Politics

Immigration rescues four trafficked women in Jigawa

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The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has rescued four female victims of human trafficking in Jigawa State.

The Comptroller of NIS in the state, Isma’il Abba, told journalists in Dutse on Friday that the victims were rescued at Gurai village in Babura local government area of the state.

Abba said the victims were rescued by the Service personnel operating at Kazaure-Babura-Ringim axis on Thursday.

He added that the victims who are between ages 16 and 33 were rescued on their way to Tripoli, Libya, enroute Jigawa/Katsina border.

Abba said: “A suspected collaborator of the trafficked victims was arrested by the Service personnel. A preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were from Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Ogun, and Osun States.

“The victims would be handed over to the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).”

Politics

MONEY LAUNDERING: Ex-gov Nyako, son know fate July 19

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Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has fixed July 19 for ruling on either the no-case submission filed by former governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako, or the substantive case.

The judge fixed the date after counsels to parties in the case concluded arguments on the no-case-submission filed by the ex-governor.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Nyako and his son, Abdul-Aziz, on a 37-count charge of criminal conspiracy, stealing, abuse of office and money laundering in 2015.

Other defendants in the case are – Inare Zulkifik Abba, Abubakar Aliyu, Sebore Farms, and Extension Limited, Pagado Fortunes Limited, Blue Opal Limited, Tower Assets Management Limited, and Crust Energy Limited.

The commission accused the defendants of converting some funds belonging to the Adamawa State government to their personal uses.

At the resumed hearing on the matter Friday, counsel for Nyako, Ibrahim Isiaku (SAN), told the court that all the cases cited by the prosecution in support of its case were irrelevant.

He stressed that for a charge relating to money laundering to thrive, it must be proved that the money laundered is a subject of an illegal act.

He said the prosecution has not provided such evidence to support its claim against the ex-governor and urged the court to uphold the no-case submission and dismiss the case.

The EFCC counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, prayed the court to dismiss the no-case submission and order the defendants to open their defence.

Justice Abang directed counsels to submit copies of fresh information listed to support their case.

Politics, World News

Court acquits former NBA president, Paul Usoro of N1.4bn fraud.

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Paul Usoro, former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has been acquitted of the money laundering charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Usoro who was accused of laundering N1.4bn belonging to his home state Akwa Ibom, was initially arraigned on a 10-count charge before a court of appeal struck out four of the counts in which Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom was mentioned.

While the EFCC called two witnesses and tendered some documents to prove the charges which Usoro pleaded “not guilty” to, Usoro’s legal team which is headed by Effiong Effiong filed a no-case submission, contending that the EFCC failed to establish a prima facie case against him to warrant him to put in any defence.

Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the federal high court in Lagos who ruled on the case, agreed with the defendant’s argument and discharged him.

Politics, World News

No Network To Transmit Election Results Electronically – Nigerian Communications Commission Tells National Assembly.

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The NCC was called upon by the House to offer explanations following the controversies that erupted during the consideration of the Bill

Following the stalemate in the consideration of the Electoral Amendment Act by the House of Representatives, the Nigerian Communications Commission has said Nigeria does not have adequate network coverage in its 119,000 polling units to enable the electronic transmission of election results.

Speaking on behalf of the NCC team while appearing before the House of Representatives on Friday to provide insights into the possibility of transmitting election results via electronic means, the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Engineer Ubale Maska, said that in all the polling units studied in 2018, only about 50 per cent had 2G and 3G networks.

He added that the 4G network, which is higher, only exists in areas where there is already a 3G network, therefore making the coverage inadequate.

The NCC was called upon by the House to offer explanations following the controversies that erupted during the consideration of the Bill, which forced the House to adjourn proceedings to Friday.

Politics, World News

Adulterated food items worth over N6m destroyed in JigawaPublished on July 16, 2021.

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The Jigawa State Consumer Protection Committee says it has destroyed adulterated commodities worth over N6 million.

Chairman of the Committee, Alhaji Farouk Abdallah Malam Madori disclosed this yesterday to newsmen in his office.

He said the committee has succeeded in destroying adulterated food items and other commodities worth millions of naira from 2015 to date.

Malam-Madori explained some of the items include millet, maize, beans, sesame and zobo that were all adulterated and taken to different markets across the state.

He said part of the committee’s responsibilities was to ensure that the state was safe from all forms of adulterated foods, drugs and medical facilities.

Alhaji Farouk said the mobile court of the committee has collected more than N4 million fine.

He commended the state government for supporting the committee’s efforts.

Politics, World News

Unknown gunmen kill Army Major General along Lokoja-Abuja road.

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Armed bandits have killed Major General Hassan Ahmed, a former Provost Marshal of the Nigerian Army.

A statement released by the Nigerian Army this morning says Ahmed was murdered along the Lokoja-Abuja road on Thursday, July 15. Family sources say he was returning from Okene when the gunmen opened fire on his car.

A statement released by Army spokesperson, Onyema Nwachukwu, says the deceased will be buried according to Islamic rites today July 16. It reads;

”With a heavy heart, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya, and Soldiers of the Nigerian Army regret to announce the passing on of Maj Gen Hassan Ahmed, a former Provost Marshall of the Nigerian Army.

The sad incident occurred when the senior officer’s vehicle was attacked by gunmen while transiting along Lokoja – Abuja road yesterday 15 July 2021.

A delegation from the Army Headquarters led by the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army) Maj Gen Anthony Omozoje has visited the widow and other members of the bereaved family. Members of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) led by the Deputy National President, Mrs Stella Omozoje have also visited the family to condole with them.

The remains of the deceased senior officer will be accorded a befitting burial at the Lungi Barracks Cemetery on friday 16 July 2021 by 10.00am.”

Politics, World News

FG declares Tuesday, Wednesday Eid-el-Kabir holiday.

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The Federal Government has declared Tuesday and Wednesday next week as public holidays to mark this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

This was contained in a statement on Thursday by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Shuaib Belgore.

The statement was titled, ‘Eid-El-Kabir: FG Declares, Tuesday, July 20, And Wednesday, July 21, 2021, As Public Holidays’.

According to Belgore, Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulated all Muslim faithful and Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora on the occasion.

“I call on Muslims to continue to imbibe the spirit of love, peace, kindness and sacrifice, as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) and to also use the period to pray for peace, unity, prosperity and the stability of the country, considering the challenges of insecurity we face at the moment. These mainly are bandits in the North West and North Central, insurgents in the North East, kidnappers, armed robbers, ethnic agitators and sundry criminals in other parts of the country,” Aregbesola was quoted as saying.

According to Aregbesola, the government of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), is “committed to the security of lives and property of every Nigerian, empowering the citizens for successful living, the provisions of social investments programmes and adequate security in the schools, especially with the spate of innocent school children being targets of kidnapping.”

The minister advised Nigerians to take responsibility by reporting any suspicious individuals and criminal activities to law enforcement agencies, especially during the festival.
He also enjoined Nigerians to observe all COVID-19 protocols, saying, “We must all take responsibility for containment of the pandemic during this year’s festival.”

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has warned against trips that characterise the period, especially in the light of the deadly COVID-19 Delta variant recorded in the country.

Rauf Aregbesola

Politics

NAFDAC approves three new COVID-19 vaccines to tackle third wave

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In order to tackle and adequately contain the spread of the COVID-19 third-wave pandemic, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced the approval of three new vaccines for use in the country.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the Director-General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye in Abuja.

Adeyeye gave their names as Moderna of Rovi Pharma Madrid, Spain, AstraZeneca AZD1222 of SK Bioscience Co Limited, Republic of Korea and Sputnik V of Gamaleya National Centre of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Russia.

However, she noted that Sputnik is still undergoing further analysis while Moderna and Korea’s AstraZeneca have been given full approval.

An excerpt from the statement reads, “NAFDAC is announcing the approval of Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines and conditional approval of Sputnik V vaccine.

“The NAFDAC Vaccine Committee has been carefully assessing several vaccines despite the fact the vaccines have been approved by stringent regulatory countries or have received WHO’s Emergency Use Listing (EUL).

“A COVID-19 vaccine that has gone through the prior approval from either of these two sources had gone through quality, safety and efficacy evaluation which is a prerequisite for acceptance by COVAX Facility.

Most regulatory agencies across the world use this mechanism to expedite their own regulatory approval to import and administer COVID-19 vaccines.

“The Agency spends at least 15 days to thoroughly examine the dossier or submission package of the vaccine to ensure that the benefits of the vaccine far outweigh the risks and any side effects are well noted for monitoring after vaccination by respective NAFDAC and Primary Health Officers.

“The EUL will allow Nigeria to receive supplies of the vaccines from the COVAX Facility.

“National Agency for Food and Drug Administration also gives full reviews for vaccines that have not gone through EUL route. This mechanism is explained in our guidance developed by the COVID-19 Vaccine Committee.

NAFDAC is the first National Regulatory Agency in Africa to have Guidance on Regulatory Preparedness for EUA, Licensing or Access to COVID-19 Vaccines.”

Politics

Lugard is devil’s incarnate, INEC is a fraud —Pastor Adefarasin

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The Lead Pastor of the House on The Rock Church, Paul Adefarasin has described the British colonial master, Lord Lugard, who amalgamated the Northern and Southern region of the country as a devil incarnate.

He also said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is a fraud, alleging that the numbers obtained during elections, and censuses in the country are all lies.

The cleric stated these during a sermon at his church, the video of which has gone viral on the internet and social media platforms.

The man, Lord Lugard was a devil incarnate, and what he did to this country, we are suffering it many years later and its time that we must tell the truth,” he stated.

Speaking further, he said “You have got to go into politics and government deliberately. By the way, if we don’t fix some of Nigeria’s problem today, that is this INEC problem, I’ll say it plainly. INEC, put me in trouble if you like, it is a fraud.

“The numbers in Nigeria as far as census is concerned, as far as election is concerned are a lie, and if nobody will speak up about it, the righteous should speak. And our righteousness is not of ourselves, it is of him (God), and he will protect.

It is screwed now so that the numbers are not properly reflected in our voting. This is the only country in West Africa, when you move from the ocean to the desert and the numbers decrease or rather they increase.

The only country in the world where you move from a large body of water to little, or no water and the numbers increase. It was not Nigerians that started it. It was the parents of Nigeria, who were not good parents.

He charged Christians in politics to behave like the legendary English outlaw hero, Robin Hood, urging them to take from the government and give to the poor.
He warned those who were benefiting from the government, saying “when the judgement comes unless you extricate yourself in the righteousness of God, that’s your own problem.’

Speaking further, he said, “And if you are in the system, you should behave like Robin Hood, take from them and give it to the poor. You should have less so that they can have more.

“I have that sword in my office. The sword of the Lord of Loxley, Robin Hood, why? Because part of my job is to make sure that the wealth of Nigeria is redistributed with evenness.

“How do I do it, it is not by giving the poor, rice, oil at election time. Give them an education and education in today’s age does not have to be formal. We have tablets we can do research and development, and create a curriculum that you can put in the Nigerian mind for cheap.

That’s why people like the honourable commissioners are there to give us the infrastructure for Wi-Fi so that the poor man can hear good teachings, not just bible teachings, but a curriculum for personal development so that you can create entrepreneurs.”

Politics

IPOB accuses Wike, Obiano, Ngige of conspiracy against Kanu

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In the wake of the rearrest of Nnamdi Kanu and his ongoing trial, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has accused the governors of Rivers, Anambra, and labour minister, Chris Ngige of conspiracy and sabotage.

This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Publicity Secretary of IPOB, Emma Powerful.

Powerful named Gov Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Gov Willie Obiano of Anambra, Chief Emeka Offor, and labour minister, Chris Ngige, insisting they betrayed Kanu for business and political interests.

The statement reads, “Our intelligence unit, the M. Branch discovered how Emeka Offor of Oraifte coordinated and financed the evil plot. We equally gathered that the Nigerian Government initially refused to commit the extraordinary rendition until Emeka Offor, Nyesom Wike, and Willie Obiano, agreed to bankroll the plot.”

Investigations further revealed that the Nigerian government refused to sponsor the project but some Igbo politicians and businessmen volunteered to fund it, Powerful stated.

“Should anything happen to our Leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the fate of Judas will be more honourable than what will befall these traitors.

“Anybody close to these saboteurs should advise them to quickly go for the release of our Leader the way they trapped him into the net of the Nigeria Government,” the IPOB spokesman said.

Politics, World News

US Army Veterans Of Igbo Descent Blast Kenyan President For Aiding Kanu’s Arrest, Recall How Nnamdi Azikiwe Helped His Father.

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A group, American Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID), has written a letter to Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta to find a means of facilitating the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

AVID expressed its displeasure with Kenyatta for abducting Kanu and extraditing him to the Nigerian government for seeking liberation for his Igbo people.

The group, which comprises Igbo men and women that are serving or served in different security agencies in the United States, told the Kenyan leader that a Nigerian former President, late Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe saved his father, Jomo Kenyatta who was involved in similar agitation, from the same fate he was to suffer in the hands of British authorities.

They berated the leader of the East African nation for betraying Kanu, by handing him over to the enemies that want to prosecute him for defending his people.
AVID said this in a letter signed by its President, Chief Sylvester Onyia, dated July 10, 2021, which was made available to SaharaReporters.

The American Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID) just received an urgent Intel we need to explore with you bordering on the kidnap/abduction of a political activist globally known as Mazi Nnamdi Kanu – a Biafra/British citizen within your country.

AVID is comprised of Igbo ethnic men and women who honorably served or are currently serving in different Armed branches of the United States Military. Under Title 38 of the U.S. Code, a veteran is defined as a “person who served in the Active Military, Naval, or Air Service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.

Veteran members of AVID are citizens from all the 50 states in the United States, born as Igbo men and women; and successfully served in the following United States Military Branches:

  1. The United States Army
  2. The United States Marine Corp
  3. The United States Navy SEAL – Sea, Air, and Land specialists.
  4. The United States Navy
  5. The United States Airforce
  6. The United States Coast Guard
  7. The United States National Guard
  8. The United States Space Force
  9. U. S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps Officers
  10. The United States Army Guard, Air National Guard, Army Reserve, Navy Reserve
  11. The United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.”

The organization further revealed in the letter how the agitation for Biafra began a few years after Nigerian Independence and what has transpired till now.

It also informed Kenyatta of how the Nigerian government sent its security agents to invade Kanu’s house in which people were killed in 2017, but the IPOB leader escaped.

The nation called Nigeria has never known peace since the amalgamation of the north and south by the British in 1914. You might be aware of the historic Biafran war which lasted from 1967-1970.

The war was a quest for self-determination of the Igbo people-an attempted emancipation from Fulani terrorist Muslims. Statistically, 2.5 plus million Igbo children, women, and defenseless men perished in that genocide.

Because of the gruesome rape of young Igbo girls and married women, unprovoked killings, land grabbing, massacre, maiming by the Fulani men with no accountability, Eastern Nigeria men pillaged, slaughtered en mass within their indigenous ancestral land with no consequences and grand plan by Nigeria Fulani Islamic-led Jihadist government to violently eliminate all Igbo Judeo-Christian ethnic people and repopulate our ancestral land with Fulani Muslims.

Nigeria government despicable act of support for Boko haram terrorists and Miyetti Allah Muslim Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN. This association is the leadership of Fulani terrorists’ groups disguising as cattle herders in Nigeria.

A credible Civil Rights Leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu (MNK) established the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and a security outfit called Eastern Security Network (ESN) to protect our people.

Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has been a target for assassination by the Nigerian Government. There has been the deployment of the Army to his home to kill him an operation (coded operation python dance.) His home was riddled with bullets, 25 young men were killed, but he miraculously escaped.

We are therefore upset and saddened by your collusion with Nigerian Terrorist Government to abduct/kidnap an unarmed son and a Liberation Political Activist (LPA) whom you should have protected and celebrated in support of democracy and freedom,” the letter continued.

The group went further to compare the fate of older Kenyatta whom Azikwe saved and how younger Kenyatta decided to hand over Kanu to his enemy.

Historical Underpinning:

A historical journey through memory lane shows that your father President Jomo Kenyatta was found guilty to be hanged by Britain because of his freedom agitation; same as Mazi Nnamdi Kanu whom you betrayed.

Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the premier of Eastern Nigeria, used money from the Eastern regional government, hired local and international lawyers, came to Nairobi Kenya, and pulled out the head of Jomo Kenyatta from the British hangman’s noose. There is a street and market named in honor of your father in Igbo land.

Your father was accused of leading a terrorist organization called Mau-Mau just as Mazi Nnamdi Kanu whom you betrayed. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe delivered your father from death by hanging, and you delivered Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to be killed by a terrorist Nigerian Government. Ironically, your name “Uhuru” means Freedom, but you stand against Freedom by your betrayal of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Do you not know that this Mazi Nnamdi Kanu whom you extradited to the Nigerian hangman is related to Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe who delivered your father from a British hangman?” The letter further said.

While closing, the group ordered the Kenyan President to find to correct his anomalies by making sure the pro-Biafra secessionist leader regain his freedom.American Veterans of Igbo Descent Understanding:

Your government kidnapped a foreign Civil Political Agitator Mazi Nnamdi Kanu (MNK) and handed him over to the Terrorist Nigeria Government who embraces internationally recognized terrorist organization known as Boko Haram.

Your violent abduction and extradition of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu endangered his life for political views he shares with your late father. Your action tantamount to Ad ignorantum because you quickly forgot the help your father received from Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe (brother of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu), and without that help, you may not have been born.

Your government hostile and violent action of MNK’s seizure and abduction within your territory is a slap on the face of all Igbo Ethnic Nationality. MNK’s abduction by your security agents has affirmed the consequence, which violates MNK’s United Nations stipulated Human Rights. How can you justify your dastardly action of kidnap and extraditing MNK to the Nigeria terrorist Fulani Muslim Cabal leadership?

Mazi Nnamdi Kanu did not violate any known Kenya law or international law. You must as a matter of urgency ameliorate this degraded condition within a reasonable time and call for the immediate and unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Thank you in advance for your esteemed response, consideration, and attention to this matter.

God bless you and God bless the Kenyan people.

Politics, World News

Bauchi Ex-Commissioner Canvases For APC Zone Guber To Central.

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A former Commissioner of Finance in Bauchi State and an upcoming Bauchi governorship aspirant for the 2023 election, Dr Nura Manu Soro has called on the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state to break the jinx of the centralization of power by zoning its gubernatorial position to the central zone of the state.

Dr Nura Soro made this known during a stakeholders meeting of Bauchi central senatorial district, held at the APC State Secretariat in the state.

The meeting was attended by prominent personalities from the zone including the Speaker of the Bauchi State House Assembly Abubakar Suleiman, serving and former legislators from National and State assemblies and other Political actors in the senatorial district.

The former commissioner explained that the facts indicate that since the creation of the state in 1976, only the Southern and Northern senatorial zones of the state have produced the six indigenous governors that have governed the state since its inception.

He said that the central zone have so much to contribute in building the state, pointing out that it is time for the people of the zone to be fully represented and engaged in all matters relating to governance.

“We must ensure that justice and fairness come to play in the zoning arrangement of governorship position of the state. This can only be achieved if we embrace the politics of unity and collective patriotism.

“Bauchi state is endowed with enormous raw materials that can meet up with the challenge of unemployment, but this only made possible if the right leadership is in place,” he said

He called on the national leadership of the party to provide a fair playing ground for all aspirants in the upcoming party congress across the country.

Earlier his remarks at the meeting, the Central Zonal Chairman of the Party Engr Zakari Dogo, said that the central zone has been sidelined and marginalized politically by stakeholders across the state, adding that the party decided to bring stakeholders from the zone to deliberate on the issue and how to change the narrative.

Politics, World News

NASS approve funds for Nigeria spy agencies to Intercept Mobile Calls, Chat Messages.

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The National Assembly has approved funds for Nigerian intelligence agencies to monitor and intercept calls and chat messages on mobile devices.

Affected in the budgetary allocation gathered to be in excesses of over N20bn is the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).
The allocation will support the agencies in tackling cybercrime, counter-terrorism, cover deployments and upgrade of infrastructures for cyber intelligence, independent lawful interception of voice, data and tactical mobile geological platform.
A source confirmed that the intelligence services require the facilities to counter activities of cybercriminals, terrorists and other elements that threaten national security through modern technological tools.

“The facilities for monitoring and interceptions have always been there with the intelligence services, with advancement in technology, the budgetary approval will go a long way in monitoring calls and messages on mobile devices, including Facebook, WhatsApp, Thuraya among other social media platforms,” the source said.

Politics, World News

South Africa Crisis Worsens With 72 Persons Killed, Over 1200 Suspects Arrested.

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The crisis over the jail of former South African President, Jacob Zuma, worsened on Tuesday with the police announcing that 72 persons had been killed while 1,234 suspects had been arrested over the incident.

Crowds clashed with police and ransacked or burned shopping malls across South Africa on Tuesday with dozens reported killed as grievances unleashed by the jailing of the former President snowballed into the worst violence in decades.

Protests that followed Zuma’s arrest last week have widened into an outpouring of anger over the inequality that remains 27 years after the end of apartheid.

Security officials said the government was working to bring an end to the violence and looting, which has spread from Zuma’s home province of KwaZulu-Natal to Johannesburg, the country’s biggest city, and its surrounding province of Gauteng.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) said late on Tuesday that as many as 72 people had lost their lives and 1,234 had been arrested over the last few days as protests descended into looting and riots.

The legal proceedings against Zuma, who is charged with multiple cases of corruption, have been seen as a test of post-apartheid South Africa’s ability to enforce the rule of law.

The former president, who has denied wrongdoing, was jailed for contempt after he defied an order to attend an inquiry into high-level graft. The violence has worsened as Zuma challenged the 15-month term in the country’s top court on Monday.

Soldiers have been deployed to help support the police and “restore order”.

Any confrontation with soldiers risks fuelling claims by Zuma and his supporters that they are victims of a politically motivated crackdown by his successor, Cyril Ramaphosa.

Politics, World News

‘I saved his life, where would he be without me?’ – Trump slams US Supreme court Justice, Brett Kavanaugh for not supporting his electoral lawsuits.

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Former US President, Donald Trump has revealed he is “very disappointed” in votes from Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh against his lawsuit questioning the legality of Joe Biden’s 2020 electoral victory over him.

Trump nominated Kavanaugh to the Supreme court bench in July 2018. Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court confirmation process was embroiled in scandal and controversy, after a number of women accused him of sexual assault.

Trump, however, stood by Kavanaugh throughout his hearings. Trump also nominated Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett to the bench during his time in office but says he feels betrayed they didn’t stand by his electoral fraud lawsuit and overturn Biden’s victory.

Speaking to Michael Wolff for the book “Landslide: The Final Days of the Trump Presidency,” which is set to be released on July 27, Trump said;

“I don’t want anything … but I am very disappointed in him, in his rulings,” Trump told author Michael Wolff according to excerpts from Axios.

“I can’t even believe what’s happening. I’m very disappointed in Kavanaugh. I just told you something I haven’t told a lot of people. In retrospect, he just hasn’t had the courage you need to be a great justice. I’m basing this on more than just the election,” Trump continued in his conversation with Wolff.

“There were so many others I could have appointed, and everyone wanted me to,” Trump added.

“Practically every senator called me … and said, ‘Cut him loose, sir, cut him loose. He’s killing us,’ ” Trump reportedly told Wolff.

“I had plenty of time to pick somebody else… I went through that thing and fought like hell for Kavanaugh — and I saved his life, and I saved his career. At great expense to myself … okay? I fought for that guy and kept him,” Trump continued in conversation with Wolff, according to Axios.

“Where would he be without me?” Trump reportedly asked, referring to Kavanaugh, and contending that he “saved his life” because no law firm would have hired him since he was “totally disgraced.”

“I saved his life. He wouldn’t even be in a law firm. Who would have had him? Nobody. Totally disgraced. Only I saved him,” the former president told Wolff.

Trump also told Wolff he feels betrayed by all the justices he nominated to the bench, including Kavanaugh, Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett but Wolff wrote that Trump has “reserved particular bile for Kavanaugh,” Axios noted.

Politics, World News

Group, Northern Youths Commend Senate Rejection Of Onochie As INEC Commissioner.

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The Concerned Nigerians Group and the Northern Youths Council of Nigeria have commended the 9th Senate for rejecting the nomination of Lauretta Onochie as a National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

On Tuesday, the Chairman of the Committee, Kabiru Gaya, said in his report that Onochie did not satisfy the provisions of the Federal Character Principles.

Concerned Nigerians Group, in a statement by its spokesperson, Theophilus Abuh Agada, commended this move by the Senate.

It noted that the nomination of Onochie, a member of the ruling All Progressive Congress and special assistant to the president as INEC commissioner is an aberration and mockery of Nigeria’s democracy.

“We commend the Nigerian Senate for showing extraordinary courage in rejecting the nomination of Onochie as INEC commissioner. INEC is an independent institution, and the candidacy of Onochie negates the principle upon which the body was established.

“Onochie is not just partisan; she has proven over time to be a paid hack of the ruling party. Her demonstrable actions in defending the president and politicians elected on the platform of the ruling All Progressive Congress will affect her sense of judgment in discharging her duties as an INEC commissioner.” the group said.

The group stated that an INEC commissioner ought to be someone with no questionable character but with proven integrity.

It also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the amended electoral bill to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process and ensure transparency and credibility in elections.

“If the President means well for Nigeria and he is concerned about the quality of leaders elected into different offices, he should sign the amended electoral bill rather than appointing an aide of questionable integrity that will help him and his party rig elections.

“In the same vein, we call on the National Assembly not to reverse the gains we have made in our electoral process by banning the electronic transmissions of results.

” The ruling All Progressives Congress succeeded in 2015 in assuming power because of the innovative introduction of a card reader. The National Assembly must continue to support creative ideas by INEC, which will help the commission conduct free, credible and transparent elections.

“Finally, we call on the Inspector General of Police to begin immediate prosecution of Lauretta Onochie for brazenly lying under oath.”

The Northern Youths Council of Nigeria also lauded the Senate’s rejection of the nomination of Onochie, describing it as a victory for democracy and confirmation of the Independence of the National Assembly.

In a statement by its President, Isah Abubakar, the group stated those who badly counseled President Buhari to make such nominations had better “desist from misleading him or risked facing the anger of Northern youths.”

The Council admonished the leaders of the National Assembly and other Legislative wings to continue to put Nigeria’s Democracy first above party and individual sentiments.

It said, “Without democracy, the Senate President would have been handling chalk in the classroom, or Mr. Speaker would have been busy in court without the hope of occupying the sensitive positions democracy afforded them. This also applies to other members of the National Assembly.”

The group further urged them to ensure that they safeguard democracy for the future generation so that their children would benefit from it too.

Politics, World News

Ministry Official Narrates How Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Sadiya Farouq Allegedly Embezzled Money In Government Agencies.

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The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Sadiya Umar Farouq, has turned the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and North-East Development Commission (NEDC) to her Automated Teller Machines, where funds are taken at her conveniences, a source at the ministry told SaharaReporters.

While NEDC was, among other objectives, established to rebuild the infrastructure and institutions destroyed by Boko Haram in the North-East, NEMA was created via Act 12 as amended by Act 50 of 1999, to manage disasters in the country.

However, instead of sticking with their mandate, the management of the two agencies has been embroiled in multi-billion naira corruption scandals under the supervision of Farouq.

Speaking to SaharaReporters, a source at the ministry said, “The Minister has turned both agencies to her ATMs where she collects money at any time. She took over the entire ministry funds; she didn’t allow the NEMA DG, Mustapha Habib Ahmed, and his NEDC counterpart, Mohammed Goni Alkali, to work.

“Both agencies currently have over 500 abandoned projects, Farouq turned them to where she can walk to and pluck money and go away. All funds meant for political compensation by the APC government in North East are mainly from both agencies, especially NEDC.

“You will hear her telling them in the Hausa language that ‘Baba Buhari ya nemi mu ba wannan ɗan siyasan wannan fitina, ya sake ta’ which means ‘Baba Buhari asked us to give this politician this amount, release it.’

“Even the two DGs are corrupt; they have forgotten they are in charge of interventionist agencies. If you can still remember a story done by SaharaReporters recently, about five billion naira that was approved and released as special funds for Ngwom Housing Estate is currently missing in transit between the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the office of the Managing Director of the NEDC.”

The source asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to beam its searchlight on Farouq, NEMA DG, Mustapha Habib Ahmed and NEDC MD, Mohammed Goni Alkali.

This is coming few days after a group, North-East Vanguard, claimed to have unearthed massive corruption involving billions of naira at the NEDC.

Besides allegedly embezzling billions of naira, the group accused Alkali of running the commission with nepotism.

In a document jointly signed by the group’s National Coordinator and National Secretary, Pwasato Aaron, and Goni Umar Muazu, respectively, It urges President Muhammadu Buhari to officially suspend the MD to allow free investigation into the issues raised.

The document seen by SaharaReporters reads in part, “The Managing Director, Mohammed Goni Alkali, takes home a monthly salary, N8.5 million without recourse to the Salaries and Wages Commission.

“This is apart from a whopping N300 million as running cost for his office per annum. How justifiable is that?

“Since its establishment, no single employment has been carried out, as Mohammed Goni Alkali, singlehandedly hand-picked from the ministries, people from his tribe of Kanuri (90% of the about 60 staff members of the commission are Kanuri).

“Purchase by the Managing Director of 100 Hilux pick-up vans for the military and other security personnel at the cost of N28 million each, against the market value of N17 million in 2020, without any recourse to the board, an act which completely negates the country’s procurement laws.

“The Managing Director singlehandedly procured all Covid-19 equipment to the tune of N5 billion without approval from the board and procurement procedures.

“Five billion naira that was approved and released as special funds for Ngwom Housing Estate is missing in transit between the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the office of the Managing Director of the commission.”

Other infractions allegedly committed by Alkali were said to involve the diversion of funds meant for the purchase of houses for staff members.

Other monies alleged to have been squandered involved the construction of corporate headquarters in Maiduguri and mass housing across the six North-East states.

It added, “Funds meant for the production of the master plan of the region are being stolen through bogus contracts using pseudo names.

“The Alkali management has misappropriated funds appropriated two years ago to establish 18 additional computer training centers.

“Funds meant for the construction of offices in the six states of the region have been diverted to other personal uses.

“Funds meant for the construction of offices in the six states of the region have been diverted to other personal uses.

“Funds meant for the construction of ‘Mega Schools’ in the 18 senatorial zones of the region have disappeared.

“Tractors and other agricultural equipment, approved and fully funded, have yet to be purchased two years after, while billions of naira are being spent on fraudulent food procurement at the expense of farmers of the region.

“Billions of naira spent on the defunct PCNI liabilities should be thoroughly investigated as some of the claims cannot be validated.

“The board of the North-East Development Commission Education Endowment Fund-NEDCEF was inaugurated on August 7, 2020, as an educational component of the commission, but for close to one year now, the board has not been able to take off, let alone achieve its core mandate of interventions in the education sub-sector, because of meddlesomeness and needless frustrations by the Managing Director.

“Instead, funds earmarked for interventions by NEDCEF are being diverted for personal use by members of the Board Of Trustees.

“It is no surprise that during the recent presidential visit to Borno state by President Muhammadu Buhari, no single NEDC project was commissioned.”

Politics, World News

Nigerian Soldier Exposes “Atrocities”, Negligence By Brigade Commander In Damasak, Leading To Death Of 26 Soldiers, Seeks Investigation.

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Two soldiers were killed on Monday night by Boko Haram terrorists in Damasak town, Mobbar Local Government of Borno State.

A military source told SaharaReporters that the soldiers’ death was caused by the negligence of the Brigade Commander, SS Tilawan, who deployed soldiers to an enclosed space without the right equipment.

The source told SaharaReporters that terrorists had killed 26 soldiers within six months of the deployment of the Brigadier General to the area, which was formerly a no-go area for terrorists.

According to him, the Brigade Commander has subjected soldiers to untold hardship that led to the resignation of about seven soldiers from the military base.

He called on the international community and Chief of Defence Staff to look into the plights of the soldiers at Damasak military base and investigate the Brigade Commander to know what could likely be the causes of the deaths.

He also urged the Chief of Army Staff, Farouk Yahaya, and Chief of Defence Staff, Lucky Irabor, to investigate SS Tilawan.

He said, “Brigade Commander, Brigadier General SS Tilawan. Boko Haram terrorists have been attacking here since he came to Damasak.

“Yesterday, he dismissed two soldiers, these are people that have spent 21 years in service and he dismissed them for no reason. He deranked some people yesterday.

“We were still sympathizing with them then later at night; Boko Haram killed two soldiers at Damasak town at night.

“Tilawan took soldiers there and caged them with a barbed wire in the name of performing duty. Then at night, Boko Haram terrorists came on foot but our soldiers do not have night vision goggles to see at night; the Boko Haram guys came to steal two vehicles there and killed the soldiers.

“The helicopter that came to evacuate their dead bodies just left here now. This is the same Brigadier General SS Tilawan that more than a battalion died during his regime in Jos.

“This is the same man that 24 soldiers ( plus today’s death making 26 soldiers) have died under his command within six months that he came to Damasak.

“This man has come to disorganize everything, every pattern was changed. These people that died have stayed in this operation for five years plus, going to six years, yet the Nigerian Army has refused to change those of us here for overstay.”

Read the rest of his story below:

“No good welfare, people are still dying for nothing. A soldier will have a problem; the commander will not release him to go and solve that problem, his mother might die, he will not be allowed to go for the burial. Many things are happening at the same time.

“No matter what you want to do, even if you cry, he will not release you. A soldier will have a wedding, the commander will not release the person, even if the soldier cries out blood, nothing will happen. He will not allow the person to go for the wedding till the day he wishes but immediately a soldier dies, the Commander will be the one to call a helicopter to come and take the dead body just as they took the two soldiers that died yesterday night.

“Some other soldiers are even missing up till now. They have not been located. I don’t know what the Chief of Army staff is waiting for before querying this man SS Tilawan whose command is to lose souls. This is what happened in Jos; the same Tilawan took people he was training in a bus. They died, till today, nothing happened, no investigation.

” I don’t blame the chief of army staff; all of them are dancing to the same tune. If not, why should someone like the former Chief of Army staff still be alive, someone that thousands of soldiers died under him? The next thing the Nigerian government will do is compensate him with an ambassadorial position to carry out another terrorist act over there.

“Since they have refused to come and change us after six years here, they will come by force; the COAS will hear what will happen that will make him change us; it seems he wants to damage his regime.

“Does he not know that the routine in defense is that overstay soldiers must be changed, other things must also be looked into. I’m not even calling on COAS but the Defence Chief should come and see what is going on in 5 brigade Damasak; the Brigade Commander has ruined everything; he thinks the Nigerian Army is a company.
” We are very angry. Two soldiers were dismissed yesterday by the same man and that same night; we lost two soldiers again because of the negligence of the same person.

“Seven people have left the Army in our Brigade here since this man came, because of hardship, starvation, and no equipment. The commander is just like a colonial master that wants to kill us; how can someone serve for many years and be dismissed for no reason because they refuse to accept unlawful orders?

” Let there be an investigation to know whether what we are saying is a lie. Nigeria should come to our rescue.”

Politics, World News

Nnamdi Kanu Needs Quick, Medical Attention Because of Enlarged Heart – Lawyer.

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Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the lawyer representing the arrested leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has stated that his client needs “quick, advanced medical attention because he is not feeling too good.”

Ejiofor said the Nigerian government should allow his medical personnel to visit him in the custody of the Department of State Services.

Ejiofor stated these in an exclusive interview with SaharaReporters on Tuesday morning, adding that the legal team had filed court processes in that regard to enforce that his medical doctors are allowed to see him.

The lawyer added that none of Kanu’s family members had seen him since July 18 when he was arrested by the Nigerian authorities.

Ejiofor said, “We have formally applied to the court in that regard (to have doctors visit him). We have filed a court process to allow medical experts to visit him. Whatever treatment they (the DSS) are giving to him is not enough. We want an expert that will examine him because he is still not feeling good. We want an expert that will provide him with advanced medical attention – not the type is given where he is being detained.

“The preliminary investigation conducted on his health shows that his heart has enlarged by 13 percent. So he needs quick and prompt advanced medical attention. So we have formally applied to the court for that. Let us see what happens in the coming days. So then we can pick it up from there.

“Yes, it is correct that his family members have not been able to see him. I am particularly worried. They don’t have access to him. The wife, the brothers, cousins and children have not been allowed to see him. That is why I classified his detention as solitary confinement and also being subjected to regular mental torture. If you have access to your wife and children and brothers and sisters, you will have some element of relief from your immediate family. But in this case, they are not allowed to see him. They have not been allowed to see him. It is only us, his lawyers, who visit on appointment.”

SaharaReporters had on Monday reported that the wife of Nnamdi Kanu, Uchechi Okwu-Kanu, lamented that none of the family members has been able to reach him since he got into the custody of the Department of State Services.

Uchechi had added that Kanu is believed to be beaten and tortured by the security agencies in Kenya and Nigeria, giving all of them a great worry.

The IPOB leader’s wife, who is currently in the North of England, stated this in an interview on Sunday she granted to United Kingdom newspaper, The Sunday Times.

Speaking for the first time since the arrest of Kanu, the wife said, “It’s hard for me to speak. I’m extremely devastated. He has been beaten and tortured and I am scared for his life.”

She said she and the family had had no contact with him since his arrest.

Uchechi added, “I was always worried about Nnamdi. When you’re asking for freedom from dictatorship, you are a target. But when I saw what happened in Belarus and how no one did anything, I knew nowhere was safe.

“We’re just calling for a referendum exactly like Scotland did with the UK and UK did with the EU but the Nigerian government wants to exterminate our whole family. It’s a scandal and a thing of shame that Britain is not acting to secure their citizens.”

Nnamdi Kanu

Three weeks ago, Kanu appeared in court in Abuja, hooded and charged with inciting violence. The Nigerian authorities had claimed that he was extradited to the country to continue his trial.

Politics, World News

Buhari, Osinbajo Live Large On 18 Jumbo Allowances, Here Is What They Currently Earn As Salaries.

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President Muhammadu Buhari’s official monthly salary is about N1,171,568. There are, however, 18 jumbo allowances that are paid to the President monthly with no justification, SaharaReporters has gathered.

The President is entitled to hardship allowance of N146,446 per month and Consistency allowance at N732,230 per month.

SaharaReporters learnt that apart from his salary, the President is entitled to no fewer than 18 allowances which are Personal assistant allowance, constituency, vehicle fuelling/maintenance, domestic staff, entertainment, recess, newspaper/periodicals, utilities, houses maintenance, security, special assistant, furniture, wardrobe, duty tour, accommodation, estacode, and medical allowances.

The salary breakdown was given by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission.

The commission is empowered by section 32(d) of Part1 of the Third Schedule of the Constitution to determine the revenue suitable for political office holders.

Meanwhile, the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, earns N1, 010,524.17 monthly and N12, 126,290 yearly.

He also is entitled to various allowances, including N126,315 monthly as hardship allowance and N631,577 monthly as Consistency allowance.

Other allowances for the top political office holders are accommodation allowance, furniture, duty tour allowance (per night), motor vehicle fueling, and maintenance.

The amounts for each of these allowances are to be provided outside the official revenue mobilization allocation framework.

SaharaReporters gathered that many of the allowances paid to Buhari and Osinbajo are kept away from the knowledge of Nigerians, particularly as relating to medical allowances, as the President has traveled out abroad for medical trips more than any sitting Nigerian president.

Despite the bleeding economy, which is currently grappling with $33billion foreign debts, the federal government has failed to yield to demands to cut the jumbo allowances paid to political office holders, including members of the National Assembly.

In 2015, President Buhari announced that he would only be collecting half of his monthly salary but it’s not certain he is still taking a paycut six years after.

Only on Monday, a rights organization, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to order the RMAFC and the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) to review downward the remuneration and allowances of Buhari, Osinbajo, the 36 governors and members of the National Assembly.

The group had said the duo should do this by performing their statutory functions.

SERAP, in a suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/658/2021 filed last Friday, sought “an order of mandamus to direct and compel the RMAFC to send its downward review of the remuneration and allowances of these high-ranking public office holders and recommendations to the National Assembly for appropriate remedial and legislative action, as provided for by the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended).”

SERAP said slashing jumbo pay for the high-ranking political office-holders would reduce the unfair pay disparity between political officer holders and judicial officers.

SERAP is also seeking “an order of mandamus to direct and compel the RMAFC to perform its mandatory constitutional duty to urgently review upward the remuneration, salaries, and allowances, as well as the conditions of service for Nigerian judges.”

Joined in the suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare and Ms. Adelanke Aremo, are Senate President, Ahmad Lawan; Speaker of House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, for themselves, and on behalf of all members of the Senate and House of Representative; and the National Judicial Council.

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