youth Council, Ovie Umuakpo, Isoko National Youth Assembly, Mathew Dighi, National Youth Council of Ogoni, Emmanuel Amadi, Etche Youth Federation and Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, Igala Cultural Development Association.
The group expressed dismay over the porous and deteriorating security situation in the country, describing the proposed establishment of Ruga settlement as ill-motivated.
The communique partly read, “We condemn vehemently the unguarded and provocative statement from the leadership of the Coalition of Northern Youths with respect to the temporary suspension of the RUGA settlement in the country.
“We also reject outrightly Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Vigilante Group in Ondo state and other parts of the Southern Nigeria, which we consider as illegal and clandestine move by the Jihadist’ exponents to establish Fulani Emirates across the nation.
“The meeting therefore calls on the federal government to immediately convoke a National Security Summit to address issues threatening the existence of our dear nation Nigeria.”
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Shiites protest, Ministerial list, Dakolo’s House invasion, others top this week’s news
This week, the country, was abuzz with many activities comprising both pleasant and unpleasant events.
However, events like the protest by members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) which turned violent on Monday in Abuja and the Buhari’s Ministerial list topped major activities in the country this week.
Shiites Protest, Buhari’s Ministerial list, Dakolo’s House invasion, Edo Assembly Crisis and other controversial news dominated the socio-political discourse this week. The Nation brings you a brief round-up of the major stories this week. Alao Abiodun Reports
Below are some of the events:
Shiites Protest
A protest by members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) turned violent on Monday in Abuja.
The protesters clashed with security agencies close to the Federal Secretariat in the Nigerian capital.
On Monday, the Shiites had begun a protest at Nitel junction and were expected to end at the secretariat.
During the protest, government vehicles including those owned by the emergency management agency were burnt by the aggrieved protesters.
Some other sources alleged that the Shiites threw petrol bombs as part of the protest.
A Deputy Commissioner of Police, Usman Umar, in charge of Operations at the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, was shot dead during the protest
Also a member of the National Youth Service Corps reporting for Channels TV was hit by a stray bullet as many more were injured during alleged exchange of fire between the sect and security forces.
The reporter, Precious Owolabi, was rushed to the National Hospital, Garki, where he later died on Monday evening.
Read Also: Ministerial list: Women in Politics decry low female representation
This protest comes about two weeks after two Shiites were killed and two police officers injured after a similar protest turned violent at the National Assembly complex in Abuja.
The Shiites are demanding the release of their leader, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, who has been in detention for alleged murder since December 2015.
Buhari’s Ministerial list
President Muhammadu Buhari officially forwarded his list of ministerial nominees to the Senate.
This was made known by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, who read out the president’s letter at plenary on Tuesday.
The president appointed a total of 43 ministers from the 36 states and Abuja.
Among the appointees are former Akwa Ibom State governor, Godswill Akpabio, senior lawyer Festus Keyamo, ex-Benue governor George Akume and 40 other nominees.
The president also retained Babatunde Fashola, Chris Ngige and a few other returnee ministers.
The appointments were made across the six geopolitical zones.
However, the screening exercises has commenced on Wednesday.
Nominees who have previously served in the upper and lower legislative chambers of the National Assembly as well as in a State House of Assembly were not questioned by senators, as is tradition, and were simply asked to ‘take a bow’ and leave after they were introduced.
Dakolo’s House invasion
In another News story, information broke that the residence of gospel musician, Timi Dakolo, was invaded by police officers.
Armed policemen reportedly stormed the residence of Dakolos to take them to the police headquarters in Abuja.
Following a public outcry, the police later said the visit was to invite Busola Dakolo for an investigation of matters of criminal conspiracy, falsehood, mischief and threat to life.
Busola had accused Biodun Fatoyinbo, the founder of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly, commonly (COZA) of raping her when she was a teenager.
Fatoyinbo repeatedly denied all the allegations.
However, The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has ordered that petitions from the Senior Pastor of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly in Abuja, Biodun Fatoyinbo, and Mr and Mrs Timi Dakolo, be merged and investigated at the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Edo Assembly Crisis
As the Edo Assembly crisis continues to linger on, the House of Representatives, acting on a motion moved by a member from Edo, Julius Ihonvbere, last week set up the Abdurazak Namdas-led panel to probe the Assembly crisis and make recommendations.
It should be recalled that the state Assembly had been inaugurated in controversial circumstances on June 17 after nine out of 24 members-elect elected Frank Okiye as Speaker at 9 pm.
This week, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo state and the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, met at the presidential villa, Abuja.
The duo have been at loggerheads in recent times, they shook hands at the presidential villa on Wednesday, July 24.
The reason the duo have been at loggerhead is due to an ongoing crisis rocking the Edo state House of Assembly.
The governor and his predecessor stood together after the presidential policy retreat at the presidential villa on Wednesday, July 24.
New UK PM Boris Johnson
In the foreign scene, Boris Johnson has been appointed as the new prime minister of the United Kingdom after Theresa May stood down over her failure to lead Britain out of the European Union (Brexit).
Johnson, 55, was appointed to the premiership by Queen Elizabeth II in a formal meeting at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday.
His elevation to the UK’s highest political office was a formality after being announced on Tuesday as the winner of an internal ruling Conservative Party leadership contest involving a ballot of the party’s some 160,000 members.
Boris Johnson immediately launched a clear-out of ministers, taking the numbers either sacked or resigned to more than a dozen, and has promoted Sajid Javid to chancellor, Priti Patel to home secretary and Dominic Raab to foreign secretary.
During his speech, Johnson pledged to renegotiate the withdrawal agreement brokered during months of arduous negotiations between May and EU leaders or leave the bloc on the UK’s scheduled departure date of October 31 without a deal.
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Customs, NAFDAC destroy N14.7b tramadol
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), on Thursday destroyed tramadol and hard drugs valued at N14.7 billion.
The Assistant Comptroller of Customs in charge of Enforcement, Inspection and Investigation (E,I&I), Aminu Dahiru, who is the committee chairman on the occasion marking the joint destruction of the drugs, said the seizures would prevent crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry and others threatening the peace and security of the country.
Read Also: Sell over N20b exotic cars in Customs commands, Ali urged
The exercise was witnessed by NAFDAC and ACG Dahiru, who lamented that the hard drugs would have caused damages if they had been allowed to enter the society via smuggling.
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Navy seizes 130 vessels in two years
Over 130 vessels have been seized for maritime infractions by the Navy since 2017, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas said on Thursday.
He spoke at the inaugural International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (IMDEC) held in Accra, Ghana to mark the Ghanaian Navy’s 60th anniversary.
Delivering a paper titled: “Highlight of the NN operations and projections for advancing information sharing towards overcoming criminality at sea”, Ibas said the Navy conducted round the clock surveillance of Nigeria’s maritime space, using the Regional Maritime Awareness Capability (RMAC) and Falcon Eye (FE) facilities, in addition to surface vessels and helicopters.
Quoting statistics from the International Maritime Bureau (IMB), he said increased information sharing between the Navy and other agencies contributed to 50 per cent reduction of acts of piracy within the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) between the first quarter of 2018 and the first quarter of 2019.
Ibas advocated more sustained presence at sea and increasing exchange of critical information between regional partners and stakeholders for the security of the maritime domain.
He said improved database on arrested and convicted maritime criminals would help the region curb the current practice by criminals to move from one jurisdiction to the other to continue their activities.
The CNS said the Navy had initiated operations and programmes geared towards creating a safe and secure space for maritime commerce to thrive.
“These initiatives are categorised into independent Navy operations as well as collaborative operations with other stakeholders within Nigeria and beyond her borders. Considering the wide expanse of the maritime domain and the frequently mutating and transnational nature of maritime crimes, the Navy has had to exploit available Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) infrastructure to enhance her operational efficiency towards curtailing crimes within the GoG.
Read Also: Navy uncovers over N11m worth of PMS on Lagos Island
“The MDA infrastructure is also critical to our collective efforts, particularly as it relates to information sharing…”
Using “Operations TSARE TEKU and RIVER SWEEP” as examples of the Navy independent engagements to check piracy and oil theft, Ibas said there had been successive decline in reported cases of pirate/sea robbery attacks within Nigeria’s maritime domain; while the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had attested to the successes of “Op RIVER SWEEP”, confirming huge savings for the nation due to massive reductions in pipeline losses between 2015 and 2018.
“The operation has also contributed to significant improvement in shipping into Nigeria’s maritime environment as attested to by Nigerian Shippers. The anti-COT and illegal refining operations also incorporated the Choke Point Management and Control Regime involving the deployment of armed personnel in houseboats designated at strategic chokepoint within the creeks. Patrol boats attached to the stations serve as counter theft responses to prevent any stolen crude from being taken away in ships or barges.
“Apart from these two specifically designed operations, the Navy continues to conduct policing patrols across the nation’s EEZ and territorial waters, employing the advantage of its MDA infrastructure to coordinate and direct the pattern of patrols. The service is thus able to conduct round the clock surveillance of Nigeria’s maritime space, using the Regional Maritime Awareness Capability (RMAC) and the Falcon Eye (FE) facilities in addition to surface vessels and helicopters.
“These facilities ensure effective electronic tracking of vessels within our maritime environment whether fitted with Automatic Identification System (AIS) or not. The systems also serve as force multipliers, as Navy patrols are more mission oriented with attendant reduction in operational logistic cost. Following the historic tracking and arrest of the hijackers of a tanker MT MAXIMUS by the Navy at the fringes of Sao Tome and Principe in 2016, the service has continued to achieve several successes using the MDA systems.
“For instance, the FE Systems were used to vector NNS UNITY to arrest MV NESO II in October 2018, while NNS NGURU and EKULU were vectored to arrest MV HAWA and AKEMIJOE DEBORAH, as well as several others in 2019. These vessels were arrested on suspicion of committing infractions within Nigerian waters.
“To further enhance Navy surveillance and MDA network, the service recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on white shipping with the Indian Navy and has applied to join the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) in addition to Italy-based Trans-Regional Maritime Network, which she joined in 2015. The Navy also participated in the establishment of a mechanism for sharing maritime information with regional navies and maritime regulatory agencies at the Maritime Trade Information Sharing Centre here in Ghana.
“These strategic partnerships have the potential to further increase Navy domain awareness across the Atlantic and Indian oceans, with positive impact on surveillance capacity to facilitate Navy policing duties. To consolidate the gains of the MDA project, the Navy in collaboration with the US government recently established a Regional MDA Training School for joint training of personnel of the Navy and other navies of the GoG. This is with a view to steadily improve capacity for gathering and sharing of vital information to enhance collective response to security challenges at sea.
“To enhance maritime operations, the Navy engages regularly with stakeholders. In particular, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Customs, Immigration and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have been most supportive in this regard.
“These engagements foster a shared vision on the accomplishment of maritime security tasks and information sharing leading to the successful arrest and prosecution of several cases. One positive outcome of such consultation is the launch of the Harmonised Standard Operating Procedures (HSOP) on Arrest, Detention and Prosecution of Vessels and Persons (HSOP AD&P) in Nigeria’s maritime environment in January 2017. Further to the launch, the Navy constantly engages directly with each agency on modalities for implementation, resulting in the arrest of over 130 vessels within the past two years.
“The HSOP was further boosted as a legal instrument for the administration of maritime crimes in Nigeria by the President’s recent assent to the Suppression of Piracy and other Maritime Offences Bill, 2019. Pertinently, the Act will serve as strategic deterrent to the commission of various crimes within the nation’s maritime environment and curtail the excesses of syndicates that continue to profit from sponsoring acts of piracy within the GoG.
“The Act also demonstrates the government’s resolve to enforce maritime law within the region towards changing global negative perception of the GoG as a haven for insecurity. To ensure wide dissemination of such legal and operational instruments, the Navy convenes maritime stakeholders’ forum periodically.
“However, considering the transnational and migratory nature of these maritime crimes there is also the need for even more international collaboration to boost maritime law enforcement. I am glad to mention that the NN has equally shown commitment to strengthening international collaboration towards improving maritime security in the GoG. In line with the intention to collectively address maritime security challenges in the global commons, the Navy has supported regional efforts towards collective maritime security.
“Going forward, the Navy intends to leverage such audience as today’s conference, to strengthen discussions with regional partners regarding a sustainable collaboration in joint operations and information sharing to guaranteeing the security of the maritime environment of the GoG.”
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Uwajumogu gets Certificate of Return
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued Senator-elect for Imo North, Benjamin Uwajumogu, his Certificate of Return.
Uwajumogu contested the election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
INEC issued the certificate about 4pm on Thursday at its headquarters in Abuja.
Read Also: AbdulRazaq’s WAEC certificate is genuine, says classmate
Uwajumogu, who addressed reporters after collecting the certificate, praised the judiciary for standing by the truth. He also hailed INEC for obeying court order, pledging to rededicate himself to serving Imo North better than he did in the eight senate.
The Senator-elect thanked his constituents for not taking laws into their hands during the trying times.
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Pupil dies in flood
13-year old pupil, Egbadon Overcome, has been killed by flood while going to school.
The late Overcome was a Primary 3 pupil of Idumu Ague Primary School in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State.
Eyewitnesses said the flood water must have been diverted to the area due to the construction of the new Agbor road. The body was removed by officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
Chairman of the Edo State Universal Basic Education Board Dr. Joan Oviaw said field officers have been deployed to unravel the cause of the death.
Read Also: Four dead, 3201 affected by flood, windstorm in Zamfara
Dr. Oviawe, who described the death as unfortunate, said the government would unravel the circumstances which led to Overcome’s death and prevent a recurrence.
She said: “The Edo State Universal Basic Education Board regrets to announce the unfortunate death of Egbadon Overcome, a 13-year-old primary 3 pupil of Idumu Ague Primary School, in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area. The Board has sent field officers to gather information on what transpired and the circumstances that led to the death of the pupil.
“We commiserate with the child’s parents, the management of Idumu Ague Primary School and the community. We will investigate the death and work towards preventing a recurrence.”
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Motorcyclist shot dead, two injured at new yam festival in Ekiti community
The annual new yam festival, popularly known as Odun Oba in Ikere-Ekiti, Ikere Local Government area of Ekiti State, on Thursday turned violent with a commercial motorcyclist reportedly killed.
The feast was characterised by bloody clash as supporters of the two rival kings in the town, the Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Adejimi Adu and Olukere, Oba Ganiyu Obasoyin, engaged in a gun battle.
Two other persons were reportedly injured by gunshots during the clash.
The two kings have been embroiled in crisis over supremacy battle and step taken to reduce the status of Olukere to a mere chief priest to deny him recognition as an Oba.
According to a source, the incident happened around the popular Odo Oja roundabout close to Olukere’s palace around 6pm.
It was also said to have caused panic in the town as people had to scamper for safety as a result of the gunshots.
Read Also: Soldiers begin ‘operation-stop- and-search in Ekiti
Those travelling to Akure from Ado-Ekiti and others had to take a detour and returned to their bases to prevent being caught in the conflict.
The witness said: “The Ogoga, Oba Adu, was preparing for the annual Odun Oba and part of the rituals was for his people to dance around town to perform some rituals.
“As they were doing this, the traditional hunters were shooting sporadically and the bullet hit an okada man and two others who belonged to Olukere’s camp and that was the beginning of the crisis”.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti Command, Mr. Caleb Ikechukwu, said one okada man died as a result of gunshot during the traditional dancing process while one person was wounded.
“We learnt one of the supporters of the two camps was performing traditional dance in the town and the hunters were firing shots with their Dane guns when one okada man was hit by bullets and died.
“One other man was also wounded and now receiving treatment in the hospital.”
Ikechukwu said the crisis had been quelled while his men are already on ground to prevent escalation of the crisis.
A human right activist, Morakinyo Ogele, appealed to the state police command to unravel and arrest whoever might have perpetrated such heinous act and ensure they face the wrath of justice.