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Nnamdi Kanu’s Trial: Justice Nyako Bans Kanu From Wearing Isi-Agu Cloth To Court, Nigerians React

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

Reactions have trailed the ban placed  by Justice Binta Nyako on the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu from wearing Isi-Agu  to her Court.

Isi-agu is a popular Igbo traditional dress. Kanu is being prosecuted in Nyako’s Court by the Federal Government on sundry offences, including alleged terrorism and  treasonable felony.

Nyako said this on Wednesday during  Kanu’s appearance before Nyako’s Court.

The Director of Legal, DSS told the court that family members of Kanu brought a cloth with a lion’s heart, which “offends the standard operating procedures of the service.

The DSS was responding to the Court’s ’s question on why Kanu still wore his white Fendi designer cloth to Court.

Ozekhome had complained that despite the Court’s ’s order, the DSS had refused Kanu  change of cloths.

However, Justice Nyako asked the defendant; “Mr Kanu, what type of cloth do you want to wear”?

“I want to wear the clothes of my people, ‘Isi Agu’”, Kanu replied.

Responding swiftly, the Judge said ‘that kind of cloth cannot be worn in my court’.

Nyako, however, fixed April 8, for ruling on the preliminary objection filed by Kanu challenging the validity of the 15-count amended charge preferred against him by the Federal Government.

Nyako fixed the date after Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN, Kanu’s Counsel, and Shuaibu Labaran, the prosecution Counsel,  adopted arguments for, and against the defendant’s preliminary objection.

In a short adumbration, Ozekhome pleaded with the court to acquit his client and dismiss all the charges filed against Kanu by the Federal Government.

Ozekhome argued that the 15-count amended charge was ‘defective and baseless’.

Specifically, Ozekhome informed the Court that his application seeks the ‘quashing, striking out and dismissing of the 15-count amended charge’ against Kanu for being ‘incompetent and denying the court of jurisdiction’ to entertain charge.

Attack On Ondo Indigenes In Bayelsa: Akeredolu Calls For Calm

By
Ayodele Oni
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Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State
Rotimi Akeredolu

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has received the situation reports of the incident in Bayelsa State’s Brass area which involved the people of Ilaje living in the coastal area.

It was gathered that some Ilaje nationals that have been resident in the Brass area of Bayelsa State were attacked by some Ijaws with their fishing boats destroyed.

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Richard Olatunde, said in a statement that the State Government is in control of the situation.

“Governor Akeredolu, after receiving the full brief, spoke extensively on phone with his brother-Governor in Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, who assured him that the situation was under control.

“The Governor, who stressed his administration’s commitment to the protection of lives and property of indigenes of the State, irrespective of where they are, noted that the Bayelsa State Governor has assured him of the security of the people of Ilaje in Bayelsa.

“We are aware of the situation in Bayelsa State involving our people from Ilaje in Ondo State. I  immediately reached out to the Governor of Bayelsa State. We have spoken extensively and I have his assurances.

“After meetings have been held with Ilaje leaders at his behest, I have every reason to believe that he is, indeed, handling the situation.

“I have stressed the importance of the security of our people no matter where they are.

“I want to urge our people to remain calm, forgive and forget. With the assurances of the Governor, I can assure our people that they can go about their normal duties without fear.”

The statement added that Governor Akeredolu appealed to the people to allow reasons to prevail and not take laws into their hands, while assuring them that the situation is being closely monitored.

Abba Kyari: How We Operate With Drug Couriers; These Ones Were Greedy, They Wanted 50%

By
Ayodele Oni
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Abba Kyari - DCP

By Ayodele Oni

Suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, who is in the custody of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, for his involvement with Drug Barons, as well as trying to bribe an NDLEA operative had before his arrest, talked like a parrot on how he and his team conniving with the Barons.

He did not know he was having the conversation with an undercover agent.

Spokesman for the Agency, Femi Babafemi, revealed this in a statement where he corrected the impression that NDLEA operatives were the ones who intercepted the Drug Carriers at the Enugu Airport. He, also, assured Nigerians that nobody, no matter how high, will be spared in the Abba Kyari Drug scandal.

Babafemi said that Abba Kyari  told  the undercover agent the informants over which he got into trouble  were greedy. They insisted  on a 50 per cent cut and rejected the 40 per cent they were offered.

Babafemi quoting from Kyari’s statement:

“In his own recorded conversation with our undercover officer, Abba Kyari also said the following: They are greedy, seriously greedy (referring to his informants).

“We tried to have them accept 40% but they refused, except 50%, they know the rudiment of the deal very well, they are the ones that do the packing.

“From Brazil, one of the informants accompanied it to Ethiopia. You understand; one of the informants accompanied the goods to Ethiopia, one of the informants that give us information. He is the boy of the big baron.

“Addis, from Addis it will be given to those to proceed further with it, he will get their snapshots without their knowledge.

“Yes, he will reveal those that are conveying it further, get snapshots of theirs without their knowledge and send to us (Abba Kyaris team).

“So we already know the goods, picture and the cloths they are wearing, hope you understand, we know your name, he will give us everything.

“So, automatically my team will just be waiting, they will just see you and arrest you.

“Responding to our officers question on whether his boys are usually stationed inside or outside the airport, Abba Kyari said, Yes, yes, some are outside while some are inside.

“They will just allow you to finish arrival formalities and arrest you the moment you come out.

“The above no doubt establishes who the cartel was relating with and their modus operandi. Again, this is to correct inaccuracies in some reports and assure that the Agency will not deviate from an evidence-based investigation that will spare nobody found complicit.”

Abba Kyari is still in the custody of the NDLEA facing interrogation.

Senate Confirms Nomination For Three Agencies

By
Uche Mbah
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By Uche Mbah

The Senate has confirmed Presidential nominees for three Agencies. The Agencies are: Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), National Population Commission (NPC) and the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC).

President Buhari had sent names of his choice nominees to the Senate for confirmation. The names were then referred by Senate President, Ahmed Lawan,  to the relevant Senate Committees.

At the close of deliberations, using voice votes, the Senate in Plenary confirmed four nominees for NERC, five nominees for NPC and one for the NDIC.

For NERC, the Senate confirmed Yusuf Ali (north-central); Chidi Ike (south-east), Nathan Rogers Shatti (north-east), and Dafe Akpeneye (south-south) as commissioners.

Benedict Ukpong Effiong (Akwa Ibom), Gloria Fateya Izonfo (Bayelsa), Kupchi Patricia Ori Iyanya (Benue), Haliru Bala (Kebbi), and Eyitayo Oyekunle Oyetunji (Oyo) were confirmed as commissioners for the National population commission.

For the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Company, NDIC, Emily Chidinma was confirmed by the senate as an Executive Director.

According to Uba Sani, Chairman of the Senate Committee on banking, the position of Executive Director (Corporate Services) has been vacant for a while.

“The office of the Executive Director (Corporate Services) of the Corporation remains vacant following the end of the tenure of the previous occupant,” Sani said.

Cocaine Probe: We’ve No Reason To Shield Anyone — NDLEA

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), has said that it has no reason to shield anyone who may be indicted in the course of the ongoing investigation of a 25kg cocaine deal involving a gang headed by DCP Abba Kyari.

The Agency in a statement on Wednesday, by its spokesman, Femi Babafemi, in Abuja, said it remains committed to evidence based investigation and its resolve cannot be weakened by any misrepresentation of facts.

The statement reads “To correct some inaccuracies in the information in the public space that NDLEA officers at the Enugu airport were the ones who received from the cartel details about the mule coming from Addis Ababa.

“The Agency wishes to quote from the transcript of Abba Kyaris recorded conversation with our undercover officer and a portion of ASP James Bawas statement to the police as documented in the police investigation report, a copy of which was made available to the Agency.

“Its an established fact that its the Abba Kyaris team that was contacted by the cartel and without doubt the records clearly show how their ring works.

“Recall that after NDLEA requested for Kyari and others for interrogation, they were questioned by the police, after which they were handed over along with the report of their interrogation.

“According to the police investigation report, ASP James Bawa in his statement to the police reveals that he was called by an informant identified as IK from Brazil who told him that a drug courier will be arriving on board Ethiopian Airlines in Enugu.

“He explained further that a pointer from IK, the Brazil based informant met with him at about 1420hrs on 19th January 2022 outside the airport and showed him a picture of the courier.

“Subsequently, they sighted the suspect as he exited the airport terminal after all arrival clearance formalities, and he was arrested with another associate.

“In his own recorded conversation with our undercover officer, Abba Kyari also said the following: They are greedy, seriously greedy (referring to his informants).

“We tried to have them accept 40% but they refused, except 50%, they know the rudiment of the deal very well, they are the ones that do the packing.

“From Brazil, one of the informants accompanied it to Ethiopia. You understand; one of the informants accompanied the goods to Ethiopia, one of the informants that give us information. He is the boy of the big baron.

“Addis, from Addis it will be given to those to proceed further with it, he will get their snapshots without their knowledge.

“Yes, he will reveal those that are conveying it further, get snapshots of theirs without their knowledge and send to us (Abba Kyaris team).

“So we already know the goods, picture and the cloths they are wearing, hope you understand, we know your name, he will give us everything.

“So, automatically my team will just be waiting, they will just see you and arrest you.

“Responding to our officers question on whether his boys are usually stationed inside or outside the airport, Abba Kyari said, Yes, yes, some are outside while some are inside.

“They will just allow you to finish arrival formalities and arrest you the moment you come out.

“The above no doubt establishes who the cartel was relating with and their modus operandi. Again, this is to correct inaccuracies in some reports and assure that the Agency will not deviate from an evidence-based investigation that will spare nobody found complicit.”

Breaking: Gowon To Chair Presentation Of Gov Fayemi’s Book

By
Bayo Bernard
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By James  Orji
Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd.) is among notable Nigerians who will grace the public presentation of a book authored by Governor of Ekiti State  Dr. Kayode Fayemi, CON, titled “Unfinished Greatness: Envisioning a New Nigeria”.
Gowon, is espected to chair the event slated  for 11 am at the NAF Conference Centre in Kado, Abuja on Thursday, February 24, 2022.
According to the  orgainiser of the event, the keynote address will be pesented by Prof. Adebayo Olukoshi, a distinguished Professor, Wits School of Governance and Immediate Past Director for Africa and West Asia, International IDEA. Also,  Dr. Joe Abah, the Nigeria Country Director, DAI Global, will be the book reviewer, with a stellar intergenerational line-up of panelists including: Waziri Adio, Editorial Board Member, ThisDay Newspapers; Yemi Adamolekun, Executive Director, Enough-is-Enough Nigeria; Ndi Kato, Executive Director, Dinidari Africa; and Hamzat Bala Lawal, Founder and Executive Director, Connected Development.
In the Forward written by General (Rtd.) Abdulsalami Abubakar, GCFR, a former Head of State,  he said “The title Unfinished Greatness inspires hope in us that our march into the future is a purposeful journey of destiny.” In the words of H.E. Dr. John Dramani Mahama, Former President of Ghana: “Nigeria remains central to the vision of an African renaissance. In Unfinished Greatness, Fayemi reminds us of the power of unity in nation building. The ideas in this book encapsulate the roadmap for peace and sustainable development in Nigeria, and indeed the rest of Africa”, while Professor Tunde Adeniran, Former Minister of Education states that “Unfinished Greatness convincingly challenges false narratives about our trajectory as a country and offers profound historical insights to prove that there is more that unites us than our differences.”
The organiser, in a statement, obtained by the magazine has decribed Fayemi as a  “transformational leader and public servant who currently serves as Governor of Ekiti State and Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum. Fayemi, according to Cornelius Nwoha “has a background in the academia and civil society, and is a widely published author and public speaker on governance and democratization, civil-military relations, and security sector issues in Africa. He is also a Former Minister of Mines and Steel Development.
Meanwhile, members of the public who are inteested in attending the hybrid event (physical and virtual), has been urged to register via the link bit.ly/unfinishedgreatness, while registration for limited seats to attend physically is via: bit.ly/unfinishedgreatnessphysical.

Banks: Rough Times Await Workers Aiding Terrorism, Financial Crimes

By
Bayo Bernard
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0
CBN Gov Emefiele

By Tosin Olatokunbo

Bank’s workers aiding illicit financial funds into the country are set for a rough time if the House of Representatives succeed in passing the BOFIA Act currently before the lower house of the National  Assembly. On Tuesday, the bill passed the second reading and will now go through the Committee stage after which the Committee of Whole would delibarte on in before it can be sent to the president for his assent.

The amendment bill is sponsored by Abiolz Shina representing  Oyo State in the House.

The bill, checks reveal seeks to prescribe various punitive measures for employees of financial institutions  such as banks, insurance companies, mortgage firms and others who will connive with criminal elements to funnel illicit capital into the country.  It was also learnt that rogue bureau de change operators will also be captured in the bill, after it was revealed recently by the Central Bank of  Nigeria, CBN that some BDC firms are assisting foreigners who are aiding terrorism and criminality financing.

Dozens of BDC operators were operated last April in a sting operation conducted by multiple security  agencies such as the Defence Intelligence Agency, DIA,  Department of State Services, DSS, Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU in collaboration  with the CBN. Many of them are aleady being prosecuted, according to official sources.

Following  the closely garded operations, several billions of naira traced to businesses belonging to persons of interest have been blocked in many commercial  banks. More accounts have since been flagged for investigation  on the order of the Godwin Emefiele-led CBN and NFIU.

But analysts informed the magazine that the current law only prescribed a slap on the wrist punishment  for financial criminals who have been growing in numbers capitalising on the gaps in the law. Apart from this, financial  analysts insist that new laws are required to govern Nigeria’s ever expanding financial  sector.

Speaking on the amendment,  the Chairman of the House Committee on Financial Crimes, Ibrahim Abdullahi who briefed journalists in Abuja, the nation’s  capital said the national assembly must move fast in the face of growing incidents of banks employees aiding illicit financial inflows into the country.

Abdullahi who said the bill, when passed will checkmark the excesses of employees of financial  institutions the present Act has become archaic and is no longer in tune with present realities considering the number of financial institutions  in the country. He explained that the growth experienced in the sector has surpassed what it was four decades ago, noting that apart from banks, other financial firms such as Pension Funds administrators, Insurance firms,   have been established by both government  and private parties.

According to him, “the Act was promulgated under the military era and as such, carries with it, some elements of that regime, hence the significance of this Amendment.

“Today, we have a proliferation of insurance companies, mortgage banks, Pension Fund Administrators and even lending organizations etc. who equally require supervision like banks”

“Accordingly, Clause 1, sub-clause (1) of the Bill seeks to compel employees of a bank to immediately declare their assets including those of their spouses and unmarried children under the age of 18years.

“The bill also amends the existing legislation by inserting a new Clause which attempts to ban bank employees from maintaining and operating personal bank account in any country outside Nigeria. Clause 3 of the Bill also seeks to mandate the President to direct by a published instrument,” Abdullahi  said.

Meanwhile, the Senatemail on its part to amend the Act has also included a clause which makes it punishable for bank workers to operate foreign accounts.

Buhari Abandons Nigerians, APC For Brussels’ Summit

By
Bayo Bernard
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Muhammadu Buhari - Londo Trip

By James Orji

In the midst of the chaotic situation of fuel scarcity in the country, President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, left the country for Belgium to join European and other African leaders as well as heads of multilateral organisations at the 6th European Union-African Union Summit in Brussels.

The petrol scarcity conundrum also comes on the back of a request by the president to the Senate to approve a whopping N2.5 trillion for petrol subsidy in this year’s  budget. The request was contained in the amendment bill sent to the Senate by the president before he left the country.

Checks indicate that more than N400 billion has aleady been allocated for that purpose in the initial budget signed by the president  in December last year.

According to a statement by Senior Special Assistant  to the President on Media and Publicity, the leaders are meeting to discuss issuescurrently affecting the global community, whiich include “Financing for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth; Climate Change and Energy Transition, Digital and Transport (Connectivity and Infrastructure); Peace, Security and Governance; and Private Sector Support and Economic Integration”.

The president had departed the country as the confusion over the All Progressives Congress, APC, his party’s National Convention slated for February 26 this month, continues to linger.

The meeting initially scheduled between the APC governors and the president at the Presidential Villa, Abuja was cancelled at the eleventh hour without prior notice the governors and other stakeholders.

According to sources in the nation’s capital, the governors only got to the Villa, led by the Chairman of the APC Caretaker Committee and the Governor of Yobe state, Mai Mala Buni, to find out from the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari that Buhari had left the country to attend the meeting in Brussel, and that the meeting would no longer hold.

Even though the magazine cannot really explain what informed President Buhari’s decision, it was learnt from multiple sources in the Villa, that the manner in which the Buni led APC has been handling the party’s affair has not really gone down well with the president, particularly the plan by some governors to push the convention further into the year.

“Part of what the governors wanted to tell the president is the need to postpone the convention, giving reasons such as the problems facing the party from multiples fronts, particularly the division and the struggle over the control of the sojls of the party, at the state levels among governors, ministers and  National Assembly members. They wanted to plead for time to reconcile aggrieved parties so that the party can move forward,” a source in the presidency told the magazine on Wednesday.

Recall that a panel headed by a former governor of Nasarawa state, Adamu Abdullahi recently pleaded for time to meet all opposing sides in APC with a view to bringing everybody together before the convention.

But watchers of the ruling party said the president needs to provide leadership for the party at this time to prevent an implosion.

“As the leader of the party, the president should call all aggrieved parties together and talk to them, they are likely to listen to him. With the way things are, the APC looks likes a rudderless  party, that has no leadership that can draw the line and instruct members on what to do. There are govrnors of the party led by Buni on one side, and another one by National Assembly  members and ministers that want to control the party at all cost. It’s like Buhari is runny away from his responsibility  as the lead of the party,” an analyst, Comrade Deji Akinleye said.

Meanwhile, commuters and motorists continue to suffer as the pains of fuel scarcity bites harder across the country, despite the NNPC assurance of availability of petrol. The government oil agency said on Wednesday, that it has ordered for 1.2 billion liters of petrol that will last the country for one month. No need for panic buying, the corporation said, even as queues appeared in filling stations across the country.

Human Rights Lawyer,Tunji Abayomi, Says Nigeria Is Ripe For New Constitution, Not Amendment

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Tunji Abayomi - Human Rights Lawyer

By Ayodele Oni

Divergent views and opinions are being canvassed for the Constitution, as Nigeria inches towards another election year, during which President, some Governors and National Assembly members will be elected.

Legal luminaries, Politicians and Academics have proposed different types of Constitution that will usher in new Presidential system of Government in Nigeria, come 2023.

A Human Rights Activist, Dr Tunji Abayomi has lent his voice by saying that there is the need for a brand new constitution for the country.

Abayomi, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council,  Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, in Ondo state, expressed concern over the 1999 Constitution, saying a new Constitution for the country has become inevitable for progress.

In an open letter to  Political  Leaders, titled: “What we need, What needs to be done” Abayomi pointed out that what Nigeria needs now is a new constitution that would guarantee good governance for the greater interest of all and not any form of review or amendment of 1999 Constitution.

He pointed out that notwithstanding the stress and concerns of the present, we will be happier, if Nigeria becomes a better nation, with regards to the wealth, the well-being of the people, position in the world, banner of unity, cohesion, liberty and Health.

According to him, the 1999 Constitution came by dictatorship and force, and can never guarantee peace, order or good government.

“Consequently the time is now, not tomorrow to take a new redeeming look at our nation’s most important government document that is the Constitution.

“The National Assembly should be sincere with Nigeria by forgetting its worthless amendments for a while and make a new Constitution for the people.

“The duty of the National Assembly would be enough if it helps Nigeria to have a People’s Constitution, instead of wasting resources to correct a gravely incorrectable error inherent in the making of a Constitution by the military government.

“In the last few years, much efforts and national wealth have been committed to what the National Assembly calls ‘Constitutional Amendment,’ we know of course that illegitimate is neither amenable nor amendable. A Construction is legitimized not by its content but by the procedure of making a Constitution.

“How do you amend a military Constitution to originate it in the people, the proper and legitimate makes of the Constitution?

“So contrary to the norms in democracy, it was not a Constitution that gave us our democracy at least in 1999.

“It was a Military Government of Dictators that wrongly gave us a Constitution and a government.

“Time has indeed come to correct this grievous error and the only body that can legitimately remedy the error of Constitutional wrong-making is the National Assembly.

“To unlock the great potentials of the Nigeria what is now needed is for the National Assembly as a Public duty to learn the lessons of change that the political leaders of other nations have learnt by bringing about a law to enable the people of Nigeria to truly give to themselves a Constitution.

“In short what Nigeria needs is a Constitution of the people, by the people and for the people. It is certainly reasonable and sensible that we should have a consensus on how to manage Nigeria our collective.”

Finally, FG Removes Bala Usman As NPA MD, Confirms Mohammed Koko As Substantive MD

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Bala and Koko

By Akinwale Kasali

The President Muhammadu Buhari-led government has announced the removal of Bala Hadiza Usman as the Managing Director of the Nigeria Port Authority, replacing her with Mohammed Bello Koko as the substantive Head of the parastatal.

Bala-Usman has been on suspension for months. Her removal from the saddle could be described as an end to the alleged various underhand dealings at the NPA.

Koko had been in an acting capacity since May, 2021 when Usman was suspended by the Federal Government.

In a statement issued Tuesday February 15, 2022, the Federal Ministry of Transport confirmed the appointment of Bello-Koko as the substantive head of the Authority by President Buhari.

Usman was queried over issues, allegedly, relating to favouritism, underhand dealings and outright disregard of Court orders while she held sway as the MD of NPA.

Sources within the NPA had disclosed that Usman singlehandedly revoked  the lease of LADOL and, allegedly, gave same to Dangote’s friend, a serving Senator, disregarding a Presidential directive. This move, the magazine gathered, angered the Presidency  because it was gathered that Ladol had invested over 300million Dollars and for a Federal Government appointee to display such show of disdain was unheard of.

She was alleged to have also shut down the ports and terminals of the BUA Group for close to one year despite a Court order.

Obviously, her intentions  and moves favoured Dangote as it  could keep BUA Group  and other competitors out of business. This issue generated a lot of questions from industry watchers.

Apart from this, there were allegations that  issues relating to the dredging of Calabar port which was believed to have been an utmost priority to the Government’s heart were neglected.

It was, however, gathered that her claim for neglecting the project was because she believed the project was not viable, whereas findings by specialists disregarded her claims.

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