“Lawmaker Was The Mastermind Of Traditional Ruler’s Abduction” – Son

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August 23, 2024

District Head of Gatawa in Sokoto State - Alhaji Isah Muhammad

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Minister Orders Military To Fish Out Perpetrators

A son of the abducted and murdered Traditional Ruler in Sokoto State has accused a Lawmaker in the State of being the mastermind of his father’s abduction which resulted to his heartless murder.

The Traditional Ruler, who was the District Head of Gatawa in Sokoto State, Alhaji Isah Muhammad, was abducted along with his son, Kabiru Isah.

They were kidnapped in July and a heavy ransome placed on their heads.

On Wednesday, August 21, a video of the Traditional Ruler surfaced where he was frantically appealing to the Government and family, and other kind- hearted individuals to save his life by meeting the demands of his abductors who were threatening to kill him.

Unfortunately, before any funds could be raised, he was murdered. However, his son, Kabiru was released after his father’s murder when the sum of N60 million was delivered to the abductors. Kabiru, his son, has pointed accusing fingers at a Lawmaker from the State as the mastermind.

A mourning President Bola Tinubu has ordered the arrest of the murderous gang that killed the revered Traditional Ruler.

On Tuesday, following President Tinubu’s order, the Minister of State, Bello Matawalle, a former Governor of Zamfara State gave marching orders to Security Agencies, especially, the Military, to fish out the perpetrators of the murder.

Meanwhile, his murder has sparked outrage and protests and the Police and other Security operatives are battling to halt the violent protests ignited in Gobir Gatawa by aggrieved youths. They are protesting the killing of their traditional ruler and have pointedly ignored the curfew placed by the State Government.

As at the time of this report, the protesting youths were still not observing the dusk to dawn curfew imposed on the area by the Sokoto state Government.

The protesters, have, reportedly, set ablaze some Government and public properties including the All Progressive Congress, APC, Gobir Gatawa Local Government Headquarters.

Sokoto State is under the control of the APC. The youths are calling for an unfettered investigation into the abduction and subsequent killing of the Traditional Ruler.

They called on both the Federal and state Governments to initiate steps aimed at fishing out the perpetrators of the dastardly act, with a view to punishing them accordingly.

The Source reports that the youths and many locals are strongly suspecting underhand developments and conspiracy.

In a video footage in circulation, Kabiru, the equally abducted, but released son of the District Head was heard accusing a serving Sokoto state legislator of masterminding the abduction.

The Sokoto state police Command spokesperson Ahmed Rufai, informed that the curfew imposed in the troubled district will run from 6.00 am to 6.00 pm until further notice .

According to him ,the curfew is to restore order and security, following the spate of violent protests that have been rocking the area since the death of the District Head was made public on Wednesday.

A statement issued on Friday August, 23, by Henshaw Ogubike, Media Aide, to Matawalle, directed the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa to launch a comprehensive inquest into the abduction and subsequent death of the royal father.

Matawalle described the ugly incident as heinous ,senseless and unacceptable and noted that it will not be condoned.

“Security is one of the top agendas of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and he has been giving full support to the military .

“We will do everything in our power to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.” Matawalle noted

It is not known, yet, the fate of Lawmaker who Kabiru accused of being responsible for his and his murdered father’s abduction.

Supreme Court Uphold Sen. Diri’s Election As Duly Elected Bayelsa State Governor

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Akinwale Kasali

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August 23, 2024

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By Akinwale Kasali

Senator Duoye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State, can now stand at ease.

The Supreme Court has upheld his re-election as the duly elected Governor of the State.

The apex court dismissed the appeal brought before it by the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress APC, Timipre Sylva, a former Governor of the State, and his party.

The lead judgment delivered by Justice Garba Lawal, held that the appeal by Sylva and APC was not only lacking in merit but a gross abuse of court process.

The unanimous decision of the apex court upheld the earlier decision of the Court of Appeal and the Election Petition Tribunal.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja had, on July 18, affirmed the re-election victory of Governor Diri in the November 11, 2023 governorship poll.

The three-member panel of Justices led by Justice James Abundaga, in a unanimous judgment, held that the appeal filed by the appellants; Mr Timipre Sylva and the All Progressives Congress (APC), lacked merit.

The panel held that the tribunal was not in error when it struck several paragraphs of the petitioner’s reply against the Governor’s election.

The Election Tribunal had, on May 27, dismissed the petition filed by Sylva and APC.

The three-member Tribunal, led by Justice Adekunle Adeleye dismissed the petition for lacking in merit.

In a unanimous decision, the tribunal held that the petitioners failed to adduce credible evidence to substantiate their allegations against the outcome of the State’s Governorship Poll.

Justice Kekere-Ekun Now Acting CJN

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Ayodele Oni

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August 23, 2024

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By Ayodele Oni

The Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun got to the pinnacle of her career on Friday, August 23, 2024, when she was sworn-in as the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN. She will drop the prefix, “Acting”, when the President sends her name to the Senate for clearance. It is not envisaged that the no-nonsense Lagos-born Jurist, married to an accomplished former Banker, will have any problems at the Senate.

She was sworn-in by President Bola Tinubu, who returned to the country in the early hours of Friday, from Paris. He administered the oath of office on her at the Council chaamber of the State House.

The 66-year old Kekere-Ekun who is the second female CJN, succeeds Olukayode Ariwoola who retired from the position on Thursday on clocking the mandatory age of 70 years after two years in office.

The National Judicial Council (NJC) had recommended the appointment of Justice Kekere-Ekun, the next most senior justice of the apex court, as the next CJN.

Justice Kekere-Ekun was elevated to the Supreme Court of Nigeria as the 5th female Justice of the Court and was sworn in July 2013.

She is the 23rd and second female Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

Ondo Set To Host International Investors’ Forum

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Ayodele Oni

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August 23, 2024

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By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State is set to host 215 investors at a Global Entrepreneurship Festival before the end of the year.

Already, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has received official licence, for the event.

Aiyedatiwa reaffirmed the state’s commitment to being a prime investment destination, emphasizing the factors that make the state attractive, including relative peace, abundant natural resources, and skilled workforce.

Speaking during the official presentation of the license for the Global Entrepreneurship Festival in Akure, the Governor highlighted the event’s potential to drive significant growth and development within the state.

A statement on Friday by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan stated that Akure, the Ondo State capital, will host the Global Entrepreneurship Festival in November this year and 215 investors from around the world have signified their attendance.

The Governor expressed confidence in the state’s readiness to host a successful festival, noting that the festival presents a tremendous opportunity for growth and development in Ondo State.

“We are ready to host the festival. We believe the influx of visitors and the international attention will enhance our profile and bring significant economic benefits to our people.

”We have many areas that should be attractive to foreign investors, including our fertile land for agriculture, mineral resources, the cleanest beach in Nigeria at Araromi and our deep sea port.”

Earlier in his opening remarks, Mr. Sunny Smart Francis, Special Adviser to the Governor on Entrepreneurship and Innovation, said “The choice of Ondo State for this festival is a testament to the significant strides we’ve made in transforming the state into an investment hub.

“The Global Entrepreneurship Festival is the largest entrepreneurship event ever held in Nigeria, and it promises to positively affect many lives.”

In his remarks, Mr. Dan Walkovitz, the Entrepreneurship Village Board Chairman and Global Investor, expressed delight at being part of the project, praising Ondo State for its exceptional hospitality and rich natural and human resources.

He applauded the state’s infrastructural achievements, particularly at the Entrepreneurship Village, describing Ondo as a cornerstone for Nigeria’s entrepreneurial advancement.

Crisis In Benue APC Escalates As Aggrieved Parties Sue Ganduje For Contempt Of Court

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Akinwale Kasali

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August 23, 2024

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By Akinwale Kasali

The crisis rocking the Benue State Chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has escalated.

It took a fresh twist on Thursday when the dissolved State Executive Members led by Augustine Agada dragged the Party’s National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, to Court for disobedience of the Court order.

A Benue State High Court had, on Wednesday, stopped the Ganduje-led National Working Committee, NWC, from dissolving the Agada-led State Executive Council. But the Ganduje-led NWC disregarded the Court order and went ahead to dissolve the said State Exco in disobedience of the Court order.

In reaction, Agada, alongside eight others on Thursday, approached a Benue State High Court to file contempt charges against the Ganduje-led NWC of the APC.

In a motion on notice no: MHC/1585/M/2024, Agada-led Benue exco prayed the Court to compel Ganduje-led NWC to adhere to the decision not to remove them from office until the expiration of their four- year tenure.

The dissolved Benue APC Exco also prayed the Court to issue a punitive measure against the Ganduje-led NWC over the disobedience of the earlier decision of the Court.

Agada, in an affidavit deposed to by his Counsel, M.T. Aiyebo, insisted that the Ganduje-led NWC was duly served the order of the Court on Wednesday at about 4.00pm.

He added that the service of the order restraining the APC under Ganduje was also served at the office of the National Legal Adviser at 4.02 p.m. on Wednesday at the party’s national secretariat.

Agada, in the affidavit, expressed surprise that in the evening of Wednesday, 21st August 2024, at 6.00pm, Ganduje-led NWC held a meeting where he went ahead to dissolve his Executive Committee and appointed a Caretaker Committee against the earlier Court order.

“That I saw on several television stations that same evening about 8 p.m. and several other news media that the Benue state Working Committee of the Respondent on record has been dissolved by the Respondent against whom the leave of this Honourable court is been sought.”

Dozens Of Passengers Injured As BRT Bus Tumbles At Iyana Ipaja

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Akinwale Kasali

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August 23, 2024

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By Akinwale Kasali

Pandemonium ensued at Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, when a fully loaded Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, overturned inside the dedicated BRT lane. It resulted in injuries to many passengers.

The accident occurred shortly after the bus departed from the BRT park at Iyana Ipaja.

According to an update from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, the bus ran into an abandoned pedestrian bridge foot immediately after the Iyana Ipaja bridge, causing it to tip over onto its side.

The authorities have confirmed that 10 victims have received necessary medical attention.

LASTMA officials were quickly on the scene to manage the situation and ensure that the victims were promptly taken care of.

The accident caused significant disruption to traffic in the area, with efforts underway to clear the lane and restore normal traffic flow.

Motorists and commuters were advised to exercise caution and follow traffic directives as authorities work to resolve the situation.

Unconfirmed reports said the Driver of the BRT was receiving a call on his Mobile Phone, leading to the accident, but LASTMA Officials stated that it is yet to ascertain what led to the incident.

School Feeding To Resume 8 Months After Suspension By President Tinubu

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James Orji

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August 23, 2024

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The federal government has decided to resume the school feeding programme several months after it was suspended by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun made this known on Thursday when the house of representatives committee on alternative education visited him, according to a statement issued by Mohammed Manga, director of information and public relations in the ministry.

Recall that President Tinubu had in January this year suspended all programmes, including school feeding, administered by the National Social Investment Programme Agency, NSIPA, in other to probe alleged irregularities in the management of the agency and its activities.

Speaking yesterday, Edun said the school feeding is part of other laudable programmes of the Tinubu’s administration to strenghten education, adding that every child in the country will be provided access to quality education.

He explained that by feeding the children they are being encouraged to attend schools, thereby reducing the number of out of school children in the country.

According to Edun, “feeding children at school would not only improve their health and well-being but also incentivise them to remain in school, thereby reducing the number of out-of-school children”.

“As the government continues to prioritise education, Nigeria’s future generations can expect improved access to quality learning, setting the stage for a brighter, and more prosperous tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, not a few critics of the government insist that the federal government has almost neglected the southern part of the country in the school feeding programme, that the programme is majorly focused in the north.

Kogi: Bello Can’t Hide Forever-EFCC

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James Orji

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August 23, 2024

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The Anti’graft agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has vowed to bring a former governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello to justice.

The agency said it will leverage on the support of international and local security agencies to bring the fugitive former governor to book.

Bello, who is wanted for an alleged N80 billion theft has been in hiding since he escaped from the EFCC when the anti-graft agency laid a siege on his Abuja home in March this year.

He’s believed to be in the custody of the state governor, Usman Ododo on whose convoy he earlier escaped from EFCC six months ago.

The magazine reported that a Court of Appeal in Abuja, earlier in the week ordered the former governor to present himself in court to answer the charges of corruption against him.

Not a few Nigerians have also criticised the kids glove manner the EFCC has treated the Bello case, saying the agency has not given the matter the seriousness it deserved.

But speaking on Thursday, the EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale said the commission is collaborating with Interpol and other security agencies to ensure that Bello is arrested and brought to court

He said the Court of Appeal recent ruling has further bolstered the commission’s resolve to deal with Bello’s case decisively.

According to him, “What the court of appeal is saying is just to amplify the position of the commission and also to establish the fact that we are focused on this matter.

“As it is now, Yahaya Bello cannot come into the open. He cannot make himself available anywhere because he has become a fugitive, and we all know the instruments of the law—anywhere he is sighted, he would be arrested.

“He is hiding, he has gone underground. Every law enforcement agency, both local and international agencies are involved.”

Bello who left office early this year as the helmsman of the Confluence state has leveraged on the immunity of his successor who rode on his wings to office to evade EFCC arrest.

The incumbent is believed to be shielding him from the law.

NDLEA Policy Scaring Foreign Ship Owners Away – Stakeholders Lament

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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August 23, 2024

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Unless Nigerian authorities, particularly the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, review their policy thrust as it concerns punishments being meted out to shipping lines found to be unknowingly carrying drugs and trafficked persons, foreign operators may shun the shores of the country.

Suresh Prabhakar ,the Director of Operations, Pacific Basin Shipping Limited, Hong Kong, dropped the hint on Wednesday, August 20, at the ongoing international conference on maritime security, Oron Cross River State.

The conference which was jointly packaged by the Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria MASPAN and the Alumni of Maritime Academy of Nigeria Oron, is being attended by some international players within the shipping business across the globe.

Prabhakar emphasized that the NDLEA should consider reviewing its stance when drugs are found on board ships bearing in mind the increased risks of drug smuggling on board ships by drug cartels ,as well as the associated security challenges faced by ships crew and owners.

He advised Nigerian authorities to borrow a leaf from countries like the USA, Canada and others who carry out quick investigations to ascertain the level of involvement of ship crew in suspected cases of drug smuggling.

He condemned the present situation whereby ships and crew are detained almost indefinitely because of the activities of some drug cartels.

According to him, detaining ships and crew, together with suspected drug smugglers as a result of drugs found on board causes so much losses to ship owners.

“In handling drug related incidents that occur on board ships, the USA, European countries, Australia, New Zealand and several other countries, the drug enforcement agencies quickly investigate and conclude whether a ship and crew are involved.

“If the crew are found to be innocent, they and the ship are allowed to sail without delay. But on some rare occasions that the authorities strongly suspect that a particular crew member is involved, the person is immediately landed, and the rest allowed to sail without delay.

“The same practice takes place at Brazilian ports when the Federal Police and associated agencies find drugs on board ships.

“This is particularly important to note, as at today, the maximum quantity of drugs being smuggled on board ships is from Brazilian ports.

“When I visited Santos, Brazil, in February 2024, to meet with several regulatory authorities on the issue of drug smuggling, their reasons for the approach were explained ” Prabhakar stated .

Earlier in his address, the Minister for Blue and Marine Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, acknowledged the urgent need to confront the fact that Nigerian waters are globally viewed as a transit route for illicit activities.

The Minister, who was represented by the Director Marine Environment Management, Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, Heaky Dimowo, said it is essential the country develop comprehensive strategies to address the evolving threats posed to the Maritime Industry by criminal elements.

He called for a resort to technological innovations, and enhanced collaborations among critical stakeholders in tackling the problems in the industry.

CNPP Demands Explanation from NNPC On Subsidy Bill To FAAC, Insists on Forensic Audit and Suspension of Mele Kyari

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The Source

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August 23, 2024

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The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has expressed shock, dismay, and disappointment over the recent demand by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Limited) for the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) to pay an outstanding N4.56 trillion for selling petrol at a subsidized price between August 2023 and June 2024.

“This is despite the Federal Government’s repeated announcements that there are no subsidy payments for petrol in the country,” said Comrade James Ezema, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of CNPP. “We find it absurd and unacceptable that NNPC Limited would declare a net profit of N3.297 trillion in its 2023 Audited Financial Statement (AFS) and yet bill FAAC a whopping N4.56 trillion subsidy reimbursement for petrol sold in just two months.”

The CNPP has demanded an immediate explanation from NNPC Limited on several issues, including how the company arrived at the figure of N4.56 trillion as subsidy reimbursement, the basis for this claim when the Federal Government has repeatedly announced that there are no subsidy payments, and how NNPC Limited can declare a net profit of N3.297 trillion in a year and yet claim to have incurred a subsidy expense of N4.56 trillion in just two months.

Furthermore, the CNPP has called for an independent forensic audit of NNPC Limited under Engr Mele Kyari, covering the period from 2020 to date. “This audit should be conducted by a reputable international firm and should cover all aspects of NNPC Limited’s operations, including its financial dealings, contracts, and acquisitions,” CNPP demanded.

The CNPP has also insisted on the immediate suspension of Engr Mele Kyari for probe, pending the outcome of the forensic audit. “This is necessary to prevent any further manipulation or destruction of evidence.”

Additionally, the CNPP has called for an investigation into how NNPC Limited acquired OVH Energy Marketing (OVHEM), owner and operator of the Oando downstream assets. “We demand to know what was the purchase price of OVHEM, who were the parties involved in the transaction, and was due process followed in the acquisition?” CNPP said.

The CNPP has also demanded a revaluation of the acquired Oando assets to determine their true value and to ensure that NNPC Limited did not overpay for the said acquisition.

“We strongly suspect that the reason for the impunity with which NNPC Limited’s management operates is based on presumed immunity due to Mele Kyari’s strong ties with Oando, which is operated by Wale Tinubu, suspected to be a nephew of President Bola Tinubu,” the CNPP added.

The CNPP has vowed to take action if their questions are not answered properly. “We urge all allied civil society organizations in the country to be on standby as the CNPP shall be mobilizing for a total showdown if our questions are not answered properly,” CNPP vowed.

The CNPP has also called on the National Assembly to take immediate action to investigate these allegations and to hold those responsible accountable for any wrongdoing. “Failure to take action, all the Federal lawmakers in the country will be held accountable by the citizens as accomplices in the looting of Nigeria’s oil revenues,” statement concluded.