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Post Date : July 12, 2021

Nnamdi Kanu: FG welcomes Ohaneze’s monitor team

Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation (AGF), says the team set up by Ohanaeze Ndigbo, apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, to monitor the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is unnecessary but welcome. Kanu was extradited to Nigeria to face trial after jumping bail in 2017. He was arraigned before Binta Nyako, the presiding judge, who ruled that he should be remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) till July 26. Alex Ogbonnia, the group’s spokesperson, had said a legal team has been set up to monitor the trial. In a statement on Monday, Umar Gwandu, Malami’s spokesman, said the attorney-general welcomes the monitoring group, which is “in line with the doctrine of the right of fair hearing rooted in section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”. He said the Igbo group had also demonstrated in their position on the matter, that they align with the rule of law, while maintaining their stance that they are not against Kanu’s trial. “In similar vein the group showed a mature departure from the mindset of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, when Ohanaeze said they ‘do not support the use of any form of violence’, while channeling concerns and presenting demands,” the statement reads. “By urging the youths to be law-abiding and sheath their sword as well as asking them to try to obtain voter’s card to enable them contribute to national development, the position of Ohanaeze becomes glaringly constitutional and commendable. “Let it be made abundantly clear that President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government respects the rule of law and does not advocate for the breach of law. Hence, with or without the so-called monitoring group, justice will be adequately served to Nnamdi Kanu in compliance with the enshrined provisions of the law. “It is hoped that the unnecessary legal monitoring group will come with open-mind and guided by nothing but the rule of law in the process so as to convey the judgment of the Court as may eventually be delivered to their people in various languages and dialects of the members of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo communities and the entire Nigerians.”

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Post Date : July 12, 2021

“We Stand By Press Freedom’: Reps Allay Fears Of Attempt To Gag The Press

The House of Representatives has weighed in on the proposed Press Council Bill currently before the National Assembly, saying that no attempt will be made by the lawmakers to gag the media. The bill, which is already at the public hearing stage, is being sponsored by Olusegun Odebunmi, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Values. Debate on the bill comes as the Federal Government moves to tighten regulation on social media after suspending Twitter over national security concerns. But the House spokesman, Benjamin Kalu, who denied rumours that the legislature wants to suppress the press, said the media is not just a tool for disseminating information but a tool for nation-building. “If the press is gagged, then we are finished,” he said during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today. “We are legislators today from the ruling party, tomorrow we may be in the opposition. Next tomorrow, we may not be politicians, we may be out there. “The House has taken a position and that position of the House is that no attempt will be made by the House to gag the press. The press freedom is where we stand and it is part of the legislative agenda of the Ninth Assembly because we see the media not just as a tool for dissemination of information but as a tool for nation-building.” His remarks come hours after several newspapers in Nigeria on Monday published an advertorial against media regulations bills being considered at the National Assembly. The advertorial, which appeared on the front pages of dailies such as Punch, Vanguard, The Nation, ThisDay, Guardian, Daily Sun, was sponsored by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, the Nigerian Guild of Editors and the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria. With a bold headline titled ‘Information Blackout’, the advertorial said the NPC and NBC (Media) Act amendment bills being considered by federal lawmakers was geared against the right of citizens information.

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Post Date : July 12, 2021

Naira Marley’s case adjourned till October 5

The Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has adjourned till October 5, 2021, for the continuation of trial in the case of Afeez Adeshina Fashola, also known as Naira Marley, who was arraigned sometime in 2019 on an 11-count charge of credit card fraud preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) He pleaded not guilty to the charge, thereby leading to his trial. Since the commencement of the trial, the prosecution had called two witnesses, Nuru Buhari Dalhatu and Augustine Anosike, both forensic experts with the EFCC, who revealed to the court how the defendant frequently visited sites where stolen credit cards were sold to interested fraudsters as well as other shocking evidence recovered from the defendant’s mobile device. ‌ At the resumed sitting today, the prosecution counsel, Bilkisu Buhari, informed the court that the matter was slated for cross-examination of the second prosecution witness, PW2, Anosike, and also urged the court to call on the witness for the continuation of the hearing. However, counsel to the defendants, Akinwale Kola-Taiwo, asked the court for a short date on the grounds that “the matter is for mention today and not continuation as disclosed by the prosecution.” Consequently, Justice Nicholas Oweibo granted the prayer of the defence and adjourned the matter till October 5, 6 and 7 for the continuation of trial.

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Post Date : July 12, 2021

Kano Hisbah arrests five over alleged homosexuality

The Kano State Hisbah Board has arrested five men suspected of engaging in homosexuality at Sheka Barde ​​in Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano. The Commander General of the Board, Dr Harun Ibn-Sina confirmed the arrest in a statement issued in Kano on Monday, signed by Malam Lawal Ibrahim, Public Relations Officer of the Board. According to him, the arrests were made following reports from residents of the area. “All the suspects confirmed to be above 20 years of age were apprehended on July 11 during a special raid,” he said. The commander-general expressed outrage over the alleged actions of the youths. Ibn-Sina thanked members of the community and security stakeholders for their cooperation and support in cracking down on corruption in the state. He said the suspects would be charged to court. The commander-general urged youths to shun unwholesome practices as they were leaders of tomorrow. (NAN)

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Post Date : July 12, 2021

Buhari’s Assent To PIB To End Subsidy – Sylva

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, has said President Muhammadu Buhari’s assent to the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) will automatically end fuel subsidy as the legislation only state that market forces should determine fuel and allied products’ prices. Slyva disclosed this in Abuja Monday evening at a media briefing to commemorate Nigeria’s golden anniversary membership of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Speaking on subsidy payment, the minister said the federal government would have removed subsidy long ago but the opposition to it was one of the reasons that the subsidy was yet to be removed. “But the president assent to the passed PIB will end subsidy in the country”, he said. He said Nigeria would still make a lot of revenue from crude oil as the black gold was not going away so soon. He also used the occasion to launch a book, ‘Nigeria and OPEC; 50 Years of Partnership, 1971-2021’. According to him, oil will continue to be needed to power global economic growth in order to eradicate poverty which is still prevalent worldwide. He noted that OPEC’s role of stabilising the oil market for the benefit of all stakeholders will therefore continue to be required in the years ahead. He said: “Nigeria as a key player in the industry will continue to lend full support to the efforts of the Organisation to balance the oil market for the benefit of all. Nigeria’s membership of OPEC is very important, as it helps in strengthening shared values and protecting the group interest in the light of the above narratives. “As a part of this celebration, It’s my great pleasure to launch the book “Nigeria and OPEC: 50 years of partnership, 1971-2021”, which is an updated version of the one published in 2006 to mark the 35th anniversary. It is a way to document and honour our past so that future generations can be adequately informed and inspired. “The book gives a great insight into our people, culture, The relationship between Nigeria and OPEC, without doubt, has been of mutual benefits to both parties. Exactly 50 years ago on the 12th day of July 1971, at the 24th meeting of the OPEC Conference held in Vienna, Austria, Nigeria was admitted into the Organisation as its 11th member “This makes today, the 12th day of July 2021, the Golden Anniversary of a successful partnership between Nigeria and OPEC.” He also said that over the past 50 years Nigeria had produced six presidents of the OPEC conference. He named the presidents to include Shettima Ali Monguno (1972/73), Malam Yahaya Dikko (1982/83), Dr Rilwanu Lukman (1986- 89, 2002), Prof. Jibril Aminu, (1991), Dr Edmund Daukoru (2006) and Dr Ibe Kachikwu (2015). He said, “They have in total, presided over 26 OPEC ministerial conferences held in several countries. It is appropriate and important to mention that our president Muhammadu Buhari also served as head of Nigeria delegation to OPEC from 1976 to 1978 and has continued to engage with the organisation, lending his unflinching support to OPEC laudable endeavours. “It is on record that he played a crucial role in negotiating the Declaration of Cooperation (DoC) between OPEC and participating non-OPEC oil producing countries +which has continued to be backbone for the survival of the oil industry during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.” The minister added that Nigeria had also provided four OPEC Secretary Generals namely Chief MO Feyide 1975/1976, Dr Rilwanu Lukman (1986/88), Dr Edmund Daukoru (2006) and the incumbent Mohammad Barkindo.

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Post Date : July 12, 2021

Father in court for allegedly giving out 12-year-old daughter in marriage

A Family Court in Ilorin, on Monday, ordered the remand of one Oyefeso Saheed in Oke-Kura Correctional Centre, Ilorin, for allegedly giving out his 12-year-old daughter in marriage. Magistrate Shade Lawal also ordered the remand of the victim’s purported husband, Ismail Lawal, 32, before adjourning the case till Wednesday, for further mention. Earlier, the Prosecutor, Sgt. Akinjide Adisa said that the matter was reported at Adewole Police Station by Aishat Temem, a member of the state branch of International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA). He said that the matter was reported after the complainant had received a call from the victim’s school principal. The prosecutor also told the court that the purported husband gave the victim a HP laptop as bride price for the ‘marriage’. He then prayed the court to order the remand of the two defendants on the basis that the offences they allegedly committed were not bail-able. The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.

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Post Date : July 12, 2021

Your people will respect you for joining APC: Buhari tells Ayade, Matawalle

President Muhammadu Buhari has received the Governors of Cross River and Zamfara States, who recently left the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC). The new APC members, Governors Ben Ayade and Bello Matawalle, were accompanied to the event by the Chairman Caretaker Committee of the Party and Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni. Gov Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State who is Chairman of Progressives Governors Forum, and Governor Muhammed Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa State were also at the event. President Buhari handed the flags of the party to the two Governors, raised their hands aloft, and declared: “This is one of the happiest times for us in this party. For you to have the courage to leave your constituencies speak a lot. I wish Nigerians will reflect about it. “I congratulate you for leaving your constituencies for our great party. We lost many states at the last election, which is unusual for a ruling party. But we did it to prove that we are a tolerant group. We wanted to demonstrate that we respect individuals. “We emphasized that we respect our people. That was why we insisted on free and fair elections. Leaders should show honesty and respect for their followers.” President Buhari added that the coming of the two Governors to APC was very important to the party, adding: “To be principled and identify your objectives is a great quality that should endear us to our people. Your people will respect you more for having the courage to come to APC at your own time. Nobody forced you, but you believe it is the best way to serve your people. I value your decision.” Governor Mai Mala Buni said the Governors joined APC in appreciation of the good works the President was doing for the country. He also announced that ward, local government and state congresses of the party would start from July 31, 2021. He said the congresses were shifted for one week, because the initial dates clashed with Sallah festivities.

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Post Date : July 12, 2021

Emir Of Kajuru Regains Freedom After One Night In Kidnappers’ Den

Kidnapped Emir of Kajuru, Alhassan Adamu, has regained his freedom, authorities confirmed to Channels Television on Monday. He was released at about 5 pm, after spending a night in the custody of the bandits. Although the abductors had demanded a N200 million ransom, it is unclear if any money was paid for his release. A top official of the Kajuru council area as well as the spokesman of the Kajuru Emirate council, Dahiru Abubakar confirmed the release of the 85-year-old traditional ruler to Channels Television. He said Emir Adamu was released at an undisclosed location within Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna and is in good condition. But 13 other members of his family who were kidnapped alongside the Emir are still in captivity. The bandits had swooped on the Emir in the early hours of Sunday morning, just six days after the abduction of 121 students of Bethel Baptist school in neighboring Chikun Local Government Area. It was gathered that the gunmen numbering over 200 stormed the emirate, firing gunshots, before proceeding to the Emir’s palace and taking him and 13 members of his family away. Hours later, the bandits contacted the emirates and demanded a ransom of N200 million to facilitate the monarch’s release. According to the spokesperson of the Kajuru Emirate Council, the bandits also gave assurances that all the victims are in good condition and were not being molested. Kaduna State has seen a spike in mass abductions with bandits equally having a field day in the northwestern state. The abduction of the monarch was the latest in the kidnapping of high-profile personalities in the state. Despite the heightening crime rate in the state, Governor Nasir El-Rufai has vowed not to negotiate with and pay ransom to abductors, threatening to sanction anyone who follow such path. “We have a feeling that the renewed attacks in Kaduna are not unconnected to the position that we have taken as a government that we will not negotiate with criminals,” the governor said in April. “We will not give them any money and they will not make any profit from Kaduna; anyone that comes to Kaduna will not get a penny from the state government, except he will get a bullet instead.”

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Post Date : July 12, 2021

APC Congresses Kick Off July 31

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has fixed July 31, 2021, for the commencement of its congresses. The party had initially postponed the congresses indefinitely, leading to an outrage. But in a letter dated July 11, 2021, Governor Mai Mala Buni, Chairman of the party’s Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, and Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, its Secretary, disclosed the new date. In the letter addressed to Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), they said the exercise will kick off at the wards followed by local governments and states. According to the timetable earlier released by APC’s Director of Organization, Professor Al-Mustapha Ussiju Medane, the exercise was to commence with the sale of nomination forms for the ward congress on the first and end on the 7th of July, 2021.

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Post Date : July 12, 2021

Nnamdi Kanu still in charge of Biafra Radio – IPOB

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has debunked the rumour making the rounds that Mazi Simon Ekpa had been appointed to take over Radio Biafra as its Interim Leader. It described the misrepresentation of facts as deliberate and handwork of detractors and enemies of its struggle, urging members and general public to disregard such. In a statement by the Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB stated nobody had been appointed to take over from its leader, assuring he will soon be released to continue with the liberation movement. It explained that Ekpa, an illustrious son of Biafra, was only included among the broadcasters on the Radio Biafra platform on the directive of its Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. The statement reads in part: “The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by our indomitable leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, wish to confirm the directive by our Leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, that Mazi Simon Ekpa, an illustrious son of Biafra be included among the broadcasters on the Radio Biafra platform. “We, therefore, wish to also debunk the fake information and falsehood making the rounds that Mazi Simon Ekpa had been appointed to take over Radio Biafra or the Interim Leader of IPOB. This deliberate misrepresentation of facts is the handwork of detractors and enemies of our struggle. “Mazi Simon Ekpa is only one of the many broadcasters on Radio Biafra whose immense contributions to the struggle are recognised. “Nobody has been appointed to take over from our leader because he will soon be out to continue with the liberation movement. “We want to reiterate that IPOB is a united, formidable and well structured family that even in the absence of our Leader the operations of our movement runs effortlessly on a well established structure. “The Directorate of State, (DOS) is fully in charge of the affairs in IPOB worldwide and therefore no vacuum exists concerning the day to day running of this great movement. “We know that confusionists and the enemies of our struggle are looking for an opportunity to instigate disaffection and create crisis in IPOB especially now that our Leader is in detention but there plan is dead on arrival. “We therefore, wish to urge the wonderful IPOB family worldwide as well as the general public to disregard any other information to the contrary. “Importantly too, any information purportedly coming from IPOB that does not pass through our normal channel of information dissemination should be disregarded.”

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