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Arase Drags Three ICIR Staff Members To Court For Defamation of Character

By
The Source
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Solomon Arase

By Gideon Njoku

The Chairman of the Police Service Commission, PSC, Dr. Solomon Arase, has instituted a legal action against three staff members of the International Investigative Reporting, ICIR.

Arase, a former Inspector General of Police, and a Lawyer, said the three, Mr Nureedeen Akewushola, Victoria Bama and Mr Dayo Aiyetan, deliberately defamed his character in a publication, in order to bring him to contempt, ridicule and odium. And, he is bent on clearing his name.

When the ICIR first published the story which Arase considered very defamatory, he had, through his Solicitors, written a letter, dated 23rd February 2024, to the ICIR Staff members – Akewushola the writer, Bamas, Editor, and Aiyetan Executive Director – and urged them to retract the published story within a time frame as it was absolutely false and defamatory. The letter to the three was also copied the Chairman, Secretary and Members of the Board of Trustees of the Company. He had also threatened to seek a redress in Court if they failed.

It is an action Arase has since taken against them by a writ of Summons dated March 24, 2024, and filed before a Federal Capital Territory High Court since 5th April, 2024.

However, Arase, who had refused to make the case a media event, was surprised when his attention was drawn to reports that at the instance of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, Mr Akewushola has been invited over his alleged published defamatory reports against him (Dr. Arase).

In a statement issued by Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations, PSC, on Friday, May 17th 2024, Arase sought to clarify that the invitation to Akewushola by the Police has nothing to do with the case he had already instituted in Court and that he had nothing to do with such invitation.

Following is the full statement issued by Ani.

“The attention of the Chairman of the Police Service Commission,  Dr. Solomon Arase, CFR, retired Inspector General of Police has been drawn to reports in the media that the Nigeria Police Force has invited one Mr. Nurudeen Akewushola, a staff of the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) over his published defamatory reports against the person of the PSC Chairman.

“The invitation was allegedly at the instance of the Nigeria Police Force  National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC).

“It is instructive to state that Dr. Arase had instructed his solicitors immediately his attention was drawn to the publication to act on his behalf. His solicitors in a letter dated 23rd February 2024 to Mr. Nurudeen Akewushola, Victoria Bamas and Mr. Dayo Aiyetan, the writer, editor and Executive Director respectively, all of ICIR and copies of the letters delivered to them and to the Chairman, Secretary  and Members of the Board of Trustees of the company.

“In the letters, the Solicitors complained of the words written of and concerning Dr.Arase as being without justification and devoid of truth as the words were calculated to bring him to contempt, ridicule and odium. Accordingly, the solicitors demanded inter alia, for immediate retraction of the said defamatory publication within a timeline, failure of which the Solicitors notified the recipients of those letters that Dr. Arase would seek redress in court.

“Dr.Arase has by a writ of summons dated 22nd day of March, 2024 and filed 5th April, 2024 instituted at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, a civil action in Suit No. CV/1937/2024 against Mr. Nurudeen Akewushola, Victoria Bamas, Mr. Dayo Aiyetan and Registered Trustees of International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR). The matter has been assigned to a court of competent jurisdiction for hearing.

“While the Nigeria Police Force, like other security agencies, are entitled to carry out investigation of any matter which in their opinion has criminal elements, it is pertinent to state emphatically that by the pedigree of the former Inspector General of Police as a Legal Practitioner, Doctor of Philosophy in Law,  and currently presiding over the Police Service Commission, he is law-abiding, and has since instituted a civil action to challenge the heinous defamatory words published and concerning him in order to redeem his esteemed reputation by seeking appropriate reliefs.

“Dr. Arase will, therefore, refrain from publicly discussing this matter in the media or in any other way unlawfully entangling it with police powers.”

Tears Flow As  Drowned Nollywood Actor, Junior Pope Is Buried

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Junior Pope Burial

By Akinwale Kasali

The remains of popular Actor, Junior Pope have been interred at his hometown Ukehe, in Nsukka, Igboetiti LGA of Enugu State.

It would be recalled that the actor died alongside four other crew members in a boat mishap in Anam river on April 10th, 2024, during after a movie shoot.

Tears flowed down the cheeks of Families, friends, colleagues and sympathizers, who had come to witness the funeral of the Actor.

Before the interment of his remains, a funeral mass was held in his hometown and was officiated by Rt. Rev. Godfrey Onah, Bishop of Nsukka Catholic Diocese.

It would be recalled that the unfortunate demise of Junior Pope prompted the leadership of the Actors Guild of Nigeria to bar actors under its franchise from shooting movies in riverine areas and participating in boat rides.

In a circular dated April 11, 2024, and posted on social media on Thursday, the guild’s President, Emeka Rollas, also announced that all actors of the AGN franchise have been barred from featuring in any film produced by Adanma Luke until further notice.

The AGN statement read, “Following the tragic incident of a boat mishap that claimed the life of Junior Pope and three other crew members at the waterside of River Niger Cable Point Asaba on April 10, all films that involve riverine areas and boat riding are hereby suspended indefinitely.

“There should be no shoot on all locations nationwide on Thursday, April 11, 2024.

“ “The film titled ‘The Other Side of Life’ is suspended indefinitely.

“Also, no actor is allowed to work with Adamma Luke as a producer till further notice.

“While we keep searching for the bodies of the remaining persons, may their souls rest in peace.”

Oyo State To Recruit 7,000 Teachers, 100 Caregivers

By
Ayodele Oni
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Students - Education

By Ayodele Oni

Oyo State Government is set to recruit 7,000 teachers into public primary schools.

Executive Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board, OYOSUBEB, Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran, announced this during a press briefing in Ibadan on Friday.

The state government also said 100 care givers will be employed into the special needs sub-sector in the State.

According to Adeniran, efforts are ongoing before now to recruit the teachers, in fulfilment of Governor Seyi Makinde’s promise.

“In fulfilment of his electoral promise and the yearnings of the people of Oyo State, occasioned by the gap of Teachers in our public primary schools, Governor Seyi Makinde has approved the recruitment of 7,000 teachers in our public primary schools.

“In addition, he also approved the recruitment of 100 care givers in our special schools.”

The commissioner said the recruitment needs to be brought to the public domain, to avoid misleading information by scammers.

He appealed to intending applicants not to fall victim of fraudulent people, and be wary of scammers.

Adeniran stressed that the Board has not appointed anyone to be an agent to the Board, adding that the Board has just started preliminary work on the recruitment process.

“The stages to follow to have a free, fair, credible exercise will emanate from this Board, signed by me”, Adeniran said.

He advised applicants not to hesitate to come to the Board to make enquiries and not rely on third-party information.

“No Staff member has been empowered to collect money from applicants.

“We thank His Excellency for living up to his words. He fulfilled his promise and may God give him divine wisdom to navigate the affairs of the State.”

He said at the next stage, the Board will announce when applicants can apply, saying the Board is working with other relevant agencies for a seamless exercise.

Adeniran said the Board will comply strictly with the Governor’s directive to conduct an exercise, based on merit.

ECOWAS Parliamentarians Meet In Kano

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

A five-day Second Extraordinary Session of the Sixth Legislature of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) begins on Monday.

The  Session, according to the ECOWAS Parliament, will be held in Kano, the Commercial Centre of the country.

The Deputy President of the Senate Barau  Jibrin, emerged as the First Deputy Speaker of the assembly during the inauguration in April.

The event, according to a statement by the Special Adviser to the Deputy President of the Senate on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, will attract parliamentarians from Nigeria, Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote D’ Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Republic of Togo.

The ECOWAS Parliament, also known as the Community Parliament, is one of the institutions of the ECOWAS.

It is the Assembly of Peoples of the Community, serving as a forum of dialogue, consultation and consensus for representatives of the people of West Africa to promote integration.

The ECOWAS Parliament which was established under Articles 6 and 13 of the ECOWAS revised treaty of 1993, is composed of 115 seats.

IPAC Expresses Doubt Over Osun Electoral Body’s Readiness To Conduct Credible LG Poll

By
Ayodele Oni
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Independent National Electoral Commission

By Ayodele Oni

Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), has accused Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) of preparing ground for electoral malpractices during the forthcoming local government election.

It has therefore passed a vote of no confidence in the OSSIEC, questioning its readiness to conduct a credible local Government election in the state.

IPAC in a statement in Osogbo condemned what it described as a political game orchestrated by OSSIEC, saying action of the commission signaled apparent attempt to manipulate the electoral process.

OSSIEC Chairman, Barrister Ashim Abioye had announced that the local Government election would be held on February 22, 2025.

However, IPAC in a statement jointly signed by its State Chairman, Pastor Victor Akande, Secretary, Mr Oluseye Odesola and IPAC State Publicity Secretary, Dr Gbenga Afeni raised concerns over OSSIEC’s credibility in Local Government elections.

The statement reads: Despite OSSIEC’s recent publication on February 19, 2024, announcing plans to conduct local government elections within set guidelines and schedules, IPAC is compelled to bring public attention to what appears to be a political game orchestrated by OSSIEC.

“IPAC members closely monitored OSSIEC’s actions and noted with concern the commission’s apparent attempt to manipulate the electoral process.

“Despite the promising leadership at OSSIEC, including a dynamic chairman and commissioners, IPAC observed a lack of concrete action on the ground.

“The commission’s publication mentioned a mere 42 working days for party primaries to commence, failing to reference relevant electoral laws or guidelines that should guide their operations.

“IPAC is deeply concerned that OSSIEC’s approach signals a reluctance to conduct transparent and credible elections.

“The lack of communication with political parties since the initial meeting raises further doubts about OSSIEC’s commitment to a fair electoral process.

“The current administration’s shift towards caretaker coordinators instead of holding timely local government elections adds to the uncertainty surrounding upcoming polls.

“IPAC called upon the Osun State House of Assembly to intervene and prompt OSSIEC to adhere to constitutional obligations within a reasonable timeframe.”

MURIC Tackles Minister Over Attempt To Stop Marriage For Niger Orphan Girls

By
Ayodele Oni
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AbdulMalik Sarkin-Daji- Niger State House of Assembly Speaker

By Ayodele Oni

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has justified proposed marriage of 100 orphaned girls by Niger state House of Assembly Speaker, Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji.

The Group has therefore called on the minister for women affairs and social development, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, to withdraw the litigation threat and petition she wrote to the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

The call was contained in a statement released on Friday, by the group’s Kano State chapter Chairman, Malam Hassan Sani Indabawa.

Malam Indabawa said: “We found as weird the harsh and hasty decision taken by the Honorable Minister for women affairs over a matter that is entirely beyond the scope of her ministry.

“The minister’s attempt at media demonization of marrying off of 100 poor and orphaned girls, who were largely traumatized for losing both parents to brutal and bloody banditry and insurgency, exposed her ignorance to the culture and traditions of the Muslim north.

“She has further as well, demonstrated her lack of empathy, compassion and respect for other people’s culture and tradition.”

The minister said she had approached a court of law to stop the speaker of the Niger state house of Assembly from marrying off 100 prospective brides.

She also disclosed that she had petitioned the I-G of Police over Sarkin-Daji’s plan.

MURIC observed, that these were deliberately done to sway public opinion against the marriage institution, and an attempt to vilify Sarkin-Daji, after demonstrating his genuine concern to the needs of members of his constituency.

While justifying the decision, the speaker, explained that the story made by the minister was untrue, malicious and a mere speculation.

“I didn’t force any girl into marriage and I didn’t arrange the marriage of anybody.”

The speaker explained that he announced plans to support orphaned girls, especially victims of banditry attacks following an appeal by religious and traditional leaders from his constituency.

He expressed surprise at the way the minister tried to smear his name and reputation without any background check or even calling him as a leader, to hear his own side of the story.

“The honourable minister should have got across to me directly, rather than making topic out of it.

“However, making a topic out of everything, has become the hallmark of minister Kennedy-Ohanenye, leading oftentimes, to avoidable embarrassment.

MURIC maintained that since her appointment as women affairs minister, she has become famous for some weird statements made in public.

“She was seen on TV recently suggesting that children can be engaged in tooth pick, sanitary pads production, thereby promoting child labour which she is supposed to condemn by virtue of her position.

“We believe, had the minister initiated some engagement with all the relevant stakeholders before rushing to press, she won’t be facing another imminent embarrassment that awaited her if she refuses to recognize the diversity and religious peculiarity of some sections of Nigeria.

“The speaker, Niger state house of assembly, should continue with the good work he has been doing in meeting the demands of his constituency members.

“The marriage preparation of the 100 prospective brides must go on as no law was broken.

“The women affairs minister should also get educated on the constitutional guarantee bestowed on all Nigerians to practice their religious, cultural and traditional customs without let or hindrance.

“The Nigerian constitution and the Human rights Act provide for fundamental rights of persons to enter into marriage for any couples in Nigeria.

“Niger state 100 prospective brides, therefore, should not be an exception. By the way, where was the minister when the governments of some Northern states were Organizing similar mass marriages?”

Rivers Of Crisis: “I have Defeated Wike”, Fubara Assures Ijaw Kinsmen

By
James Orji
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Sim Fubara

Governor Simi Fubara of Rivers state has boasted that his predecessor, Nyesom Wike is no match for him in the current battle for the soul of the state.

The governor said he has defeated the former governor now Federal Capital Territory, FCT, minister, his estranged political godfather on whose back he rode to government house last year.

The magazine reported that Wike admitted earlier in the week that he made a grave mistake for supporting Fubara to become the governor of the oil rich state, promising to rectify his error when the time comes.

But the governor who has escaped impeachment from the House of Assembly members supporting wike, said he has put the FCT minister in his place.

Fubara spoke when the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, paid him a solidarity visit in Port Harcourt, the state capital on Thursday.

The visit was also part of activities to mark post-humous birthday of Isaac Boro, a prominent Ijay son and activist in his lifetime.

The IYC had assured the governor that he has their support in his current battle for survival.

Fubara said: “I am happy that you’ve told me this morning that when I call on you, you will respond. But there is nothing to call on you for because we have already defeated them.

“By the special grace of God, what they thought that they would have done to us while we were celebrating our one year in office, they are the ones sleeping with their two eyes open. It shows that we have the Ijaw blood. And what is that blood: it is the blood of action; less talk, more action.”

The raging battle between the two former allies worsened recently after some lawmakers lawyer to the governor elected a new Speaker for the state house of assembly, amidst suggestion that Fubara was planning to demolish the Assembly quarters where pro-Wike lawmakers currently sit.

Governor Fubara has since signed an Executive Order relocating the Assembly’s sittings to the Governors’ Office, where three lawmakers supporting him now hold deliberations, contrary to argument that he lacks power to do so.

PDP Gale Of Defections: Ex- Deputy Chair Dumps Party After Ihedioha’s

By
James Orji
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Shuaib Oyedokun, a former Deputy National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party has defected from the opposition party.

The PDP chieftain said on Friday that he’s now a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

According to the resignation letter he addressed to the National Chairman of the PDP through his ward, local government and state chairmen, the politician said the PDP has lost the ideals of the founding fathers of the party, which he stated has been “contaminated”.

“As a functional member and leader of PDP (Ward 13, Jagun/ Osi-Bale Ode, Odo-Otin South Local Government, Osun State,) whose high electoral productivity and value have been credibly and positively acknowledged in my ward, across the local council, state and country-wide for the enhancement of the fortune of the PDP, I have the honour (though with pain) in announcing the renunciation of my membership of the party on principle, having observed that the ideals of we, founding members, had been sorely contaminated,” Oyedokun said.

“In taking this step which is not even without due consultation with my teaming loyalists in the PDP, I have decided to shift my allegiance to the All Progressives Congress (APC) where I believe my experience, efforts and leadership roles would be valued and appreciated.

“I decided to dump the PDP after consultation with my loyalists, and would be joining APC, where my experience, efforts, and leadership roles would be valued and appreciated,” he said.

Oyedokun is leaving the PDP few days after Emeka Ihedioha, a former Governor of Imo state, and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives dumped the party.

The former governor has yet to announce his new party after his departure from the PDP,  the party he has been with foe over 25 years.

Also last December, some members of the Rivers state House of Assembly dumped the PDP for the APC due to the power struggle between the governor of the state, Simi Fubara and his predecessor now Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike.

Analysts insist that the development is a bad omen for the party as it prepares for the next general election in 2027.

N20trn Pension Funds: “We Are Following Due Process”, FG Replies Atiku

By
James Orji
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The Federal Government has assured Nigerians of the safety of  their pension funds.

Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinator of the Economy made this known on Thursday in Abuja, the nation’s capital amidst fears that followed his recent suggestion that the government was planning to borrow N20 trillion from the fund to provide key infrastructure.

The announcement was immediately greeted with serious condemnation from Nigerians, including the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar who raised the issue of safety. What then would happen to their savings domiciled with Pension Administrators, Nigerians have demanded.

The Organsied Labour represented by the NLC and TUC has also kicked against the plan.

For instance, Abubakar had contended that the plan was illegal and against the 2014 Pension Act. The federal government, he said, should look elsewhere to raise funds for infrastructure development.

Reacting to the controversy yesterday, Edun said due process would be followed on the issue, noting that the Pension Funds Act has spelt out the modalities for investing the funds.

The minister further stated that the extant laws will be followed in accessing the funds by the federal government, stating that the Federal government has reached a conclusion on the issue, which according to him is still under debate.

He said:  “It has come to my notice that stories are making the round that the Federal Government plans to illegally access the hard-earned savings and pension contributions of workers. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

“The pension industry, like most the financial industries, is highly regulated. There are rules. There are limitations about what pension money can be invested in and what it cannot be invested in.

“The Federal Government has no intention whatsoever to go beyond those limitations and go outside those bounds which are there to safeguard the pensions of workers.’

He explained that the federal government had only sought the advice of major stakeholders in the Pension sector on the issue during the last FEC meeting.

“What was announced to the Federal Executive Council was that there was an ongoing initiative drawing in all the major stakeholders in the long-term saving industry, those that handle funds that are available over a long period to see how, within the regulations and the laws; these funds could be used maximally to drive investment in key growth areas,” the minister said.

The fear among Nigerians stemmed from their past experience where Pension administrators and governments at different levels have mismanaged what is supposed to provide succor for them after retirement.

Alleged Extortion, Dehumanization Of Citizens: “We Will Not Condone Unprofessional Conducts”, Police Warn

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Kenechukwu Onwuemelie

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Amidst growing concern among many Abia residents, and in most States of the Southeast region over the perceived extortionist tendencies, harassment of innocent and vulnerable citizens, and other glaring cases of  unprofessional conducts by some security personnel of most security agencies, the authorities of the Abia State Police Command have warned that they will not hesitate to visit the full weight of the law on any erring operatives.

At a meeting with Area Commanders, Divisional Heads, and other strategic officers of police formations in the State on Thursday May 16 2024, the  Commissioner of Police CP Kenechukwu Onwuemelie  directed them to embark on a serious and regular sensitization of police personnel under their Command  on the need to always perform their duties within the confines of the extant rules and regulations guiding the service.

The CP insisted that reported and proven cases of unprofessional conducts, illegal duties and molestation will not be swept under.

Further emphasising the imperativeness of police personnel, observing a reasonable level of decorum in the line duty, CP Onwuemelie informed that the Video Complaint Response Unit CRU of the Command has been made available to the public, to aid in tracking and capturing observed unprofessional conducts by police personnel.

The interactive session between the CP and police formations heads,also provided a veritable platform for them to xray some of the challenges militating against effective service delivery ,as well as ways of resolving them.

The Source reports that in recent times, the operational ethos of most of the security agencies in not just Abia ,but most states in the Southeast geo-political zone have come under intense public scrutiny, with many questioning the real motives behind the litany of police, Army and Customs checks points in the region .

Besides the outrageously astronomical numbers of the security check points ,the perceived unprofessional conducts of some of the security operatives manning the check points as eloquently signposted by open extortions and dehumanization of innocent citizens, have tended to cast a huge cloud on their integrity .

Instructively, the Abia CP’s warning against extortion, came on same day as the vice was believed to have been at centre of a ghastly road accident at a police check point on the long stretch Enugu/ Port Harcourt highway, in which over 15 persons were feared crushed to death .

Witnesses ,said the fatal road mishap, involving an 18 seater commuter bus ,and a long truck  occurred when the driver of the truck lost control and had to ram into the bus waiting to be clear by police personnel at the check point.

The unfortunate incident came on the heels of the death of an Aba based business man Emmanuel Michael, Okocha on April 19 as a result of gunshot wounds fired by a police officer at a police check point along Aba/Owerri road Aba.

The fatal short was said to have been a fired, due to the alleged refusal of the victim to offer money to the men of the Rapid Response Squad RRS at the check point.

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