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  • Youths beat up pastor for flouting community’s order

    General Overseer of the City of God Rest Ministry, Pastor Destiny Eguavoen, was on Sunday beaten up by youths of Urora community in Edo state for flouting the community’s order to stop church service before 8am.

    Chief Priest of the community, Chief Ugiagbe Aiwaguore, Ohen Ugbodeyaen of Urora, had ordered owners of shops in the community and residents to stay indoors for the celebration of the annual Ikpoleki festival.

    All churches were asked to end their Sunday service before 8am.

    Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Bishop Oyenude Kure, kicked against the order saying it violated the freedom of worship as enshrined in the Nigeria Constitution.

    Bishop Kure asked churches in Urora to go about their normal church service on Sunday.

    He said the restriction on movement was unacceptable to the church as the body of Christ.

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    It was gathered that youths of the community moved from street to street to ensure compliance as shops were closed and some churches hurriedly ended their service while other refused to open for business.

    Many residents in the community were indoors.

    At the City of God Rest Ministry, the youths were peeved that the Pastor was still preaching as at 9am and they disrupted the service.

    Members of the church scampered for safety as the youths used chairs to beat anybody in sight.

    Speaking to our reporter on phone, Pastor Eguavoen said he was badly injured during the attack.

    Pastor Eguavoen who said he was at the police headquarters said the leadership of CAN has promised to take over the matter.

    According to him, “We were in the church and I saw a man standing in the front pointing at me. It was few minutes past nine. I told my members to concentrate for me to round up service but the youths stormed in and started beating us.

    “They said we did not comply with their directive. They told us to open church between 6am and 8am but we Pastors met and said Sunday’s is a day of our worship and there is no way they can stop us.”

    Spokesman for the community, Sunday Osagiede, said they gave churches time within which to open service on the day of the Ikpoleki festival.

    The Chief Priest said all the Pastors agreed to hold service between 8am and 9am.

    Police spokesman, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor, said the matter was being investigated.

  • Nigeria @59: We’ll always provide quality representation – Senate

    The Senate Monday congratulated all Nigerian compatriots, both home and in the diaspora, on the occasion of the nation’s 59th Independence Anniversary.

    The Senate in a statement by the Chairman Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Adedayo Adeyeye, said it would always provide quality representation and legislation that would enhance the living standard of Nigerians.

    The statement reads in part: “Though there are challenges facing us as a nation, we are strengthened and hopeful in our collective resolve and spirit of brotherhood as Nigerians that all said, Nigeria shall be great.

    “And as true people’s representatives, we stand by all actions necessary and sufficient to realise this greatness.

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    “The 9th Senate, an indispensable stakeholder in our country’s blossoming democracy reaffirms once again, her total commitment to always provide quality representation and legislation that will enhance living standard for our people.

    “We shall partner with the Executive, Judiciary, Civil Society Organisations /NGOs, the Media and every relevant stakeholder in the Nigerian project to find lasting solution to the challenges that we currently face as a nation. Happy 59th Independence Anniversary Nigerians.”

  • Alleged N3.1bn fraud: Suswam, ex-Finance commissioner lose bid to stop trial

    Former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suwsam (now a serving Senator) and his ex-Finance Commissioner, Omadachi Oklobi lost on Monday in a bid to stop their on-going criminal trial.

    Suswam and Okolobia are facing a nine-count charge of money laundering and diversion of funds to the tune of N3.1billion.

    The charge was filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    On Monday, Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, in a ruling, rejected their objection to the transfer of the case form the former trial judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, who withdrew from the trial.

    Justice Abang said he has jurisdiction to take over the trial and dismissed the objection raised by the defendants against the transfer of the case.

    The judge said he had seen a letter, written on July 5, 2019, by Justice Mohammed, detailing reasons why he recused himself from the case.

    Justice Abang said the letter forms part of the proceedings in the case despite that both the prosecution counsel and counsel to the defendants did not make reference to it in their submissions.

    Justice Abang, who read the letter to the hearing of all, explained Justice Mohammed in the letter stated: “What I find disturbing is the continuous attack on my person by Sahara Reporters. How can I continue with the case the same Sahara Reporters has continuously made allusions. There is no need to continue.”

    The judge said Justice Mohammed complained that there was no need for him to continue with the case because if Suswam is convicted or discharged, he would be accused of bias.

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    He noted that Justice Mohammed further said, in the letter: “So, I find it necessary to recuse myself from the case.”

    Justice Abang said it will be a risky business, which he is not prepared to take, if he returned the case file to the acting CJ on the account of the defendants’ application.

    The judge noted that the case was reassigned to promote justice, adding that Justice Mohammed voluntarily recused himself, even without a petition.

    Justice Abang further noted that the case could suffer more delay and justice denied if Justice Mohammed was compelled go ahead with it.

    He said: “Nobody will suffer injustice or shut out if it commences de novo. I can’t reverse administrative decision of the acting CJ, to do so will be to disobey the acting CJ. I am not prepared to take the risk.

    “I have jurisdiction to hear the matter, the application is hereby dismissed for lacking in merit. The defendants are to take their plea afresh,” the judge said.

    Following the ruling, the defendants were then arraigned. They pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    After the defendants pleaded to the charge afresh, Justice Abang adjourned until October 29, for the commencement of trial.

    Suswam and Oklobia were initially arraigned in November 2015 before Justice Mohammed of the same Federal High Court, Abuja, on the same charge.

    Trial had gone far, with the prosecution presenting four witnesses, before Justice Mohammed elected to withdraw from the case over some publications on online platforms, alleging misconduct against the person of the judge.

    On July 6, 2019, Justice Mohammed returned the case file to the acting Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, on the ground that online portal, Sahara Reporters, published a story, accusing him of receiving bribe from Suswam, in foreign currency, amounting to N500m to deliver a favourable verdict.

    Consequently, the acting CJ reassigned the case to Justice Abang to start de novo (afresh), and action the defendants objected to.

    They filed an application, seeking the remittance of the case file back to Justice Mohammed for continuation.

    The defendants argued that Justice Mohammed could still exercise jurisdiction over the case and the acting CJ was wrong to have reassigned it.

    Lawyer to Suswam, Chinelo Ogbozor, argued that there was no order from the court that prompted the transfer of the case from Justice Mohammed, submitting that it was an abuse of court process.

    She added that the defendants will suffer injustice especially when four witnesses have been presented by the prosecuting agency and crossed examined by the defendants.

    The arguments by the defendants were overruled in the ruling delivered by Justice Abang on Monday.

  • Generator fume kills couple, daughter in Imo

    The people of Umuoparaemeka village, Ugiri in Isiala Mbano local government area of Imo state were thrown into mourning early Monday morning as a couple Lucius Iwunze, his wife Ngozi and their daughter Geraldine all died from inhaling generator fumes.

    According to village sources, a member of the extended family visited in the morning and noticed that the doors were still locked from inside.

    He was said to have knocked severally without any response, a development that heightened his anxiety, thereby attracting the neighbours, who forced the door open.

    Spokesperson of the Imo state Police Command Orlando Ikokwu (SP), who confirmed the ugly incident, said the police have commenced investigation into it.

    According to him, the Police Divisional Police Officer in the area led his men to the scene and found the lifeless bodies of the victims.

    Ikokwu said: “A report was received at the Divisional Police Headquarters, Isiala Mbano LGA, about the mysterious death of three persons.”

    “In view of that, the DPO led a team of policemen to the scene and met the lifeless body of Chief Luscius Iwunze, Lolo Ngozi Iwunze and Geraldine Iwunze.

    “However, preliminary investigation revealed that they died as a result of fumes (Carbon monoxide) emitted from a power generating set.

    “The corpses have been evacuated to a morgue, and the Commissioner of Police, Imo state Command, has ordered a full scale investigation into the incident.”

  • BREAKING: Ofili sets PB to hit semis in 400m

    2019 African Games silver medalist, Favour Ofili ran the race of her life to set a new personal best of 51.51secs and finished third in heat four of the women’s 400m to qualify for semifinal at the ongoing IAAF 2019 World Championships holding in Doha, Qatar.

    Also, national champion, Patience Okon-George finished among the six fastest time to join Ofili in the semifinal stage of the event.

    The top three athletes in each heat are expected to be joined in the semifinal round by the six fastest time of the event.

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    Despite dominating the first three heats, American dominance in the women’s 400m comes to an end in heat four involving Ofili as Botswana’s Galefele Moroko finished well to win ahead of American Stephenie Ann McPherson in 51.21 being a personal best.

    McPherson looked comfortable enough in second, with Ofili joining in on the PB act with 51.51 for third.

    Competing in heat two which was won by American Wadeline Jonathas with a time of 50.57secs, Okon-George finished with a time of 51.77secs to join the league of elite athletes in the semifinal round.

    The semifinal holds tomorrow Tuesday October 1.

  • N90b controversy: Lawyer says Osinbajo’s offer to waive immunity unconstitutional

    Mr Realwan Okpanachi, a constitutional lawyer in Abuja says Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is legitimately entitled to sue any person during his tenure without having to waive his immunity.

    The lawyer made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

    Okpanachi was reacting to the statement credited to the vice president that he would waive his constitutional immunity to clear his name over the N90 billion he allegedly received from Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

    The lawyer said that Section 308 of the Constitution which raises arguments in some quarters that the vice president could not institute any case in his name no longer represent the position of the law.

    He said the case of I.B.M. Securities Plc. Vs Ahmed Bola Tinubu as decided by the Supreme Court being relied upon by those holding such opinion was no longer tenable.

    “The current position of the law as expressed by the Supreme Court in the case of Global Excellence Communications Ltd. &Ors.Vs Mr Donald Duke (2007) LPELR-1323(SC).

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    “The apex court held that had the legislature intended to prohibit any of the holders of the offices listed in section 308(1) of the constitution from instituting cases in the names in their tenures.

    “They would have expressly stated it, and that, since there was no such express provisions, then they are entitled to institute court case during their tenure,’’ Okpanachi said.

    The legal practitioner added that the only effective way Osinbajo could waive his immunity, “if he sincerely desires to do so is to resign his position as vice president.’’

    “He cannot remain in office and waive his immunity as the immunity is attached to that office and not his person,’’ the lawyer said.

    Okpanachi also dismissed the allegations against the vice president as baseless and orchestrated by a particular opposition party.

    (NAN)

  • Controversy as Bayelsa gets two Speakers

    * Dickson congratulates new speaker

    Bayelsa on Monday boiled over the refusal of Speaker Tonye Isenah to resign during resumption of plenary.

    Last week, Isenah hinted that he would leave his office for a lawmaker from another local governnment area following pressure mounted on him by some Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) leaders as part of the ongoing permutations in the party to win the November 16 governorship poll.

    But Isenah gave most of the lawmakers a shocker of their lives when instead of relinquishing his position at the end of the sitting, adjourned the House sin die and asked the lawmakers to proceed on recess.

    Shortly after the adjournment, there was heavy gun battle and amidst the confusion, the mace, which is the symbol of authority, was said to have been violently removed from the House.

    While some sources said the Speaker left with the mace, others said thugs stormed the Hallowed Chambers and took the mace away.

    The gun battle, which lasted for 15 minutes, reportedly caused confusion among journalists and workers at the complex as people ran to different directions for safety.

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    Isenah was said to have left the assembly complex in the company of four APC lawmakers and a PDP lawmaker, Bonny-Ayah, who represents Southern Ijaw Constituency 1.

    The remaining members of the House led by the Deputy Speaker, Abraham Ngobere, who represents Brass Constituency 3, reconvened the House and ordered journalists out of the Hallowed Chamber.

    It was learnt that another mace was later brought into the House and was used to move for the impeachment of the speaker.

    A lawmaker representing Sagbama Constituency 2, Bernard Kenebai moved for the impeachment of Isenah and he was supported by unanimous voice votes from other members.

    Another lawmaker, Oboku Oforji, who represents Yenagoa Constituency 1, immediately moved for the nomination of Monday Obolo as Speaker and he was seconded by Naomi Igoli of Ogbia constituency 3.

    But Isenah dismissed the activities of the lawmakers describing them as illegal and insisted that he remained the authentic speaker.

    Reacting to the development, he said: “I went to the House this morning and presided over plenary session. Since the beginning of the 6th Assembly all other Houses of Assemblies have gone on recess, even the National Assembly has gone on recess and are back but we have not gone.

    “We have been working since and we are tired too. So today in plenary, I presided over plenary and commended the lawmakers for their commitment and I have adjourned the House sine die as we have gone on recess.

    “If the House has been adjourned sine die, nothing can be done in that House that would hold ground again. I presided over the House as the authentic Speaker and adjourned sine die. Anything that happens in that House without me reconvening the House is an illegality.

    “The House of Assembly is an institution, a different arm of government that needs to be respected. The principle of separation of powers needs to be respected as well.

    “That proceedings for the House of Assembly have been adjourned, any member who stayed back to do any illegal thing is on his own. The Sergeant –at-Arms escorted me out of the chambers meaning that House stands adjourned. That means nobody can reconvene the House except me.

    “I never had any arrangement with anybody to resign . At the appropriate time I would address Bayelsans and tell them what transpired. I never had an arrangement that I am going to resign in three months.

    “Let them show me any document to that effect where I said I was going to resign. I want Bayelsans to note that the Bayelsa State House of Assembly is an independent arm of government that should be respected”.

    But Obolo, who emerged a speaker in controversial circumstances, denied the alleged disappearance of the mace of the House.

    He said: “The House of Assembly is a one united family. It is an honor to have been elected to lead the Sixth Assembly. We are meant to debate and 18 members elected me. Bayelsa should expect the dividend of democracy.”

    Governor Seriake Dickson in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Fidelis Soriwei, congratulated the new speaker, Obolo.

    The governor described the new Speaker as a promising, young and vibrant political leader with the capacity to carry out the sensitive responsibility of presiding over the affair of the Legislative arm of government.

    He called on the members of the Assembly to give the requisite support to the new speaker to enable him to succeed in his new position as the Head of the Legislature in the state.

    Dickson advised the Speaker and the members of the Assembly to ensure that the Assembly legacy of stability was sustained.

  • Why we sealed Emmanuel’s Church, by Police

    The police in Akwa Ibom have explained why they sealed up Qua Iboe church along No 112 Ikot Ekpene road on Sunday where Governor Udom Emmanuel worships.

    The state Commissioner of Police, Zaki Ahmed said the sealing of the church was to avert a clash among worshippers over the change name from Qua Iboe to United Evangelical Church.

    He also regretted that the action of his men had led to some worshippers sustaining varying degrees of injury.

    Ahmed said the police were alerted of the plan by a faction in the ongoing crisis to factions to foment rouble and decided to seal the church to prevent further break down of law and order.

    He said” police seal the church to prevent crisis. Last Sunday there was a crisis among the worshippers in which many people were injured. We got information that a faction of the church was coming there to cause trouble, so our officers were there to prevent further clash”.

    It was gathered that the police arrived the church premises as early as 6 am and barricaded the entrance, preventing early the morning worshipers from going in to worship.

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    Governor Udoma Emmanuel and some prominent members of the church were allegedly accused of having personal interest in the matter rocking the church.

    But speaking on Sunday, against the backdrop of insinuations, the Governor declared that he has no personal interest in the crisis, adding that he was rather committed to ensuring that peace return to
    the United Evangelical Church which was originally founded as Qua Iboe Church.

    Governor Emmanuel who said he has been making progress in bringing peace and harmony between the two contending parties urged agents of blackmail to direct their miss-applied talents elsewhere.

    He said “It is very wrong for certain elements to make unfounded allegations concerning my role in the local assembly on Ikot Ekpene road,” said the Governor at a peace parley with the two parties.

    “In a peace meeting I had with the leadership of the church on Thursday, September 26, I had outlined the processes and plans for peace to return to the both the local and the national leadership of the church.

    “The parties were very satisfied with the plans outlined and went back very happy. Very soon, we hope to see the full restoration of peace and understanding between the two groups.

    “I think it is sad and unfortunate for some people to exploit the matter and make unfounded allegations against me.” Governor Emmanuel added.

     

     

  • JUST IN: Buhari to broadcast to the nation October 1

    President Muhammadu Buhari is scheduled to broadcast to the nation on Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at 7am.

    The broadcast is part of activities to commemorate Nigeria’s 59thIndependence Anniversary Celebrations.

    A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said “Television, radio stations and other electronic media outlets are enjoined to hook up to the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority and Radio Nigeria for the broadcast.”

  • Jihadists bomb military convoy in surprise Somalia attacks

    Jihadists in Somalia have attacked a U.S. military base in the southern Lower Shabelle region of the country on Monday, while a second attack targeted a European peace-keeping envoy in the capital of Mogadishu.

    In the first attack, two cars packed with explosives were driven towards the Balegdole air base before being detonated at its gates. Bursts of gunfire then followed as jihadists tried to breach the base.

    Al-Shabab, Somalia’s Al-Qaeda-linked insurgent group, said it was responsible for the attack in a statement and claimed its fighters had been successful in entering the base.

    “After breaching the perimeters of the heavily fortified base, the mujahideen [holy warriors] stormed the military complex, engaging the crusaders in an intense firefight,” the statement said.

    Al-Shabab are known for often exaggerating their statements however, and a statement from the U.S. Ambassador to Somalia’s office denied that entry was made.

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    “The United States condemns the attacks today in Baledogle and Mogadishu,” the statement said. “We commend the Somali security forces that repelled the attack against the Somali National Army (SNA) Base in Baledogle, Lower Shabelle region.

    “The security forces stopped this ultimately failed attack due to their alertness and swift response, not allowing the attackers to breach the outer defensive perimeters of the base.”

    The Bolegole base, roughly 100 km (60 miles) west of Mogadishu, houses Somali Special Forces, U.S. Special Forces and Ugandan peace-keeping troops.

    In the second attack, a bomb blast targeted a peace-keeping envoy from Italy. The Italian Ministry of Defense confirmed that the convoy was hit by explosions, but stated that no injuries had been reported. Images of the attack seen by Newsweek showed that a light-armored vehicle had been sheared open from the attack and extensive damage had been caused to nearby buildings.

    The U.S. Ambassador’s statement also stated that there were no injuries in either attack.

    “We are thankful that there were no SNA causalities between the multiple attacks,” it said.

    “This attack yet again demonstrates Al-Shabab violently opposes progress towards peace and prosperity in Somalia. The United States affirms our strong commitment to the people and government of Somalia and to assist collective efforts to degrade terror groups and build a stronger and prosperous Somalia that offers a brighter future for its people.”

    Hussein Sheikh-Ali, a former national security adviser and founder of the Mogadishu-based security think-tank the Hiraal Institute, told Reuters that this attack was aimed at showing Al-Shabab’s strength.

    “It implies they have a high intelligence and a degree of capability just to get close to that place,” he said. “They don’t look like people on the back foot.”

    The attacks follow a relative calm from U.S. airstrikes in the country. Africa Command has only launched four airstrikes in the past two months, reported Reuters, in comparison to the 28 attacks launched between January and March of 2019.

    (www.newsnow.co.uk)