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PDP Crisis: Secondus Slams Rivers Chairman, Amb Akawor

By
The Source
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Uche Secondus

By Charles Igbo

“Southern interest not determined by evidence ‘shopaholics”

The embattled Court-suspended National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, has slammed the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the Party, Ambassador Desmond Akawor.

Both men are from Rivers State.

However, Secondus’ problems in the party, which led to his suspension, started from Rivers State.

His State Governor, Nyesom Wike, is the leader of a faction who wants him out as Chairman over alleged incompetence. The ante to sack him went up two weeks ago when a Rivers State High Court suspended him from office. It was followed by that of a Calabar High Court, after Secondus had got a breather from a Kebbi High Court. He remains suspended.

But it worsened a few days ago when his Ward in Rivers State suspended him as a member of the party, followed by his LGA.

On Thursday, the State Chairman, Akawor, justifying  the suspension accused Secondus of not paying his Party dues in the past four years, and of being against the zoning of the Presidency in 2023 to the South.

Akawor said that all Secondus wants is a second  term in office as Chairman, knowing fully well that once he gets it, it forecloses the chances of a President from the  South, something all Southern Governors had decided upon and endorsed.

But Secondus in response said nothing could be further from the truth, and dismissed Akawor’s submission as thrash.

A release from his Media Office, signed by his Media Adviser, Ike Abonyi, not only dismissed Akawor’s claims as false, but hit out: “We understand the frustration the anti- Secondus crusaders who have become evidence of are facing in their desperation to find points with which to use to achieve their ignoble goals.”

The full statement reads:

“The media office of Prince Uche Secondus will continue to respond to even laughable talks because of the danger of allowing disinformation to enter public space unchallenged.

“One of such false information being dished out is the allegation from the Rivers State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ambassador Desmond Akawor that Prince Secondus is working against Southern interest and that he has not paid his dues to the party.

“We understand the frustration the anti- Secondus crusaders  who have become evidence shopaholics are facing in their desperation to find points with which to use to achieve their ignoble goals

“The media office sees their effort as a case of bad marketer selling a product, who puts in several efforts to convince buyers to no avail.

“Our response is that there is no truth in all the allegations and Southern interest will be grossly endangered if it’s the likes of Ambassador Akawor and his clique that are pushing it.

“Critical members of our party including discerning members of the public know as a fact that no one person no matter his position can determine singularly the position of offices in the party.

“The media office will however continue to urge members of the public and the media to be wary of compulsive shoppers whose agenda is mainly to distract and destroy this party and remove its focus from retuning to power in 2023 as being yearned by Nigerians.”

Wike was instrumental to Secondus becoming the National Chairman of the PDP. But sources tell the magazine they allegedly fell out over Wike’s political future, and over who succeeds him as Governor in 2023.

EFCC Designates Lekki As Nigeria’s Cybercrime Capital

By
Bayo Bernard
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Abdulrasheed Bawa

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission says Lekki area of Lagos State is now the epicenter of cybercrime in Nigeria.

The area on Lagos Island is a choice place for the high and mighty in the country. These include top politicians, business leaders and creme of the entertainment sector who have turned the place to their abodes.

The mass relocation by Nigerian first class citizens have pushed the cost of property to an all time high in the last few years.

Regardless of the cost, Nigerians who want to have a piece of the area have continued to troop in, the very latest being cybercrime criminals also known as Yahoo Yahoo boys, who the EFCC said have turned the area into their headquarters.

The anti graft agency disclosed this in one of its social media pages, adding that it has made more arrest of internet fraudsters in Lekki than any other part of the country in recent months.

According to the Abdulrasheed Bawa-led agency “Lekki, the fast-developing upper middle-class area of Lagos Metropolis, is emerging as the new hub of internet-related fraud.

“Data from the investigation activities of the Lagos Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for the second quarter of 2021, indicates that Lekki District is the preferred location for all manner of cyber fraud syndicates.

“Between April and June, 2021, the Advance Fee Fraud and Cyber Crime Sections of the Command recorded a total of 402 internet-related fraud arrests. While the Advance Fee Fraud Section was responsible for 243 arrests, the Cyber Crime Section executed 18 sting operations which resulted in 159 arrests, from which 13 convictions have so far been recorded,” the agency said.

2Baba’s Marriage In Shambles, As Wife, Annie, Accuses Him Of Infidelity

By
Akinwale Kasali
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2Baba and his Wife - Ann Idibia

By Akinwale Kasali

The marriage of International music act, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba with his wife, Annie Idibia, may soon become history following the allegation of infidelity leveled against the ‘African Queen crooner’.

Annie had called out the husband on her Social Media handle alleging that the award winning musician was having a relationship  with his baby mama, Pero Adeniyi, who bore him three children.

Annie had taken to her  Instagram Stories page Thursday, September 2, where she called him out over their relationship.

“I am a patient woman. I am not a fool, Innocent. Your family never loved me from the beginning. No matter how hard I tried. I was never worthy to them,” she wrote.

“I have made so many sacrifices for you and all your children. God knows I have  tried. Your babymamas constantly use your children as an excuse for all sort of rubbish.”

“I try to stay gracious. You are not the first man on the planet to have kids by different women. You can do better. Everything I do is to show the good human that you are.”

“But today, this move done by you, Efe, Frankie and your family is unacceptable.”

She went on to call him out for sleeping at the house of one of his baby mamas, Pero for days, during his trip to the United States of America.

“What kind of man takes his kids to Disney and spend nights in the same apartment with his kids and their mother? How many times have you gone to see your kids with Pero? And she stays with you and the kids under the same roof?”

It was gathered by this news medium that Annie and Pero have been at loggerheads over the years, and the issue is yet to abate, which has however escalated following the outburst by Annie.

This is coming just few weeks after the filing of a divorce by Paul Okoye’s wife, Anita, at an Abuja Court over irreconcilable differences.

This development have led to tongues wagging from different quarters, advising the couple to settle their differences amicably  and not allow the issue degenerate into any  divorce saga.

Sterling Bank, Kogi Join Forces Against EFCC Over Messy N20bn Scam

By
Bayo Bernard
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0

By Tosin Olatokunbo

Nigerians are waiting earnestly to see whether the combined forces of Sterling Bank Plc and Kogi state government will triumph over the Economic and Financial Commission, EFCC over allegation that the Lender and the Governor Yahaya Bello-led administration conspired to divert close to N20 billion bail out fund meant for workers salary.

The EFCC, had on Tuesday, obtained a restraining order from a Federal High Court in Lagos freezing one of the accounts of the state government in the new generation.

The anti-graft agency had in an ex parte application brought before the court in pursuant to section 44 (2) of the Constitution and section 34(1) of the EFCC Act, alleged that N20 billion bail-out fund meant to augment salary payment and running cost of the state government was kept in an interest-yielding fixed deposit account with Sterling Bank.

Referencing the Abubakar Suleiman-led commercial bank, the antigraft agency said the bank must provide credible evidence to show that the N20 billion facility is well secured.

While ruling on the matter, the presiding Justice Tijjani Ringim granted the order, pending the conclusion of the investigation or possible prosecution.

The state government has since denied the allegation, accusing the EFCC of trying to destroy the reputation of the Governor Yahaya Bello’s-led administration.

The commissioner of Victor Fanwo who spoke on behalf of the state accused the EFCC of obtaining the order through false pretense.

Fanwo said “The EFCC has accused us wrongly and the intent is to drag our image in the mud. We shall challenge the EFCC at the Court to substantiate their blatant allegation.

“We are not fighting the EFCC but we need to test the allegations they have made before a court of competent jurisdiction in the light of verifiable facts at our disposal.

Sterling Bank on its part has denied that the state opened a fixed deposit account with the bail-out fund.

The lender in a letter to the state government said “We are equally surprised and dismayed at the media’s narration of the events surrounding the transactions referenced and are disheartened at the characterization implied in these narrations,” the letter reads.

“As an ethical and law-abiding organization, we are confident that our conduct on these accounts and related transactions are fully beyond reproach, and are cooperating fully with the authorities in their inquiries on the Kogi State bailout accounts.

Yahaya Bello
Yahaya Bello

“With this correspondence, we wish to reaffirms Sterling’s commitment to upholding and maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct to your honorable self, the government and the people of Kogi State.

“The Kogi State government does not currently operate or maintain a fixed deposit account with Sterling Bank.

“There is no mandate letter from the Kogi State government to open account number 0073572696 with Sterling.

“Sterling Bank account 0073572696 is an internal (mirror) account operated by the Bank for purposes of managing the Kogi state bailout facility.”

The bank noted that the salary in the Kogi bailout accounts as at August 31 include: Kogi state bailout account 1 (0072969301) #NilBalance; Kogi state salary bailout account 2 (0073522756) N999,190.50; Kogi state government salary account (0073499012) N44,816,195.24

Governor Belo while speaking on the issue described the allegation as the handiwork of his political enemies. Bello who spoke at a press conference in Lokoja said the EFCC has been hijacked by some politicians, who he accused of trying to destroy his reputation as one of the fiscally responsible governors in the country.

He described the allegation as “a coordinated hostile action. But added that “We remain concerned that a Federal Agency of the calibre and responsibilities of the EFCC which is charged to combat financial fraud is the one engaging in fraud and misrepresentation of facts for the purpose of securing needless Orders meant to ridicule a court of competent jurisdiction while simultaneously attempting to drag the pristine white robes of the most transparent and accountable state government in Nigeria, to with, the Kogi State Government led by His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello in their barrel of palm oil.”

Governor Bello said “While we are yet to conclude on the EFCC’s motive for this dishonourable act, we cannot but wonder if the ‘new’ EFCC is now lending its machineries for the use of politicians and detractors to tarnish the image of a State that has enjoyed the confidence and commendation of domestic and international partners as a bastion of accountability and integrity.”

 

 

Delta Court Ruling: APC Says National Caretaker Chairman Not Restrained

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

The All Progressive Congress, (APC) has reacted to the Court ruling on the party in Delta state, which  restrained the National Caretaker Chairman, Governor Mai Buni from parading himself as Chairman.

APC, in a statement by Media Director to the Caretaker Chairman,  Mamma Mohamed, explained that “Mr Elvis Ayomanor and seven others on 19th August instituted a case against the APC and its leadership in a High Court of Justice, Asaba, Delta state, challenging the outcome of the party’s ward Congress of 31st July, 2021.

“The seven applicants prayed the court, to among other things, issue and service the originating summons on 15 defendants including the party, the Chairman Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee and members as well as, the Chairman of the party in the State.

“The applicants also sought the court to issue interim injunction to restrain the Chairman and members of the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee from acting or parading themselves as Leaders of the party pending the determination of the case against the outcome of the ward Congress in Delta state before the court.

“They also prayed for interim injunction restraining the party from conducting the Local Government and State Government Congresses slated for 4th September in Delta state pending the determination of the case before the court.

“The High court in its wisdom ruled “This court has looked at the motion Ex-Parte dated 18th/8/2021 and filed 19th/8/2021seeking the reliefs as set out on the face of the motion paper.

“This court has also looked at the supporting affidavit along with exhibits attached as well as the written address containing legal arguments in support of the prayers sought. “Reliefs 1, 2, 3 and 4 have to do with issues of service of processes on all parties in this suit. Relief 5, 6 and 7 are injunctive reliefs being sought in the interim.

“The affidavits in support contain sufficient grounds for the grant of the reliefs being sought. Reliefs 1,2,3,4 and alternative prayer 5 of the motion Ex-Parte are hereby granted. Alternative prayer 5 is granted only in relation to the 15th defendant (Jones Ode Erue, Chairman APC, Delta State).

“In compliance with order 39 Rule 7(3) of the Extant Civil Procedure Rules of this court, this order of injunction granted shall abate after 7 days.

“It shall not operate ad infinitum. This matter stands adjourned to 7th September,  2021 by 10.00 a.m on agreement of counsel”.

“From the above, it is apparently clear that the Court ruling only affected the15th defendant (Delta state Chairman of APC) and not the National Chairman of the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee and Yobe state Governor Hon. Mai Mala Buni and other members of the committee.

“It is also clear that the restrictiom of the forthcoming ward Congress is limited to Delta state and does not affect other states.

“Some mischief makers who never wished the party well, had continued to misrepresent the facts mostly without having access to the court ruling.”

Why Anti Open Grazing Law Will Fail – Miyetti Allah

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Usman Baba-Ngelzerma

By Ayodele Oni

Mixed reactions have continued to trail the passage and signing into law of the anti open grazing prohibition law by some states.

Benue, Ondo and Osun  states had blazed the trail with their Governors putting their signatures to the law as passed by the Houses of Assembly.

But dissatisfied, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, (MACBAN) from its perspective saw the law as one-sided which would make it unimplementable.

According to MACBAN, the Anti-Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law 2017 has not brought any peace to Benue State despite the fact that it was assented to by Governor Samuel Ortom four years ago.

The group, particularly, advised Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, to create an inclusive law that would accommodate the interest of pastoralists in host communities in the South-West state.

Speaking on Arise TV’s ‘The Morning Show’ programme, MACBAN Secretary General, Usman Baba-Ngelzerma, said laws are supposed to bring harmony and understanding in a Community and not to further divide the people.

He pointed out that stakeholders were not invited for public hearings before some states in the Southern part of the country passed their respective anti-open grazing laws.

Commenting on the move by the Governors to ban open grazing, Baba-Ngelzerma said, “We (Miyetti Allah) are civilised people and we know that the responsibility of making laws lies in the state House of Assemblies and we know that once a law is made by the state House of Assemblies and assented to by the Governors, that becomes a law, whether we like it or not, whether good or bad.

“But there are processes to be followed in making laws, those processes are: get all the stakeholders through public hearing, hear them, know how the law is going to solve their problem but has this been done in making the Anti-Open Grazing Law? It has never been done.

“In most of the states, none of our members has been invited for public hearing and make inputs to the law and this law is done to affect our members 100%.

“We are part of the critical stakeholders that are supposed to be invited to hear our views and protect our positions and that of the government of the states where we exist.

“In Ondo and most of the Southern states, we have indigenous pastoralists whose fathers were brought up in those states and those who are there today were also brought up there.

“So, if you ask them to go, they won’t know where to go because they know these States as their own States.

“These are indigenous pastoralists who are born and brought up there, whose interests and lives are supposed to be protected by the law but when you make a law without getting them to come and put in their input, the law becomes lopsided and what is the purpose of making the law then?

“Where you make a law that does not bring harmony and understanding amongst the groups in a particular area, that law has not been done in a way to fulfill the purpose with which it is being promulgated.

“Let’s take the example of Ondo now. A law is in place and we just have to wait and see how the law is going to affect our members but as it is now, Ondo State is calm, everybody is calm, our members are calm.

“So, we will wait and see how this law is going to be implemented but I will like to draw the attention of Ondo to Benue where a law has been put in place.

“Go and appraise the Benue law, has it succeeded in bringing peace to Benue? It has never succeeded in bringing peace to Benue. Rather, it has further aggravated the situation to becoming worse, day in, day out.

“Laws are supposed to bring harmony and understanding in a community.

“By definition, the ranches must be established before you implement the ban but what took place in Benue was the implementation of the ban even before the establishment of the ranches.”

Qatar 2022: LASG Divert Traffic For Super Eagles Match

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
FIFA World Cup 2022

By Akinwale Kasali

In preparation for the FIFA 2022 World Cup qualifying match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and Liberia slated for Friday, 3rd of September, 2021, by 5:00 pm, the Lagos State Government has announced the diversion of traffic to enable motorists gain access in and out Surulere.

A statement signed by the Honourable Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde,  revealed that vehicles will be barred from accessing Surulere from the Stadium axis from noon, including the service lane inbound the National Stadium from Alaka and Teslim Balogun Stadium from Ojuelegba.

He advised motorists heading towards Costain, Lagos Island from Masha/Kilo and Surulere to use Adeniran Ogunsanya or Bode Thomas to link Iponri or Eric Moore to access their destinations or use Adelabu to connect Babs Animashaun/Eric Moore axis to link Brewery and access Costain or Eko Bridge.

“In the same vein, motorists can use the aforementioned routes to access Surulere from Lagos Island. Vehicle owners heading towards Ikorodu Road from Surulere are also advised to make use of Akerele to link Ogunlana Drive inwards Itire road and connect Ojuelegba to their destination”, he averred.

The Commissioner assured that the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) personnel, alongside other Security Agencies, will be on ground to ensure traffic flow is seamless, stressing that the cooperation of the community and all that ply the affected axis is vital to ease the flow of traffic during the period.

Oladeinde reiterated the commitment of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led administration to ensure that the past glory associated with the State in the footballing world is re-enacted to make Lagos the home ground of the Super Eagles.

Meanwhile, the Coach of the Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr and his players have promised to give Lagos football enthusiasts and Nigerians victory, putting smiles on their faces by getting the maximum Three points.

Central African Republic and the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde, the other two teams in the same Group with the Nigerian national team played a 1-1 draw in Bangui, CAR Capital.

The Super Eagles will be gunning for victory to solidify its position on the top of the Group standings by winning their Liberian counterpart.

The last time the Super Eagles played the Liberia national team, it was an International Friendly that ended 3-0 in favour of the three time African Champions in Monrovia, Liberia Capital.

Real Reasons Nanono Was Sacked As Minister

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Mohammed Nanono

By Akinwale Kasali

The sack of Mohammed Nanono as Minister of Agriculture came as a surprise to many Nigerians. But not so to stalwarts of the All Progressives Congress, APC, especially, those in President Muhammadu Buhari’s ‘Kitchen Cabinet’.

Nanono had performed below expectations since his  appointment in 2019 to replace  Benue State- born Chief Audu Ogbeh.

President Buhari had said on Wednesday that Nanono and Mamman Saleh  were sacked because they were weak in theie capacities, and he needed to reinvigorate his cabinet.

But those who know point out that Nanono had been one of the most controversial Cabinet members. He also had  no statistics to show the progress being made by the Minstry under him. He was, instead, allegedly, busy with frivolities.

For instance, he built a N30m Mosque for Cattle Herders using the Federal allocation of his Ministry.

This led to clamour for his removal from different quarters, including Christian organizations and Non Governmental Organizations.

He also married an 18-year-old Secondary School Certificate holder in a secret wedding. Nanono, 74, tied the knot with Rakiya, the bride at a private wedding on Saturday, April 3, 2021in Jere Town, Kaduna State, warning people against disclosing the details of the marriage to people,”.

The decision to use part of the allocation of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to build a Mosque generated so much condemnation, his assistants in the Ministry were forced to defend their master.

Nigerians only got to know the highly secretive project through a leaked memo, which the ministry shamelessly defended, saying it built the mosque for livestock farmers.

Barely five months after the leaked memo which was seen as a slap on the APC administration even at a time the ruling Government was running from pillar to post in a bid to borrow money, President Buhari came with a sledge hammer.

The building of the Mosque was the beginning of his problem, and was part of the reason that led to his sack.

Unconfirmed reports say he might face some investigations over the affairs of the Ministry under his watch.

Bank PHB: In Jail For Fraud, Atuche’s Problem Gets Worse

By
Bayo Bernard
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0

By Fola James

No respite is coming the way of a former Managing Director of Bank PHB, Francis Atuche, two months after he was sentenced to six years imprisonment by an Ikeja High court.

A Lagos State High Court presided over by Justice Lateefat Okunnu has frozen his assets and funds to the tune of N19,178,253050 billion.

Justice Okunnu granted an order “restraining the 1st Defendant (Atuche) whether by himself or acting through the persons or entities listed or such other persons including but not limited to his family members or agents, from removing, alienating, disposing of, dealing with or diminishing the value of assets, proceeds of economic and financial crimes or otherwise in the name of the 1st Defendant…”

The judge further froze any bank account being run and operated by Atuche “personally or jointly, whether in his personal name or otherwise or with the Bank Verification Number: 22295357230 in any of the respondent banks to the tune of N19,178,253,050.00 only, pursuant to the Restitution Order made by this Honourable Court on the 16 day of June 2021.

Atuche, alongside Ugo Anyanwu, the Chief Financial Officer, CFO were jailed, two months ago by the same court for stealing N25.7 billion

While sentencing the duo in June, the judge said they conspired to steal the money by using well-recognised stockbrokers to transfer money under the guise of loans and shares. According to her, the fraud would have gone unnoticed if the Central Bank of Nigeria, CND did not wield the big stick at the appropriate time.

The judge said he sentenced the convicts because the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC proved its case beyond reasonable doubt after 10 years of trial.

The judge however, freed Atuche’s wife for lack of evidence that she was involved in the fraud with her husband.

Justice Okunnu ruled in her judgment that “The first defendant (Atuche) and the third defendant (Anyanwu) are found guilty of counts one to 11, 14 to 20, 23 and 24 of the charges contained in the information, and are convicted of conspiracy and stealing,” the judge said.

“On counts 12, 13, 21, 22 and 26, I pronounce the first to third defendants not guilty as the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. On counts 25 and 27, the second defendant (Elizabeth) is found not guilty.

“By stealing from the bank, they stole from innocent customers of the bank. I hereby make an order of restitution against the first and third defendants to refund the sums stated in counts one to 11, 14 and 24.

“The sums are to paid to the relevant agencies that recovered the funds on behalf of the bank.

“The first defendant is hereby sentenced to six years’ imprisonment on counts one to 11, 14 to 20, 23 and 24. The third defendant is hereby sentenced to four years’ imprisonment on counts one to 11, 14 to 20, 23 and 24.”

Okunnu said the accused persons committed the fraud using proxies, noting that Atuche was very combative and rude during cross examinations.

According to the judge the fraud “was a well-planned, well-executed scheme but the bubble burst when the Central Bank of Nigeria intervened.

“The first defendant (Atuche) was diversionary and evasive on the witness stand; sometimes confrontational and rude. The third defendant (Anyanwu) was also combative and rude under cross-examination.”

On Atuche’s wife, the judge said there was no proof that the two companies affiliated to Elizabeth fraudulently received N2 billion worth of Bank PHB shares.

Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo of an Ikeja High Court, had in June 2015 discharged and acquitted the former Bank PHB chief executive on the basis that he found no merit in the case preferred against him by the EFCC.

Enugu House of Assembly Passes Anti Grazing Bill

By
Uche Mbah
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0

By Uche Mbah

After much dilly-dallying, the Enugu State House of Assembly finally passed the Prohibition of Open Grazing and Regulation of Cattle Ranching Bill into law, two days after the House held a public hearing on it.

Miyetti Allah, the Umbrella body of Cattle  breeders in Enugu bad pleaded with the House of  Assembly to delay the bill so that they will make imputes as to how it will affect them.

Chairman of the Joint Committee, Hon. Mrs. Amaka Ugwueze, Emma Ugwuerua, and Okwu Chinedu, who  Co-chaired the Committee, had submitted the report of the public hearing to the House.

The Bill was sponsored by the Leader of the House, Hon. Ikechukwu Ezeugwu.

It is expected to forestall fallout from farmers/herders clashes as well as alleged killings and raping of women by Herdsmen.

Itis yet to be signed into law by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

This is coming on the heels of many Southern Governors not meeting the deadline of August 31st for the signing of the open grazing law.

Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, signed a couple of days ago.

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