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Tag: Ali Ndume

  • Boko Haram: Judge frowns ‘at delay’ in Ndume’s trial

    Boko Haram: Judge frowns ‘at delay’ in Ndume’s trial

    Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday threatened to close the prosecution case in the trial of Senator Ali Mohammed Ndume in view of the state’s reluctance to proceed with the case.

    The judge, in a ruling on the prosecution’s application for adjournment, frowned at the conduct of the state’s Mrs. G. N. Okafor for not exhibiting sufficient diligence in the handling of the case.

    The court had on April 29 adjourned till Wednesday for the prosecution to call its expert witness, who was expected to give evidence on call data and other information regarding telephone conversation.

    When the case was called, Mrs. Okafor told the court that her witness was absent on health ground.

    She failed to provide medical report in support of her claim, a development the defence lawyer, Rickey Tarfa (SAN), frowned at.

    Tarfa said it was unfair of the prosecution lawyer not to have informed him before the court’s sitting that her witness was absent and that she will not be able proceed with the case.

    Tarfa said he would ordinarily have asked the court to close the prosecution’s case, but will leave the issue at the court’s discretion.

    Ruling, Justice Kolawole said: “The opportunity for today’s proceedings was dashed because the prosecution suddenly took ill and is unable to come to court.

    “Because there is no medical report produced to support the claim, I found the excuse of ill-health almost improbable. But I have already indicated that I will oblige the prosecution the adjournment sought.”

    Justice Kolawole said he will further tolerate the prosecution because the witness is its last in the case. He warned that should the prosecution make similar application for adjournment on the next adjourned date, it should be prepared to persuade the court to grant such request its favour.

     

  • Senate Presidency: Northeast Senators disown Lawan

    A major crack may have emerged in the bid of the Northeast geopolitical zone to secure the Senate President seat in soon to be inaugurated 8th National Assembly.

    At least 12 Senators from the zone on Friday disowned Senator Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North), believed to be one of the front runners in the race for the Senate’s top job.

    Leader of the Northeast All Progressives Congress (APC) Senators’ Caucus, Senator Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central) who briefed reporters in Abuja, insisted that the group  has not pick any candidate for the position yet since it has not been formally zoned to area by the national leadership of the party.

    Members of the Caucus present at the press conference are – Goje, Isa Ahmed Gusau (Bauchi Central), Ali Ndume (Borno South), Bukar Abba Ibrahim (Yobe Central) and Abdulaziz Murtala Nyako (Adamawa Central).

    Others are – Senators-elect Binta Garba Marshi (Adamawa North), Ahmed Abubakar (Adamawa South), Usman Bayero Nafada (Gombe North), Abubakar Jare (Borno North) and Suleiman Nazif (Bauchi North).

    Senator Ahmad Zannah (Borno Central) was said to be indisposed.

    Goje, who spoke on behalf of the Caucus, said no zone will be allowed to impose any candidate on them.

    According to him, the Caucus is still pleading with the leadership of the APC to officially zone the position to the zone in view of their “peculiar circumstances.”

    The former Governor of Gombe State explained that whoever emerges as consensus candidate after the position has been zoned to the area will be decided by lawmakers from the zone.

    It could be recalled that the Northwest Senate caucus of the APC had on Thursday reportedly endorsed the candidature of Senator Lawan for the position of Senate President.

    The Northwest boasts of 21 Senators out of the 109-member Senate.

    Of the 21 Senators from the zone, 17 were said to have expressly adopted Lawan for the number one seat in the Senate.

     

  • Judge ‘unhappy’ with FG handling of Ndume’s trial

    Judge ‘unhappy’ with FG handling of Ndume’s trial

    Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has expressed his displeasure at the unserious manner the Federal Government was going about the prosecution of Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume.

    The judge in a ruling on Tuesday, refrained from dismissing the case, but warned the prosecution not to take for granted, “the patience and magnanimity being shown by the court.”

    Ndume, a serving Senator from Borno State, is facing terrorism related charges before the court.

    He was arraigned before Justice Kolawole on December 12 last year, on a four-count charge by the Department of State Services (DSS).

    He was accused of sponsoring the Boko Haram sect and failing to provide information about the sect’s operations.

    The prosecution which had called about three witnesses in the trial was absent in court on Tuesday.

    The prosecution was expected to call more witnesses in continuation of its case. The development prompted lead defence lawyer, Rickey Tarfa (SAN), to apply that his client be discharged and the case dismissed on the ground that the state was unwilling to proceed with the case.

    Tarfa contended that if the accused person and his lawyer could make it to court despite the transportation crisis created by the blockage of most roads in Abuja over President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign event, the prosecution, whose office was next to the court building has no excuse staying away.

  • Boko Haram: FG seeks secret trial for Ndume

    Boko Haram: FG seeks secret trial for Ndume

    The Federal Government on Tuesday requested that the trial of Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume should henceforth be conducted in secret to preclude members of the public from witnessing proceedings.

    The request by the government is coming midway into the trial, which began last year.

    Ndume, a serving Senator from Borno State, is facing terrorism related charges before the Federal High Court, in Abuja.

    He was arraigned before Justice Kolawole on December 12, 2013 on a four-count charge by the Department of State Services (DSS).

    He was accused of sponsoring the Boko Haram sect, and failing to provide information about the sect’s operations.

    On Tuesday, the prosecution lawyer, E.A. Orji, while moving a motion dated September 23, 2014 urged the court to protect the identity of the remaining witnesses scheduled to give evidence in the case.

    He said the intended secret trial was intended as a protective measure for witnesses in the case, whose security could be endangered if their identities were not shielded.

    “We urge the court to exclude members of the public from the trial. We also want the court to protect the identities of the remaining witnesses that will give evidence in this case.

    “The fundamental rights of the accused have not been violated because his counsel is represented and has not in any way been excluded from the matter. It is in the interest of national security and public safety that the motion should be granted,” Orji said.

    Lawyer to the accused, I. Amaza argued that the prosecution’s request would violate his client’s right to fair hearing. He urged the court to refuse the request and continue with the trial.

    After listening to both lawyers, Justice Kolawole adjourned to October 24 for ruling.

     

     

  • Tension in Borno: Military stops 278 pilgrims, Ndume from using airport

    Tension in Borno: Military stops 278 pilgrims, Ndume from using airport

    There was tension in Borno State following the military’s decision to stop two aircraft from airlifting 278 pilgrims going for the lesser Hajj (Umrah), as well as Senator Ali Ndume.

    While the pilgrims were scheduled to travel for the lesser Hajj with Max Airline, Ndume was reportedly going to Abuja in a chartered flight.

    In spite of the intervention of Governor Kashim Shettima, the military insisted that the two aircraft should return to their bases empty.

    A top military source said the aircraft were barred from conveying the passengers for security reasons.

    According to a top source, the military claimed that it was acting on orders from above.

    The source said: “A Max Airline aircraft. chartered by a Hajj and Umrah operator, Skynet International Limited, had arrived Maiduguri yesterday to convey 278 intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

    “The pilgrims had undergone all security checks and were waiting to board the plane when the military issued ‘strange’ orders directing the plane to take off empty.

    “They asked the pilgrims to travel by road to Kano, a trip which will take five hours  through the not too secured Maiduguri-Damaturu-Potiskum.

    “They directed the pilgrims to go and take off from Kano Airport. The military, citing ‘orders from above’ said their action was for security reasons.

    “Explanations by officials of Borno State Government, including Governor Shettima, that pilgrims carrying pocket money and moving to Kano by road from Maiduguri could be at risk, given past instances of attacks along Maiduguri-Damaturu-Potiskum route, was shunned down by the military.

    “The management of Skynet which chartered the Max Airline had explained that it had written letters to the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria and military authorities, including the Brigade command, the police headquarters and the Air Force authorities, and it was duly authorised to go on with the operations, given the fact that previous exercises took place in 2011, 2012 and 2013 at the peak of the Boko Haram insurgency in Maiduguri and yet flights landed and took off to Saudi Arabia hitch-free.

    “The military insisted it wasn’t allowing this year’s Umrah operations in Maiduguri on the orders of the Chief of Air Staff that the airport be immediately closed to commercial aircraft and the  Max Airline  had to leave empty after it landed hitch free in Maiduguri airport.

    “Some Government officials were worried that the military might be playing a script to avoid the government being controlled by the opposition APC.”

    It was gathered that the same fate befell Senator Ali Ndume, who is standing trial for terrorism.

    Another source said: “The  military also yesterday, barred a serving Senator representing Borno South Senatorial District, Mohammed Ali Ndume alongside a serving member of House of Representatives, representing Gwoza, Chibok, Damboa Federal Constituency of Borno State from boarding an aircraft chartered by the Borno State after an eight- seater aircraft arrived Maiduguri with some government officials it conveyed from Abuja.

    “The military ordered the plane to take off empty, leaving behind all eight persons, including the two lawmakers scheduled to board the flight to Abuja from Maiduguri.

    “Tension was rising at the airport as intending pilgrims were becoming uncalm; a situation that made Governor Shettima to send the SSG, Ambassador Baba Ahmed Jidda, to address  the pilgrims and calm their nerves.

    “The pilgrims left in numerous buses, driving through the night in order not to miss the flight’s inaugural slot to land in Saudi Arabia.”

    A military source however said the flights were stopped for security reasons.

    The source said: “There was no any order from above. The security situation in Borno State does not support such flight operations now.

    “We were trying to be proactive to avoid security breaches because the Air Force Base, which is closer to the airport, was attacked by the insurgents.

    “We are in a situation whereby the military cannot take things for granted. The flights were stopped purely on security grounds.”

    The Maiduguri airport was  officially reopened some months ago by the Nigerian Air Space Management Agency, following closure due to the invasion of the airport precinct by the insurgents.

    Although flights had been restored since January, the air traffic is managed through security clearance..”

  • Military stops 278 pilgrims, Ndume from using airport

    Military stops 278 pilgrims, Ndume from using airport

    There was tension in Borno State following the military’s decision to stop two aircraft from airlifting 278 pilgrims going for the lesser Hajj (Umrah), as well as Senator Ali Ndume.

    While the pilgrims were scheduled to travel for the lesser Hajj with Max Airline, Ndume was reportedly going to Abuja in a chartered flight.

    In spite of the intervention of Governor Kashim Shettima, the military insisted that the two aircraft should return to their bases empty.

    A top military source said the aircraft were barred from conveying the passengers for security reasons.

    According to a top source, the military claimed that it was acting on orders from above.

    The source said: “A Max Airline aircraft. chartered by a Hajj and Umrah operator, Skynet International Limited, had arrived Maiduguri yesterday to convey 278 intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

    “The pilgrims had undergone all security checks and were waiting to board the plane when the military issued ‘strange’ orders directing the plane to take off empty.

    “They asked the pilgrims to travel by road to Kano, a trip which will take five hours  through the not too secured Maiduguri-Damaturu-Potiskum.

    “They directed the pilgrims to go and take off from Kano Airport. The military, citing ‘orders from above’ said their action was for security reasons.

    “Explanations by officials of Borno State Government, including Governor Shettima, that pilgrims carrying pocket money and moving to Kano by road from Maiduguri could be at risk, given past instances of attacks along Maiduguri-Damaturu-Potiskum route, was shunned down by the military.

    “The management of Skynet which chartered the Max Airline had explained that it had written letters to the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria and military authorities, including the Brigade command, the police headquarters and the Air Force authorities, and it was duly authorised to go on with the operations, given the fact that previous exercises took place in 2011, 2012 and 2013 at the peak of the Boko Haram insurgency in Maiduguri and yet flights landed and took off to Saudi Arabia hitch-free.

    “The military insisted it wasn’t allowing this year’s Umrah operations in Maiduguri on the orders of the Chief of Air Staff that the airport be immediately closed to commercial aircraft and the  Max Airline  had to leave empty after it landed hitch free in Maiduguri airport.

    “Some Government officials were worried that the military might be playing a script to avoid the government being controlled by the opposition APC.”

    It was gathered that the same fate befell Senator Ali Ndume, who is standing trial for terrorism.

    Another source said: “The  military also yesterday, barred a serving Senator representing Borno South Senatorial District, Mohammed Ali Ndume alongside a serving member of House of Representatives, representing Gwoza, Chibok, Damboa Federal Constituency of Borno State from boarding an aircraft chartered by the Borno State after an eight- seater aircraft arrived Maiduguri with some government officials it conveyed from Abuja.

    “The military ordered the plane to take off empty, leaving behind all eight persons, including the two lawmakers scheduled to board the flight to Abuja from Maiduguri.

    “Tension was rising at the airport as intending pilgrims were becoming uncalm; a situation that made Governor Shettima to send the SSG, Ambassador Baba Ahmed Jidda, to address  the pilgrims and calm their nerves.

    “The pilgrims left in numerous buses, driving through the night in order not to miss the flight’s inaugural slot to land in Saudi Arabia.”

    A military source however said the flights were stopped for security reasons.

    The source said: “There was no any order from above. The security situation in Borno State does not support such flight operations now.

    “We were trying to be proactive to avoid security breaches because the Air Force Base, which is closer to the airport, was attacked by the insurgents.

    “We are in a situation whereby the military cannot take things for granted. The flights were stopped purely on security grounds.”

    The Maiduguri airport was  officially reopened some months ago by the Nigerian Air Space Management Agency, following closure due to the invasion of the airport precinct by the insurgents.

    Although flights had been restored since January, the air traffic is managed through security clearance..”

  • Abducted students: Senate raises committee to meet Jonathan

    Abducted students: Senate raises committee to meet Jonathan

    The Senate has constituted a 22-man committee to meet President Goodluck Jonathan over the abducted 234 female students in Borno State.
    Senate President, David Mark, would lead 21 other Senators to the meeting with the President.
    The Senate had on Tuesday unanimously resolved to send a delegation to the President over the lingering Boko Haram insurgency in the country, especially the abduction of 234 Senior Secondary School students of the Federal Government Girls College, Chibok in Borno State.
    Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi, representing Ekiti North had during a debate on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday suggested that a delegation of the upper chamber meet with the President over the worrisome situation.
    Mark, on Wednesday announced the names of 21 Senators who will accompany him on the mission to the President.
    The meeting is expected to take place at the Aso Rock Villa on WWednesday night.
    The listed lawmakers include those from the troubled states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe and they are Senators Boluwaji Kunlere, Babafemi Ojudu, Zainab Kure, Alkali Jajere, James Manager, Helen Esuene, Chris Anyanwu, Ali Ndume, Ahmed Zannah, Mai’na Ma’aji Lawan, Nenadi Usman, Mohammed Magoro, and Emmanuel Bwacha.
    Others are – Ahmed Lawan, , Barnabas Gemade, Sola Adeyeye, Bindowo Jibrilla, Ehigie Uzamere, Bello Tukur, Bukar Abba Ibrahim, and Eyinnaya Abaribe.
    Mark while announcing the list said: “You will all recalled that we agreed to a suggestion by one of the distinguished Senators during our debate on the motion on the abducted girls on Tuesday that a delegation of the Senate should meet with Mr. President on the issue.
    “I have called the President (Goodluck Jonathan), on phone and he said we should come by 10pm on Wednesday night. I will suggest that those concerned should come to my residence so that we can go to the villa in a bus or two.”
    It was gathered that the parley would enable the executive and the legislature, exchange ideas on how best to rescue the abducted school girls out of the hands of their abductors and reunite them with their parents.

  • Shettima, Sheriff reconciliation meeting ends in deadlock

    Shettima, Sheriff reconciliation meeting ends in deadlock

    A reconciliation meeting between feuding Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima and his predecessor and godfather Senator Ali Modu Sheriff ended in a deadlock at the weekend.

    Both political gladiators, according to sources, met in Lagos at the behest of National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    The governor was accompanied to the meeting by Senator Ali Ndume, his Chief of Staff Abubakar Kyari, Commissioner for Local Government Baba Garbai and Babakura Shettima.

    A source said: “On arrival in Lagos, Shettima got a hint that Sheriff was already in Lagos and hence got wind of reason for the invitation as a result, he sent Senator Ndume, Garbai and the ANPP secretary to meet Tinubu and appeal to him to shelve the meeting give the governor time to return to Maiduguri and consult with his supporters but Tinubu insisted that the governor should meet with Sheriff because Sheriff had been in Lagos for four days in anticipation of the reconciliation meeting.

    Shettima’s representatives also told Tinubu that Sheriff is not sincere and only wants the reconciliation so he would penetrate the Government and work against the Governor ahead of the elections but Tinubu pleaded that the governor could still meet with him and that as a leader of the APC it was binding on him (Tinubu) to organise the meeting.

    Tinubu also told the governor it was up for him to make his own decision during the reconciliation meeting.

    Shettima and his delegation met with Sheriff and during the meeting Sheriff complained about some close aides to the governor he said he was not comfortable with.

    Shettima for the first time, opened up and told Sheriff the bitter truth about how Sheriff has been secretly undermining the Borno government, how he has been trying to destabilise the State’s restored peace by using his anointed governorship aspirant, Mohammed Imam and some other persons and how sheriff has also been running him down at the APC national headquarters despite his (the Governor’s) sincere loyalty to him as his godfather.

    Sheriff denied all the allegations but Shettima and his team disbelieved his position and the governor was visibly angry so much that he excused himself and left the meeting. The meeting ended in a deadlock and it was resolved that another meeting would hold next week in Abuja” the source said.

    When contacted, Shettima’s Special Adviser on Communications, Isa Gusau confirmed that a meeting between the governor and his godfather is scheduled for next week in Abuja.

    “First of all, let it be on record that governor Shettima didn’t start the fight in the first place; he was the one that was assaulted in his State in the midst of his convoy while he was going about rebuilding the State and reclaiming its lost glory and everybody believes the governor didn’t deserve that affront given the work he has been doing in managing the crisis in Borno by bringing about growing peace and yet, doing a lot of work in all sectors.

    The governor is always guided by reason, conscience, fear of God, loyalty to the people of Borno State, loyalty to his party, promotion of unity and cohesion in whatever decision he takes as a good leader. He is studying the whole issue carefully and the people of the State are praying for him and he will take the best decision in the circumstance”.

     

  • ‘We didn’t shoot Ndume’s convoy’

    ‘We didn’t shoot Ndume’s convoy’

    The Air Force has said its fighter jet did not shoot Senator Ali Ndume’s motorcade on January 11 as alleged by a section of the media.

    The Air Force stated its position in a statement in Abuja by the Director of Air Force Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Yusuf Anas.

    Anas said the reports misquoted the director of Information that the Air Force fighter jets mistakenly fired on the senator’s motorcade.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, Nigerian Air Force aircraft did not target Senator Ndume’s convoy as alleged.

    “It is public knowledge that military operations in the Northeast, particularly in Borno, are ongoing.’’

    According to the statement, the Air Force is constantly involved with the Army and other security agencies in a coordinated manner aimed at defeating the Boko Haram terrorists.

    It added that the Air Force had well trained pilots, who would not conduct operational missions based on speculation or mistaken identity.

  • Ndume cautions politicians on 2015 campaigns

    Ndume cautions politicians on 2015 campaigns

    Senator Ali Ndume, representing Southern Borno at the National Assembly, on Sunday cautioned Nigerian politicians against initiating full blown campaigns now for the 2015 general elections.
    The News Agency of Nigeria reports Ndume gave the advise while addressing journalists in Maiduguri.
    He said rather than engage in full blown campaigns, political office holders should preoccupy their minds with delivering their last campaign promises.
    “It is sad that politicians are already making noise about 2015, when we have just entered 2014.
    “It is really unthinkable for politicians to be making huge noise about 2015 now because it is a great distraction,” Ndume said.
    He expressed shock at last month’s clash between supporters of two prominent Borno politicians during the burial of late Emir of Shani, Alhaji Modu Mailafiya in Shani, headquarters of Shani Local Government Area of the state.
    He said, “ I was personally touched by the sad incident at the burial of the late emir in Shani.
    “How can politicians be fighting in the open for a seat, when we were supposed to be mourning the late emir?”
    He reminded politicians that the Independent National Electoral Commission had repeatedly said that it was not yet time for campaigns.