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Post Date : September 8, 2021

Plateau Govt Further Relaxes Curfew In Jos North, Lifts Ban On Tricycles

The Plateau State government has announced a further relaxation of curfew in Jos North Local Government Area. A statement by the governor’s spokesman, Dr Makut Macham, revealed that the government has also lifted the ban earlier placed on operations of tricycle, commonly referred to as Keke, in the state. Governor Simon Lalong, Macham hinted, gave the approval on Tuesday following a meeting of the State Security Council held at the new Government House in Jos. “Beginning from Wednesday, 8th September 2021, the curfew in Jos North will be enforced from 10pm to 6am,” the statement said. “This will tally with the current status of the curfew in Jos South and Bassa Local Government Areas which still remains from 10pm to 6am. “Similarly, Governor Lalong also approved that beginning from Wednesday, 8th September 2021, the ban placed on operations of tricycles will be lifted from 6am to 6pm daily. This means that no tricycle will be allowed to operate between the hours of 6pm to 6am.” The governor, however, stated that the ban on motorcycles within the Jos/Bukuru metropolis remained in place, saying enforcement would continue to ensure that violators were arrested and punished according to the law. According to him, the government is working on innovations, legislations, and enforcement modules to enhance the security, effectiveness, and availability of public transportation in the state. Governor Lalong explained that the modules would be unveiled in due course. They are expected to address the major concerns of the citizens, particularly as it relates to the safety of passengers. The governor praised the citizens for cooperation and understanding of the citizens during the period of the attacks and subsequent curfews. He urged them to continue to support the government in restoring normalcy to enable the state to resume the normal trajectory of hospitality, opportunity, and productivity. “Governor Lalong also thanks all stakeholders within and outside the state for their concerns and goodwill towards addressing the recent ugly developments, assuring that his administration will continue to pursue the path of peaceful coexistence while dealing with criminals and crises merchants who are bent on tarnishing the enviable image of the state,” the statement added.

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Post Date : September 8, 2021

OAU dismisses another lecturer indicted for sexually harassing female student

The Governing Council of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, has dismissed another lecturer, Dr Adebayo Mosobalaje, who was found guilty of sexually harassing a female student. A release by the Public Relations Officer of the university, Abiodun Olarewaju, stated that “the decision to dismiss Dr Adebayo Mosobalaje of the Department of English Language in the Faculty of Arts, was taken by the University Council at its last sitting on Tuesday, 7th September 2021. “Having exhaustively deliberated on the report of the Joint Committee of Council and Senate, which investigated the case of sexual harassment against Dr Mosobalaje, the University Council, unambiguously declared its zero tolerance to sexual harassment in any form or guise and, accordingly, applied the appropriate university sanctions for such an offence as contained in the university regulation. “It would be recalled that almost two weeks ago, the university management formally inaugurated an ‘anti-sexual harassment policy’ where their excellencies, Erelu Bisi Fayemi (the wife of Ekiti State Governor) and Alhaja Kafayat Oyetola (the wife of Osun State Governor) presented papers while a former Vice-Chancellor of the Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Professor Yemisi Obilade, was the main speaker. “At several fora, the Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede, has reiterated the commitment of his administration to uphold the ‘zero-tolerance policy’ for sexual harassment and other social vices. “The council of university chaired by Owelle Oscar Udoji has also pledged to support policies that promote mutual co-existence between all the members of the university community,” he submitted.

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Post Date : September 8, 2021

NARD Strike: FG Insists No Doctor Is Being Owed Monthly Salary

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, has said that contrary to what he described as propaganda by the striking members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), no doctor or health worker in Nigeria is owed their monthly salary. The minister said this on Tuesday at the opening of the meeting of the Presidential Committee on Salaries with the leadership of the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) in Abuja. According to him, the “fumes from the propaganda machine of NARD were obfuscating the reality of the Federal Government’s efforts to re-position the health sector”. “NARD goes about telling Nigerians that government is oweing them salaries and that government is not taking the problems in the health sector serious. But this is not true. It is incorrect. No doctor, nurse, pharmacist or any other health worker including the driver is owed monthly salary. Government pays as and when due,” Ngige was quoted as saying in a statement by the Ministry’s Deputy Director Press and Public Relations, Charles Akpan. “The truth is that NARD doctors fail to tell Nigerians that their colleagues who are owed salaries are the ones illegally recruited and were therefore neither captured by the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation nor were their payments provided for by the Budget Office of the Federation. “Monthly salaries are done as and when due for those legitimately employed by the Federal Government but not to those illegally employed and who need their appointments regularized and captured in the finances of government for payment. This takes a process which is not accomplished overnight.” Speaking further, the minister referred to the presidential waiver for employment into the critical Health and Defence Ministries in view of the general embargo on employment and assured that doctors illegally recruited would have their service regularised in due course. He, however, said that the money which the Federal Government owed few doctors and other workers was the 2020 COVID-19 allowance, besides the arrears of the consequential adjustment of the National Minimum Wage and skipping allowance which cut across other sectors. According to him, work was in progress to clear this. He blamed the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and JOHESU for bringing segregation in the negotiation for the new hazard allowance which the Federal Government already budgeted the sum of N37.5b for. “We started joint negotiation to round off discussion and implement new hazard allowance as early as possible so as to stave off the current wolf-crying by doctors. They brought in segregation and couldn’t agree with JOHESU and both now want separate negotiations. Why then blame the government and make it an issue to strike for.” In his speech the Minister of State for Health, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, said it was such a wrong time to go on strike, noting that despite financial constraints, government remains committed to payment of salaries of doctors and health workers. On his part, the Minister of State for Finance, Budget and Planning, Clement Agba, regretted the expanding budgetary expenditure of government even as revenue continues to dwindle. He said government was doing its best and remained committed to workers welfare but certainly won’t continue to borrow to pay salaries. President of JOHESU, Josiah Biobelemonye said his union was “the patient dog of the health sector” and pressed for the swift tackling of the challenges facing its members, to avoid forcing them to strike. As of the time of filing this report, the meeting was still ongoing.

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Post Date : September 8, 2021

APGA to recall Anambra Assembly members for defecting to APC

APGA to recall Anambra, APGA leadership crisis, APGA, Ojukwu, APGA, Anambra 2′ APGA to recall Anambra Assembly members for defecting to APC LATEST NEWS By Michael Ovat – Awka On Sep 7, 2021 Anambra State Chapter of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has warned the six lawmakers in the State House of Assembly, who recently defected to the All Progressive Congress, (APC), to vacate their seats and hand over all the party’s belongings under their possession to the hierarchy of the party in the state. The State Secretary of APGA and a one time Executive Chairman, Ayamelum Local Government Area of the state, Anthony Ifeanyi, disclosed this to journalists in Awka, on Tuesday. Ifeanyi, who said that the party would soon start the process of recalling the affected lawmakers if they refused to vacate their seats, maintained that since they had moved to APC they should vacate their seats in the State House of Assembly, arguing that it was the position of the law. He noted that they should have vacated their seats because they went to the House of Assembly as honourable under the platform of APGA, saying that as far as he was concerned, Anambra is an APGA State He added that APGA was not missing the lawmakers and asked them to go in peace wherever they wanted to go, but must return everything that belonged to APGA, including their seats. Ifeanyi disclosed that he was not surprised about the actions of the decamped six lawmakers. According to him, the leadership of APGA in the state had been monitoring and observing them and found out that they were really determined to distort the leadership of APGA just because of the interest of one man and thanked God that the defectors finally came out with their true colours.

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Post Date : September 8, 2021

Nnamdi Kanu Sues FG, Others Over Alleged Violation Of His Rights, Demands ₦5bn

The detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has dragged the Federal Government of Nigeria to an Abia State High Court, over what he described as violations of his human rights. The Federal Government, the Nigeria Army, the Department of State Service (DSS), and the Nigeria police are respondents in the suit. Kanu, in an eight-point prayer, is seeking enforcement of his fundamental rights and wants the court to, among other things, halt his trial currently in motion at the Federal High Court in Abuja. His special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, disclosed in a statement on Tuesday, that Kanu had secured an order from the High Court of Abia State to serve by substituted means, an application for enforcement of the fundamental rights of Kanu, which he recently brought before the High Court of Abia State. He also asked the court to mandate the respondents to pay the sum of ₦5,000,000,000 (five billion naira) for the physical, mental, emotional, psychological, and other damages suffered as claimed by the applicant. The next hearing date is set for September 21, in Umuahia. Read the full statement below. Nnamdi Kanu Commences Enforcement Of His Fundamental Rights Today, I secured an Order from the High Court of Abia State to serve by substituted means an Application for enforcement of the Fundamental Rights of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, which I recently brought before the High Court of Abia State. The next hearing date is set for 21st September, 2021 in Umuahia. The material issue is the unbroken chain of infringements that began with the 2017 extrajudicial attempt on Kanu’s life in Abia State; his involuntary flight to safety/exile; his abduction in Kenya and his extraordinary rendition to Nigeria. We believe that these supervening issues have complicated Kanu’s prosecution and thus must be judicially dispensed with before any further prosecutorial action can proceed. Accordingly, I have placed the following reliefs before the Court: 1, A DECLARATION that the military invasion of the Applicant’s building and premises at Isiama, Afaraukwu Ibeku, Abia State on 10th September, 2017 by the Respondents or their agents is illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional and amount to infringement of the Applicant’s fundamental right to life, dignity of his person, his personal liberty and fair hearing as guaranteed under the pertinent provisions of Chapter IV of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (hereafter, CFRN) and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (hereafter, the Charter). 2, A DECLARATION that the arrest of the Applicant in Kenya by the Respondents or their agents without due process of law is arbitrary, illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional and amounts to infringement of the Applicant’s fundamental right against arbitrary arrest, to his personal liberty and to fair hearing as enshrined and guaranteed under the pertinent provisions of CFRN and the Charter. 3, A DECLARATION that the torture and detention of the Applicant in Kenya by the Respondents or their agents is illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional and amounts to infringement of the Applicant’s fundamental right against torture and to fair hearing, as enshrined and guaranteed under the pertinent provisions of CFRN and the Charter). 4, A DECLARATION that the expulsion of the Applicant from Kenya to Nigeria by the Respondents or their agents and their consequent detention and planned prosecution of the Applicant in Charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015 (Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Nnamdi Kanu) is illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional and amount to infringement of the Applicant’s fundamental right against unlawful expulsion and detention, and to fair hearing, as enshrined and guaranteed under the pertinent provisions of CFRN and the Charter). 5, AN ORDER OF INJUNCTION restraining the Respondents or their agents from taking any further step in the prosecution of the Applicant in Charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015 (Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Nnamdi Kanu) pursuant to said unlawful expulsion of the Applicant from Kenya to Nigeria. 6, AN ORDER mandating and compelling the the Respondents or their agents to forthwith release the Applicant from detention and restitute or otherwise restore Applicant to his liberty, same being his state of being as of 19th June, 2021; and to thereupon repatriate the Applicant to his country of domicile (to wit: Britain) to await the outcome of any formal request the Respondents may file before the competent authorities in Britain for the lawful extradition of the Applicant to Nigeria to continue his prosecution in Charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015 (Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Nnamdi Kanu). 7, AN ORDER mandating and compelling the Respondents to issue an official Letter of Apology to the Applicant for the infringement of his fundamental rights; and publication of said Letter of Apology in three (3) national dailies. 8, AN ORDER mandating and compelling the Respondents to pay the sum of N5000,000,000.00 (Five Billion Naira) to the Applicant, being monetary damages claimed by the Applicant against the Respondents jointly and severally for the physical, mental, emotional, psychological and other damages suffered by the Applicant as a result of the infringements of Applicant’s fundamental rights.

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Post Date : September 8, 2021

Tension in Imo over scarcity of petroleum products, closure of banks

The scarcity of petroleum products has again hit Imo State, thereby creating tension among residents of the state. This was just as the state government allegedly closed down three commercial banks for observing the sit-at-home ordered by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to press home the unconditional release of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, from detention. This is even as residents, care owners, businessmen and women among others, have begun to besiege different filling stations in the capital city in search of fuel. ‌ Nigerian Tribune gathered that while a number of filling stations had closed for business, the few that were still in operation had adjusted their pump prices, selling N250 per litre. The development provoked long queues of vehicles on the roads scrambling to obtain the commodity. Roadside hawkers of the product, who sell in small Jerry cans have since capitalised on the situation to make quick money. Although there were conflicting reports as to what gave rise to the recent scarcity, unconfirmed sources told our correspondent that the imbroglio was a fall out of the independent marketers and the state government over the harsh policy of the state government. When contacted the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Declan Emelumba, failed to respond. Similarly, some banks operating in Imo State were on Tuesday allegedly sealed by the state government for participating in the sit-at-home order observed on Monday in the state. Nigerian Tribune also gathered that while some were allowed to operate, some such as Access, First Bank, among others were stopped from operating as a punishment for participating in the sit-at-home order by IPOB. The situation resulted in rowdiness and the presence of an unprecedented number of anxious customers in the banks. When contacted, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Declan Mbadiwe Emelumba, said he was in a meeting where they were discussing the visit of Mr President to the state.

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Post Date : September 8, 2021

Over 100 Security Operatives Killed While Enforcing Benue Anti-Grazing Law – Ortom

One hundred security operatives have so far lost their lives in the course of enforcing the Benue State Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranching Establishment Law of 2017. Governor Samuel Ortom disclosed on Tuesday in Makurdi, the state capital, while receiving the new Commissioner of Police, Mr Tunji Akingbola. He further stated that the perceived failure of the Federal Government to come down hard on foreign Fulani herdsmen bearing weapons poses security threats to the lives and safety of security forces and Nigerians in general. “Why do we need to allow Fulani from all these countries to come and destroy our land? That is the point we are saying. They have given unnecessary stress and risks to our security agencies in Nigeria. “I say more than 100 security men have been killed in the course of providing security for lives and properties in Benue State in the course of implementing this our law.” According to the governor, the affected victims include personnel of the army, police, Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). He commended security agencies for putting in their best in safeguarding lives in the state, especially as it regards tackling the killings from herdsmen. Citing the law, Ortom explained that the Constitution empowers states to enact laws as long as it does not conflict with those existing laws in the country. The Benue governor also took a swipe at the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) for challenging state governments over the anti-open grazing laws in their respective domains. “Tell me why Miyetti Allah, a terrorist organisation who has taken responsibility for killings will come to challenge governors that laws shouldn’t have been made. “We have not committed any evil, we have done the right thing by ensuring we are law-abiding. That was why we legislated and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides that we are free to make laws as a state as long as it does not conflict with the provision of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Ortom stated further. While the 17 governors from the southern region under the umbrella of the Southern Governors Forum announced a ban on open grazing of cattle across states in the region, MACBAN kicked against the move. The association accused the governors of depriving pastoralists means of livelihood, calling on the Federal Government to stop them from enacting the anti-open grazing law. MACBAN Secretary-General, Saleh Alhassan who spoke on Monday during a press conference in Abuja, said the law would undermine the relative peace and stability currently enjoyed in the local communities, threaten the social order and exacerbate cattle rustling. “The National Assembly and Mr President should intervene and stop the current attempts by some state governments to criminalise our means of livelihood of cattle-rearing through enacting of satanic and obnoxious laws they call Anti-Grazing Law,” he noted. “The Federal Government should create a ministry for livestock and fisheries as obtainable in many African countries. Nigerians should adopt strategies in responding to changes of climate change as it affects livestock production not negative laws.” Alhassan noted that anti-open grazing laws would destroy livestock production and send millions who depend on the livestock value chain into poverty.

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Post Date : September 8, 2021

Yahaya Bello: EFCC’s case against Kogi is joke taken too far… I run a government of integrity

Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi, says the case instituted against his government by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is “a joke taken too far”. Bello said this on Tuesday, while responding to questions from state house correspondents on the recent court judgement about a loan account allegedly linked to the Kogi government. Last week, a federal high court sitting in Lagos froze a salary account said to belong to Kogi state, and domiciled with Sterling Bank Plc, over a N20 billion loan obtained from the bank. Tijjani Ringim, the presiding judge, granted the order following an ex parte application brought by the EFCC, pending the conclusion of the investigation. But the Kogi state government and Sterling Bank have denied the existence of the account in question. Reacting to the development, Bello denied the existence of the account, but said another bailout fund obtained by the government was in line with agreement reached with civil servants in the state. “Thank you very much. Very straight forward answer to your question. No Kogi state government’s salary account is frozen. None whatsoever. None of our accounts is frozen or embargo placed on any of our accounts by EFCC at all,” the governor said. “I think it’s just a misrepresentation of facts or a joke taken too far. My information commissioner and all those that are concerned with the lies peddled by the EFCC, I think they have responded appropriately. And I will urge every Nigerian to please go to Kogi state website. All the facts are there. “The bank has denied that we have such an account. And besides that, the bailout fund that we obtained, we appropriated in line with the agreement and understanding between Kogi state government and the workers. “All of these were done and finished in the year 2019. So first, there’s no N20 billion account, or N19 billion; no fixed deposit account. So, I don’t know where the lie is coming from. “As a person, I came into this office with my integrity high. And I will leave this office of government with a higher integrity. All of my names that are ringing bells everywhere across the world today, you will know that actually I earned these beautiful names, not because of stealing. I will never touch one kobo of Kogi state and I will never allow any of my officials to do so. “Well, like I said, Mr. President’s fight against corruption has nothing to do with politics. So, whoever wants to probably attack my towering name and integrity because of 2023 is making a mistake. Fighting corruption should ordinarily have nothing to do with political affiliation or political interest. “So, I wouldn’t want to say that because of 2023 I am being targeted. If you’re targeting me because of 2023, it is a big mistake. You will not be able to get me.” Bello, who spoke with state house correspondents after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, said he was in Abuja to appreciate the president for recognising Kogi as an oil-producing state. “I came to see our father, Mr. President, to appreciate him on behalf of the good people of Kogi state that today, Kogi is the first Nigerian northern state to be referred to as an oil-producing state,” he said. “We came to appreciate Mr. President for that magnanimity, and also to congratulate the people of Kogi state, and Nigerians, generally. “We equally brought a request to the effect that the Ajaokuta steel company is still moribund, and reminded him of his efforts in ensuring that he revives Ajaokuta steel complex.”

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Post Date : September 8, 2021

Bandits Convert Classrooms To Hideout In Zamfara

Bandits terrorising residents of Zamfara and forcing closure of schools have converted some classrooms to personal use in the North West State. Daily Trust findings show that dozens of primary schools in highly traumatised remote rural communities had been taken over by armed criminals. The schools were abandoned by the pupils and teachers as a result of the activities of the criminals. According to residents, the head master of one primary school in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area of the state was once confronted by armed men who asked him to close lessons for the day as they intended to sleep in the classrooms. Without any hesitation and knowing fully the consequences of not carrying out their order, the headmaster immediately closed the school and asked all the pupils to go home. Daily Trust learnt that scored of armed bandits have been killed in airstrikes after they took shelter in the empty classrooms in the abandoned primary schools across the state. Apart from this, there were schools affected by a lack of teachers because many had rejected posting to rural schools due to the risk associated with going there to teach. Consequently, the schools were either abandoned or left without enough teaching personnel.

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Post Date : September 8, 2021

Leaked audio: Why Sunday Igboho was angry with me -Lawyer

Ibrahim Salami, one of the Cotonou, Benin Republic-based lawyers of Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, aka Sunday Igboho, has faulted leaked audio where the activist faulted his legal team. Igboho had expressed confidence in gaining freedom if returned to Nigeria by Benin Republic. In leaked audio obtained by The PUNCH and confirmed by multiple sources, Igboho alleged that he was abandoned by lawyers who collected a huge amount of money from him in Benin. Salami explained that the leaked audio is dangerous for the justice being pursued on behalf of Igboho. According to him, Igboho was angry with him and other members of the legal team because he felt he had no reason to remain in police detention. The professor of law explained that Igboho found it strange to remain in police custody for “not committing any crime”. “He wants things to be done faster,” the lawyer said in Yoruba. Salami, who attempted to resist speaking on the matter in the media, also said Igboho didn’t intend to make his complaint public. “Igboho is someone that gets angry easily and if I have a challenge with a client, it is not something to be discussed in the media,” he added. The PUNCH gathered that Igboho had made a similar complaint to the leadership of Ilana Omo Oodua, who is handling legal matters for him in Benin Republic. The Benin Republic-based lawyer hinted that the issues have been resolved, adding that he was continuing his work with other members of the team. He noted that Igboho has a right to be angry with the way he was detained in violation of the law, in an interview with BBC. “He has a right to be angry,” the lawyer added. A source among the leadership of the umbrella body of Yoruba Self-Determination Groups, Ilana Omo Oodua, said Salami was recruited because of his influence in Benin Republic. According to the source, Salami understood the legal system in Benin and he is also one of the leading lawyers and consultants to the government. “Beyond being a professor, Salami understands the legal system. He is a government lawyer. He was very instrumental in stopping Igboho’s extradition the moment he was arrested. “We also have some challenges with him, but we are hopeful that he will adjust going forward. For instance, after every sitting, he briefs the press first before his clients. That is wrong for elders and causing confusion. “Apart from Igboho, he is dealing directly with Professors Banji Akintoye and Wale Adeniran, and they don’t get updates from him immediately.”

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