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Police Reveals ‘Biggest’ IPOB Bomb Factory

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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A bomb factory allegedly belonging to the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, has been uncovered in Ebonyi state, the state police command has said.

The police said it has also seized several arms following a raid on a bomb factory, describing the discovery as the biggest in the south east region, so far.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by Chris Anyanwu, the state police spokesperson, the bomb factory was uncovered following intelligence reports from those living around the community.

Narrating the incident, the police spokesperson, said the militants engaged the police in a gun duel leading to the death of two IPOB members. Some policemen also sustained injuries during the fight and are now receiving treatment, the police said.

Anyanwu said weapons recovered from the bomb factory include 30 pieces of IEDs, a non-electric initiator/detonator, 63 wraps of superpower, 90mm gelatin, and two solar prime 90mm gelatin.

Other arms are 16 danger 90 gelatin, 20 ideal power 90 gelatin 50mm, 239 pieces of plain non-electric detonators, 14 pieces of primed novels, 99 pieces of one-inch safety fuses, and one complete roll of safety fuse

The statement said, “The invasion of the criminals’ den was necessitated by an earlier encounter between operatives of the Command’s Tactical Teams sequel to credible information gathered that the hoodlums were operating/wreaking havoc in the state with a Toyota Sienna space bus which they robbed at gunpoint from the owner within Ishielu axis.

“A quick trail and joint effort with a team of detectives attached to Ohaukwu Division led to the arrest of Sunday Ubah a.k.a Bongo, the state commander of the IPOB/ESN in Ebonyi state.

“The miscreant who gave revealing pieces of information about the activities and modus operandi of the criminals, initially claimed that he is their PRO and native of Umunnochi in Isuikwuato LGA, Abia state.

“However, a scrupulous investigation aided by his antecedents/profile with the police command proved that he is a native of Obegu, Onicha LGA of Ebonyi state and indeed the factional commander of the outfit in Obegu.

“The police bomb expert in the command described it as a complete bomb factory – the biggest in the south-east and that each of the hand grenades (first of its kind) is capable of causing colossal damage to buildings and mass killing of humans.”

Rivers: Appeal Court Reinstates Cole As APC Candidate

By
James Orji
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Tonye Cole, the APC governorship candidate in Rivers state has been reinstated by the Court of Appeal.

The court judgment delivered on Thursday nullified the ruling of the federal high court which disqualified all the candidates of the party in the state.

Cole, a former executive director of Sahara Group, had won the party’s governorship ticket during the primary in May and had received the approval of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to contest the 2023 governorship election.

But one of the governorship aspirants, George Orlu, and four others later filed a case before a federal high court in the state seeking a nullification of the party’s primaries claiming they were wrongly excluded from the primary.

In a judgment delivered in October, Justice E.A. Obile of the high court, agreed with the plaintiffs that they were wrongly excluded, and went ahead to nullify the exercise.

The judge ruled that those whose names have been submitted as having been elected from the primaries should not be recognised as validly-elected candidates of the APC in the state.

Delivering judgment on Thursday, a three-member panel of the appellate court led by Muhammed Lawal-Shaibu said the respondents did not exhaust the internal party mechanism before instituting the suit.

Shaibu held that the respondents failed to participate in the congress of the APC and therefore lacked the locus standi to go to court.

The panel said the trial judge erred by refusing to join some candidates of APC who were interested parties in the suit.

The panel also said the nomination of delegates and political parties was purely internal party affairs, and that the high court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit in the first place.

The appeals by the APC, Cole, and assembly candidates were found meritorious.

Consequently, the appellate court set aside the judgment against APC and awarded the sum of N500,000 each for the three cases as cost against the appeal respondents, in favour of APC.

Meanwhile, there was jubilation in the camp of Rotimi Amaechi, a former Minister of Transportation following the judgment on Thursday.

Sources close to him told the magazine that yesterday’s ruling is a respite for the former minister who is currently facing the battle of relevance in his party.

Ameachi is Cole’s political leader and sponsor.

CBN Cash Limit: Court Refuses To Stop Implementation

By
James Orji
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Godwin Emefiele

A Federal High Court in Abuja has refused a motion seeking to stop the new cash withdrawal policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

Last month, the Godwin Emefiele-led CBN announced daily and weekly cash withdrawal limits for individuals and organizations.

In the memo sent to commercial banks and other financial institutions, OFI, the bank directed that over-the-counter cash withdrawals by individuals and corporate entities should not exceed N100, 000 and N500,000, respectively, per week.

But in an application brought before the court by 10 named applicants for themselves and on behalf of 20 million Nigerian citizens who do not use banks, the applicant urged the court stop the CBN from implementing the policy.

Joined in the suit are President Muhammadu Buhari, Attorney-General of the Federation; CBN, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele as respondents.

The applicants prayed the court to grant injunctions restraining the respondents from proceeding with the January 31, 2023, deadline of the use of the current N200, N500 and N1,000 notes as it affects the citizens without any real plans or workable guidelines to cover the over 20 million unbanked Nigerians who are vulnerable to information and the use of technologically driven platform without the possibility of financial inclusion.

They also prayed for an order restraining the CBN from implementation of the revised cash withdrawal limiting the maximum cash withdrawal over the counter by individuals and corporate organisations per week to N100, 000 and N500, 000 respectively which was a violation of the  Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2002 and which also constitutes a flagrant violation of the fundamental rights of the applicants as guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution as well as the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act.

The applicants also prayed the court to grant an order for accelerated hearing to the suit and also an order for substituted service on the parties while also praying for the order of court mandating the CBN to produce a detailed plan and guidelines covering the over 20 million unbanked citizens who are vulnerable to the use of telecommunication and technologically driven money platforms.

After listening to the counsel to the applicants, Justice Oriji declined the prayers for injunction. The judge, however, directed that all the respondents be put on notice to come and show cause why the order for injunction should not be granted.

Justice Orji further adjourned the matter to January 10, 2023, after granting orders for accelerated hearing and substituted service.

On Wednesday, the Senate again urged the apex bank to “considerably adjust the withdrawal limits” in response to public outcry on the policy.

Ekiti Assembly Crisis: Impeached Speaker Ditched As Supporters Return To Assembly

By
The Source
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Gboyega Aribisogan

By Ayodele Oni

Impeached Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Gboyega Aribisogan, is now a lone ranger in his struggle to reclaim his position.

This is because the remaining two lawmakers, that stood with him in the suit to challenge his impeachment in Court have recanted.

They have now resolved to return to the Assembly, which earlier clamped a suspension on them for supporting the impeached Speaker.

Aribisogan has insisted that he will pursue the case to its end, despite alleged threat on his life and dessertion by erstwhile supporters.

The State House of Assembly has announced that it lifted the suspension on two  members of the Assembly,  Tajudeen Akingbolu and  Adegoke Olajide.

Both members, following days of discussions with the leadership of House signified their  intention to return to their legislative duties.

The suspension of the two members was lifted during plenary on Thursday, after the leadership of the House considered the notice of discontinuance of  suits filed by the two members in the Ekiti State High Court challenging their suspension from the House.

In a statement from the office of Speaker, of the assembly ,  Olubunmi Adelugba stated that “ the House is indeed pleased to welcome Honourables Akingbolu and Olajide back into the family.

“The issue that led to their suspension is now history. What is important now is for all members to continue to work as a team towards the delivery of good governance for the people of Ekiti State.

“The immediate task now is to rigorously review the 2023 budgetary proposals from MDAs to ensure that the concerns of Ekiti kete are appropriately taken care of.”

With the lifting of the suspension of the two lawmakers, only the impeached Speaker, Aribisogan remains on suspension.

In Anambra, Okowa Stamps His Igbo Ancestry, Addresses Party Faithful In Igbo Language

By
The Source
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By Charles Igbo

To rubbish any shadow of doubt about his Igbo ancestry, Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Ifeanyi  Okowa, established it with two hands.

The Presidential Campaign train of the PDP had gone to Awka Anambra State for its launch. On hand were the Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and National officers of the Party.

Atiku  and his entourage which included Okowa had first paid a courtesy call to the State Governor, Professor Charles Soludo.

Thereafter, they went to the stadium where a crowd of their supporters waited patiently. It was there that Okowa, who is, also, the Governor of Delta State, dared anybody who would deny him of his Igbo ancestry, or say the Igbo have no stake in a possible PDP Presidency.

Earlier, while  trying to give Atiku a sense of belonging, and to tell the people that Atiku has a relationship with the Igbo,  Soludo kept referring to Atiku as “ourin-law.”

Atiku’s estranged wife, Dr Jennifer Iwenjora, is from Onitsha, Anambra State.

Atiku himself had tried to establish his love for the Igbo when he reminded his audience that all his running  mates, for the number of times he contested for the Presidency, were Igbo, and that the Igbo’s surest way to the plum office of the President is through him.

But it was Okowa who stole the show and reminded the Igbo that the PDP ticket is their ticket, that they have a stake in it, that their son is one-half of the ticket.

When he stood up to speak, he saluted the excited crowd in Igbo. He did not stop at that. He addressed the party faithful in Igbo language all through.

Noted one man: “Those who say the Igbo have no stake in the Presidency should shut-up. We have Obi (Peter) in the Labour Party, and we have another son, as one-half of the PDP ticket.”

Okowa, who is the Governor of Delta State, is from Owa, an Igbo speaking area of the State.

Play According To Rules, DSS Urges Politicians; Says Service Does Not Carry Out Illegal Arrests

By
The Source
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Peter Afunaya - DSS Spokesperson

The Department of State Services, DSS, has urged Politicians to ply their trade according to rules.

The Service, in a statement signed by its Spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, PhD, on Thursday, December 15, 2022, asked Politicians to shun hate speech and violent acts.

Said the statement which, also, urged every segment of the society to keep the peace as Christmas and New Year approach: “Political actors while carrying out their campaigns are expected to play the game according to the rules of engagement. They should  shun fake news, hate speech, violence and acts inimical to national security.”

The DSS also emphasised that “it does not carry out Illegal arrests or undertake enforced disappearances of innocent persons. It also does not operate illegal detention centres.”

Following is the full statement from the Service:

“As the Yuletide season approaches, the Department of State Services (DSS) uses this opportunity to call on citizens and residents alike to be of good conduct for public peace and order.

The Service pledges to collaborate with all stakeholders to maintain law and order across the country. To this end, community, religious and political bodies/leaders are requested to preach peaceful coexistence, tolerance and unity as well as enlighten their members on safety measures during and after the season.

This becomes necessary as criminal elements may want to capitalise on the festivities to wreak havoc or harm unsuspecting members of the public.

Similarly, political actors, while carrying out their campaigns, are expected to play the game according to the rules of engagement. They should shun fake news, hate speech, violence and acts inimical to national security. In the same vein, players in the socio-economic sector are enjoined to avoid manipulative tendencies that could result in undue price hikes, artificial scarcity of products/goods and situations that may lead to heightened tensions.

On the side of the media and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the Service urges them to be objective and patriotic in the discharge of their roles. They should understand that the practice of their trade(s) could be more result-oriented in an atmosphere of peace. As critical stakeholders in nation building and national security management, they need to consider Nigeria first before any other interest(s).

To sustain national stability, the Service will continue to carryout its duties and responsibilities in line with global best practices as they affect human rights and rule of law.  This is despite calculated efforts by some interest groups to create impression that persons arrested by the Service are either not taken care of or denied access to their families and/or legal representatives. It is instructive to note that the Service has a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on suspect handling. It considers this and general care of suspects sacrosanct and a priority. This can undoubtedly be attested by those that had passed through its holding facilities.

For every suspect under its detention, the Service allows a family and/or legal representative, who fulfilled all the processes and clearance procedures, access to such a suspect. The public may note that the Service does not carry out illegal arrests or undertake enforced disappearances of innocent persons. It also does not operate illegal detention camps. Its operations and activities are rule-based and governed by transparent and accountable legal processes. The DSS, therefore, enjoins those opposed to its lawful position on issues to approach the court for redress.

For emphasis, everyone is encouraged to live in peace and good neighbourliness but should, however, be conscious of his/her environment. People should desist from false and deliberate narratives and actions that may incite the populace against itself or the government. While the Service reiterates its partnership with sister agencies to ensure adequate security before, during and after the yuletide and election seasons, residents are advised to report any information of relevance to the appropriate security and law enforcement agencies.

Once again, the DGSS, Alhaji Y.M Bichi, CFR, fwc, Management and Staff of the DSS wish all and sundry, fruitful and peaceful celebrations. Happy New Year in advance!

LAHA Says Lagos Red Line 85 Percent Completed; Convey 3.5 Million Passengers Weekly

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Lagos Red Line Train

By Akinwale Kasali

The Lagos State House Of Assembly, LAHA, has disclosed that the ongoing Lagos Red Line is 85 per cent completed. Upon completion, the House disclosed, 3.5 Million passengers will be transported weekly.

LAHA Chairman, Committee on Transportation, Hon. Temitope Adewale, said that the Red Line of the State’s rail mass transit will move 500,000 passengers daily, which brings up the said number of passengers on a weekly basis, summing to 15 million passengers a month.

Hon. Adewale made this known on Thursday when he led the Committee on an on-the-spot visit to the train stations between Ifako-Ijaiye and Yaba.

Adewale, who confirmed that the project was  85% of completed, said it showed that the State Government understands the need to boost the transportation sector to ease daily movement of residents.

“Remember that the Rt. Hon. Speaker, Dr. Mudashiru Obasa, during the presentation of the 2023 budget, commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the purchase of trains and his zeal to complete the project.

“So today, by the powers conferred on us by the Constitution and under the headship of Mr. Speaker, we decided to conduct an oversight on the Ministry of Transportation and to be precise, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA).

“We have visited the railway and five stations in Iju, Agege, Ikeja, the Yaba and now Oyingbo where the rolling stocks or trains are parked contrary to what we’ve been hearing that the trains are not here.

“From what we have seen so far, the project is approaching completion and having spoken with the contractors, we are sure the Governor will do the commissioning as projected believing that the possibility is true and positive,” Hon. Adewale said.

He said the train service became necessary because the Lagos master plan indicates the need to inculcate it and increase passengers using mass transit.

“The red line will help move 500,000 Lagosians on a daily basis and reduce heavy traffic where more cars and personal vehicles would be left at home.

“This administration has achieved a milestone and the our Speaker has been able to give support to the executive to ensure that funds are put into good use,” he added.

On his part, Hon. Bisi Yusuff, a lawmaker, described the project as the result of good leadership and continuity in government.

According to Hon. Yusuff, the project was actually started by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and built upon by subsequent administrations.

Noting that the trains would help the State’s economic growth and smart city dream, the lawmaker pleaded for proper maintenance mechanisms.

He urged Lagosians to vote massively for the APC so they would continue to enjoy dividends of democracy.

Engineer Olasunkanmi Okusaga of the Directorate of Transport, promised that the project would be delivered at the target time.

Sammie Okposo Buried In Lagos Amidst Tears

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Sammie Okposo Burial

By Akinwale Kasali

Tears flowed freely as the remains of late Gospel Musician, Sammie Okposo, were interred at a private cemetery in Ikoyi, Lagos State.

Families, friends, colleagues and sympathizers couldn’t hold back tears as it cascaded their cheeks.

Most of them are yet to come to terms with the death of the 51-Year Old Musician who died on November 25th, 2022.

Okposo, according to family sources and his Manager, died in his sleep.

When the news of his death went viral, many had thought it was rumour, not until the confirmation of his death by close colleagues, associates and families.

Ministering at the interment of the deceased were Dr. Flourish Peters, the Lead Pastor at The L.O.G.I.C (Love Of God In Christ) Church and Pastor Paul Adefarasin of House on the Rock

Friends, family members and relatives dressed in white attire to witness the burial.

Before the interment, there were series of programmes to bid him farewel.

At the Night of Tribute, families and friends were held spell bound by the kind words about him  from people that had come to commiserate with the family and also pay their last respect.

The Delta State born Gospel Singer will be sorely missed by families, friends, colleagues and well wishers

EFCC Has, So Far, Recovered N30b from Suspended AGF, Idris – Bawa

By
The Source
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Accountant General Ahmed Idris

By Ayodele Oni

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Abdulrosheed Bawa, on Thursday, December, 15, 2021,  revealed in Abuja that the Commission has, so far, recovered over N30 billion from the suspended Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Ahmed Idris.

Idris was suspended by President Muhammadu Buhari after the EFCC arrested at the Kano Airport as he waited to  board a flight to Abuja over alleged corruption and embezzlement of funds which run into over N100bn.

The EFCC is currently prosecuting the disgraced AGF over the alleged N109 billion fraud.

The Commission alleged that between February and December 2021, Idris accepted from Olusegun Akindele, a gratification of N15.1 billion, in a bid to accelerating the payment of 13 per cent derivation to the nine oil-producing states in the country, through the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

The anti-graft agency, also, alleged that N84.3 billion from the Federal Government’s account was converted by the suspended AGF and Akindele between February and November 2021.

The EFCC said the offence contravenes sections 155 and 315 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990.

The EFCC Chairman spoke at a media briefing as part of the highlights of the activities of the anti-graft agency for the year 2022 where he  further

disclosed that the Commission made efforts to recover some of the stolen funds.

Speaking on the achievements of the EFCC from January to December 2022, Bawa gave other recoveries to include N134,33,759,574.25, $121,769,076.30, £21,020.00, €156,925.00, and ¥21,350.00, CFA300,000.00, among others.

Again, Governor Soludo Counts Peter Obi Out Of Presidential Race; Ignores APGA Candidate

By
The Source
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0
Peter Obi and Charles Soludo

By Charles Igbo

Professor Charles Soludo of Anambra State, has, for the second time in two months, counted the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi out of the Presidential race.

The Governor does not recognize Obi as a candidate with any weight, not to talk of a front runner.

Soludo’s opinion, however, runs contrary to the general opinion on the standing of the Candidates in the race.

Obi is, generally, regarded as one of the three front runners in a race not a few people think will be the most contested for in Nigeria. He has, also, led in at least three credible opinion polls.

Soludo did not need to mention Obi by name. It was obvious. He more than hinted when he spoke at the Government House Awka on Thursday, as he received the Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, in audience.

Atiku was in Anambra State to flag off his Presidential Campaign.

Said Soludo to Atiku: “You are one of the two front runners for the Presidency.” He then added, for effect, that he is in politics, but is still struggling  whether to become a politician or not because he “says it as he sees it.”

The two front runners he was referring to were, obviously, Atiku and the Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

By making that statement, Soludo also threw the Presidential ambition of his own Party, All  Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Honourable Justice Peter Umeadi (rtd) to the dustbin.

No wonder Umeadi has remained largely anonymous in his ambition,, and APGA has not deemed it necessary to flag off its Presidential Campaign.

Soludo’s statement on Thursday tallies with his opinion in the long essay he wrote a couple of weeks ago where he dismissed Obi’s ambition as no use. He said Obi is likely not going to take even the third position, in February 2023 at the conclusion of the Presidential election. He posited that only two Political Parties, APC and PDP, are in the Presidential race.

Soludo accused Obi of deceiving  the Igbo, and asked Igbo leaders to go and negotiate with the two Candidates he regards as the front runners.

Soludo had come under strong attacks over the contents of his long essay and the way he dismissed Obi with a wave of the hand, but it did not stop him from  repeating the points he made earlier.

Obi, was the Governor of Anambra State for two terms. He, it was, who handed over to the immediate past Governor, Willie Obiano, whose successor Soludo is.

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