Home Blog Page 700

“Our Lives Are In Serious Danger” – Christian Organization Cries Out To  Abia Government

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
-
0
Jesus Holy Ministry Aba

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

An Aba-based Christian Faith  Organization, the Jesus Holy Ministry, on Thursday March 20,2025 , petitioned the Abia state Government over a serious threat posed to the health of its over two thousand members by the unregulated activities of a neighbouring poultry farm.

This is even as it accused the State Ministry of Environment and its officials of closing their eyes to the serious  health challenges being faced by thousands of residents, owing to the unwholesome and unhygienic activities of the poultry farm owners.

The Church  said the  intervention of the  Abia State Government and other relevant authorities are urgently needed to save its members from being  consumed by possible outbreak of epidemic.

The Christian organization,  in a  petition  to the Abia State Commissioner for Environment, Philemon  Ogbonna, dated January 30, 2025, a copy of which was made available to this magazine, noted that the indiscriminate dumping of poultry wastes on open surface, and their subsequent exposure to sun and rain with its attendant offensive odour and harmful bacteria have exposed its worshipers and guests to serious health challenges.

“My instruction is that my client is a Christian Organization with well over two thousand members/worshipers who attend the Ministry’s religious activities on regular basis and in addition to the regular religious activities. The Ministry, also, has facilities/clinic that takes care of the sick and psychosis.

“My client’s further instruction is that her said Ministry has been in existence at the said address for well over thirty (30) years now and for a larger part of this time it has enjoyed peace, tranquility, cordial relationship and respect/regard with her neighbours until few years ago when one Mr Chijioke Simon ,and his wife who are livestock/poultry farmers set up a large scale poultry farm having well over five thousand (5000) poultry birds adjacent my client’s Ministry/building.

“With the passage of time ,and without any proper environmental/health safety measures on ground at the poultry farm ,the owner of the said farm and their workers began dumping poultry wastes indiscriminately on open surface, and exposed the said poultry wastes to the sun and rains with its attendant odour/harmful bacteria, highly polluted water that flows  out from the farm ,and being that my Client’s Ministry/building is closest to the poultry farm, members of my Client’s Ministry became the first recipient of the harmful toxics coming out from the said poultry farm ,and which has caused serious health challenges to members of the ministry who attend weekly activities of the Ministry”, the Ministry’s lawyer stated.

The Christian organization further noted that several efforts made to get the farm owners to take steps and halt the nuisance have so far been ignored.

According to the  Church ,it had earlier  petitioned the Inspector General of Police, demanding for an investigation into the alleged harmful activities of the poultry farm managers, but all to no avail.

“However, it came to the knowledge of my client that the said farm owners have been recalcitrant ,because  they claimed they have the backing of your office/Ministry (Abia state Environment Ministry) to continue in their act of polluting the environment and causing health challenges to the neighborhood and particularly members of the my client’s ministry who are made to inhale the toxic odours emanating from the poultry farm as a result of the poor sanitary condition of the place.

“Their claim is further strengthened by the fact that when the Police from the office of the Commissioner of Police came on investigation with regard to an earlier petition and arrested one of the owners, Mrs Chijioke Simon sometime in November 20024, my client observed that you ( Commissioner for Environment) personally called the police officers  who came for the arrest to release the woman; that the matter is not a police one, but a civil case which only your Ministry can handle.

Despite the refusal of the police to release the said woman and finally taking her to Umuahia ,my client was reliably informed that you instructed a lawyer from the Ministry of Justice in the person of Barr. Nwaejike who is attached to your office as ASEPA prosecutor to go to the police headquarters in Umuahia and inform the police again that the matter for which the woman was arrested is a matter within the jurisdiction of your office/Ministry to handle and that the police should hands off the matter”, the petition further reads.

The Church, however, expressed serious regret that despite stopping the police from looking into the its complaints , the Supervising Ministry of Environment has so far refused to wade in to save the lives of over two thousands of its worshipers.

“Sir, despite the fact that you informed the police that the matter is within your jurisdiction to handle ,and in addition, sent a State Counsel to formally bring that to the notice of the Police, you and your office have not done anything whatsoever towards addressing the complaint rather my client on weekly basis see your officers from the Environmental Health at Aba North led by one Uzoma Nwaejike has turned the said poultry farm into a cash cow ,where they visit on Weekly basis to collect money/inducement and thereby closing their eyes to the very danger posed to the health of members of the general public and my client members in particular”, E . J  Obi the Church’s Counsel stated in the petition.

The Christian organization in its petition regretted that the Abia state Environment Ministry and its officials have abdicated their responsibility of protecting public health ,through a safe environment.

Consequently,the Church has called on the Abia state Government ,and other relevant bodies to ensure the relocation of the said poultry farm out of the its vicinity ,a  densely populated residential area.

However, the Christian Ministry has vowed to resort to a legal action to protect over two thousand of its worshipers should the appropriate authorities fail to take action within a reasonable period.

As at the time of reporting, both the Commissioner for Information and Operators of the said poultry outlet could not be reached for comments.

An earlier visit to, and media briefing with the Commissioner at the  Church premises on. Tuesday March 18, 2025, could not hold. A rescheduled visit for Wednesday March 19, was also aborted.

No reasons were adduced for the halting of what was supposed to be a trouble-shooting effort by the Commissioner.

.

Rivers Emergency Rule: PDP Govs To Seek Legal Redress

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
PDP Governors Forum

By Ayodele Oni

The last may not have come from the 12 governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on their stand over the six months suspension clamped on their colleague in Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara.

The PDP Governors have announced plans to challenge his suspension in Court.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, disclosed this in his weekly bulletin.

Makinde stated that the PDP Governors are determined to protect democracy and will not allow the suspension, which they consider illegal, to stand.

He emphasized that despite any political differences, protecting democratic rights and principles is crucial.

President Bola Tinubu had on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy, and members of the State House of Assembly.

This move followed ongoing political tensions between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.

Recently, the PDP governors, in a meeting chaired by Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, strongly condemned the suspension and called for its immediate reversal. They argued that the decision was a “mistake” and an attack on the democratic system.

In his weekly bulletin, Makinde revealed that the PDP governors would take legal action against the suspension in a court of competent jurisdiction.

He called on the public to stand firm for justice and fairness, ensuring that democracy is not undermined.

The PDP currently governs 12 states in Nigeria, and the governors are unified in their commitment to challenging this action in court.

Natasha Accuses Akpabio Of Making Sexist Remark About Her Buttocks, That She Will Be Good In Bed

By
James Orji
-
0
Natasha Akpoti and Godswill Akpabio

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central in the National assembly, has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of disrespecting her by making sexist remarks about her backside.

The embattled senator accused the former governor of making the lewd remark inside and outside of the National Assembly chamber.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the Senate on March 6 for what was described as “gross misconduct and unruly behavior” following a seating arrangement dispute with Akpabio.

However, her suspension came just a day after she formally submitted a sexual harassment petition against the Senate President on the Senate floor.

In an interview with the BBC, Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed that the allegations of misconduct were merely a cover to silence her.

She alleged that Akpabio frequently made inappropriate advances toward her, sometimes in the presence of other senators.

“He would squeeze my hands in a very suggestive way,” she said.

Recalling a particular incident, she stated, “There was a time I forgot to wear my ring because I rushed to work. And there were about five senators there. And Akpabio said, ‘Oh Natasha, you are not wearing your ring… is this an invitation to treat?”‘

She further alleged that Akpabio made sexually charged comments about her marriage.

“There was another time he made a statement like, ‘Natasha, your husband is really enjoying. It looks like you’d be able to make good movements with your waist.”‘

“He makes such sexist statements. And then they (other senators) all laughed,” she added.

During the interview, Akpoti-Uduaghan broke down in tears when asked about the impact of her allegations and the backlash she has faced.

“People don’t understand what it means to carry this. Maybe we don’t talk about it enough in Nigeria or Africa,” she said, her voice breaking.

“I just want a place where I would just work. I thought the worst was over, but I guess for a woman, it’s never really over, right?”

The suspended senator has vowed to fight her suspension with all in her powers.

Vanguard

Emergency Rule: Tinubu Has Brought Military ‘Close To Power’- Kwakwanso

By
James Orji
-
0
Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso

The 2023 Presidential candidate of the NNPP, Rabiu Kwakwanso says President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has brought the ‘military close to power’ as a result of his emergency rule proclamation in Rivers state.

Many Nigerians are still traumatized by the decades of military rule in the country, which ended in 1999, with tails of abuse of human rights abuse left behind by the soldiers.

Kwakwanso, a former governor and Minister of Defence said everything must be done to discourage military men, who are supposed to be confined to the barracks, from taking over government.

The former governor made the remark in a statement he personally signed on Friday, barely 24 hours after the National Assembly ratified the  president’s State of Emergency declaration in the oil rich state.

On Tuesday, the magazine reported, president Tinubu declared Emergency Rule in the restive state, after weeks of protracted power struggle between Governor Siminalaye Fubara and his estranged godfather, Nyesom Wike, his predecessor and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Minister.

Apart from suspending Governor Fubara, his Deputy and the state Hosue of Assembly, President Tinubu appointed former chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ibaz (rtd.) as the Sole Administrator to pilot the affairs of the Niger Delta state for a period of six months.

President Tinubu had cited his powers under the Constitution as the basis for taking the action, which he said was subject to the approval of the National assembly.

On Thursday, the Senate and the House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved the president’s action, amid criticism from not a few Nigerians who insist that they failed defend the country’s democracy by just being a mere rubber stamp of the president.

In his reaction to the NASS action, Kwakwanso said the president abused his powers by removing democratically elected officials in the state, saying the lawmakers should have checkmated him, by disapproving the imposition of State of Emergency.

He criticised the president for sacking democratic institutions, and militarizing the state, noting that the action portends grave danger to the nation’s democracy, and her efforts to ensure that the military are prevented from returning to power.

According to him, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, in his ascension to power in 1999, did all he could to keep soldiers in the barracks, saying those gains are now being eroded by the Tinubu administration.

He also accused the judiciary of failing in its duty as the custodian of law in the country, urging judges and lawyers to ‘wake up’ to their duties by upholding the law.

The statement in part, “The legislature has the responsibility to hold the Executive accountable, not to simply endorse its decisions. It is, therefore, appalling to see this 10th Assembly act more like a rubber stamp than any of its predecessors.

“Even more disturbing is the unilateral decision by both chambers of the National Assembly to ratify the President’s proclamation. I had hoped that legislators would not add salt to injury by approving this illegality.

“The Constitution is clear on the voting process for matters of such importance, and the decision to use a voice vote instead of a transparent procedure is inconsistent with proper legislative conduct.

“Moreover, for a politician who prides himself as a defender of democracy, President Tinubu should know better than to bring the military closer to power. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo worked hard to confine them to the barracks, and we must not undo that progress,” he said.

Following the declaration, soldiers and other security forces have been deployed to the embattled state to maintain law and order, raising concerns among not a few Nigerians, the imminent dangers of  allowing soldiers to play active role in governance.

BREAKING: Ayobo Ipaja LCDA Chairman, Shobowale  Dies

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
Bola Shobowale - Ayobo-Ipaja LCDA Chairman

By Akinwale Kasali

Less than three days after Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-olu appointed the Vice Chairman of Ayobo Ipaja Local Council Development Area, Oladipupo Oluwaloni, as the Acting Chairman, to end the leadership vacuum that had crippled administration of the council’s activities due to the illness of the Chairman, Bola Shobowale, she finally passed on.

She had been battling a protracted ailment that took her away from office for about a year, leaving a leadership vacuum in the LCDA.

Recall that there had been series of allegations of fraud in the LCDA, with the withdrawal of huge sums from the LCDA’s account without approval by the Chairman.

There have been calls for the removal of some members of the Executive and Legislative arm of the LCDA, following her unavailability to perform her duties, but the call was not heeded to  until three days ago when Governor Sanwo-Olu put her Vice, Oluwaloni, as Acting Chairman, before her demise Friday.

Kidnapper Cries: “They Are Demolishing My Father’s House Over N800,000”

By
Adesina Soyooye
-
0
Oboh Odianosen's House - a kidnapper

By Adesina Soyooye

A kidnapper in Uromi, Esan Local Government, Edo State, has lamented the fate that has befallen him and his family.

Oboh Odianosen, a kidnapper, on arrest, led the Edo State Task Force to his father’s house where he lived, and watched as bulldozers went to work and demolished the family house started by his father and completed by him.

The demolished house was the only they had. Now, the family has nowhere to stay.

In shock, and full of regrets as he watched the demolition on Wednesday March 19, he confessed his culpability and revealed that his share from the N5 million ransom was N800, 000. And, for that sum, which he now knows is nothing compared to the demolition of the house and the  punishment, that awaits him still, he lamented: “Because of N800,000, they are demolishing my father’s house.”

Trouble started for Odianosen when he and his gang of five, abducted a man in Ekpoma.

According to him, as is usually the case, they took the man into an Uromi forest where they kept him for three days until the N5 million ransom was paid.

He blamed one of his partners in crime for mentioning his name when he was caught.

His words: “My name is Odianosen Oboh. This is my house. My father started the building, but I completed it.

“It was my friend, Epama, that I followed for the operation. We abducted a man from Ekpoma and moved him in a car that later broke down. I had to use my motorcycle to take him into the bush in Uromi, where we kept him for three days until his family paid the ransom.”

“It was Epama who mentioned my name after he was arrested. Now, they are demolishing my father’s house because of N800,000. My family has no home, and my children are outside. Everyone should stay away from crime.”

He said he used his share of N800,000 to settle some of his debts and other pressing issues.

Supreme Court Returns Wike’s Loyalist, Anyanwu As PDP National Secretary

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
Senator Samuel Anyanwu

By Akinwale Kasali

After months of prolonged legal battles between Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye over the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP’s, National Secretary position, the Supreme Court has declared  Anyanwu, a close ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT,  Nyesom Wike, the authentic National Secretary of the PDP.

In a unanimous judgment delivered on Friday, a five-member panel of the Apex Court overturned the appellate court’s decision.

Justice Jamilu Tukur, who delivered the lead judgment, stated that leadership or membership disputes within a political party fall under its internal affairs and do not warrant judicial intervention unless specific exceptional circumstances exist.

The Supreme Court outlined these exceptional circumstances, which would have granted jurisdiction, as cases where the Nigerian Constitution explicitly provides for Court intervention, instances of criminal offenses, or violations of contractual rights.

Since none of these applied in the PDP secretaryship dispute, the Apex Court ruled in favor of Anyanwu.

The judgment effectively reinstates Anyanwu as the PDP National Secretary, resolving months of internal strife within the opposition party.

“I Am Sorry, Please Forgive Me”, Nnamdi Kanu Apologises To Justice Nyako Over Misconduct In Court

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
-
0
Nnamdi Kanu in Court

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Embattled Leader of the  Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, in Court, on Friday, did what not many people would expect him to do. What he did was a direct opposite of him since his prosecution by the Federal Government for alleged offences bordering on sundry issues began, especially, during his last outing in Court.

He apologised in the open Court for his behaviour during his last appearance before the then trial Judge, the Honour Justice Binta Nyako. Angry because Nyako was still in Court for his case after she had recused herself, Kanu, literally, threw caution to the wind and said quite some very unpleasant things in Court about Justice Nyako, the Government Lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, whose wife, Funmi, is, also, a SAN, and the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, the Honourable Justice John Tsoho. He also talked down on his legal team led by Ejimakor. It was like armageddon.

But in Court on Friday, with a new Lead Counsel, the calm and urbane Kanu Agabi, SAN a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, and before a new trial Judge, Honourable Justice James Omotosho, Mazi Kanu, in an emotion-laden written speech, sought for forgiveness over his outburst and misconduct. He promised to be of good behaviour all through the trial which has began afresh.

Not a few people are now wondering if Kanu’s apology  was as a result of Agabi’s advice, and  wonder if he would have towed this line if any of his former lead Counsels was still in charge. Agabi is the number four lead Counsel Kanu would have. The other three,  relieved of the role were: Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, and his long time special Counsel, Anerican-trained Ejimakor.

Presenting Kanu’s apology in Court, Agabi said he had his Client’s permission to do so before the Court hearing, proper.

Kanu, through Agabi in a prepared speech pleaded, passionately, for forgiveness from Nyako, Awomolo, the Federal High Court, and his former legal team.

Agabi : “In expressing his anger, he attacked the Federal High Court, he attacked Justice Binta Nyako, he attacked the prosecutor, and he attacked his own lawyers.

“I hereby apologise to Justice Binta Nyako. She did not deserve the unjust attack. I apologise to Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN. He deserves the highest respect. He was castigated without reservations.

“I appeal for forgiveness. Kanu is a good man, but all of us cannot be of one mind. He is not perfect but is defending the cause of the Igbo people, who are resilient, fearless, and use their God-given talents to give a good account of themselves.

“We may have misgivings, but we must seek forgiveness. In resolving our differences, let us employ peace and not violence”.

Awomolo, SAN,  in accepting the apology, said  he was moved by the plea and has forgiven Kanu. He  described himself as a  persecutor not a prosecutor.

The case has been adjourned to April 29, May 2, and May 6, 2025.

Kano Govt Appointees Refuse To Declare Assets, Yusuf Orders Them To Comply

By
James Orji
-
0
Abba-Kabir-Yusuf-Kano-Governor (1)
Governor Abba-Kabir-Yusuf

Governor Abba Yusuf has directed all government appointees in the state to declare their assets, the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN reports.

The governor said only 30 percent of those appointed by him has so far declared their assets, while 70 have yet to do so.

Governor Yusuf gave the directive during the Ramadan breaking of fast with heads of government agencies and special advisers at Government House, Kano.

According to the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, government officials are mandated to declare their assets, failure which they will be prosecuted.

However, the assets declaration, are to be made public with the consent of the assets owner. Only a few leaders in the country had allowed their assets declaration to be made public.

For instance, the late President Umaru Yar-dua, after becoming president in 2007 ordered his assets declaration to be made public, with great applause from not a few Nigerians who insist that other top government official should do the same.

His vice at the time, Goodluck Jonathan faced serious criticism from  the public who also demanded that he made his assets public.

Jonathan who went ahead to succeed President Yar’adua refused to make his assets public, saying no law compelled him to do so.

His successors, Muhammadu Buhari and current President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have refused to declare their assets publicly to  Nigerians amid serious push-back from their critics.

Why I walked Out Of The Senate Over Rivers Emergency Rule – Senator Seriake Dickson

By
Adesina Soyooye
-
0
Senator Seriake Dickson and Godswill Akpabio

By Adesina Soyooye

Senator Seriake Dickson, has explained why he walked out of the Senate just before it endorsed the State of Emergency declared in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu had declared a six-month State of Emergency in the State, suspended the Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Dr. Ngozi Odu and Members of the House of Assembly. He then appointed a Sole Administrator,  a former Chief Of Naval Staff  Vice Admiral Ibas.

Earlier, Dickson, former  two-term Governor of Bayelsa State had a shouting match, almost, with Senate President Godswill Akpabio when he tried to shut down Dickson from speaking.  Dickson had raised a point of order when he wanted to point out a procedural failure in the handling of the State of Emergency case in the Senate. But Akpabio wouldn’t let him. He tried to stop him, forcing Dickson to tell Akpabio that he respects the leadership of the Senator, but emphasized that respect is reciprocal. He also reminded Akpabio that both of them were former State Governors. At the end, Dickson had his way because he had a superior argument. After his presentation, the Senate went into a closed door session.

But according to Dickson who spoke after the closed door session, nothing went quite well. He said that there was no debate as to the constitutionality of the proclamation. He said he and a few other Senators were against the proclamation and the process adopted by the Senate to endorse it. When, therefore, it was time to present the report, he preferred walking out to staying and watching what he vigorously spoke against approved.

Dickson: “Today (Thursday), at the sitting of the Senate, the issue of the President’s proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State came up for discussion and as I have stated repeatedly, I raised my objections in the closed session on how the declaration fell short of constitutional prescription, based on my view as a Democrat, sworn to uphold the Nigerian constitution.

“The Senate did not undertake the debate in an open session. However, it was quite robust. I want to thank Sen. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal for his strong support of the unconstitutionality of the declaration, especially the aspect that deals with the suspension of the elected officials of the Rivers State government.

“At the end of the day, majority of the Senators supported the proclamation as no room was given for an open debate at plenary. I left the plenary before the Senate President was directed to report the outcome because I didn’t want to be present while what I opposed is being reported. I believe Senator Tambuwal, Senator Abaribe and others equally left too.

“I want to make it clear that as I stated repeatedly, I spoke and voted against the proclamation in our closed session, supported by Senator Aminu Tambuwal and a few other Senators who were not recognized to speak.

“And so I want to thank all the Senators who shared the view that I vigorously canvassed.

“I am, however, aware of the efforts made to modify the declaration as a result of the concerns and views we have expressed and canvassed the past few days.

“Though I acknowledge the effort being made by the leadership and President to moderate the terms of the declaration and to create a mechanism for oversight, theoretically, this does not counter the primary issue of constitutionality.

“The beauty of democracy is such that the minority will have their say while the majority have their way.

“I would have wished for a more robust and open debate so that all views and opinions can be openly canvassed, as I requested, even at the closed session specifically and thereafter, the majority can have their way but as it is, both chambers have decided and the ball is now on the court of the other arms of government, especially the Judiciary, in the event of any challenge.”

President Tinubu has since thanked both Arms of the National Assembly for their patriotism in approving the steps he took in Rivers State.

1...699700701...2,965Page 700 of 2,965