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Four Days After, EFCC Finally Releases Obi Cubana

By
Uche Mbah
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Obi Cubana

By Uche Mbah

Four days after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC arrested and detained Obinna Iyiegbu, popular as Obi Cubana, he was finally released from custody Thursday evening.

EFCC Spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed Cubana’s released Thursday evening.

It is not public, yet, the terms of his release, but speculation is that he could be invited again and/or prosecuted in a Court.

Obi Cubana was  arrested on Monday, November 1, 2921, by the anti-graft body, but apart from hints that he is being questioned over tax issues and money laundering, no specific reasons were given for his arrest.

A couple of days ago, reports of his release rent the air in the Social Media. It was reinforced by a friend of his who confirmed it. But it was later found to be false.

Sources claiming to be close to the commission had also said that he had been granted bail but was yet to meet his bail conditions.

All turned out to be false. At the time the story of his release was making the rounds, he had neither been released, nor given bail. He was still being interrogated  on issues bordering on, alleged, tax fraud, currency abuse and money laundering, speculations say.

Cubana came into limelight when he buried his mother with pomp and pageantry, literally making nonsense of money in different currencies along  with his friends.

His arrest generated lots of reactions, especially, among Igbo groups and celebrities.

Ikoyi Collapsed Skyscraper: Developer Osibona’s Body, Recovered; Three-Day Mourning Declared

By
Adesina Soyooye
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By Adesina Soyooye

When the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, quoted the suspended General Manager of Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA, Gbolahan Oki, as saying that the billionaire developer of the collapsed 25-storey building on Gerrard Street, Ikoyi, Lagos, had been arrested, Femi Osibona, had been arrested, Oki didn’t  have his facts correct.

Osibona was not arrested. By the time Oki said that, Osibona’s car was parked at the site of the collapsed building, and his body, buried in the rubble.

Four days after the tragedy, Osibona’s body has been recovered from the rubble, identified, and taken to the the mortuary. And it is not the only controversy surrounding Oki’s pronouncements.

While he said that Osibona was given approval for 15 floors, the Deputy Governor of the State, Dr Obafemi Hamza, contradicted him when he said the approval was for 25 floors.

Osibona had visited the site that ill-fated day of Monday, November 1, along with his female Personal Assistant identified as Nifemi, and a friend of his,  Wale Bob-Oseni  who he had invited over to the site. Bob-Oseni was on his way to the Airport to take a flight back to the United States where he resided, but first honoured the invitation of his friend. That was how he branched to the site, and same fate tied them together.

Osibona’s body was recovered at about 7.00pm on Thursday, November 4. That of his PA was recovered earlier. It is not yet known if the body of Bob-Oseni has been recovered or not.

Osibona was the Managing Director/CEO, Fourscore Homes Ltd.

As at the time of writing this, 39 bodies have been recovered. Recovery efforts are still on-going.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared a three-day mourning period in the State during which flags would fly at half mast.

Anambra Election: Why IPOB Suspended Sit-At-Home Order

By
The Source
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By Charles Igbo

Here is the good news for the South-east, and especially, Anambra State which Governorship election  is scheduled for Saturday, November 6.

The Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, has called off its order of a one-week shutdown of the South-east.

IPOB had ordered the sit-at-home order which was to begin on November 5, in protest of the continued detention of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. It said the order would hold till November 10, unless the FG released Kanu who is being tried for sundry issues, including terrorism and treasonable felony, unconditionally.

The order was going to affect, badly, not just the socio-economic activities in the Zone, but especially, the Anambra election.

But the good news, Thursday  evening, is that it has been called off. IPOB in a statement by its Spokesman, Emma Powerful, said this was sequel to the intervation of revered Traditional Rulers, elders,  and other leaders of the Igbo.

The statement dated  Thursday, November 4, said it considered the implications of the shutdown to the people and the Zone.

IPOB urged the people of Anambra to troop out and vote on November 6, 2021, without any fears.

The statement reads in parts;

“Following the genuine  intervention of our elders, esteemed traditional Institutions /Rulers and Religious Leaders, and after a due consideration of the positive impacts of their engagement, and sequel to the fact that  Our elders have spoken in our terms , the Leadership of IPOB ably lead by MAZI NNAMDI Kanu hereby and immediately CALL OFF THE ONE WEEK SIT AT HOME earlier declared to commence tomorrow, November 5 to November 10, 2021. No

“We have equally considered several appeals by our mothers who earn their living based on their daily economic activities which will obviously be affected if Biafra land is locked down for one whole week. It’s never our intention to add to the pains of our people, hence our decision to suspend the sit-at-home.

“The people of Anambra State should go out enmasse and peacefully exercise their franchise come 6th November 20121  and accordingly, chose a leader of their Choice  and should not be intimidated by anybody, group of persons or security agents.

“Anambrarians should vote and standby to protect their votes. No rigging of any kind will be tolerated on the Anambra State governorship election. It must be transparent, free and fair to all.

“We wish to thank Biafrans, IPOB members worldwide, friends of Biafra and lovers of freedom for their continued support for our dogged struggle for independence.

“May we therefore, warn detractors, traitors and enemies of Biafra not to cause confusion by imputing motives to our decision. IPOB doesn’t expect anybody to observe, monitor or enforce the suspended order otherwise such action will be considered a rebellion to the highest leadership of our global movement.

“On the other hand, our oppressors should not take our decision as an act of cowardice. IPOB still believes that our elders, religious leaders, political leaders and various stakeholders will live up to their promises in their engagements and efforts towards securing the unconditional release of  our leader.

“We, therfore, urge all Biafrans and residents of Biafra to go about their lawful businesses without fear of any molestations. All agents of darkness recruited by our enemies to inflict pains on our people under the guise of enforcing the sit-at-home are hereby warned to steer clear or brace up for the consequences of their evil action.”

Police Officer Goes Berserk, Allegedly Kills Two Over N100 Bribe

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Nigeria Police

By Akinwale Kasali

It was a Black Thursday for residents and business owners in the Command area of Oke Odo Local Council Development Area, Lagos State, following the killing of a young apprentice and a middle aged Tricyclists by a Police Officer attached to the Divisional Police Office in the area.

It was gathered that the Police Officer was on patrol alongside his colleagues when he stopped the Tricyclist. After checking his documents, the Police Officer allegedly demanded for N100, which the Tricyclist refused to part with leading to an argument.

The Police Officer, allegedly, out of annoyance, stabbed the Tricyclist, prompting his colleagues to intervene.

Before the Tricyclist could be rushed to the hospital by his colleagues, he died.

Noticing that the irate crowd would pounce on them, the Police Officers shot sporadically into the air to scare the crowd so as to take to their heels.

Unfortunately, a young boy,  popularly known as Smally, who is an apprentice at a Mechanic shop was hit by a stray bullet and he died on the spot.

The killing of the duo led to chaos in the area, as the irate youths, business owners and residents took to the streets to show their displeasure, halting vehicular and business activities in the area as people ran helter skelter for their lives.

Protesting the killing of the two, Youths in their hundreds, alongside sympathizers stormed the Command Divisional, with the aim of lynching the Police Officers that carried out the dastardly act.

The protesters deflated tires of the Police Van, vandalizing Police properties, with Police Officers on duty scampering for safety.

The Tricyclist was said to be expecting a baby, as his wife is heavily pregnant, while the young apprentice that also died was said to have an aged mother.

It took the intervention of Soldiers attached to the Military Base to restore normalcy to the area, as the Protesters threatened to set the Police Station ablaze.

The Divisional Police Officer of the Police Station was not around as at the time of filing this report, while the Lagos State Police Public Relation Officer, CSP Ajisebutu, promised to give a comprehensive report on the issue when he has been fully briefed.

Anambra: Criminals Using IPOB’s Name To Kill – South East Governors’ Forum

By
Uche Mbah
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By Uche Mbah

The South-East Governors’ Forum has asked Security Agencies posted to Anambra State to secure the elections to “play within the rules”, adding that criminals may be using the name of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB to kill innocent citizens.

In a statement issued by the Governor of Ebonyi State and Chairman of the Forum, David Umahi, and made available to newsmen Thursday, the Forum said it is aware that the security situation has gone beyond IPOB.

“We plead with all security agencies deployed for Anambra election to please secure the lives of our people in Anambra State while playing within the rules of their engagements”, the statement read in part.

“We are aware that the insecurity in South East has gone beyond IPOB. Cultists, armed robbers and kidnappers have recruited themselves and are using the name of IPOB to be killing innocent citizens. We will not allow this to continue.

“We thank the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Independent National Electoral Commission for their determination to hold the Anambra election on 6th November 2021. We will give them every support and shall help them to ensure a free, fair and violence-free election. We, therefore, ask our people to go out and vote for candidates of their choice as we have been assured of adequate security measures to secure their lives and properties.

“We are confident that through our mediation, that of religious leaders, Ohaneze Ndigbo and traditional rulers, IPOB will see reasons to call off all sit-at-home orders including the recent one of 5th to 10th November 2021. We, as South East Governors, are committed to political solutions over the present situation in South East and this will be achieved faster if all the illegal sit-at-home orders and violence by the various state agitators are stopped in South East.

“We wish Anambra people a peaceful election on 6th November 2021″, it concluded.

Many people think this statement comes late. The Anambra election is about 36 hours away.

Anambra Elections: IGP Orders Restriction Of Vehicular Movement

By
The Source
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Usman Alkali Baba- IGP

As part of measures aimed at protecting the sanctity of the electoral process in the November 6, 2021, Anambra State Gubernatorial Elections, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered the restriction of vehicular movement in and out of Anambra State from 11:59PM on Friday, 5th November, 2021 to 11:59PM on Saturday, 6th November, 2021.

 According to a statement signed by Force Spokesperson, CP Frank Mba, the  IGP noted that the restriction order has become necessary following pointers from the Election Security Threats Assessments conducted by the Force which indicate a high likelihood of infiltration by criminally-minded individuals to Anambra State, before, during and after the polls. The IGP further noted that the measure would also avail security forces a firm grip of the State to checkmate the movement of political thugs and touts, and prevent the free flow, circulation and use of illicit arms and hard drugs throughout the period and beyond.

The IGP enjoined INEC officials, accredited observers and journalists, and other authorized officials to go about their lawful duties as it relates to the elections, provided they observe all relevant rules guiding their deployment including the visible display of their accreditation tags. He acknowledged that Police officers and other security personnel deployed for the election will be appropriately supervised to ensure they carry out their responsibilities in the most humane, firm and professional manner especially to emergency service providers such as fire-fighters and ambulance services.

The IGP enjoined citizens, particularly motorists and travellers who may want to use the routes within Anambra State during the period of the restrictions, to seek alternative routes and see the inconveniences as part of sacrifices toward the collective sustenance of our democracy. He called on citizens in the State to go out en-masse on the Election Day and exercise their franchise without any fear or apprehension as the Force and other security agencies are already on ground to ensure a safe and conducive environment for the elections.

However, this magazine recalls that this restriction is not exclusive to Anambra election. The IGP has always restricted the movement of motorists during such elections.

Instructively, the Indigenous Peoples Of Biafra, IPOB, had declared a one-week sit-at-home order in the South-east, beginning from Friday November 5, to November 10, 2021.

Bianca Ojukwu Vindicates Senator Andy Uba; Says Obiano Killed, Plundered APGA –SAUGCO

By
The Source
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Senator Andy Uba Governorship Campaign Organisation, SAUGCO has said that Mrs Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu’s latest public declaration of vote of no confidence on Governor Willie Obiano’s leadership of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the party itself on the eve of the November 6 Anambra State governorship election, has vindicated its position that APGA under Obiano is not only dead but cremated by the lack of transparency and apparent urination on the  interest of the people and  the grave of its late respected   leader, Dim Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.

Ojukwu’s widow had on Thursday, November 4, in a public letter addressed to her late husband, entitled “Letter to Dim  Ojukwu on the upcoming Anambra election on this symbolic anniversary”, expressed disappointment at the manner “Obiano together with his locust men hijacked our political habitat APGA, and plundered and destroyed the house you toiled night and day to build…”

A statement by the Director of Media and Publicity of the campaign organisation, Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, said, inter alia: “We agree with this assertion by Mrs. Ojukwu, as it is in sync with what we have been telling ndi Anambra overtime that the soul of APGA has been buried in the cesspit of Governor Obiano’s nepotism, greed, self interest and insensitivity.  So, when he and his cohorts say: nkea bu nke anyi, know it is  only a gimmick to continually enslave you.”

We feel the pain of many former and current APGA faithful who have continued to suffer in the hands of Emperor Obiano and his cronies; we totally understand the anguish of Mrs. Ojukwu, when she stated in the letter, “They enthroned injustice and impunity, robbed their brethren and sent many to early graves.

“Ikemba Ndi Igbo, you stood for justice and equity, and fought relentlessly for the protection of your people, for the poor and the downtrodden …yet, these party leaders always chose to play dumb in any critical issue affecting our people , neither did they condemn the unjust  imprisonment and wanton killings of their Igbo brothers,” Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu said.

For Senator Uba, “it is sad that Governor Obiano didn’t only exhibit this crass insensitivity over the past eight years, but is also planning to foist another insensitive, arrogant and rude Charles Soludo, who recent developments have exposed to also be a liar of unparalleled proportion.

“Anambra state does not deserve an insensitive lying person as a governor. And Soludo has been proven to wear both inglorious caps.

Governor Willy Obiano of Anambra State
Governor Willy Obiano of Anambra State

“At the recent debate by governorship candidates, Soludo lied on national television that Senator Andy Uba didn’t recommend him to former President Olusegun Obasanjo for appointment as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. But this has proven to be a lie.”

In deed, a royal father, HRH Igwe PC Eze ( The Abirikete of Umunze), Anambra state, who accompanied Soludo to the Presidential Villa on a thank-you-visit soon after the appointment was announced, was quoted on record, to have recalled:”When I led the OAU(Old Aguata Union) delegation to the villa to thank Obasanjo for appointing Charles Chukwuma Soludo the CBN governor, on the request of Soludo, Obasanjo told us before Soludo, to rather thank Senator Emmanuel Andy Uba who convinced him to appoint Soludo the CBN governor “

Senator Uba, who wished Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu a posthumous birthday, assured all those who believe in the late Ikemba’s insistence on the rightful place of the Igbo in the Nigerian federation, that with his Igwebuike message, the people of Anambra, nay the South east, would soon regain their preeminence in the scheme of things in Nigeria – and to achieve this laudable goal, we must keep professional liars like Professor Soludo far from the inner recesses of power and leadership.

Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Appoints Prof Olukoshi to its Board

By
The Source
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Professor Adebayo Olukoshi

The Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) has appointed Professor  Adebayo Olukoshi, a renowned academic and international development expert, as a member of its board.

Wealth Dickson Ominabo, Communications Officer of the Foundation,  in a news statement said Olukoshi will work with other reputable individuals drawn from  different   backgrounds and nationalities  within and outside Africa to give policy direction to the Foundation’s programmes and policies.

Prof Olukoshi joins the Foundation with over  35 years of experience in the areas of political economy, international relations, democratic governance, and higher education, both in the academic sector and  intergovernmental institutions.

The  Executive Director and Secretary of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Board, Ms Ann Iyonu said: “The Goodluck Jonathan Foundation is pleased to welcome  Prof. Adebayor Olukoshi as a member of  our Board. He joins the Foundation with over 35 years  of experience in governance and academics.

“Having worked and excelled in different  focus areas  of the Foundation, we are optimistic that he will contribute meaningfully towards  the promotion of our values.

“We are glad  to have him with us. We will be counting on his knowledge, experience and contacts in different fields towards the attainment of our objectives and mission of promoting good governance, democracy, peace and prosperity in Africa.

“He will work with other reputable individuals drawn from  different backgrounds and nationalities  within and outside Africa to provide policy direction to the Foundation’s programmes and policies.

Others on  the board of the  Goodluck Jonathan Foundation are H.E Dr. Goodluck Ebele  Jonathan, President, Federal Republic of Nigeria (2010-2015) Founder and Chair of the Board of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation.

Pansy Tlakula, Chairperson of the Information Regulator of South Africa and member of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Thomas Rossmeissl, Head of Global Marketing for the innovative food and technology company and Ann Iyonu, Executive Director and Board Secretary of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation.

Recently, the Foundation lost one of its board members,  Innocent Chukwuma, therefore; requiring that the Board be strengthened with more appointments.

Anambra Election: Bianca Invokes Ojukwu’s Spirit; Thumbs Down Obiano

By
The Source
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Bianca and Dim Ojukwu

In an, at once, emotional and scathing letter to her late husband and acclaimed leader of the Igbo, late Dim Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, his wife, Iyom Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu Ojukwu, tells him of the alleged betrayal of his memory by Governor Willy Obiano, and how the Governor has destroyed APGA. Invoking Ojukwu’s spirit, she asks that Obiano and those who insulted his memory, and  destroyed APGA be paid back in their own coins.

The open letter, dated November 4, very strongly-worded, comes two days to the Anambra Governorship election.

LETTER TO DIM OJUKWU ON THE UPCOMING ANAMBRA ELECTIONS ON THIS SYMBOLIC BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY

By Bianca Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu

Odum n’eche Igbo,

“It is with a heavy heart that I make this communication with your noble soul, now resident in the heavenly realms, on this occasion of your birthday anniversary, and literally on the eve of the Gubernatorial Elections in your beloved state, Anambra.

“I am filled with concern and anxiety about the current state of the legacy you left us…our party, The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

“Today I hear the bells tolling, and the chimes send shivers down my spine.

“Today, chaos reigns supreme in our once stable party; our party faithful are despondent and embittered; And many of them have taken their fate in their own hands by bolting away from our party like rats desert a sinking ship…

“Some years ago, a carefree former banker called Obiano together with his locust men hijacked our political habitat APGA, and plundered and destroyed the house you toiled night and day to build…

“They brought in their strange gods and made desperate party aspirants bow before them in a macabre dance of initiation;

“They enthroned injustice and impunity, robbed their brethren and sent many to early graves..

Ikemba Ndi Igbo, you stood for justice and equity, and fought relentlessly for the protection of your people, for the poor and the downtrodden ….yet, these Party leaders always chose to play dumb in any critical issue affecting our people , neither did they condemn the unjust imprisonment and wanton killings of their Igbo brothers.

“Nna Anyi, they removed your image from our party uniform, boldly labeling you a dead man who was no longer relevant, even to the beloved party you nurtured.

Who is that Herod that seeks to erase your memory from this noble cause, this roll of honour, this last stand for Ndigbo in the twilight years of your life? Obiano, whose greatest legacies are betrayal, distrust and ingratitude?

“Obiano, whose parting gift to Ndi Anambra remains the wholesale importation of toxins into our political space…in turning brother against brother, Denomination against Denomination, union leaders against members, Communities against their Stakeholders, Subjects against their traditional Rulers and friends against friends in a craftily orchestrated chess game of divide and rule?

“Arise, Odum n’eche Igbo…Arise on our behalf.

“May this Herod reap the harvest of his habitual treachery, and the first fruits of the turmoil he created as he literally sat back and watched as insecurity overran our space. May the one who seeks to erase your insignia and obscure your legacy suffer the same fate he strives to inflict on a man of honour; May he suffer the shame and humiliation he gratuitously dishes out to his fellows.

“Amuma n’Egbe Igwe, Intercede for us. The eleventh hour is upon us. We are advancing into this electoral battlefield with untreated sores and bleeding wounds, but with our heads held high. Should we fail to make it, Let it be on record that Willie Obiano destroyed APGA…an unenviable feat that will surely haunt him for the rest of his years. He will go down in history as the profligate who frittered away our collective patrimony. This, we shall never forget…

Happy Birthday, Odum n’eche Igbo, our Hero.

“May you continue to enjoy a well merited rest in Heaven’s Land of the Brave.

“Yours Lovingly,

Iyom Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu

4 November 2021.”

Bianca had, for months, refused to participate in any APGA activities insisting the leadership of the party betrayed her husband and insulted his memory.

Abuja Abductions: Schools Tell Parents To Keep Their Children At Home

By
Uche Mbah
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0
Abuja Students

By Uche Mbah

Some schools in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja have informed parents to keep their children at home until the security situation improves.

This was disclosed by Senator Shehu Sani, former Senator representing Kaduna Central.

Children in the Northern part of the Country are being abducted on daily basis, , and in recent times the targets have been Abuja, the Nation’s Capital.

This is amid the rising insecurity in the country which has seen school children in the Northern part of the country abducted in large numbers.

In recent times, more abductions have been done in the Nation’s Capital, Abuja.

On his tweeter handle, Sanni said the monster has reached the center.

“This morning, some schools in Abuja have asked parents to keep their children at home pending the security situation. The monster has reached the centre.”

Sani had in an earlier tweet noted that University Lecturers and “academics are becoming the targets of kidnappers as we have seen in the attacks on the Ahmadu Bello University, Kaduna State Polytechnic and now University of Abuja…

“The location of the University of Abuja in the Federal Capital and its proximity to military formations have not protected its inhabitants from terrorists & kidnappers. As long as the neighbouring states of the FCT are not safe, Abuja can’t be safe”, he said.

Six people were Tuesday abducted from the senior staff quarters of the University of Abuja, including two professors-Prof. Bassey Ubom (with his son and daughter), Prof. Obanza Malam, Sambo Mohammed and Dr. Tobit.

Indications are that the abductors have reached out to the families and are demanding the sum of N300 million ransom.

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