Category: Featured

By Emma Elekwa, Onitsha; Nicholas Kalu, Abuja 

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) said yesterday that it had uncovered a plot to kill the lead lawyers of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

The group, which gave the names of the lawyers as Ifeanyi Ejiofor and Aloy Ejimakor, accused the Nigerian government of being responsible for the plan.

In a statement issued by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB said the plan extended to the elimination of several state coordinators.

It noted that the only crime of the lawyers was their commitment to their profession, as lawyers, insisting that the Nigerian government should be held responsible should anything happen to the lawyers and others on the list.

The statement reads in part: “We wish to put the whole world on notice about the wicked plot by the frustrated Government of Nigeria to secretly eliminate our resilient lawyers, Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor and Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, over their committed efforts in the defence of our leader who was renditioned from Kenya.

“The Nigerian Government is not happy with the expertise and professional prowess of these veteran lawyers and other members of the legal team to deflate the fabricated charges against our leader, hence their plot to eliminate them.

“The intelligence report at our disposal also indicates that this covert plan extends to the elimination of Mazi Benjamin Madubugwu, Bright Chimezie Ishinwa, Chidiebere Onwudiwe,  David Nwawuisi as well as several state coordinators are in their elimination list handed down by the Nigerian government to its Security agencies.

“The Nigerian government intends to carry out this targeted elimination through the security personnel deployed in South-East under the guise of Operation Golden Dawn to do the dirty job.

Read Also: Stop inflicting pains, NSA tells IPOB, others

“The compromised security agents have decided to eliminate Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyers once they step into any part of South-East.

“We want to place it on record that these lawyers have committed (no crime) but simply carrying out their profession as lawyers. The world should hold Nigeria Government responsible should anything happen to our lawyers and any of those listed above.

“This will not be the first time such evil plot would be hatched against them as Ejiofor has severally escaped assassination attempt on his life by this same Nigerian security operatives evidence of which are in the public domain. His attackers have twice set his home on fire after killing so many people in his house.

“The world must take note and pay attention to the atrocities being committed in Biafraland by the Nigerian government.”

The statement added: “South East remains our ancestral home and we cannot run away because we committed no sacrilege in our land. Anybody planning to kill us will be battling with the spirit of our ancestors and the spirit that own Biafraland.

“Those detained with our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in 2017 from Abuja prison must be very careful, at alert and conscious of their environment and movement now because Nigeria government is planning to eliminate them and other innocent Biafran youths for just no cause.

“IPOB is bringing the evil plot of the Nigerian government to the attention of the international community.”

‘DSS denied British Consul, Ezeife access to Kanu’

In a related development, the lead Counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has alleged that the Department of State Services (DSS) denied the British Consul as well as former Anambra State governor, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, access to his client.

This, Ejiofor said, was in violation of a subsisting court order.  In a statement posted on his Facebook wall, he said the order expanded the number of persons that could visit Kanu on any of the designated days scheduled for his routine visit.

He said the court further clarified that the persons to visit their client were no longer restricted to his lawyers and family members but any other person of his choice.

The post reads: “Today’s routine visit to our indefatigable Client – Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu could not hold because the detaining authority (DSS) deliberately denied the above named persons access to Our Client.

“Recall that the Honorable Court in charge of this case had on the 21st Day of October, 2021 expanded the number of persons that could visit Our Client on any of the designated days scheduled for his routine visit.

“The Honorable Court proceeded to Order in His Ruling that henceforth, three persons of our Client’s choice should be allowed to visit him.

“His Lordship further clarified that the persons to visit Our Client are no longer restricted to his lawyers and family members but, ANY OTHER PERSON of Our Client’s choice.

“In line with this Order of Court, we forwarded the list of names scheduled to visit Our Client on Monday, 25th October, 2021, which included Attorney Bruce Fein – our Client’s International Attorney and Legal Representative in the United States of America.

“Attorney Fein arrived Nigeria from the United States of America to witness the Court proceedings of the 21st Day of October, 2021, and also utilise the opportunity of the visit to interface with his Client – Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

“Unknown to us, a rude shock awaited us at the DSS. Upon arrival at the DSS Headquarters on Monday, 25th October, 2021, for the scheduled routine visit, the detaining authority did not stop at keeping us waiting for well over two hours, but thereafter specifically told us that no foreigner, including Bruce Fein, would be allowed to visit Our Client, and as such, he would not participate in the visit.

“The renowned International Constitutional Human Rights lawyer was not only disappointed with the Authority concerned, but was shocked at the brazen manner in which the Nigerian Court Orders are flouted with impunity by those whose primary mandate is to protect and preserve these Laws and maintain Order.

“Attorney Bruce Fein consequently left the premises of the DSS visibly broken. Apparently, he has gathered enough to feed the International Community upon his return to the United States.

“Today was the turn of the British Consul to experience what the civilised society may refer to as the height of abnormality in the system. The innocent woman who flew all the way from Lagos on this special diplomatic engagement was denied access to Our Client, and told that she is not welcomed for the visit because she’s a foreigner.

“His Excellency, Dr. CHUKWUEMEKA EZEIFE who was denied access to the Court room at the last Court sitting was also denied access to our Client today without offering any reason(s). Height of impunity indeed!

“It is important to point out here that the Order of Court with regard to the number of persons and class of persons allowed to visit our Client, NEVER RESTRICTED THEM TO NIGERIANS ONLY.

“It is more so that this clarification was made by His Lordship, following our specific complaint to the Court that Attorney Bruce Fein was not only denied access to our Client on two occasions at the DSS Headquarters, but was not allowed inside the court room on 21st October, 2021.

“If His Lordship’s intention was to restrict foreigners from visiting our Client, the Court would have simply made it clear while responding to our application for clarification.

“Though we have promptly filed another application for the transfer of Our Client to the correctional centre predicated on entirely new set of facts, it is now crystal clear to the World that if the DSS is allowed to remain the custodian of our Client, there shall certainly be gross denial of fair hearing and fair trial in these proceedings.

“We will equally be initiating contempt proceeding against the Head of the DSS for this gross violation of Court Order. Order of the Court must be obeyed regardless of the status of the person(s) involved or the Agency affected by the Order.

“Even though the DSS has a history of flouting Court Orders with impunity, we will pursue for the Court to step in, in this case and protect the sanctity of its Order(s). Enough is enough!

“We shall leave no stone unturned in ensuring that this weighty infraction of the positive Order of Court and by extension, gross violation of our Client’s right is addressed without further ado.

“We still appeal to our Client’s millions of followers to remain calm as we explore all legal remedies available to our Client in the circumstance of this breach.

“Your prayers and supplications should be intensified in times like this, and please do not lose focus UmuChineke because the enemies are really at work. But be assured that it will all end in Praises. Thank you all and remain hugely blessed UmuChineke.”

Public Relations Officer of the DSS, Dr Peter Afunanya, did not respond to an enquiry on the matter at the time of filing this report.

Dissatisfied with the ruling of the Court of Appeal, the suspended National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, has vowed to head to the Supreme Court.

He said no abuse of the constitution of PDP should be allowed to stand.

He said the case in court was not about himself but about the sanctity of PDP’s constitution and core democratic principles of justice and rule of law.

He clarified that he did not at any time take PDP to court and would not have done that.

Secondus made the clarifications in a statement through his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Ike Abonyi.

He said: “I have just been briefed of the ruling of the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt dismissing my motion to halt the National Convention of the party. I respect the position of the court even though I disagree totally with it.

“Even as the substantive case is still pending at the Court of Appeal I have instructed my lawyers to study the ruling with a view to appealing it immediately as no abuse of the constitution of our dear party should be allowed to stand.

“The issue is not about Prince Uche Secondus but about the sanctity of our party constitution and core democratic principles of justice and rule of law not only in PDP but in our democracy. No impunity must be condoned.”

Read Also: PDP governors, elders head for showdown over Oyinlola

Secondus said he did not at any time sue PDP because of how much harm litigations have done to the party in the past.

He added: “I will therefore wish to emphasis the fact that I did not take the party to court and would not have done that.

“As a foundation member of this party who has served at various levels, State Chairman, Chairman of state Chairmen, National Organizing Secretary, Deputy National Chairman, Acting National Chairman and now National Chairman, I am very much abreast with the workings of the party.

“I have been a witness to how much harm litigations have done to our party in the past and as a result I have been a strong advocate against settling issues in courts.

“This was why I resisted and rejected entreaties of those who wanted me to go to court to halt these forces when it was obvious that they were determined to disrupt my leadership and truncate my tenure in office with the sole objective of hijacking the party for their selfish ulterior motives.

“To allow this travesty to stand is to reduce our beloved party to a level where anybody can wake up overnight and remove officers against the proscribed constitutional process and the National Chairman for that matter and purporting to use the judiciary through an ex parte order to legitimize same.

“As a major practitioner in our democracy, I am duty bound to protect and defend the sanctity of the provisions of our constitution of which am the custodian.”

He said the PDP descended to this level because those who orchestrated the crisis ignored party elders’ advice to withdraw the case.

He said: “I wish to therefore at this juncture thank and appreciate leaders and other stakeholders of our party who have called in to express their concerns on this matter and appeal for the understanding of all.

“If those who orchestrated and fostered this avoidable crisis had listened to wise counsel of party leaders and elders who advised the withdrawal of cases, this situation would have been avoidable. I wish the party well as always.”

• Mimiko’s defection unsettles Ondo chapter

• Court to rule on Secondus’ suit today

• Orbih, others not barred from convention

Hours to the commencement of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention, party leaders and governors are worried over the breakdown of the plan to pick officers through consensus.

Former Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola has refused to step down for Alhaji Taofeek Arapaja in the race for deputy national chairman (South).

Oyinlola is being supported by some founding fathers of the party while Arapaja, the National Vice-Chairman (Southwest), is the candidate of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.

He is supported by other governors.

Because of this situation, governors on the platform of the party met last night.

At the session, it was learnt that the governors also considered options before the party after today’s Court of Appeal judgment.

Also, PDP governors — Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto) —visited Ondo to woo the leader of the Zenith Labour Pary (ZLP), former Ondo State Governor Olusgun Mimiko.

In Benin yesterday, the Edo State judiciary said there was no court order barring the PDP Vice Chairman (Southsouth) Dan Orbih and 10 others from participating at the convention.

A top source, who spoke in confidence, said plans to have a hitch-free convention and build consensus have failed.

The source said: “Apart from the case before the Court of Appeal, the governors met to think of alternatives if the appellate court gives an unfavourable judgment.

“The governors also considered contingecies in case the court asks PDP to go ahead with its convention.

Read Also: PHOTOS: Makinde, Wike, Tambuwal in Ondo to woo Mimiko back to PDP

“But more importantly, the governors were worried that they have not arrived at the consensus  candidate for office of the Deputy National Chairman (South).

“This post is an issue that can cause confusion at the Convention. Our consensus has failed on this. Some governors, who hitherto supported Oyinlola, have backed out to support Governor Makinde’s favourite.

“The same Makinde, who persuaded Oyinlola to vie for the office, dumped him for Arapaja.

“But some founding fathers of PDP, ex-governors, former national chairmanship aspirants and some leaders of the party are insisting on Oyinlola.

“Oyinlola has insisted on contesting for the position. He was quoted as saying:” Even if I will vote for myself, I will contest. “

“There are fears that the founding fathers may raise some dust at the convention.  Those behind Oyinlola are heavyweights in the party. They have drawn the battle line against the governors. That is why they are opposed to consensus option.”

It was learnt that the governors were working on contingecies in case the party will go ahead with the convention.

“The court case has really affected plans for our convention. We need to have some contingecies in place.

“ We are preparing for the ruling of the Court of Appeal. Either way, the governors felt the party must be prepared, a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party said.

Orbih, others not stopped from convention

The judiciary in Edo State said yesterday it has restrained the party’s Vice Chairman (Southsouth), Chief Dan Orbih and 10 others from participating in the convention.

The clarification ended an alleged claim by Governor Godwin Obaseki’s supporters that Orbih and others had been stopped from the convention.

According to a statement made available to this newspaper, the applicants were only ordered to place the respondents on notice.

The statement reads: “The attention of the Edo State Judiciary has been drawn to some publications to the effect that an Edo State High Court, presided over by Hon. Justice J. O. Okeaya-Inneh retrained the National Vice Chairman of the South-South, Chief Dan Orbih and the State Secretary of the party, Hilary Otsu and others from participating in the party’s National Convention scheduled for October 30 and 31, 2021.

“Let it be stated for record purpose that no such restraining order was issued by Hon. Justice J. O. Okeaya-Inneh. The applicants were only ordered to place the Respondents on Notice and leave was granted to the Claimants to serve the originating process on the PDP outside the jurisdiction of the court and a further leave was granted to the applicant to serve the originating process by substituted means.”

Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has decried the difficult state of Nigeria’s international travel portal.

This followed his failure to obtain a COVID-19 travel permit during a recent trip from France to Nigeria.

Soyinka, who addressed reporters yesterday at Esther’s Revenge of Freedom Park in Lagos, recounted how he was to stay at the airport for three days awaiting clearance to return to Nigeria.

He said such a development should not be allowed to continue for anyone who had taken the required vaccines.

Recounting his experience about the online portal, Soyinka said he discovered that the questionnaire that precedes the process of obtaining the online permit was difficult and had left many travelers, including Nigerians, stranded at international airports.

He said: “Neighboring countries, preferably, which do not require this secret service kind of questionnaire – because that is what I considered it… There was a flight leaving Lome at 4.30…

“I said I would go and join (Sunday) Igboho wherever he is and then maybe we can come back to Nigeria together by the same way as he got out, which is why I mentioned the man in the very beginning…

Read Also: NLC to Fed Govt: don’t force Nigerians to take vaccines

“Boarding began. About 20 minutes to three minutes, I told them to make sure they get me on the right flight to Lome, carried my bags and was ready to go to Lome. In the meantime, one of the supervisors had come from the office. She was in mufti and was working the phones like mad.

“Suddenly, she broke into a sigh and smile of relief, came running to where I was with my bag and said: ‘Good news: you’ve been given special permission to re-enter your country.’ I don’t believe that I should require, or any Nigerian should require, special permission to enter his or her own country.

“So, nobody is saying don’t take precaution because the next thing they will say is Wole Soyinka says they should let everybody in at any time. Nobody is saying you shouldn’t take the necessary precaution; other nations do it.

“But I don’t believe that other nationals are just obstructed the way we are. I understand that some other Western Africa countries have similar regulations we have to go to the portal, fill this and that. But if this thing is not one hundred per cent proved,” he said.

Soyinka urged the Federal Ministries of Health and Internal Affairs to provide an alternative to resolve the system error in the portal.

Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Justice Minister Abubakar Malami (SAN) has advised the police on the fate of embattled former Commander of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Usman Baba, who announced this yesterday, said the police authorities were awaiting the advice of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) on the probe report.

Baba spoke at the weekly briefing coordinated by the Presidential Communications Team at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. He said the AGF advised the police to confront Kyari with the findings of the panel that investigated allegations that the embattled IRT commnader received gratification from and fraternised with an Instagram influencer, Abbas Ramon, popularly called Hushpuppi.

The police, he explained, had also submitted the findings to the SGF for vetting and advice.

Hushpuppi, 29, pleaded guilty to money laundering in a United States (U.S.) court on July 29, 2021.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), he contracted Kyari to detain a co-conspirator, Chibuzo Vincent, for threatening to expose the alleged $1.1 million fraud committed against a Qatari businessman.

The agency also said Hushpuppi paid $20,600 into a bank account provided by Kyari.

Read Also: Court refuses to restrain NPF, AGF from arresting, extraditing DCP Abba Kyari

When asked for an update on the reported FBI extradition request for Kyari, the IGP said he did not know a formal request but had read of such on social media.

Baba said: “I’ve not heard about it formally, but I have read it on social media that there was an extradition request. I’ve not seen it; I’ve not heard it formally. That is one.

“Two, when this issue of Kyari started, we took our own action by constituting a panel to look at the allegation that was made against the senior officer.

“The allegation was based on receiving gratification and also fraternising with Hushpuppi and his group and even receiving some instructions, and so forth.

“We looked into all these allegations by a committee that was set up and chaired by a DIG (Deputy IGP). We submitted our report to the SGF for vetting and advice on the findings we got from the investigation.

“We’ve just received legal advice from the Office of the Attorney General and we are working on it, on what to do next in terms of asking the officer to account for what we have gathered in the investigation and what we will do next. But as for extradition order, I have not received any, I’ve not heard of any.”

He pledged the assurances of the police to act on the advice of the AGF “to ask Kyari to account for what we have found out”.

Responding to a question on the disappearance of a journalist, Tordue Salem, the IGP said the case had been taken over by the Force Headquarters, under a unit with better capacity to handle it.

Baba also said the police had established the last place where the missing journalist was seen, the last person he met with and the last person he spoke to on phone before his disappearance.

He added that the matter was being given the needed attention.

Facebook on Thursday announced that it has changed its company name to ‘Meta’.

This rebranding is coming amid series of scrutiny and widespread backlash over its business practices.

According to its founder Mark Zuckerberg, the new name won’t affect how the company uses or shares data and the corporate structure isn’t changing.

The company said its stock will start trading under a new ticker, MVRS, on Dec. 1.

Read Also: How to keep personal banking details safe from new virus, Flubot

The new holding company Meta will encompass Facebook, its largest subsidiary, as well as apps such as Instagram, WhatsApp and the virtual reality brand Oculus.

“Over time, I hope that we are seen as a metaverse company and I want to anchor our work and our identity on what we’re building towards,” he told a virtual conference.

“We’re now looking at and reporting on our business as two different segments, one for our family of apps, and one for our work on future platforms.

“And as part of this, it is time for us to adopt a new company brand to encompass everything that we do to reflect who we are and what we hope to build.

“I am proud to announce that starting today, our company is now Meta,” he stated.