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Okowa  Is Contemptuous Of Churches; I Will Not Stop Going To Church To Please Him – Peter Obi

By
The Source
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Peter Obi

The Presidential Candidate of the  Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, has described as uncharitable, the reports credited to Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State,  accusing him of dragging the Church into politics on the sole reason that he attends Church programmes.

Obi spoke through his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Valentine Obienyem.

In a release made available to the Press, Obienyem said that it was on record that Obi attended programmes he was invited to, including those organized by the Churches.

He asked “Should  Obi start shunning Church events because of politics, even when we know that since leaving office in 2014, that Obi has visited over 1000 schools and hospitals owned by the Churches, offering them all manner of support for the upgrade of their schools and hospitals that serve the citizens of Nigeria.

Obienyem, while cautioning against bringing the name of the Church into disrepute, said that those doing such  were those linking genuine actions of patriots to politics, even when it was absolutely unnecessary.

Obienyem, who also said that the reference to politics was unnecessary because electioneering had not started, disagreed with Okowa on distinguishing those to be reached out to or not, saying: “Why would Okowa suggest that it is wrong for  anybody to reach out to the Churches? Is this not contemptuous of Churches? Everybody is affected by the bad governance in the country and should expectedly be involved in the efforts to enthrone good governance. He should be told about the difference between being politically aware and getting involved in active politics”, Obienyem said, while  suspecting that very soon they would start to criminalize the encounter Obi is having with Nigerians in Diaspora.

Assuring Nigerians that Obi would not get tired of preaching to Nigerians about good governance and the need for the people of Nigeria to take back their country, Obienyem called on other patriots to join in the crusade rather than wishing people to keep quiet so that the  status quo would remain the same.

Ahead 2023: Court Clears Kogi Central Senatorial Candidate

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

A suit challenging the nomination of an Abuja based lawyer, Barrister Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as the Senatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for Kogi Central has been dismissed.

Justice Peter Mallong of Federal High Court, Abuja,  dismissed the suit, on Friday.

He held that the legal action instituted by another contestant, Adamu Atta was grossly incompetent and incurably defective and thereby robbed the court jurisdiction to entertain it.

Atta had in his Originating Summons,  alleged that Akpoti-Uduaghan did not win the primary election of the PDP for Kogi Central Senatorial District for the 2023 General election and therefore her nomination should be nullified.

He claimed among others, that the May 25 primary election which produced Akpoti-Uduaghan was flawed and not validly conducted as required by law.

The plaintiff asked the court to void and set aside the primary election as well as the eventual nomination of the defendant.

Akpoti-Uduaghan through her counsel, John Usman SAN  objected to hearing of the suit on the ground that the Originating Summon was not endorsed as required by law.

In his preliminary objection against the legal action relied on section 97 of the Sheriff and Civil Process Act  to establish that  the originating summon was incurably defective and incompetent having not been endorsed in line with provisions of the law.

Besides the incompetence of the originating summon, Akpoti-Uduaghan had in her counter affidavit averred that the primary election conducted on 25th May, 2022 was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and that she validly won, attaching the result, delegates list and INEC report.

In his judgment, Justice Mallong agreed with Usman SAN that the suit was improperly commenced and that the Court lacked jurisdiction to hear it and subsequently dismissed it in its entirety.

Jonah Jang’s Acquittal: EFCC To Appeal

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Jonah Jang

By Akinwale Kasali

In the habit of not accepting a loss, especially, when it feels it had a good case, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, says it will appeal the acquittal on corruption charges leveled against Senator Jonah Jang,on Friday  by a Jos High Court.

Jang, a two-term Governor of Plateau State, was arraigned before the Court by the EFCC for an alleged criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of public funds to the tune of  N6.3 billion while he was in office as Governor. He was charged alongside a cashier  Yusuf Pam, who was in the office of the then Secretary to the Plateau State Government.

But ruling on the case on Friday, September 2, 2022, the Honourable Justice Christy Dabup, discharged and acquitted the two defendants.

The EFCC which prosecuted the case is crying foul.

In a statement on the Court ruling, signed by its Spokesperson, Wilson Uwajaren, and posted on its verified Twitter page, the EFCC said  it would appeal Jang and Pam’s acquittal of the 17-count charge.

Said the Commission: “The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been drawn to the Friday, September 2, 2022 judgment of  Justice C.L. Dabup of the Plateau State High Court sitting in Jos, discharging and acquitting a former Governor of Plateau State, Senator Jonah Jang, and a former cashier in the office of the Secretary to the State Government, OSSG, Yusuf Pam, of the seventeen- count charges bordering in criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of Plateau State funds to the tune of N6.3 billion.

“The Commission has initiated processes for an Appeal immediately.”

Jang is a PDP Senator.

Osun PDP Expels Factional Gov Candidate

By
Ayodele Oni
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Dotun Babayemi

By Ayodele Oni

The Osun State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has expelled Dotun Babayemi from the party over alleged anti-party activities.

Babayemi was a factional Governorship candidate of PDP during the last election.

His suspension was confirmed by the Ward Executives of Otun Balogun 2, Ayedaade local government area of the state.

Members addressed a press briefing at the State Party secretariat in Osogbo on Friday after their meeting.

The Secretary of the Ward, Ogunleye Bukayo on behalf of the Ward executives, said the factional governorship candidate was expelled as a result of a petition filed against him by some party members.

However, Prince Dotun Babayemi, said those who purportedly expelled him from the PDP are ignorant of the rules of the party and mere jesters.

Osun Governor-elect, Adeleke, Granted Request By Tribunal To Inspect INEC Materials

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Adeleke Voting in Osun State

By Akinwale Kasali

Ademola Adeleke, the Osun State Governor-elect has been granted his request to  inspect the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, materials by the Osun Governorship Election Tribunal sitting in Oshogbo, Osun State Capital.

The Tribunal had also agreed to his request to conduct forensic audit of the BVAS machine.

Justice Tertsea Kume, the Chairman of the Tribunal, granted Adeleke’s application to inspect and conduct forensic audit of the BVAS machines.

Hashim Abioye, one of  Adeleke’s Counsels, who spoke to newsmen after the proceeding, said there was the need to conduct a thorough forensic audit of the BVAS machine used for the election.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Tribunal had on Aug. 22, granted permission to Gov. Gboyega Oyetola and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) to inspect materials used for the July 16, governorship poll.

Oyetola and APC are plaintiffs in the suit  filed challenging the victory of Adeleke at the Governorship election.

INEC had declared Sen. Ademola Adeleke, governor -elect, as winner of the Osun July 16 Governorship elections. He defeated the incumbent, Oyetola.

Oyetola, who was not satisfied with the outcome of the election, dragged both INEC and Adeleke to court through his lead counsel, Mr Yomi Aliyu (SAN).

Nigerian Music Star, Ice Prince, Charged To Court For Abduction

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Ice Prince

By Akinwale Kasali

A Nigerian Music Star, Panshak Zamani, popular as Ice Prince, has been arrested and charged to a Lagos Court for offences ranging from assault to abduction.

He was arrested Friday morning, and charged to Court by the Lagos State  Police Command.

Ice Prince allegedly abducted a Policeman in the early hours of Friday.

According to the Police, he was stopped by a Police Patrol Team at about 3.00am in the Lekki area of Lagos for driving his vehicle without license plate numbers.

On interrogation, he agreed with the Police to be taken  to a Police Station. But he was allowed to drive his car. One of the Policemen entered his car, and Ice Prince, allegedly, zoomed off with him, abducted and assaulted him, then,  threatened to throw him into the river.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, who confirmed the story in a tweet said:

“At 3am today (Friday), @Iceprincezamani was stopped for driving without license plates. He agreed to be taken to the station.

“He, thereafter, abducted the Police officer in his car, assaulted him, and threatened to throw him in the river. He has been arrested and would be arraigned today” (Friday).

“He is facing three-count bordering on assault, obstruction and abduction. He has been arraigned.”

The PPRO did not, however,  say whether Ice Prince was granted bail, or remanded in Police or Prison custody. He  also did not disclose how the abducted Policeman was rescued, and where Ice Prince was arrested – in his car, still with the Policeman, his house or at a location.

Owo Still Mourning Victims Of Terrorists Attack, Opts For Low Key Traditional Festival

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

This year’s annual Igogo festival in Owo, Ondo state, will be low keyed to reflect the mood of present situation.

Igogo festival is annual traditional festival, which attracts indigenes and non indigenes of the ancient town from near and far.

During the celebration,the traditional ruler dances round the community and appease ancestors for a peaceful regime.

A statement on Friday from the Owo of Owo palace on this year’s celebration reads : “Aftermath of the 5th June, 2022 dastard attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owaluwa, Owo, the OLOWO-IN-COUNCIL has resolved that, 2022 Igogo Festival in the ancient Kingdom would not hold in celebrations, but in observance of the rites and prayers.

“The statement on Friday signed by Sam Adewale, Special Assistant Media, to the Olowo of Owo continues “It is no gain saying that, Igogo Festival has become a phenomenal in the history of the kingdom, most especially, since the enthronement of His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr) Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye Ill.

“Therefore, arriving at this decision in respect of this year’s festival require the understanding of all.

“This notwithstanding, the good news is that, next year’s Festival is visibly around the corner, which by the grace of God, we shall all be witnesses in sound health and abundant prosperities.

“In effect, all the traditional Chiefs, Priests and other Rites’ Officials are to get prepared for the rites and prayers in solemnity.

“Also, abstinence during the festival, in form of drumming and booming of guns between 12th and 29th September must be observed.

“The Olowo of Owo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr) Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, is therefore grateful for the support and solidarity of the good people of this great kingdom and all our global friends, at this period of our challenges which the kingdom is already overcoming.”

Saint Francis Catholic Church in Owo was attacked by terrorists two months ago during which not less than 40 persons were certified dead.

Some suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident.

N6.3bn Corruption Charges: Court Acquits Former Plateau Governor, Jonah Jang

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Jonah Jang

By Akinwale Kasali

Senator Jonah Jang, former Plateau State Governor has been discharged and acquitted of corruption charges by a Plateau State High Court, in Jos, the State Capital.

Jang was leveled with a N6.3 Billion Corruption Charges by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Justice Christy Dabup in her ruling discharged and acquitted a former cashier in the office of the Secretary to the Plateau State Government, Yusuf Pam, who was accused alongside the former Governor.

Prior to Court Proceedings Friday, September 2, 2022, there was heavy presence of security personnel  at the premises of the High Court in Jos, with fierce looking armed security personnel mainly from the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Security, DSS, who cordoned off all the four entrances leading to the court as early as 6am.

Jang  become the latest former Governor who have cross carpeted to have been let off the hook of corruption charges, joining the likes of  Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame of Taraba and Plateau State respectively both of whom were jailed but recently pardoned by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Dakuku Peterside Says Wike Administration Driven By Selfish Interest, Unbridled Ego

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Dakuku Peterside

By Akinwale Kasali

A failed  Governorship candidate of Rivers State opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr Dakuku Peterside, who was also a one-term Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency,  has lashed the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike and his administration. Peterside described the past seven years of Wike’s administration as the worst era in Rivers State because of “leadership driven by selfish interest and unbridled ego”.

He accused Wike of using  every opportunity, and of taking advantage of the harsh economic situation to hoodwink and turn them into articles of political and financial merchandise.

The former Member of the House of Representatives added that Rivers State people are politically sophisticated and conscious.

He said that contrary to popular belief, the people know beyond the antics of GovernorWike-led Rivers State Government.

Peterside made the statement while speaking at an APC rally in Opobo, Headquarters of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area.

The statement was titled, ‘Rivers people are politically sophisticated — Dakuku Peterside’.

Speaking on the 2023 elections, Peterside averred that Rivers people are politically sophisticated and as such, no one could influence how they would vote during elections.

He said that contrary to recent claims Wike, Rivers people know their real leaders who have their interests at heart, and not those taking advantage of the economic situation to embarrass them.

“There is no doubt that the last seven remain the worst in Rivers’ history. The ordinary Rivers man and woman were left out of governance while those in authority enriched themselves, appropriated the people’s commonwealth and shamelessly brandished even that which they stole before the people. Rivers people never had it this bad,”  he said.

He noted that the Opobo and Nkoro ethnic groups were one of the most politically enlightened stocks in Rivers, and argued that as such, they could not be deceived or blackmailed with any Greek gift.

“Opobo/Nkoro people are one of the most politically enlightened stocks in Rivers State and no one can deceive us with a Greek gift. Governor Wike had the opportunity of developing Opobo-Nkoro in the past 7 years but did not do it. He preferred to fret away our resources junketing abroad searching for personal relevance that will not add value to Rivers state and her people”, he said.

Peterside stated that at the appropriate time Opobo and Nkoro people would openly prove to Wike that they well took note of his neglect of the area.

“We will remind our people how much Wike and his cohorts failed them and why we cannot continue in that trajectory”, he stressed.

“Nigerians are unanimous that the next election will be about character, competence and service delivery. It will not be about ethnicity. Opobo- Nkoro people know that a competent governor with a character they would be proud of would be superior to brandishing ethnic sentiment”.

Peterside is an ally of the immediate past Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, a two-time Governor of the State.

Why UAE Is Denying Nigerians Visa – FG

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

Following the outcry by Nigerians to protest the United Arab Emirates, UAE, Government’s decision  to turn Nigerians back from the Emirate’s Airport, despite having valid Visas, the Chairman of  Nigerians in Diaspora Commission NIDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has explained why.

In a post shared on her Instagram page Friday morning, she stated that the UAE authorities recently released new guidelines for visa applications for people under the age of 40.

She said many Nigerians now try to circumvent the guidelines by applying for “family visas,” but when they get the family visas, they still travel alone, and this is why they are being turned back at the airport.

She also mentioned that six months genuine bank statement, accommodation details, as well as a return ticket, must be produced on arrival, and that passengers without these requirements are those being turned back. Her post:

”Recall the recent warning issued a while ago.

“The UAE Government has now introduced a new visa regime and has stopped issuing tourist visas to persons under the age of 40 years, except for those applying for family visas.

“However, to evade the new visa rules, some applicants request “family visas”

“However, on arrival, some travel alone and arrive without family.

So they are turned back from the airport. Also the UAE authorities demand:

  1. Return ticket,
  2. Valid 6 months Bank Account Statement and
  3. A valid Residence Address.

“There have been quite a number of Nigerian passengers turned back from the UAE airport in the last few weeks.”

She also shared a video from an interview she granted earlier explaining the new UAE visa regime.

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