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  • Why Wike, Rivers Reps, others are after us — F-SARS Commander

    Why Wike, Rivers Reps, others are after us — F-SARS Commander

    The Commander of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS) in Rivers State, Mr. Akin Fakorede, has revealed why Governor Nyesom Wike, PDP House of Representatives members from Rivers State and other PDP leaders in the state have declared war against him and operatives of F-SARS in the Niger Delta state.

    Fakorede, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) and indigene of Ekiti State, reacting to the “politically-motivated” allegations levelled against him in a letter the PDP lawmakers wrote to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris recently, said his decision to uphold professionalism and always place emphasis on policing with integrity, pitted the political leaders against him and F-SARS operatives in the state.

    In a letter he wrote to the IGP and obtained exclusively by our correspot Harcourt yesterday, Fakorede said he had refused to aid or support the mindless killings of Rivers citizens by hired assassins and supporters of PDP in Rivers, adding that between 2015 and 2017, no fewer than 250 persons were either killed, severely injured or kidnapped by agents of Rivers State government.

    Fakorede said: “The only offence committed by the F-SARS Commander in Rivers State, which has remained a source of anger, irritation and vexation to the Rivers State Government, is denying the officials and their agents the opportunity and space to kill, maim, destroy and vandalise the lives and property of political opponents. This was the case before now, but not anymore.

    “The ongoing campaign of calumny, persecution and attacks in the print and electronic media against the Commander and operatives of F-SARS in Rivers State by the Rivers State Government and PDP supporters are attributed to the refusal of CSP Fakorede to support and aid the mindless killing of Rivers citizens by hired assassins and supporters of the PDP in Rivers State.

    “Whenever F-SARS is detailed to provide security patrol or establish presence at events organised by the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Wike and his supporters in PDP get furious and infuriated.

    “F-SARS in Rivers State has never arrested, harassed or in any way impeded members of Governor Wike’s PDP from peacefully and lawfully conducting their political engagements.

    “Whenever the Rivers government or PDP members have any state function, operatives of F-SARS are always available to provide security when directed to do so.

    “On November 11, 2017, Governor Wike personally led his Chief Security Officer (CSO) to physically assault, injure and disarm operatives of F-SARS in Rivers State, who were in the convoy of the Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, at Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout in Port Harcourt, only for Governor Wike to turn round and allege assassination attempt on his life.”

    Ten PDP members of the House of Representatives from Rivers State had sponsored a motion allegedly pushed by the representative of Obio/Akpor constituency in the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, an ally of Wike, culminating in a letter that was written to the IGP, titled “Need to Investigate Acts of Harassment, Torture, Extra-Judicial Killings and other Unwholesome Practices of the F-SARS in Rivers State (HR.98/2017.”

    The letter with reference number NASS/CNA/105/Vol. 23/123, signed by the Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Olayide Adelami, reads in part:: “The purpose of this letter is to convey the resolution of the House to you for further necessary action.

    “The House of Representatives deliberated on the above subject matter and consequently resolved to condemn in very strong terms the acts of harassment, torture, extra-judicial killings and other unwholesome practices by operatives of F-SARS in Rivers State and indeed other parts of the country.”

    Fakorede, responding to the allegations levelled against him by the federal PDP lawmakers in a letter to the IGP through the Commander, Special Tactical Squad, Force Headquarters, Abuja, declared that none of the allegations levelled against him and his men was true.

    In the letter with reference number CB:3380/RVS/ARS/VOL.2/26, Fakorede said: “F-SARS in Rivers State does not engage in the unwholesome practices of harassment, torture and extra-judicial killing of innocent citizens.

    “F-SARS in Rivers State observes at all times, places and in all its operations, (observes) high level of professionalism and human rights standard. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Rivers State office and other frequent visitors to F-SARS, Port Harcourt can attest to these.

    “While guns, otherwise referred to as personal weapons, are properly issued accoutrement for the performance of police duties, machetes and axes are not part of the police working tools. Machetes or axes seen with F-SARS operatives are those recovered from criminal elements at various distress points and crime scenes.

    “The allegation of Point Of Sale (POS) machines in possession of F-SARS operatives is false and malicious, as only commercial banks issue POS machines to designated customers and the unlawful use of POS is easily verifiable.

    “Also, the allegation of kidnapping and extorting N500,000 at ATM point in Port Harcourt is not true.

    “CSP Fakorede, being a lawyer of more than ten years post call, is very familiar with the relevant constitutional provisions, as observed by the House of Representatives.

    “I have consistently and continuously acted at all times and in all situations within the existing legal and professional framework.

    “During the December 10, 2016 rerun in Rivers State, CSP Fakorede did not harass, manhandle or intimidate any official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    “Ajibade Ademisoye was the head of a notorious armed robbery syndicate that had terrorised the East-West Road for a long time. He met his waterloo on September 25, 2017, when he led his gang in a gun battle against the police F-SARS team.

    “During the encounter, Ademisoye shot and wounded Sgt. Okoroma Gift (F/No. 443206).

    “Ademisoye died the way he lived – violently and brutally. Since the death of Ademisoye, reports of kidnapping and armed robbery on the Rivers-Bayelsa axis of the East-West Road have declined, almost to zero.

    “The allegations levelled against me (Fakorede) and operatives of F-SARS in Rivers State are false, malicious and wicked. They contain no iota of truth and are part of the evil propaganda orchestrated by some political actors, whose criminal antecedents are well known to Nigerians and who are no longer allowed to kill fellow citizens to further their political fortunes.”

    Commander of F-SARS in Rivers also reiterated that the Rivers governor had earlier alleged that he (Fakorede) was fighting him and posted to the state to kill him, while Wike also alleged that Rivers Police Commissioner, Zaki Ahmed, and the IGP equally planned to assassinate him and planting incriminating evidence against him, which were described by the police chiefs as tissue of lies.

    It will be recalled that the Rivers police commissioner described as “minor traffic infraction,” the bloody clash involving policemen attached to Wike and Amaechi, stressing that meeting of the two eminent personalities’ convoys was coincidental, while insisting that nobody’s life was threatened and that there was no attempt to assassinate any of the two Ikwerre sons.

  • Dogara, Ambode, Amosun, Ooni, Alake, others for Ogun monarch’s coronation anniversary

    The Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara; Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State and his Osun and Ogun State counterparts, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Ibikunle Amosun; Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi and Alake of Egba, Oba Aremu Gbadebo are among the dignitaries expected at the 12th coronation anniversary of Eselu of Eselu in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi.

    The event will be held on Sunday December 3 at the Eselu palace in Oja Odan. Others expected at the event are the Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, Ebumawe of Ago Iwoye, Oba Rasak Adenugba, Abepe of Joga, Oba Adeyemi Adekeye, Oloja of Epe, Oba Kamordeen Animashaun, among others. Oba Akinyemi said the event was planned to thank his people, friends and associates for standing by him in the last 12 years of his ascension to the throne. He said his kingdom had witnessed fairly impressive development since he be came the monarch, adding that there was prospect for mineral exploration in the community. ‘’There has been increase in infrastructural development such as rural electrification. The community is blessed with mineral resources like limestone,  and gypsium. The limestone and gypsium deposit in my domain, according to a geological survey can last over 100 years.’’

  • Osinbajo, Dogara, Ambode, others for Christian Conscience annual lecture on corruption

    Osinbajo, Dogara, Ambode, others for Christian Conscience annual lecture on corruption

    Issues affecting corruption and strategic directions in tackling the menace will be the focal point at the annual lecture series of the Christian Conscience group, a non-governmental and non-denominational pressure group next week Thursday, November 23.

    Operating with the theme, ‘Religion and corruption: Strategic direction in fighting corruption in Nigeria, the speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, will lead government functionaries at the event as he presents the keynote address, while the executive governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, will be the special guest of honour.

    According to the release by the association’s National Publicity Secretary, Tunji Oguntuade, the wife of the Vice President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, is expected to be the mother of the day.

    The annual lecture, which holds at the Chapel of Christ The Light, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, at 10am will be delivered by the Rt. Revd. Prof. Dapo Asaju, the Bishop Theologian, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, and Vice Chancellor, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo.

    Also, the former Minister of Education, Mrs Oby Ezekwesili, and the Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Hon. Dr. Abdul-Hakeem Abdul-Lateef, are expected to jointly lead a panel of discussants drawn from the public and private sectors at the event.

    The event is expected to attract religious leaders, traditional rulers, students and other eminent personalities and members of the public.

    According to the National Chairman of the group, Chief Enock Ajiboso, “the topic was carefully chosen to sensitize all the good people of Nigeria to join hands with the Buhari-Osinbajo-led government in tackling the monster called corruoption that has eaten deep into the fabrics of the nation.”

  • Senator Tinubu, others to get anti-corruption award

    Senator Tinubu, others to get anti-corruption award

    A group, Youth Development and Moral Rebirth Initiative, is to give anti-corruption awards to Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the Comptroller-General of Customs Service, Col. Ahmed Ali (retd), Minister of Communications, Abdulraheem Adebayo Shittu, among others.

    The body, in a statement yesterday to reporters in Kaduna by its President, Abdulwasiu Adebayo, said the awardees would be honoured in Kaduna on December 7.

    He said the essence of the award was to recognise people who had contributed to enforcing the anti-corruption crusade of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

    Adebayo said others to be honoured are Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), Umar Garba Danbatta;  Registrar of Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Ishaq Oloyede and Director- General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dakuku Peterside.

    He said the group would also reward Senator Shehu Sani representing Kaduna Central, the Managing Director, Zenith Bank, Mr. Peter Amangbo; Managing Director, Nigeria Ports

    Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman, among others, as part of activities to mark this year’s International Anti-Corruption Day.

     

  • MOSOP to FG: honour Saro-Wiwa, others

    MOSOP to FG: honour Saro-Wiwa, others

    The Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) has urged the Federal Government to start off the process of clearing the image of Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight others who were killed by the military government 22 years ago.

    MOSOP is a social-cultural/political organization of the people of Ogoniland, an oil producing community in the Niger Delta region.

    The President of the group, Legborsi Pyagbara, made the call at the 22nd annual remembrance day ceremony of the deceased in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital yesterday.

    They are  Ken Saro-Wiwa,  Chief Edward Kobani,  Albert Badey,  John Kpuinen, Barinem Kiobel, Chief S. N.  Orage,  Nordu Eawo and  Chief T.  B. Orage. Others included Saturday Dobee,  Daniel Gbokoo,  Paul Levura,  Baribor Bera,  Garrick Leton, Felix Nuate, among others, who died in the course of the struggle.

    The people of the oil rich area were crying against neglect, marginalization, injustice and inequality and other problems confronting them.

    They victims led the struggle for the emancipation of Ogoni people.

    They were prosecuted, convicted and  killed by hanging.

    The MOSOP President at the event called  on Buhari to set in motion the process to clear the  names of Ogoni-nine of any criminal involvement and  build a national monument in their honour  and memory as a way to demonstrate to the people of Ogoni that the government shares in their pain.

    “MOSOP believes that the period of this commemoration provides the government of Nigeria with the opportunity to consummate the process of national healing and reconciliation with the Ogoni people by formally clearing the names of the Ogoni nine of these wrongs and establish a national monument in their honour and memory,”he said. They noted that as Ogoni land remains no go area for Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), they condemned the alleged recent attempt by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to impose another company on Ogoni oil bloc without the consent of the people of Ogoni, nor holding meaningful consultations with the host communities.

    The body also tasked Buhari to initiate the process of giving national honour to the nine martyrs, adding that immortalizing the individuals and clearing their names  would erase the blot  and perfect the quest for national healing and reconciliation.

    Also Resident Coordinator, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Nigeria, Dr. Edward Kallon, who was represented by Mr. Willbroad Ngambi, the UN representative in the South-South Geo-political zone, said justice ensures peace in every society, noting that the United Nations was interested in promoting environment and human rights.

  • Ibori, Uduaghan, others pay last respects as Itsekiri leader Ayomike is buried

    Ibori, Uduaghan, others pay last respects as Itsekiri leader Ayomike is buried

    THE remains of Itsekiri national leader and renowned historian, Pa Johnson Oritsegbubemi Sunday Ayomike, were yesterday laid to rest in his Warri home. The interment and the preceding requiem service, which was held at the First Baptist Church, Mission Road, Warri, followed up on the service of songs, which was held in his home on Thursday.

    The ceremonies would be rounded off with a thanksgiving service today at the First Baptist Church. Delivering his sermon, the guest preacher, Dr Ayodele Gbode, reflected on the uniqueness of the life of the deceased, whom he said excelled in fields that were not his areas of professional training. “Health Commissioners today must be medical doctors, but they can’t even build hospitals. Papa also served as information commissioner and left indelible marks like everywhere else he served. “Pa Ayomike was no less outstanding and kept faith with being a man of integrity and achievements as an information commissioner.

    He returned back to work in the corporate world because the company knew he kept his dignity in public service and had immense value to offer. Today’s commissioners for information are thoroughly bread to tell lies”, he said. Speaking to the Nation after the service, the Chairman of the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought (ILoT), Chief Edward Ekpoko, said he would miss the departed leader more than most people, noting that aside from his immediate family members, he was about the closest to him. Ekpoko, who took over the mantle of leadership of the ILoT from the deceased said the impacts of the departed leader would remain indelible  in the psyche of not just Itsekiri people but the whole of the Niger Delta and the Nigerian nation,owing to his immense contributions to society.

    The Acting Governor of Delta State, Kingsley Otuaro, who led other functionaries of the state government to the ceremony yesterday, also offered condolences to the Ayomike family on behalf of the state, praying God to grant the family the fortitude to “bear the irreparable loss.” Other dignitaries present at the service were, former Delta State governors, James Ibori, his successor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, his wife, who is a niece of the deceased, Deaconess Roli Uduaghan, Sen. James Manager, as well as the publisher of the Vanguard Newspaper, Mr Sam Amuka. Also present to pay last respect were NFF President and CAF Committee member, Amaju Pinnick, Rep. member, Daniel Reyenieju, Delta Assembly Speaker, Sheriff Oborevwori, newly installed Ologbotsere of Warri, Ayiri Emami, Chief Great Ogboru, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, Joseph Ayomike, younger brother to J.O.S and current head of the Ayomike family.

  • No automatic ticket for Ikpeazu, others in Abia says PDP

    The Abia State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) says  it won’t give automatic ticket  to its members aspiring for any elective position in the forthcoming 2019 general elections. The party said it would provide a level playing ground for all aspirants irrespective of the position involved. The state Chairman of the party, Chief Johnson Onuigbo made the decision of the party known at the end of the State Working Committee meeting held in Umuahia, the State capital. He pointed out that the state PDP has resolved to do away with all manner of impositions and impunity in the party. Onuigbo noted that the party also passed a vote of explicit confidence on Governor Okezie Ikpeazu based on his performance during the last two years and six months in office.    “We urge all our party faithful to remain loyal, steadfast and continue to have confidence in party leadership.”

    A group, World Igbo Youth Council, WIYC, yesterday called on the people of Abia State not to make the mistake of re-electing Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for a second term in office. In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mazi Alex Okemiri,  the WIYC said Gov. Ikpeazu had done nothing to guarantee him a second term in office. According to them: “Civil servants in Abia State have never had it so hard since the return to democracy in 1999, and the man at the saddle at this point in history, appears not ready to bring to table any strategy to make their lives better. “Apart from civil servants, pensioners are also groaning with several months of pension arrears. All these are happening despite the several bail-out funds and Paris Club refund, as well as the monthly statutory allocation and internally generated revenue. “It only shows that the governor is either insensitive to the plight of workers or lacks the wherewithal to govern Abia State.” “It has taken Ikpeazu 28months to build drainage from Osisioma Junction to Aba Main Park, a two-kilome tre road,yet there’s no hope to complete it. This has continued because the current administration is not prepared for governance. As such, it will be a disservice to the people to think of re-electing the governor in 2019. The remark of the WIYC has been condemned by the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC). In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Engr Obinna Adibe , the OYC said it was high time faceless groups stopped stoking ember of crisis in Igbo land. While noting that it knew the people behind the media attack on Ikpeazu, the group described the discourse on 2019 Abia governorship election as premature.

    It said, “We have followed closely the World Igbo Youth Council and so we know those behind the mask; we know their paymasters. “However, we want to make it categorically clear that this is not time for any form of politicking, more so as the Independent National Electoral Commission  has �not lifted the ban on political campaigns. “In addition, the WIYC has no locu standi to decide the fate of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu in 2019. Only the people of Abia reserve that right and nobody can take if from them. “It is then not just illegal but criminal for any group to start talking about who will occupy the Abia Government House in 2019.

    “We caution that we will not allow desperate politicians, who want power through the back-door, to destabilize this state. If they don’t stop forthwith, we shall in the next seven days publish names of all the people behind that media attack. “While the Ohanaeze Youth Council laud Ikpeazu for his effort at industrializing Abia State, we call for calm in the state. “We �also undertook a discreet investigation over the receipt of the intervention funds by Abia Government. Overall, Abia received a total sum of N16.3 billion  from the Paris Club refund and deployed N11.6billion to service workers/pensioners wage bill. This translates to a commitment of more than 71% of total receipt to service workers’ salaries and pension. “The transparency of the exercise was applauded by ICPC, who singled out Abia and two other states for their transparency in the disbursement and utilization of the fund. �So, we believe that Ikppeazu is on course. “At the appropriate time, we shall make our ratings public, not just on Ikpeazu but other governors in the South-East.”

  • EFCC invites ex-NIA DG, wife, others

    EFCC invites ex-NIA DG, wife, others

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday invited the immediate past Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Amb. Ayodele Oke, his wife, Mrs. Folashade Oke and others implicated in the  $43.45million recovered at Osborne Towers in Ikoyi, Lagos.

    The others were unnamed.

    But sources close to Oke said last night that the ex-NIA DG was yet to receive any letter from the EFCC.

    A statement by the EFCC, however, said the invitation of the former NIA DG and others was part of the resumption of the investigation of the cash haul.

    The statement said: “In furtherance of its investigative activities to unravel the circumstances surrounding the $43.45 million cash recovered by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Lagos sometime in April 2017, the Commission has invited former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Ayodele Oke and his wife, Folashade Oke.

    ”Mrs.  Oke had refused to honour previous invitations by the commission which resumed its investigation into the matter, following the Federal Government’s decision to relieve Mr. Oke of his position as DG.

    ”Besides the couple, other suspects are equally being invited to determine their culpability or otherwise in the humongous cash, in foreign currencies and naira notes, stashed in a residential building at Osborne Road Ikoyi, Lagos.”

    A judge of the Federal High Court in Lagos, Justice Muslim Hassan, had on June 6, 2017 granted a final forfeiture order of the funds since no one appeared before the court to claim them.

    He said:  “I am in complete agreement with the submission of the learned counsel for the applicant (EFCC) that the property sought to be attached are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities and that by every standard this huge sum of money is not expected to be kept without going through a designated financial institution; more so, nobody has shown cause why the said sum should not be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Having regard to the foregoing, I have no other option but to grant this application as prayed.

    “For the avoidance of any doubt, I hereby make the following orders: 1. A final order is made forfeiting the sums of   $43,449,947 found by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission at Flat 7B of No. 16 Osborne Road, Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos, which sum is reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities to the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

     

  • ‘Christmas is Coming’ for Sola Sobowale, Chioma Akpotha, others

    IN time for the yuletide, Nollywood actress, producer and director, Ufuoma McDermott is set to hit the cinemas with her latest movie titled ‘Christmas is coming’.

    The movie follows the story of a slobby tomboy (Ufuoma McDermott) who has a string of ill-luck after being transformed to a “Lady” by her mischievous flat mates (Mary Lazarus, Izzie Otaigbe) just a few days to Christmas.

    She unintentionally falls in love quickly and has to deal with its immediate consequences.

    Written, Produced and Directed by Ufuoma McDermott, the romantic comedy stars other popular actors like Sola Sobowale, Chioma Akpotha, Zack Orji, Deyemi Okanlanwon, Mary Lazarus, Gregory Ojefua, Michael Okon, Izzie Otaigbe, Odenike Odetola and more.

    According to the actress, ‘Christmas is Coming’ is not the regular movie.

    “I know this might sound like a cliché but truth is, this is something you have never seen before. Working with great actors like the ones in this movie, I have been made to realize that with the right people and right ideas, magic can be made in the most unexpected way. ‘Christmas is Coming’ is most certainly magical and I can’t wait to share it with the world. Prepare to be wowed, literally,” she said.

    When asked about her challenges, Ufuoma stated that nothing comes easy therefore challenges are bound to happen.

    “There is nothing that doesn’t come with a challenge but that is not important. What is important is making those challenges work for you. Challenging yes, impossible to control? Certainly not,” she added.

    ‘Christmas is Coming’, she said, will hit cinemas nationwide on November 24th.

  • Nigeria, others have shortfall of 89m jobs-EU envoy

    Nigeria and other countries within sub Sahara Africa need to fill about 89 million job gaps in the next five years.

    Making this disclosure recently was Ambassador Ketil Karlsen, head of European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS.

    He spoke on the sidelines of the EU-Nigeria Business Forum in Lagos, where he offered expert views on opportunities for growth and development in key sectors of Nigeria’s economy.

    According to him, what the Economic Partnership Agreement with EU presents to Nigeria and beyond is immeasurable in terms of socioeconomic opportunities.

    While noting that Economic Partnership Agreement is not new at all, especially within West Africa, he was however quick to add that: “European market is a very significant one, with over 500 million consumers. This is a real good opportunity to step into a new generation of doing a business. Let the standard not be export of oil and petroleum, there are more opportunities in other labour-intensive sectors.”

    Nigeria and Africa as a whole has population advantage, he said, adding that: “Where you have population growth, you also need to think of what kind of sectors can generate needed necessary jobs.” Specifically, he said: “In Africa there is need for creation of 89 million additional jobs. There is a very significant proportion of such trend in Nigeria, of course, because of the size of the country. We need to ask ourselves, where will those jobs come from? I’m convinced that the Economic Partnership Agreement will actually help in creating that kind of job opportunity.”

    “So we will continue to dialogue with Nigeria for us to assist in improving on situations. For us it’s a win, win situation. We will also need to appreciate that there is a sovereign decision for Nigeria to take; it’s not for EU to decide on behalf of other countries because we decide on our own. We are willing to lay our caps on the table to have discussion on questions of interest and hopefully we will be able to find common ground to mutual benefits of fostering relationship between Europe and Nigeria,” he maintained.