Governor Hope Uzodinma has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic death of some members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, from Imo State who lost their lives on Monday on their way to Abuja for a National engagement.
Governor Uzodimma who described the ugly incident as sad and unfortunate also commiserated with the families of those who lost their lives.
While he said his heart goes out to the families of the victims, he is also praying,
on behalf of his family, the people and Government of Imo State, for the quick recovery of the injured ones who are recuperating in the hospital.
The Governor further prays that God will grant the deceased’s families and other loved ones the fortitude to bear their losses and more importantly, for the peaceful repose of the souls of the departed.
The three APC members died in a vehicle accident at Agbor, Delta State, when the vehicle they were travelling in had a head-on collusion with another vehicle. They were on their way to witness the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly.
International Musician, David Adeleke, popular as Davido, has revealed that his late Son, Ifeanyi Adeleke, has a brother.
The versatile Hip Hop Singer made this revelation in an interview with YouTuber, Anas Bukhash.
While the interviewer was talking about his daughters, Davido interrupted and said, “I’ve a son too. Like, Ifeanyi has a little brother.”
When quizzed further about the name of the boy, he called him Dawson.
Recall, Davido lost his older son, Ifeanyi, after the latter drowned in a swimming pool in his father’s residence in Banana Island, Lagos, in October 2022.
Mourning the death of his Son, the Osun State born artiste said that he regretted the death of Ifeanyi and is still pained by his sudden demise.
He said, “I miss him every day. There are tears coming out of my eyes every morning. You don’t have to see it.”
Davido added that he once sold his billionaire father’s television sets, and almost sold his Rolls Royce car in Atlanta.
The ‘Unavailable’ crooner who is well-known for his style of giving out money to his fans, mentioned that if his dad gaves him a million dollars then, he could reciprocate by giving everything out before 9pm of the same day.
Being the last of five children, he stressed that he used to follow his older siblings to night clubs at the age of 15.
Electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has cautioned the legal team of the Labour Party, LP, and its Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, for suggesting that the Commission refused to respond to the subpoenas served on them.
The Party, alongside Obi are, in a petition,marked CA/PEC/03/2023, challenging the outcome of the Presidential election wherein Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress was declared the elected president by INEC.
The petitioners had previously stated that the Electoral Commission had denied them access to some sensitive documents which are germane to their pleadings.
While moving the motion for adjournment of the hearing on Wednesday afternoon, Counsel for the petitioners, Livy Uzoukwu, SAN, again complained to the Presidential Election Petition Court that despite the effort made to access documents under the Commission, INEC has “consistently refused…the subpoena to produce documents.”
He further said that he had to draw the attention of the lead Counsel for INEC, A.B Mahmoud,who assured him that the Commission would comply.
Displeased with the statement that implied that his client was uncooperative, Counsel for INEC, Kemi Pinhero, SAN who conducted Wednesday’s proceedings on behalf of the electoral body countered the assertion.
He accused the petitioners of constantly blaming them for withholding documents from them and urged them to desist from the “habit”.
He said, “Don’t use INEC as a whipping boy.”
He said he was unaware of any discussion the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Uzoukwu may have had with their lead counsel, Mahmoud, to warrant the statement.
“It has become a habit for them to look for somebody to whip. I am not privy to any discussion he has had with A.B. Mahmoud.”
“It can’t be true that the receipt or the subpoena were refused.”
“It has become a habit for them to blame INEC or say that INEC has refused to release documents to them.
“It is not correct that the office of the chairman will refuse to respond to the subpoena. The chairman of INEC has no interest whatsoever. It is unfair to INEC.”
“If they have nothing else to do today, they should just say it.”
Uzoukwu, however, maintained his stance and informed the court that his claims can easily be verified.
Following the argument between the two parties, the Presidential Election Petition Court headed by Justice Haruna Tsammani advised them to calm their frayed nerves.
The Court, thereafter, adjourned the matter to June 15 for continuation of the hearing.
It is hard to know what happened to Senator Adamu Bulkachuwa. Or what pushed him. Was it God? Or was it the much abused devil? Was the Senator drunk? Or, has dementia set in? The man is 83 years old, so it’s possible. Some people develop denentia earlier than that age.
It is easy to attribute Senator Bulkachuwa’s monumental scandal to God. You know, that God wanted to expose him and his wife, the otherwise highly respected former President of the Court of Appeal, the beautiful Honourable Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa; that God wanted to confirm, through him, what many people had always thought of the Nigeria Judiciary; Why some judgements foisted on us by some Courts “passeth all understanding.”
Not a few Nigerians, especially, politicians, had expressed shock at some of the judgements and rulings given by our Courts. They attribute such judgements to corruption, and say “they were purchased.” But each time, I always was in sympathy with the Judges. I say: “Eh, Politicians, when they win, they praise the Judges, but when they lose, they accuse the Judges of corruption.” Now, this man has shaken my faith, and I am left confused, and wondering.
The devil itself must have pushed Bulkachuwa. Otherwise how could a man at that level descend to the level he did on the floor of the Senate, on his last day as a serving Senator?
Here’s his story, in case you missed it.
It was at the Senate’s Valedictory Session. Each Senator was given the opportunity to talk. Some made sense. A couple of them were emotional. The then Chief Whip of the Senate, Orji Uzor Kalu, who Nigeria has given all, carried the cake for emotional outburst. Kalu burst into tears while speaking, and accused Nigeria of being unfair to him. True? But this is a story for another day. His tears pale before the Bulkachuwa’s scandal.
Microphone in hand, standing upright, handsome even at old age, Bulkachuwa made an unbelievable confession. He told us he was not a clean man. He told us that as the President of the Court of Appeal, his wife was not clean either, that through her, he influenced judgements. He confessed that both of them corrupted the Judiciary by rigging judgements. He confessed that both of them compromised Court rulings and judgements. He confessed that he was the conduit pipe through which his Colleagues reached his wife, the President of the Court of Appeal, for favorable judgments.
While addressing his colleagues, he thanked, “Particularly my wife, whose freedom and independence I encroached upon when she was in office, and she has been very tolerant and accepted my encroachment and extended help to my colleagues.”
Bulkachuwa could have said more, but a very embarrassed immediate past Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan, shut him up.
I watched and listened to him in shock, my mouth covered with my hands to stop me from screaming. I was in a place where no such uncivilized behavior is allowed. They wouldn’t understand my Country and that stench released by Bulkachuwa.
Very briefly, here’s who Bulkachuwa is: As stated earlier here, he is married to a past President of the second highest Court in the land – Court of Appeal – the otherwise highly respected Honourable Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa. He is father to very educated children, including two sons who ran for the Senate and House of Representatives, (Did they win?), and a daughter, who is a High Court Judge. He is referred to as an elder statesman. And, until a few days ago, a serving “Distinguished” Senator. But within a few moments of self-aggrandizement he threw all that to the dogs.
Now, if it was just his family and his reputation that he threw to the dogs, nobody would have bothered with him. But he did more than that. He Damaged Nigeria.
Senator Bulkachuwa, by his comments, damaged the whole of the Nigeria Judiciary. He, particularly, put a big question mark to all the judgements and rulings given by the Court of Appeal under his wife’s watch. He told us that, at least, a good number of those judgements, particularly, those which concerned politicians, were products of corruption – I don’t want to say they were purchased through him. But Senator Bulkachuwa told Nigerians that between him and his wife and the “other room”, they decided serious cases and corrupted the Court of Appeal. Between them, they destroyed the Political future of some Politicians. And they thought nothing of it! He felt it was something he could just casually mention on the floor of the Senate to boost his ego, and to tell in-coming members: “Here I am, use me. Once a President of the Court of Appeal, always a President.”
He did more.
He stripped Judges of the Court of Appeal, under his wife, of their integrity. He exposed them to public ridicule. He painted them in unflattering colours. He used “coal tar” not only on their robes, but on their faces. How do they feel now, especially, as they are not in a position to talk for themselves, to defend their integrity? Who will they convince? Kai!
The tragedy is: a number of the Judges are innocent. A number of them are of solid character. But who will speak for them?
Senator Adamu Bulkachuwa
Now, not a few people will doubt the credibility of the judgements they got from that Court under the supervision of Bulkachuwa’s wife. They will be well within their rights to head back to Court and ask for a review of their cases.
I am taken aback by three things here.
Firstly, that Senator Adamu and Honourable Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa are still in their home; that none of them has been invited for interrogation; that they are still walking free as if nothing happened.
Where are Nigeria’s Security Agencies. What has happened is not just a confession to corrupting the Judiciary, it touches the Security of the Country. It could trigger an uproar from many directions.
Secondly, there is no official outrage by the Judiciary. Where is the Chief Justice of Nigeria? What about the Bar? Where is the President of the Nigeria Bar Association? Why is there no outrage from the Bar yet? In case they think Bulkachuwa’s confessions will fizzle out, it will not. His confession is worse than an earthquake. It is a tsunami. The Judiciary has been shaken to its very foundation, and its credibility seriously questioned and swept away by Bulkachuwa’s confession.
In one sentence, Bulkachuwa dismissed the Nigeria Judiciary as not credible. And the World heard and read. Is there any wonder most countries have stopped honouring affidavits sworn-to in Nigeria, and any documents notarized in our dear Country? They dismiss them as products of corruption, fake. Now, they have a confirmation from Senator Bulkachuwa that even some of our Court Judgements are products of corruption.
Some Nigerians, including a couple of high profile Lawyers, have called for a probe of the tenure of Honourable Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, rtd., as President of the Court of Appeal. They have called for a review of, at least, all political Judgements given under her leadership of the Court of Appeal. They are correct. In more civilized climes, the process ought to have started. Sure, it will shake a number of things, and destabilize a number of people, but why not? Senator Bulkachuwa has already stripped the Nigeria Judiciary naked. The s**t has already hit the fan. I mean, he that is down needs fear no fall. He has already opened the rot. The stench has spread far and wide. And, it is suffocating.
Finally, to Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa. I would have given an arm to see her face while her husband publicly confessed to their secret. I would have given an arm to know her reaction when her husband came home after his confession. Did she scream at him? Did she break his head? Judge or no Judge, a number of women would have done that. Or even worse. How dared he destroy her long held public image of an incorruptible Judge? But here’s my unsolicited advice to her:
She should gird her loins and be ready for the big battle ahead. She should be ready to defend her integrity. And dignity. And judgements. Her husband has stripped her
naked in the market square. She should fight to cover herself. It is a big fight that touches on the foundation of the Judiciary. And of Nigeria. It is a serious issue. In some countries, husband and wife could have been cooling their feet somewhere, and answering “did you or did you not?”
For now, somebody should bring Senator Bulkachuwa in, and ask him to start talking. This stinks to high heavens!
Acting Governor of Ondo state, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has assured the people of the state that everything is being done in order not to feel the absence of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, as government activities continue as scheduled.
In a statement he personally signed on Wednesday, Aiyedatiwa pointed out that “On behalf of the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON, I note the concerns of our people about governance in Ondo State and all rumours and insinuations making the rounds in the State.
“Let me aver without mincing words that rumours about the disruption of government activities are misplaced and only arose as a result of impatience and lack of proper understanding of the running of the machinery of government.
“In any case, such misrepresentations and apparently baseless allusions are to be expected when political gladiators by their activities in the build up to party primaries and gubernatorial elections in any state try to heat up the polity. Ondo State cannot definitely be an exception.
“It is, therefore, important to assure our people that governance is on course in the State. Mr Governor has laid a solid foundation for One Administration in the State and there is, undoubtedly, no politically debilitating division in the government.
“Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON, my boss, is a revered democrat who has always demonstrated his respect for the Rule of Law and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as Amended).
“It should be recalled that by his usual practice, he has always transmitted power to the Deputy Governor whenever he proceeds on annual vacation.
“This is what he has again re-enacted by transmitting power to proceed on a medical vacation. He is human like all of us.
“Whenever the need arises, everyone finds time to rest and take care of their health when medically challenged.
“As we are also aware that the 10th House of Assembly of the State was recently inaugurated. Though currently on recess, the House being led by the Honourable Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, will function in line with its constitutional mandate upon resumption.
“The State Executive Council and the Parliament will continue to enjoy mutually beneficial relationship in our avowed duties to move the State forward.
“We, therefore, enjoin the good people of Ondo State and all friends of our dear Sunshine States not to relent in their prayers for Mr Governor’s quick recovery, so that he can resume duty after his medical vacation, to continue with his good works for the betterment of Ondo State in particular and Nigeria at large.
“I cannot but enjoin the political class to be guided by good conscience in the pursuit of ambition in order to sustain the atmosphere of peace and unfettered development that we have been witnessing in our dear State in the last six years.
“Service to our people should, consequently, be the ultimate goal of our politicking. The sustained welfare of our people, the success of our administration and the victory of our great party in successive elections should, therefore, be our guiding principles. Our administration shall neither be deterred nor distracted.
“Furthermore, let me assure you that the State Government will continue to uphold and pursue the constitutional primary responsibility of government to secure the lives and property of the people of the State.
“We are fully committed to the mandate we are holding in trust for the good people of Ondo State.
“On behalf of Mr. Governor, l thank our people in Ondo State for your prayers, loyalty and support, while also urging you to continue to keep calm and be law-abiding as the State Government remains focused and committed to the delivery of dividends of good governance to all.”
A joint operation involving men of the 32 Artillery Brigade, of the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps,(NSCDC) and the Amotekun Corps has rescued the 16 passengers abducted in Akoko area of Ondo state last week.
Commander of the Western Nigeria Security Network (NSNW) codenamed Amotekun Corps, Ondo State Command, Adetunji Adeleye described the rescue of the abducted passengers in Akoko axis of the State as another great achievement of the Corps.
Adetunji Adeleye who doubles as Special Adviser to Ondo State Governor on Security Matters, made this known on Wednesday, while parading some 17 suspected criminals at the Command’s Headquarters in Akure.
According to him, more cheering about the abducted victims, was the fact that they were rescued without paying any ransom, adding that their littered properties have been handed over to them and reunited with their families.
“We had a very serious kidnap issue involving about 18 people in Ose and Arimogija axis and we were also able to apprehend some of the culprits who have been identified.
“There was a joint operation involving men of the 32 Artillery Brigade, the Nigeria Police, the NSCDC and the Amotekun Corps.
“This involves an 18-passenger bus and to the glory of God, we were also able, without payment of any ransom, secure the release of 16 victims and most of their properties that were littered, were put together and delivered to them and have since, reunited with their families.
He thanked God for rescuing the victims unhurt and for safely ensuring that they have all united with their family members.
Among the paraded suspects were; armed robbers, kidnappers, cultists, a group that specialize in snatching and dismantling motorcycles among others.
“Today, we have 17 criminals or suspected criminals and we have begun investigation to ascertain criminal offences in which they have committed.
“Findings have shown, that there has been decline in criminal activities, especially those that have to do with neighborhood like housebreaking, stealing among others within the state in the last one month.
“We have an unusual increase of influx of herdsmen into our communities and most of the time, it goes with kidnapping.
“Just yesterday, we got a distress call from a community in Akure, that two of their members were whisked away and within few minutes, we got there, cordoned off the area, rescued them and arrested one of the kidnappers who confessed that other four gun-wielding members have fled to the southern part of the country.
“We also have some suspected armed robbers and cultists and we have a group that specializes in dismantling stolen Okada and sell to another group resident in Osogbo.
“In collaboration with the Amotekun Corps in Osun State, we were able to arrest the kingpin who took us to the receiver in Akure.
“I want to thank members of the public for feeding us with timely information and we assure, that information given before and now will continue to be treated in the strictest confidence.”
He commended members of the public for their support and determination to join security agencies in their quests to rid the society of criminal elements.
“This is why we say Ondo State is not a place where criminals and criminal activities can thrive. To the criminals, exit Ondo State, there is no hiding place for you here.”
After 20 years sojourn in the House of Representatives, the immediate-past Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has resigned his membership of the Green Chamber of the National Assembly.
Gbajabiamila, who was sworn-in as a member of the House for the 6th term on Tuesday, tendered his resignation letter to the new Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, at plenary on Wednesday.
In the letter, the one-time Majority Leader of the House said it was to enable him assume duty as the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu.
President Tinubu had on Friday, June 2, 2023, appointed Gbajabimila as his Chief of Staff at a meeting with Progressive Governors Forum (PGF).
Elected into the House to represent Surulere 1 Federal Constituency of Lagos State since 2003, the lawmaker had variously served as Minority Whip, Minority Leader, Majority Leader and Speaker of the House.
Before tendering his resignation letter, Gbajabiamila had moved the first motion of urgent public importance in the 10th House on the “Need to Commence Active Measures to Mitigate the Probable Devastation of a Severe Flood Season and prepare Palliative Intervention to Prevent the worst Socio-Economic Consequences for Nigerians in the Affected Areas.”
Another election will now be held by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to elect his successor.
The naira is currently trading at N750-N755 per dollar at the investors and exporters, I&E, window.
The development comes barely a month after the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN denied reports that it had devalued the naira.
“The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been drawn to a news report… titled “CBN Devalues Naira To 630/31
“We wish to state categorically that this news report, which in the imagination of the newspaper is exclusive, is replete with outright FALSEHOODS and destabilizing innuendos, reflecting potentially willful ignorance of the said medium as to the workings of the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the exchange rate at the Investors’ & Exporters’ (I&E) window traded this moming (June 1, 2023) at N465/US$1 and has been stable around this rate for a while, Isa Abdulmumin, CBN Acting Director, Corporate Communications said two weeks ago in a statement.
According to TheCable, the Central Bank of Nigeria ,CBN, has directed commercial banks to sell forex freely at market-determined rates.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had during his inuaguration disclosed his government’s readiness to unify the Naira exchange rate.
“Monetary policy needs a thorough housecleaning. The Central Bank must work towards a unified exchange rate. This will direct funds away from arbitrage into meaningful investment in the plant, equipment and jobs that power the real economy.
Interest rates need to be reduced to increase investment and consumer purchasing in ways that sustain the economy at a higher level,” Tinubu said on May 29.
The market rate is said to be a “willing buyer, willing seller” arrangement.
This implies that Nigeria has eased its control of the naira, allowing the local currency to freely float.
A free-floating exchange rate occurs when a government allows the exchange rate to be determined purely by market forces and there is no attempt to ask the central bank to influence the external value of the exchange rate.
Idris Wase, the immediate past Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, said he defied his party by contesting the Speakership because his zone was marginalised in the power sharing arrangement in the National Assembly.
Yusuf Abass was declared Speaker yesterday after he defeated Wase and one other candidate by scoring an overwhelming 353 votes.
The former Deputy Speaker had shunned the appeal of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and that of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to vie for the position, after they threw their weight behind Abass as the Speaker in the 10th NASS.
Abass was sworn in on Tuesday alongside Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker who emerged unopposed.
But speaking after the inuaguration, Wase who represents Plateau state, said he needed to prove a point to the party which marginalised the North Central in the power sharing arrangement after the APC won the election earlier this year.
The former Deputy Speaker in his congratulatory message to the new Speaker, said in a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday, that his decision to contest the position is “a case for what I considered a lack of equity and fairness in the manner in which my party’s zoning was done much more than it was about winning.”
“As a politician who has been engaging in elections since 2007 and has returned to the House for the 5th term, I verily understand that every contest must generate its necessary contentions. However, in the end, we have to come together to confront the bigger matters of stability of the Parliament and enriching Legislative Governance to deepen our collective democracy.
“In this light, I wish to once again congratulate the Rt. Hon. Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, on their victory and urge my supporters and well-wishers, as well as my fellow contestants, to give them all the cooperation required to achieve a stable and united 10th House of Representatives.”
Meanwhile, the new Speaker has assured Nigerians that the House under his leadership will not be a rubber before stamp, in response to suggestions in some quarters that the current leadership in NASS will be an appendage of the Executive, because of the manner the Principal Officers came into their positions.
The Chief of Naval Staff, CNS, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, CFR has approved the appointment of Rear Admiral PE Effah as the new Co-Chair of the Gulf of Guinea Maritime Collaboration Forum Shared Awareness and De-Confliction (GoG-MCF SHADE), replacing Rear Admiral KO Egbuchulam.
The CNS, who conveyed this development to the Management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, stated that it is in continuation of efforts to sustain collaboration and improve the security architecture in the region.
Speaking during the handover ceremony at the headquarters of NIMASA in Lagos, the NIMASA DG, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, OFR, reiterated the importance of collaboration in sustaining the efforts and gains of the fight against piracy and all forms of insecurity in the Nigerian waters and the Gulf of Guinea.
The DG said; “NIMASA and the Nigerian Navy will continue to deepen collaboration with international partners to ensure security of the Nigerian waters and the Gulf of Guinea is guaranteed”.
Earlier in his handover remarks, the outgoing Co-Chair Rear Admiral Egbuchulam expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve alongside other navies in the region, which has led to relative peace in the countries within the SHADE Gulf of Guinea. He described the incoming Co-Chair as competent and well qualified for the job.
On his part, the incoming Co-Chair, Rear Admiral Effah, who is the Director, Maritime Domain Awareness at the Nigeria Navy headquarters pledged to hit the ground running in his new role, while also seeking more co-operation from relevant stakeholders towards the realization of a robust and friendly maritime domain.
Recall that Nigeria and 22 countries of the Yaoundé Code of Conduct (ICC) established the SHADE Gulf of Guinea Collaboration Forum in July 2021. The goal is to implement effective operational counter-piracy cooperation amongst regional and international Navies, as well as the shipping industry and reporting centres of the Yaoundé Code of Conduct, for a Regional Strategy for Maritime Safety and Security in Central and West Africa region.
