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Group Opposes Planned Appointment Of EFCC Former Secretary, Olukoyede As Substantive Chairman

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Opposition has risen against alleged planned move by President Bola Tinubu to appoint a former Secretary of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukoyede as substantive chairman of the anti graft agency.

Olukoyede had served as Secretary of the Commission while Ibrahim Magu was Chairman.

A group, the Alliance for Good Governance and Due Process, said that apart from the fact that his appointment will be against the law establishing the commission, he was among those indicted by the Justice Ayo Salami investigative panel.

The group, on Monday in Abuja, in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Mr. Ayelabola Hussain, said the alleged nomination, if it was true, would be a serious violation of the EFCC Act which was specific about the qualities and qualifications of persons that should be the chairman of such an important commission.

Hussain noted that, nothing should be done to turn the EFCC into a lame duck commission just because some powerful forces would prefer an unqualified person to run its affairs.

“We have watched closely and monitored some of the decisions taken by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu since his inauguration on May 29, 2023.

“While we have, in the past, commended the President for some of the policy initiatives, we find it curious that some news organisations published a story that the President was planning to nominate a one-time Secretary of the EFCC, Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede, as the chairman of the anti-graft agency.

“To us, this is a shocking development that must be addressed because we have struggled to understand what qualifies Olukoyede for such an exalted office. To be sincere, we have found none. This is, to say the least, a rude joke.

“Besides, the rumour mill is agog with the story of how Olukoyede contracted a Senior Pastor in one of the leading Pentecostal churches in Nigeria to put in a word for him at The Presidency so that he could be appointed to head the anti-agency.

“Is this right? How can The Presidency justify appointing someone who still has a pending case of corruption and who is still under investigation as head of an anti-corruption agency? In any case, the EFCC Act is clear about who is qualified to be the Chairman of the commission.

“The questions are many. In what way is Olukoyede qualified to be so nominated if true? What happens to the pending cases against him even as Secretary of the EFCC under the leadership of Ibrahim Magu? Was Olukoyede exonerated by the Justice Ayo Salami Investigative Panel of the EFCC? If so, where is the report of that panel?

“By the way, it is public knowledge that Olukoyede’s account is still under investigation and frozen. So why is he in hurry to go back to the EFCC? Is there something we don’t know? Does a man with such a huge baggage deserve to be rewarded with the Chairman of the EFCC?”

Movement Of Cows In FCT: Miyetti Allah Dares Wike, Dismisses Him As  Inconsequential, Says Elites Behind Herdsmen

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Miyetti Allah has reacted to the threat by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike’s threat to ban the movement of cows in the federal capital.

The National Secretary of the body, Saleh Alhassan Kubah, challenged Wike, that his threat is inconsequential adding that Wike must find a way for the cows as most of the cattle belong to the elite.

Miyetti Allah statement reads, “Where is the grazing land in Abuja? Is it inside the buildings they will graze? The thing is, Wike is not consequential. We have seen Ortom come and go.

“So we don’t want to engage Wike, who has to take ‘Ogogoro’ [Alcoholic drink] before he goes to the office every morning.

“You’ve not heard it before? He said it himself. Let him deliver services in the FCT. We are waiting to see the good work he will do. You know he’s working for our party, so I can’t criticize him.

“He’s our minister. So I don’t want to start fighting our minister. It’s not consequential because there’s no grazing area in Abuja.

“All those cattle you see there belong to the elite there, so he’ll find a way for them. Wike doesn’t merit our responses. Let him deal with the massive abandoned buildings.

“Let him collect tax from all those houses nobody is occupying. Let him develop the city. Let him take care of the indigenous people that have been neglected, the Gwari people.

“He’s from Port Harcourt, an Ikwerre man. He knows how they behave in Port Harcourt. If the Gwari people give him 10 per cent of how Ikwerre people behave in Port Harcourt, he will know how to deal with them. Let him develop the rural areas, and the satellite towns and give them amenities. Power is transient.

”No matter how it is, he will leave very soon. We can’t engage him. He can’t get new information from us. He’s an attention seeker. Is there any grazing land around the Villa?

“Or, is it the sight of cows that people don’t want to see? Are cows not the beauty of the Northern geography? You want to eat cows, but you don’t want to see them; is it not contradictory?

If there are no cows in the northern geography, what you will be seeing is a crisis caused by the spirits of the land. The land won’t be stable, because the cows need to move for the spirits to be happy. It is their environment.

“He can’t chase the cows away. Who will chase the cows away in the northern territory? Nobody can chase them. We’re going nowhere.

“Let him revoke the lands in the FCT; why is he giving them more time? I thought he would just revoke them at once.

“In the Abuja development plan, there’s no grazing area in the FCT or AMAC area council. Let him handle the issues of insecurity in Abuja. We’re not and will never be his problem.”

Police Officer Who Killed Lagos Lawyer, Bolanle, Condemned To Death

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Drambi Vandi and Bolanle Raheem

By Adesina Soyooye

An Assistant Superintendent of Police, Drambi Vandi, has been condemned to death by hanging.

ASP Vandi was condemned to death, by hanging, on Monday for the shooting to death of a Lagos-based Lawyer, Mrs Omobolanle Raheem.

Raheem was in the company of her husband, daughter and a couple of other family members on Christmas day, December 25, 2022, when ASP Vande inexplicably shot into their car and killed her at a Police check point on the allegation that the driver did not stop fast enough when the car was flagged down.

At the time of her killing, she was about four months pregnant.

Raheem’s murder sparked outrage nationwide and a strong protest by the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA.

On Monday, Justice Ibironke Harrison of the Lagos High Court, who sits at the Tafawa Balewa Square Annex Division of the Lagos High Court said Vandi’s defence that he was not the one who shot Raheem is a cock and bull story.

Vandi was found guilty on the one count charge based on what the Judge described as an “overwhelming circumstantial evidence”

Vandi, who was his own witness, denied Raheem’s killing, and insisted that the loud noise heard was not a gunshot but a fire cracker.

Kogi: Tinubu Absent At APC Gov Campaign; Not Sure of Imo, Bayelsa

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was conspicuously absent at the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship campaign on Monday in Lokoja, the state capital.

The ruling party had last week said the president would lead the campaign flag off alongside other chieftains of the party, including Umar Ganduje, APC National  Chairman, and Yahaya Bello, the governor of the state.

Kingsley Fanwo, a spokesman for the APC said in a statement that Tinubu would be present during the event.

The statement said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as the National Leader of the party, His Excellency Alhaji Dr Umar Ganduje, the National Chairman of our great party;  Prince Dapo Abiodun, Governor of Ogun State and Chairman, APC National Campaign Council for Kogi Governorship Election, shall be leading other leaders of the party, esteemed members of our party and the general public to the epoch-making event to start our journey to victory on November 11, 2023.

“The ultra-modern Mohammadu Buhari Square, Lokoja, one of the aesthetic beauties of the GYB administration, will play host to the event, starting from 10 am.

“The Kogi State APC Governorship Campaign Council has put modalities in place to ensure a hitch-free Flagoff Rally.

“On Sunday, the 8th of October, 2023, our party will make a big statement ahead of the election as Kogi remains APC and APC is Kogi State.”

The president was however absent today, as the campaign was flagged off by Vice President Kassim Shettima in Lokoja, the state capital.

Speaking, Shettima who represented the president at the event urged the people of the state to vote for the party’s governorship candidate, Usman Ododo, saying this will ensure the continuity of the development the outgoing governor, Bellp, brought to the state within eight years of his administration.

Political pundits however said the president may have chosen not to attend the event due to rigour which could affect his health.

Apart from Kogi, the party is also expected to flag off its campaign for the Imo and Bayelsa states governorship elections in a few days.

It’s not yet clear whether the president, who has scarcely been seen at events since his national broadcast to mark Nigeria’s 63rd independence on October 1,  will attend his political party campaigns in both states.

Welfare Of Judicial Officers In Osun Is Worrisome, NBA Writes Governor Adeleke

By
Ayodele Oni
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Ademola Adeleke

By Ayodele Oni

The Nigeria Bar Association, (NBA) has written to Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, demanding an improved welfare for judicial officers in the State.

The NBA specifically drew the attention of the governor to the plight of Magistrates and Presidents of Customary Courts in Osun State.

It said there is urgent need for the State Government to review the welfare of Judiciary officers for the sake of efficient service delivery.

In a letter to the Governor, the NBA lamented the poor conditions of service of the Judicial personnel, ranging from poor emoluments, infrastructure deficit and serviceable cars among others.

In the letter, signed by the Chairman and the Secretary of the Osogbo Branch of the NBA, Yemi Abiona and Ibrahim Hassan respectively, the Union stated that “Many states in the federation, including some of our neighbouring states like Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo and Ekiti with which we share common heritage have taken giant and commendable stride to guarantee enviable condition of service for their magistrates.

“This is as a result of the delicate nature of their jobs and particularly the need to insulate them from any kind of immoral or corrupt inducement and distraction.”

According to the NBA, most of the buildings housing the courts were old and almost dilapidating structures, leaking when it rained, while the crevices in their walls are safe haven for snakes and other reptiles.

“Some of the officials had not been given official cars since appointment over ten years ago, while those who were allocated official cars got theirs twelve years ago or thereabouts.”

The NBA maintained that its concern for the judiciary as Lawyers was borne out of the pride of place which the judiciary occupies in a democracy and which the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria had entrusted on the institution.

“As legal professionals within the State united under the Nigerian Bar Association with a mission to promote the Rule of Law, we feel obliged morally and ethically to inform Your Excellency about any development that is capable of hindering the smooth and efficient administration of Justice.”

LAHA To Council Chairmen: Policy Of One Project Every Quarter Now Compulsory

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

The Lagos State House Of Assembly has issued a stern warning to Council Chairmen in Lagos State over their poor performance and lackadaisical approach to governance in their respective Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas in the State.

Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa said that the Lawmakers have decided that henceforth, the 57 Council Chairmen will face strict monitoring to make them meet the yearnings and aspirations of their people.

Obasa stressed that reports available to the House have shown that some of the Council Chairmen have not met the expectations of their people, and warned them that it will no longer be business as usual in the councils as the Assembly will now ensure strict compliance to serving the interests of the people.

At a meeting with the Council Chairmen, Vice Chairmen, Councillors and senior staff of the councils in Lagos, the Speaker frowned at the aloofness that these set of public office holders have exhibited at that level of government to the detriment of the expectations of Lagosians.

He noted that the Council officials in Lagos were the only ones with four-year terms in Nigeria, and added that it is disheartening how some of these chairmen personalise monthly allocations while their communities are crying for infrastructure and other forms of developmental initiatives.

“I wonder how you sleep with your eyes closed while your council cannot even build and equip a good maternity centre. You can’t justify the fact that in six months, there is no meaningful project done by you in your community.

“Some councils have no single project for over two years, you treat the vice chairmen and councillors like they must be subservient even when you are going astray. Some of your councillors have not received official vehicles up till now.

“Some of your councils do not have legislative chambers, meaning that the councillors have not been holding sittings. How then do you get approvals for the money you spend?

“We are aware of how some of these councils go ahead to borrow money up to nine-digit figures without approvals or due process and how they lease council property without caution. We won’t allow these to happen again.

“It is now strictly going to be true governance at the grassroots level. If you don’t develop your communities, where would you fall back to when you leave office? How would the people see you?” The Speaker asked while urging the councillors to up their effectiveness.

Obasa maintained that having a well-equipped maternity centre in every ward of the local governments for residents to easily access healthcare is not impossible. He also enjoined the chairmen to embark on creation of parks and gardens in their local government councils and areas for the well-being of the people.

He added that each council chairman must adopt “a policy that every quarter, there must be something to show that you are truly in office. Let there be something to commission.

“If you’re to construct a road, it shouldn’t be one that would last for a month or a year. It should be something that would make people pray for you each time they pass through it. Let’s truly serve our people.”

He warned the chairmen, the council managers and treasurers against constituting themselves into a power bloc that runs the councils without inputs from vice chairmen and councillors, who are supposed to issue approvals for spending and projects.

“We are here today to talk to each other. This is no witch-hunt. But I want you to always ask yourselves if you have been doing well for the people who voted you into office. How well have you been treating your vice chairmen, councillors and staff too?

“Some of you were vice chairmen before and you bitterly complained about your chairmen. Now that you are chairmen, what have you done to change what you complained about? How have you bettered those working with you? How have you changed the lives of your councillors?

“You need to have the fear of God and treat the people around you right. We (my colleagues and I) seriously made efforts, passed through a lot to amend the law for your benefits and to make you stay in office for four years. You need to think about the public and how to touch them.

“The best way to handle your office is to touch lives and do things that would make people speak well of you later in life. We have not asked you for money. All we are saying is that you do things for the progress of our state.

“The governor of our state cannot do it all alone. You are, therefore, supposed to be the nearest to the grassroots and help him with your own efforts.

“We must try to move with the moment. The world is moving and we can’t continue to do things like we live in the past,” he said while advising the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy to always guide the chairmen and other officials to deliver democratic dividends to their people.

In his comment, the chairman of Conference57, Kolade Alabi David, commended the Speaker for his advice and promised that there would be changes in the way the chairmen ran the affairs of their council areas.

LASG Reopens Ile Epo, Ladipo, Oyingbo Markets, Warn That Future Violation Will Attract Stiffer Penalties

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

The Lagos State Government has ordered the reopening of Ile Epo, Ladipo, Oyingbo, Alamutu and Ologede Markets that were recently sealed for filth and gross environmental abuse.

The markets were sealed by the Lagos Waste  Management Authority, LAWMA, weeks back, but after meeting certain criteria of the the LASG, LAWMA announced the reopening of the markets, warning occupants of stiffer penalties on future violation.

Muyiwa Gbadegesin, Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, emphasised the importance of stringent compliance measures in safeguarding public health and shielding residents against future health crises.

He stated that the reopening followed full compliance with requisite conditions, which must be duly met by occupants of these Markets.

He said, “Following extensive renovations and compliance measures including, the implementation of stringent conditions and a written mandatory undertaking for reopening, Ladipo Market, Oyingbo Market, Alamutu Ologede Market, and Ile-Epo Oke Odo Market, have been reopened today for business transactions.”

He stated that the reopened markets had to comply with a set of mandatory conditions listed for them prior to resuming operations.

These conditions include providing a designated waste point; installation of block work fence and platforms for the placement of double dino bins; procurement of double dino bins for waste containerisation; commitment to putting in place sustainable market waste policing to guarantee constant cleanliness of the market environment and enforce proper waste disposal regulations; engagement of bin keepers; collaboration with accredited psp operators for timely evacuation; prompt payment of waste bills, as well as, dislodging Street traders from road medians and setbacks, preventing unauthorised vending.

“A filthy market is a breeding ground for terrible diseases like cholera, typhoid, Lassa fever, ebola, malaria and others. We cannot stand by and watch some markets expose the people of Lagos State to such conditions which are clearly avoidable if they do the right things”, he stressed.

Speaking further, he said, “We want to make it abundantly clear, that any future violations will attract stiffer sanctions, including the permanent closure of the offending market”.

Gbadegesin implored the executive members of markets in the state, to live up to their responsibilities, urging traders to be public-minded by being hygienic in their trading activities, as that would be usually beneficial to them, their customers and added that, local government authorities would be entrusted with the responsibility of monitoring market operations’ adherence to set conditions, urging members of the public to play a pivotal role in this process by promptly reporting any observed lapses in sanitation to LAWMA.

He reminded markets around the state that LAWMA’s zero tolerance policy for reckless waste dumping in markets was still on course, warning that defaulting markets risked a closure and hefty fine.

Foreign: “We’ll Destroy Hamas- Israel Ambassador To Nigeria

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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The State of Israel Ambassador to Nigeria, Micheal Freeman says his government will ensure the ‘total’ destruction of militant Hamas.

The Israeli diplomat stated this on Monday while speaking on Channels Television programme, Sunshine Daily.

Freeman spoke amidst the clash between Hamas and Israeli forces, which has led to many death on both sides since the violence started on Friday.

Over 1100 people have been killed on both sides as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to crush the attacks.

The Palestinian Liberation Organisation,  PLO, blamed the constant attack on Palestinians by Israeli security forces, particularly the desecration of the Al aqsa mosque for the attack by Hamas.

The international community has demanded the cessation of hostilities from both sides, calling on the PLO government and Israeli government to negotiate a peaceful resolution.

On its part, the Nigerian government on Saturday called on both sides to negotiate, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In the statement, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, said the escalation between both countries would result in an unending cycle of pain and suffering for the civilian population.

He urged the two sides to pursue peace in the interest of their people.

The statement said, “The Federal Government of Nigeria, therefore, calls on both sides to exercise restraint, prioritise the safety of civilians and give room for humanitarian considerations. We are therefore calling for a peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue,” the statement read.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria is deeply concerned about the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Hamas in the early hours of Saturday and calls for de-escalation and ceasefire.

“The cycle of violence and retaliation that the current escalation has assumed only serves to perpetuate an unending cycle of pain and suffering for the civilian population that bears the brunt of every conflict.”

Meanwhile, the United States president, Joe Biden has promised to support Israel to be able to “defend” itself, while Iran, Hamas biggest backer has congratulated Hamas for its victory in the war.

The US, the major ally of the state of Israel has also sent an assault group, including an aircraft carrier to the Middle East, even as international diplomatic analysts warn of further escalation.

FG Ramps Up Electricity Generation To 14,000mgws; Power Grid Collapsed Twice Last Month

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Adebayo Adelabu - Minister of Power

The Federal Government has raised the total electricity generation capacity in the country to 14,000 megawatts, according to Dr Joy Ogaji, Executive Secretary, Association of Power Generation Companies, APGC.

Dr Ogaji disclosed this when speaking during the annual International Strategic Conference by the Association of Energy Correspondents of Nigeria held last week.

He spoke barely a few days after the federal government said it’s targeting 350 gigawatts of electricity-generating capacity by 2043.

The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, said this when top management staff of the Nigerian Electricity Management Service Agency visited him at the ministry in Abuja.

Amidst the constant power outages in the country, energy experts insist that what is currently required is 30, 000 megawatts of electricity to power homes, industries, and other uses across the country.

Last month, the national grid collapsed twice raising serious questions among Nigerians on whether the huge investments in the sector have really paid off.

Meanwhile, Dr Ogaji explained that the increase in capacity generation to 14,000 was a result of the addition of a $1.3bn Niger state-based 700MW Zungeru hydroelectric plant which came on stream in the second quarter of the year.

She said, “The national grid now has an installed power generation capacity of about 14, 000 megawatts, and this was made possible due to the Zungeru plant that came on stream this year.”

Minister of Power Bagudu said the power sector is a major priority of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration as  Part of its National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan.

Nov. 11: Fear in Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa; INEC Sues For Peace

By
James Orji
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Kayode Egbetokun - IGP

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, says it’s in talks with political parties in the country to ensure that the governorship elections in Kogi, Bayelsa, and Imo states are hitch-free without violence.

The electoral umpire has fixed the off-season governorship election in the three states for November 11, 2023, amidst concerns among some Nigerians that the elections will be trailed by thuggery and killings.

Ahead of the election in the three states, leaders have sued for peace, appealing to politicians to ensure that INEC conducts the election in a peaceful atmosphere.

For instance, the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, recently warned that politicians will be held responsible for any act of violence during the upcoming election in Bayelsa state.

The warning was contained in a communique signed by IYC President, Dr. Alayi Theophilus, who urged politicians to shun acts that are capable of creating tension in the state, even as the election draws closer.

The communiqué reads, “It is our firm belief that the lives and safety of Ijaw citizens should always supersede political considerations and electoral processes. We shall hold politicians responsible if any Ijaw life is lost during and after the election.

“The IYC shall not fold her arms to see that the existing peace we enjoy in the state is damaged. We advise all politicians to shun hate speeches and focus on telling us their manifestos. Our lives are worth more than any political ambition.”

In Imo state, not a few Nigerians are concerned that the election would be violent considering recent happenings in the Governor Hope Uzodinma-led state.

For instance, on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, the state was awoken by the attack on security operatives comprising soldiers, police, and Civil Defence Corps in the Umualumaku community, Ehime Mbano Council, by gunmen who laid siege in the area.

The Biafran Revolution Army, which claimed responsibility for the attack, later vowed in a viral video to undertake more attacks, and ensure no election is held in Imo State on November 11 or any other part of “Biafra land.”

The situation is not different in Kogi state where political parties are trading words over an alleged plot to disrupt the election.

Last week, the Social Democratic Party, SDP, accused the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. of importing thugs from Jigawa and Nasarawa states to unleash violence in the state ahead of the election.

The APC however denied the allegation.

The Prof. Mahmood Yakubu-led INEC has however called on political parties to ensure that the elections are without violence.

According to a statement by INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, the electoral umpire appealed to participating political parties to shun actions and utterances capable of disrupting the elections, he said INEC is “concerned about the spate of insecurity and violence” in the three states few weeks to the election.

INEC said “The commission is concerned about the spate of insecurity and violence, including clashes among supporters of political parties and candidates in the forthcoming elections.

“In our engagement with political parties, the commission has constantly called on parties to rein in their supporters from actions capable of jeopardising the peaceful conduct of elections in Nigeria.

“INEC earnestly appeals to all political parties and candidates to avoid utterances and acts that may heat up the polity. The commission will continue to closely monitor the situation and sustain its engagement with security agencies and stakeholders to ensure peaceful conduct of elections in the three states.”

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