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Three Months After The Murder Of His Son, Seidu Namaska, Longest Northern Emir, Dies At 84

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The Source
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Seidu Namaska

By Akinwale Kasali

The Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, and the people of the State have been thrown into mourning, following the passing of the Sarkin Sudan of Kontagora, Niger State, Alhaji Saidu Umaru Namaska.

The 84-year-old, who spent 47 years on the throne, died at an Abuja Hospital.

Though no official statement has been issued from the family and palace, but the news of his death have gone viral.

His death comes three months after bandits gunned down his son, Alhaji Bashar Saidu Namaska, during an attack on the Monarch’s farm.

His late Son was killed on the farm along Zuru road in Kontagora Local Government Area when the bandits struck.

Also, other people working with him were said to have been shot dead while an unspecified number of cows were rustled.

The Sarkin Sudan Kontagora was born in 1937 and ascended to the throne in 1974.

Until his demise, Sarkin Sudan Kontagora was the longest surviving traditional ruler in Northern Nigeria.

He joined the Nigeria Police Force in 1961 and later teamed up with the North-West Judicial Services as a Judicial officer.

In 1974, he was turbaned as the Sarkin Sudan Kontagora as the 6th Emir of Kontagora.

Mr President, Nobody Can Push Ndigbo Out Of Nigeria

By
The Source
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0
Professor George Obiozor

By George Obiozor

“There is news for those trying to push us out of Nigeria. Ndigbo are like fish in the ocean. No matter how rough the storm is, it cannot drive the fish out of the ocean”

Mr. President, your visit and presence today in Igboland and Owerri, Imo State in particular, has more than political significance. In  manner of symbolism, this visit has thrown light into the cloudiness and doubts surrounding the perception of the relations between your Government and Ndigbo.

Your presence reassures us that there is still reason for optimism for Nigeria and Nigerian unity.

I feel very pleased in my capacity as President General Ohanaeze  Ndigbo Worldwide and on behalf of the galaxy of Ndigbo leaders gathered here today, and the entire Igbo Nation, to welcome Your Excellency wholeheartedly to Igboland.

It is also our firm belief that this visit will mark the beginning of a new chapter of dialogue, cooperation and understanding between Ndigbo and your  administration.

Mr. President, after all Nigeria has gone through in its nearly sixty years of chequered history of crises and continuity and the  spectacular patriotic role of Ndigbo to ensure its unity and survival, the consistent perception that the Igbos are separatists and  secessionists agitators is a historical fallacy.

Indeed, if the truth must be told, Ndigbo are the mostfederating unit  among all Nigerian citizens.

Generally speaking anywhere in Nigeria  you don’t find the Igbos, run away something is wrong there. Igbos are market people and travel adventurers. Consequently, what defines the Igbo character is propensity for friendliness and harmonious peaceful coexistence and spirit of universalism of  mankind. This is who we are. Our Igbo adage says “Ojemba Enwe  Iro”, literally translated – A traveler makes no enemies.

Also another misconception of Ndigbo is that Igbos cannot speak with  one voice. Ironically that is another fallacy. There are more things that unite Ndigbo than divide them. But the Igbo spirit defies conditions  that are obstacles for the expression of their individual or group  opinion. This sense of egalitarianism is what defines the Igbo system  of governance based on liberal democracy and social justice.

Mr. President, in spite of all the threats of secessionism or separatism facing the country, there is no doubt that no secessionist element can succeed in Nigeria provided there is good governance based on equity, justice and fairness to all the citizens.

Ndigbo are committed to Nigerian unity and there is news for those trying to push us out of Nigeria. Ndigbo in Nigeria are like fish in the ocean. No matter how rough the storm is, it cannot drive the fish out of the ocean.

Mr. President, it is in this context, that we see a new dawn in your distinguished presence in Igboland and believe that on your return to Abuja the significance and substance of this visit will form a new foundation of a platform for meaningful dialogue on critical issues of concern to the Igbo Nation.

Your Excellency, the most urgent and imperative need of Ndigbo today is security. The security of Ndigbo in Nigeria and beyond has  become a compelling primary responsibility of serious concern for

Ndigbo.

Regrettably our South East Zone has recently become a theatre of conflict, negating the peace-loving nature of our people. In this context Ohanaeze Ndigbo calls for the establishment of a zonal and state police apparatus to support and complement the existing Federal Security architecture.

It is in this same vein that Ohanaeze Ndigbo, appeals to you, Mr. President, to see to the release of Igbo youths detained by various security agencies across the country.

Mr. President, we appreciate the infrastructural work being undertaken by the Federal Government in the South East such as the 2nd Niger bridge.

It symbolizes the unity and bridge across the various regions of the country. However, the South East zone is in dire need of more infrastructure sponsored by the Federal Government amongst

these are roads, bridges, railways and ports. It is the considered view of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, one that is also shared by the Igbo people that  federal investments in these critical areas will revitalize the economy and will have the tangential effect of dousing the youth restiveness and unemployment in the zone.

In conclusion, Mr. President, nothing is more important to the Igbo  in Nigeria today, more than the restoration of serious sense of belonging and the spirit of Nigeria’s founding fathers based on one

nation, one destiny. And we believe this is possible through Devolution of Power ensuring a sense of balance in our political system.

Text of an address presented to President Muhammadu Buhari at a Stakeholders meeting, during his one day Work visit to Owerri, Imo State, by the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Professor George Obiozor, on September 9, 2021

Opinion: Jonathan, APC and Parable of ‘King’ Elephant

By
Bayo Bernard
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0

By Niran Adedokun

Like flies perched on a festering sore, rumours that former President Goodluck Jonathan is a likely bride in the court of the All Progressives Congress for the 2023 presidential election have refused to go away.

Speculations started last November when a delegation of the APC governors visited Jonathan in his Abuja home on his birthday. Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, who doubles as chairman of the party’s caretaker committee, led the team. The delegation also had David Umahi of Ebonyi, then newly defected from the PDP; Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi and Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa. Most importantly, Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, who can be described as the fixer in charge of the APC’s evangelistic mission to the southern part of Nigeria, was in the delegation. A subtle admission of that fact recently came upon Arise Television Morning Show after he joined a group that visited former Oyo State Governor Rasheed Ladoja.

In societies where politics is a vehicle for service to humanity rather than personal acquisition and aggrandisement, no one would bat an eyelid over the visit to Jonathan. In such environments, politicians relate across party lines without scruples. For instance, an account in former President Barack Obama’s The Audacity of Hope is a memorable talk of how inter-party relationship works.

After his election into the United States Senate in 2004, Obama wrote that he joined other senators at a breakfast meeting with President George Walker Bush. As the meeting was ending, he heard the President yell his name, “Obama!”

According to Obama, after getting introduced to Laura Bush, the President led him to one side of the room and started: “… I hope you don’t mind me giving you a piece of advice… You’ve got a bright future, very bright. But I’ve been in this town a while and, let me tell you; it can be tough. When you get much attention like you’ve been getting, people start gunnin’ for ya. And it won’t necessarily just be coming from my side, you understand. From yours, too. Everybody’ll be waiting for you to slip…So, watch yourself.” Four years later, Obama was elected the first African-American leader of the most powerful country in the world as if Bush was clairvoyant.

But Nigeria is a country where a President would only invite legislators elected on his party, where only members of the ruling party populate state events and a winner-takes-all spirit reigns. When politicians visit members of parties other than theirs in Nigeria, it is usually to attain some selfish motive that generally has nothing to do with national interest or even the interest of the otherwise unlikely host. An example of this was when Chief Bola Tinubu led members of the APC to former President Olusegun Obasanjo in the wake of the 2015 elections. The friendship between members of opposing political parties in Nigeria is like the labour of the cat, motivated by nothing other than the capture of rats.

The conduct of politicians here compels people to take their words with a pinch of salt. Here is a country where leaders swear on their mothers’ graves and capitulate before sunset that same day. People deny that a tenure extension plan to which we were all witnesses was ever nursed in this same country. In this country, people make electoral promises, including the country’s restructuring and would turn around to swear that they never said so. As a result, neither the denial of the APC nor Jonathan’s engagements in initiatives that promote democracy in Africa through his Goodluck Jonathan Foundation and the West African Leader Forum could assuage Nigerians’ concerns.

Of course, it is Jonathan’s right to seek a return to the Nigerian Presidency. It is just that life offers a lot of more honourable posts than occupying the Presidential Villa in Abuja. One of those places is where he found himself after handing over power in 2015. Having relinquished control when the world anticipated an upheaval in Nigeria, Jonathan wrote his name in gold and became a symbol of democratic decency in Africa. Conceding the elections while counting was on endeared him to many Nigerians so much that many chose to forget his perceived mismanagement of the country. Jonathan now goes in and out of Aso Rock like he never left. And despite all the misgiving of the past, he has become an unofficial advisor to the incumbent. It is doubtful that anyone whose days in office were as turbulent as Jonathan’s could come to more honour in a short space of eight years!

If these overtures genuinely exist, the second thing Jonathan must query is the motive of those who invite him to come back to the office. Even now, members of the Buhari regime still paint the Jonathan years as the era of the locust, waste, and misadventure. As close as he seems to be with the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), the latter misses no opportunity to recall how crude prices in most of Jonathan’s years were at the highest, while Nigeria has nothing to show for it.

He is not the only one in the APC who sells that narrative; everyone conveniently forgets the battle of wits the past administration had with state governors, (many of whom are now ministers in the current regime) over the need to save for the rainy days! If members of the APC had and still have this impression of Jonathan, what then has he got to offer at this time? What could have changed? One of the theories flying around is that this proposal is being thrown at Jonathan as a strategy to ensure that power goes back to the North after he would have completed his four-year tenure in 2027. While that is neither here nor there, it is impossible to put such devices past full-time political strategists.

The man may be tempted to assume that the current tide of things makes his administration glow, but he would be mistaken. He had the opportunity to prove his mettle, he did his best and left the scene to loud ovations even from his worst critics. This moment seems to be one of victory for Jonathan and he must understand that such moments could be the most perilous.

As Robert Greene offers in his 48 Laws of Power, every man of power must know when to stop. When those who vilified you yesterday start to patronise you, the tendency is for the man to lose his guard, become comfortable, even overconfident about his own importance. It is at such junctures that danger lurks most.

Every time this APC/Jonathan issue makes the news, the Yoruba parable of the tortoise and the king comes to mind. The king of a village once took ill. After so many efforts, a powerful herbalist from another village was invited to consult the oracle. His diagnosis was that if the king does not eat from a special brew made from elephant body parts within seven days, he would die.

The king and his chiefs, worried about how to capture a big and dangerous animal like the elephant, threw the challenge open by offering a bounty. Half of the kingdom and offer of the king’s beautiful daughter’s hand in marriage would be given to anyone who brings in the elephant. The tortoise took up the challenge.

He requested that a deep pit, concealed with raffia and mats be dug and that a throne, fit for a king be set on the pit. He then went into the forest with all sorts of enticing gifts and food items. After three days, he met the elephant resting under a tree. After throwing some of the food at the elephant and paying obeyance, he informed the bigger animal that the king of a community had just passed on and he had been mandated to invite the elephant to be king. This information laced with panegyrics from the tortoise was sweet music to the elephant; he agreed to follow the tortoise with the caveat that the smaller animal would be dead if this story pans out to be deceitful. As they travelled, the tortoise would throw sweet words and delicious food at the elephant every now and then. And as they approached the village, the elephant could hear loud music and see the villagers dance joyfully. He reckoned that the tortoise was being honest and even relaxed more.

On getting to the throne, the elephant walked forward majestically and slammed his heavy body on it. Instantly, the ground gave way beneath him, and he fell into the pit. Village warriors descended on him with all sorts of implements, and within minutes, he was dead meat. The broth was prepared and presented to the king whose health was speedily!

Mr Jonathan should advise himself.

Broke FG, States Go To War Over Tax

By
Bayo Bernard
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0

By Fola James

The once blossoming relationship between the federal and state governments is now being threatened as the later move to assert their powers under the law to collect certain taxes.

Faced by the simmering revenue shortfall, the states are looking for other areas to generate funds and probably plug revenue holes, experts said, adding that the battle for the control of scarce resources is likely to set the two constitutionally recognised levels of government against each other, particularly when the legal battle is bi-partisan in nature.

The federal government on its part is not faring better either as it continues to face revenue shortfall due to the COVID 19 pandemic and dwindling crude oil revenue. As a way out, the Buhari administration has resolved to borrowing from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN and international development partners.

“This is not the normal political rivalry between the APC and PDP, it’s the fight for the right thing to be done. As you can see, the 36 states represented in the suit are made up of both parties. At the end of the day, the court will decide on whose side the pendulum of justice will swing, and we really hoped that states will triumph over this matter, because we need funds to provide critical infrastructure for our people,” a Commissioner of Information in one of the state told the magazine, asking that he be made anonymous  because the case is still in court.

36 states in the country, on Wednesday, struck the federal government below the belt after they filed a suit challenging the central government’s power to collect Stamp Duty, they also demanded a refund of N176 billion shortfall to the states.

The development comes amidst the ongoing contest between the two levels of government on the issue of collection of the Value Added Tax, VAT.

Thu, following the ruling by a Federal High court, Port Harcourt last month, that the collection of VAT rests squarely with the state, the Rivers and Lagos state governments have enacted laws that give them powers to collect VAT in their respective states, even as the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, the agency responsible for the collection of taxes on behalf of the federal government has already filed an appeal over the issue.

In the suit filed by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the 36 states against the federal government at the Supreme Court, they contend that the power to collect stamp duties lies squarely with them and not the federal government.

The states also sued the federal government for allegedly refusing to remit funds generated from stamp duties into state governments’ accounts.

In the suit in which the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, is joined the state want the apex court to make an order for the refund of over N176 billion collected as stamp duties on individual persons’ transactions within their respective states for the period of 2015 to 2020.

What State Governments Want

In the case filed at the apex court, dated August 24 and marked SC/CV/690/2021, the plaintiffs urged the court to determine whether or not “having regard to the mandatory provisions of Section 4(2) of the Stamp Duties Act Cap. S8 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) the plaintiffs (all the state attorneys) are not the sole authority to administer and collect stamp duties on all transactions involving individuals/persons within their respective states?”

They further prayed the court to determine “whether having regard to the provisions of Section 4(2) of the Stamp Duties Act Cap. S8 of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria read in conjunction with the provisions of Section 163, items 58 and 59 of the Second Schedule part I and items 7 (a) and (b) of the second Schedule part II and other provisions of the Constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the defendant (Malami) could claim, retain, distribute or in any other manner deal with the monies or sums collected as stamp duties on individual persons transactions within the respective states of the plaintiffs without reference to, concurrence of, input or agreement of the plaintiffs?”

The plaintiffs also asked the court to ascertain whether or not they are “entitled to 85% of all stamp duties collected on electronic money transfer levy, on electronic receipts or electronic transfer for money deposited in deposit money banks and financial institutions, on any type of account to be accounted for and expressed to be received by the person to whom the transfer or deposit is made in the plaintiffs’ respective states.”

They also urged the court to declare that they “are the sole authorities entitled to administer and collect stamp duties on all transactions involving individuals within their respective states.”

The plaintiffs also asked the court to issue an order, compelling Mr Malami to account for and refund all monies collected by way of stamp duties on individual persons’ transactions within the respective states of the Plaintiffs from the period 2015-2020 and thereafter till the time of the judgment.

The state government are also demanding a declaration “that the defendant is not entitled to collect, administer, or keep the proceeds of any stamp duties on transactions involving individuals within the respective states of the plaintiffs or any manner interfere with the Plaintiff’s right and authority in the administering the provision of Section 4(2) of the Stamp Duties Act Cap. S8 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

“A declaration that the plaintiffs are entitled to all the sums of money collected by the defendant as stamp duties through whatever source or means in their respective states from 2015-2020 and thereafter till the time of the judgment of this honourable court with respect to individual persons’ transactions.

“A declaration that the plaintiffs are entitled to 85% of all stamp duties collected on electronic money transfer levy, on electronic receipts or electronic transfer for money deposited in deposit money banks and financial institutions, on any type of account to be accounted for and expressed to be received by the person to whom the transfer or deposit is made in the plaintiffs’ respective states.”

“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendant by himself, privies, agents or any persons by whatever name or how so ever called from appointing anyone for the purpose of collecting Stamp Duties on individual persons’ transactions within the respective states of the plaintiffs henceforth,” plaintiffs prayed the court.”

Meanwhile, the Lagos State House of Assembly, On Thursday, passed the VAT Bill which has now been sent to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for assent.

CBN Allays Fears Over E-Naira Ahead October Take Off

By
Bayo Bernard
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0
CBN Gov Emefiele

By Tosin Olatokunbo

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN says its digital currency aka E-Naira would enhance financial stability in the country rather than disrupt the existing structure of the banking system.

The Godwin Emefiele-led apex bank had in July set October 1 for the digital currency to take off, noting that the country cannot be left behind as about 80 percent of central banks globally are currently exploring the possibility of issuing their central bank digital currency, CBDC.

Rakiya Mohammed CBN’s director of information technology, on June 10, disclosed that the apex bank would introduce digital currency before the end of this year as “officials of the CBN have been exploring digital currency technology for over two years.”

But financial experts have expressed reservations about the E-Naira, particularly the concerns that the national digital currency will make it difficult for private cryptocurrency to compete, due to the fact that the CBN e-cash would be operated, backed and controlled directly by central banks, as such would be preferable to private cryptocurrencies.

However, other analysts insist that since it will be controlled by the CBN, the national digital currency would promote a seamless cash transaction.

Others have also argued that the E-Naira is another way by CBN to increase forex flow, as the country battle dollar shortages.

Speaking at a stakeholders meeting in Abuja on Thursday, Deputy Governor, Operations Directorate, CBN, Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi, assuaged fears that digital currency will lead to financial disruptions.

Shonubi spoke at the Chartered Institute of Bankers’ of Nigeria, CIBN, Advocacy Dialogue Series Four, where stakeholders converged virtually to discuss, “Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC): Insights for the 21st Century Banker.”

He explained that digital currency is a cheaper alternative to cash, as well as for electronic form of payment, adding that the CBN has no intention of strangulating other forms of payments.

According to him “the intention is not to eliminate the use of other forms of payment, but simply to introduce a complement to the current options, areas of payments options that we have in the country and all over the world.

“This will enable effective competition and the natural evolution of payment option, policies and all that, thereby ensuring the safety and stability of the payment system in the long run.”

E-Naira will not disrupt other forms of payments, he said.

“In my opinion, we believe the CBDC will not disrupt the existing banking and payment landscape. No, banks and other fintechs will not be disrupted, rather, it will provide them with another platform to innovate around the new money with the opportunity to leverage the enabling infrastructure and platforms to develop value added services such as programmable smart contracts microcredits savings payments, etc,” he said.

What impacts would the National digital currency have on the banking sector?

The CBN chief said “this will further strengthen the banking system, especially, central banks globally, who have identified the need to ensure that banks are integral in the operation of CBDC. The risk of disintermediation, I believe, will be assuaged even as banks take their rightful place in the dynamics of operation of CBDC. I am of the opinion that CBDC will strengthen the stability of the banking system even as the person becomes more diversified”

He further explained that the E-Naira would generally improve efficiency and promote opportunities for jurisdictions without instant payment options to benefit from faster payment system.

“The CBDC is expected to enhance efficiency in international remittances and address the challenge the current high cost of remittances. As remittance flow improves, the deposit base of the banks in receiving countries will also improve as one of the key benefits of the CBDC,” the CBN Deputy Governor said.

Our Demands, President General, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Obiozor, To Buhari; Asks For Nnamdi Kanu’s Release

By
Bayo Bernard
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Professor George Obiozor, President General, Ohaneze
Ndigbo Worldwide, used the occassion of the visit of President Mohamadu Buhari to Imo state to table some demands of the Igbo from the Federal government.

Prime, among his demands, is the release of Nnamdi Kanu, Leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, and other Igbo youths that are currently being detained.

In a speech he read on behalf of Ndigbo, Prof Obiozor also used the opportunity to correct some misconceptions about his people.

“Mr. President your visit and presence today in Igboland and Owerri, Imo State in particular, has more than political significance. In
manner of symbolism, this visit has thrown light into the cloudiness and doubts surrounding the perception of the relations between your Government and Ndigbo.

“Your presence reassures us that there is still reason for optimism for Nigeria and Nigerian unity. I feel very pleased in my capacity as President General Ohanaeze
Ndigbo Worldwide and on behalf of the galaxy of Ndigbo leaders gathered here today, and the entire Igbo Nation, to welcome Your Excellency wholeheartedly to Igboland.

“It is also our firm belief that
this visit will mark the beginning of a new chapter of dialogue, cooperation and understanding between Ndigbo and your administration.

“Mr. President, after all Nigeria has gone through in its nearly sixty years of chequered history of crises and continuity and the spectacular patriotic role of Ndigbo to ensure its unity and survival, the consistent perception that the Igbo are separatists and
secessionists agitators is a historical fallacy.

“Indeed, if the truth must be told, Ndigbo are the most federating unit among all Nigerian citizens. Generally speaking anywhere in Nigeria you don’t find the Igbo, run away something is wrong there. Igbo are market people and travel adventurers.

“Consequently, what
defines the Igbo character is propensity for friendliness and harmonious peaceful coexistence and spirit of universalism of mankind. This is who we are. Our Igbo adage says “Ojemba Enwe
Iro”, literally translated – A traveler makes no enemies.

“Also another misconception of Ndigbo is that Igbos cannot speak with one voice, ironically that is another fallacy, there are more things that unite Ndigbo than divide them.

“But the Igbo spirit defies conditions that are obstacles for the expression of their individual or group
opinion. This sense of egalitarianism is what defines the Igbo system of governance based on liberal democracy and social justice.

“Mr. President, in spite of all the threats of secessionism or separatism facing the country, there is no doubt that no secessionist element can succeed in Nigeria provided there is good governance based on equity, justice and fairness to all the citizens.

“Ndigbo are committed to Nigerian unity and there is news for those trying to push us out of Nigeria.

Ndigbo in Nigeria are like fish in the ocean, no matter how rough the storm is, it cannot drive the fish out of the ocean.

“Mr. President, it is in this context, that we see a new dawn in your distinguished presence in Igboland and believe that on your return to
Abuja the significance and substance of this visit will form a new foundation of a platform for meaningful dialogue on critical issues of
concern to the Igbo Nation.

“Your Excellency, the most urgent and imperative need of Ndigbo today is security. The security of Ndigbo in Nigeria and beyond has become a compelling primary responsibility of serious concern for Ndigbo.

“Regrettably our South East Zone has recently become a
theatre of conflict, negating the peace-loving nature of our people. In this context, Ohanaeze Ndigbo calls for the establishment of a zonal
and state police apparatus to support and complement the existing Federal Security architecture.

“It is in this same vein that Ohanaeze Ndigbo, appeals to you, Mr. President, to see to the release of Igbo
youths detained by various security agencies across the country.

“Mr. President, weappreciate the infrastructural work being undertaken by the Federal Government in the South East such as the second Niger bridge.

“It symbolizes the unity and bridge across the various
regions of the country. However, the South East zone is in dire need of more infrastructure sponsored by the Federal Government amongst these are roads, bridges, railways and ports.

“It is the considered view
of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, one that is also shared by the Igbo people that federal investments in these critical areas will revitalize the economy and will have the tangential effect of dousing the youth restiveness and unemployment in the zone.

“In conclusion, Mr. President, nothing is more important to the Igbos in Nigeria today, more than the restoration of serious sense of belonging and the spirit of Nigeria’s founding fathers based on one nation, one destiny.

“And we believe this is possible through Devolution of Power ensuring a sense of balance in our political system.”

How Ex-Gov Dariye’s Father Was Killed After N10m Ransom – NPF

By
Bayo Bernard
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0
The Nigeria Police Force has revealed how those who abducted the 93- year old father of former Governor Joshua Dariye of Plateau  State murdered him in cold blood even after they had collected the sum of 10 million Naira in ransom money.
Sadly,  those who abducted and killed him were from the same community with him. They knew him. They were kinsmen.
in a non-repentant manner, the sponsor of the heinous crime put the blame on the former Governor who is now in jail over corruption.
“He was Governor for eight years and Senator for eight years without doing anything for the youths in the Community.”
The old man was killed the second time he was kidnapped. The first time he was kidnapped, he was released but killed the second time around.
CP Frank Mba, Force Spokesperson, told the chilling story of Pa Dariye’s murder when he paraded the killers at Force Headquarters, Abuja,  He said:

“Operatives of the Intelligence Response Unit of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested eight (8) notorious high-profile kidnapping suspects indicted in Police investigations for the abduction and eventual murder of Pa Dariye Dafwan, the late father of former Governor of Plateau State, in Horop community, Bokkos LGA of Plateau State.

“Pa Dariye was abducted on 17th June, 2020 and shot dead eight (8) days after the criminals hav​e collected a ransom of ten (10) million naira from the family of the deceased. The arrest of the suspects follows unrelenting efforts by the Police to ensure perpetrators of the dastardly act are arrested and made to face the wrath of the law.

“The breakthrough that led to the arrest of the suspects began with the arrest of one Abubakar Mohammed a.k.a Buba ‘m’ 23yrs, native of Gada Biyu in Daffo district, Bokkos LGA, Plateau State. Buba is one of the principal suspects in the kidnap operation.

“The confession of the suspect which revealed how they abducted and murdered the nonagenarian, assisted the Police team in apprehending seven (7) other members of the gang – Ya’u Saidu aka Ya’u Kaban m’ 40yrs, from Kaban Village, Bokkos LGA, Plateau State, Titus Ezekiel 34yrs from from Horop, Bokkos LGA, Dauda Isah ‘m’ 30yrs, from Horop, Sunday Ibrahim m’ 35yrs, Mushere tribe from Horop, Mangut Shumwar ‘m’ 30yrs, from Horop, Henry Amos ‘m’ 35yrs native of Horop, and Jethro Ngusen ‘m’ 57yrs, native of Horop.

“Investigations further revealed that it was Jethro Ngusen, the mastermind and convener of the gang, that instructed one of the gang members, Mangut Shumwar to kill Pa Dariye, because he feared that Pa Dariye might recognize the suspects since majority of them are from the same village with the deceased. Jethro was also identified as the one who took custody of the ransom and later shared the proceeds of the crime amongst the gang members.

“Similarly, the Police team arrested one Sadiq Abubakar ‘m’ 31yrs old from Kogi State and one Peter Moses ‘m’ 25yrs old from Kaduna State who abducted a 22yr-old lady to a location in Suleja.

“The suspects held the young lady hostage, had repeated canal knowledge of the victim and extorted money from her parents as ransom before her release. Investigations by the Police team show that the suspects, who are serial virtual kidnappers, usually meet their victims on social media platforms particularly, Facebook, and thereafter lure them to their criminal hideout before subjecting them to sexual molestation and further obtaining ransom from their families.

“The Police operatives also intercepted three (3) suspects, Emmanuel Joel 42yrs, Ayuba Joel, 30yrs, Hassan Umar, 30yrs on 28th August, 2021, in possession of one AK49 rifle loaded with fourteen live ammunition and twenty-six (26) AK47 magazines, at a border town between Nasarawa and Taraba State. Investigations by the Police team revealed that the suspects are criminal arms dealers who supply weapons to criminal elements in Nasarawa and Taraba States. Efforts are being intensified to arrest members of the gang currently at large.”

 

Lagos Assembly Passes State Value Added Tax, Anti Open Grazing Bill

By
Bayo Bernard
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0
Mudashiru Obasa
  • By Uche Mbah

The controversial Value Added Tax, VAT, bill has been passed by the Lagos State House of Assembly Thursday, 9 September 2021.
In doing that, Lagos has followed the footstep of Rivers State which got a Court ruling that VAT should be retained by the State Government, and not be remitted to the Federation account through the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS.

While FIRS’s attempt to stay execution on the judgment was thrown away by a Court of competent jurisdiction, the Northern elites appear to be uncomfortable with the court decision.

While Katsina State Governor said he would go to Court over it, his Gombe State counterpart appealed to his Rivers and Lagos colleagues to “be your brother’s keeper” and allow VAT to be federally shared.

But Nyesom Wike, Rivers State Governor, has insisted that it is wrong to use VAT from Rivers to support States that destroy cartons of beer in their thousands.

Also passed by the Lagos State Assembly is the Anti- Open Grazing bill, a bill that has pitched the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, against the Southern Governors’ forum.

The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, after the bill was passed, directed the Acting Clerk, Olalekan Onafeko, to send a copy to Governor Sanwo-Olu for signing into Law.

Both bills were passed via a unanimous vote by the lawmakers after the bill passed the third reading.
“I Thank you all for this historic exercise,” speaker Obasa said.

The House held separate public hearings on the bills Wednesday.

How Insurgents’ Camps Receive Drugs – NDLEA

By
Bayo Bernard
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0

By Ayodele Oni

National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) has announced seizure of cartons of drugs which destination is insurgents camps in the country.

Chairman of the agency, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) who gave details of the seizure, named the drugs as Captagon, a brand of Amphetamine. They were intercepted by operatives of the Agency at the Apapa port in Lagos.

In a statement by the Director of Press of the agency, Mr Femi Babafemi, Marwa condemned the evil intent of those behind the importation of the illicit substance into the country at a very critical time when the nation is facing some security challenges.

He vowed that the Agency would not rest until everyone connected to the consignment is arrested and prosecuted.

The statement gave details of the seizure as follows:

“Sometime in March 2021, we received intel from our international partners on the shipment of illicit narcotics to Nigeria from the Middle East through the Apapa port.

“The container passed through three countries and was transloaded in a North African country, but we kept track of it along with our partners.

“We made the first attempt to examine the container on Thursday, August 26, 2021, and what we found inside the container were three pieces of marble polishing machines, otherwise called sanders.

“Further scrutiny on Monday, August 31, with the NDLEA sniffer dogs turned up a positive indication on the rotor coil of one of the three machines.

“The next day, Wednesday, 1st September, 18,560 tablets of drug suspected to be Amphetamine (Captagon) weighing 3.2kg was found deeply concealed in one of the coils.

“The following day, Thursday, September 2, the other two machines were dismantled, and in all, a total of 451, 807 tablets, weighing 74.119 kilograms, were discovered hidden inside their rotor coils.

“Going by the street value of about $25 per tablet, the importer would have raised $11.3million, which is equivalent to N6 billion.

“Imagine the impact of this drug in the hands of criminal gangs or a fraction of the profit from its sale being used to fuel criminalities across the country, we can think of our worst-case scenarios and they will still be farther from the repercussions that could be unleashed on the country.

“It may interest you to know that, as far as we know, this is the first time this drug is being brought into any African country South of the Sahara.

“This tiny, highly addictive pill, widely available across the Middle East, produces a euphoric intensity in users, allowing them to stay awake for days, making them fearless, predisposes them to reckless action that puts the lives of people around them in jeopardy.

“What should give any discerning Nigerian a nightmare concerning this drug is the fact that its production and sale is controlled by militias and large criminal groups in the Middle East.

“And beyond any doubt, Captagon has been linked to the escalation of the Syrian Civil War. A lot of seizures have been made since 2017, mostly in the Arabian Peninsula, and in Italy and Turkey, and the point of origination, almost all the time, were traced back to Syria and Lebanon.

“This gave rise to the theory that ISIS is behind the production and sale of Captagon as a means of generating funds for weapons and combatants, and for use as a stimulant to keep them fighting.

“Lest we forget, Captagon was the name of the drug found on the phone of the French-Tunisian terrorist who killed 84 civilians in France on Bastille Day in 2016.

“That is the drug we have on our hands now. If these facts are not grim enough, we should all remember a lesson from history, when in World War Two, Nazi Germany wreaked havoc across Europe with chemically-enhanced soldiers that the combined forces of Europe could not tame.

“This is the same condition we have presently with insurgents, bandits, cultists, robbers, kidnappers and herders spilling rampaging across the country.

“Given the dark and dangerous background of Captagon, it’s not difficult to guess correctly that the destination for the seized drug is none other than the camps of insurgents and bandits all over the country.

“Given the Zero Tolerance of NDLEA for production, trafficking and abuse of any illicit substance, our approach to this discovery couldnt be casual.

“The first arrest has been made and we’ll not rest on our oars until every person connected to this shipment is arrested.”

Ondo Bars Unions, Associations; Producers Of Goods To Determine Prices

By
Bayo Bernard
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0
Governor Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu

By Ayodele Oni

Worried by the continued soaring in prices of goods, especially food items, Ondo State Government has barred unions and associations from fixing prices on any product or services.

It was gathered that some unions and associations determine prices of commodities and services to the detriment of producers, which has led to consumers paying exhorbitantly for them.

The order by the State Government now confers the right to determine prices of goods and services directly on producers, not on middlemen.

A Government statement on Thursday explained that the measure was taken to protect residents in the State amid soaring costs and incessant increases in prices of goods and services by artisans including farm produce and food items.

The statement, signed by the Commissioner for Information, Mr Donald Ojogo, pointed out that “in this regard, the State Government has barred all Trading Unions and Associations under the umbrella of Ondo State United Artisan Group, from fixing and enforcing uniform prices of goods and services being sold/rendered by their members and non-members.’

According to the statement, the decision was taken in the overall socio-economic interest of the people of the State.

“Government had, before now, watched with discomfort and dismay, the economic suffocation of the people with unimaginable increases in prices of goods and services in markets, shops and other sales outlets across the State.

“Even without due regard for market forces, it is obvious that associations and unions are largely behind this unwholesome act.

“The State Government has decided to act decisively even as the public deserves protection from this undesirable exploitation under some guises.

“Therefore, fixing market prices and imposing fixed exorbitant prices on the people under the guise of association or union must be stopped forthwith.

“Accordingly, as part of the measures, Individuals, Artisans, Traders and providers of services as well as farmers are henceforth allowed to operate, sell their produce and render any service in any part of the State as they may deem profitable, based on the principle of demand and supply and prevailing market forces.

“This is just as membership of associations and unions remains voluntary as provided for in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.

“Consequently, Government’s right to regulate the activities of Trading Associations and Artisan groups has to be invoked in the interest of residents.

“Therefore, on no account should any Union/Association fix or enforce prices of goods and services.

“Similarly, there shall be no sale of tickets to Artisans/Traders by any Association/Union without due approval of the state Government through the Internal Revenue Service.

“All concerned are, therefore, advised to adhere strictly to this directive as any person or group found to be flouting it will be made to face the full weight of the extant laws.

“It is to be noted too that this directive takes effect from TODAY in all markets and sales outlets across the 18 LGAs of the state.”

The State Government had earlier, this year, banned members of the National Union of Road Transport Union, ((NURTW) and affliate unions from operating in motor parks in the State.

Government action was sequel to arbitrary hike in transport fares in the state, and incessant clashes among the drivers.

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