Home Blog Page 2287

External Borrowing: CNPP Raises Alarm, Suspects Senate

By
The Source
-
0
Chief Willy Ezugwu

Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has said it reasonably suspects that some cabals in the Federal Government  are colluding with some Senators in the National Assembly to siphon the country’s commonwealth through unbridled external borrowings under the guise of financing infrastructural projects in the country.

The CNPP raised the alarm in its reaction to the Senate’s approval of fresh $16 billion and €1 billion external borrowings as well as a grant component of $125 million for President Muhammadu Buhari administration on Wednesday.

While calling for open investigation into what it described as “countless foreign loans approvals by the current National Assembly”, in a statement signed by the CNPP Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu, the umbrella body of all registered political parties and political associations in the country insisted that “some members of the cabals in the President Buhari government may be using the name of the President to siphon the country’s commonwealth in collaboration with some contractors without the knowledge of President Buhari.”

The CNPP which recalled that in September 2020, President Buhari had requested the facilities in an addition to the ‘2018 – 2020 borrowing plan’ with the National Assembly, in July, approving $8.3 billion and €490 million initial loan requests, queried, “with the plans to borrow, what is Nigeria’s plan to be debt-free?”

The CNPP then challenged both the National Assembly and the Federal Government “to itemise the so-called projects which the approved loans were meant to finance.”

According to the CNPP, “They should also be bold enough to list the projects in national dailies and via online publications, including the location of the projects, date they were awarded, the initial completion date, and any contract variation since the projects were awarded.
“Nigerians should also know the percentage of completion for each of the projects and the speed of work by the contractors on the sites.
“This has become more imperative as we reasonably suspect that some members of the National Assembly, especially the principal officers, are colluding with some members of the much discussed cabals in the executive, who may have influenced their emergence as principal officers and ‘juicy committee’ Chairmen, to fleece the country of her scarce resources using slow project executions tactics where projects are indeed ongoing.
“We have been travelling round the country and we are yet to find the so-called ongoing projects which Senator Clifford Ordia had claimed, in his committee’s report, will stimulate rebirth of commercial and engineering activities and consequent tax revenues payable to Government.

“It is time for the Senate and the executive to come out clean on endless external borrowings. Where are the projects?

“Are the said projects commensurate with the amount already borrowed? Or we merely accumulating debts to punish generations unborn using nonexistent products as guises?

“For instance, very close to Mr. President is the ongoing construction of less than ten kilometre road from Asokoro/Kugbo axis of the Abuja Keffi Expressway to the police check point at the FCT – Nasarawa State boundary, which has been under construction for five years without any reasonable work done.

“Despite that the economic importance of the Abuja – Keffi Expressway, with connects states like Nasarawa, Benue, Taraba, Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, not to mention other states in the north and south east, the small portion has remained uncompleted since the president Muhammadu Buhari administration. This is just one example of so many dilapidated federal roads in most parts of the country.

“Are members of the National Assembly and the Executive using ‘preferred contractors’ to siphon the country’s commonwealth through endless contract variations?

“There is the urgent need for open investigation of the real motive behind the country’s continued borrowing in the the face of obvious economic collapse, where nearly 98 percent of the country’s annual revenue is spent on debt servicing alone”, the CNPP lamented.

Odili: Malami Says Fake CSP Not His Consultant; Cries Out Over Malignment

By
The Source
-
0

By Adesina Soyooye

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has denied that a fake Chief Superintendent of Police, Ajodo Lawrence, consults for him.

Ajodo, one of the 14 suspects paraded on Thursday, November 11, 2021, for the infamous invasion of the home of Supreme Court Justice, Mary Peter-Odili on October 29, 2021, shocked not a few people when he admitted to being a fake CSP, but said he is a Consultant for  Malami.

On the day Peter-Odili’s home was invaded, Ajodo had an identity card signed by Malami. But the Police  discovered that to be fake too. Malami’s signature was forged, the Police said.

Malami, outraged by the claim asked the Police to also find out those bent on destroying him. He denied ever hiring the fake CSP to consult for him. He said with the array of professionals at his beck and call, only a mad person would believe he would descend to hiring a fake CSP as a consultant.

In.a statement signed on his behalf by his Media Aide, Dr Umar Geandu, Malami asked what assignment he would send a fake CSP to, and asked him to disclose where, how, and for what purpose he would keep him as a consultant. He dismissed Ajodo as “a drowning man scavenging for a dying partner.”

The statement reads:

The attention of the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has been drawn to a confession of a suspect during interrogation in the investigation of the recent invasion of the residence of the  highly respected Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Mary Peter-Odili.

“With all the competent, high level professionals and highly competent human resources available at the disposal of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, it only takes the imagination of the evil minds to assume, or think that the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice will descend so low to engaging a quack, or fake Police Officer to serve as his consultant.

“This is a case of a drowning man scavenging for a dying partner. We are happy to note that investigation has commenced unraveling the circumstances and personalities behind the invasion and sponsored campaign of calumny against the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

“It is our desire, and we hope that the investigation would also disclose those after the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, those dragging his personality, his name and his exalted office in the dirty politics of disrepute.

“This is an orchestrated attempt to stir unnecessary controversies and public apprehension.

“We ask the suspect to present documents of engagements, where he worked as a consultant to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, whether in the past or now.

“Consultant for what? Which activity or assignment? When was he engaged? What were the terms of references for the alleged consultancy service?  Where was he engaged? Which work has he executed for the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice? For what duration? And, for how much?

“We boldly and unequivocally challenge the fake consultant/police officer to come out with answers or responses to these questions to the general public.

“The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice who superintends over and respects the rule of law will not do anything to undermine the sanctity of his office and that of the entire Judiciary and Justice sector.”

In the wake of the invasion of Justice Peter-Odili’s home, the NBA and Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SANs had asked for a thorough probe into the incident. The Body of SANs had visited the AGF/ Minister of Justice in his office to lay bare their displeasure and embarrassment.

From the onset, Malami denied complicity in the scandalous incident.

CBN Urges Nigerians To Accept e-Naira As The Nation’s ‘Pride’

By
Bayo Bernard
-
0

By Tosin Olatokunbo

The Godwin Emefiele-led Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN has urged Nigerians to embrace the e-Naira because of its accruing benefits, which includes deepening financial inclusion in the country.

The apex bank’s  Director Corporate Communications Department, Osita Nwanisobi, made the call on Thursday at the ongoing Lagos International Trade Fair.

In spite of the reservation of some Nigerians over the digital currency, Nwanisobi said

“the e-Naira is expected to deepen financial inclusion by bringing more people into the financial space, support a resilient payment ecosystem, reduce the cost of processing cash, enable direct and transparent welfare intervention to citizens, increase transparency in revenue and tax collections, facilitate diaspora remittances, reduce the cost of financial transactions and improve the efficiency of payments.

He said the response to e-Naira among Nigerians has been encouraging, noting that “customers who download the eNaira Speed Wallet App will be able to Onboard and create their wallet; fund their eNaira wallet from their bank account; transfer eNaira from their wallet to another wallet and make payment for purchases at registered merchant locations.

“I therefore appeal   to Nigerians to embrace the eNaira just like our physical Naira – our pride,” he said.

Odili’s Home Invasion: ThisDay Management Disowns Stanley Nkwazema

By
Adesina Soyooye
-
0
ThisDay Logo

By Adesina Soyooye

Embarrassed by the association of its brand to Stanley Nkwazema, one of the alleged suspected invaders of the home of a Supreme Court Justice, Mary Peter-Odili, the Management of ThisDay Newspapers has issued a disclaimer.

In the disclaimer, ThisDay disowned Nkwazema and any of his activities, emphasizing that he left the Newspaper about 15 years ago as a Sports Correspondent.

Nkwazema was a surprise face at the parade  of the alleged suspects who invaded Peter-Odili’s home on October 29, flaunting a search warrant granted by Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna. The Magistrate revoked the order within a few hours, claiming he was misled into granting it.

All Security Agencies within the country, and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, denied any knowledge of the invasion even though the invaders said they were Security Agents. Their leader who was identified as CSP Lawrence Ajojo was found to be a fake Police Officer. He, however, claimed to be a consultant for AGF Malami.

But parading 14 suspects on Thursday, November 11, Force Spokesman, CP Frank Mba dismissed them as impostors and a criminal syndicate. He said the syndicate is made up of professionals, including Lawyers, Law enforcement agents, Bankers, Journalists, an Islamic prayer warrior and a herbalist.

The presence of Nkwazema who, allegedly, introduced himself as a Contributing Editor to ThisDay shocked many. Was he investigating a story?,many asked.

However, ThisDay, in a statement signed by its Managing Director, Bolaji Adebiyi, put a lie to the claim. It said Nkwazema was neither its staff, nor a Contributing Editor. The statement said he left the employ of the Newspaper 15 years ago, and that he has never been contracted by the Newspaper for any story.  ThisDay, however, admitted that like all of its former staff and some readers, Nkwazema enjoyed the privilege of having his stories and/or analysis published whenever he sent them.

ThisDay: “However, occasionally, he, like hundreds of other readers of the newspaper, sends for publication articles and analysis, and is usually obliged, a privilege THISDAY  gives to some of its ex-staff.  This does not in anyway make him a staff, or Contributing Editor, of THISDAY.

“Since his resignation, THISDAY, had at no time, contracted Mr Nkwazema to investigate any story, and we know nothing of his alleged investigation of a story leading to the raid of the residence of Hon. Justice Odili.

“The Police authorities and the general public should, therefore, note that Mr Nkwazema, whatever may be his involvement in this matter, was not on any reportorial assignment in any shape or form on behalf  of THISDAY.”

Mba disclosed that seven other suspects, including two soldiers, are on the run.

The invasion of Justice Peter-Odili’s home sparked a national outrage.

Anambra: Why I Am Going To Court – Andy Uba

By
The Source
-
0

By Charles Igbo

Professor Charles Soludo, the Governor-elect of Anambra State, has, at least, one case challenging his victory, waiting for him.

And the case will proceed to the last Court in the land, the Supreme Court.

Since he was declared the winner of the Governorship election in the early morning of November 10, Soludo has been receiving congratulatory messages from across the country including from President Muhammadu Buhari, the Southern Governors’ Forum, and even his competitors in the election. Soludo, a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, was the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA.

The first runner-up, Valentine Ozigbo, the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, even though he had some reservations over the election, was the first to congratulate him. The other candidates followed same route. A number of Party Chieftains from across political parties have also congratulated him. So has former President Ibrahim Babangida.

Both the Missions of the United States of America, USA, and Britain  commended the exercise.

But Senator Andy Uba, the candidate of the President’s party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, disagrees with everybody on the outcome of the exercise.

He says the election was fraught with fraud. He says the result, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is the direct opposite of what it was. That it was the direct opposite of what was on ground. He says he won the election. That the people wanted him, and voted overwhelmingly for him.

He said his victory was truncated by the outgoing Governor, Willie Obiano, in connivance with some security agencies and INEC officials.

He wondered how Soludo could have won, given that about 80% of high profile politicians in the State, defected to the APC  to support  his candidacy. Some of those who he referred to are the serving Deputy Governor of the State, Dr. Nkem Okeke, a member of APGA’s Board of Trustees, some serving and former members of both House of Representatives and Anambra House of Assembly, a serving PDP Senator, Stella Oduah, and a number of Governor Obiano’s Aides. He dismissed the entire exercise as “a charade”

Based on the above, Uba says it is impossible for Soludo to have won. Therefore, he says, he would challenge Soludo’s victory.

His resolve is contained in a statement signed on behalf of his Campaign Organisation by Ambassador Jerry Ugokwe, a former PDP chieftain, who is now of the APC.

The statement, rejecting the outcome of the election, entitled Senator Andy Uba rejects  the outcome of Anambra Governorship election reads in part:

“The elections were characterised by widespread irregularities, intimidation, and voter suppression in order to clear the path for the inglorious ‘victory’ of APGA in the polls.

“For instance, in polling units  where the Biometric  Voters’ Accreditation System malfunctioned, INEC  went ahead to conduct the elections manually. There were numerous cases where votes announced by INEC exceeded the number of accredited voters in the polls.

“Another clear manifestation  of collusion between the Obiano administration and INEC was the publishing of results on the Social Media handles of APGA even before official announcement by INEC. Yet, mysteriously, the votes announced in advance by APGA, always corresponded, correctly,  with the official figures released by INEC.

“It is inconceivable that our candidate who polled over 200,000 votes in the APC primary election would be allocated slightly above 43,000 votes by INEC.

“It is surprising that APGA that lost almost 80 per cent of its stalwarts through defection to the APC before the election came out ‘victorious’. A sitting APGA Deputy Governor, seven members of the House of Representatives, 10 members of the Anambra State House of Assembly, the APGA party’s member of the Board of Trustees, many serving SAs and SSAs, in addition to a serving PDP Senator all defected to the APC very timely before the election, yet, APGA emerged ‘victorious’. This is quite ridiculous.”

The statement said Uba would challenge his stolen mandate to any limit allowed by law.

For the records, Soludo won 19 out of Anambra’s 21 Local Government Areas. Ozigbo won one, and Ubah of the YPP won one. Senator Andy Uba won no LGA out of the 21.

Invasion Of Justice Odili’s Home: “I am a Fake CSP, But I Consult for AGF Malami

By
Adesina Soyooye
-
0
Fake CSP Arrestedl for Invading Odili House

By Adesina Soyooye

Shock engulfed the Force Criminal Investigations Department, Abuja, on Thursday when the Force Spokesman, CP Frank Mba, paraded 15 people who invaded the Abuja home of a Justice of the Supreme Court, Mary Peter Odili.

The shock was not only because the invaders, according to the Police, were fake and not known to any security service in Nigeria, but that they are a criminal syndicate made up of professionals, including Lawyers, Bankers, Security Agents,Journalists,Islamic prayer warrior, and a herbalist.

Top on the list is the now discovered to be a fake Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP Lawrence Ajojo.

Ajojo was the one who led the team, and swore to an affidavit in support of the affidavit sworn to by a so-called whistle blower, Aliyu Umar who allegedly wrote a petition against the Odili home to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. In the petition, Umar said illegal activities were going on at the premises.

Yet, what shocked most was the confession by the fake CSP. that he works for the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN.

“I am not an officer of the Nigeria Police Force but I am a consultant for the AGF. He did not send us on the raid on Mrs Mary Odili’s house”, Umar said.

Mba said the fake CSP conspired with others, including seven who are still at large, to raid Justice Peter-Odili’s home with the information that there was a large sum of foreign currencies in the house.

He described them as impostors, unknown to any security service.

Another shock is the alleged  involvement of a well-known  Journalist, Mr Stanley Nkwazema. Nkwazema was a staff of ThisDay before he struck out on his own. At least, two soldiers were also involved.

The nation woke up to the scandalous invasion of Mary Peter-Odili’s home in the evening of October 29, 2021. In their numbers they flaunted a search warrant signed by a Magistrate, Emmanuel Iyanna, who revoked it later, saying he was deceived into granting it.

Their mission was, however, thwarted by the Security Agents at the Justice’s compound who resisted their entrance. Mba praised them for saving the nation a monumental international embarrassment.

The invasion sparked a  national outrage.

Both the Rivers State Government and the Supreme Court described it as a mission to assassinate    Justice Peter-Odili and members of her family and requested for a probe.

Malami whose office was mentioned as being in the know, condemned the raid, denied complicity, and ordered a probe. The Police,  the Department of State Security, DSS, and the  EFCC, all denied knowledge of the raid. The Inspector General of Police, set up an investigation panel.

An outraged Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, in a strongly-worded statement signed by its President, Olumide Akpata, said it would get to the root of the embarrassing invasion.

It is the findings from the Police investigation that necessitated the parade of the alleged suspects on Thursday.

Following is the full text of the Police Press Release On the invasion signed by CP Frank Mba.

INVASION OF ABUJA RESIDENCE OF JUSTICE MARY ODILI: POLICE ARREST 14 SUSPECTS FOR CONSPIRACY, FORGERY, PERSONATION AND CRIMINAL TRESPASS

· … IGP Assures Diligent Prosecution of indicted persons

“The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a total of fourteen (14) suspects including the principal suspect – a fake Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) – for complicity in the failed criminal trespass on the Abuja residence of Justice Mary Odili on Friday, 29th October, 2021. The suspects were arrested following investigations conducted by detectives from the Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB) which clearly revealed the criminal involvement and individual roles the suspects played in the invasion of the residence of the revered Supreme Court Judge. Recall that the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc (+), NPM, fdc, on 1st November, 2021, affirmed that the Force did not authorize security operatives to carry out any assignment in or around the residence of Justice Mary Odili and directed the Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB) to carry out a discrete investigation with the aim of bringing the perpetrators to book.

“The suspects; Ajodo Lawrence ‘m’ (principal suspect), Michael Diete-Spiff ‘m’, Bar. Alex Onyekuru ‘m’, Bayero Lawal ‘m’, Bar. Igwe Ernest ‘m’, Aliyu Umar Ibrahim ‘m’, Maimuna Maishanu ‘f’, Ayodele Akindipe ‘m’, Yusuf Adamu ‘m’, Bashir Musa ‘m’, ASP Mohammed Yahaya ‘m’, Stanley Nkwazema ‘m’, Shehu Jibo ‘m’ and Abdullahi Adamu ‘m’, L/CPL Mike (other name unknown) ‘m’, are members of a well-organized criminal gang with a web-like involvement of individuals drawing from their different competences, professional background and social contacts in perfecting the criminal plot. Membership of the syndicate include suspects with background in public service, business, law, journalism, banking, amongst others.

“The facts of the case from Police Investigations have it that one Aliyu Umar Ibrahim, an acclaimed whistle blower, following a baseless and unverified information he got from one Yusuf Adamu – parading himself as the godson of Chief Peter Odili – that there is a huge sum of money in foreign currencies starched in the residence of Her Lordship, Justice Mary Odili located at No. 7, Imo River Street, Maitama, initiated processes aimed at illegally recovering the said money. Consequently, the syndicate contacted one Bashir Musa, a clerical staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), who in turn sought the assistance of two (2) others – Shehu Jibo and Abdullahi Adamu.

“The whistle blower was later introduced to one Bayero Lawal who falsely presented himself as a Director in EFCC. He took the whistle blower to one Hajiya Maimuna Maishanu who in-turn took them to her cousin, Michael Diete-Spiff, who claimed to be the Director of Foreign Currency Operation of Ghost’s Account for Local Whistle Blowers & Assets Recovery Panel, purportedly operating under the Federal Ministry of Justice – an agency that in fact does not exist. Diete-Spiff later introduced the whistle blower to one Lawrence Ajodo with the aid of one Godwin (currently at large). From this moment, Lawrence Ajodo – who falsely claimed to be a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) and also the officer in-charge of a non-existing Asset Recovery Panel at the Federal Ministry of Justice took over the planning and execution of the illicit operation. Through the assistance of one Ayodele Akindipe, an herbalist, the fake CSP procured the services of an Assistant Superintendent of Police and two (2) Soldiers for the failed operation. The fake CSP also elicited the services of a journalist, one Stanley Nkwazema and two (2) lawyers namely Bar. Alex Onyekuru and Bar. Igwe Ernest. While the journalist was expected to play the blackmail role, the lawyers were expected to help the syndicate in perfecting court documents and processes. The fake CSP later deposed to an affidavit and eventually obtained a search warrant meant for the execution of the raid.

“Investigations so far conducted by the Police show that the suspects criminally trespassed on the residence of Her Lordship but were not allowed to execute the search warrant due to the lawful resistance from Police officers on guard duty at her residence. Police findings also revealed that the principal suspect – Lawrence Ajodo – is an impostor and not a police officer as he falsely claimed. Similarly, the Ghost’s Account for Local Whistle Blowers & Assets Tax Recovery Panel purportedly operating under the Federal Ministry of Justice does not exist at the Federal Ministry of Justice neither is it registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission. Also, the signature of the Honourable Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN) on the ID card presented by the fake CSP during the raid was forged. The Search Warrant which the suspects procured from a Magistrate Court for purposes of searching the premises of Justice Odili, was also obtained under false representation. The entire criminal operation has no authorization of any known Security Agency or Federal Government Ministry/Department.

“Three (3) vehicles used by the suspects for the illegal invasion and a laptop computer, printer and flash drive used for the production of the fake ID cards were recovered from the suspects by the Police investigators.

“Meanwhile, investigation is being intensified to arrest the other seven (7) suspects including two (2) persons believed to be personnel of the Nigeria Army who were physically present during the raid, and fully dressed in Army uniform.

The IGP, while assuring diligent prosecution of the suspects, reiterated the commitment of the Force to continue to advance the rule of law and combatting all forms of crimes and criminality in the country.”

Anambra: INEC To Issue Soludo Cert. Of Returns; Uba Rejects Election Results

By
Bayo Bernard
-
0
Charles Soludo and Andy Uba

By James Orji

Professor Charles Soludo, the Anambra state Governor-elect will be issued Certificate of Return on Friday, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has said.

Soludo, a former CBN Governor and flagbearer of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA emerged winner in the last Saturday governorship election by polling 103,946 votes. His closest rival in the election Valentine Ozigbo of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP who scored 51,322 votes has congratulated him, while Andy Uba of the APC has rejected the outcome of the election, alleging it was rigged.

“The outcome of the election was a charade and did not reflect the wishes of the people of Anambra State”, said Ambassador Jerry Ugokwe, spokesperson of the Senator Andy Uba Campaign Organization, in a statement on Thursday.

“Our popular candidate, Senator Andy Uba is a victim of widespread electoral fraud and manipulation by INEC in cohort with the Willie Obiano Regime and the security forces deployed to oversee the Anambra State Governorship Election.
The elections were characterized by widespread irregularities, intimidation and voter suppression in order to clear the path for the inglorious ‘victory’ of APGA in the polls,” the statement said further.

In spite of this, the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC, Festus Okoye said the election umpire will go ahead to issue Soludo certificates of return.

Okoye said in a statement on Thursday that, “following the conclusion of the election and as provided for in Section 75 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), certificates of return will be presented to the Governor-elect and Deputy Governor-elect tomorrow Friday 12th November 2021 at our State office in Awka”, he stated.

He said INEC successfully conducted the Anambra governorship election despite various challenges encountered because “never before did the Commission have to grapple with numerous issues ahead of an off-season Governorship election, including attacks on our facilities, withdrawals of critical service providers such as the ad hoc staff and transporters on the eve of the election and the general tension pervading the atmosphere. Happily, the election passed off peacefully”, Okoye stated.

He explained that INCE will not abandon the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System BVAS, some teething challenges experienced during the election.

According to him, “after the supplementary election in Ihiala Local Government Area on Tuesday 9th November 2021 and before the process was concluded, the Commission commenced a preliminary review of the functionality of systems, particularly the newly introduced Bimodal Voter Accreditation System BVAS.

“The system performed two functions on election day. First is the accreditation of voters using both fingerprint and facial authentication. Secondly, it snaps the polling unit level result sheets and uploads them in real-time to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal.

“This aspect of the BVAS functionality performed optimally such that by the early hours of Sunday morning, results from 4,987 (88.5%) out of 5,634 polling units had been uploaded for public view. While still in the field, our ICT team responded to the identified glitches in the accreditation of voters and corrected them. Consequently, in the Ihiala supplementary election, there were no reported incidents of BVAS malfunction.

“We will carry out an in-depth examination of the system, review reports from accredited observers and the media and respond to all identified challenges ahead of the next major Area Council election in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), held on 12th February 2022.

“We shall again test run the system in the bye-election (s) that may arise before then. The Commission remains convinced that despite some glitches experienced in Anambra State Governorship election, the deployment of technology in elections is better than the best manual process”.

Invaders of Justice Odili Home Not Working For Me Says Malami

By
Bayo Bernard
-
0

By James Orji

The Attorney General of the federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami SAN has denied any link with suspects who invaded the Abuja home of Justice Mary Odili on October 30.

The development comes on the back of the arrest of 14 suspects by the police for carrying out the invasion. While parading the suspects on Thursday, Frank Mba, a Commissioner of Police and spokesperson of the Force said seven suspects were still on the run.

Those in police custody are Ajodo Lawrence ‘m’ (principal suspect), Michael Diete-Spiff ‘m’, Bar. Alex Onyekuru ‘m’, Bayero Lawal ‘m’, Bar. Igwe Ernest ‘m’, Aliyu Umar Ibrahim ‘m’, Maimuna Maishanu ‘f’, Ayodele Akindipe ‘m’, Yusuf Adamu ‘m’, Bashir Musa ‘m’, ASP Mohammed Yahaya ‘m’, Stanley Nkwazema ‘m’, Shehu Jibo ‘m’ , Abdullahi Adamu ‘m’ and L/CPL Mike (other name unknown) ‘m’.

Some security operatives, including Ajodo, a chief superintendent of police claiming to be working in the AGF office had invaded the residence of Odili, a Justice of the Supreme Court brandishing a warrant issued by the Chief Magistrate of Wuse Zone 6 Magisterial division in Abuja, Emmanuel Iyanna.

The security men said they acted on the instruction of the nation’s chief law officer.

But in a statement issued on Thursday by Umar Gwandu, spokesman to the AGF, Malami said the allegation was an attempt by some persons to heat up the system. He had nothing to do with the suspects, the AGF said.

According to him, “with all the competent, high level professionals and capable human resources available at the disposal of the honourable attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, it only takes the imagination of the evil minds to assume or think that the honourable attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice will descend so low to engaging a quack or fake police officer to serve as his consultant.

“This is a case of a drowning man scavenging for a dying partner. We are happy to note that investigation has commenced to unravel the circumstances and personalities behind the invasion and sponsored campaign of calumny against the honourable attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice.”

He said some persons are trying to drag his name in the mud and bring his high office to disrepute, adding that there is not concrete evidence to back up the claim.

“We asked the suspect to present documents of engagements where he worked as a consultant to the attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, whether in past or now.

“Consultant for what? Which activity or assignment? When was he engaged? What were the terms of references for the alleged consultancy service? When was he engaged? Where was he engaged? Which worked has he executed for the honourable attorney-general of the federation and the ministry of justice? For what duration? And for how much?

“We boldly and unequivocally challenge the fake consultant/police officer to come out with answers or responses to these questions to the general public.

“The honourable attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice superintends over and respects the rule of law and will not do anything to undermine the sanctity of his office and that entire judiciary and justice sector,” the statement said.

Oyo SUBEB Debunks Rumour Of Recruiting Teachers

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
Oyo SUBEB

By Akinwale Kasali

Contrary to the news making the round that the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, is recruiting new teachers, the Board says it is false.

The Executive Chairman of the Board, Dr. Nureni Adeniran,  warned the public to be wary of fraudsters who may use the fake news to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians.

In a statement, Adeniran said recruitment of new teachers into the Public Primary school sector of the State, is still in the pipeline, awaiting the gracious approval of the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde.

He, therefore, added that any plans of fresh recruitment would be duly conveyed to the public, as the Board is currently not recruiting.

Adeniran who implored Nigerians to disregard any news of recruitment by the Board, said that the fake recruitment is being perpetrated by scammers who offer employment to unsuspecting Nigerians in exchange for money and even go as far as creating fake websites to look  convincing.

“I urge Nigerians to be aware of the antics of these fraudsters and notify security agencies when necessary”, he said.

“Oyo SUBEB wishes to once again draw the attention of the public to activities of fake employment merchants and racketeers. We had informed members of the public that the Board was not recruiting, but it is pertinent to reiterate it.

“We advise everyone to disregard rumours of recruitment purportedly emanating from the Board. It will not be a hidden exercise, we will duly inform the public when we are about to start the process”, the statement read.

2023: Brickbats As Yoruba Group Lashes Pro-Osinbajo Group, Backs Tinubu

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
Yemi Osinbajo and Bola Tinubu

By Akinwale Kasali

The 2023 Presidential election is gradually gathering momentum, as supporters of All Progressives Congress, APC, National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and those of the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, are trading words over the preferred Candidate for the office.

Yoruba Welfare Group, YWG, a socio-cultural organisation, has berated those imploring Tinubu to step down for Osinbajo, saying that Tinubu is the preferred and best candidate to lead the nation come 2023.

Comrade Adegoke Alawuje, YWG National President said Osinbajo lacks the political will and the charisma to lead the nation aright, urging Osinbajo to listen to the voice of reason and step down for Tinubu.

Alawuje made this statement following recent calls by the Progressive Projects and the Southwest Movement for Tinubu to step down for the Vice President to hoist the Party’s flag come 2023.

The Southwest Movement and Progressives Project Group Movement Coordinator, Abioye Akerele and Secretary, Olugbenga Byron, had said that Osinbajo has what it takes to lead the nation in 2023.

It further posited that Nigeria’s Presidency may elude the Southwest in 2023 if Osinbajo is not promoted for the Presidency.

The Pro-Osinbajo Group, therefore, appealed to Southwest leaders and elders to prevail on Tinubu not only to step down but use his resources and influence to support Osinbajo.

“In the light of the above, we, members of the South West Movement for Osinbajo believe that our revered Obas across Yorubaland, the APC Governors in the South West geo-political zone, all Yoruba political elites, business moguls and leaders of thought should now rise to prevail on Asiwaju to invest his political capital in the person of the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, in the overall interest of the Yoruba people.

“We believe strongly that Prof. Yemi Osinbajo is our sure bet for 2023 in the entire South West and we need Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the principal game changer to support this bid”.

The Group had claimed that Osinbajo has the requisite character, capacity, capability and the intellect to run Nigeria. As the number two in Government, he is the closest to the highly coveted seat.

The Progressive Project which is an umbrella for all Nigerian groups at home and abroad, canvassing for Osinbajo for 2023 is optimistic that Osinbajo will succeed President Buhari.

However, YWG President, Comrade Alawuje said asking Tinubu to step down for any other candidate in the Southwest is a wrong calculation, saying such counter-productive move could only be initiated by the enemies of the region and Nigeria in general.

According to him, an attempt to present any other candidate beside Tinubu in 2023 will be politically calamitous and suicidal for Yoruba sons and daughters.

“Those who are trying to lobby Tinubu to step down are enemies of progress, who are only after their narrow and selfish interest.

“Inviting Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to replace his political boss in the 2023 race can neither be in favour Osinbajo himself nor to the advantage of Yoruba race but to rob the Southwest of the opportunity in 2023; for Osinbajo doesn’t have the political war-chest to defeat powerful and cohesive opposition party.

YWG also warned that any mistake in this regard may inadvertently give undue advantage to the North since the main opposition party may present a candidate from there. He insisted that the move is an indirect ploy to scheme out the Southwest from its vantage position.

Stressing further, Alawuje explained that the Yoruba Welfare Group had gone round the country and has conducted its research ahead of any other groups before adopting Tinubu as its sole candidate.

“Any mistake to present another candidate to succeed Buhari in 2023 is a ploy to favour candidates from other regions.

“This is how we always destroy ourselves. How can you ask the most qualified candidate to step down for the less qualified one. No doubt Osinbajo is good but he’s not in anyway near his principal in terms of capabilities. it’s time for Nigerians to know those who are behind this diversionary call. It’s time they know those who are clandestinely working behind the scene against Tinubu’s interest. They do not love Osinbajo, their target is to get at Tinubu by whatever means.

“That is the reason they wanted Tinubu dead before now. We know their game plan but we will allow time to reveal their secrets”.

YWG appealed to those who have hidden agenda to bury them for national interest, saying Tinubu is the answer to Nigeria’s problems at this time.

“Tinubu has worked assiduously to build a formidable political structure across the thirty six states since 1991/1992 when he was a Senator. He has criss-crossed the entire regions and prepared ready for the general election too; it is rather too late for any other candidate to match his preparedness now.

“No one in the Southwest or Nigeria can match the level of preparedness needed to lead this country except if they want us to sell out our mandate because of the reasons they couldn’t reveal. They must beware that their agenda is dead on arrival.

Alawuje assured the anti-Tinubu campaigners that their agenda will fail just like many evil steps taken to stop him in the past failed.

“YWG will not mind to take on religious or traditional leaders who are found culpable in this diversive call, no matter their age or position, as long as they plan or wish to thwart the chances of Yorubas in 2023 just as they did to Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in 1963 and Chief MKO Abiola in 1993, saying, “Tinubu is our lost glory of 1993 which shall return in 2023”.

He admonished religious leaders to be wary of dividing Yorubas along religious or sectional lines, advising them to allow politics to flow on its natural course and take its right shape and form.

1...2,2862,2872,288...2,993Page 2,287 of 2,993