January 2022 – Page 55

Post Date : January 6, 2022

Nnamdi Kanu: SERAP disagrees with Buhari over statement

Following his statement that he does not interfere with the judiciary, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Thursday disagreed with President Muhammadu Buhari, reeling out situations and events where Mr President had interfered in the judicial system. Yesterday, Buhari appeared on Channels Television to speak on issues militating against the development and growth of the country. When asked if he would release Kanu, Mr President said: “We cannot release Nnamdi Kanu. His case is for the judiciary. One of the things I promised myself is never to interfere with the judiciary. I have given him the opportunity to defend himself. Kanu has been insulting us. He has been given incorrect figures and comments against us. He needs to account for what he did. Reacting to the above statement SERAP accused Buhari of interfering with the judiciary, noting that his administration has implicitly interfered by his persistent failure to obey several court judgments obtained by SERAP. Read the full statement: “During his interview with Channels TV on Wednesday, President Muhammadu Buhari said “I won’t dare interfere with the judiciary.” Well, his administration is already implicitly “interfering with the judiciary” by the persistent failure to obey several court judgments obtained by SERAP. SERAP v. FGN: Suit No: FHC/CS/964/2016 where Hon Justice Shagari ordered his government to tell Nigerians details of recovered stolen assets to date SERAP v. Minister of Power Suit No: FHC/L/CS/105/2019 where Hon. Justice Chuka Obiozor ordered his government to publish details of payments of billions of Naira to corrupt electricity contractors who disappeared with public funds without executing any projects since 1999. Buhari should show his commitment to judicial independence by immediately directing the AGF to enforce the following judgments: SERAP v. AGF: Suit No: FHC/IKJ/CS/248/2011 where Hon Justice Mohammed Idris ordered his government to prosecute principal officials and lawmakers suspected of padding and stealing N481bn from 2016 budget, and to publish the report on alleged 2016 budget padding. SERAP v FGN: Suit No: FHC/L/CS/1497/2017 where Hon. Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo ordered his government to challenge the legality of states’ life pension laws, and to recover pensions collected by ex-governors now serving as ministers and members of the National Assembly. SERAP v FGN: Suit No: FHC/IKJ/CS/248/2011 where Hon. Justice Idris ordered his government to publish details of spending of all recovered stolen funds since 1999 by his government, and those of former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and Goodluck Jonathan. SERAP vs Federal Government suit number ECW/CCJ/APP/10/2020 where the ECOWAS Court of Justice ordered his government to pay a journalist, Agba Jalingo, N30 million as compensation for ill-treating and torturing him while in detention in Cross River state. SERAP v. Federal Republic of Nigeria & Anor (No. 1) – ECW/CCJ/APP/08/08 where the ECOWAS court held that every Nigerian child is entitled to the right to education and ordered the government to provide education as a matter of rights, and to address corruption in the sector. SERAP v. Federal Republic of Nigeria (No. 2) ECW/CCJ/JUD/18/2012 where the ECOWAS court ordered the government to hold all oil companies operating in the Niger Delta to account for oil pollution and associated human rights violations, and to pay adequate compensation.”

Post Date : January 6, 2022

No Plan To Sack Government Workers, Says Finance Minister

Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, says there are no plans to sack government workers. The minister made this statement on Thursday during an interview on NTA’s ‘Good Morning Nigeria’ programme. During the interview, Ahmed refuted speculations that the government was planning to lay off workers to save funds. Ahmed further stated that the president has also directed that the minister pay the salaries of government workers. “Mr President doesn’t want to disengage staff. That is what he has directed from the beginning of his administration. He also directed that we pay salaries. The Federal Government has never failed in paying salaries and he said we must always pay pensions. He has been consistent in those directives and we have followed those directives to the letter,” she said. Moreso, the minister gave an insight into how the government plans to cut personnel costs. Ahmed said, “Well, we do hope that at the end of the exercise, some agencies will be merged and it will cut down operational costs. We will be able to come up with incentive packages to retrain people and redeploy them in some areas where they are useful. “For example, we still have a very high need for teachers so we can retrain people and send them to teach but also give them incentive packages to exit. Again, that is also money. If you want people to exit you have to pay them. “That is an incentive package so that they can go. That is why it is taking a lot of time because it is not easy to decide on this. Everything centres on resources. “We need resources and if we had a lot of money, we would just give very beautiful incentive packages and people would exit and go and start their businesses and we would reduce the size of the personnel cost.”

Post Date : January 6, 2022

Zone your presidential slots to South East, Anyim appeals to parties

A former Senate President and a presidential aspirant in the 2023 election, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, has urged all political parties and leaders across the country to zone their presidential tickets to the South-East geopolitical zone or it will remain a burden on the nation’s conscience. According to Anyim, the mood of the country favoured the rotation of the Presidency to Southern Nigeria, adding it will enhance fairness and equity. He stated this at his South-East Briefing and Consultation Session, on Thursday, in Enugu. According to him, “The purpose of consultation is to gauge the mood of the nation, seek counsel, blessing and listen to leaders and elders on their perspectives on the way forward for our country. That is why I’m before you today, my people. “From my consultations so far, I am glad to report that the responses have been overwhelmingly encouraging and inspiring. Above all, I am also happy to report that the mood of the nation favours the rotation of the Presidency to Southern Nigeria. It is also to my knowledge that South-East stakeholders have repeatedly made the case for zoning the Presidency to the South-East, for equity and fairness. “Nevertheless, you may recall that when I declared my interest to contest for the Presidency, I was emphatic that I will contest whether the Presidency is zoned to the South or not. This is because if the Presidency is zoned to the South-East, it will satisfy the just demand of equity. If it is not zoned to the South-East, it will remain a burden on the conscience of the nation. “Let me at this point join all well-meaning Nigerians to appeal to all the political parties to take the fair, just and equitable decision to zone their Presidential slots to the South, particularly the South-East. “Let me also at this point state clearly that I am aware that I am not the only aspirant from the South-East seeking to run for the office of the president. I encourage my brothers who so desire to please step out in their respective parties and after the primaries, the nation shall choose among us, according to their good judgement, after all, it is God who gives power. I, therefore, encourage you to give any other of our brothers and sisters opportunities as you have given me today.” He added, “From my consultations, I can reassure this assembly that our basis for hope remains sound. Our optimism about Nigeria is a shared one because what we desire for Nigeria is exactly what the leaders of other sections want. “We all want a more united Nigeria. We all want a safe country. We all want a fair country that gives every citizen a fair shot at every available opportunity. The net result of my consultations is that I have found common ground with fellow compatriots on the need for a better Nigeria for ourselves and our children.”

Post Date : January 6, 2022

We’re yet to begin sale of 2022 UTME/DE application forms — JAMB

THE Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has denied reports in some quarters that it had begun the sale of 2022 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations, UTME and Direct Entry, DE application documents. To this end, JAMB said “any information in circulation purporting to have emanated from the Board to the effect that the sale of the 2022 UTME and DE forms has commenced is not only fraudulent but is a calculated attempt by mischief makers to create unnecessary panic among prospective candidates for their own selfish ends.” In a statement, Thursday, by its Head of Media and Protocol, Dr Fabian Benjamin, JAMB however said it ” has concluded all arrangements to commence the sale of the 2022 UTME/DE Application Documents in due course but yet to fix any date for its commencement.” The statement read in full: “The attention of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has been drawn to the activities of unwholesome elements who had been misleading the general public on the purported commencement of the sale of the 2022 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) application documents. PDP “For the avoidance of doubt, any information in circulation purporting to have emanated from the Board to the effect that the sale of the 2022 UTME and DE forms has commenced is not only fraudulent but is a calculated attempt by mischief makers to create unnecessary panic among prospective candidates for their own selfish ends. “It should be noted that the commencement of the sale of the Board’s application documents in any given year has never been shrouded in mystery rather it is always a well-publicised undertaking in the print media as well as online and electronic platforms. “Although the Board has concluded all arrangements to commence the sale of the 2022 UTME/DE Application Documents in due course it is yet to fix any date for its commencement. “The general public is, therefore, by this notice urged to be mindful of speculators who are in the habit of second-guessing the Board’s on certain procedural issues with the aim of defrauding hapless candidates. “The Board wishes to inform the general public that they would be sufficiently informed of the commencement of the sale of EPINs once approval has been granted by relevant authorities. “Furthermore, the announcement of a suitable date to commence the sale would be accompanied by well-defined information on the procedures for the purchase of the e-pins, creating a profile, and where to go for biometric capturing, among other essential details.”

Post Date : January 6, 2022

Sylvester Oromoni: Coroner Fixes Date To Commence Inquest Into Cause Of Death

The Coroner of the Epe District of Lagos, Magistrate Mikail Olukayode Kadiri has fixed Saturday, the 15th of January for the commencement of inquest into the cause of death of Sylvester Oromoni, a 12-year-old student of Dowen College, Lekki. In a letter dated, 4th January 2022 and addressed to the law firm of Falana & Falana, the legal practitioners to the Oromoni family, the coroner said that the inquest will be conducted by 9:00 am prompt and the hearing shall be in open court. Magistrate Kadiri also reminded the lawyers to file and serve depositions of all witnesses they intend to call at the inquest. They are also to forward to the coroner a list of persons whom in their opinion, need to be summoned by the court. The depositions may be filed at any of the magisterial districts in Lagos and served electronically on all parties concerned. On December 6th, the law firm of Falana & Falana had written to the Chief coroner of Lagos, Justice Mojisola Dada to demand the inquest. In response to the demand, Justice Dada had assigned the inquest to Magistrate Kadiri who had written to the law firm on December 7th and also gone ahead to fix a preliminary meeting for December 15, 2021. Magistrate Kadiri will sit at the Magistrate Court No. 4, Chambers of the Coroner, Epe District, Combined High Court, and Magistrate Court of Lagos State, Epe.

Post Date : January 6, 2022

Tension As 600 Strangers Arrive Taraba Village In 2 Trailers

Youths of Maihula town in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State have chased away over 600 strange people who arrived at the town in two trailers. Daily Trust gathered that the strangers, including women and children, were said to be from Zamfara State. A source from Maihula town, Mallam Yakubu Bello, told Daily Trust they found the strangers in the town early in the morning, Thursday. He said the strangers came into the town in two trailers and there was tension as their mission was unknown. Bello added that this resulted in protests by youths. He said because of growing cases of kidnapping and banditry, the villagers mostly youths all gathered and asked the strangers to move out of the town. “As l am talking to you, the strangers are moving out of the town now,” he said. Further findings revealed that hundreds of people from Zamfara State are now in WurboDaudu, Sodai and Boki an area located several kilometres off Jalingo-Bali road. The Police Public Relations Officer, Taraba State command, DSP Usman Abdullahi, said the command is not aware of the movement of the strangers into Maihula town.

Post Date : January 6, 2022

DHQ: 950 insurgents, 537 bandits killed in seven months

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says its troops killed 950 Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents as well as 537 bandits between May 2021 and January 2022. The insurgents and bandits were said to have been killed in the ongoing operations Hadin Kai and Hadarin Daji across the north-east and north-west. At a press briefing on Thursday, Benard Onyeuko, acting director of defence media operations, said within the timeframe in focus, troops conducted a series of land, maritime and air operations in the various theatres. He said the operations resulted in the killing of several high-profile terrorists and bandits. Within the period under review, own troops operational activities in Operation HADIN KAI theatre resulted in the neutralization of 950 terrorists including their high profile Commanders and Amirs,” he said in a statement issued at the briefing. “Also, a total of 79 terrorists were arrested and 113 kidnapped civilians were rescued by the troops of Operation HADIN KAI within the period. In the same vein, a total of 195 assorted arms including AK-47 rifles, GPMGs, PKT guns and locally fabricated guns were recovered from terrorist elements in the course of the operations. In addition, a total of 2,385 rounds of different calibres of ammunition and 253 rustled livestock were recovered, while a total of 14 gun trucks of the terrorists were destroyed in the course of the operations, while 16 gun trucks were captured by own troops within the period. “Furthermore, a total of 24,059 terrorists and their families comprising 5,326 adult males, 7,550 adult females and 11,183 children have so far surrendered to own troops in the North East. All surrendered elements have been properly profiled and handed over to appropriate authorities for necessary actions. “In Operation HADARIN DAJI, the operational efforts of our gallant troops yielded appreciable results between 20 May 2021 and 6 January 2022. A total of 537 armed bandits and other criminal elements were neutralized in action by own troops, while 374 criminal elements including armed bandits and their collaborators as well as armed herdsman and robbers were arrested. Furthermore, 227 assorted arms, including AK-47 rifles, PKT machine guns and GPMGs as well as 4,443 rounds of different calibres of ammunition and 3,250 rustled livestock among other items and vehicles were recovered within the period. “Similarly, a total of 238 motorcycles and 118 extra rifle magazines were recovered, while 452 kidnapped civilians were rescued by own troops in the course of the operations. This is in addition to several other feats recorded during air offensives executed on bandits’ enclaves by the Air Component.” Onyeuko said recent among prominent air offensives were concurrent airstrikes executed on bandits’ enclaves at Gusami Forest and West Tsamre village in Birnin Magaji LGA of Zamfara state, which led to the killings of scores of armed bandits. The feats, he said, were recorded in the early hours of January 3, 2022, on the heels of credible intelligence, which revealed the locations of two key bandits’ leaders, “the notorious Alhaji Auta and Kachalla Ruga”. “Consequently, a force package of NAF platforms were dispatched to takeout the enclaves, which resulted in the neutralization of the leaders as well as their cohorts,” he said. He added that hundreds of “criminal elements” were also killed and or arrested in their operations across other regions of the countries.

Post Date : January 6, 2022

UPDATED: Detainees freed as police foil Gunmen attack on police station in Imo

Ibe Pascal Arogorn, Owerri Gunmen on Thursday bombed the Ideato South Local Government Area Police station in Dikenafai, Imo State. According to the Nation, they freed the detainees. The hoodlums, who came in large numbers, set part of the police station ablaze with explosive devices. The explosives destroyed the administrative office, the Divisional Police Officer’s office, and the reception desk. Chairman of Ideato South LGA Interim Management Committee, Pastor Bede Ikeaka, expressed shock at the incident. When Crimefacts.news contracted Imo police spokesperson, Micheal Abattam confirmed the incident. Abattam said that the attack was later repelled by policemen He also said that no causality was recorded in the attack.

Post Date : January 6, 2022

Failure Comes To My Mind When I Hear PDP, Says Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday said “failure” comes to mind whenever he hears the abbreviation “PDP”. The president stated this in an exclusive interview with Channels Television. When asked to give one-liners as last words, President Buhari did not hesitate to state “Failure!” as what comes to his mind when the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is mentioned. Aside from his comment on the country’s main opposition party, there were other teasers for the night including one for Nigerian youths. In his response to what he thinks about Nigeria’s young people, Buhari replied that he wishes that “when they go to school; when they work hard; when they have a degree, they don’t do it thinking government must give them a job”. “You get educated because an educated person is certainly better than an uneducated one. Even in identifying personal problems. “So, education is not just to hang on to government to give you job and what the colonials indoctrinated on – to have a car, to have a house, and to start work at 8 O’Clock and close at 2 O’Clock,” Buhari explained.

Post Date : January 6, 2022

Aisha Buhari facilitates employment of two physically challenged ex-corps members

The First Lady of Nigeria, Aisha Buhari, has facilitated the employment of two physically challenged ex-corps members, Onogberie Efe Lulu and Nuruddeen Tahir, in the federal civil service. This gesture came as a result of the persistent advocacy of the Director-General of the NYSC, Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim, for the support of stakeholders, especially in the area of corps welfare. A statement obtained by our correspondent on Thursday and signed by the NYSC Deputy Director (Press and Public Relations), Emeka Mgbemena, said the two corp members were handed their employment letters from the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund by Ibrahim in his office. Ibrahim expressed gratitude to the First Lady for her sustained interest in the success of NYSC and the welfare of corps members. He said that her latest gesture would motivate the beneficiaries to render more dedicated service to the country as well as send a message to other physically challenged youths that the nation cared for them, and would give them opportunities to realize their potentials. The Director-General congratulated the new employees and enjoined them to reciprocate the gesture of the First Lady by being dedicated to their duties. Responding, Lulu and Tahir both expressed gratitude to the First Lady for her benevolence and prayed to the Almighty to reward her. They also thanked the Director-General for his unwavering commitment to their welfare, noting that he had always been a source of motivation for them. Both youths assured that they would utilise the opportunity given to them to render even greater services to the nation.