The Nation Newspaper

Tag: alleged

  • Communities angry over alleged neglect, under-development

    The 18 communities making up Onisiwo Islands Kingdom in Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area (LGA) of Lagos State are angry over what they called the “forceful inclusion of Ward J into the Amuwo-Odofin Council. They have petitioned Governor Babatunde Fashola, his predecessor, Senator Bola Tinubu; Deputy, Governor Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire and Speaker, House of Assembly, Hon Adeyemi Kuforiji, among others.

    In a petition signed by the 107 leaders of the riverine communities, they alleged that their forceful inclusion in Amuwo-Odofin Council Area had resulted into the neglect and underdevelopment of the area despite their various contributions.

    They, therefore, expressed their willingness to be classified under Apapa Local Government Area where, according to them, they belonged before their forceful inclusion in Amuwo-Odofin.

    The communities’ Elders’ Forum, in a statement, said: “Our people have continued to groan under poor and selfish leadership. Our people are crying to have the saviour that will take them to the Promised Land. We feel the pains of our communities and we know that failure to act now threatens this generation and the generations yet unborn.”

    In a document made available to the The Nation, Alhaji Saka Adenrele, the leader of the communities, alleged they have been “used and dumped” severally, adding that their huge turn-outs during elections which often translate into votes and victories for aspirants are yet to yield any results for the communities.

    He said no single elected person had ever returned to thank them or contribute to the development of the communities because they are not seen as bona-fide members of Amuwo-Odofin LGA.

    “No Senator; House of Representatives member; House of Assembly member; council chairman or counselor has ever made any attempt to help develop our riverine communities despite our huge votes for them at elections.”

    Adenrele said the communities are clamouring for change in basic infrastructure to make life meaningful for inhabitants.

    He said the communities are committed to the upliftment of the All Progressives Congress (APC) party and the state, but added that the communities equally need the support of the state for their all-round development and the unlocking of the vast human and natural resources that are there.

    On the controversial Ward J in Amuwo-Odofin, Adenrele said there are two War Js, adding that while the Ward J in Amuwo-Odofin LGA is neglected, the other Ward J in Oriade area is taken care of, “all for political reasons.”

    He said the communities were sidelined in local government projects, while no regard is accorded their traditional ruler.

  • Confusion over alleged release of Ozekhome

    One of the seven persons abducted in Edo State, Athanasius Ogbome, has been released.

    He was abducted with human rights lawyer Mike Ozekhome on August 23 on the Benin-Auchi Road.

    Others are a primary school teacher, Mrs. P Elebe, her three children and Ozekhome’s driver.

    It was gathered that Ogbome was released at about 1am yesterday. It was not confirmed if any ransom was paid for his release.

    A privately owned radio and television station in its repeat broadcast reported that Ozekhome was also released.

    At Ozekhome’s Benin home, security guards said they were surprised at the reported release.

    They said they had heard nothing about the release of their boss.

    Reports from Iviuku community, Ozekhome’s hometown, said there was initial jubilation at the report but that they are now uncertain about the truth of the reports.

    Ogbome’s elder brother, Paschal, in a short message confirmed his brother’s release.

    The message reads: “Praise be to God, he has been released”.

    Police spokesman Moses Eguavoen said there was no official confirmation of Ozekhome’s release.

    Mrs. Elebe’s husband, Nathaniel, said he was hoping on God for his family’s release.

    The Gani Fawehinmi Chambers Alumni Association, made up of lawyers who trained under the late human rights crusader, Gani Fawehinmi, has urged the police to intensify effort towards securing the release of their colleague, Ozekhome.

    The group, in a statement by Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) and Ugwuzor Adindu, urged the abductors to take into consideration that Ozekhome, who is its prominent member, was a close ally of the late Chief Fawehinmi, who lived and died for the country’s masses.

    “We draw the attention of the abductors to the fact that September 5 marked the fourth anniversary of the death of the late sage.

    “It would be a great honour if the abductors could release Ozekhome as a mark of respect for Fawehinmi’s memory.

    “While we sympathise with the Inspector-General of Police and the relations of the police officers who were reported to have been killed by the abductors, we call on the Inspector-General to take urgent steps towards Ozekhome’s release to reassure Nigerians of their safety,” the group said.

  • Alleged N6b fraud: Group wants Ladoja,’s trial expedited

    •’Cash can build two flyovers’ 

    An interest group, the Oyo Development Initiative (ODI), has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the trial of former Governor Rashidi Ladoja for allegedly stealing N6 billion shares.

    It said the money was enough to build two flyovers.

    In a statement by its Coordinator, Dr. Adesola Okanlawon, ODI said Ladoja’s criticisms of Governor Abiola Ajimobi on the construction of the Mokola flyover in Ibadan, the state capital, smacks of “destructive politics”.

    It said: “We want to remind Ladoja that if he had committed the N6 billion realised from the sale of Oyo State shares to the construction of flyovers, he would have built, at least, two, the size of the Mokola bridge.

    “If he had done that, flyover construction would have been the least of Ajimobi’s concern. Ajimobi would have probably channelled the money spent on the Mokola flyover to other projects yearning for attention.”

    ODI advised Ladoja to stop “attacking” Ajimobi, noting that the former governor had a chance to improve the state.

    It said: “We have noticed in recent times that anywhere Ladoja finds himself, both within and outside Oyo State, he revels in launching verbal diatribes on Ajimobi. We advise him to concentrate his energy on freeing himself of the N6 billion fraud charges hanging on his neck.

    “Ladoja had all the opportunity in the world to make an indelible mark in the state, but failed woefully. He is now portraying himself as the self-appointed defender of the same people, who suffered neglect as well as emotional and psychological instability during his tenure.

    “His recent activities portray him as a willing tool in the hands of the enemies of Oyo people, who are desirous of plunging the state into confusion and thwarting the developmental efforts of the Ajimobi administration. We urge the people to be wary of the antics of the former governor.”

     

  • Police arrest aspirant for alleged certificate forgery

    The police in Ebonyi State have arrested a councillorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Odah Mmaduabuchi, for alleged certificate forgery and impersonation.

    This followed two petitions by an aspirant, Kingsley Onu, to the Commissioner of Police and the Chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commissioner (EBSIEC), John Nkwuda.

    In the petition titled: “Conspiracy, Forgery and Impersonation”, Onu alleged that the party’s State Deputy Chairman, Joseph Onwe and the councillorship candidate for Ntezi ward in Ishielu Local Government forged a West African Senior Secondary School Examination statement of result.

    The petition reads: “I wish to bring to your notice act of conspiracy, certificate forgery and impersonation against Odah Mmaduabuchi, the councillorship candidate of Ntezi ward and Joseph Onwe, the PDP Deputy Chairman, who hail from Amata Ntezi Community, Ishielu Local Government Area.

    “Mr. Odah did not attend any secondary school in Ebonyi State or elsewhere in Nigeria.

    “He conspired with Joseph Onwe to forge and impersonate the May/June 2008 West African Senior Secondary School Examination Statement of Result with examination number 4120810154 and Examination Center, Community Secondary School Agba, belonging to Odah Ogochukwu, his younger sister.”

    Police spokesman Sylvester Igbo confirmed Odah’s arrest.

    He said the police were still investigating the matter.

    When contacted, Onwe said: “I don’t know what you are talking about.”

  • Doctor, lawyer held for alleged links with Boko Haram

    Doctor, lawyer held for alleged links with Boko Haram

    A Doctor and a lawyer are being held by military authorities for their alleged links with Boko Haram insurgents.

    Our correspondent learnt that the doctor was aboard a pick-up van plying one of the volatile routes in Borno State with some suspected Boko Haram insurgents.

    He and other occupants of the vehicle reportedly fled and abandoned the vehicle at a military checkpoint mounted by members of the Joint Task Force (JTF) when soldiers accosted them.

    A military source told our correspondent that when the JTF officials searched the vehicle, a cache of arms and ammunition was found concealed in strategic places.

    Several hours later, the doctor, whose name the authorities declined to release, allegedly returned to retrieve his laptop and other documents, which he had reportedly abandoned in the van.

    During interrogation by the JTF men, the doctor was said to have revealed his identity, saying he worked with one of the affiliates of the World Health Organisation (WHO).

    Asked if he realised the implication of the company he was travelling with and the arms and ammunition stocked in the vehicle, the doctor reportedly claimed to be working in line with a WHO mandate.

    He was thus arrested and is undergoing investigation. The JTF team, after storming one of the Boko Haram training camps in the heart of Sambisa Forest in Borno State, reportedly discovered an abandoned makeshift clinic where injured members of the sect were apparently being treated.

    Items found in the abandoned clinic included needles, syringes, medications, surgical equipment and other medical accessories.

    It was, however, learnt that the authorities have not established a link between the detained doctor and the running of the clinic.

    The lawyer was said to have been arrested in Potiskum, Yobe State, for “openly propagating the ideology of the Boko Haram sect and always rising to defend the sect members whenever they are arrested”.

    He was reportedly arrested after issuing several threats against the military authorities for arresting the sect members.

    The lawyer, whose names were also not given, was said to have vowed that the authorities would pay dearly for arresting him, even when he was in detention.

    Two days after his alleged threat, the Government Secondary School, in nearby Mamudo, was attacked by suspected insurgents. Several people were killed in the attack.

    It was learnt that the locals had testified some of the attackers, who were allegedly boasting on their way back from the bloody mission that they had avenged the arrest of their backer by the JTF.

    The Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, confirmed both arrests but declined further comments.

    He said: “Yes, I can confirm the two cases to you. But I am not ready to comment on them because investigations are still ongoing.”

    Addressing some reporters yesterday, Olukolade, explained the reasons for the delay in trying the suspects arrested in connection with the Boko Haram activities.

    According to him, most of the judges and lawyers in the three states, where the Federal Government had imposed emergency rule, have been avoiding taking up cases associated with Boko Haram suspects, apparently for fear of being attacked by the group.

  • Edo sues Fed Govt for alleged illegal local govt deductions

    Edo sues Fed Govt for alleged illegal local govt deductions

    The Edo State Government has sued the Federal Government over alleged unauthorised deductions made in the joint account with its local governments sometimes in 2007 and 2011.

    The suit filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja was initiated by the state’s Attorney General and its 18 Local Governments against the Incorporated Trustees of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Minister of Finance and the Accountant General of the Federation.

    The suit is challenging the constitutionality of the deductions, which the plaintiffs argued, were done without their consents.

    The reliefs sought by the plaintiffs include an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants and their agents from further tampering with, or taking steps to tamper with, or in any manner howsoever, from making deductions at source from the allocation or amount standing to the credit of the local governments in the Federation Account or in the “State Joint Local Government Account” without their prior consent and/or authorisation.

    They also seek an order directing the defendants to refund to the Plaintiffs all deductions made at source without their prior consent and/or approval from their share of revenue from the Federation Account between the months of March, 2007 to July, 2007, and the months of April, to August, 2011, calculated at N865,094,834.34. 6.7.

    The plaintiffs are also claiming N50billion representing general, aggravated, punitive and exemplary damages against all the defendants jointly and severally for the alleged illegally deductions.

    They are seeking:

    •A declaration that having regard to the provisions of Section 162 (3), (4), (5), (6), (7) and (8) of the 1999 Constitution, the defendants are not

    legally competent to make deductions at source from the Federation Account, for any purpose whatsoever, any amount standing to the credit of the local governments, which is their share of the amount distributed among the Federal, State and Local Government Councils without the prior consent and authorisation of the 1st Plaintiff. that having regards to the clear and unambiguous provision of Section 162 (6) and (8) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as altered, the Defendants cannot legally tamper with the amount standing to the credit of the 2nd to 19th Plaintiffs which allocation is to be kept in the “Edo State Joint

    Local Government Account” and is meant to be distributed amongst them on such terms and in such manner as may be prescribed by the Edo State House of Assembly.

    •A declaration that being members of the ALGON, without more, does not entitle the 1st defendant, in collaboration with the 2nd and 3rd Defendants, to unilaterally invade and tamper with the 2nd to 19th Plaintiffs, allocation from the Federation Account, or “State Joint Local Government Account” under the thin guise of deduction at source for alleged liabilities to third parties, without the prior consent and/or authorisation of the 1st Plaintiff and the Edo State House of Assembly.

    •A declaration that the provisions of the Constitution of the 1st defendant (ALGON) does not entitle the 1st defendant in collaboration with the 2nd and 3rd Defendants to invade and tamper with the 2nd to 19th Plaintiffs’ allocation from the Federation Account, or from the “State Joint Local Government Account” under the thin guise of deduction at source for liabilities to third parties, without the prior consent and/or authorization of the 1st Plaintiff and the Edo State House of Assembly.

  • Three Lebanese in court for alleged terrorism

    Three Lebanese in court for alleged terrorism

    The three Lebanese being held for alleged terrorism were arraigned yesterday on a six-count charge before the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    Mustapha Fawaz (49), Abdullahi Thahini (48) and Tahal Roda (51) were arraigned with two of their companies – Amigo Supermarket Limited and Wonderland Amusement Park Resort – before Justice Adeniyi Ademola.

    The three men were in counts one and two charged with belonging to Hezbollah military wing and knowingly agreed to receive training in preparation to engage in the commission of a terrorist act.

    In count three, Fawaz and Fuazi Fawaz (now at large), owners of Amigo Supermarket, Abuja, were alleged to have “knowingly permitted a meeting connected with an act of terrorism” to be held on the premises of the supermarket.

    In count four, Thahini, accused of “being the coordinator of Hezbollah in Nigeria”, was charged with involving himself “in an arrangement to facilitate the acquisition of terrorist funds by removal out of jurisdiction, the sum of $61,000”.

    Fawaz, Thahini, Roda and Fauzi (now at large) were, in count five, accused of withholding from law enforcement agents information that would have assisted in the arrest of another suspect.

    The three, their two companies and the fleeing Fawaz were, in count six, accused of “directly rendering support to a terrorist group” by allegedly providing their premises in Abuja and Kano for terrorist activities.

    Their alleged offences are said to be punishable under Sections 5(1), 7(c), 8(1), 12(a), 13(2) and 16(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention) Amendment Act 2013.

    The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    Their lawyer, Ahmed Raji (SAN), told the court that he had filed two applications for his clients. They include a motion for bail, pending trial and another challenging the competence of the charge.

    The lead prosecution lawyer, Simon Egede (the Acting Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation) prayed the court for time to enable the state respond to the applications served on him yesterday.

    Upon the request by both parties, particularly Raji, who urged the court not to remand his clients in prison but to return them to the custody of the State Security Service (SSS), Justice Ademola ordered the accused remanded in SSS custody.

    The judge also directed parties to file and serve all processes before the next date. He adjourned the matter till July 8.

    The Federal Government has freed the fourth of the Lebanese held over the Kano arms discovery.

  • Ex-Deputy Governor in alleged land deal mess

    Police operatives at the Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Ikoyi, Lagos, yesterday declared a former Deputy Governor of the state, Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu, and her son, Samson Adebisi Ojikutu Jnr, wanted for allegedly obtaining N130 million by false presentation.

    A statement signed by SFU’s spokesperson, Ngozi Isintume-Agu, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), which was made available to The Nation, said the development followed a petitioner’s allegation that Ojikutu and her son, in 2011, “conspired and sold a parcel of land on Plot 24, Block 4, Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, to him for N130 million which he paid into the first suspect’s account with the Union Bank in tranches.”

    Police documents made available to The Nation revealed that after the payment, the petitioner requested the title documents to the land, following which Ojikutu procured an “affidavit of support her fraudulent claim, a police crime extract and a publication in the Vanguard Newspaper of October 18, 2011, all purporting to evidence loss of the original documents of title to the land.”

    The petitioner, according to the police, believed her claim because of her personality as a former Deputy Governor of the state. That trust, as alleged, became his undoing when he took possession of the land, commenced construction on it and was about completing it when the bona fide owner of the land appeared to claim ownership.

    The police explained that Ojikutu and her son, who is currently in the United States, sold Plot 23 Block 4 to the unsuspecting buyer as Plot 24, Block 4. However, investigations by the SFU, the statement said, revealed that the actual plot that belonged to Ojikutu’s late husband, Samson Adebisi Ojikutu Snr, was Plot 24, which had been sold to Hallmark Homes in 1995.

    The police arrested Ojikutu who, according to the statement, confessed that “it was a genuine mistake of plot identification.”

    She confessed she had invested the money paid by the petitioner in her business, but had refunded N50 million with a promise to refund the balance as soon as she disposed of her other properties, the statement further stated.

    But the police believe Ojikutu is economical with the truth as according to them, she was a witness and signatory to the sale of Plot 24, Block 4 by her late husband in 1995, and was also aware that the original title to the land was resident with the original buyers – Hallmark Homes.

    “The suspect further perpetrated the crime by alleging that the original C of O to the property was missing and swore an affidavit which enabled her obtain a Police Report and Memorandum of Loss,” the statement added.

    Ojikutu was alleged to have defaulted in an undertaking and payment plan which was scheduled for between September and November 2012. She was also accused of jumping bail, while frantic efforts by the police to re-arrest her had failed.

    “The Nigeria Police, Special Fraud Unit, hereby declares Alhaja Sinatu Aderoju Ojikutu wanted. Anybody with useful information regarding her whereabouts should report to the Commissioner of Police, Special Fraud Unit, 13 Milverton Road, Ikoyi,” the statement stated.

    Ojikutu, however, reacted yesterday through her solicitor, Adenrele Adegborioye of B. A Ayorinde & Co, saying she did not commit any fraud. She denied all the allegations, saying that her late husband never sold Plot 24, Block 4 to anyone before Cajetan Okekearu, the alleged buyer.

    “Our clients know for a fact and believe that from the time the Lagos State Government granted the said land to Mr Samson Adebisi Ojikutu to the time of his death, Mr Samson Adebisi Ojikutu and/or Mrs. Aderoju Sinatu Ojikutu never at any time sold, alienated, or in any manner whatsoever, charged or encumbered Mr Sampson Adebisi Ojikutu’s interests on the said land,” Adegborioye said.

    The lawyer said that Samson Ojikutu died intestate in 2008 in the United States and left Alhaja Ojikutu and her son as administrators of his estate, including Plot 24 Block 4, saying it was on the powers of the Letter of Administration issued to Ojikutu that she sold the land to Okekearu.

    “The Contract of Sale executed between our clients and Mr Cajetan Okekearu shows the land in contemplation as Block 4 Plot 24, Lekki Peninsula Residential Scheme. The receipt dated October 6, 2011 also shows that our client only received money from Mr. Cajetan Okekearu in respect of the said land and in their capacity as administrators of the estate of Sampson Adebisi Ojikutu,” Adegborioye added.

    The lawyer claimed that pursuant to the purchase of the land by Okekearu, neither Ojikutu nor her son showed any land to the buyer, but rather, dependent on the fact that he (Okekearu) had made diligent research as to the physical location of Plot 24. He said, however, that Okekearu had erroneously trespassed and built on Plot 23.

    He also denied that Ojikutu and her husband had sold Plot 24, Block 4 before selling to Okekearu, declaring the documents alleging such sale as forgery.

    “The alleged Bond instrument upon which the Mr. Cajetan Okekearu alleges that Alhaja Sinatu Aderoju Ojikutu and her husband sold or charged the said land in favour of one Mr. Phillips Abumere before agreeing to sell the said land to Mr Cajetan Okekearu is a forgery because Alhaja Sinatu Aderoju Ojikutu never signed any such document as a witnesses or in any capacity and do not know and have never at any time, dealt with any Mr. Phillips Abumere in respect of anything.”

    The legal practitioner held that the dispute between his client and Okekearu was a civil matter in which the police have no right to interfere.

    “The dispute between Mr Cajetan Okekearu and our client is entirely civil and has no criminal dimension whatsoever. It is therefore not something the Nigeria Police Force or anyone else is empowered to interfere with,” he concluded.

  • Alleged use of ineligibilE player 3SC threaten legal action against NFA, LMC, Rangers

    Alleged use of ineligibilE player 3SC threaten legal action against NFA, LMC, Rangers

    The management of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan has reminded Nigeria Football Association (NFA), League Management Company (LMC) and Rangers management about the ineligibility of goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel yet to be cleared from club.

    The management of Oluyole Warriors alleged that goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel joined Rangers without due process, stressing that the player has been using for league matches without their permission.

    The club’s Administrative Secretary, Demola Alabi said the decision of the authorities to keep quiet over the issue fuelling speculations that attempts were being made to sweep the matter under the carpet.

    Alabi added that the Oluyole Warriors management would be forced to initiate a legal action if the aforementioned bodies refuse to act on the matter.

    “The NFA, LMC and NPFL are yet to act on the petition sent by 3SC on illegal fielding of goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel by Enugu Rangers for its confederation and NPFL matches. Three weeks after the petition was sent, the three football governing bodies have not deemed necessary to act on the petition, thus fuelling speculations that attempts were being made to sweep the matter under the carpet.

    3SC management would not hesitate to seek legal means, if the aforementioned bodies fail to act on time,” Alabi letter reads.

     

  • Alleged directive on Tinubu, APC fictitious, says Presidency

    Alleged directive on Tinubu, APC fictitious, says Presidency

    The Presidency yesterday denied the report that it directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to register the opposition’s new party – the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, entitled: Concerning the Fake Bromide of an Alleged Presidential Directive, the Presidency said it did not issue such directive and was not thinking of doing so.

    It stressed that the publication was put together at a roadside business centre.

    Abati urged Nigerians to be wary of such tactic, which might undermine the administration by “creatively espousing imaginary fault lines, with the aid of fake documents to create doubt, fear and disbelief in the minds of citizens and true patriots”.

    The statement reads: “It is worth pointing out, again, that what is being bandied around by a section of the media as a ‘Presidential Directive’ on Tinubu, APC and other matters, is fictitious; it is designed to mislead the public, discredit the person and office of President Goodluck Jonathan and cause disaffection within the polity.”

    “Careful examination reveals a mishmash of deliberately arranged and concocted lies, presented to the public as evidence of a document emanating from the Presidency. This is not only dubious but raises concerns as to the length certain persons will go to perpetuate falsehood for the sake of their selfish ambitions.”

    “Several interpretations of the purported Presidential directive appear to have been granted prominence by an all-too-negative segment of the media, supported by partisan political jobbers all on the premise of a suspicious-looking “bromide”.

    “The Presidency affirms that no such directive was ever conceived nor was any such directive put forth by President Goodluck Jonathan or his aides. It is ironic that this is coming at a time, when the President is actively engaged in serious discussions with various interest groups on how to further deepen the democratic experience as well as the key issue of how to build an economically viable federation.”

    “Nigerians should be wary of such tactic of old, one that seeks to undermine a current administration by creatively espousing imaginary fault lines, with the aid of fake documents to create doubt, fear and disbelief in the minds of citizens and true patriots. We unequivocally state that in this case, as in others that may follow the same path, the Goodluck Jonathan administration has no desire to create any inhibitions to the expression of democratic ideas in the country.” It added.

    The went on: “With regards to the imaginary ‘Presidential directive’ released to hoodwink the general public, the government is confident that the discerning public is well aware that this purported document is alien to how things are done within this Presidency.”

    “The physical quality of the unsigned document published today with jagged and irregular edges (which make a mockery of both presidential correspondences and the quality of attention paid to sensitive issues and development-oriented policies of government) should signpost the level of desperation by those who seek to mislead the enlightened electorate of the Federal Republic.”

    “The publication of this spurious document (which was to all intents and purposes hurriedly put together in a roadside business centre!) and the passing-off of same by some media entities should serve as an index on their credibility and sovereign interest. This government believes that the media – print and electronic – has a significant role to play in educating, enlightening and empowering the populace and will continue to support all organizations to do this even as it retains the discretion and responsibility to expose specific institutions that perpetuate falsehood on the sovereign.”

    “The President remains committed to providing good governance to the nation, even in the face of the most uncharitable criticism by people desirous of a chaotic environment for them to thrive. This, we accept as part of a civil engagement between elected officials and the citizenry.”

    “The public and our esteemed crop of journalists are humbly requested to be wary of lurking mischief makers who parade themselves under different garbs and push forth information that should best be ignored, or clarified in the best tradition of the journalism profession.”

    “We reaffirm that the so-called “Bromide of the presidential directive” is false and inconsistent with the governance ethos of the present administration,” it said.