Crime Facts

ASUU Strike: We’ll Block All Roads To Abuja – NANS

  The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has threatened to block all roads to Abuja if the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)’s strike is not called off. The association said that it will also match the Abuja streets on Monday to protest against the strike action by ASUU. Speaking to BBC Hausa on Tuesday, the vice president of the union, Yazid Tanko Muhammad, said the protest had become necessary in order to rescue the educational system of the country from incessant strike actions. He said: “The reason we choose to embark on a protest is that it is the only language that can be understood and it is the only way we can show the world our situations and feelings towards the strike. “So, it is a protest which if we start, will not stop until the issues are resolved and the lecturers resume work. “So we will block the roads linking Abuja from Kogi, Abuja from Kaduna and Abuja from Nasarawa states. “That means we will block the whole Abuja on that day. We will also block the Federal Secretariat. “That is why we are calling on Mr President to show concern and solidarity to us by not attending to work on that day. “He should please remain at home. Since everyone is a student, either a Minister, Senator, House of representatives member they were all students before they reached the level they are now. “So, we are doing this because of the future of our education and the country. “We can’t just stay at home and watch. No country in the world can go on strike for a whole month without any concrete reasons like a pandemic or similar things.” He said the protest will involve students, parents and civil servants who will join them to tell the world the situation they are facing in the country with regards to their education.

Ukraine security council calls for state of emergency

  Ukraine’s security council on Wednesday approved plans to declare a state of national emergency, in response to the growing threat of a Russian invasion. The measure, which must be formally approved by parliament, requires stepped-up document and vehicle checks, among other measures, the council’s secretary Oleksiy Danilov said. Danilov said he would deliver a report to Ukraine’s parliament later on Wednesday, with lawmakers expected to approve the added security measures this week. They would apply to all parts of Ukraine except for its two Russian-backed eastern separatist regions, where a deadly insurgency that has claimed more than 14,000 lives broke out in 2014. Danilov said each of Ukraine’s regions would be able to select which particular measures to apply, “depending on how necessary they might be”. “What could it be? This could be added enforcement of public order,” Danilov said. “This could involve limiting certain types of transport, increased vehicle checks, or asking people to show this or that document,” he added, calling it a “preventive” measure

Court bars Fani-Kayode’s ex-wife from comments on family, children

  An FCT Family Court sitting at the Magistrate District, Wuse Zone II, Abuja, has restrained Precious Chikwendu, from making comments that could lead to identification of children whose custody issues have been submitted before it for determination. Chiwendu is the former wife of ex-Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, the applicant in matter. The presiding judge, Njideka Duru, gave the order following a motion ex-parte moved by the applicant’s counsel, Adeola Adedipe, to the effect. The judge, thereafter, granted the order of interim injunction restraining Chikwendu “from publishing the names, address, school, photographs or making any comment, presenting any speech or paper whether at a public gathering or during a programme described as ‘Green Shift’ (Apostolic Roundtables) slated for Feb. 24.” She also granted the order restraining the ex-wiife from commenting “on any social media platform of any information likely to lead to the identification of any of the children whose custody issues have been submitted to this court for determination, pending the determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.” Adedipe, in the motion ex-parte marked: MN/05/2022 filed on Feb. 14 on behalf of Fani-Kayode, prayed the court for four orders, which include “an order granting leave to the applicant, to amend the originating process filed in this case. He sought for an order of substituted service on the respondent of the amended originating motion, motion on notice for interlocutory injunction and hearing notice. The lawyer also sought for an order setting down for hearing in camera, the conduct of any or all proceedings in this case, in the best interest of the children involved; to preserve their respective rights to dignity and privacy. He also asked the court for an order of interim injunction stopping Chikwendu or associates from making presentations at any public gathering or social media platform of the broken relationship. The judge, who granted the orders for substituted service and to amend the originating process, also granted reliefs 1, 2, 3 and 4(b) of the application. She adjourned the matter until March 24 for hearing. reliefs 1, 2, 3 and 4(b) of the application. She adjourned the matter until March 24 for hearing. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Chikwendu, an ex-beauty queen, was on Feb. 14, docked before Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja for attempted murder of her former husband, Fani-Kayode. Though pleaded not guilty in the charge number: FHCABJ/CR/1/2022 filed by the FCT Commissioner of Police against her and three others, the ex-wife was alleged to have attempted to stab Fani-Kayode with a kitchen knife on Nov. 24, 2018 at Asokoro, within the court jurisdiction. Prosecuting counsel, John Ijagbemi, had also told the newsmen that the complainant planned to amend the charge to include an attempt by Chikwendu to kill the four children she had for the ex-minister going by the facts available to the police. Justice Ekwo had fixed April 27 for the trial. Chikwendu, who was accused of infidelity by the former minister, was also said to have withdrawn various civil cases filed against Fani-Kayode. Although the duo had parted ways, the former minister said Chikwendu had always been given access to her children under closed supervision due to her alleged mental challenges which could result to hurting the children. The former minister had also alleged that Chikwendu stopped calling the children on telephone for about seven months now contrary to her habit in the past. In a related development, NAN reports that the ex-wife’s arraignment in an alleged defamation of character suit filed against her by former Sen. Grace Bent, on Jan. 24, before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of FHC was stalled due to Chikwendu’s absence in court. Chikwendu, was neither in court nor any lawyer represented her and the judge fixed March 10 for her arraignment. NAN

Russia ‘Highly Likely’ To Attack Kyiv – UK

  Russian President Vladimir Putin is highly likely to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine and attack Kyiv, UK foreign minister Liz Truss said Wednesday. The UK and US have repeatedly over the last weeks cited intelligence as indicating that Russia is planning an invasion of Ukraine. “We think it’s highly likely that he (Putin) will follow through on his plan for a full-scale invasion of Ukraine”, Truss told Sky News. Asked if the Russian leader would move on the capital Kyiv, she said: “We think it’s highly likely that that is in his plans.” While Putin has said he is sending troops, “we don’t yet have the full evidence that that has taken place”, Truss said, calling the current situation “ambiguous”. Truss held frosty talks earlier this month with her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Moscow. Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday announced the first tranche of UK sanctions targeting five Russian banks and three billionaire oligarchs. Truss said Wednesday that the UK needed to “retain some sanctions in the locker” and had “more individuals that we will target in the event of a full-scale invasion”. -AFP

Aisha Buhari Storms National Assembly Over Constitution Review Report

  The First Lady of Nigeria, Aisha Buhari, stormed the National Assembly, Wednesday morning, to witness the presentation of the report by the Constitution Review Committee. The Senate and House of Representatives are reviewing the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Aisha Buhari was accompanied by the Ministers of Finance and Women Affairs, Zainab Ahmed and Pauline Tallen respectively. At the Senate, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, welcomed the First Lady and her entourage to the Red Chamber at 11.58 am. The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, immediately after referring a bill for an Act to Amend the Federal High Court Act Cap F134 to the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, suspended Rule 12(1) – Privileges of the Floor – and invoked Rule 1(b) to admit the First Lady and her delegation into the chamber at exactly 11:58am. The Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege (APC, Delta Central), Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Alteration to the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, laid the report at 12:06pm. Lawan, in a short remark after the report was laid, said the visit by the First Lady was to show support for a bill to have more female parliamentarians at the federal and state legislatures. He said, “The First Lady’s visit is to show support for a bill for more female parliamentarians in both chambers in the Senate and the House and the State Legislatures. “This, we believe, will help in nation building as such significant participation by our women will add value to not only legislation but the much desired and needed national development. “For us as a nation, our motto is Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress. “We believe that all hands must be on deck to ensure the participation of each and every segment of our society.” The Senate President assured the First Lady that the Ninth Assembly while voting on the amendments to the constitution as contained in the ad-hoc committee’s report, would ensure that women’s participation in governance is commensurate with their population. “At the moment, you’ll all agree with me that our women have not been able to get that level of participation commensurate with their population as reflected in our demography. “Therefore, what we are trying to do (Amendment of the Constitution) will go through voting later to complete the process in the National Assembly”, Lawan said. Aisha Buhari was also at the House of Representatives to observe the presentation of the report of the Special Ad-hoc Committee on the review of the constitution. The First Lady and her entourage were ushered into the chamber by the Chief Whip, Mohammed Tahir Monguno, and the Deputy Chief Whip, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha. Leader of the House, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, had earlier moved the motion to usher in the First Lady to observe the day’s proceeding. The Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, while welcoming the First Lady, said she was in the House to witness the presentation of the report on the constitution review and to show her support, especially on the aspects that had to do with women’s interests. Gbajabiamila thanked the First Lady for all she has been doing in furthering the cause and wellbeing of Nigerian women. The Adhoc Committee is led by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Idris Wase.

BREAKING: Uzodimma’s Ex-Commissioner Defects To PDP

  The Imo state immediate past commissioner for foreign affairs, Fabian Ihekweme, on Wednesday dumped the All Progressives Congress, APC, and joined the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The defection took place at the Kanu Nwankwo stadium in Owerri, during the reception organised by the PDP, to welcome home the National Secretary of the party, Senator Samdaddy Anyanwu, along with the National leadership led by the National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu. Also received officially to the PDP, was another top stakeholder, and a former Chairman of the PDP, in the state, Charles Ezekwem, who abandoned the APC, and returned to the PDP, among other hundreds of supporters.

Court orders interim forfeiture of 10 properties linked to Yari

  A federal high court in Abuja has ordered an interim forfeiture of 10 properties linked to Abdulaziz Yari, former Zamfara governor. Obiora Egwuatu, the presiding judge, gave the order on Wednesday, following an ex-parte motion moved by Osuobeni Akponimisingha, a lawyer to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). Egwuatu held that after perusing the ICPC application, he was inclined to grant the order. According to the judge, granting the application will not deny anyone a fair hearing. According to the judge, the interim order would last for 60 days to enable the ICPC to conclude its investigation, after which the commission could apply for final forfeiture. He also directed the ICPC to publish the order in two national newspapers, notifying any interested party to approach the court and show cause why the property should not be permanently forfeited to the federal government. He adjourned the matter to April 28 to hear the motion for final forfeiture. Some of the forfeited properties, according to the ICPC, are in Maryland, USA, Abuja, Kaduna, and Zamfara. In January 2021, the ICPC had secured the permanent forfeiture of over $669,000 linked to the former governor.

2023: INEC gets six new commissioners

  The Nigerian President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), is reported to have, on Wednesday, February 23, 2022, sworn in six new Commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission. The event, which took place before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council virtual meeting at the Council Chamber, State House, Abuja, had Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, and the Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, in attendance, the News Agency of Nigeria reported. The six newly inaugurated commissioners are Malam Mohammed Haruna (Niger), Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu (Delta), Ukaegbu Nnamdi (Abia), Major General Abubakar Alkali (retd.) (Adamawa), Professor Rhoda Gumus (Bayelsa), and Mr Sam Olumekun (Ondo). Speaking to State House correspondents after the swearing-in ceremony, INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who also witnessed the event alongside the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, and some ministers, assured Nigerians of the Commission’s best in coming elections. He said: “Well, it’s a good day for the Commission, with the swearing in of the six National Commissioners, we have the full complement of 12 National Commissioners. “It’s coming three days to by-elections in four states of the Federation and as we plan for the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections. “As we continue to prepare for the 2023 general elections, we’ll go on firing on all cylinders now that we have the full complement of commissioners and Nigerians should expect the best out of the Commission.” (NAN)

Signing Of Electoral Act Amendment Bill Postponed Till Friday

  President Muhammadu Buhari will now sign the re-worked Electoral Act Amendment Bill on Friday, February 25. A source close to the Presidency, who had earlier indicated that the President would assent to the bill on Wednesday, confirmed the new date to Channels Television. According to the source, the new date will be honoured by the President. This comes at a time when President Buhari presides over the Federal Executive Council meeting held at the State House in Abuja. On January 25, lawmakers in the Senate and House of Representatives chambers of the National Assembly passed the harmonised version of the bill. The harmonised version was received by President Buhari a week later, as confirmed by his Senior Special Assistant on NASS Matters (Senate), Senator Babajide Omoworare. He withheld his assent to the bill in November 2021, citing the cost of conducting direct primary elections, security challenges, and possible manipulation of electoral processes by political players as part of the reasons for his decision. But the President gave some conditions to give his assent – an action that prompted the lawmakers to re-work the bill, leading to the emergence of two versions in the green and red chambers. The House had re-amended the bill to include the direct and indirect primary options while the Senate re-adjusted it to include the direct, indirect, and consensus modes of selecting political parties’ candidates. Both chambers later passed the harmonised version – the final agreed version of the amendment to Clause 84 which included the direct, indirect, and consensus primary modes. Amid an outcry from critics who raised concerns about the delayed signing over fears that the President might reject the bill again, a presidential aide, Femi Adesina, said his principal’s action was within the requirements of the law. He stated that it would only be appropriate to say President Buhari has acted against the law if he exceeds the 30-day window provided by the Constitution to take a decision on the bill. “It could be signed today; it could be signed tomorrow. In a matter of hours, not days. Hours could be 24 hours, it could be 48 hours; not days, not weeks,” Adesina had said on Tuesday’s edition of Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.

Anambra APC Crisis Gets Messier As Court Voids Congresses

  The crisis rocking Anambra State All Progressives Congress gets messier as the State High Court sitting in Awka on Wednesday voided the party congresses that held last month. About 17 former chairmen of Anambra state APC led by one Lawrence Emegini had gone to court seeking a declaration that their tenures as local government chairmen of the party still subsist. In suit no: 2022 A/3/2022, the former Caretaker Chairmen and Ward Representatives challenged the validity of the party’s congress in January when their tenure had not ended. In a judgment delivered on Wednesday by Justice Ike Ogu of the State High Court Four, Awka, he ruled that the APC congresses contravened the initial Interlocutory Injunction given by his court. According to Justice Ogu the suit filed by Emegini and others against APC succeeded. The court ruled that the tenure of wards, local government areas and states executives elected during 2018 congresses in Anambra state have not expired. According to him, whatever congress conducted by APC and its representatives in the state contravened the order of the court and cannot stand. Meanwhile, the factional secretary of APC loyal to the applicants in the state, Mr Chukwuma Agufugo, described the judgment as a victory for the rule of law. Agufugo said that some people had wanted to disorganise the party by trying to hijack its leadership but thank God that the court has liberated the party. Also, Chief P.I. Ikwueto(SAN counsel to the plaintiffs, said that his clients have been vindicated by the decision of the court. However, Mr Chikwunoso Chinwuba, the Legal Adviser of the factional APC dissolved by the judge said they would study the judgment and know the next line of action to take. “We will file a notice of appeal and stay of execution, The judge err in law and it will be set aside at the appeal”, he said.