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Ex- Gov Demands Release Of Kanu, Igboho Now, As Yoruba Leaders Spit Fire

By
Bayo Bernard
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By Tosin Olatokunbo

A former governor of Oyo state Senator Rashid Ladoja has joined other Yoruba leaders fighting for Sunday Igboho following his arrest in Benin Republic on Monday.

The Yoruba Nation activist had been on the run for almost a months after the DSS raided his Ibadan, Oyo state home and declared him a fugitive.

Since his arrest by the Beninos authority some prominent south west leaders have moved against his possible extradition by the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, who said he has questions to answer.

Prominent traditional rulers from the region, politicians and academic, including Professor Banji Akintoye, a renowned Historian and Second Republic politicians have all risen up for the defence of the activist now being held by the Benin republic government.

Professor Akintoye said efforts are on to frustrate any plan by the federal government to repatriate the activist back to the country to face trial.

Speaking to newsmen in his Ibadan residence on Tuesday the former governor said the federal government should grant amnesty to the activist, noting that Igboho and Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB have not committed more crimes that Boko Haram, many of who have now been granted amnesty.

The federal government had last week released scores of the Islamists fighters to the Borno state government for rehabilitation.

Ladoja said it would be wrong to prosecute Igboho and Kanu because they are the creation of the Buhari’s government. He said both activists were forced to defend their people after the federal government failed to act against killer herdsmen killing people, raping women and destroying farmlands in the southern part of the country.

He urged the government to thread with serious caution, noting that arresting Kanu and Igboho  would not put an end to the agitations across the country.

Ladoja said, “I want to appeal to the federal government to grant Igboho and Kanu amnesty just as some members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect were given amnesty. Igboho and Kanu are creations of the federal government. Why? Because whenever they arrested herdsmen who were killing their people, the federal government never acted. That was why those two people came up to defend their people.

“Boko Haram members that were arrested a year ago by the government have been released to the Borno State Government. The Federal Government created Sunday Igboho in the context of Igangan massacre.

“People are agitating for what they believe in; they should be treated with care, and not as criminals. Yoruba leaders including the Alaafin of Oyo have been complaining about atrocities committed by Fulani herdsmen without response from the federal government.

“An order came from above to release them and that is why the people resorted to self-help. It was in the process that Igboho’s agitation was created due to the killings that had been happening in the Ibarapa area and nobody was arrested. Even if they were arrested, they will be released.

“Arrest of Igboho will not change anything if government failed to do the needful, many Igboho will be created. Just like Kanu has become an acclaimed leader, and to some people, Igboho has also become a leader.

“If caution is not taken by the federal government, the issue might boomerang leading to many Igbohos and Kanus.”

Meanwhile, some south west leaders, the magazine learnt has reached out to the Beninos authority not to extradite Igboho. As part of the plan efforts are in top gear to use every legal means to stop the federal government from bringing him back to the country for trial.

Kanu, Igboho: Buhari Tightens Noose On Separatists

By
Bayo Bernard
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By James Orji

President Muhammadu Buhari seems to be succeeding in his quest to silent separatist elements in the country following the arrest of Sunday Igboho, a Yoruba Nation activist and Nnamdi Kanu of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

After almost one month of intense search, the Nigerian security officials and their Beninois counterparts, finally caught up with Igboho who has been on the run since July 1, 2021 when operatives of the DSS attacked his Soka, Ibadan, Oyo state residence.

Some of his men were killed during the midnight raid, as DSS claimed that it captured illegal arms and weapons in the operation that lasted almost three hours. The activist said the weapons were planted to nail him.

Following his arrest, the magazine learnt that the federal government has reached out to the Benin Republic government on how to repatriate the activist to the country.

Pelumi Olajemgbesi, counsel to Igboho said on Tuesday that the activist will be transferred to the country soon. It was also learnt that the Buhari administration will activate the Repatriation Treaty with the nation’s neighbour to bring the activist back into Nigeria to face trial for illegal possession of arms and treason, analyst said.

The administration had earlier charged the IPOB leader on 11-count charge following his arrest in Kenya on June 30 by interpol in Kenya.

According to the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, the IPOB leader “is facing an 11-count charge of treason, treasonable felony, terrorism and illegal possession of firearms, among others.”

President Muhammadu Buhari
Buhari: We’ll Deal With Agitators

Kanu who has been charged before a federal high court in Abuja, according to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has more questions to answer after he jumped bail in 2015.

Malami said “He has, upon jumping bail, been accused of engaging in subversive activities that include inciting violence through television, radio and online broadcasts against Nigeria and Nigerian State and institutions.

“Kanu was also accused of instigating violence especially in the Southeastern Nigeria that resulted in the loss of lives and property of civilians, military, para military, police forces and destruction of civil institutions and symbols of authorities”, Malami said.

Speaking on a television interview on June 10, President Buhari said his government will no longer handle agitators with kid gloves, warning that his government will treat “those misbehaving” in “the language they understand,”.

Referencing Kanu’s IPOB and others calling for the break up of the country Buhari said his government was prepared to deal with agitators the same way the Nigerian military prosecuted the Civil war.

According to him “Many of those misbehaving today are too young to be aware of the destruction and loss of lives that occurred during the Nigerian Civil War.

“Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand,’’.

“What it means for the IPOB is that I will go after them through the military and police and rid them of their criminal tendencies. I have no regret whatsoever,” Buhari said.

Meanwhile, some prominent Nigerians, including Nobel Laurette Professor Wole Soyinka have advised the federal government to be cautious in dealing with agitators in order not to fuel more crisis in the country.

Igboho: Controversy Trails Activist’s Arrest

By
Bayo Bernard
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0

By James Orji

More facts have emerged on how Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho was arrested in Cotonou, Benin Republic on Monday.

The activist was said to have been captured while trying to escape from the country. The DSS had declared him wanted since July I after his Ibadan, Oyo state home was attacked by the secret police. Some of his men were killed, while those captured alive have been charged to court.

Before he was arrested on Monday, some reports claimed that the activist was planning to leave the country by securing new travel documents.

But contrary to reports that he was captured by Beninois officials working alongside Interpol and Nigeria’s security operatives, one of his counsel, Pelumi Olajemgbesi said the activist voluntarily handed himself over.

Olajemgbesi told SaharaReporters on Tuesday morning, that it would have been very difficult to capture Igboho if he was not willing to do so.

He said, “Truly he was arrested and I have confirmed that. We are making efforts to ensure that he is fine. You know the Department of State Services declared him wanted.

“We just believe that Sunday Igboho is not the problem. He is someone who believed that the Yoruba people and Nigerians generally should live in peace wherever they are.

“As a matter of fact, let me tell you now. That Sunday Igboho was arrested simply because he wanted to make himself available to the government. If not, Sunday Igboho is not someone who can be arrested that way.

“But because he believes that the journey to justice for the Yoruba people and for the Nigerian state to be able to live in peace may be needed for him to be available, that was why.”

The counsel explained that Igboho was arrested while trying to travel to Germany from Benin Republic and plan was afoot to repatriate him back to Nigeria.

According to him “He was supposed to travel to Germany through Cotonou this night. He wanted to leave Africa through Cotonou. He was arrested by security operatives in Cotonou. They are planning to bring him back to Nigeria.”

Sallah: Obasa Pleads For Peace, Unity To Reign In Nigeria

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Mudashiru Obasa

By Akinwale Kasali

As Muslim celebrates this year’s Sallah, Lagos State Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has urged Nigerians to embrace peace and unity for the growth and development of the Nation.

Obasa admonished Nigerians to see peace as one of the major ingredients for democracy to thrive in our nascent democratic dispensation.

He made this known in his Eid-el-Kabir message to Nigerians including residents of Lagos and politicians in the state.

The Speaker noted that the yearnings of many well-meaning Nigerians were justified,  adding that going about such demands and requests through violent means would not help the citizens and the country.

“We complain about a dwindling economy today, but the truth is that restiveness, banditry, terrorism, kidnappings and general insecurity are some of the major causes.

“It is not difficult to know that no nation can thrive or succeed when it is violence-ridden.

“Just as citizens must begin to live in peace and neighbourliness, we, as leaders, must also not nap, we must not sleep on ideas to make the country great.

“We must show perfect examples of love for country and sacrifice to humanity as Islam teaches.

“In Lagos, we have remained a good example of a working democracy thanks to our hardworking leaders and faithful residents.

“Like I said earlier ahead of the local government council elections, it is very important that all parties shun violence. We must eschew violence; it is not going to do any of us any good and it is not going to do any party any good also.

“We must allow people of the state to decide and choose leaders that will serve their interests for the next four years. So, we must all come together to condemn anything that has to do with violence.

“We must do that, it is important because anything can become the outcome of violent actions. We don’t want that to happen,” the speaker said as he congratulated Muslims in the country for witnessing another holy celebration”, he concluded.

FG Empower Two Million Farmers With N12.3b; Agbekoya Calls For South West’s Share

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Muhammadu Buhari

By Akinwale Kasali

Few days after President Muhammadu Buhari approved N4.6 Billion to Katsina State Government for Ranching, the Federal Government has announced its plan to disburse a total of N12.3 Billion to some two million farmers spread across the country.

Following this development, Agbekoya Solidarity Forum, ASF, a coalition of Farmers in the South West has called on the President Buhari administration to include South West farmers in the scheme.

The Federal Government had said that the first batch of farmers will receive N6.15 Billion, while the second batch will be paid the balance of close to N5 Billion.

The FG had anticipated that the funds will help in dealing with the growing scarcity of foodstuffs in many parts of the country.

It is, however, not clear how the government will address the challenge of insecurity faced by millions of farmers across the country and how the funds will guarantee the farmers are protected from bandits and terrorists.

President of Agbekoya Solidarity, Chief Kunle Oshodi, in a statement urged the Presidency to ensure farmers in the South West are not left out of the scheme.

“We are appealing to the Federal Government to ensure the South West benefits immensely from the funds. Our people have lost a lot of money in the past few years due to the state of insecurity in the country. We want to see a situation where priority will be given to farmers in the South West”, he said.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agriculture, Andrew Kwasari, said that the Nigerian Inter-Bank-Settlement System has validated the first batch of beneficiaries.

In his words, “The President has approved subsidies for 1.2million farmers in Batch A and the NIBSS has validated their bank accounts and BVN for farmers”, Kwasai said.

Uzodimma tasks Muslims on love, peace, unity on Eid-El-Kabir, Tells The Rich To Remember The Poor

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodimma

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has urged the Muslim faithful in the country to make love, peace and unity the hallmark of their celebrations as they mark the Eid-el-Kabir.

Governor Uzodimma said imbibing the spirit of love, peace, kindness, unity and sacrifice goes a long way in showing their understanding of what Prophet Mohammed stood and died for.

In a statement signed by Oguwike Nwachuku, Chief Press Secretary/ Special Adviser, Media, Governor Uzodimma further admonished Muslims to fervently pray for peace, unity, love, prosperity, stability and security of Nigeria.

He said no time was better to pray for Nigeria than now that the peace, love, unity, stability and prosperity of the country is being threatened by security breaches and sundry crimes.

Governor Uzodimma also used the opportunity to salute President Muhammadu Buhari whom he said has demonstrated uncommon commitment to the security of Nigeria through social investment programmes  that cater to the needs of the people.

While urging Muslims to use the opportunity of the Eid-El-Kabir to also pray for President Buhari, Governor Uzodimma noted that the President is taking steps to rewrite the story of Nigeria as regards infrastructure development and social welfare of the youth, women and the vulnerable in the country.

The governor further tasked the Muslims to remember to observe all the Covid-19 pandemic protocols as they mingle in merriment, noting that wearing of face masks, washing their hands with running water and observing social distancing, will go a long way in helping them observe incident free Sallah celebration.

Furthermore, Governor Uzodimma urged the Muslims with means not to forget the poor and vulnerable ones in their midst by ensuring that they share with them what they have in the spirit of the occasion.

IPOB: Kanu’s Prayer Books, Clothing, Returned To Us

By
The Source
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Aloy Ejimakor and Nnamdi Kanu

By  Aloy Ejimakor

Summary of my visitation with our Client, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu on Monday 19th July

Last Saturday, when I visited Mazi Kanu, I expressed strong concerns about the inordinate delay in having Kanu sign the two Forms I had taken to the DSS for Kanu’s signature some days before.

Both Forms relate to affirming his consent to consular and diplomatic interventions by the United Kingdom and the her High Commission in Nigeria.

Surprisingly, the Forms were returned to me unsigned.

Let me make it clear that the day I took the Forms to the DSS, the officers on location were amenable to Kanu signing them until somewhere along the line, they tarried and decided to send it to the legal unit for vetting.

So, my sense is that it’s the legal unit of the DSS that disapproved of Kanu signing the Forms for reasons that were not given to me.

As a Lawyer, I don’t see any legal advantage the government of Nigeria stands to gain by blocking Kanu from signing those Forms. The Forms are but a mere routine in matters like this.

Instead of any advantage, the refusal will help fuel the notion that the government of Nigeria is deliberately isolating Kanu from having consular and diplomatic access to the United Kingdom.

It does not comport with the best traditions of fundamental fairness that a detainee is being denied access to resources that will assist him in his defense. This is one of things that will count in our reckoning as this matter continues to fold.

For these reasons, I am now compelled to call on the British High Commission in Nigeria to banish every red tape and exert the full weight of its diplomatic clout in gaining immediate access to Kanu. This is especially important, given the prospects of better welfare, including adequate medical care for Mazi Kanu.

Further, the prompt intervention of the High Commission will mean that Kanu will have another layer of human contact in addition to his legal team who are the only ones currently allowed to see him.

They also returned some Jewish prayer books and clothings we had taken to him last week, explaining that he had to be the one to make the request through a certain department at the DSS that officially caters to his needs.

Ejimakor, Special Counsel to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, released this Statement on July 19, 2021

Winners Chapel Denied It Sacked Pastors Because Of Low Revenue

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

The Founder and General Overseer of Living Faith Church Worldwide popularly known as Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo, has denied the allegation that  40 Pastors include Pastor Savve Noome of Tse Ashinya District, Benue State, were sacked  because of low revenue they were generating.

Pastor Noome had made the allegation in a Video that went viral on WhatsApp. The video was backed up with the letter of sack.

But according to the Executive Secretary of the Church, Adebisi Aboluwade, the Pastor was sacked based on performance review, that shows that the Church growth index has fallen drastically.

Aboluwade made available to this news medium the sack letter given to the Pastor to show that it was based on his poor performance and not based on the allegation making the rounds.

On Sunday July 18th 2021, the social media was awash with the sack of the Pastor, with online users lambasting the Church for sacking the Pastor due to low generation of  income following an accusation by one of the Pastors.

According to Pastor  Peter Godwin, he was sacked by the Church for not generating enough money in his branch.

Godwin claimed that he was invited with about forty of his colleagues by the State’s Pastor on July 1, 2021, and were all sacked over low income in their branches.

He said, “Actually, by the special grace of God, our father in this great assembly, Living Faith Church received a mandate from the Lord to plant 10,000 churches in Nigeria and by the special grace of God, I was privileged to be one of the pastors that were employed on the 28th of August, 2020, that was last year.

“So after that, I started working, engaging myself in the work of the Lord. I tried my possible best to make sure I win souls for Christ but unfortunately, on the 1st of July, I received a call that the state pastor wants to see me, so I thought I was the only one. I was surprised, so I went to his office.

“When I got there, I saw other pastors too, over 40 of them, so I joined them. A few minutes later, we were issued a letter. I opened the content of the letter to see what was there and I saw that it was a sack letter.

Legal Luminary, Afe Babalola, Faults Invasion Of Sunday Igboho’s Residence, Says Secret Service Not Law Enforcer

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Legal luminary and Founder of Afe Babalola University, (ABUAD) Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, has said that under Nigeria’s extant law, the Department of State Services, (DSS) is not a law enforcement agency.

Reacting in a statement in Ado Ekiti on Monday to the invasion of the private residence of the Yoruba Activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, aka Igboho, Babalola maintained that it was purely the sole responsibility of the Police to carry out such raid.

According to him, “Given the narrow statutory functions of the DSS, it is highly debatable whether it is even a law enforcement agency within the contemplation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

“Without prejudice to the fact that I do not endorse agitation for the breakup of Nigeria, the fact remains that Sunday Igboho is a citizen of Nigeria and, therefore, enjoys certain fundamental rights enshrined in our constitution.

“Clearly, the powers of DSS as stipulated by the extant laws do not encompass any power of investigating the stockpile of arms, as stated in its public report following the raid.

“Clearly, the invasion of Sunday Igboho’s residence was not in collaboration with the Police or with the knowledge of the Oyo State Governor, Mr Seyi Makinde, who, by the provision of Section 176(2) of the 1999 Constitution, is the Chief Executive of Oyo State, and by virtue of this constitutional provision, also doubles as the state’s Chief Security Officer.

“The invasion of the premises of Sunday Igboho is on the ground of public interest as the stifling of the right to expression can never be said to be in the public interest.

“Even if it is, such operation ought to have been carried out by the police statutorily saddled with the power of prevention and detection crimes, and the maintenance of public safety, law and order.

“The courts have, in the past, made it clear that the DSS lacks powers outside its statutory purview, state security matters.

“In Mufutau Balogun & Ors v. Attorney-General of the Federation (1994) 5 NWLR (Pt. 345) 442 at 456, the Court held thus: “…It must be observed first and foremost that the offences with which the defendants were charged had nothing to do remotely with State security matters while is it true that every citizen, as the said operatives, has a duty to assist in the arrest of offenders, it is the function of the police to investigate alleged offences (other than security matters) in accordance with the law before prosecution takes place if need be.

“The police Act, in particular sections 3-11 are relevant. I find it necessary to refer to section 9 of the Criminal Procedure Act… in the present case, the said N.S.O. operative had no basis upon which they deprived the police of their constitutional right to immediately take over the case and take necessary statement from the defendants in their own office…”

“Certainly, more has to be done concerning the effective administration of the Nigerian criminal justice system. The DSS has no place meddling in the affairs of apprehending perceived offenders, particularly where state security is not being jeopardised.

“Doubtless, the menace of banditry and terrorism by the Boko Haram sect constitutes a greater threat to national security, and is more deserving of the attention of the DSS and other security agencies.

“Our security operatives ought to be held to a higher standard in derogating from the sacrosanct fundamental rights of Nigerians enshrined in the 1999 Constitution and in the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.”

Oyo: Olubadan, Chiefs Disagree Over Insecurity

By
Bayo Bernard
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Olubadan Oba Saliu Adetunji

By James Orji

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji has disclosed that his Council did not fault Governor Seyi Makinde’s handling of security in the state.

This came after some of his chiefs led by High Chief Lekan Balogun said that the Olubadan-in Council has passed a vote of no confidence on the governor’s handling of security issues in the Pacesetters’ state.

The chiefs had claimed that the governor is running a one man show and does not allow for inputs from traditional rulers in the state.

But in his Oba Sallah message to his people yesterday, the traditional ruler said he never had any meeting with the chiefs where such matter was discussed, noting that the most recent meeting of Olubadan-in-Council was held last Thursday to set agenda for the newly inaugurated executives of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, CCII under the leadership of new President-General, Prince Yemisi Adeaga.

The First class monarch, said in a statement signed by his spokesman, Adeola Oloko that the meeting which he presided over at Popoyemoja, Ibadan palace was not attended by the Chief Balogun, the Otun Olubadan who was credited with the media report faulting the Governor on security.

Oba Adetunji said “All those who attended the meeting under reference would agree that while so many issues were discussed, Seyi Makinde was never part of our agenda.

The monarch contented that apart from the meeting of the Olubadan-in-Council, he did not attend any other meeting under whatever name it is called, and as such the opinion expressed by High Chief Lekan Balogun was entirely his personal opinion which he is entitled to, and not that of the Olubadan or his council.

He said further that if anyone is in doubt, he could reach out for the minute of the meeting under reference. The Olubadan made it clear that right from family compound up till the different traditional councils in Ibadanland, we have consistently held security meetings and briefed appropriate law enforcement agencies as at when due.

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