Terrorism: Nigeria’s Best Combat Female Pilot, Dies in Accident

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July 15, 2020

By Fola James

She was barely 24 years old but has achieved what her peers are still struggling to become: the first Nigeria female combat helicopter pilot.

Tolulope Arotile, who emerged as the the best graduating student from the Nigerian Air Force in 2017 is dead.

Arotile met her death in a road accident in Kaduna state on Tuesday.

The magazine learnt that the deceased, is one of the very few combat pilots that have embarked on various dangerous missions to decimate Boko haram and armed bandits operating in the northern part of the country.

Commissioned into the Nigerian Airforce in September 2017 and described by Chief of Air staff, Sadique Abubakar as one of the best combat pilots in the country, the untimely death of Arotile has come as a rude shock to many Nigerians.

The magazine learnt that the pilot died after sustaining severe head injuries from the road accident which occurred at the NAF Base in Kaduna.

In a statement by the Airforce, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Abubakar, described her death as an “irreparable loss”.

The Force said her demise is a big loss in the fight against terrorism and criminality in the country.

The statement said “It is with great sorrow that the Nigerian Air Force regretfully announces the unfortunate demise of Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, who died today (Tuesday), 14 July 2020, as a result of head injuries sustained from a road traffic accident at NAF Base Kaduna.

Until her death, ‪Flying Officer Arotile, who was commissioned into the NAF in September 2017 as a member of Nigerian Defence Academy Regular Course 64, was the first-ever female combat helicopter pilot in the Service.

During her short but impactful stay in the Service, the late Arotile contributed significantly to the efforts to rid the North Central States of armed bandits and other criminal elements by flying several combat missions under Operation GAMA AIKI in Minna, Niger State.”

Before she was decorated as the first female combatant helicopter pilot last year, Arotile who hailed from Iffe in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State and has completed a course at the Starlite International Training Academy, South Africa.

She was among the 13 pilots inducted at the NAF Headquarters, in August, 2019.

They were later deployed in the North-East and other parts of the country for combat operations.

Meanwhile, many Nigerians have described her death as a big loss to the country, at a time when her service is needed the most in the fight against terrorism and other criminality.

“We pray that the Almighty God grants her soul eternal rest,” the Airforce said in the statement.

Bayelsa: Gov Diri Finally Defeats Alaibe, Extends Olive Branch

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Bayo Bernard

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July 15, 2020

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By Tosin Olatokunbo

Douye Diri, the governor of Bayelsa state can now settle down to govern his people following the verdict of the Supreme court that threw out the appeal filed against him by Timi Alaibe, former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC and Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP in last year governorship election in the state.

Governor Diri and PDP leaders, the magazine learnt had put pressure on the former NDDC boss to with draw the suit to no avail, he still pressed ahead with the legal battle.

His reason is not farfetched; the former NDDC boss is angry that he was robbed of the PDP governorship primary that produced Diri as the candidate.

The battle to sack Governor Diri, has been for Alaibe, a long tortuous one, and has finally ended with the Apex court verdict on Tuesday dismissing the suit as a pre-election matter.

Before the Supreme Court finally put an end to the matter yesterday, Justice Tijani Ringim of a federal high court, had in his verdict on March 10, dismissed Alaibe’s suit for lacking merit.

Dissatisfied with the judgment of the Federal High Court, Alaibe proceeded to the Court of Appeal.

On May 12, an Appeal Court sitting in Owerri affirmed the judgment of the lower court and dismissed the suit for lacking merit.

Alaibe again proceeded to the Supreme Court.

Recall that On February 13, Diri was declared governor by the Supreme Court which sacked David Lyon, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC candidate in the election.

Meanwhile, Governor Diri has extended the olive branch to Alaibe and other angry members of his party to join him in moving the state forward.

Speaking after the Supreme Court verdict yesterday, Governor Diri dedicated his victory to God Almighty, adding that nobody has the power to remove him.

Gokada CEO, Fahim Saleh Murdered, Body Dismembered

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The Source

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July 15, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

Lagos Based Motorcycling Handling Company, Gokada, has lost its Chief Executive Officer, Fahim Saleh.

The 33-Year Old Saleh was murdered at his $2.25 million apartment in New York, United States of America.

The body of the Millionaire Tech Entrepreneur was dismembered, leaving him limbless and headless torso on Tuesday afternoon, with an electric saw lying next to the remains, Police in New York said.

The scene of the murder, and the body couldn’t have been more gory.

Police made the grisly discovery in a building on E. Houston St. at Suffolk St. on the Lower East side at iabout 3:30 p.m.

Cops found contractor bags near the torso, sources said, but didn’t immediately open them to see if the body parts were inside.

New York Police spokesman, Sgt. Carlos Nieves, said all of the body parts were found at the scene but declined to give specifics on where.

“We have a torso, a head that’s been removed, arms, and legs. Everything is still on the scene. We don’t have a motive,” he said.

Detectives were waiting for fingerprint and forensic tests on the body, police sources said.

The NYPD went to the seventh-floor condo after the victim’s sister called 911. She came calling Tuesday because she hadn’t seen her brother in a day, then discovered his dismembered corpse, an NYPD spokesman said.

An elevator surveillance camera may have caught the victim’s last moments, sources said. It shows the victim getting into the elevator Monday, followed quickly by a second man, dressed in a suit, wearing gloves, a hat and a mask over his face.

After the victim walked out onto his floor, he fell immediately, possibly shot or stunned.

“The perp had a suitcase. He was very professional,” one police source said.

The curtains were drawn at the newly-constructed apartment building, where condos were sold starting at $2.15 million last year.

Neighbor Daniel Faust, 40, said he saw police lead two women from the building.

“There was one that came first, with short black hair. Then a second one came, a little taller and with long hair. They were just hysterical, I guess in disbelief. And then they left with the detectives,” he said.

Police also brought a dog, a mid-sized Pomsky, out of the building, he said.

Saleh was described as a self-made millionaire who brought tech companies into nations like Nigeria and Indonesia, an energetic person who loved gadgets and video games.

Though they believe he was targeted, he never acted like he was worried about anything, the friend said.

“He never said he was scared,” the male friend said. “[He was] always very happy-go-lucky.”

They said he had just moved in recently to this apartment – sometime around the end of 2019.

Saleh posted a photo of his new home on Twitter in December.

Fr Mbaka Refutes Prophecy on Sack Of South-East Governor: Says It’s Mischievous, False, A Lie From Hell

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The Source

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July 15, 2020

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By Charles Igbo

The Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, has refuted a prophecy, attributed to him, which has gone viral on social media, to the effect that a South East Governor would be removed from office before the end if the year, if he does not change his ways.

The prophecy, which has been trending for days, and has gone Viral, quoted Mbaka as saying a Governor would be sacked in the South East.

Even though the alleged prophecy mentioned no Governor by name, it has since been droped on the door steps of the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma.

It came at a time the Governor has, again, been dragged to court, by the Governorship candidate of a little known party, Reform And Advancement Party, RAP, Barrister Kingdom Okere, in the 2019 election.

Okere is asking the Court to interpret who between the Governor, and Ugwumba Uche Nwosu, who ran on the platform of the Action Alliance, was the candidate of the All Progressives Alliance, APC.

The Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha of the PDP, was declared winner, and sworn-in, but was removed from office seven months later, in favour of Uzodinma.

A few days before the judgement, Mbaka had prophesied that Uzodinma was going to be victorious at the Supreme Court. At the time, not many people took the prophecy seriously, but it came to pass.

Now, with another case against Uzodinma, and the alleged not too cordial relationship between him and a couple of APC Chieftains in the state, the alleged prophecy surfaced, and has sent not a few people into frenzy and expectations.

However, on Tuesday, Fr. Mbaka, the man being quoted, decried it, and asked that the thought be perished.

In a statement he issued on Tuesday, Mbaka dismissed it as false, malicious and mischievous asking those connecting him to the message to fear the wrath of God. He, also, promised those spreading such lies that they would be fished out.

Fr. Mbaka revealed that he had held no activities at the Adoration Ground, and has made no prophecy since he shut down the Grounds over COVID-19.

He revealed that he had been, immersed in prayers to God to save the world from COVID-19, saying it is a distraction to drag his name into such falsehood.

Following, is Mbaka’s statement which he personally issued

“The report in a section of the media that I, Rev Fr Ejike Mbaka, the Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry, Enugu, has prophesied the sack of a South East Governor before the end of this year, is a contumacious falsehood.

“The allusions made by the mischievous author of the said report to Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State is a figment of the writer’s imagination.

“For the records, Adoration Ministry Enugu is yet to resume after I suspended the Ministry’s programme since March 2020, following the restrictions that came with the outbreak of the Covid 19 pandemic.

“Since then, I have not made any public prophecy of such, anywhere, but has been immersed in prayers for the healing of the World of the global pandemic, and need not be distracted at this point.

“It is a thing of concern that mischief makers, impostors and agents of darkness have continued to use my name to achieve their selfish missions in different media, inspite of several warnings.

“People should be careful of the wrath of God. The Ministry has taken this ugly trend seriously, and shall liaise with security agencies to fish out the culprits and make them scapegoats.”

Incidentally, this is the second time, in as many days, that stories connecting Governor Uzodinma will be refuted by those they were attributed to.

Last week, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, refuted another viral story, where he was quoted as running down his Imo State counterpart.

In a statement on his behalf by his Commissioner for Information, Paulinus Nsirim, Wike dismissed the statement attributed to him, as mischievous and false in its entirety.

Again, Army Shakes-Up Senior Officers

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The Source

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July 15, 2020

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By Uche Mbah

Amid worsening insecurity, and despair over the ability of the Military to contain it, the Nigeria Army has again , redeployed its officers

In a major shakeup, the Army redeployed 39 new officers across the 36 states of the federation in a bid to strengthen the military.

This was approved by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai.

In a release, the Army Acting Director of Public Relations, Colonel Sagir Musa, said the new redeployment and posting takes effect from July 20.

In the release, Sagir said, “The posting which was approved by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General TY Buratai is a routine/normal exercise intended to reinvigorate the system for greater professional effectiveness and efficiencies,” the Army spokesman said.

“The postings and appointments of Major General LE Irabor from Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Abuja Department of Training and Operations to Training and Doctrine Command Minna and appointed Commander, Major General FO Agugo from 6 Division NA Port Harcourt to Headquarters NA Signal Corps Apapa Lagos as Corps Commander Signals.

“Major General M Mohammed from Headquarters NA Signal Corps Apapa Lagos to Office of the COAS and appointed Special Adviser NA University Biu, Major General AM Dikko from Administrative Staff College of Nigerian Badagry Lagos to NA Training Centre Kontagora.

Also, Major General US Yakubu from NA Corps of Artillery Kontagora was redeployed to Army Headquarters Abuja (AHQ) and appointed Chief of Administration (Army), Major General BO Sawyer from AHQ Department of Policy and Plans to NA Armour School Bauchi and appointed Commandant, Major General IO Uzamere from NA College of Logistics Lagos now redeployed to AHQ Abuja Department of Logistics and appointed Chief of Logistics (Army).

“Also, Major General JO Irefin from Headquarters 81 Division Lagos to Headquarters 6 Division Port Harcourt and appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC), while Major General JO Akomolafe is now redeployed from Headquarters NA Armour Corps Bauchi to DHQ Abuja as Chief of Defense Standards and Evaluation”.

The statement continued:

“Others are – Major General CO Ude from NA Resource Centre Abuja to Defence Headquarters and appointed Chief of Defence Training and Operations, Major General HR Momoh from Defence Space Administration Abuja to AHQ Department of Policy and Plans and appointed Deputy Chief of Policy and Plans/ Director Special Duties, Major General AT Hamman from DHQ to AHQ Garrison and appointed Commander, Major General OA Akinyemi from Administrative Staff College of Nigeria to Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre Oshodi Lagos as Deputy Commandant, while Major General MH Magaji has been redeployed from NA Amour School to Headquarters NA Armour Corps and appointed Commander, Major General MA Masanawa from Defence Headquarters to NA Ordinance School Lagos as Commandant.

“Major General JI Unuigbe from AHQ Department of Logistics to DHQ and appointed Chief of Defence Logistics, Major General JGK Myam the erstwhile Commander AHQ Garrison Abuja is now the Commander NA Corps of Artillery. Major General GA Umelo has been redeployed from AHQ Department of Training and Operations to Headquarters 81 Division and appointed General Officer Commanding, Major General SE Udounwa from AHQ Department of Policy and Plans to Army War College Abuja as Commandant, Major General MO Enendu from Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre to NA College of Logistics and appointed Commandant, Major General GS Abdullahi from DHQ to Land Forces Simulation Centre Nigeria and appointed Director-General, Major General BN Salami from NA School of Supply and Transport is now redeployed to Headquarters NA Corps of Supply and Transport as Commander.

“Others affected include – Major General FO Omoigui from AHQ Department of Training and Operations to Headquarters Theatre Command Operation LAFIYA DOLE Maiduguri and appointed Deputy Theater Commander, Major General IO Ehiorobo from NA School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering to Headquarters NA Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and appointed Commander, Major General KI Mukhtar from AHQ Department of Army Administration is now the Commandant Depot NA Zaria.

“While the erstwhile Commandant Army War College Nigeria Major General C Ofoche has been redeployed to AHQ Department of Policy and Plans as Director Plans, Major General AB Ibrahim from AHQ Department of Training and Operations to Defence Space Administration is now Director Support Services, while Brigadier General IO Adewa is to remain in NA Properties Limited and appointed Acting General Managing Director.

“Similarly, Brigadier General KA Kazir has been posted from Headquarters NA Engineers to Headquarters 43 Engineers Brigade as Commander, Brigadier General MU Abdullahi From NA Intelligence and Cyber Warfare School to 58 Signal Brigade and appointed Commander, Brigadier General MB Dala from NA Resource Centre to Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command Minna and appointed Director Exams.

“Likewise, Brigadier General BR Sinjen has been redeployed from Headquarters NA Corps of Artillery to AHQ Department of Training and Operations as Acting Director of Operations, Brigadier General SI Igbinomwanhia from 7 Division Garrison Maiduguri to AHQ Department of Training and Operations and appointed Acting Director Campaign Plan, Brigadier General HG Tafida from AHQ Department of Logistics to NA School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering and appointed Acting Commandant, Brigadier General AO Arogbofa from 102 Division Equipment Support to AHQ Department of Logistics as Acting Director Equipment Maintenance, Brigadier General EC Lot from Land Forces Simulation Centre Nigeria to Headquarters 52 Signal Brigade as Commander.

“Others are – Colonel B Sarki from Defence Intelligence College to 6 Military Intelligence Brigade and appointed Acting Commander, Colonel KO Ogunsoya from DHQ to Headquarters Directorate of Army Public Relations and appointed Chief of Staff, Colonel TO Antigha from Headquarters Multinational Joint Task Force Ndjamena to Defence Headquarters and appointed Acting Executive Director Armed Forces Radio, Colonel MM Dole from Headquarters Directorate of Army Public Relations to Headquarters Multinational Joint Task Force Ndjamena and appointed Military Public Information Officer, Colonel AF Maimagani is to remain in Headquarters Directorate of Chaplain Services (Roman Catholic) as Acting Director Chaplain (Roman Catholic)”.

It also added: “All the postings and appointments take effect from 20 July 2020.

“While wishing all the officers well in their respective appointments, the Chief of Army Staff enjoins them to take their new responsibilities/appointments seriously and discharge all duties professionally with utmost loyalty to the Nation and the Service”.

Hushpuppi, A Flight Risk, Judge; Can Defraud People With Just A Smart Phone – Counsel

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The Source

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July 14, 2020

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Ramoni Igbalode, popularly known Hushpuppi

By Akinwale Kasali

Alleged Fraudster, Ramoni Igbalode popularly known as Hushpuppi, has been denied bail by United States of America Judge, because he is considered a Flight Risk.

Hushpuppi was denied bail in spite of the insistence of his lawyer, Gal Pissetzky, that his job as an Instagram celebrity paid for the $10,000 monthly rent on his luxury Dubai flat.

The alleged internet Fraudster had applied for bail through his lawyers, asking to leave jail with an electronic tag and live with the uncle of a woman with whom he has a child with, but US prosecutors opposed the bail application.

According to the United Arab Emirates that had earlier arrested him before his extradition, the prosecutors said he could commit crimes with just a smartphone, and an internet connection, and that he posed too much of a flight risk.

Reacting to prosecutors’ argument, Pissetzky said his client had too much to lose if he flees from the United States. He told a judge in Chicago by videolink; “He is loved and respected. He is a celebrity.

“I don’t see the reason why he would want to ruin his credibility in the world, and his status rather than stay here and face this allegation.

“Anywhere he goes, people will know. Having grown up very poor in Nigeria, Mr Abbas is now paid to pose with high-priced items such as Louis Vuitton bags that people would buy after seeing his posts on Instagram.

“He is an influencer. That’s a job today, as much as it is hard to imagine. That’s a full-time job.”

Judge Jeffrey Gilbert who watched the proceedings from a prison video link, denied Hushpuppi bail on grounds of him being a flight risk.

Gilbert ordered that the suspected Nigerian fraudster be remanded in custody until he is taken to a court in California.

Breaking: Itse Sagay: How President Buhari Ignored My Advice On Corruption And NDDC; Asks Him To Sack The Interim Board

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The Source

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July 14, 2020

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By Gideon Njoku

Professor Itse Sagay, SAN, has sensationally revealed that his advice to President Muhammadu Buhari as it concerns a couple of appointments to the Board of the Niger Delta Development, NDDC was ignored by the President.

Sagay revealed that he had privately advised Mr President against appointing a couple of people to the NDDC Board, given their antecedents, but his advice was not heeded to.

The Professor of Law is the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption.

Speaking on a Channels Television programme, Politics Today, anchored by Seun Okinbaloye, Sagay bemoaned the fate of the sorry state of the Niger Delta region which, he said, has continued to wallow in abject poverty and zero social amenities.

He lamented that, unfortunately, “the billions and billions” meant for the region, were always stolen by sons of the region. He described the situation as frightening.

Sagay pointed out that the Region has become a laughing stock, because it can no longer complain, without other regions asking the Niger Delta why their sons were in the habit of stealing the money meant for the development of their region.

Asked if he had advised the President on such appointments, he disclosed that he had advised him privately on such appointments, but that Mr President appointed the people he had advised him against all the same.

But he had one more advice for the President.

He asked him to sweep clean the NDDC, and appoint a new set of people to hold fort for a very short period, and then, institute a new Board, declaring the Interim Board arrangement as an anomaly.

Bayelsa Guber: Ex-Gov Dickson Congratulates Gov. Diri, Deputy, On Supreme Court Victory; Hails Judiciary

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The Source

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July 14, 2020

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The immediate past Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency, Chief Henry Seriake Dickson, has congratulated his successor, Senator Douye Diri, and his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, over the verdict of the Supreme Court which, on Tuesday, affirmed him as the duly nominated candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the November 16, 2019 Governorship election in Bayelsa State.

The former Governor, in a statement by his Media Adviser, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, said that with the bold verdict of the Supreme Court on the pre-election matter, the Governor could now focus attention on the effective execution of the mandate given to him by the Bayelsa people without distraction.

Chief Dickson commended the five-man panel of the Supreme Court led by Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour for being firm and courageous in defence òf the truth, justice, and democratic governance in country.

He said that the Supreme Court and the respected Justices have proved beyond doubt that the apex court remains the reliable hallowed temple of justice.

The former Governor also congratulated the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party at the National and state levels and the teeming supporters for their prayers and support.

He said that the verdict at the Supreme Court was a victory for democracy, Bayelsa State and indeed the Ijaw Nation.

He called on Chief Timi Alaibe, who he described as a a brother, friend and respected leader in Bayelsa and the Ijaw nation, to join him and other leaders to galvanize support for Governor Diri to enable him achieve his prosperity agenda for Bayelsa without any further distractions.

Chief Dickson said that power comes only from God and Diri’s emergence, and the support he received from him, could only be traceable to God who is the source of political power and leadership.

He thanked the good people of Bayelsa for retaining their faith in the PDP and urged them to give the requisite support to the Diri Administration.

He said that Bayelsa remains a PDP controlled state and would continue to remain so as shown by the existing unity within the party.

He said that while it is normal to have disputes in politics, such disagreements should be resolved without bloodshed or violence in consonance with civilized practice.

The former Governor said that political disputes should come to an end after elections and urged all leaders of Bayelsa to leave distractive politics and join the miracle Governor.

He said, “Having been in the forefront of the politics of the state for over two decades, and occupied sensitive positions; including being the first two-term governor and, also, being the one God used to midwife Bayelsa’s first ever transition, to select the Governor and his deputy, this historical verdict is again a personal vindication and another show of God’s boundless mercy and grace for me as imperfect as I am. My role from henceforth is to guide and provide advice when that advice is needed”

“I thank the leaders of the PDP and the delegates whose votes are now being vindicated today. I thank the national leadership of the party for their support. I join Governor Diri in saying there are no victors or losers. I thank the Supreme Court and their Lordships.”

Election Rigging: Gov Akeredolu Moves to Save Name, Writes Police to Probe Allegation

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The Source

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July 14, 2020

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By Ayodele Oni, Akure

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state has raised the dust over allegation that he was rigged into office in 2015.

Consequently, he has written to the Commissioner of Police in the state to investigate the allegation.

After he resigned as secretary to State Government last week, Mr Ifedayo Abegunde had said that Governor Akeredolu did not win the election, but was assisted to emerge.

He had since refuted the claim saying what he meant was that the opposition PDP did not win either but that the victory of Akeredolu was made possible by cooperation of members of the APC.

In a letter on Tuesday, Lawyers to Governor Akeredolu wrote to the Police saying: “We have the instruction of our Client to call on your office to set all the necessary machineries under your control as the Commissioner of Police, in motion, to unravel the truth or falsehood in the allegation(s) of Hon. Sunday Ifedayo Abegunde, by conducting a thorough investigation into the allegation in this petition.

“Your expected in-depth investigation of the shocking and viral allegation(s) of Hon. Sunday Ifedayo Abegunde, would help to restore the probity, credibility and public confidence in electoral processes in Nigeria, particularly now that the 2020 Governorship election in Ondo State is at hand.

“In the event that your investigation reveals that the allegation(s) are false and maliciously invented simply to scandalize our client, we demand the immediate prosecution of Hon. Sunday Ifedayo Abegunde for the criminal offence of publication of defamatory matter, in contravention of Section 375 of the same Criminal Code, and punishable with two years imprisonment, as well as any other offence for which he may be found culpable.”

The letter was signed by Mr Femi Emodamori on behalf of the Governor and APC in the state.

Civil Society Drags Ex-NDDC M.D. To IGP, Accuses Her Of Lying On Oath; Demands Prosecution

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The Source

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July 14, 2020

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By Adesina Soyooye

Joy Nunieh, a lawyer, and former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, could be in trouble, if she does not dig out her files and papers and clean them up.

Ms Nunieh was the M.D. of the NDDC under the Interim Managing Committee, IMC, constituted by President Muhammadu Buhari to carry out a forensic audit on the NDDC.

But a few months later, she was sacked in controversial circumstances, facts of which were not known to the public, by the Minister for Niger Delta, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

But since last week, the facts have been coming like claps of thunder, none of it, decent. They have ranged from corruption, to oath taking, to non-qualification, to perjury, to sexual assault, and interference from, at least, one alleged girlfriend of the Minister’s.

There have been two centres for these revelations. One, the Senate, which is probing the NDDC IMC over alleged reckless spending. Two, Arise Television which has given both Ms Nunieh and Akpabio, airtime to expose themselves.

It began with Nunieh who, both at the Senate and Arise TV revealed why the Minister sacked her. She said she refused to tamper with funds on behalf of the Minister, refused to take an oath of allegiance to the Minister, refused to frame Senator Nwaboshi, refused to fund those the Minister wanted her to and, much more.

When the Minister appeared on Arise Television, instead of addressing the issues raised by the ex-M.D., he went personal. He accused her of being temperamental, and invited Nigerians to ask her four ex-husbands about her temper. He also said she was not qualified to hold the office, having not participated in the NYSC program, contrary to the affidavit she swore to.

Angered, Ms Nunieh went for Akpabio’s jugular, asking him why he did not tell the President that he sacked her because she slapped him for harassing her sexually.

Akpabio has not responded to that, but a Civil Society group has taken up his battle.

The Civil Society Advocacy Groups For Accountability And Probity, CSAGAP, is accusing Ms. Nunieh of lying on oath. It is accusing her of committing perjury. The Group says perjury is a criminal offence, and, is asking the Inspector General of Police to investigate and prosecute her.

In a petition against her to the IGP, attaching documents, the group says Ms Nunieh lied on oath when she swore to an affidavit that she participated in the NYSC in Kwara state, a claim she, also, repeated on Arise TV.

Entitled: Re- Case of Perjury Against Dr Joy Nunieh the petition reads in part: “It is with utmost respect that we write this petition against Dr Joy Nunieh, the immediate past Acting Managing Director of NDDC, who falsely deposed to an affidavit before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on the 23rd of October, 2019, that she lost her NYSC call-up letter and Certificates, which includes NYSC discharge certificate.

“The deposition, as contained in the affidavit under reference, is false, and calculated to deceive and obtain undue advantage.

“Dr Joy Nunieh did not participate in the NYSC scheme, even though the Nigeria Law School forwarded her name for the scheme.

“She lied on oath when she made the affidavit of 23rd October, 2019, because she did not participate in the NYSC during the period in question.”

The petition was signed by its Coordinator, Solomon Adodo .

Opinion is that the group is, allegedly, being sponsored , with some people asking why it did not, also, call for an investigation of the Minster over corruption allegations made by Nunieh. “A Civil Society Organization should be upright. The group should have petitioned the IGP against both Nunieh and Akpabio”, said an activist, Mr Effiong.

However, unconfirmed reports say that President Muhammadu Buhari is embarrassed by the bribery allegations against Minister Akpabio and others, and has ordered an investigation.