Uzodinma Sacks ENTRACO, Asks Police To Arrest Officials From Roads; Revokes Road Contract |The Source

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August 20, 2020

By Adesina Soyooye

Angry, and embarrassed by the deluge of complaints he is inundated with everyday, Imo state Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, has sacked officials of the Imo State Environmental Transformation Commission (ENTRACO) from the state’s roads and streets.

Sacking them on Wednesday, the Governor also directed the Police to arrest and prosecute any of the Commission’s officials seen anywhere, operating along the roads demanding anything from, or harassing motorists.

The Governor’s directive comes as a breath of fresh air to the people of the State whose lives have been made hell on earth by officials of the Commission. “It is bound to be one of his best decisions in office,” said a Clergyman who has been harrassed many times by ENTRACO officials. “It is sweet music to ears of Imolites” he added.

The decision was reached after Wednesday’s State Executive Council meeting.

Briefing newsmen, the Commissioner for Information, Chief Declan Emelumba noted that the government had received numerous complaints from members of the public on the nuisance which persons who claim to be officials of ENTRACO constitute to motorists on the roads and streets of Owerri and its environs.

The Commissioner could not have been more right. Derisively called “Imo State Commission for Agbero”, they were meant to bring decency and civility to the roads and streets. But they turned out to be the ugly side of the Uzodinma Government, defied every corrections, and almost becoming a government of its own.

Flanked by his colleagues in Works, Barr. Raph Nwosu and Transport, Barr. Rex Anunobi, and the Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser to the Governor, Oguwike Nwachuku, Emelumba further disclosed that Governor Hope Uzoodimma got commendation for roads he commissioned in Owerri municipality last week.

“Council noted that in the history of the state, no governor had awarded road contracts of the nature Governor Uzodimma awarded and got them completed and commissioned within such a short period of time,” the Commissioners said.

Emelumba informed that the commissioner for transport was directed to incorporate members of the civil guard into his proposed transport management template to be called Imo State Traffic Management Agency pending the completion of the legal framework that will spell out the modus operandi of the agency and its personnel.

In another vein, the commissioner for works was directed to revoke the contract of the Naze-Ihiagwa-Obinze road and to urgently re-award it to a more committed contractor because of the strategic importance of the road so as to stop the hardship the original contractor had subjected the users of the road to since he got the contract.

The banks, he said, have been urged to recover the mobilization fee paid to the contractor handling the now revoked Naze-Ihiagwa-Obinze road.

Oyo: CP’s Job On The Line; Heads To Roll |The Source

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Akinwale Kasali

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August 20, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

The job of the Oyo State Commissioner of Police is on the line. And so are the jobs of a number of other police officers in the state. The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu is embarrassed. And so are Nigerians. The embarrassment stems from the unbelievable escape of a 19 year serial killer, Sunday Shodipe from Police Custody. The Source had broken the then unbelievable story of the then more unbelievable story of Shodipe’s escape. It turned out to be true.

Members of Shodipe’s community are at once angry and afraid. “We now live in fear since the escape”, an old man from the Community told this magazine.

Nobody can quite explain how he escaped. For months, Shodipe has been on a killing spree, like one possessed. His arrest, by the Police, prompted jubilation. It was, therefore, a shock when he escaped. The youths in the Community took to the streets to protest his escape. They were going to raze down the police station from where he escaped from custody. But wise counsel from their King and the Oyo state Government prevailed.

They allege Police complicity. Nobody can quite explain how Shodipe escaped from custody. One speculation is that he escaped while he was eating. How? Was he not in a leg chain? Was he left alone to eat? Another said he escaped when he went to the rest room. Again, people ask how. Was he left unchained?

The questions, however, is how such a serial killer was not moved to the state Police Headquarters where security is more fortified, where more eyes would have been on him.

That is the question the CP, the Area Commander the DPO and all the Police Officers on duty at the Police facility from where he escaped from will answer.

In a Press Release, Force Headquarters Spokesperson, ACP Frank Mba, said “the IGP has deployed additional investigative aids to Oyo State to complement the efforts of the Oyo State Police Command in the ongoing manhunt and efforts aimed at re-arresting Sunday Shodipe, a prime suspect in the multiple murder of innocent citizens at Akinyele Local Government Area, Moniya, Ibadan, Oyo State. The additional deployment comprises crack detectives from the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and the Special Tactical Squad (STS) of the Force Intelligence Bureau, Abuja. The team is expected to bring their vast operational, technical and investigative experience to bear in supporting ongoing efforts aimed at re-arresting and bringing the fugitive to book.”

Acknowledging the IGP’s anger, the statement said the IGP who “condemned the unfortunate escape from lawful custody of the suspect, has directed the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command to intensify efforts and ensure the prompt re-arrest of the fleeing suspect. The CP has also been directed to speedup investigations into the circumstances that led to the escape of the suspect. All persons indicted in the escape are to be identified and made to face the wrath of the law. The CP has equally been mandated to immediately assess and rejig the security architecture in the State so as to prevent any future occurrence of untoward incidents.”

Meanwhile, the IGP had called “for calm and enjoins citizens to cooperate with the police by providing useful information that can lead to the unearthing of the whereabouts of Sunday Shodipe – the suspected serial killer.”

A source close to FHQs told this magazine that officers in the state, including the CP, might face disciplinary action such as being redeployed from the state, reprimand, severe reprimand, reduction in rank, termination of appointment, or outright dismissal, depending on their involvement.

Mailafia Was Irresponsible; He Must Answer Questions – Garba Shehu |The Source

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Adesina Soyooye

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August 20, 2020

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By Adesina Soyooye

An angry and combative Garba Shehu, has accused Dr Obodiah Mailafia of speaking irresponsibly, and should be prepared to answer questions. He angrily asked:”You want him to walk free.”

Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity was speaking on a Channels Television program, Politics Today, on Wednesday.

Asked about the invitation of Dr Mailfia by the Directorate of State Services over his wild allegations on Boko Haram, Shehu did not spare the former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

He asked how a big man like him could go to the market and speak to women selling “Acha”, and go to “one useless” Radio Station which aired it.

Dr Mailafia had shocked many people and caused and uproar when he, in an interview, with an FM station, Nigeria Info, made startling allegations to the effect that a serving Northern Governor is the Commander of Boko Haram.

He attributed his source to repentant high level Commanders of the sect, whom he said he had discussed with on, at least, three occasions.

He also told the radio station that the Boko Haram are planning a second phase of their insurgency which would entail the killing spree of prominent people in the city. He also said the insurgents plan a civil war by 2022.

After his interview went viral, he was invited by the DSS and was grilled for hours. Thereafter, he made an about-turn, and confessed that contrary to his claim that he got his information from Boko Haram Commanders, it was actually traders in a market who spoke to him.

Released on bail, he was invited a second time, and released again. If the way Shehu sounded is anything to go by, he may yet be invited again for another session.

Shehu said that what Mailafia said was so serious that he made every Northern Governor look like a suspect. Such things, he such should not be condoned. Free speech, he admonished, must be responsible.

Edo 2020: Amnesty International Calls On FG To Protect Human Rights, Curb Violence Ahead Election |The Source

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Akinwale Kasali

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August 19, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

Amnesty International, a Human Rights Advocacy Group has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to fulfill its obligation to promote, protect, respect, and fulfil human rights amidst disturbing signs of violence ahead of the Edo State gubernatorial election.

The Group, in a statement on Wednesday, said it had received disturbing reports of violence by the political class and the unfortunate use of young people to perpetuate those reprehensible acts.

“Government must protect people from violence and ensure the full respect for freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association before, during and after the state’s upcoming gubernatorial election and subsequent elections in other states of the federation.

“The potential turmoil being stirred up by various factions ahead of the gubernatorial election in Edo State should send a clear signal to the Nigerian authorities of the imminent violence ahead of the polls and government must take active steps to prevent a bloody poll.

“Fueling the instability and impunity in the state, are reports of supporters of some politicians violently targeting political opponents, real or perceived. The authorities must stamp out any potential impunity by ensuring these incidents are investigated and those suspected to be responsible, brought to justice,” Osai Ojigho, Country Director, Amnesty International Nigeria said.

It, also, asked Nigerian Government to put measures in place to ensure politicians and their supporters do not infringe on human rights.

“They must announce clearly that there is zero-tolerance for human rights violations and that anyone suspected of wrongdoing will be brought to justice.

“The authorities must also ensure that journalists, international and national civil society groups and agencies that will monitor the elections are able to do so in safety,” he added.

Update On Fire At Ooni Palace |The Source

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Ayodele Oni

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August 19, 2020

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By Ayodele Oni

The Palace of the Arole Oodua, the Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has reacted to the fire which engulfed one of the buildings in the Palace Wednesday afternoon.

First hand information on the incident revealed that the fire started inside one of the buildings within the palace, but the timely intervention of men of fire service prevented its spread to other buildings.

The Administrative Officer of the State Fire Service, Fatai Aremu, who confirmed the incident, said his men were s on site, battling to put out the fire.

It could not however be ascertained as at press time whether the fire incident affected traditional antiquities.

In a statement, the Director of Media and Palace Affairs, Mr Moses Olafare, explained that the fire affected a tiny part of one of the administrative buildings within the premises of the Palace.

He stated that the incident occurred at about 1:15pm, Wednesday 19th, August 2020, leaving no harm to the oldest palace in Yoruba land.

“The minor inferno which lasted for about 20 minutes was immediately put out by the collective efforts of people in the palace led by the Ooni’s Chief Security Officer, Kolawole Emmanuel, later joined by men of the Fire Services from the state government, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife.

“Aside from the fact that there was no causality whatsoever, the fire was just a minor occurrence which was nothing to be compared to the misleading huge pictures being painted in the media, particularly the social media.”

According to him, it is suspected to have emanated from an electric spark, measures are currently in place to reveal the cause of the inferno.

NGO Empowers Farmers To Boost Cassava Production In Ondo |The Source

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Ayodele Oni

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August 19, 2020

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By Ayodele Oni, Akure

Cassava revolution is imminent in Ondo state as a non governmental organization is set to empower not less than 2,000 farmers.

Klick Connect Network, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), based in the state, disclosed that it has distributed tractors to farmers under the “Cassava Revolution to Ethanol project (CASSAREV)”

According to the organization, the project is aimed at boosting the production of cassava for economic development of the State.

Chief Executive Officer of the organisation, Mr. Alexander Ajipe, who revealed this, pointed out that “CASSAREV is a value chain programme set up to discover the various benefits that cassava has toward the economic development of the state.”

Ajipe stated that CASSAREV was initiated to work towards the establishment of an ethanol factory and contribute to human capital development, while also adding that farmers would benefit immensely from the project.

The officer added that 2,434 cassava farmers had been engaged for its first phase of ethanol project saying that

“we have distributed 10 new tractors to our farmers across the 18 local governments in the state. We will also provide herbicides and seedling for them. Their duty is just to supervise the farm. At the end of the day, we buy the cassava from them at international price.

“We are also going to build modular processing factory in Ore, Igbara oke and Ifon for the farmers so that they won’t have any problem in terms of processing it.

“This is a good opportunity for our teaming youth, all what they need is to register which is free, we will give them all the necessary support from the beginning to the end by providing seedling, tractor, herbicides and other tools including security so that there won’t be any issue with herdsmen .

“Their duty is just to supervise the farm and during harvesting, we will buy the cassava from them at international price”.

He, however, called on the people of the state especially youth, to key into the programme because more farmers are still needed across the state.

Giving an insight into how the project will work, Ajipe emphasised that “this is a mechanized farming, apart from giving them tractors, we will give them machines that will plant the cassava so that we can achieve at least 30 tonnes of cassava per hectare. And if they don’t have land, we are partnering with some cooperative societies that will give them land with token.”

Re-Arrested Mompha, Sues EFCC, Demands N5m |The Source

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Akinwale Kasali

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August 19, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

Popular Internet Celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha, known as Mompha, has filed a N5 million lawsuit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over his re-arrest by the anti-graft agency.

Mompha had earlier been arrested by the EFCC over alleged N32.9 billion money laundering while he was about leaving the Abuja airport for the United Arab Emirates, UAE.

He was remanded in prison, but was released by the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, which granted him bail in the sum of N100 million in bond.

The Court had consequently ordered the anti-graft agency to release items seized from the internet sensation on the ground that it did not list them as exhibits in court.

The seized items had included five wristwatches, one Apple Air pod, one iPhone 8 mobile phone, and one pair of sunglasses.

But Mompha was re-arrested on Friday when he visited the EFCC office at Ikoyi to reclaim the seized items as ordered by the court.

In the suit filed before the Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday by Gboyega Oyewole, his counsel, Mompha prayed the court to direct the commission to pay him the sum of N5 million for “unlawful arrest and detention.”

The socialite and self-acclaimed Bureau De Change agent also prayed the court to declare the continued seizure of his items as a violation of his right to own property as enshrined in section 44 of the constitution.

Reacting, however, Dele Oyewale, spokesman for the EFCC, explained that Mompha’s re-arrest was not connected to the earlier charges pressed against him.

The court is yet to fix a date to hear the N5 million suit by Mompha.

EFCC Probes Akpabio, Pondei” Over Fund Diversion;Why I Collapsed – Pondei |The Source

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The Source

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August 19, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has waded into allegations of diversion of public funds against the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Prof. Keme Pondei, and has commenced investigations.

This comes as Prof Pondei said he was shocked that anybody would think he was pretending when he collapsed while being grilled by the Ad hoc Committee probing fraud allegations at the NDDC.

Pondei had fainted midway into his interrogation, this, escaped the barrage of questions being hauled at him by members of the Committee.

Most Nigerians feel that Pondei deliberately collapsed, especially, as he has not hond back before the Committee.

But on Tuesday, Pondei explained that he had been ill before his appearance and did not feign faintness.

The EFCC made its stand on Akpabio and Pondei known in an acknowledgement letter in response to a petition received from a Rights Group, Foundation for True Freedom and Good Governance.

The petition signed by the Convener of the foundation, Deji Adeyanju, requested the Commission to investigate the allegations against the Minister and the NDDC boss respectively.

The acknowledgement signed by EFCC Head of Economic Governance, Adebayo Adeniyi reads:

“We write to acknowledge the receipt of your petition dated 3rd August 2020 in respect of the above subject and to inform you that investigation into the case has commenced”

“In view of the above you are kindly requested to attend an interview with the undersigned through O/C team 6 on Thursday, August 20th at the EFCC headquarters, Jabi, Abuja.”

Akpabio and Pondei had been accused of alleged N41 billion corruption in NDDC, leading to probe of the Interim Management Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.

Akpabio had in a statement declared that he was ready to face any probe instituted to investigate his activities as Minister in charge of the Niger Delta Affairs and the NDDC.

His declaration was contained in a press statement by Anietie Ekong, Chief Press Secretary to the Minister, issued in Abuja.

According to Aniete, Akpabio is upbeat about the plan to probe the NDDC as he has no skeleton in his cupboard, adding: “In fact, he will welcome a public hearing beamed live for all Nigerians to see”

He continued: “The probe of the Commission along with the ongoing forensic audit will expose those who have used their exalted positions over the years to fleece the NDDC through fully paid contracts which were never executed and other forms of contact racketeering”

“While we await the probe if carried through, we find it extremely insulting for Senator Akpabio’s name to be dragged into what is obviously a smear campaign”

“The general public should not be misled by spurious claims. The NDDC under the supervision of Senator Akpabio will not be distracted neither will the ongoing forensic audit of the Commission be derailed through blackmail and intimidation.”

“The Minister will remain focused on the mandate of President Muhammadu Buhari to reposition the Commission for sustainable development of the Niger Delta region

‘We wish to state categorically that under the supervision of Senator Akpabio, there has been no corruption in the NDDC”

“It is obvious that there has been an upsurge in attacks on the Commission, the Interim Management Committee and the Honourable Minister through spurious and unsubstantiated allegations since the commencement of forensic audit of the Commission. Unfortunately, these phantom allegations have found their ways into the hallowed chambers of the National Assembly.

‘’In response to the campaign of calumny, the Commission had explained that the Interim Management Committee has only approved the total payment of Eighteen Billion Naira (N18, 000,000, 000) for contractual claims.”

“The payments to contractors are all payments for contracts awarded by previous administrations, especially the payment for contracts below N50 million. The present management has not awarded any single contract. So where is the bogey N40 billion coming from?

“It is instructive that the Commission under the supervision of Senator Akpabio has devised a strategy by which only duly verified and inspected contracts with photo and video evidences are recommended and approved for payments. The Interim Management Committee has been very prudent in managing the affairs of the interventionist agency”

“The interest of Senator Akpabio has been to make sure that the NDDC completes its headquarters building, started since the days of the defunct Oil Minerals Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC), the contract of which was awarded with approval of the Federal Executive Council many years before Senator Akpabio became the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs’

“Following the recent Presidential approval, the NDDC is also providing intervention support to complement efforts of the Federal and State governments against further spread of COVID 19 in the nine states of the Niger Delta”.

Breaking: ECOWAS Suspends Mali |The Source

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Akinwale Kasali

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August 19, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

The Economic Community of West African State, ECOWAS, has suspended Mali’s membership, following the arrest of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and Prime Minister Boubou Cisse by Soldiers in a Coup D’etat.

ECOWAS, in a statement, also closed the borders of its member states’ with the country.

But the President, in a broadcast, on Wednesday, designed from office, and dissolved the Parliament.

The statement by ECOWAS read in part: “Also all financial flows between its fifteen members and Mali will be suspended.

“Mali is also suspended from its decision-making bodies”

It, also, called on the ECOWAS Commission to impose sanctions on the “putschists and their partners and collaborators.”

Thousands of citizens were seen during the arrests cheering the ouster.

Crowds were jubilating at the Independence Square in Bamako, and other places.

For nearly three months, demonstrations demanding Keita’s resignation were held.

Dozens lost their lives, a situation that worsened the crisis.

In a related development, the United Nations has demanded an immediate release of the Malian President, Prime Minister and other government officials arrested by the mutiny soldiers yesterday.

Fire Razes A Section Of Ooni’s Palace |The Source

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Ayodele Oni

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August 19, 2020

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By Ayodele Oni

A section of the ancient palace of the Arole Oodua, the Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, was on Wednesday afternoon engulfed by fire.

First hand information on the incident revealed that the fire started inside one of the buildings within the palace, but the timely intervention of men of fire service prevented its spread to other buildings.

The Administrative Officer of the State Fire Service, Fatai Aremu, who confirmed the incident, said his men were still on site, battling to put out the fire.

It could not, however, be ascertained, as at press time, whether the fire incident affected traditional antiquities.