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Tag: Nigerian news

  • #BBNaija: Tacha, Mike, three others up for eviction

    Tacha, Mike, Ike, Elozonam and Cindy have been nominated for possible eviction.

    Strategically, Frodd, Omashola, Diane, Mercy, Seyi are already in the final phase of the 2019 Big Brother Naija.

    Ultimate Veto Power holder Frodd had the privilege of nominating five housemates for possible eviction.

    He nominated Tacha, Mike, Ike, Elozonam and Cindy.

    Meanwhile, Mercy got saved from this week eviction, because of her immunity power

    While Seyi emerged as the Head of House after a fiercely contested challenge.

    This is the third time Seyi will be serving as the Head of House.

    He got 250 Bet9ja coins, bonus coins for his Team and the Head of House Bedroom privileges which he refused to share with anyone.

    Read Also: #BBNaija: Khafi Kareem the ‘controversial’ constable and self-acclaimed ‘celibate’

    With his emergence as the Head of house, Seyi also secured a spot in the final week and stands a chance of being the last housemate standing.

    However, during the live nomination show on Monday Biggie called all housemates to nominate two housemates for eviction.

    Here is how housemates nominated:

    Mercy – Tacha and Omashola

    Elozonam – Tacha and Frodd

    Ike – Cindy and Elozonam

    Tacha – Cindy and Elozonam

    Frodd – Mercy and Mike

    Cindy – Diane and Ike

    Omashola – Elozonam and Mercy

    Mike – Frodd and Tacha

    Diane – Mike and Tacha

    Seyi – Ike and Mercy

    After the nominations, Biggie told the housemates that the Veto power holder nullifies all housemates’ decisions.

    He, therefore, told Frodd to put up five housemates of his choice up for eviction.

    This means other housemates are unaware that their nominations are invalid.

  • Full list of winners at the 2019 Emmy Awards

    It was a night of surprise at the 71st Emmy awards with Game of Thrones taking home the prize for best drama and Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag sweeping most of the comedy awards.

    Below is the list of nominees and winner from each categories:

    Outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series

    Alan Arkin, “The Kominsky Method”

    Anthony Carrigan, “Barry”

    Tony Hale, “Veep”

    Stephen Root, “Barry”

    Tony Shalhoub, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” *WINNER

    Henry Winkler, “Barry”

    Outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series

    Alex Borstein, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” *WINNER

    Anna Chlumsky, “Veep”

    Sian Clifford, “Fleabag”

    Olivia Colman, “Fleabag ”

    Betty Gilpin, “GLOW”

    Sarah Goldberg, “Barry”

    Marin Hinkle, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”

    Kate McKinnon, “Saturday Night Live”

    Outstanding lead actor in a comedy series

    Anthony Anderson, “Black-ish”

    Don Cheadle, “Black Monday,”

    Ted Danson, “The Good Place”

    Michael Douglas, “The Kominksy Method”

    Bill Hader, “Barry” *WINNER

    Eugene Levy, “Schitt’s Creek”

    Outstanding lead actress in a comedy series

    Christina Applegate, “Dead to Me”

    Rachel Brosnahan, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”

    Julia Louis-Dreyfus, “Veep”

    Natasha Lyonne, “Russian Doll”

    Catherine O’Hara, “Schitt’s Creek”

    Phoebe Waller-Bridge, “Fleabag” *WINNER

    Outstanding reality/competition series

    “The Amazing Race”

    “American Ninja Warrior”

    “Nailed It”

    “RuPaul’s Drag Race” *WINNER

    “Top Chef”

    “The Voice”

    Outstanding supporting actress in a limited series or movie

    Outstanding supporting actor in a limited series or movie

    Outstanding lead actor in a limited series or TV movie

    Mahershala Ali, “True Detective”

    Benicio del Toro, “Escape at Dannemora”

    Hugh Grant, “A Very English Scandal”

    Jared Harris, “Chernobyl”

    Jharrel Jerome, “When They See Us” *WINNER

    Sam Rockwell, “Fosse/Verdon”

    Outstanding lead actress in a limited series or TV movie

    Amy Adams, “Sharp Objects”

    Patricia Arquette, “Escape at Dannemora”

    Aunjanue Ellis, “When They See Us”

    Joey King, “The Act”

    Niecy Nash, “When They See Us”

    Michelle Williams, “Fosse/Verdon” *WINNER

    Outstanding limited Series

    “Chernobyl” *WINNER

    “Escape at Dannemora”

    “Fosse/Verdon”

    ‘Sharp Objects”

    “When They See Us”

    Read Also: How Toyin Abraham, Lizzy Anjorin fell apart

    Outstanding supporting actress in a limited series or a movie

    Patricia Arquette, “The Act” *WINNER

    Margaret Qualley, “Fosse/Verdon”

    Patricia Clarkson, “Sharp Objects”

    Marsha Stephanie Blake, “When They See Us”

    Vera Farmiga, “When They See Us”

    Emily Watson, “Chernobyl”

    Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie

    Ben Whishaw, “A Very English Scandal” *WINNER

    Asante Blackk, “When They See Us”

    Paul Dano, “Escape at Dannemora”

    John Leguizamo, “When They See Us”

    Stellan Skarsgård, “Chernobyl”

    Michael K. Williams, “When They See Us”

    TV Movie

    “Black Mirror: Bandersnatch” *WINNER

    “Brexit”

    “Deadwood: The Movie”

    “King Lear”

    “My Dinner With Hervé”

    Outstanding variety sketch series

    “At Home with Amy Sedaris”

    “Documentary Now!”

    “Drunk History”

    “I Love You, America With Sarah Silverman”

    “Saturday Night Live” *WINNER

    “Who Is America?”

    Outstanding variety talk series

    “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah”

    “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee”

    “Jimmy Kimmel Live”

    “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” *WINNER

    “The Late Late Show with James Corden”

    “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert”

    Outstanding supporting actor in a drama

    Alfie Allen, “Game of Thrones”

    Jonathan Banks, “Better Call Saul”

    Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, “Game of Thrones”

    Peter Dinklage, “Game of Thrones” *WINNER

    Giancarlo Esposito, “Better Call Saul”

    Michael Kelly, “House of Cards”

    Chris Sullivan, “This Is Us”

    Outstanding supporting actress in a drama

    Gwendoline Christie, “Game of Thrones”

    Julia Garner, “Ozark” *WINNER

    Lena Heady, “Game of Thrones”

    Fiona Shaw, “Killing Eve”

    Sophie Turner, “Game of Thrones”

    Maisie Williams, “Game of Thrones”

    Outstanding lead actor in a drama series

    Jason Bateman, “Ozark”

    Sterling K. Brown, “This is Us”

    Kit Harrington, “Game of Thrones”

    Bob Odenkirk, “Better Call Saul”

    Billy Porter, “Pose” *WINNER

    Milo Ventimiglia, “This Is Us”

    Outstanding lead actress in a drama series

    Emilia Clarke, “Game of Thrones”

    Jodie Comer, “Killing Eve” *WINNER

    Viola Davis, “How to Get Away With Murder”

    Laura Linney, “Ozark”

    Mandy Moore, “This Is Us”

    Sandra Oh, “Killing Eve”

    Robin Wright, “House of Cards”

    Outstanding comedy series

    “Veep”

    “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”

    “Barry”

    “The Good Place”

    “Fleabag” *WINNER

    “Russian Doll”

    “Schitt’s Creek”

    Outstanding drama series

    “Better Call Saul”

    “Bodyguard”

    “Game of Thrones” *WINNER

    “Killing Eve”

    “Ozark”

    “Pose”

    “Succession”

    “This Is Us”

  • I will stay in PDP to seek justice, says Alaibe

    A former Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Ndutimi Alaibe has vowed to remain in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to seek justice for alleged wrongs done to him by the party during the concluded governorship primaries in Bayelsa State.

    Alaibe, who came second at the primary poll, which Senator Douye Diri won, said despite pressure mounted on him to seek an alternative platform to actualise his governorship ambition in the November 16 election, he would prefer to pursue his case in the PDP.

    Alaibe approached the Federal High Court with prayers to void the primary poll alleging procedural fraud and demanding an order for a fresh internal election.

    In a statement he signed on Monday following expectations he would defect to another party, Alaibe said he took his decision to remain in the PDP in good faith.

    He said: “My beloved supporters and people of Bayelsa State, I have come to the ultimate conclusion that this struggle must continue until we achieve justice. I am not deaf to your suggestions. I am not ignorant of your patience. I am not giving up. You must also not give up. The decision I have taken may hurt a lot of people. Others may be disappointed. But it is taken in good faith.

    Read Also:  Defections loom as Bayelsa PDP plots to retain running mate

    “As I promised you at the beginning of this race, my previous exit from the PDP was based on principle; my return was based on necessity. After considering every suggestion by stakeholders and supporters, it is, therefore, my decision not to join any other political party but to stay in the PDP and pursue justice until I achieve it. Thank you for your understanding and God bless you”.

    Narrating the circumstances that led to his latest decision, he said: “Some people have questioned the need for a court process. The answer is simple: any injustice that is not challenged and corrected will surely be repeated. And we will be the victims. As an advocate of peace and non-violence, I decided to accept the advice of the stakeholders and seek justice through legal means.

    “Although this was misunderstood by some people, I want to sincerely thank my supporters and indeed all lovers of democracy and the rule of law for their understanding and massive support so far. I salute your calmness and perseverance in the face of great injustice. But please understand that I need you now more than ever.

    “As expected, some people have suggested that I should simply dump the PDP and accept the various offers by other political parties so that we would realise our vision of implementing the Blue Economy and Project Dolphin in Bayelsa State. That is indeed an excellent suggestion.

    “It demonstrates the depth of confidence people have in my capacity and competence to deliver on my promises no matter the political platform. Others have also advised that I remain in the PDP, seek justice and contribute to the complete reformation of the party. This, also, is a beautiful suggestion that must be considered.

    “There is no doubt that the Bayelsa people want to know the way forward after the huge disappoint. I am as concerned as you have been. Let me say that I have diligently listened to your suggestions and I have decided to act appropriately. In arriving at this decision regarding the way forward, I am conscious of the fact that this is not about any political party. It is not even about me as an individual. It is about justice. It is about our beloved Bayelsa State. It is about us.

    “It was your collective decision that prompted me to contest this election. Whatever step I am going to take at this point is equally based your collective advice and the future of our state. We believe that the administrative narrative in our state must change for the better. We must move from mediocre leadership to visionary and mission-propelled governance. That was why I promised you that though this mission has been repeatedly aborted over the years, this time, I will not fail you. We will fight to the end.

    “So far, we have stayed on course and even those who set out to play god and had underrated our collective resolve not to be frightened out of the race with cheap blackmail, are shocked at our tenacity. We have been able to conquer intimidation with unpredictable resilience. Despite all attempts, they have not been able to fault our superior arguments demonstrated in our vision. We have shown them that we mean business, and that we are too focused to be distracted.

    “In the course of the race, it was clear that many people in positions of public trust openly abandoned their statutory responsibilities and joined forces with others to feed the unsuspecting public with all kinds of conspiracy theories. Despite their hard punches, we kept fighting on.

    “We kept preaching our message of economic salvation. We had unshaken faith in God and trust in our party. Various attempts to negotiate and reach compromise on certain issues were rebuffed with public bragging and wicked propaganda. Still, we refused to give up”.

  • Plot to impeach Bayelsa Speaker thickens

    The plot to impeach the Speaker of the Bayelsa Assembly, Tonye Emmanuel Isenah, has thickened following his refusal to step down against the directive of Governor Seriake Dickson and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders.

    It was gathered that lawmakers loyal to the governor and the PDP had been mobilised to carry out an impeachment proceeding against Isenah, who had insisted that his resignation would not add any value to the PDP’s quest to win the November 16th gubernatorial election.

    It was learnt that external forces powered by the opposition were planning to provide protection to Isenah to enable him retain his office.

    Some of the lawmakers were also said to be against the move to remove the speaker, whom they described as a good jolly fellow and had vowed to stand against any motion in the House to actualise the plot.

    Isenah was said to have tried to convene a sitting of the House on Monday with a plan to discuss some issues and adjourn the House for a recess till further notice.

    Read Also: I won’t resign, Bayelsa Speaker dares Dickson, others

    But PDP leaders, who got wind of the development, reportedly prevailed on their loyal lawmakers not to attend the sitting, which failed to hold for lack of capacity to form a quorum.

    Isenah came under intense pressure to relinquish his office in the House of Assembly to enable his party balance political equations ahead of the November 16 governorship election.

    The Speaker was said to have reached an agreement with Dickson and other PDP leaders to vacate his office in the event that Senator Douye Diri, who hails from his Kolokuma-Opokuma Local Government Area, emerged the candidate of the PDP for the election.

    Following the emergence of Diri, PDP leaders were said to have asked Isenah to surrender his position to another lawmaker from Southern Ijaw to enable the party garner votes from the council.

    But Isenah was said to have insisted that he would not let go of his position before the governorship poll.

    The speaker in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Aotendeike Boloigha, said he had served the PDP faithfully and had yet to see how his resignation would help the party in the forthcoming poll.

    But PDP leaders against Isenah were reportedly determined to force him out of the office to make way for a lawmaker from Southern Ijaw to brighten brighten the Patsy’s chances at the poll.

    But a source, who spoke in confidence, said Isenah’s travails were based on his refusal to initiate an impeachment proceeding against the Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral John Jonah (retd).

    “It is not just about an agreement to step down. It is about the deputy governor. The powers that be accused the deputy governor of planning to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as an incumbent deputy governor. They don’t want that to happen.

    “There are insinuations that Jonah wants to join the APC and contest the Bayelsa East senatorial election, which will be vacant if the APC wins the governorship election because the incumbent senator is the running mate to the APC candidate, David Lyon. So, the party leaders want Jonah out of the way but Isenah is refusing to be used to carry out the process”, he said.

    Isenah’s Senior Special Assistant on New Media, Mr. Dickson Didi Opuene, hinted that the speaker was undergoing the travails for refusing PDP leaders’ request to impeach the deputy governor.

    Opuene in the post that went viral wrote: ““First they asked him to impeach the deputy governor for no just reason and he refused, now they want him to resign just to perfect their aim and plan. No way, he will not resign, they should come and impeach him and lets see.

    “Rt. Hon. Tonye Emmanuel Isenah remains the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and he has not resigned or will ever contemplate of doing so, please disregard any rumour of his resignation”.

    However, the speaker in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Aotendeike Boloigha, denied the insinuations that Dickson was after him because he failed to carry out the governor’s request to initiate an impeachment proceeding against his Deputy, Rear Admiral John Jonah (retd).

    Isenah described the posts as generated and authored by over ambitious politicians taking advantage of the present situation in the assembly saying the claims were not only untrue but misleading and aimed at heating up the system.

    He said at no time had the governor imagined anything relating to impeachment of his deputy, whom he constantly described as a dependable ally adding that Dickson had never given such directive to the assembly.

  • How Toyin Abraham, Lizzy Anjorin fell apart

    The feud between Nollywood actresses, Toyin Abraham and Lizzy Anjorin, appears not to be ending soon.

    The hot exchange in the last couple of days came to a full glare with the actresses going back and forth with allegation(s) and counter-response(s).

    Controversially, this appears to be a tough time for their fans and perhaps sort of entertainment to neutral observers and bloggers.

    Anjorin, who has made more ‘unsavoury claims’ about Toyin with unpleasant jabs seem not to be ready to let the dust settle.

    In this piece by The Nation, Alao Abiodun x-rays the most burning drama of the moment in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.

    The Genesis

    Lizzy Anjorin allegedly accused Toyin Abraham of running the blog “Gistlover.com” alongside multiple Instagram accounts to troll her and other colleagues in the movie industry.

    Lizzy claimed that Toyin leaked damaging reports about her to blogs.

    The fight however came to a full glare with a post by a popular actress alleging that when Toyin Abraham put to bed, she didn’t send her a congratulatory message.

    This sparked a debate on her page. While her fans hurled insults on Anjorin, others said Toyin kept mute as this was going on.

    However, the issue was later watered down when Toyin went on to apologise that she saw her message.

    After this scenario, Nigerians woke up to see that the social media has been frenzied since Anjorin claimed the actress was living a fake life and didn’t even have a car or a house of her own.

    She also alleged that contrary to the rumour that she gave birth to her child abroad, she actually was delivered of the baby at a local “agbo” seller’s house.

    She also alleged Toyin had to borrow costumes for her photo shoots.

    Interestingly, the nursing mother with the help of her publicist, Big Sam of Broadway TV, released a video showing her after she welcomed her son in a hospital in Lekki, Lagos.

    On why she had her baby in Nigeria at the Vedic lifecare hospital in Lekki, Toyin Abraham said: “I got to know this place when I came to visit Princess Shyngle, that actress when I came to visit her when she had issues and I loved how nice everyone, the doctors and nurses were.

    “Since I had just moved into Lekki with my husband then, I decided to make this my family hospital.

    “It has been a great experience, trust me. I am so happy and that is why I decided to have my baby in Nigeria because I trust the people here. I actually traveled out but I came back to Nigeria because I wanted him here at Vedic hospital with trusted hands.”

    Now that things seems to have fallen apart between the duo. let’s watch as more drama unfolds.

    Taking the legal route

    Toyin Abraham’s letter

    Toyin Abraham has sent a legal warning of ‘cease and desist’ notice letter to the Lizzy Anjorin through her lawyers requesting her to forward a letter of apology via their office, and on her Instagram page.

    Her lawyer said she issued the last warning to Liz Anjorin and if she failed to reply within 24 hours, they would be forced to file a N500m damages legal action against her.

    However, in her usual controversial style, Toyin Abraham further called Liz Anjorin a ‘pig’ in the caption of the post.

    “Silence is not golden. Rather than wrestle with a pig, it might be ideal to let the pig know that it belongs in the pen. I’m no longer speaking on this, my management team and attorneys are taking this up. Cc @bbbmedia @officialsamolatunj1,” she posted.

    Lizzy Anjorin’s letter

    Anjorin replied that she has written a petition to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) to investigate them as she has been accused by Toyin of dealing in drugs.

    Meanwhile, Lizzy is of the opinion that Toyin has always being a cocaine user from the post she made on Instagram.

    Reactions

    Veteran Yoruba actors, Yinka Quadri and Bolaji Amusan (Mr Latin) speaking on the issue in a video

    Some of the veterans in the movie industry have intervened in the messy fight between the actresses.

    Mr. Latin, who is the president of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), lamented the uncouth attitude of the actresses and expressed his disappointment over the ongoing controversy.

    Veteran Yoruba actors, Yinka Quadri and Bolaji Amusan (Mr Latin) said they would not accept ”any act of indiscipline” from feuding actresses.

    Toyin’s husband, Kolawole Ajeyemi, waded into the war of words by reiterating the need for the actresses to stop misbehaving on social media.

    In the post, he wrote: “We ought to have use social media for more useful and impactful things and not this misbehaviour.

    “We are called celebrities because many people look up to us and want to be like us. Why are we misleading these people, we are meant to be good teachers and not a bad influence on society. Please and please let’s have a change of mindset to do good, if not for anything for the fact that people are looking up to us in so many ways of life God bless you all.”

    Sadly, these ‘social media feuds’ is not new to the movie industry scene. It has become very common among Yoruba actresses.

  • Shekarau, others in fresh trouble over N950m PDP fund

    The Former Kano State Governor and Senator representing Kano Central Senatorial District, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau is in fresh trouble over N950m Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) fund.

    Details shortly…

  • Malabu: don’t use us as excuse not to give account, Abacha family tells Adoke

    The family of the former military head of state, Gen. Sani Abachi Monday hit back at the former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, over his claims that the Abachas went to court because they have sympathizer in government.

    The former first family stated that they were not the one in court over OPL 245 but the legal entity MALABU OIL and GAS LTD.

    The Abachas in a statement urged the former Attorney General of the Federation not to use the name of their family as an excuse for his inability to give account of his stewardship.

    A statement issued by Mohammed Sani Abacha, the family said it won’t have respond to the “baseless allegation” but for the falsehood.

    The said allegation was contained in his book “Burden of Service – Reminiscences of Nigeria’s Former Attorney General”.

    The Abacha family accused the former Chief Law Officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria of embarking on cheap falsehood.

    In blaming the Abacha family, Adoke alleged that; “the Abacha family decided to go to court and make claims on the OPL 245 otherwise known as Malabu because the Abacha family has sympathizers in the Muhammadu Buhari Government.”

    Responding to the allegation, Mohammed stated, “The Abacha family is not in court over OPL 245 but the legal entity MALABU OIL and GAS LTD is in Court over OPL 245 as distinct and separate from the Abacha family. How cheaper can it get for a former Chief Law officer to think and say that for Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd to seek justice through the constitutional, legal and Judicial process requires the Abacha family having influence or sympathizers in Muhammadu Buhari’s Government and a conducive political environment.”

    “This is not only unfortunate, but a manifest reflection of the kind of justice system over which Mohammed Adoke SAN presided as the Minister of Justice, influence peddling and sympathizers for Justice to reign. The Abachas are citizens of Nigeria and have rights like any other Nigerians but no influence or sympathizers in Buhari’s Government as a requirement for them to seek justice in court through the legal process.”

    He further pointed out that the company, Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd has consistently engaged the legal judicial process to seek redress under previous administration.

    Read Also: Adoke has case to answer on Malabu Oil Block scandal, says EFCC

    “For example, Malabu went to court in suit no. FHC/ABJ/CS/420/2003 against the Federal Government of Nigeria over the revocation of the license of OPL 245 during the administration of President Obasanjo and which case ended in an out of court settlement at the Court of Appeal in Appeal No. CA/A/99/M/06 in which OPL245 was restored to Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd by the administration of President Obasanjo.”

    “It was under the Administration of President Jonathan in which Adoke SAN served as the Attorney General and Minister of Justice that the said out of court settlement was actualized through the restoration of the license OPL245 to Malabu under the hand of the then Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources after the legal advice of Adoke SAN.”

    “The Abacha family and/or Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd has always engaged the constitutional legal process in seeking redress and does not need any political sympathizers or conducive political environment to seek justice. Malabu is presently in court not because of any sympathizer(s) in Government. It has no such sympathizers and does not need one like the Adoke’s sense of justice of influence peddling would want the world to believe.”

    “It is therefore unfortunate and totally false for Adoke SAN, a former Chief Law Officer of the Federation to have been quoted or credited as saying that:

    “For the eight years that president Obasanjo was in power, the Abacha’s never came out to make a claim to OPL245. They never tried it under President Yar’adua. Under President Jonathan, they never came out boldly to assert any claim.”

    The statement further added, “It will be recalled that in 2010 Alhaji Mohammed Sani Abacha instituted an action at the Federal High Court, Abuja in suit NO. FHC/ABJ/CS57/2010 before Hon. Justice Kolawole asserting his 50% ownership shares in Malabu Oil & Gas Ltd.

    “It was during the pendency of this action that the purported re-allocation of Malabu Oil & Gas Ltd to Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, and Nigeria Agip Exploration (NAE) was carried out under the watch of Mohammed Adoke (SAN) in 2011.

    “Also, Mohammed Sani Abacha asserted his ownership of 50% before the House of Representatives Committee on Malabu Oil & Gas Ltd in 2014. The report of the committee confirmed Mohammed Abacha’s 50% ownership in Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd.

    “It will also be recalled that when the report was challenged at the Federal High Court Abuja before Hon. Justice A. R. Mohammed, Alhaji Mohammed Sani Abacha instructed the law firm of R.O. Atabo & Co. to file an application for him and Pecos Energy Ltd to participate in the case as interveners in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/816/2014.

    “After the unauthorized alteration on the shareholding structure as well as Directors of Malabu Oil & Gas Ltd was carried out at the Corporate Affairs Commission, I instructed the law firm of R.O. Atabo & Co. to write a petition to Corporate Affairs Commission informing her of such alterations.

    “Again, when the shares of Mohammed Sani Abacha was completely wiped out by filing of form CO2 by Barrister Ademola at the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja during the pendency of his case before Hon. Justice Gabriel Kolawole (now a Justice of the Court of Appeal), Mohammed Sani Abacha through his Counsel wrote petition to the Director General of the Corporate Affairs Commission after which the share structure was reversed and the matter referred to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for investigation. Notwithstanding the reversal of the share structure, Malabu Oil & Gas Ltd was purportedly sold and re-allocated to Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, Shell Nigeria Ultra Deep (SNUD) and Nigeria Agip Exploration (NAE) under questionable circumstances for a consideration of $1.3billion.

    “Furthermore, the sum of Eight Hundred and One Million Five Hundred and Forty Thousand US Dollars ($801,540,000) was transferred from the Federal Government Escrow Account to Key Stone Bank and First Bank of Nigeria Plc accounts controlled by Dan Etete who is neither a shareholder nor Director of Malabu Oil & Gas Ltd and without appropriation of the funds by the National Assembly – all these happened when Mohammed Adoke SAN was holding office as the Attorney General of the Federation – a legal practitioner who has been conferred with the highest honour in the legal profession by the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee to uphold the rule of law and the ethics of the legal profession.

    “The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) provides that all monies accruing to the Government of the Federation shall be appropriated by the National Assembly,” the statement said adding that there is no shred of evidence that the sum of $801,540,000 was appropriated by the National Assembly with a directive that same be paid to a private account control by Dan Etete.

    “The sum was never considered during any of the budget proceedings of the National Assembly. It will be recalled that after the transfer of the funds, the money disappeared into various accounts of private individuals and companies to the knowledge and supervision of Mohammed Adoke SAN

    “From the above, it can be seen that Adoke (SAN) is allergic to the truth, which does not surprise us as this attitude appears to be in his makeup. Only truth heals and he needs that healing,” the statement added.

  • Tribunal reaffirms Sanwo-Olu as Governor

    The Lagos State Gubernatorial Election Petition Tribunal on Monday reaffirmed the victory of Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the Governor of Lagos state in the March 9 polls.

    The three-man tribunal led by Justice T. T Asua, in a unanimous decision, dismissed the Petition filed by the Labour Party (LP) and its Candidate, chief Ifagbemi Awamaridi, declaring that the petition failed.

    It held that its earlier decision to dismiss the Petition which was later appealed by the petitioners was still valid because the petition was not filed according to the laws governing the electoral laws.

    The tribunal further described the petition as a “futile and wasteful exercise”.
    It noted that the petitioners could not prove their allegations of mental incompetence against Sanwo-Olu in their evidence placed before the tribunal.

    The panel held that the petitioners failed to prove their allegations of election malpractices against Sanwo-Olu and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “The Petitioners have failed to meet the requirement of the law. The Petitioners have failed in our humble view to discharge the onus of proof which would have been placed on the Respondents.

    “We confirm the return of Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the duly elected Governor of the State,” Asua said.

    Earlier the tribunal had struck out the names of the fourth to seventh respondents from the petition.
    They are the Resident Commissioner for Lagos State INEC, the Returning Officer for Lagos State Governorship Election, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State and the Nigeria Army.

    It held that there were no ties linking them to the allegations contained in the petition.

    During the hearing of the petition, the petitioners had called six witnesses, including Awamaridi and three other witnesses who were subpoenaed by the tribunal.
    The respondents, on the other hand, did not call any witness.

    The tribunal held that there was no newspaper evidence nor medical evidence from the Gbagada General Hospital was presented by the petitioners to support their allegation of mental illness against Sanwo-Olu.

    Read Also: How Sanwo-Olu allegedly rescued Mike Dada’s AFRIMA

    ” PW5 openly stated in court that ‘the evidence does not exist’. That portion of the petition remains abandoned and I so hold,” Asua said.

    The Tribunal noted that Awamaridi, the LP gubernatorial candidate while testifying during the hearing of the petition had said that he did not cast a vote during the March 9 gubernatorial polls because he was certain his Permanent Voters Card (PVC) was cloned.

    The Tribunal said that Awamaridi in his testimony could not pinpoint where the alleged irregularities took place but rather asserted that he was informed of everything within his knowledge by his agents.

    “The journey of this Petition has been a futile and wasteful exercise.
    PW1 (Awamaridi) as a witness, dumped the evidence on the tribunal and expected it to go on a voyage of discovery.

    “Each document has to be related to the case, PW1 did not tie any of the evidence to the case.
    “Since the petitioners didn’t link exhibits P18 to P20 to their case, the evidence lacks probative value and are not relevant to their case.

    “The Petitioners have failed to structure the case within the parameters set by the apex courts. PW1, PW2 and PW4 testified in relation to polling units but could not ties their allegations to any specific polling unit,” the tribunal held.

    Mr Bola Aidi, the counsel to the petitioners, in his response, told the tribunal that they would study the judgment.

    “We are grateful for the time of the judge on the judgment, we shall look at it and do the needful,” Aidi said.

    The counsel to Sanwo-Olu, Mr Victor Okpara thanked the tribunal for the judgment.
    He described the doggedness of the petitioners as “the beauty of democracy”.

    Mr Tunde Falola the counsel to the APC also expressed appreciation to the panel members for the time spent putting the judgment together.

  • UPDATED: 17 days after celebrating birthday Oba Oniru dies at 82

    Lagos State Government mourned the passing away of a first-class monarch in the state, the Oniru of Iruland, Oba Idowu Abiodun Oniru.

    Oniru died in in the early hour of today in Lagos after a brief illness.

    He was 82.

    The monarch’s 82nd birthday was celebrated last September 6 at the palace.

    He was survived by wives, children among are former Lagos State Commissioner for Waterfront Adesegun Oniru, On-Air personality Tolu Demuren (a.k.a Toolz), grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

    Tweeting via his twitter handle @jidesanwoolu, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu commiserated with the royal family.

    He tweeted: “On behalf of the government and people of Lagos, I commiserate with the Oniru Royal Family on the transition of HRH Oba Idowu Oniru who joined his forebears. His service to the state and country at large will remain his enduring legacy. Adieu.”

    Former Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule described the late Oniru as a great monarch.

    Read Also: Oba Oniru celebrates 80th birthday in style

    Dr Adebule said he was a peace-loving monarch.

    “He was always bringing people together to live in peace and harmony. He demonstrated a great passion for the development of Lagos State. He was indeed a peace-maker,” she said.

    The Waziri Nupe, Senator Isa Mohammed also condoled with the royal family.

    Senator Mohammed prayed to God to grant the family of the late monarch the strength to bear the loss.

    “My family and I wish to commiserate with you and the entire Oniru Royal family on the passing away of Oba Abiodun Idowu Oniru, the 14th Oniru of Iruland, Victoria Island, Lagos. May Allah grant him peaceful repose, mercy, forgiveness, eternal rest and reward him with Al-Jannah Firdaus. May Allah also be with you and the children and grant you the strength and fortitude to bear this great loss,” he said.

    The Chairman of Iru-Victoria Island Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Princess Rasheedat Abiodun Adu described the late monarch as a great father.

    Princess Adu said the late Oba Oniru’s reign brought greater development to Iruland and environs.

    “Kabiyesi’s reign ushered in unprecedented political and socio-economic development to Iruland and beyond. The late monarch’s demonstration of integrity is matchless,” she said.

    Wife of former Chairman of Iru-Victoria LCDA Chief. Funmilayo Daramola said the late Oniru was a great monarch.

    Chief Daramola, the Alaje Wura of Iruland said: “Kabiyesi was truly a great person. He was a nice man who was after the development of the community and Lagos state as a whole. He sacrificed a lot to ensure Iru-Victoria Island is developed,” she said.

    Oba Oniru succeeded his father in 1995.

    He was born on September 6, 1937, the 12th of the 15 children of the long-reigning Oba Yesufu Oniru, who died at the age 120.

    The late Oba Oniru attended St David’s Primary School and Araromi Baptist School on Lagos Island and then went to Eko Boys High School for his secondary education.

    In 1965, he left Nigeria to study civil engineering at the British Institute of Engineering Technology in Slough. He returned to Nigeria in 1968, to join his father run the family business.

  • Tight security as military interrogates suspected killers of Cdr. Ogundana

    Security has been tightened around the Jaji Military Cantonment, as the military authorities commenced interrogation of the suspected killers of Commander Olowayemisi Ogundana.

    Ogundana was the Commandant of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Secondary School until she was gruesomely murdered and her dismembered body dumped in a shallow well at Ungwan Loya, close to the cantonment.

    A source close to the military cantonment told The Nation that, hers was the second case of murder at the college in the last two months.

    Though, Kaduna State Police Command and AFCSC, where Commander worked have kept information on the incident away from the media, The Nation gathered authoritatively that the suspects held in connection to the murder were under serious interrogation.

    Read Also: Senior Naval Officer murdered in Kaduna military cantonment

    The serious handling of the interrogation and the tight security of the barracks, The Nation learnt was due to the fact that, Commander Ogundana’s murder was the second in the series.

    A source in the cantonment told our correspondent that the authorities were quizzing the suspected killers of Ogundana, one Simon Bernard who happened to be a staff of the college and his accomplice, as to whether they equally have hands in the murder of the other Officer too.

    According the source: “About two months ago, a Major who was on Senior Course at the AFCSC was also found dead in his room.

    “The Major was suspected to have been murdered the day they were supposed to proceed on a foreign study tour.

    “That is why they are interrogating them thoroughly to get to the root of the matter.

    “Presently, Simon Bernard who happened to be a staff of the college where Commander Ogundana was the Commandant has confessed killing her.”

    The suspect was said to have confessed that he killed the Commandant and took the body to Ungwan Loya village in Jaji at about 1:00am on 15 September 2019.