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Anambra Insecurity: Apologize to Senator Uba Now, SAUGCO Tells Obiano, Followers

By
The Source
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Governor Willy Obiano of Anambra State

Embattled Anambra State Governor, Chief Willy Obiano  seems to have boxed himself into a tight corner.

Buffeted from all corners- insecurity, defecting House of Assembly Members, alleged very sour relationship with his Deputy – he seems to be mis-speaking.

For a couple of weeks and counting, Obiano had put the blame on the worsening insecurity situation in the State, for which Anambra people are faced with tears, blood and sorrow, and for which the Attorney General and Minister for Justice is threatening State of Emergency, on the opposition All Progressives Party, APC, in the State and its Governorship Candidate, Senator Andy Uba. By words and actions he put the blame on them.

But a couple of days ago, he  made an about-turn.

Responding to why he was absent at the meeting of South-east Governors and Leaders which held in Enugu to discuss the security situation in the Zone, especially, as it concerns Anambra, Obiano exonerated Anambra people from the tragedy. He said no Anambra indigene was involved; that the insecurity was imported to Anambra; and so, he didn’t need to be at same table with those who were importing insecurity to his State.

He said this through his Special Adviser on Political Matters,  Ifeatu Obiokoye

For exonerating Anambra people, the Senator Andy Uba Governorship Campaign Organisation, SAUGCO, says Obiano owes Uba and Anambra people an apology.

A statement signed by Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, Director of Publicity, SAUGCO, says “the Governor’s comment that certain individuals outside Anambra are responsible for unrest has vindicated the  APC guber candidate”

Following is the full text of the statement:

The attention of the Senator Andy Uba Governorship Campaign Organisation, SAUGCO has been drawn to media reports absolving Anambra citizens from the spate of violence and killings plaguing the state.

Giving reasons why Governor Willy Obiano failed to attend last Tuesday’s regional parley on the deteriorating security situation in Anambra, Special Adviser on Political Matters to Governor Obiano, Chief  Ifeatu Obiokoye stated that the governor could not fathom sitting to discuss security with “certain individuals” who he alleged were behind the violence rocking the state.

“What people are saying goes to no issue in the first instance because it is public knowledge that those doing the killings are not from Anambra state and no Anambra person would go to this extent.

“These people are from outside Anambra state and you expect the governor to be holding meetings with them on security challenges which those people are executing?,” Obiokoye had said.

Flowing from the Political Adviser’s open confession that no Anambra person, high or low, is involved in the disturbances ravaging our dear state, it is our contention that he ought to have taken the moral high ground by going ahead to offer unreserved apologies to our Candidate, Senator Andy Uba who the Obiano camp had strenuously tried to malign.

“Conventional wisdom dictates that it is counterproductive to seek to play politics with issues of security. This is so because in attempting to politicise any security challenge, the real culprits would be left with a leeway to continue to evade detection.

“Now, with the open admission that Senator Emmanuel Nnamdi Uba is not in anyway involved in the ugly spectacle going on in Awka, the honourable thing to do is, offer unreserved apologies to him.

“We have always maintained that issues of security is everyone’s call, hence our relentless call on Governor Obiano to step forward and take charge.”

Ooni’s Palace Clarifies Private Jet Gift By PDP Gov Aspirant, Senator Adeleke

By
Ayodele Oni
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Ooni of Ife- Oba Enitan Ogunwusi

By Ayodele Oni

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has said that there was no  time he was promised a private jet by Governorship aspirant of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP),Senator Ademola Adeleke.

The social media has been awash with news that the politician promised to provide private jet for the Ife monarch if elected as Osun state Governor in 2022.

The Senator has since denied making such a statement. His speech, he said, was turned upside down, and inside out.

A statement by the Director of Media and Public Affairs of the Ooni of Ife’s Palace, Moses Olafare, in Ile-Ife, urged the general public to disregard the viral report.

“There was no such report issued from the palace despite the fact that the politician’s speech was twisted by some writers with hidden intentions, including to drag the respected stool of the Ooni in the mud.

“The truth can be sought from videos that emanated from the visit. Ooni’s singular request was for a credible election, devoid of crisis for the betterment of all, which the PDP chieftain agreed to.

“It is the usual character of all political office aspirants and party’s candidates without exception, including the visiting Adeleke, to make several promises like the reconstruction of roads in Ile-Ife and completion of the Osun State Airport project at Ido-Osun, among others.

“Sadly, these developmental bullet points were mischievously ignored in the viral news reports.

“On the controversial ‘Private Jet’, it is a common knowledge that the Adeleke family has a fleet of private planes which could have been the basis for the governorship hopeful to have lightly said : Royal Father, private jet you may need for your trips are readily available.”

Fayemi’s Passion For Third Term, As He Hints Of Succession Agenda

By
Ayodele Oni
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Kayode Fayemi- Otunba Niyi Adebayo; Senator Biodun Olujimi

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, has unveiled his ambition to rule the State for a third term through any of his surrogates.

Dr Fayemi’s position is coming just as his party, the All Progressive Congress, (APC) in the State is yet to come out with any credible candidate for the Governorship election, which is just a few months away.

With the aspirants of the opposition People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) already picking forms for the election, APC members are still in dilemma over who will contest.

From investigations, it was gathered that members of APC in the State are waiting for the Governor to raise the hand of his successor so that they queue behind him.

They claimed that the waiting game was the fallout of the 2018 experience in which those of them that did not belong to JKF’s political family were sidelined in the scheme of things.

Already a particular political platform floated by some loyalists of Dr Fayemi, is speculating that his successor may be picked from among his cabinet members.

One, out of three prominent names, that of his Chief of Staff, Biodun Omoleye, Secretary to State Government, Biodun Oyebanji and Attorney General, Mr Wale Fapohunda, is being flaunted as likely successor.

At a function in Abuja on Thursday, where he addressed top Federal civil servants and political office holders, who are Indigenes of the state, Dr Fayemi hinted of his intention to pick a candidate that would continue with some of his programmes after his exit in October 2022.

Fayemi expressed hope that his successor would be from his party in order to continue some of his projects.

“I hope I am able to do my third term through whoever that would be coming. That is the magic of Lagos,” he said.

He lamented the low revenue base of the state saying that the fund, which he put at N3billion, was barely enough to pay salaries with almost nothing left to spend on infrastructure.

The Governor said because of the low revenue allocation, he has been relying on his ingenuity, network and support from development partners to bring development to the state.

“When you really look at it, we are 34 on the revenue ladder of this country.

“What comes to us is roughly N3 billion and by the time we settle the wage bill in the state, we have merely zero left for infrastructural development.

“We need to rely on the network that we have and the creativity and innovation of ourselves, engagement of development partners who have significantly supported us in the state.

“However, over the last three years, we have brought investments worth over $300 million in Ekiti state. That’s just a segment of our economy.”

Uzodimma To Implement Report On Local Government staff, Salary Verification

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodimma

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has received the final report on Local Government Staff and Salary verification from the Committee that was mandated to do so and vowed to implement the recommendations.

Speaking while receiving the report at the New Executive Chambers on Wednesday the Governor said the recommendations were far-reaching and point the way to an accountable and credible local government administration.

He decried the connivance between local government officials and staff that resulted in the recruitment of fake workers and padding of the payroll of the personnel, noting that the outcome of the verification has helped to streamline who the genuine workforce in the 27 local government areas of the State are.

The Governor thanked the Committee for carrying out the painstaking job, saying that with the development of a Data Bank for the LGA, the government is now better equipped to roll out programmes and plans that will benefit them.

The Governor reiterated that on assumption of office his administration discovered a lot of discrepancies in the payroll system of the State’s Civil Service and Local Government, mainly because of the absence of  accurate data, hence the need for the committee’s inauguration to comprehensively verify the system.

He explained that the first report excluded the Health and Agric workers, a situation which necessitated the need for extension of the Committee’s work that brought about the final and comprehensive report that had been submitted.

The Governor expressed happiness that “the report has justified my thinking and reasoning as it is obvious that there were reckless abuse of the staff and salaries of Health workers and Agric workers all targeted at jumbo salaries of CONMESS and CONHESS.”

Submitting the report, Chairman of the Committee who is also Chairman, Imo State Local Government Service Commission, Mrs. Rosemary Izuogu said that there investigation revealed so many discrepancies, especially in the salaries and staff of health and agriculture workers in Imo State. 

She emphasized that many unqualified personnel in the Councils manoeuvered their way to the departments of Health and Agriculture because of the different salary structure not minding that they were not qualified.

She, however, affirmed that the verification has harmonized everything.

Mrs. Izuogu said that their job was guided by laid down rules and regulations of the Civil and Public Service, noting that the verification discovered that most personnel who claimed to have enhanced their career did so illegally.

A cursory look at the summary of the report handed over to the Governor shows a loss of over N407m per annum, which when put together cost the State above N4billion for a period of 10 years within which the irregularities in the  LGA nominal and payroll fraud had lasted. 

The report indicated worrisome situation in some Local Governments such as Owerri North, Ihitte Uboma and Aboh Mbaise where ghost workers was absurd and staff who were supposed to have retired are still serving while some deceased ones are still in the payroll.

She concluded by saying that the verification has been able to develop a Data Bank for all the LGAs establishing their staff strength and salaries, which will help government in planning and policies. 

She however thanked the Governor for the assignment and requested that the report be considered and be put to use for effective Local Government administration. 

Qatar 2022: Mixed Reactions Trail Nigeria’s Loss To CAR; Calls For Rohr’s Sack Persist

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Super Eagles Coach, Gernot Rohr
Super Eagles Coach, Gernot Rohr

By Akinwale Kasali

Nigeria’s  Football fans, ex-internationals, soccer enthusiasts and analysts alike are calling for the sack of Super Eagles Coach, Gernot Rohr.

The Franco-German tactician have been under strong criticism for the lackadaisical display of the Super Eagles of Nigeria in their previous matches. Thursday’s loss to lowly rated Central African Republic, CAR, at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, Nigeria in the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers was the limit.

Those asking for his sack allege that his tactical approach to games is  archaic; that the team isn’t coordinated; that since assumption of office as the Coach of the National team in 2016, there has  been no improvement.

His style of play has also been faulted.

Former Super Eagles striker, Yakubu Aiyegbeni  described Rohr as the worst coach Nigeria has ever had.

Aiyegbeni said some of the players invited by the Coach were not worthy to dorn the National team Jersey.

“The coach is not good enough, no clue. Gernot Rohr is one of the worst coaches in our history. He is not good enough.

“The NFF should let him go. He is responsible for the poor form of the Super Eagles team.

“Our football is getting worse everyday. When I was there, people criticise us, but we are way better than these ones”, he lamented.

In the same vein, Victor Ikpeba, another Ex- International and former African Footballer of the Year noted that the current generation of the team is bereft of creativity, calling for the sack of Rohr.

Soccer journalist, Biodun Alabi, said that the loss to Central African Republic is not pardonable.

“In recent history, the Eagles have had scandalous outings. A 2-0 loss to Madagascar at the last AFCON, a 4-4 home draw with Sierra Leone and yesterday’s (Thursday’s) disgrace against one of Africa’s minnows, Central Africa Republic. Even my 11 year-old son was shocked. I couldn’t provide him explanations.

“But to blame entirely the current Eagles generation for this shame is to scratch the issue. Many of them don’t deserve to be in the team, but they didn’t force themselves in. The story of today’s Eagles adequately explains the trajectory of Nigerian football in the hands of government and occupiers of the Federation House over the years.

“It is more saddening that the current NFF act as though nothing is wrong. Their arrogance against admitting to a collateral disaster Nigerian football has become nauseating. It has never been this bad.

“Even with a resounding win in the reverse leg in Cameroon, the blot has been etched. More of this experience will come if the real issues are still being glossed over”, he said.

Amos Ahmed Adeshina, a soccer enthusiast said the match against Central African Republic was repulsive, and was a big disgrace to the entire Super Eagles team.

He, also, demanded for immediate sack of Rohr.

“If Rohr was to be a Nigerian, he would have been sacked. If not that the Amaju Pinnick NFF has a hidden agenda and some secrets, why would Rohr still be the Coach? He is tactically poor and lacks the technical know as a coach”, he said.

Tinubu Arrives Nigeria, Received At Airport By Sanwo-Olu

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Bola Tinubu with Sanwoolu on Return to Nigeria

By Akinwale Kasali

Bola Tinubu, the National  Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, finally returned to Nigeria Friday night after a more than three months stay in the United Kingdom on medical grounds.

He was received on arrival by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. The Governor had, incidentally, on Thursday, launched what he called the South-west Agenda (2023), with an emphasis that Tinubu’s chances are bright.

Even though Tinubu has not, officially, declared his interest in the 2023 Presidential seat, it is strongly suspected that he would enter the ring.

Already, several groups, including traditional rulers and politicians have endorsed him. His residence in London, while he was there, was a Mecca of sorts, as Politicians visited him to show solidarity. Aside from President Muhammadu Buhari who visited him, at least four serving Governors also visited him. Not left out were the Speaker of the House of Representatives, a delegation the House of Representatives Caucus from the North, a delegation from the Lagos House of Assembly, and a number of others.

Tinubu allegedly had a knee replacement surgery, and admitted that the physio he was going through in the UK was very gruesome.

Speculations had been rife on when he would return and, a couple of times, it had been said that he had returned, but he arrived on Friday, October 8, literally, unannounced.

It was gathered that there was a change in plan just to divert the attention of Party faithfuls, fans and well wishers who were planning to storm the Muritala Muhammed International  Airport in Lagos to welcome the APC stalwart.

Tinubu’s  arrival it was gathered was as a result of the upcoming APC state congresses, expected to hold on October 15.

The Source reliably gathered that his returning to Nigeria wasn’t part of the initial plan, but the former Lagos State Governor insisted today.

It would be recalled that days ago, Tinubu was sighted on the street of London with a caucus of Northern lawmakers who were in the UK to solidarise with the man and discuss matters relating to the country’s security and presidential zoning ahead of 2023 election.

Political analysts say that the arrival of Tinubu in Nigeria may be as result of the Tinubu Support Organization, TSO, plan to flag off his 2023 Presidential Ambition campaign in Abuja, the nation’s Capital, possibly on Saturday, October 9, 2021.

Actor Chiwetalu Agu With The DSS

By
The Source
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Chinwetalu Agu

By Charles Igbo

The Directorate of State Services, DSS, is in custody of Nollywood Veteran Actor, Chinwetalu Agu.

But there is confusion over how he got there. While the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, say Agu was picked up  by the DSS, Dr Peter Afunanya, DSS’ Spokesman, was quoted as saying that the Army handed the Actor over to Service.

Agu was arrested on Thursday, October 7, 2021, by Soldiers at the popular Upper Iweka area of Onitsha, allegedly, for wearing a dress made of the Biafran flag. He said he was on a Charity mission, distributing a N10.000.00 worth of loaves of bread to the underprivileged when he was arrested by the soldiers.

But the Army told a different story. It’s Spokesman, Brigadier-General Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement, said the Actor was arrested for incitement and soliciting support for IPOB. Agu had told the soldiers in a Video that went viral that what he was wearing was the rising sun, not IPOB or ESN dress.

Agu was, on Friday morning, released to the Actors Guild to the delight of many who had expressed outrage over his arrest. But, he was, according to the AGN, arrested again by the DSS.

2023: Amidst Osinbajo’s Challenge, Tinubu Group Eyes 12m Votes From South West

By
Bayo Bernard
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By James Orji

Senator Dayo Adeyeye, chairman, South West Agenda 2023 has disclosed that Bola Ahmed Tinubu will win the 2023 presidential election by 12 million votes from the south west.

Adeyeye made the declaration, on Friday, amidst revelation, by Mallam Salihu Isa Nataro, an APC chieftain from Kebbi State that the North has begun a search for a running mate for Vice President Yemi Osinbajo ahead the 2023 presidential election. Nataro said during the week that Osinbajo, who has so far not indicated his interest in the race, is preferred by Northern elite to take over from President Muhammadu Buhari.

Nataro said “This development is hardly surprising. Osinbajo simply has no problem, as Nigerians would key into his usual jocularity. The man has nearly all what it takes to make a very good president for Nigeria. He is humble, almost self-effacing, a team player, a loyal follower of his principal and above all, very intelligent and self-controlled.”

SWAGA, a pro-Tinubu campaign group was inaugurated, on Thursday in Lagos by the governor of the state, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Tinubu, a former Lagos state governor and All Progressives Congress, APC stalwart has just returned from London where he was treated for knee injury.

The politician has yet to declare his interest in the presidency, but some groups across the country, including SWAGA have been clamouring that he joined the race.

Speaking on a Channels Television programme on Friday, Adeyeye said the former governor will have a smooth sail in the 2023 presidential election. According to the chairman of the pro-Tinubu group, the APC chieftain will coast home to victory with at least 12 million votes from the South west.

Incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari won the 2019 presidential election with 15 million votes according to figures declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The senator said Tinubu has a large following across the country and acceptable to a broad section of Nigerians.

According to him “When this movement started, we wanted our candidate who some people particularly in Abuja and some circles have been saying have no home base; he is no longer popular and all that. We wanted to prove to them that the man is very acceptable, not only in his home base but throughout the country.

“We want everybody in the South-West to rally around this man and support him and so far we have been very successful.

“We have moved round the palaces to see most of our top traditional rulers who have endorsed him.

“Charity begins at home; we wanted to solidify the Homebase. Once the home base is solidified, I believe other Nigerians, particular in our party, will feel more comfortable to field this candidate, knowing that he can win the election for them.”

Adeyeye said Tinubu’s best chance in winning the election is to secure the entire south west

He said  “Don’t forget that one of the selling points for President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 was that he already had 12 million votes in his pocket (in previous elections) particularly in the North-West and North-East. So, it was easy with support from a few other places for him to win the presidency.

“We are also saying that come 2023, the man we are projecting already has at least 12 to 13 million votes in his pocket and so it will be easy.”

Adeyeye gives a breakdown of how Tinubu will emerge president

“I am giving it (figure) based on what I have seen on ground having to transverse the length and breadth of the South-West and having seen people from political parties saying that when it comes to the issue of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, they will shed their partisan toga and embrace him and vote for him. I have seen that in the palaces of the Obas, amongst artisans and market women.

“When it comes to the issue of the Presidency in 2023, all of these people in unison, they will shed every differences and vote for this man.

“The votes in the South-West is more than 20 million votes. I am only saying 12 to 13 million votes is already assured and I say it with all sense of responsibility without fear of contradiction that those 12 to 13 votes are already in the bag,” Adeyeye concluded.

Meanwhile, Tinubu’s return to the country, on Friday, comes on the heels of suggestions that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is being positioned by certain interest in the North to contest the 2023 presidential election.

The vice president rode on Tinubu’’s influence to power, and any attempt to use him as a counterpoise to Tinubu’s presidential ambition, many say, will polarized the south west.

How FG Borrowed N4trn For Recession- Minister

By
Bayo Bernard
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Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed,minister of finance

By Tosin Olatokunbo

Amid complaints that the nation’s debt has hit the roof top, the federal government has disclosed that it borrowed close to N4 trillion to help Nigeria exit recession.

Up to N23 trillion has been borrowed from local and international creditors since President Muhammadu Buhari came to power in 2015, making the administration the highest borrower ever.

The government said it will borrow more as complaints grown among Nigerians that the debt is becoming unsustainable, even as the federal government plans to spend 35 percent of projected revenue in the 2022 budget to service debt, according to the Budget Proposals presented to the National Assembly, on Thursday by Preident Buhari.

Speaking on the debt, Zainab Ahmed, Nigeria’s Minister of Finance said borrowing was the saving grace for the country to speedily exit recession.

Ahmed spoke on Friday during the Public Presentation and Breakdown of the 2022 Appropriation Bill at the National Assembly, Abuja.

According to her “Having witnessed two consecutive recessions, we have had to spend our way out of the recession which contributed significantly to the growth of our public debts.

“It is unlikely that our recovery from these recessions would have been as fast without the sustained government expenditure funded partly by debt.”

The minister explained that the government generated a total of N3.9 trillion which includes, company income tax of N547.5 billion, Value Added Tax collections of N235.7 billion, customs collections of N338.6 billion and other revenues which amounted to N1.7 trillion.

Giving the breakdown, Ahmed said, “For the 2021 performance, between January and August, revenue generated was N3.93tn which was 73 per cent of the prorated target. Out of this amount, CIT and VAT collections were N547.5bn and N235.7bn respectively representing 121 percent in the case of CIT and 148 per cent in the case of VAT of the prorated target.

“Custom collections 338.6bn represents 99 per cent of prorated target. Other revenues amounting to N1.7tn of which the federal government independent revenue of N691.36bn while GEOs revenue was N873.5bn.

“On the expenditure side, N8.14tn representing 84 per cent of the N9.71tn prorated expenditure from January to August has been spent. This performance includes expenditure estimates of Government Owned Enterprises (GEOs) but doesn’t include project tied loans

“Of the expenditure, N2.89tn was utilized for debt servicing, while N2.57tn was utilised for personnel cost including pension and gratuities. As at the end of August, N1.75tn has been expended for capital projects, of this amount, N1.723tn represents 81 per cent of the aggregate provision for Ministries Department Agencies’ capital prorated, while N36.01bn is expenditure from GEOs.

“So the story here is that the revenue performance aggregate is 73 per cent but the fact is that the non-oil revenue performing very well above the target, while the oil and gas revenue is lagging.

“As at August we had a fiscal deficit of N4.29tn, this is against the prorated target of N4.61tn and we financed this deficit by utilization of N136.77bn from proceeds of the sales of government assets through the privatisation process, also by drawdown of bilateral and multilateral tied loans in the sum of N473.12bn and new borrowings of N3.65tn from both domestic and foreign sources,’ Ahmed stated.

After Release, Chinwetalu Agu Still Wears “Biafran Dress”

By
Uche Mbah
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0
Chinwetalu Agu

By Uche Mbah

Released Nollywood Actor, Chinwetalu Agu was seen Friday still wearing the same  apparel for which he was, obviously, arrested by the Army on Thursday, October 7, 2021.

The Nigerian Army unconditionally released  Agu after news of his arrest and the attendant outcry against it went viral on social media.

He was arrested by Soldiers at the popular Upper Iweka area, Onitsha while he was, according to him, on a Charity Drive. He said he bought loaves of bread worth the sum of ten thousand Naira which he was distributing to the less privileged when the soldiers accosted and arrested him.

But in a statement signed by Army Spokesman, Brigadier-General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Army said it arrested Agu because he was seen recruiting people to join the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB.

On release, Agu said what he was wearing had nothing to do with either IPOB or it’s militant wing, the Eastern Security Network, ESN, but  a material with the insignia of a rising sun.

No charge was officially made against him, but what he was wearing fuelled speculations that he was defiantly pro-Biafra.

Critics of the military argued that even Sheik Gumi, who  was seen taking photographs with bandits and rising to their defense, was not arrested by anybody.

In a statement posted Friday on the Actors Guild of Nigeria’s Instagram page, the Guild said he was released Friday morning.

“The National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Ejezie Emeka Rollas, has secured the release of actor Chiwetalu Agu from the custody of the Nigerian Army”, the statement said.

“The Senior Special Assistant on Military Affairs and Inter-Governmental Relations to the President of the Guild, Steve Eboh, who confirmed Agu’s release from the Army Barracks in Enugu thanked the High Command of the Nigerian Army for their cooperation and understanding in the matter.

“The National President also commended the efforts of the leadership of the pan Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo for their collaborative efforts on the matter.”

The AGN President denied making any statement on the arrest previously but instead advised the public to disregard any report in that line.

Agu was released to two representatives of the AGN.

Also Read: Actor Chiwetalu Agu With The DSS

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