Politics, World News

Gov Uzodinma challenges Imo people to expose him if he’s stolen public money.

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Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has called on the people of the state to expose him if he had in any way stolen public money since he assumed office as governor of the state.

The governor while addressing a crowd at Imo stakeholders meeting in Owerri on Saturday, July 24, 2021, said that he was ready to subject himself to public probity to show that he has not spent any public money.

He said, “As I recover Imo properties converted to personal ownership by those who have political power, back to Imo people, the same awaits me when I leave office. This is why I want to reiterate before you that I did not become governor to become richer than the state after my tenure, but to serve you in truth and with fear of God. This being so, I will leave no stone unturned in my efforts to recover all Imo people’s stolen wealth.”

“Among the recovered was the former Eastern Palm University now K. O. Mbadiwe University.

“You will also recall that insecurity was heightened in the state immediately when we opened the White Paper reports on lands.”

In a bid to deter Imo youths from taking to crime, Uzodinma said his administration has spent over N6 billion on youth empowerment.

He added that his administration had constructed over 46 roads with several roundabouts.

The governor also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his support to restore peace in Imo State and all the security agencies for their sacrifices to ensure a secured Imo.

In recent time, insecurity was rife in the south-east state as gunmen attacked security operatives and government properties.

Politics, World News

South-West govs not quiet on Igboho’s case, working behind the scenes -Sanwo-Olu.

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The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said people were working behind the scenes in the case of the arrest and trial of the Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly called Igboho.

The governor disclosed this on Saturday while addressing the press at Polling Unit 019, Ward 08, Ikoyi II, where he cast his vote during the Local Government/Council Areas election.

Fielding questions from journalists on the presumed silence of South West governors on Igboho’s arrest, Sanwo-Olu explained that people were working behind the scenes, noting that the case doesn’t have to be a public conversation.

“These are very difficult times for all of us. I can assure you that people are working behind the scenes. On occasions like this, it’s not by how many press people you call.

“I’m aware that a lot of people have responses that they are doing quietly and privately and it doesn’t have to be a public conversation,” he said.

Igboho was arrested with his German wife, Ropo on Monday, July 19, 2021, by the International Criminal Police Organisation at the Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, while they were reportedly trying to catch a flight to Germany.

Five days after the arrest and planned extradition of Yoruba Nation agitator to Nigeria, the six governours in the South-West region have kept mute over the issue.

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said people were working behind the scenes in the case of the arrest and trial of the Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly called Igboho.

The governor disclosed this on Saturday while addressing the press at Polling Unit 019, Ward 08, Ikoyi II, where he cast his vote during the Local Government/Council Areas election.

Fielding questions from journalists on the presumed silence of South West governors on Igboho’s arrest, Sanwo-Olu explained that people were working behind the scenes, noting that the case doesn’t have to be a public conversation.

“These are very difficult times for all of us. I can assure you that people are working behind the scenes. On occasions like this, it’s not by how many press people you call.

“I’m aware that a lot of people have responses that they are doing quietly and privately and it doesn’t have to be a public conversation,” he said.

Ripples Nigeria had reported that Igboho was arrested with his German wife, Ropo on Monday, July 19, 2021, by the International Criminal Police Organisation at the Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, while they were reportedly trying to catch a flight to Germany.

Five days after the arrest and planned extradition of Yoruba Nation agitator to Nigeria, the six governours in the South-West region have kept mute over the issue.

The governors are Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Gboyega Oyetola (Osun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), and Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos).

World News

Bandits Attack Kaduna School, Cart Away Examination Papers Mistaken For Money.

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Gun-wielding bandits on Friday attacked Government Secondary School, Unguwar Sarki, in Kaduna State and took away packaged question papers which were mistaken for a bag of money.

It was gathered that Senior Secondary School students of the school were about to write their National Examination Council (NECO) paper when the gunmen stormed the premises and ordered the NECO supervisor to surrender the examination papers.

The supervisor’s explanation that it was question papers meant for final year students who were writing NECO fell on deaf ears as the attackers grabbed the packaged papers.

“They snatched the wrapped examination papers and answer sheets and left,” Abdullah Mohammed, one of the students said.

The Principal of the school, Hajiya Bilkisu Aliyu, explained that the gunmen trailed the NECO supervisor from a commercial bank along Alkali Road where she had gone to collect the exam questions and answer sheets.

“Thinking it was money, they demanded she hands over the bulk of the wrapped papers to them and threatened to shoot her.

“They were told it was not money but they would not listen. They snatched the papers and disappeared into thin air,” she said.

Meanwhile, some of the parents were agitated as they called for government’s intervention.

One of them, Sanusi Umar, whose child was among those writing the senior exams, said, “What we heard initially was bandits had come to kidnap our students. So, hundreds of parents stormed the school.

“However, on getting to the school, we were told it was armed robbers that came to take away the wrapped examination papers thinking it was money.

“I want to call on the government and security agencies to beef up security in schools since these criminals are now targeting our schools.”

It was gathered that the school and NECO staff had to mobilise exam papers from other centres to enable the students to write the affected papers under strict security surveillance.

Gunmen had on Monday, July 7, stormed Bethel Baptist School and kidnapped 121 students. The Kaduna State Government in the penultimate week closed down some schools that are prone to security threats.

Kaduna is known as a nerve centre for security threats.

World News

How Lagos Speaker’s Security Personnel, Policemen Tortured, Teargassed Lawyer Inside Assembly Complex

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A lawyer and human rights’ activist, Yakubu Arowoshola Eleto, has narrated how he was beaten, dehumanised and tear-gassed by the policemen and security personnel attached to the Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa.

SaharaReporters learnt that the incident occurred last Thursday.

Lagos Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa
In his personal account sent to SaharaReporters, Eleto explained that he had instituted an action against the Lagos State House of Assembly and the state’s Electoral Commission over the ongoing local government election in the state.

According to him, the ex parte application was refused and the judge had asked him to put the defendants in notice.

He said he further went to the State House of Assembly but was denied entry and thereafter tortured and brutalised by the policemen and hoodlums working for Obasa at the complex.

He said, “The facts below are what happened to me at the Lagos State House of Assembly complex on the 15th day of July 2021 at 11:16am. I instituted an action on the instruction of some of my clients against the unconstitutionality of the forthcoming local council elections in Lagos State and joined the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) and Lagos State House of Assembly (LSHA) as co-defendants.

“Both LASIEC and LSHA were served the copies of the court processes on the 9th and 12th July 2021 respectively. The copies for the house of assembly were received by the office of the clerk on the 12th day of July by 8:30am. The suit in question with no: FHC/L/CS/741/2021 came up for hearing on the 12th day of July 2021 where I and three other lawyers represented the applicants.

“The court later instructed us to put the defendants on notice and further adjourned till Monday, the 19th day of July. I tried getting the ruling from the court but it was not made available to me, even till Thursday, 14th July 2021.

“Upon getting to the assembly gate around 11am on the 16th day of July 2021 to submit the letter and court ruling, I met a Paramilitary officer who told me point blank that they didn’t receive correspondences on Fridays.

“I engaged him further, by informing him that it’s not a correspondence per se but a letter notifying the law-making body in Lagos State that there would be a court sitting on Monday, 19th, July 2021 and the LSHA is a necessary party to the suit. The paramilitary officer quickly called the attention of the head of the securities on duty and he attended to me requesting whether he can be availed a copy of the letter, which I did immediately.

”I informed him that the matter was coming up on Monday, therefore the option of coming back on Monday will defeat the purpose, so I would wait instead. Suddenly, I saw a tall dark young man (later identified as the Chief Security Officer to the Speaker) approaching the gate from the assembly complex.

“I noticed the CSO returned with eight mobile policemen. The CSO said it point-blank that I came to the assembly with a destructive mission and that he had the instructions to deal with me. He, therefore, asked them to seize my phones, forcefully collected my pens, dragged my shirt, pulled me in the company of the mobile policemen and carried me to the assembly gate into a waiting police van with plate no RRS 387 LA.

“They eventually dragged me on the floor, tear-gassed me, poured pepper spray on my face, brutalised me, dehumanised me and forcefully made me enter the car identified above, and whisked me in a commando manner to the Alausa Police Station where I was kept behind the counter till I became unconscious.

“Upon regaining my strength, I requested for my phone to call my other colleagues, the police woman on duty at Alausa Police Station, obliged me my phone, and I called four of my colleagues and asked them to reach out to our seniors in the bar to wit; Mr. Femi Falana and Chief Wahab Shittu.

“Immediately, they heard the names I called they asked me to stand up, I didn’t respond as I had no strength left, they ransacked me once again, gave me dirty slaps, used metals on my joints, used their gun to hit me on my thigh while mentioning that I was proving stubborn.

“I became seriously weak, they carried me once again into their van and took me to an unknown destination. They later drove me around Ikeja and back to the House of Assembly, where I was locked in the car with a plate number RRS 387 LA for several hours.”

The lawyer narrated that the policemen came back later in the night, returned all his belongings and asked him to go.

He said, “I left the assembly and went home with stains and pains all over my body. It was a tough experience and the above facts are within my knowledge.

“I use this medium to thank my colleagues in the bar, Senior Lawyers, family, and friends for showing supports to me during the time I spent with police at the Lagos State House of Assembly and torture I received from the hand of the CSO to the speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly.”

World News

Passengers escape death as plane crashes in Ilorin.

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Many passengers, including some highly-placed Nigerians, narrowly escaped death after an aircraft belonging to Air Peace crashed around 9.30am on Friday morning upon landing in Ilorin from Abuja.

The Nation reports that the plane had tyre burst and a bang which affected the cabin with luggage falling on passengers. It was gathered with the impact of the crash, the plane could not taxi to the tarmac.

The incident has forced authorities of the airport to close the runway of the airport and cancel all flights.

No official statements have been released from the Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria(FAAN) and other aviation regulatory agencies.

World News

Students of the Greatest University of Ife, Meet with Nigeria’s Luxury King – Sujimoto.

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“Nigerian youths don’t need Mathematics to succeed, what they need is Motomatics”, these were the words of Mr. Sijibomi Ogundele, the Managing Director of Nigeria’s foremost luxury real estate firm, while addressing the prestigious students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife on an eye opening tour of Sujimoto projects.

Speaking on the meaning of Motomatics, Mr. Ogundele explained while some may be comfortable with the norm, Motomatics is a concept that means going beyond and above expectations, to deliver excellence. For him, Motomatics is being born in Agege but never allowing Agege to define his destiny. He admonished the students not to be content with the ordinary but to always dig deeper and push for excellence in order to achieve the extraordinary.

The students, who were very excited to see the King of Luxury Real Estate, travelled all the way from their University in the royal land of Ife, where the royal Father, Ooni of Ife hails, to see the luxury connoisseur and have a firsthand view of his renowned jaw-dropping projects. The Sujimoto team, led by Mr. Ogundele himself, gave the students a thorough tour of the company’s projects, starting from their first project in Nigeria, which is dubbed ‘the MediciBySujimoto”, down to their latest mind-blowing project, ‘Lucrezia De Medici.’

The Lucrezia, the edifice on which the tour was focused on, upon completion will be the tallest residential building in Africa’s highbrow neighborhood, Banana Island, and will be rich with the best fittings ranging from a luxury creche to nurse the leaders of tomorrow, to the indulgence of an infinity pool; to the immersive experience of an IMAX cinema, down to the presence of the prestigious Zaha Hadid by Porcelanosa sanitary wares, a Virtual Golf Bar with over 2500 courses among others. The students were awed by the magnificence of the building currently standing 12 floors tall.

World News

FG urges states to sign death warrant in order to decongest custodial facilities.

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The Federal Government says it is seeking the cooperation of State Governments in addressing the challenges of congestion in custodial facilities across the country.

The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, stated this at the commissioning of the Osun State Command office complex of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Osogbo Friday, 23rd July, 2021.

Aregbesola in his address titled ” UNMATCHED INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT” stated that “the entire national custodial facilities have a maximum capacity for 57,278 inmates. But by the last count earlier in the week, there is a total population of 68,747 inmates, made up of 67,422 males and 1,325 females. We have therefore shot above the capacity by 18 per cent.”

He informed that 50,992 inmates, representing 74 per cent of the total population of inmates in the custodial centres are awaiting trial inmates while only 17,755 inmates which is 26 per cent are actual convicts. Bringing to the fore the reality of the limitations in the effective management of the criminal justice administration and therefore urged state governments to work with the federal government in addressing this challenge as an overwhelming majority of inmates in custody are state offenders being tried by their respective State Governments.

Aregbesola who espoused on the various measures undertaken by the government of President Muhammadu Buhari aimed at decongesting custodial facilities urged State Governments to do three things –

  1. Accelerate the wheel of justice as a lot of inmates have been in custody for a period longer than the maximum sentence their alleged offences carry. This fundamentally is a miscarriage of justice.
  2. Share in the burden of decongesting custodial facilities by building modern holding centres, setting aside a sum for the maintenance of inmates, while the service will provide the personnel to man and run the facilities efficiently.
  3. State Governors to summon the will to do the needful on death row convicts and bring closure to their cases; set some others free on compassionate ground, especially those who have grown old on account of the long time in custody, those who are terminally ill and those who have been reformed and demonstrated exceptionally good behaviour; and commute others’ sentences to life or a specific terms in jail, informing that there are presently 3,008 condemned criminals consisting of 2,952 males and 56 females.

Aregbesola commended the Controller General Haliru Nababa, mni, Officers and men of the NCoS for their service in realising the mandate of keeping convicts and awaiting trial suspects in safe and legal custody and reforming convicts to be better citizens.

The Minister thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his generous disposition towards the ministry of interior and the four agencies under it while appreciating the Government and the good people of the State of Osun for freely donating the land and various assistance to the NCOS.

The Governor of Osun state , Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola in his speech called for more concerted efforts at rehabilitating inmates, saying they are also a significant part of the capacity the nation needs to achieve it’s objectives.

The Governor solicited for all to be done within the nation’s capacity to rehabilitate and reintegrate them back into the society for the collective and sustainable development of the nation.

Oyetola who was represented by the Secretary to the Government, Prince Oyebamiji Oluwole, also commended the Federal Government and the NCoS for providing a conducive environment for the staff adding that it will encourage and boast staff moral in effective service delivery, stating the State’s government’s support to the NCoS.

He alluded to the fact that renaming the service will enable it to achieve its vision of rehabilitating citizens who find themselves on the wrong side of the law and to help them contribute their quotas to the building of their fatherland.

According to Governor Oyetola, “I appreciate the Nigerian Correctional Service, Osun Command, for keying into the vision of the Service and for providing Osun with best services.

“As a nation and a people, we need all the talents, skills and competencies we can muster from all our people to move forward. It is therefore commendable that the Service is doing all within its power to put everyone in the service net.

“The New Office Complex we are inaugurating today is another chapter in the resolve of the Nigerian Correctional Service to provide improved services in contemporary Nigeria which seeks a viable place in a competitive world. The New Office Complex speaks to the resolve of the Service to compete in the knowledge- and technology-driven Century.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Controller General of NCoS, Haliru Nababa, mni, who expressed the service’s appreciation to members of National Assembly for their commitments to equipping the service for optimal performance, assured that the NCoS will justify the Federal Government gesture.

Other dignitaries at the event include the Ataoja of Osogbo, the representative of the Ooni of Ife, the Senator representing Osun Central, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Bashiru, the Commissioner of Police in Osun, leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun, market women and people from all walks of life.

Politics, World News

Akume to Benue APC members: I have failed you in the past.

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The Minister of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs, Sen. George Akume has assured that he will not influence the emergence of candidates for various elective positions in Benue chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC for the 2023 general elections.
Akume who spoke on Friday while addressing Benue APC stakeholders ahead of their forthcoming party congresses in the state in Makurdi also apologised to members of the party, saying that he has failed them in the past.

He promised that the forthcoming ward congresses of the party in the State will be free and fair.
“In 2023 you people will decide your candidates and I will only be briefed. I have failed you people in the past and I have apologised.

“Both in the congresses and 2023 elections I have no special candidates. APC is one and together we are bigger than one individual,” he said.
The former governor of Benue and Minority Leader of the Senate further boosted that the APC has not failed Nigerians as the party has advanced the education sector as well as huge investment in infrastructure, among others.

He also said President Muhammadu Buhari has executed or is executing 24 development projects in Benue.
Akume said Buhari has executed a total of 24 projects across the state, adding that this is not about playing politics but stating the “objective reality”.
According to him, some of the projects are already completed while others were at various stages of completion.

He listed the projects to include the N2.08b Zaki Biam Power Sub-station in Ukum LG; Loko-Oweto bridge; Adoka-Naka-Makurdi road; Makurdi-Yadev-Ugbema road; Otukpo-Aliade road, and dualisation of Keffi-Lafia-Makurdi road.

Others are Makurdi and Katsina-ala bridges; 3.35km Idye flood control project; 8.25MW solar hybrid power plant at JS Tarka University Makurdi; and establishment of Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo.
Akume added that the projects also included establishment of Federal Polytechnic Wannue and Federal College of Education Odugbo, award of contract for the rehabilitation of Gboko-Ameladu road, among others.

Earlier in his welcome address, the state Caretaker Chairman, Mr Abba Yaro, assured of free and fair party congresses.
Also, Mr Emmanuel Jime, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council, thanked the stakeholders for their sustained support and steadfastness in spite losing the govenorship election in 2019.

Jime said that the leaders of the party in the state have resolved to conduct credible congresses that would stand a test of time so as to win the 2023 govenorship election in the state.
NAN reports that over 20 govenorship aspirants, senatorial aspirants and major stakeholders attended the meeting.
Major stakeholders who attended the meeting included Chief Barnabas Gemade, Chief Stephen Lawani, Dr Sam Ode, Prof. Terhemba Shija, Chief Akange Audu and Prof. Jonathan Uever.

World News

Court sentences 10 pirates to 12 years in jail for hijacking Chinese ship.

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10 pirates have been handed a twelve year jail senetence each for hijacking a Chinese fishing vessel, FV Hai Lu Feng II, in May 2020.

The convicts said to be residents in Nigeria were identified as Frank Abaka, Jude Ebaragha, Shina Alolo, Joshua Iwiki, David Akinseye, Ahmed Toyin, Shobajo Saheed, Adekole Philip, Matthew Masi, and Bright Agbedeyi.

They pleaded “not guilty” after being arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on the hijacking of the vessel in international waters off the coast of Cote D’Ivoire.

The convicts who were first arraigned by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) on July 13, 2020 were accused of “committing an illegal act of violence against the crew on board FV Hai Lu Feng II belonging to Haina Fishing Company by putting them in fear in order to take control of the vessel while armed with weapons”.

The government which said their action violated Section 3 of the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences Act, 2019, punishable under Section 2 of the same Act, urged the court to use the case to send a strong message to pirates that Nigeria would not condone such criminal activities which had huge implications for the country.

Ruling on the case, Justice Ayokunle Faji said their actions affect the well-being of all Nigerians also ordered each pirate to pay a fine of N1million each.

Faji said;

“I agree with the prosecution counsel, Labaran Magaji that the prosecution has proved the essential ingredients of the offence committed by each of the defendants; the defendants conspired to commit the illegal act.

“All the defendants acted in hijacking the ship to achieve their common goal.

“Consequently I find each of the defendants guilty as charged on all the counts.

“Each defendant is hereby sentenced to 12 years imprisonment.

“In addition, the defendants should pay a fine of N1million each.

“The offence committed by the defendants affects the wellbeing of Nigerians and our image in the diaspora.

“The naira sum, dollars, and various currencies recovered from the defendants by the Nigerian Navy are hereby forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

World News

DSS warns against public display of wealth.

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The Department of State Services (DSS) has warned Nigerians against the public display of wealth.

The Deputy Director, Security Enforcement of the secrete Service in Kwara Command, Paul Oduh, gave the warning while presenting a paper titled “Security tips for health practitioners in Kwara”, at a symposium organized by the state branch of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) in the state today July 23.

Oduh said the show of affluence in public was one of the factors that usually attract the attention of criminal elements. He explained that uncontrolled exhibition of flamboyant lifestyle and deliberate show of affluence has the potency of attracting kidnappers, bandits and other criminals.

“People must adopt moderate lifestyles, so as not to fall prey to these criminal elements. The country is ravaged by insecurity on daily basis. However, people should not despair, security should be concern of all people and they must be enlightened on it” , he said.
Oduh described security tips as protection tips, given to protect and secure lives and property.

“Security can never be 100 per cent everywhere in the world. People should be knowledgeable enough on those things they can do to protect themselves. Security denotes free from danger and protection of lives and property where individuals can pursue their lawful activities.

There is need to accept that threats exist and people are targets of these threats. This is why people should put in place measures to safeguard themselves from such threats” he said.

The DSS director listed types of threats to individuals, families and the country to include assassination, terrorism, insurgency, kidnapping, ritual killing, cultism, robbery and arson. He advised people to secure their homes and properties with physical security measures like burglary proofs, protective security gadgets, security lights and perimeter fencing, among others.

World News

Nigerian Ex-Banker, Wife, Mother-In-Law Jailed 60 Years for Stealing Depositors’ Funds.

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Justice Adekanye Ogunmoye of Ekiti State High Court, Ado Ekiti sentenced the trio on 12 counts of conspiracy and stealing contrary to section 390 (9) of the Criminal Code Laws Cap 16 Laws of Ekiti State, 2012, brought against them by the Ibadan zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC).

A former bank cashier, Ebenezer Adeolu Alonge, his wife, Isakunle Olamide Oyinlola, and his mother-in-law, Isakunle Eunice Moradeke were on Friday convicted and sentenced to 60 years in prison.

Justice Adekanye Ogunmoye of Ekiti State High Court, Ado Ekiti sentenced the trio on 12 counts of conspiracy and stealing contrary to section 390 (9) of the Criminal Code Laws Cap 16 Laws of Ekiti State, 2012, brought against them by the Ibadan zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC).

Justice Ogunmoye, in his judgement, ruled that the prosecution team, led by Abdulrasheed Lanre Suleiman, proved their case beyond reasonable doubt and that the suspects failed to extricate themselves from the evidence before the court.

The EFCC, in the course of the trial, called two witnesses and tendered several exhibits to prove their case.

The convicts were found guilty on all 12 counts and sentenced to five years on each count. The cumulative 60 years prison terms will, however, run concurrently.

The journey to the dock started when the illicit activities of Ebenezer got exposed through a petition to the EFCC from one of the new generation banks alleging that one of her staff members by the name, Ebenezer Adeolu Alonge was involved in fraudulent activities.
It was alleged that sometime in February 2018, the bank received a complaint concerning the financial impropriety of the sum of N62, 400.00 in respect of a customer’s account.

According to the petitioner, on February 15, 2017, a customer put the said sum into her account but the transaction could not be traced in the customer’s account even after the customer presented a copy of the slip signed by Alonge.

In the course of the investigation, the said transaction was allegedly traced to Ebenezer Alonge’s wife’s account.

Further investigation, however, revealed that there was a turnover of over N21, 000,000.00 (Twenty-One Million Naira) as deposits from other customers in his wife’s account. Also, it was alleged that other sums were traced to his mother-in-law’s account, who was also a beneficiary of the fraudulent act.

The court also ordered Alonge to forfeit his house, which shall be sold, and the proceeds used to restitute the bank.

World News

Bandits Kill 3 Persons In Zamfara, Burn Military Armoured Vehicle During 4-Hour Operation.

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Deadly attacks have raged across Zamfara State where bandits have thrived.

Gunmen suspected to be bandits have attacked Dansadau community in the Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara state, killing three persons.

The gunmen also set ablaze an armoured personnel carrier belonging to the Nigerian military.

Residents told SaharaReporters that the bandits stormed the community around 2:30 am on Friday and operated for four hours.

It was learnt that on arrival at the village on motorcycles, the gunmen started shooting indiscriminately, resulting in the death of the victims.

Deadly attacks have raged across Zamfara State where bandits have thrived.
Farming and herding communities in the state have long been terrorised by gangs who raid villages, stealing cattle and kidnapping residents for ransom.

In 2019, the state government entered a peace agreement with the gunmen.

About 15 brand new Hilux vehicles and cash gifts were also given to leaders of different ‘repentant’ gangs of bandits by the governor in 2020.

But despite all these, communities in the state are still being attacked and residents kidnapped and/or killed.

World News

Fire at Beyoncé and Jay Z’s New Orleans mansion investigated as possible arson.

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A fire that broke out at a mansion believed to belong to Beyoncé and Jay Z is being investigated as possible arson.

New Orleans Police Department confirmed that there was a report of a suspicious person in the area on Wednesday, July 21, around 6.20pm, when the fire was believed to have broken out.

The fire in the 1500 block of Harmony Street in New Orleans appeared to have begun in the kitchen.
According to Nola.com firefighters found books inside an oven and a gas can was also discovered on the property.

A neighbour told the website that police believe that someone broke into the home shortly before the fire.
It took 22 firefighters over two hours to extinguish the fire.

A witness told WGNO News that a man was seen running from the property.
August Arther said: “I was walking around the corner with my dog… and I saw a lot of smoke coming out.
“My neighbour around the corner, she saw a dude jump over the fence on the backside of Harmony and Eigth.”

Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were seen at the property on July 22.
“If they didn’t get there when they did, it could have been much worse. It’s a historic home,” a fire department spokesperson told the New York Post.

According to The Mirror the stunning home, worth a reported $2.4 million has been owned by a management company, named Sugarcane Park LLC, since 2015 – Beyonce’s mother Tina Knowles is the manager of the company.

It has six bedrooms, six-and-a-half bathrooms, and spans 15,200 square feet.

World News

Hospital sacks doctors for abandoning duty.

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The Chief Medical Director, Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH), Dr. Shedrack Offiah, has said the management has sacked six doctors for abandoning duty after collecting salary.

He spoke on Thursday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) while listing the steps taken to deter ABSUTH doctors who use government time to work in their private hospitals.

Offiah said he sacked the doctors to discourage absentee workers who do not work but collect salary, adding that such are ghost workers and should be treated as such.

He said that some doctors, who had left the institution, still come to the school to collect salary, noting that he would not allow such to happen again.”It is not just punishment. I have sacked six of them.

You will not hear it because I don’t make noise.
”In June, I paid them three months that they did not work for and I am taking record.”Anybody that refuses to come to work from August will not be paid. We will only pay salaries to people who are coming to work.”If we look at you and find out that you are among the people that just put your name here and you are somewhere, we will sack you,’’ Offiah said.

The Chairman, National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), ABSUTH chapter, Dr. Nnamdi Erondu, said the body was only interested in finding solution to the quagmire ABSUTH had found itself and not fighting the management.

He said the workers, who were owed, deserved to be paid and urged the government to seek ways of ending the institution’s crises.

Erondu said one of the ways to end the strike was to pay the salaries of workers to a reasonable extent and fund the upgrade of the institution’s equipment and service-delivery capacity.

He urged the government and ABSUTH’s management to consult NARD members to show them development models of teaching hospitals in other states, which improved their functionality.

He regretted that Abia government’s inability to provide money for the institution’s accreditation was opening it up for a shutdown by supervisory bodies.

NARD recently said it would shut down ABSUTH because of Abia government’s inability to pay its workers, which kept them on strike almost all-year-round.

Erondu said the institution’s accreditation lapsed over six months ago and that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s promise to give them N80 million for the accreditation processes had not been fulfilled.

He said the unfulfilled promise also contributed to the dire situation of the school, which was suffering myriads of challenges that had been affecting the workers and students.

Erondu said the government did not give any concrete plans on how and when it would begin payment of the 11-month salary arrears, which Ikpeazu admitted he owed.”

The governor promised to look into the Medical Residency Training Programme and finance the programme.

”He further promised to release N80 million for the accreditation of the departments in the medical school, but to date, he has not honoured any of those his promises,’’ he said.

Politics, World News

Buhari has no third term ambition, succession plan -APC

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The All Progressives Congress (APC), has reaffirmed that President Muhammadu Buhari, has no third term ambition or a succession plan as being alleged by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Sen. John Akpanudoedehe, National Secretary, APC Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), said this in a statement issued in Abuja, on Thursday.

Akpanudoedehe, had earlier said that the party would come up with a consensus and agreeable presidential candidate to fly its flag for the 2023 Presidential Election, while reacting to allegation by the PDP that Buhari had a succession plan.

He said it was unfortunate that the APC’s earlier statement, countering the PDP false allegation, was being twisted and given unintended interpretations in some sections of the media.

“Our statement is simple and straight forward. President Buhari has no third term ambition, a position he has personally reiterated.

“In adherence to internal democracy, when the time comes to elect the APC 2023 presidential flag bearer and other party candidates, the process will be in full compliance with the provisions of the 1999 amended Nigerian Constitution, the APC Constitution and the approved party guidelines.

“For clarity, the APC Constitution provides that party candidates in all elections emerge through democratically conducted primary elections or where possible, consensus,” he said.

He added that the misleading interpretations given to the party’s earlier statement was a conspiracy targeting senior APC leaders and their perceived 2023 presidential ambitions.

Akpanudoedehe said this was unnecessary and misplaced, stressing that the APC leadership would not impose any candidate in the lead up to congresses, National Convention and the 2023 General Elections.

World News

‘No patience for failure,’ Oyedepo says he sacked pastors for not winning souls.

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Bishop Oyedepo says the affected pastors were unfruitful for the church.
Bishop David Oyedepo says his church is not motivated by money.
The founder of Winners’ Chapel International, Bishop David Oyedepo, has dismissed claims that the organisation fired dozens of pastors for failing to meet financial targets.

‘No patience for failure,’ Oyedepo says he sacked pastors for not winning souls.
One of the affected pastors had earlier this week said about 40 spiritual leaders like him were dismissed over low revenue in their branches.

The dismissal letter noted that the pastors were dismissed after performance reviews showed their church growth index fell below expectations.

“I was told by the management that the church doesn’t operate at a loss,” Pastor Peter Godwin said in a video that went viral on social media.

In response to backlash that has followed the revelation, Bishop Oyedepo said the pastors were unfruitful for the church.

“We asked you to go because you are unfruitful. Unfruitful! Blatant failure. Doing what there? We have no patience with failure here,” the 66-year-old said while addressing a congregation on Wednesday, July 21, 2021.

Oyedepo said the church is not motivated by money, and has a healthy bank balance to comfortably run its operations.
“We are hunting after souls, not income,” he said.

Politics, World News

Nigerian Top Monarch, Ooni Sets Up Committee Over Ighoho’s Arrest, Rallies South-West Leaders On Truce.

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SaharaReporters had reported how the activist was arrested on Monday night in Cadjèhoun Airport, Cotonou with Beninese passport while trying to flee to Germany.

Amidst rising tension resulting from the arrest of a Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi has announced the setting up a 28-member committee made up of prominent South-West leaders.

According to the committee coordinator, Akin Osuntokun, the committee will look into the issues surrounding the arrest of Igboho and other related matters.

SaharaReporters had reported how the activist was arrested on Monday night in Cadjèhoun Airport, Cotonou with Beninese passport while trying to flee to Germany.

On July 1, the Department of State Services (DSS) raided the residence of Igboho in Ibadan, Oyo state.
He alongside others had planned to hold a ”Yoruba Nation Rally” in Lagos two days after the raid.

The DSS raided the residence, killing two people and arresting 12 aides but Igboho escaped.
The agency alleged that the activist was stockpiling weapons, and subsequently declared him wanted.

“The Ooni of Ife inaugurated an advisory council comprising eminent Yoruba sons and daughters across the political spectrum. It is called the Ooni Caucus.

“The inauguration ceremony had been scheduled over a month ago and it is just an accident that it coincided with reports of Sunday Igboho’s arrest in Cotonou. “Nonetheless the council is actively interested in the new development and would appropriately respond in the nearest future,” TheCable quoted Osuntokun as saying.

Ooni of Ife

He further listed the committee members to include Deputy Chairman Oyo State Traditional Council and Olugbon of Igbon, Oba Olusola Alao; Senator Biodun Olujimi, Mrs Toyin Saraki, Mr Segun Awolowo, Prince Doyin Okupe, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Prince Oye Oyewumi, Mr Muyiwa Ige and General Olu Okunnowo.

Politics, World News

1984 Extradition Treaty between Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Ghana excludes political refugees – Sunday Igboho’s counsel

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Yomi Alliyu, Lead Counsel for arrested Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, aka Sunday Igboho has stated that the Extradition Treaty of 1984 between Togo, Nigeria, Ghana and Republic of Benin excludes political fugitives.

According to him, the treaty states that where the fugitive will not get justice because of discrimination and/or undue delay in prosecution, the host country (in this case Benin) should not release the fugitive.

The Federal Government of Nigeria had placed the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Nigeria Customs Service on alert to stop Igboho from leaving the country after the Nigerian secret police had raided Igboho’s Ibadan residence in the Soka area on July 1, 2021, arrestimg alt=’1984 Extradition Treaty between Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Ghana excludes political refugees – Sunday Igboho’s counsel’ class=’img-responsive text-center’ style=’margin: auto;’ about 12 of his aides and killing two of them in a gun duel.

The FG then reportedly took Igboho into custody in neighbouring Cotonou on the night of Monday, July 19 while reportedly processing his extradition.

Now his lawyer says such Extradition is not legal in Igboho’s case.

“The Extradition Treaty of 1984 between Togo, Nigeria, Ghana and Republic of Benin excluded political fugitives.” He told PUNCH.

It also states that where the fugitive will not get justice because of discrimination and/or undue delay in prosecution the host country should not release the fugitive.

“Now, Article 20 of African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights to which the four countries are signatories made agitation for self-determination a fundamental right to be protected by all countries. This made Chief Sunday Adeyemo a political offender who cannot be deported and/or extradited by the good people of the Republic of Benin for any reason,” Alliyu said.

He also urged the government of Germany, Benin Republic and the international community “to rise up and curb the impunity of the Nigerian Government by refusing any application for extradition of Igboho.”

Entertainment, Lifestyle, World News

Our WCW for today is Ayra Starr.

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Our WCW for today is Ayra Starr.

Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe (born 14 June 2002), known professionally as Ayra Starr, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and model. Her musical style encompasses Afropop, R&B and soul. Born in Cotonou, she began posting cover songs on her Instagram page at age 17.

Her musical career started when she posted her first original work in 2020. The song caught the attention of label executive, Don Jazzy, who signed her to Mavin Records.

In 2021, she released her eponymous debut extended play which became the second most streamed Nigerian female project during the first quarter of the year. The EP reached number one on Apple Music in 5 countries and has accumulated over 15 million streams across Spotify, YouTube & Audiomack.

Ayra Starr

“Away”, the EP’s lead single peaked at number four on Nigeria’s TurnTable Top 50 chart. OkayAfrica included the song in their list of The 9 Best Nigerian Songs of January 2021.

Politics, World News

Yoruba Nation Supporters In London Protest Over Igboho’s Arrest, To Storm German Embassy.

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The Yoruba Nation agitators have said they will, today Wednesday, stage a protest at 10 Downing Street, London, United Kingdom, to demand the release of Yoruba nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, aka Sunday Igboho, who was arrested by security operatives and detained in Benin Republic. This was confirmed by Olayomi Koiki, media aide to Igboho, on his Facebook live on Tuesday.

He called on all patriotic Yoruba indigenes in London to join in the protest as they would also take the protest to the German embassy.
Koiki claimed that since the attack on his principal’s house by operatives of the Department of State Services, some supporters had staged a protest in Central London on a daily basis.

He said, “Let’s give a bit more background. It is happening tomorrow in Central London. There will be a massive protest at 10, Downing Street. It will hold as planned. Please let’s make sure we bring ourselves down there. Igboho’s life was threatened. It was about to be terminated on July 1, 2021.

“Tomorrow also, if you individuals want to do picketing right in front of the German embassies across the world, let’s not wait for anyone. What you should know is that after the attack on Igboho’s house on July 1, some people have been protesting in Central London, they stay there for one, two, three hours. You might think they don’t get noticed but you can’t tell who saw them.

“We shouldn’t be intimidated or be cajoled or hide.”
He had earlier written on his Facebook page, ”I stand with Sunday Igboho (Oosha Baba). Release the innocent detainees now. CSI is not a wanted man. We need international justification as a matter of urgency! Buhari! Leave Chief Sunday Adeyemo Igboho alone. Nigeria is a failed ex Nation. 1999 Constitution of that ex Nation is a fraud. Amalgamation is over.”

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