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Breaking: Problem As Nigeria’s Crude Production Falls To 900,000 bpd

By
James Orji
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Nigeria’s crude oil production hit a record low of less than one million barrel per day in the month of August, according to TheCable.

This comes on the back of a contract signed by the federal government with repentant militant, Government Ekpumopolo aka Tompolo, to stop crude oil theft in the country. The contract is worth N4 billion monthly, those privy to the deal said.

Over 400,000 barrels of crude oil are believed to be stolen daily from the country, a situation experts say has drastically reduced the country’s OPEC production quota drastically.

The situation has also led to huge loss of revenue to the federal government, according to those watching the oil theft trajectory in the country.

The online newspaper report that oil output averaged 972,394 barrels per day (bpd) for the month, hitting an all-time low.

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC disclosed this in its latest crude oil and condensate production data for August 2022.

According to the report, the drop is more than 10 percent compared to July 2022 production at 1.08 million barrels a day and lower than the 1.8 million bpd production quota set by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC.

With condensate, production averaged 1.18 million barrels a per day for the month.

Nigeria had been struggling to meet over 1.8 million barrels per day production quota of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) occasioned by oil theft and pipeline vandalism.

It also affected the country’s earnings, resulting in a significant drop in monthly allocation to the federation account.

On Wednesday, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN said its members would withdraw services if there is no traceable progress in tackling oil theft.

Oil producers in Nigeria had also asked the federal government to tackle the menace of illegal oil bunkers, especially in the Niger Delta.

They said oil thieves are raking in ‘petrodollars’ while the country is bedevilled by low production.

Breaking: Wabara Becomes PDP BOT Chair As Jibrin Resigns.

By
James Orji
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A former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara is now the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The development comes on the heels of the resignation of Walid Jibrin on Thursday.

Jibrin had earlier disclosed his readiness to resign from the position on Wednesday.

His reason is that all the key positions in the party are currently occupied by Northerners. He said his resignation will bring peace to the embattled party.

Close watchers of the party are however skeptical about whether this will be enough to assuage the feelings of those calling on the National Chairman of the party, Iyorcha Ayu to step down from his position.

More details later…….

DSS Raids Mamu’s Residence, Office

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Tukur Mamu - Bandits Negotiator

By Adesina Soyooye

Operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, have reportedly raided both the residence and office of Tukur Mamu.

The raid, according to reports, was carried out early Thursday morning.

Tukur, the self-appointed negotiator between the terrorists who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna bound Train and the families of the victims, was intercepted and arrested by the INTERPOL on Tuesday, 6th September, 2022, at the Cairo, Egypt, Airport, while he was on his way to Saudi Arabia. In the company of his two wives at the time of his arrest, he was put on another flight back to Nigeria.

On arrival at the Kano International Airport, he was arrested by the DSS on Wednesday, 7th September. He is currently in the custody of the Service.

In a statement signed on Wednesday, September 7, 2022,  by the DSS Spokesman, Dr Peter Afunanya, the Service said it arrested Mamu on the request of the Nigerian Military and other Law Enforcement Agencies which declared Mamu a person of interest in their investigations of security related matters.

Mamu always claimed to be responsible for the release of the victims. His relationship with the Terrorists is not  known, but the victims, on regaining their freedom, always went to see Mamu to thank him. Each of them, allegedly, paid the sum of N100m for freedom.

It is being speculated that Mamu’s arrest may not be unconnected with the allegation that the ransom monies pass through him to the terrorists.

Mamu is the Publisher of the Desert Herald as as Media Consultant to Islamic  Cleric, Sheik Abubakar Gumi.

PDP Chieftain Calls On Atiku To Support Ayu’s Sack

By
James Orji
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Iyorchia Ayu and Atiku Abubakar

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP is not opposed to the calls on the National Chairman of the party Iyorcha Ayu to resign, a chieftain of the party Katch Ononnuju, has said, adding that Ayu has become a problem for the party.

Ayu’s resignation is one of the preconditions demanded by a group led by the Governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike for peace to return to the party.

The Rivers helmsman and his supporters are angry with the party as a result of the fallout of the party presidential primary held in June which Atiku won, and the PDP presidential candidate’s decision to pick Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state as his running mate has further riled Wike who has recently been fraternizing with opposition leaders in the country, fueling rumour of his defection from the PDP.

On Wednesday, the Chairman Board of Trustees of the party said he will resign from his position if that will ensure that peace returns.

The PDP chairman has insisted that he will not resign. His insistence to remain in office is believe to have the backing of key Atiku supporters.

But speaking on the issue, Ononnuju said Atiku is not averse to the call on Ayu to resign.

According to him, “The candidate wants Mr Ayu to leave so that he could have a peaceful party to go to the election,” he said.  Ononuju who spoke on Thursday on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme, said Ayu must not be constitute a clog in the wheel of the party to move forward, adding that Ayu will not be the first chairman to be sacked before the end of his tenure.

He said, “If Atiku keeps saying he is a unifier, let him now unify the party by taking decisions and also acting to aid the southerners in this issue of inclusion.

“If he (Ayu)  stays, he divides the party; if he stays, the party could lose. If he stays, the party implodes with the staying put.”

“If he (Ayu) goes, we have mechanisms, we’ve had chairmen who have left without completing their four-year term. The person (Uche Secondus) he replaced didn’t complete his four-year term.

““He should understand the way he came is also the door he will go through. He should understand that our party is that way.”

IPOB: Nnamdi Kanu’s Appeal Moved Forward

By
The Source
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By Gideon Njoku

The hearing on the appeal filed by the Leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB,  Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, slated for 11th October, 2022, has been rescheduled to an earlier date, 13th September, 2022.

Kanu had filed the appeal to challenge the remaining seven-count charge against him after the others were struck out by the Honourable Justice Zainab Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, a couple of months ago.

It is not known why the hearing was moved forward, but one of Kanu’s Counsels, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, who issued a Press Statement on the new date,  attributed it to prayers and God’s intervention.

The statement reads;

“Our Appeal  No: CA/ABJ/CR/ 625/2022; BETWEEN NNAMDI KANU VS FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, earlier scheduled for Hearing on the 11th Day of October, 2022, has been brought forward to the 13th day of September, 2022.

“ChukwuOkike Abiama is on the throne and shall forever remain on the throne.

Your relentless prayers and supplications is positively impacting.

“It therefore means that hearing on  Onyendu’s Appeal challenging the remaining Seven count Charge  filed against him, will now be coming up for Hearing at the Court of Appeal Abuja, next week Tuesday, being the 13th Day of September, 2022.

“Thank you so much Umuchineke for your support so far and remain hugely blessed.

“We move!

Signed :

Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Esq. (KSC)

IPOB’s Lead Counsel.

7th Day of September, 2022.”

Kanu is being prosecuted by the Federal Government for sundry issues including alleged terrorism and treasonable felony.

He was arrested in Nairobi, Kenya in 2021 and brought to Nigeria to face the charges. Since then, he has been in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS, from where he appears for his case Court.

A United Nations Body recently asked the Nigerian Government to release Kanu unconditionally.

Ondo Lawmaker Gets Reprieve As Court Stops Sack

By
Ayodele Oni
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Success Torhukerhijo

By Ayodele Oni

Reprieve has come for embattled member of  Ondo state House of Assembly as he gets the nod of a High Court to continue functioning as a lawmaker.

An Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure restrained the Speaker of the State House of Assembly from declaring the seat of the lawmaker representing Eseodo constituency, Success Torhukerhijo vacant over alleged anti-party activities.

Aside the Speaker, the court presided by Justice Alero Akeredolu also barred the State House of Assembly, the Speaker, David Oleyeloogun and the All Progressives Congress (APC) from doing anything that could jeopardize the outcome of the case pending before the court.

The State House of Assembly had in August declared the seat of Torhukerhijo representing Ese-Odo constituency vacant over the allegation of anti-party activities levelled against him by the State Chairman of APC.

He was alleged to have defected to the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) where he contested the primary for House of Representatives.

But the lawmaker through his lawyer, Mr Dipo Torhukerhijo dragged the Assembly, the APC, Speaker and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to court challenging the legality of their action in declaring his seat vacant.

In an exparte order, Justice Akeredolu, who read the exhibits and affidavits attached to the motion, said it would be in the interest of justice to preserve the subject matter of the suit and subsequently gave an order halting any step which has to do with the declaration of the seat vacant.

Justice Akeredolu granted “an order of interim injunction restraining the respondents, their officers, servants and agents from giving effect to the purported declaration of the seat of the applicant vacant or taking any steps to prevent the applicant from performing his constitutional duties as an elected member of the House of Assembly or stopping the benefits and entitlements of the applicant as a member of the Assembly pending the hearing and determination of the Originating Motion on Notice before this Court.”

The lawmaker had in his prayers before the court asked for a declaration that alleged anti-party activities levelled against him is not a valid ground for the Declaration of the seat of a member of a House of Assembly vacant under Section 109 (g) of the 1999 Constitution and as such the purported declaration of his seat as vacant by the Speaker is unconstitutional, unlawful, null and void and of no effect whatsoever.

Also, he asked for a declaration that the APC having expelled him as its member and having consistently refused the him the benefits of its protection and advancement of his political interests, goals and aspirations, can legally associate with any other political party of his choice recognized by INEC.

Torhukerhijo said the declaration of his seat vacant at the instance of APC without giving him the benefit of fair hearing is null and void and of no effect whatsoever.

He sought for “an order reversing and setting aside the purported declaration of the claimant’s seat vacant and reversing every other step so far orchestrated and/or taken whether jointly or severally by the defendants, their officers, agents and servants to prevent the claimant from accessing, performing or exercising any of his constitutional rights, duties, responsibilities, obligations, benefits and entitlements as an elected member of the Ondo State House of Assembly because of the Claimant’s alleged exercise of his rights as guaranteed under sections 38(1) and 40 of the 1999 constitution (as amended).”

Justice Akeredolu fixed the hearing of the motion on notice to September 16, 2022.

Copyright Commission Disowns Rival Copyright Society Of Nigeria, Says It Is An Illegal Body

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Nigeria Copyright Commission - NCC

By Ayodele Oni

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has clarified that only the Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria, (MCSN) is empowered under the law to operate as Collective Management Organization (CMO) in music industry.

Spokesman of NCC, Vincent Oyefeso in a statement on Thursday explained that “For the avoidance of doubt, the only CMO with approval to operate in music and sound recordings in Nigeria in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act (Cap C28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) is the Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria (MCSN).

“The approval earlier granted to the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) lapsed with effect from 19th May 2019 and it has not been renewed.

“This position was upheld by the Federal High Court, Lagos, in Suit No. FHC/l/CS/425/2020 when the court ruled on 1st December 2021 that COSON was not entitled to the relief of an injunction to restrain the Commission from revoking its operating licence because the licence that it sought to preserve had lapsed.

“Although in line with the provisions of the Copyright Act and the Copyright (Collective Management Organisations) Regulations, 2007, COSON applied in 2019 for the renewal of its licence, it refused to comply with the terms stipulated by the Commission as the regulatory agency, including submission to an independent forensic audit of its accounts.

“It is an offence under sections 39(4) and (5) of the Copyright Act for any group of persons (including a corporate body) to purport to perform the duties of a CMO (also “Collecting Society”) without the approval of the Nigerian Copyright Commission.

“It follows therefore that COSON cannot lawfully perform the functions of a collecting society including negotiating, granting licences, collecting and distributing royalties.

“The Commission is at this point not concerned with other issues bordering on internal governance or the corporate identity of COSON but it is aware of the order of the Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/274/2010 restraining COSON from using or continuing to use the name “Copyright Society of Nigeria Ltd/Gte”, and that its appeal for a stay of execution of that judgment was denied by the same court on 24th June 2020.

“However, this serves as notice to owners, users, corporate bodies and the public on the status of COSON and that certain principal officials of the company are being investigated for criminal infractions under the Copyright Act.

“Therefore, anyone dealing with them as a CMO would be doing so at their own risk. Anyone that receives a demand for royalties from COSON or has any other information that may help the ongoing criminal investigation should please report to the nearest office of the Nigerian Copyright Commission for further action.

“The Commission is using this opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to reforming the copyright system and ensuring that creators and owners of copyright benefit from their intellectual investment in the creative sector.

 “Those entrusted with the administration of their rights are held accountable to acceptable standards of accountability and good governance.”

Governor Wike Says Day Of Reckoning Looms For PDP

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Nyesom Wike

By Akinwale Kasali

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has lamented the injustice in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, vowing to fight it as no one in the Party can silence him.

The Governor said that the time of reckoning is coming for those who continue to insist that they can take the national leadership of the Party as he is determined to make sure that things are done the right way.

Wike made spoke at the inauguration of the Emohua campus of Rivers State University and the flag-off of staff quarters, performed by the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde.

The Rivers State Governor insisted that those trying to take over the leadership of the Party and assert authority would account for every wrong thing that they have done when the day of reckoning comes.

He said, “That is why I am telling the people there, look, it cannot work. You can’t take everything. If you take everything, it will purge you. So you better do the right thing now.

“Don’t sit there and think that you can muscle me and you can do everything; you can manipulate anything. You can think you have the number to make sure you take everything, but the time is coming when you will account for it.”

He insisted that the delivery of quality projects by him and his colleague governors will serve the PDP well in their respective States.

According to him, it will be erroneous for the PDP States that failed to provide good governance to solicit votes from the electorate.

Governor Makinde of Oyo State who is in Wike’s Camp in the PDP crises took a swipe at the PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu while Performing the inauguration of the campus and flagging off of the staff quarters. He made a veiled reference to the recent statement credited to Ayu, who said those calling for his resignation were still children when he and others were founding the party.

Makinde:  “If children are doing all of these, I think what Nigeria needs are children. So, my brother Wike, you can be assured that Nigeria appreciates you.”

The Military Asked For The Arrest Of Mamu – DSS On Why It Arrested The Train Hostages Negotiator

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0
Tukur Mamu - Bandits Negotiator

By Adesina Soyooye

The  Department of State Services, DSS, has explained why it arrested Tukur Mamu at the Kano International Airport on his arrival from Egypt on 7th September 2022.

Mamu had earlier been arrested by the INTERPOL in Cairo, Egypt on Tuesday, September 6, while waiting to board a flight to Saudi Arabia.  He was in the company of his two wives and one other when he was arrested.

On arrest, and a brief interrogation at the Airport in Egypt, he was put on a flight back to Nigeria. He arrived into the waiting hands of operatives of the DSS who promptly arrested him.

Explaining his arrest, the DSS said it is at the request of the Nigerian Military which expressed interest in Mamu over some security issues he needed to answer to, and clear with them.

The statement signed by Dr Peter Afunanya, Spokesperson, DSS, on Tuesday September 7, 2022, reads: “The Department of State Services (DSS), has been inundated with enquiries in respect of the arrest or otherwise of Tukur Mamu, the self-acclaimed Kaduna Train Hostage negotiator.

“This is to confirm that Mamu, as a person of interest, was intercepted by Nigeria’s foreign partners in Cairo, Egypt, on 6th September, 2022, while on his way to Saudi Arabia. He has since been returned to the country today, 7th September 2022 and taken into the Service’s custody.

“The act followed a request by Nigeria’s Military, Law Enforcement and Intelligence Community to their foreign partners to bring back Mamu to the country to answer critical questions on ongoing investigations relating to some security matters in parts of the country.

“The public may wish to note that the law will appropriately take its course.”

Mamu is the Publisher of Desert Herald as well as the Media Consultant to Sheik Abubakar Gumi,  a Medical Doctor- turned Islamic Cleric.

Mamu became a popular name in Nigeria because of his self-appointed role as a negotiator between the Terrorists who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna Train in March, killed eight people and abducted 68 others.

Since the embarrassing incident, Mamu has, according to him, been responsible for the release of scores of them. He is also the one who gives upto date information on the welfare of the captives and the state of mind of the terrorists.

It is not known if money is passed through him for the release of the hostages or what his exact relationship with the terrorists is, but at a point, he said he had withdrawn from his self-appointed role because the attitude of the Federal Government was not encouraging. But he is usually the first to confirm the release of any of the victims and they usually paid a-thank – you visit to him.

His most recent information was on a Christian girl amongst the remaining captives who could soon forcefully get married to a top Commander of the terrorist Group if the Government does not urgently intervene.

It has been revealed that the terrorists are taking a whopping N100m for every released victim.

Rivers House Of Assembly Strips Raymond Dokpesi Of  868 Plots Of Land

By
The Source
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0
Raymond Dokpesi

By Charles Igbo

The Rivers State House of Assembly has stripped  Daar Communications of the sprawling plots of land it occupies.  868 plots of land in all, it houses the African Independent Television, AIT,  all its operations, as well as a Radio Station, Ray Power. It is the Headquarters of Daar Communications in the South-south.

The plots of land are located along the NTA road in Obio Akpor Local Government of the State.

Daar Communications is owned by Businessman/Entrepreneur/Politician, Dr Raymond Dokpesi.

In reversing the plots of land to Government, the House said  it acted on the report of a Committee it set up to look into the petitions written by four Communities which insisted that their land was taken over from them.

The Communities which wrote the petition are: Ozuoba, Rumuosi, Rumuekini and Rumookwashi, all in the Obio Akpor LGA.

It is not known what brought about this ugly situation which is likely to pitch Dokpesi against the Governor, Nyesom Wike, but the Chairman of the Committee who is also the Chief Whip of the Assembly informed that the land has been given back to the Rivers State Government.

The Speaker of the House of Assembly, the Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi Awaji-Ibani, has asked Daar Communications to open a fresh negotiation with the Rivers State Government.

Not a few members of the Assembly accused Daar Communications of illegal and wrongful acquisition of the sprawling land

For the records, Daar Communications has been occupying the area for years. And, has had no problems with the Communites which now wrote the petition against its occupation of the vast land.

But not a few people point at politics – the politics of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Both Governor Wike and Dokpesi are not only from the South-south region, but they are of the PDP.

In the Presidential Primary during which former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, defeated Wike, Dokpesi was on the side of Atiku. He was Atiku’s Chief Campaigner, before the Primary, in the South-east and South-south.

Wike has been implacable since his loss of both the Presidential and Vice Presidential tickets. He  swore to deal, ruthlessly, with those he calls his political enemies in the PDP.

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