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  • Let’s unite, APC tells Nigerians at 59

    The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has charged Nigerians to stick together to achieve the best potentials of the nation.

    The charge was contained in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, to mark Nigeria’s 59th Independence anniversary on Monday.

    According to the party, it is the duty of every Nigerian to defeat the intents of the divisive elements who would rather use politics, religion and ethnic biases to compound the nation’s challenges.

    It noted that the differences in the orientations of the people notwithstanding, the ability to explore and harness the diversity of the people will guarantee the strength and progress of the nation.

    The statement went on to highlight the efforts being made by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to get Nigeria out of her challenges and to position her as a real giant of the African continent, noting that significant successes had been achieved in critical areas, including diversification and revamping the economy, cracking corruption and many others.

    “As a nation, we are better together than we are apart. Hence, we must be wary of those who hide under religion, politics, tribe and sundry groupings to turn us against one another. Despite our perceived differences, our strength and progress depends on our ability to harness our rich diversity.

    READ ALSO: Nigerians say they have reasons to celebrate country at 59

    “In spite of the inherited and our current challenges, President Muhammadu Buhari administration has made commendable strides on so many fronts, most significantly the fight against graft, diversifying and revamping the economy, curbing insurgency and emerging crimes, promoting positive values in our national life, strengthening our democratic institutions and processes and achieving a respectable international standing.

    “Finally, we admonish well meaning Nigerians to engage only in acts that would heal our fault lines by promoting ethnic and religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence, which would engender Nigeria’s growth and development.

    “As Africa’s most populous nation, we can do much better, given our natural resources and potential. The President Buhari administration is committed to building on and affirming our Giant of Africa status”, the statement said.

    The party, however, lauded the Nigerian Armed Forces for the sacrifices so far made to keep the nation together and to protect the lives of Nigerians, particularly recalling the men and offices who had paid the supreme price in defense of the nation.

    “We remember and salute our founding fathers who fought for the independence of our great country and also members of our Armed Forces, many of whom have paid the supreme sacrifice to defend Nigeria’s territorial integrity and keep our country united,” the party said.

  • 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.

    Read Also; Imo Tribunal: Nwosu raises the alarm over refusal to release judgment

    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.”

  • Imo Tribunal: Nwosu raises the alarm over refusal to release judgment

    The Imo State governorship candidate of the Action Alliance (AA), Mr Uche Nwosu, has raised the alarm over the alleged refusal of the panel of the Imo State governorship election petition tribunal to release copies of its judgment, ten days after.

    Chairman of the three-man panel, Justice Umar Dogondaji, in his ruling, dismissed the three petitions filed by the Action Alliance (AA), All Progressives Congress (APC) and the All Progressives Grand Alliance ( APGA), against Governor Emeka Ihedioha of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)

    Nwosu, who spoke with journalists in Abuja on Monday, alleged that the refusal to release the judgment was a ploy to frustrate his chances to appeal the judgment, which he had since rejected.

    According to the embittered Nwosu, all efforts to get the judgment were frustrated by officials of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who have been playing hide and seek with the document.

    READ ALSO: Imo tribunal judgment: AA goes to Court of Appeal

    “We suspect a foul play here. It has been ten days since the judgement was given, but all efforts to obtain the certified true copy of the judgement has been abortive; it’s either one funny excuse or the other. Nothing tangible to hold on to.

    “However, I believe these people are out to sabotage my appeal efforts. They know I have 14 days to file an appeal and they know I need this CTC of the judgement to make a successful filing. This is why I have called you out, to tell the world what these people are doing to justice”, he lamented.

    However, when reached on Monday for reasons for the delay in the release of the certified true copy (CTC) of the judgement, Secretary of the Imo State governorship election petition tribunal, Mr Balarabe Garuba, said copies of the judgement would be taken to Owerri on Tuesday.

    According to him, he had spoken to the Assistant Secretary of the tribunal, Mr Muazu Lawan, who told him he already took possession of copies of the judgement and would be taking them to those who should have them the next day.

    “The truth of the matter is he called me not quite ten minutes that the judgement was given to him, so he will take the next available flight back to Owerri to give the respective prospective appellants. He should be travelling tomorrow (Tuesday),” he said.

  • 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.

    Read Also;  Okagbare disqualified for lane infringement in 200m race

    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.

  • ‘Why Nigerians, Africans are migrating’

    A group, Nigerian Young Professionals Forum (NYPF) has said that young Africans, especially Nigerians, were leaving the continent for greener pastures in Europe, Canada, Asia and America to escape bad governance in their countries.

    The group blamed increased illegal migration on incompetent leadership in the continent, saying that African leaders think only about the next elections and not the next generation.

    The group’s Chairman, Moses Siasia, stated this during a meeting with the Financial Times of London.

    In a statement on Monday in Abuja, Siasia explained that interest in nation building had declined, leading to irregular migration among young Africans which has led to massive brain drain in the continent, especially in Nigeria.

    He decried the growing interest in illegal migration which is taking away young talents needed to develop the continent.

    According to him, irregular migration has become a phenomenal problem in Africa and has caused young Africans a lot and even their lives in a bid to escape bad governance at their respective countries.

    READ ALSO: Inside the minds of young doctors

    He called on Financial Times to support the group’s effort at encouraging human capital development and competent leadership in Africa.

    This, he explained, was a critical condition and impetus for sustainable development which will stem the tide of illegal migration across Africa.

    “If we neglect or ignore Nigeria, it is as well that you are ignoring or neglecting the rest of Africa, the reason being that Nigeria as a first mover stands in the middle of Africa’s development needs given Nigeria’s contribution to Africa’s young population,” he said in the statement.

  • Jonathan’s kinsmen declare support for Diri, running mate

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan’s kinsmen in Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, have declared total support for the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for November 16 election, Senator Douye Diri and his running mate Senator Lawrence Ewrujakpor.

    Rising from their meeting convened by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, the kinsmen vowed to vote massively for the PDP candidate.

    The stakeholders at the meeting tagged, Ogbia Unity Congress and also organized by the Ogbia Restoration Crusaders, dismissed insinuations that Diri was stingy describing the candidate as a nice man.

    A member resenting Ogbia Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Fred Obua, said the PDP was stable in the state adding that Ogbia would deliver 95 per cent of the votes to the PDP.

    Commenting on Siri’s personality, he said: “Douye Diri is a free man , nobody should use the name of stingy as a campaign strategy. He is a nice man, somebody that is accessible. He is a highly experienced man and somebody you can trust anytime.”

    Chairman of Ogbia Local Government Area , Mr.Ebinyo Turner noted that Ogbia youths were happy with the PDP because of its generosity in bringing development to Ogbia land.

    He said that Ogbia had been a traditionally undivided PDP support base and would rally round the PDP for massive victory in governorship election in November 16.

    Also a PDP chieftain and Commissioner for Information, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, commended leaders and stakeholders of his Ogbia local government area for their support to the candidate of the party PDP and his running mate.

    Iworiso-Markson said he was happy that path leaders from the council came out en masse to endorse the PDP candidate.

    He particularly thanked the Chairman of the Ogbia Restoration Caucus, Chief George Okirinya, Graham Ipigansi and the member representing Ogbia Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Fred Obua.

    READ ALSO: I will protect Igbo investments in Bayelsa- Diri

    Others he thanked are the chairman of Ogbia local government council, Hon. Ebinyu Turner, Hon. Enaikator Robert, Major Zediziah Isu (rtd), Hon. Gibson Munalayefa, Hon. Peter Afagha, Hon. Captain Ozu, Chief Egesi Alfred-Eto and Hon. Osaanya B Osaanya.

    Iworiso-Markson equally commended members of the Ogbia Restoration Crusaders for ensuring that the meeting was well organized with the massive attendance of women and youths.

    He said the open endorsement of the PDP ticket by the leaders and stakeholders of Ogbia shows that the votes from the local government is already secured for the party.

    He added that Ogbia people are aware of what the next PDP government will do for them just like the Restoration Government has done and so they will not waste their votes for any other party in the coming election.

    According to him, in the days to come there will be a door to door reach out in communities across Ogbia Kingdom to drum more support for Diri and Ehrudjakpor and enjoined the people to remain committed to the PDP.

    The Commissioner for Information maintained that with the renewed love and unity amongst the Ogbia people, they would speak with one loud voice on November 16.

  • 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).

    Read Also: Osinbajo, ministers, others meet over $9.6 billion judgement

    “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)

  • 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.

    Read Also: Tribunal judgment validates Ihedioha’s victory – AA

    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.”