The Nation Newspaper

Category: Featured

  • BREAKING: D’Banj, Simi join Nigerian Idol judges

    BREAKING: D’Banj, Simi join Nigerian Idol judges

    Kokomaster D’Banj and soulful songstress Simi have been announced as new judges for the season seven of talent cum reality TV show, Nigerian Idol.

    The duo of D’Banj and Simi was revealed as the new judges on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, at a media launch to announce the kick-off of the seventh season of the show.

    D’Banj and Simi replace season six judges Seyi Shay and DJ Sose to join Obi Asika on the judging panel.

    Read Also: Nigerian Idol 7: Organisers call for audition

    Speaking on their new roles, D’Banj and Simi promised to bring their A-game to match Asika’s proficiency and words of improvement to the contestants from the auditions to the finale.

    The show host for season six, IK Osakioduwa, returns for another season as he was revealed as the host for the seventh season.

    Kingdom Kroseide emerged winner of the Nigerian Idol season six to win the grand prize of N30 million in cash and N20 million worth of other gifts.

    Kingdom was announced the winner after defeating Francis Atela at the grande finale aired live on July 11, 2021.

  • JUST IN: Ozekhome leads Nnamdi Kanu’s legal team as trial resumes

    JUST IN: Ozekhome leads Nnamdi Kanu’s legal team as trial resumes

    Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mike Ozekhome has announced his appearance as the lead lawyer for the defence at the resumption of proceedings on Tuesday in the trial of detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafran (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

    Proceedings commenced a moment ago with the arrival of the judge, Justice Binta Nyako.

    Read Also: VIDEO: Kanu exchanges banters with legal team before trial

    Kanu was brought into the court by security operatives around 9;50am. He exchange pleasantries with some of his family members, who were in the court room and his lawyers.

    Labaran Magaji is leading the prosecution team.

    One of Kanu’s lawyers, Ifeanyi Ejiofor told The Nation that the defence has decided to beef up its legal team by engaging some senior lawyers, among whom is Ozekhme.

    Ejiofor was however silent on the identity of the others.

  • BREAKING: Abducted Plateau paramount ruler rescued

    BREAKING: Abducted Plateau paramount ruler rescued

    The Gwom Rwei of Vwang, Da Gyang Gutt Balak who was kidnapped last Sunday around NIPPS kuru, Plateau State has regained freedom.

    The Nation reports that the monarch was abducted by some suspected bandits on his way back home in Vom last Sunday.

    Chairman of Berom Youth Movement, (BYM), Vwang District, Barr. Emmanuel Mandung, confirmed the incident.

    He said: “To God be the glory,we appreciate you Lord for the safe return of our Paramount Ruler.His Royal Highness (HRH) the Gwom Rwei of Vwang.Da.Gyang Gutt Balak who was kidnapped yesterday around NIPPS kuru.

    “We are indeed grateful to Almighty God for his infinite Mercy for protecting the life of His Royal Highness.

    “We from Vwang District appreciate you all for your prayers and the the show of love you demonstrated during this trial moment.come and joint us celebrating the wonderful work of God upon us.

    “He is back strong, healthy and congratulations to all of you….”

    It was gathered the community had trooped out in search of their paramount ruler by combing the bushes and mountains, which eventually paid off, leading to his successful rescue.

    Read Also: Abductors of Plateau monarch demand N10m ransom

    Military information officer of operation Save Haven, Major Ishaku Takwa confirmed rescue of the monarch.

    In a statement, he explained: “Recall that the Paramount ruler of Vwang His Royal Highness, Da Gyang Gutt Balak was abducted on Sunday 16 January 2022. Immediately the incidence was reported, the commander Operation SAFE HAVEN Major General Ibrahim Ali placed the troops of Sector 6 deployed at Riyom on red alert and to embark on hot trail of the perpetrators.

    “Consequently, the troops in conjunction with other security agencies, Vigilante group and Hunters conducted clearance operations in the mountainous region of Sabon Gida Kanal, Gero and Dahol general area.

    “Two suspects were arrested at an abandoned building during the operation.

    “This development led to the release of the paramount ruler by his abductors.

    “He has been united with his family.

    “While commending the troops for their swift response, the commander operation SAFE HAVEN, Maj Gen Ibrahim Ali, appreciate the efforts of the Vigilante, the Hunters group and all who provided useful information to security agencies during the operation.

    “He further urged the law abiding citizens to be security conscious and always observe and report any suspicious movement of persons in their area.”

  • APC committee to release convention guidelines Tuesday

    APC committee to release convention guidelines Tuesday

    By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Editor and Jide Orintunsin, Abuja

    After being warned by President Muhammadu Buhari to put its house in order, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is expected to announce its convention programme today.

    Yesterday, caretaker chairman Mai Mala Buni briefed the President at Aso Villa, Abuja, on the plans, which will be ratified at today’s meeting of the Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC).

    At the meeting, major considerations would be given to the convention date and the need to hold it not later than the end of February as proposed by the Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF), led by Kebbi State Governor Atiku Bagudu.

    According to a party source, the meeting is also to deliberate on other modalities, particularly the mode of the convention, whether direct primary, delegate system or consensus.

    The source said the National Caretaker Committee is also expected to assess the activities of the reconciliation committee headed by Senator Abdullahi Adamu and the likely impact of the unresolved rancorous state congresses on the preparation for the convention.

    The source also hinted that the caretaker committee may indicate the direction of its zoning formula for the distribution of the national party offices across the six geo-political zones.

    Yesterday, Buni stormed the Aso Villa, the seat of government to brief President Buhari on the agenda of the meeting.

    The source said: “The CECPC is holding its 19th regular meeting today. The caretaker committee will ratify the timetable for the National Convention, announce the convention date and roll out a comprehensive plan for the convention, which will hold in Abuja.”

    APC governors on Sunday resolved after their meeting in Abuja that the proposed convention slated for next month was sacrosanct.

    Bagudu said the forum discussed the convention after considering a briefing by Buni on the level of preparedness.

    He said: “It is the responsibility of the CECPC to do that. We are just a section of the stakeholders and we have conceded that duty to the caretaker and very soon, they will brief you on the date.”

    The PGF chairman debunked media reports about cracks within the forum.

    He said: “You can see with this large turnout of our members. There is no division among us as wrongly reported in the media. We are one united body.”

    Bagudu said the meeting passed a vote of confidence in the caretaker committee for the leadership provided by the chairman and the two other governors on the committee.

    He said the forum reaffirmed its loyalty to President Buhari and pledged to continue to support the programmes of the administration.

    The PGF emergency meeting was summoned by Bagudu, following crises over the delay in organising the convocation.

    No fewer than 20 governors attended the meeting, which kicked off at about 8:30 pm and lasted for about three and a half hours at the Kebbi State Governor’s Lodge in the Asokoro District, Abuja.

    They included Buni, Babagana Zulum (Borno), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Abubakar Sani Bello (Niger), Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Ben Ayade (Cross River), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Bello Matawalle (Zamfara) and David Umahi (Umahi).

    Other were Gboyega Oyetola (Osun), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Solomon Lalong (Plateau), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Abdulrasaki Abdulrahaman (Kwara), Umar Ganduje (Kano) and Deputy Governor of Anambra, Nkemakonam Okeke.

  • Kanu faces eight new terror charges as trial resumes Tuesday

    Kanu faces eight new terror charges as trial resumes Tuesday

    The Federal Government has amended the terrorism charges against the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu.

    It increased the counts from seven to 15 ahead of the resumed hearing today at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

    His lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, had on December 2 applied for a rescheduling of the case till January 18.

    Yesterday, Kanu’s legal team said it was served with an amended 15-count charge filed on January 17, with eight new counts added.

    A lawyer in Kanu’s team, Maxwell Opara, described the amendment as a ploy by the prosecution to delay the case.

    Opara told our correspondent that he was served with the amended charge yesterday while the legal team was preparing to visit Kanu in the custody of the State Security Service (SSS).

    “My annoyance is not about 15 worthless and empty amended charges, but it is just a calculated attempt to delay the trial and have an excuse to further incarcerate MNK (Maxi Nnamdi Kanu) in solitary confinement.

    “Imagine, since the last adjourned date, more than two months now, they did not deem it necessary to amend, file and serve us, but waited till today (yesterday) for them to do that with their ultimate intention to frustrate the trial tomorrow (today).

    “Anyway, we shall sort it out with them in court,” Opara said.

    The charges in full:  

    Count 1: That you Nnamdi Kanu, male, adult, of Afaranukwu Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State sometimes in 2021 being a member and the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, a proscribed organisation, did commit an act in furtherance of an act of terrorism against the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the people of Nigeria by a making a broadcast received and heard in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to intimidate the population and you threatened that people will die, the whole world will stand still and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 1(2)(b) of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act. 2013.

    Count 2: That you Nnamdi Kanu, male, adult of Afaranukwu Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State sometimes in 2021 did commit an act in furtherance of an act of terrorism against the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the people of Nigeria made a broadcast received and heard in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to intimidate the population, you issued a deadly threat that anyone who flouted your sit-at-home order should “write his/her Will’. As a result banks, schools, markets, shopping malls, fuel stations domiciled in the Eastern states of Nigeria were not opened for businesses, citizens and vehicular movements in the Eastern States of Nigeria were grounded within the jurisdiction of this honourable court and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 1(2)(b) of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act, 2013.

    Count 3: That you Nnamdi Kanu, male, adult, of Afaranukwu Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abla State on diverse dates between 2018 and 2021 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court professed yourself to be a member and leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB, a proscribed organisation in Nigeria and that you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 16 of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act, 2013.

    Count 4: That you Nnamdi Kanu, male, adult, of Afaranukwu Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State on diverse dates between 2018 and 2021 made a broadcast received and heard in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, in furtherance of an act of terrorism against the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the people of Nigeria in which you incite members of the public in Nigeria to hunt and kill Nigerian security personnel and that you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 1 (2) (h) of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act, 2013.

     Count 5: That you Nnamdi Kanu, male, adult, of Afaranukwu Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State on diverse dates between 2018 and 2021 made a broadcast received and heard in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, in furtherance of an act of terrorism against the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the people of Nigeria in which you incite members of the public in Nigeria to hunt and kill families of Nigerian security personnel and that you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 1 (2) (h) of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act, 2013.

     Count 6: That you Nnamdi Kanu, male, adult of Afaranukwu Ibeku, Umuahla North Local Government Area of Abia State on diverse dates between 2018 and 2021 made a broadcast received and heard in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, in furtherance of an act of terrorism against the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the people of Nigeria in which you incite members of the public in Nigeria to attack officers of the Nigerian Police Force and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 1 (2) (h) of the terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013.

     Count 7: That you Nnamdi Kanu, male, adult, of Afaranukwu Ibeku, Umuahila North Local Government Area of Abia State on diverse dates between 2018 and 2021 made a broadcast received and heard in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this honourable court in furtherance of an act of terrorism against the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the people of Nigeria in which you incite members of the public in Nigeria to kill officers of the Nigerian Police Force and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 1 (2) (h) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013.

     Count 8: That you Nnamdi Kanu, male, adult, of Afaranukwu Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State on diverse dates between 2018 and 2021 made a broadcast received and heard in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, in furtherance of an act of terrorism against the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the People of Nigeria in which you directed members of the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB, a proscribed organisation to manufacture bombs and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 1(2) (f) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013.

     Count 9: That you Nnamdi Kanu, Male, Adult, of Afaranukwu Ibeku, Umuahla North Local Government Area of Abia State on diverse dates between 2018 and 2021 made a broadcast received and heard in Nigeria within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, in furtherance of an act of terrorism against the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the People of Nigeria, with intent to destabilize the fundamental political and economic structures of Nigeria, you incite members of the public to stop the Anambra State Elections and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 1 (2) (h) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013.

     Count 10: That you Nnamdi Kanu, male, adult, of Afaranukwu Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State on diverse dates between 2018 and 2021 made a broadcast received and heard in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, in furtherance of an act of terrorism against the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the people of Nigeria, with intent to destabilise the fundamental political and economic structures of Nigeria, you incite members of the public to destroy public facilities and you thereby committed an ‘offence punishable under section 1 (2) (h) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013.

     Count 11: That you Nnamdi Kanu, male, adult, of Afaranukwu Ibeku, Urnuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State on diverse dates between 2018 and 2021 made a broadcast received and heard in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to intimidate the population of Nigeria, in furtherance of an act of terrorism against the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the people of Nigeria threatened members of the public not to come out on Monday the 31st day of May 2021 and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 1 (2) (h) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013.

    Count 12: That you Nnamdi Kanu, male, adult, of Afaranukwu Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abla State on diverse dates between 2018 and 2021 made a broadcast received and heard in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to incite members of the public to stage a violent revolution in furtherance of an act of terrorism against the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the people of Nigeria and that you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 1 (2) (h) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013.

     Count 13: That you Nnamdi Kanu, male, adult, of Afaranukwu Ibekuj Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State on diverse dates between 2018 and 2021 made a broadcast received and heard in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to incite violence in furtherance of an act of terrorism against the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the people of Nigeria you directed members of the public to burn down every Federal facility in Lagos resulting in major economic loss to the Federal Government and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 1 (2) (h) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013.

    Count 14: That you Nnamdi Kanu, male, adult, of Afaranukwu Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State on diverse dates between 2018 and 2021 made a broadcast received and heard in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to incite violence in furtherance of an act of terrorism against the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the people of Nigeria you directed members of the public to destroy public transport system in Lagos, resulting in major economic loss to the government and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 1 (2) (h) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013.

     Count 15: That you Nnamdi Kanu, male, adult, of Afaranukwu Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State on diverse dates between the months of March and April 2015 imported into Nigeria and kept in Ubullisiuzor in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, a Radio Transmitter known as Tram SOL concealed in a container of used household items which you declared as used household items, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 47 (2) (a) of Criminal Code Act, Cap, C45 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

    The former charges (before amendment)

    • Bright Chimezie, Chidiebere Onwidiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu, David Nwawuisi and Kanu, in 2014 and 2015, in Nigeria and London, conspired to broadcast on Radio Biafra their plan to secede from Nigeria and form the Republic of Biafra, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap. C77 of 2004.
    • Kanu illegally smuggled radio transmitters into Nigeria, which he used to disseminate “hate broadcasts”, encouraging the “secession of the Republic of Biafra”, from Nigeria.
    • Kanu imported a Radio transmitter known as TRAM 50L, which was concealed in a container that was declared as used household items, to use same to disseminate information about secession plans by the IPOB.
    • Kanu, “on or about the 28th April, 2015 in London, United Kingdom did in a broadcast on Radio Biafra monitored in Enugu, Enugu state and other parts of Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, referred to Major General Muhammadu Buhari, GCON, President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a paedophile, a terrorist, an idiot and an embodiment of evil, knowing same to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 375 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C. 38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004”.
    • The defendants committed treasonable felony, an offence punishable under Section 41(C) of the Criminal Code Act, CAP C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
    • The defendants managed the affairs of the IPOB, “an unlawful society”.
  • Sit-at-home enforcers flog traders, destroy vehicles in Enugu, Anambra

    Sit-at-home enforcers flog traders, destroy vehicles in Enugu, Anambra

    By Nwanosike Onu, Awka; Damian Duruiheoma, Enugu; Sunny Nwankwo, Umuahia and Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

    Hoodlums enforcing the suspended sit-at-home yesterday destroyed vehicles and flogged traders in Enugu State.

    There was pandemonium in Obollo-Afor town, Udenu Local Government Area as hooded gunmen attacked residents of the community for disobeying the directive.

    They flogged traders and destroyed their wares at about 8 am.

    The hoodlums, who came into the commercial town on motorcycles, beat up traders who had opened for business.

    They also set ablaze a tricycle after discharging its passengers.

    A Sienna vehicle belonging to the Udenu Central Neighbourhood Watch was destroyed during the attack.

    Villagers told our correspondent that members of the vigilante group took to their heels on sighting the gunmen before their vehicle was destroyed.

    Eyewitnesses told our correspondent that other residents, who had come out for business, scampered for safety as the hoodlums chased them away with whips.

    A panic-stricken trader, who told reported that he had a close shave with the gunmen, said he was yet to recover from the shock.

    He said: “They had guns, knives and whips with which they dispersed people. They didn’t shoot at anybody.

    “Their faces were covered. I am still shaking from the shock. I thought they would attack me since my shop was open at the time they passed. Later on, I heard they were beating some people and asking others to go back home.”

    It was learnt that soldiers mounting a checkpoint along the road, arrived at the town at about 8:30 am to restore normalcy.

    Residents of the Enugu metropolis deserted the roads and streets for fear of attacks.

    Markets, schools, offices, shops and parks were shut.

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had revised the sit-at-home it declared to protest the detention of its leader Nnamdi Kanu.

    It said the exercise would only be observed on the days of his court appearance.

    Kanu is on trial over treasonable-felony charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

    Some Enugu residents told our correspondent that they refused to come out because hoodlums have taken charge of the whole exercise.

    Passengers attacked in Anambra

    In Anambra, hoodlums enforcing the exercise attacked some passengers en route Asaba from Owerri in the Idemili area.

    One of the victims, Mrs Cecilia Ugoh, said she escaped by the whiskers after the miscreants smashed the windscreen with bottles.

    She said: “I had thought there would be movement today since IPOB had announced the cancellation of the Monday sit-at-home.

    “But as we were driving down from Owerri, going to Asaba, I observed the loneliness on the road.

    “As soon as we approached Idemili junction, some boys started throwing bottles on our vehicle. The bottles broke the windscreen.”

    Commercial activities were grounded in Onitsha, Nnewi and other major cities.

    Markets, schools, motor parks, banks were all shut, while major roads and streets were deserted.

    The ever-busy Upper Iweka and Onitsha Bridgehead known for heavy gridlocks were deserted.

    Residents seized the opportunity to clear their drainages, while some gathered within the streets to cool off with bottles of drinks.

    Residents bemoan losses

    Some residents of Anambra said the sit-at-home was harming the Southeast economy.

    A community leader in Enugwu-Ukwu, Njikoka Local Government Area, Mrs Ngozi Nwaude, called on the leaders of the group to adopt a persuasive approach to their social mobilisation campaign.

    She said by enforcing the sit-at-home order through the instrument of fear and intimidation, IPOB had become the enemy of many residents of the area.

    She said it was unfortunate that a group that claimed to be involved in the emancipation of the people would take actions that would inflict pain on the same populace.

    According to her, IPOB has succeeded in causing panic and unnecessary hardship for travellers.

    “I have to reschedule my flight to another date because I could not find my way to Asaba Airport,” Nwaude said.

    A petty trader, Mrs Grace Anagor, said the directive has turned into “a joke taken too far” because it was damaging sources of livelihood.

    Anagor, who said the worst-hit were on the poor and elderly, urged all parties to embrace dialogue for the sake of the common people.

    A transporter, Mr Ugochukwu Okigbo, described the situation as hopeless, saying it posed an economic threat to daily income earners.

    He said described his journey from Asaba to Awka as “horrible’’ adding he once spent 12 hours on the journey that on a good day should last just some hours.

    Many Anambra residents were still afraid to come out, with some resorting to panic buying ahead of Kanu’s court appearance on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

    Some private schools that were to resume yesterday postponed it till January 25 due as a result.

    IPOB said the sit-at-home will only be for Tuesday.

    Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C Don Adinuba, regretted that some residents had chosen to listen to non-state actors, describing it as dangerous and unfortunate.

    Anambra Police Command spokesman, Ikenga Tochukwu, assured residents of adequate security.

    There was partial compliance in Abia.

    Our correspondent reports that there was apprehension among the residents of Umuahia early yesterday.

    Activities later picked up as many summoned the courage to come out.

    Some private schools were open. Banks in the state capital opened for business, but with skeletal activities

    Major markets in Aba, including Ariaria International Market, were not open for business when our correspondent visited.

  • IPOB: FG amends charge against Kanu from 7 to 15

    IPOB: FG amends charge against Kanu from 7 to 15

    The Federal Government has amended the charge against the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, raising the counts from seven to 15 ahead of the resumed hearing on Tuesday.

    A Federal High Court in Abuja, before which Kanu had been facing a seven-count treasonable/terrorism count charge had on December 2, upon an application by his lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, rescheduled hearing in the case for January 18.

    But on Monday, Kanu’s legal team said it was served with an amended 15-count charge filed on January 17, adding 10 counts to the counts in the old charge.

    A lawyer in Kanu’s team, Maxwell Opara described the amendment as a ploy by the prosecution to clog progress in the case.

    Opara told The Nation that he was served with the amended charge while the legal team was preparing to visit Kanu in the custody of the State Security Service (SSS) on Monday.

    “My annoyance is not about 15 worthless and empty amended charges, but it is just a calculated attempt to delay the trial and have an excuse to further incarcerate MNK (Maxi Nnamdi Kanu) in solitary confinement.

    “Imagine, since the last adjourned date, more than two months now, they did not deem it necessary to amend,file and serve us, but waited till today for them to do that with their ultimate intention to frustrate the trial tomorrow.

    “Anyway, we shall sort it out with them in court tomorrow,” Opara said.

  • JUST IN: NASS staff slumps, dies on staircase

    JUST IN: NASS staff slumps, dies on staircase

    A staff of the National Assembly on Monday collapsed and died while ascending the second floor of the White House through the staircase.

    Eyewitnesses account said Abdul Olajide Abayomi, 34, tripped and fell on the upper rung of the staircase.

    He immediately rolled to the step landing before help could come his way.

    Cleaners, who sighted him when he fell, were said to have alerted staff who immediately came to his aid.

    His colleagues were said to have rushed him to the National Assembly Clinic for medical attention but he died on the way there.

    He was said to have died of cardiac arrest and other underlining ailments.

    He was with the Inter-Parliamentary Department under the Directorate of Inter-Parliamentary and Protocols of the National Assembly’s bureaucracy.

    Read Also: Three die, six injured in UAE suspected drone attack

    He was said to have married on December 4, 2021. While he was from Osun State, his wife is said to be from Delta.

    Also, an Ad hoc worker was also said to have fallen from a scaffold while working at the fourth floor of the National Assembly Complex which left him with a deep cut on his head, aside other injuries.

    The worker (not staff) was said to have been taken to the National Hospital where he is receiving medical attention.

    The injured worker is said to be recuperating.

    Director of Information, National Assembly, Dr Emmanuel Agada, said he could not confirm the death incident since he has not received any information on it.

    “Honestly, i just left the office but I didn’t get any such information on the incident. So I am not in a position now to confirm the story,” Agada said.

  • PGF DG resigns over APC national convention controversy

    PGF DG resigns over APC national convention controversy

    The Director-General of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) Salihu Lukman has resigned his appointment over the crisis on the National Convention of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) scheduled for February.

    Lukman, who had insisted on the conduct of the convention in February as agreed by the Forum at its November meeting, has persistently blamed the continued delay of the convention on the Chairman and Secretary of the party’s Caretaker/Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC).

    His position and persistence drew the ire of some Governors, who were said to have decided to penalise Lukman at their meeting on Sunday.

    Read Also: APC National Convention will hold in February — Governors

    In just one week, Lukman reeled out two letters to party leaders, Chairman of PGF and Governors on the need to compel the Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker Committee to conduct the convention as agreed in February failing which he said they should resign their appointment.

    But The Nation learnt the issue divided the Governors with many said to have opposed any drastic action being pushed against the erstwhile Director-General.

    Some of the Governors were said to have suggested that he should be asked to resign instead of penalised.

    It was later gathered that the embattled PGF boss threw in his resignation letter on Tuesday morning.

    Efforts to speak with Lukman were unsuccessful as all his lines were not reachable.

  • PDP will surely produce Buhari’s successor – Ayu

    PDP will surely produce Buhari’s successor – Ayu

    National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator Iyorchia Ayu has said his party will surely produce President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor.

    He said the current alleged inept rule of the All Progressive Congress (APC) at the Federal Government had pulled the country backwards economically and deserved to be changed.

    Ayu spoke at a gala night hosted by the Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike for PDP Governors at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Port Harcourt on Sunday night.

    Ayu said the APC leadership had been unable to harness the rich diversity of Nigerians into better fortunes that should strengthen the bond of brotherhood and promote peaceful coexistence.

    He said: “Unfortunately, a very poor leadership has presented Nigeria at home and abroad as an extremely divided country.

    Read Also: 2023: PDP governors meet in PH to review takeover bid 

    “We must change this narrative and the only way to change this narrative and harness not just the culture, but the environment and the richness therein, is to back the Peoples Democratic Party which is determined to produce a new leadership for this country.”

    Ayu said that the country would bounce back with the PDP at the saddle, describing the party’s project to replace Buhari as realisable.

    He said: “The PDP will definitely produce the next president and take the country back to the days when we were in power, when we cleared all foreign debts, when we were developing this country at reasonable speed; when we became the richest country on the African continent. But today we are the poverty capital of the world. All that will change.”

    Governors at the gala night were: Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia); Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa); Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom); Mohammed Bala (Bauchi); Samuel Ortom (Benue); Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu).

    Also in attendance were the Deputy Governors of Rivers and Zamfara, Dr Ipalibo Harry-Banigo and Mahdi Aliyu Mohammed Gusau; PDP national secretary, Senator Sam Anyanwu and many other dignitaries.