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Breaking: Senator Ndume’s Passport Seized, Gets Bail |The Source

By
Bayo Bernard
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By Fola James

A federal high court in Abuja has granted Senator Ali Ndume bail. The senator representing Borno North was last week remanded in Kuje prison after he failed to present in cour,t Abdulrasheed Maina, a former Chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team who stood surety for.

Maina is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFFC but has since jumped bail and all effort to make him appear in court, to stand trial has remained futile.

Justice Okon Abang granted Ndume bail after hearing his application on the issue. He, however, directed the lawmaker to deposit his international passport with the court.

On Monday, a federal high court ordered Ndume to be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Center, following his inability to produce Maina, whom he stood surety for.

Maina is answering to a 12-count money laundering charge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, preferred against him and a firm, Common Input Properties & Investment Limited.

EFCC accused former pension boss of laundering funds to the tune of about N2billion, part of which he used to acquire landed properties in Abuja.

Maina spent over seven months on remand at the Kuje Correctional Center before the court released him on bail on July 24, after Senator Ndume agreed to stand surety for him.  He had since September 29, refused to appear before the court for continuation of his trial.

Media Ignoring Violence In the North, Laments Sultan Of Sokoto |The Source

By
Uche Mbah
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0

By Uche Mbah

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar III, has  lamented the brazen way Bandits, believed in some quarters to be Fulani herdsmen, have overrun the cities of the North, complaining that it is largely ignored by the Southern dominated Press.

The Sultan’s allegation against the Media is surprising, given that for seven years and counting, the insecurity in.the North has been on the front-burner of media attention.

Recent reports, however, indicate that bandits have been going from house to house abducting people brazenly in broad daylight with security agencies seemingly helpless. The bandits have also formed the habit of taxing farmers before they allow them to harvest their products.

Critics of  Security Agencies  have, unfairly,  accused them of being responsive to the security challenges in the South but appear non nonchalant towards the northern crisis. A criticism which has been dismissed as nonsense, given that all Security Heads in the country are from the North.

But the Sultan has lamented that bandits go around in the villages brazenly brandishing AK 47 assault rifles, unchecked by any security agents.

The Sultan raised the alarm in Abuja Thursday at the fourth quarterly meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC).

“Security situation in northern Nigeria has assumed a worrisome situation. It is regrettable that no strong media platform could report this story to the world.

“A few weeks ago, over 76 persons were killed in a community in Sokoto in a day. I was there alongside the governor to commiserate with the affected community.

“Unfortunately, you didn’t hear these stories in the media because it’s in the north. We have accepted the fact that the north doesn’t have strong media to report the atrocities of these bandits.

“People think north is safe, but that assumption is not true. In fact, it’s the worst place to be in this country. Because bandits go around in the villages, households, and markets with their AK-47. They stop at the market, buy things, pay and collect change, with their weapons openly displayed. These are facts I know because I am at the centre of it.

“I am not only a traditional ruler, but I am also a religious leader. So, I am in a better place to tell the story. I can speak for the north in this regard because I am fully aware of the security challenges there. We have to sincerely and seriously find solutions to the problem, otherwise, we will find ourselves soon, in a situation where we would lose sleep because of insecurity.

“As religious leaders, we must promote peace, love, unity, and tolerance among our followers. We will discuss all these issues at the close door session of the meeting and possibly come out with strong suggestions for government,” the Sultan of added.

Also speaking at the occasion, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Dr. Samson Ayokunle Olasupo, concentrated on the  government’s defence of the recent hike in the price of electricity tariff and fuel while suing for caution while profiling the recent #endsars protests.

“That’s not what we sent them to do for us. The decision, evidently, has added to our pains, and they should reverse it as quickly as possible,” he said.

“As a man of God, I never saw the EndSARS protest coming. Maybe I am far from God. It came to us all unaware. Initially, I thought that the protest was organized by bad boys in society, but when I began to see and read stories of Police brutality, I was surprised and supported their actions.

“But attributing the actions of the angry youths to a particular religion or ethnic group is insincere and unsafe. No religious group was exempted from the effect of the protest. The action was a spontaneous action that cannot be attributed to any religion or ethnic group.”

But the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, defended the Security  agencies and asked citizens to help combat crime.

“Today, despite all efforts, including the deployment of enormous resources, our country still faces a measure of insecurity which is impacting negatively on our economy, social life, education of the children and young persons, investment, and remains a threat to lives and livelihood,” he said.

Late Vendor’s Widow Asks Speaker To Ignore Family |The Source

By
The Source
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Femi Gbajabiamila Meets Vendors

Josephine, wife of late Ifeanyi Okereke, the ill-fated Abuja Vendor, shot dead on Thursday, last week by a Security aide attached to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, is ready for a battle with her late husband’s family over what many people describe as the family’s greediness and outrageous demand of the Speaker.

Abdullahi Hassan, the Security officer had, inexplicably, fired  shots in the air to disperse a group of young men, allegedly, blocking the Speaker’s convoy, after the Speaker had stopped to exchange banters with the Vendors at the gate of the National Assembly.

The bullets hit  one of the Vendors, Mr Okereke, and killed him.

A clearly distraught Speaker, stood Hassan down from his convoy,  handed him over to the DSS for investigation, paid a condolence visit to the family, said he would take over the welfare of the family, be responsible for everything about the children he left behind until they turn 21 years, (the last was nine days old when his father was killed), and set-up a Trust Fund for his children.

Gbajabiamila also met with the FCT Associations of Newspapers Distributors and Vendors and condoled with them on the tragic death of their colleague.

Many people were impressed, and applauded.

But not his family, as represented by his father, Okorie Okereke, and younger brother, Destiny Okereke.

In what seems like an opportunity to make money, blood money, the duo instructed Mike Ozhekome, SAN,  to demand from the Speaker, a “modest N500m”, to cushion the “trauma and pain of the sudden death of their bread winner.”   They gave the Speaker a seven-day ultimatum, or they would proceed to Court, without any other reference to him. They, also, made other demands from the Speaker. To see to the prosecution of the Security officer, and the safety of FCT Vendors.

Great expectations. But there is a snag.

Father and son neither consulted the Widow, Josephine, nor told her what they were upto. She read it in the newspapers. And hit the roof.

On Thursday, she addressed a Press Conference, and dissociated herself from the greedy meal. She told the Speaker she had no inkling of what her in-laws were demanding for. And asked Gbajabiamila to continue with the promises he made to the family – including taking care of their welfare, and being responsible for them until they are 21.

Many have applauded the Widow’s action, and asked the Speaker to protect her and her children from her father-in-law and brother-in-law.

Why Suspected Kidnappers Shot Dead Ondo First Class Monarch |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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Olufon of Ifon

By Ayodele Oni

A first class monarch in Ondo state, the Oluifon of Ifon, Oba Adegoke Adeusi in Ose Local  Government Area, was shot dead Thursday evening by suspected kidnappers.

He was killed around Elegbaka settlement, one of the communities under his domain, while returning from Akure to Ifon after a Council of Obas meeting.

The State Government has confirmed the incident by  gunmen in a statement issued by the  Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Donald Ojogo, describing it as unfortunate .

The Government noted that the incident has, again, confirmed that the country is, indeed, in a serious security crisis beyond the ordinary.

This magazine gathered that the Oba was returning to his domain from a meeting in Akure. But he ran into the kidnappers. To protect the Oba from the hoodlums, the driver tried to make a daring escape with the Oba. But it backfired. The kidnappers sprayed tne Oba’s vehicle with bullets. They fatally hit the Royal Father.

The questions a shocked people are asking are: Where were the Security details of the Oba. Being a First Class Traditional Ruler, he was entitled to some form of security. And where were the much celebrated Amotekun, the South-west security outfit launched with flourish?

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), has visited Ifon in company of the Chief  of Staff ,  Olugbenga Ale; Head of Service, Dare Aragbaiye; Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Dotun Owanikin and his Information counterpart, Donald Ojogo to condole with the affected community.

The Government’s statement reads “With a heavy heart, the Ondo State  Government hereby confirms the unfortunate incident around Elegbeka, Owo-Ifon road in Ondo State to be true. Truly, Ondo has lost a great one-a deep cut, too sad.

“This is a heinous crime, an incident which has, again, confirmed that we are indeed, in a serious security crisis beyond the ordinary.

“All lives matter; but this is one too heavy and unbearable. It’s a sad day in Ondo State. Clearly, we are in a serious security crisis that requires extraordinary means.”

The Governor assured that Government will do whatever it takes to unravel these criminals calling on security agents to unravel those behind the crime.

“On our part as a Government, we shall give whatever it takes to unravel this; these criminals who have wrought this sad day on our State shall not go unpunished.”
The Oba’s subjects are traumatised, and describe his murder in his domain as an abomination.

Breaking: ACF Blasts Northern Leaders, Backs State Police |The Source

By
Bayo Bernard
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President Buhari of Nigeria

By Fola James

The Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF has accused Northern political leaders of not speaking up against the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The northern cultural and political group said this through its National Publicity Secretary, Hakee Baba Ahmed, who said on an AIT programme on Friday that, the leaders from the region should emulate the Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar III who has been trenchantly criticizing the administration over the spate of insecurity in the country.

“It’s good that the Sultan is speaking now,” he said, adding that the conspiracy of silence will not help the region which has been devastated by Boko Haram insurgency, arm banditry and kidnapping in the last few years.

Ahmed, who was a former Secretary of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC said the federal government should have a broad approach to addressing the problem of insecurity, including the adoption of state or regional police that have been clamoured by some political leaders in the country, particularly from the south.

He said the North will also be a major beneficiary of restructuring that most social and political bodies in the country have been clamouring for.

“We also want to control our own resources. We want a system that will allow the north benefit from its own resources,” the former INEC scribe said, explaining that it was wrong for some persons to believe that the region is against restructuring.

Governor Nasir El-rufai of Kaduna state has recently disclosed that those averse to restructuring are individuals who do not have the good of the country at heart.

According to El-Rufai“We have the highest number of out-of-school children. We have the highest poverty rate. We have the lowest JAMB cut-off rate. So, what are the advantages in the North in the current situation?

“As the Governor of Kaduna State, I have had to look at these issues and try to see how I can get the people of my state up on the ladder. I think you need to differentiate the knowledge from a few and the voice of the silent majority.”

“If there are northern leaders today, by virtue of the fact that I am a governor, I must be there. So, who are these northerners against restructuring? Who are they? Who are they speaking for?

“Let us have a very honest, unemotional conversation without looking down on people or insulting them or framing them.”

 

OPINION: Lai’s Metamorphosis |The Source

By
The Source
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Victor Ogene

By Victor Afam Ogene

Nigeria’s Information and Culture Minister, Lai Mohammed, could easily pass for an artist. Whether of the con or visible variant, Lai is adroit at his act. In his mind’s eye, he paints diverse portraits, all fittingly serving the specific publics he intends to ‘entertain’.

When he gets to work, he paints, not just on canvass, but essentially on the hearts and imagination of his fellow countrymen. So efficient is Lai, that he can construct, in living colours, an imagery of Jezebel that would readily turn Monalisa green with envy. Much in the same way as he can deodorize the village bully as a penitent altar boy.

A lawyer by calling, Lai is, perhaps, the only Nigerian, in recent memory, that can change course multiple times – yet, remain right. In fact, so adept at his game was Lai, as Spokesman of the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC), that then National Chairman of the party, Chief John Oyegun, on Monday, March 14, 2016 lamented that it was difficult finding a replacement for him.

He had been appointed seven months earlier, as Minister, and suddenly the information machinery at the party’s headquarters appeared to have gone awry.

Deploying a combination of passion, panache and argumentum ad hominem, Lai easily swayed the media, craftily using it to advance whatever viewpoint he intended to sell. In deed, many believe that his emotive approach as National Publicity Secretary of APC, helped curry international support, and ultimately victory for his party at the historic 2015 presidential election.

His calls, at the time, verged on playing both the patriot and the victim; routinely beckoning on the international community to mount pressure on the Goodluck Jonathan administration. Whether the issue centred around an alleged plan to shift the date for the election, or an alleged plot to hold on to power, after probable defeat, Lai remained at his alarmist best.

When the issue centred on insecurity, especially the Boko Haram insurgency, he felt no compulsion laying the blame squarely on the rival People’s Democratic Party(PDP). “In view of the fact that the alleged Boko Haram sponsors are either members of the ruling party(PDP), or friends of the President(Jonathan), it is clear that the PDP-led Federal government is unwilling to try them”, Lai stated in an address at the House of Commons, London on September 8, 2014. He had, unabashedly, in an earlier part of the speech mentioned former Governor of Borno state, Ali Modu Sheriff, as one such Boko Haram sponsor.

Today, Sheriff is a chieftain of the APC, and is yet to come to trial concerning Boko Haram. Neither has anyone else of his stature.

Take another example. Eight years ago, as Spokesman of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN – one of the legacy parties that formed the APC – Lai had heavily criticised the Jonathan administration’s planned removal of subsidy on petroleum products.

Lai: “ACN said it remains convinced that fuel subsidy removal is not in the best interest of Nigerians, hence will not support it, and that – based on informed analysis – the average true price of a litre of fuel is 34.03 naira, which means Nigerians have been overpaying for the product.”

He maintained this line of argument all through the electioneering period leading up to the 2015 elections; including joining leaders of his party on a road protest to drive home their agitation.

Fast-forward to 2020, and he glibly dismisses criticism to multiple hikes in prices of petroleum products as ” unnecessary and mischievous.”

No longer was it about the people. Instead, he became an advocate for the rule of market forces.

Lai’s trenchant crusade against free speech, be it under the guise of a social media bill, hate speech, or fake news, reeks of someone who knows the intricacies of these tools, having himself deployed same to achieve set goals. This, remarkably, prefigures his current spat with the American global television network, Cable News Network(CNN).

In a petition addressed to Mr. Jonathan Hawkins, VP, Communications, CNN Centre, Atlanta, Georgia, USA, Lai threatened that the Nigerian government will ” take any action within its laws”, should CNN fail to investigate it’s report of November 18, 2020, which alleged that soldiers, indeed, shot at protesters at the Lekki tollgate, Lagos.

Whilst it is within Lai’s purview as Nigeria’s Information Minister to protest an allegedly unfair report, and for the Nigerian government to seek to protect it’s sovereignty, both ought to realize that it is deadly to ‘run with the hare, and hunt with the hounds.’

How, indeed, is it possible to relish the gains that comes with international pressure, and denounce the pains arising from outside scrutiny?

Looking at the picturesque of Lai’s eldorado, as chief opposition propagandist, to his mutation as chief proponent against free speech, his metamorphosis appears to be final. And complete.

Hon. Ogene, a former member of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, is Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, 365daily, an online publication.

Former President Gowon Replies UK Parliamentarian, Says He Served Nigeria Diligently |The Source

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

Former Nigeria Military Head of State, Yakubu Gowon has finally broken silence over allegations levelled against him by United Kingdom Parliamentarian and MP Conservative, Tom Tugendhat, that Retired General Gowon stole half Nigeria’s Central Bank.

Gowon said he served Nigeria diligently during my time, with patrotism, loyalty and dedication.

Tugendhat said authoritatively that Gowon stole half of the Apex Bank, and kept the loot at the UK Capital, London.

Gowon, who ruled Nigeria from 1966 to 1975, described the accusation made by the lawmaker as “rubbish and ridiculous”. The former Head of State noted that he served Nigeria diligently and his records are there for all to see.

Speaking further, Gowon asked the lawmaker to back his allegation up with fact, adding that he doesn’t know why Tugendhat made the allegation or who sponsored him to make such a claim. He noted that he would not want to speak further on the issue, noting that the allegation is false and baseless.

Recall that Gowon was overthrown while away in Kampala, Uganda attending a summit of the Organisation of African Unity. It was from there he moved to England to become a student at Warwick University where he studied Political Science and International Relations.

Gov Akeredolu Advocates Law To Regulate Population In Nigeria |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has advocated for a law to control Nigeria’s population like other advanced countries.

The Governor also called for the establishment of more technology-based Institutions, rather than proliferation of universities, to make the youth self reliant.

Akeredolu, who spoke in Akure, at a post EndSARS forum noted that “we must be able to control our population through population law. We are almost the size of China population.

“But in China today, there is a law that you can’t have more than one child. We must be deliberate about this population law.

“Establishment of technology and trade centers should be encouraged to provide self-sustainable employment for the youths.”

According to the Governor, the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) must be retooled to engage the youths productively in a way that part of the service year should include mandatory military training for self defence and more months for entrepreneurship through technical and technological training and trade.

In attendance at the forum were traditional rulers, representatives of the youths, religious leaders, political office holders and Minister of State for Niger/ Delta affairs, Chief Tayo Alasoadura.

Chief Alasoadura pointed out that the gathering was a dialogue needed at this time, adding that the President has directed members of the Federal Executive Council to liaise with their state government to hold such meeting.

He identified youth unemployment, as one of the bane of the society, stressing that the FEC has been particular about awarding contracts that would benefit the vast majority of the youths.

Alasoadura said the problem of youths unemployment has been with the country a long time ago before the President Buhari administration came in place.

He lamented that the private sector which was supposed to be the harbinger of employment has been destroyed and hopeless, thereby putting all the tasks and responsibilities on the government.

Seized Properties: AMCON Shuns Court Orders; Yet To Vacate Premises Of Seized Hotel |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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AMCON Possession

By Akinwale Kasali

The Asset Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON, has ignored Court orders by refusing to withdraw its Security personnel from  Peace Hotel, residence and business premises of owner, Oreye Udo.

AMCON has remained defiant despite loosing the case against Peace Hotels Limited, and refusing to carry out the orders of the Court of Law

An Abuja Federal High Court had vacated an ex-parte order against Peace Global Satellite Communication network and its Managing Director, Oreye Udo Livingstone which was earlier obtained in March this year.

The earlier interim ex-parte order which granted Benson Ibezim, the 3rd Claimant/ Respondent the receiver Manager appointed by AMCON which is the 1st Respondent to take possession of the properties belonging to Oreye and his wife, which include their residence and hotel located at Omole estate, Lagos, was vacated after careful consideration of all affidavits, counter-affidavits, written addresses, exhibits and submissions of counsel for, and against the relief sought.

Delivery judgement, the presiding Judge who ordered immediate vacation of the ex-parte order noted that the court discharged, or set aside the earlier order because the earlier ex-parte order was obtained without jurisdiction and upon suppression of facts. Besides, the Judge noted that AMCON’s Lawyer went ahead to move the motion on March 9th inspite of the fact that a notice of Appeal showing that the matter was in the Supreme court, served the Claimant on February 14 this year.

It would be recalled that Oreye Livingstone haf petitioned the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions over the seizure of his properties by AMCON

According to the petition, Asset Management Company Of Nigeria (AMCON) took possession of his two  properties and business premises after 15 heavily armed policemen stormed his hotel in Omole estate on July 24, 2020, and AMCON Receiver, Benson  Ibezim took partial possession of the properties because the Receiver failed to file motion on notice within 14 days as directed in Paragraph 9 of the same order of the court dated March 9th,2020. However, three days to the court ruling, the Receiver attempted to take full possession.

This, according to Oreye was happening when the matter, which has dragged for years, is  before the Supreme Court.

Findings reveal that Oreye, through his company, Peace Global Satellite Communication, in 2004 borrowed N178million to supplement the rolling out of wired phone. Out of the N178m borrowed, the sum of N162 million was paid back, remaining a balance of N16m on principal.

There was a thunderstorm that destroyed the Peace Global Satellite Communications network, a development that made WEMA Bank to attempt selling the collateral used to secure the loan, but Peace Global went to court in 2009 claiming amongst other things, that WEMA Insurance Brokers failed to process their thunderstorm claim for 2 years.

This matter we also gathered was already in court before the creation of AMCON, but according to Oreye, WEMA Bank misrepresented to AMCON that balance on principal was N240m which made AMCON to buy the loan for N123m. According to the petition, compilation of records was done by all parties including AMCON on June 16th, 2020.

Thereafter, the records were transmitted on June 19th, 2020 to Supreme Court while Brief of Argument has since been filed.

But Ibezim, in his affidavit, claimed that the matter was not before any court. However,  Oreye, through his Lawyer was able to prove to the court that the matter was before the Supreme court, necessitating the same Judge to vacate the earlier order.

As at press time, AMCON’s security men were  still at the residence of Oreye at Omole estate  his business premises, and a hospitality outfit, also located at Omole estate, Lagos, hours after the judgement of the Court, even when AMCON’s Lawyer has obtained the certified true copy of the judgement and was in court when the judgement was delivered.

Meanwhile, Oreye has called on the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions to ask AMCON to withdraw its security men from his residence and hotel in strict obidience to the court order.

Maradona: Argentina Declares A Three-Day National Mourning |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Diego  Maradona

By Akinwale Kasali

Argentine President, Alberto Fernandez, has declared a three-day National mourning over the death of Argentina’s football icon, Diego Armando Maradona.

The round leather game lost one of its legendary Icons, throwing fans, enthusiasts, analysts, Football administrators, Players and the world at large into mourning.

Maradona, passed- onWednesday , after suffering a  heart attack.

Maradona who, few months back celebrated his 60th birthday, had been hospitalized for weeks after collapsing.

Fans and lovers of the legend had kept vigil at the hospital where the World Soccer Star had been admitted after undergoing a brain surgery.

Until his death, the 1986 FIFA World Cup winning Captain of the Argentine team, was handling a Primera Division Side in the Argentine League.

The legendary Maradona would be remembered for his famous ‘Hand Of God’, goal against the England National team, enroute to the 1986 World Cup triumph.

He also led the Argentina Team to the Italia 1990 FIFA World Cup final against Germany, losing by a solitary Franz Bekenbauer goal.

At the 1994 FIFA World Cup at the United States of America, Maradona tested positive to drugs, ending his footbal career as a Player.

He was also tagged ‘god of Naples’, in the Italian Serie A Legaue, for his impressive performance for Napoli Football Club, seeing him winning many laurels for the Italian Club Side.

Maradona coached the Argentina National Team to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, losing 4-0 to Germany in the Quarter Finals, which saw the Late Maradona weeping profusely, and was been consoled by his players. The incident was an irony.

The Late Legend would b be remembered for his skills, feat and  contribution to Football.

He began playing football at the age of 16.

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