Crime Facts

STRIKE: ASUU to take final decision tomorrow

  The National Executive Committee of the Academic Staff Union of Universities will commence a two-day meeting at the University of Lagos, Akoka, today, to finalise the union’s decision on an impending strike. ASUU will make the final decision on the strike – to be reached by voting – known at the end of the meeting on Sunday, Saturday PUNCH has learnt. The union had expressed grievances over the failure of the Federal Government to fulfill some of the agreements it made as far back as 2009. ASUU had on November 15, 2021 given the federal government a three-week ultimatum over the failure to meet the demands. The lecturers threatened to embark on another round of industrial action following the alleged “government’s unfaithfulness” in the implementation of the Memorandum of Action it signed with the union, leading to the suspension of the 2020 strike action. After the union’s National Executive Council meeting at the University of Abuja on November 13 and 14, ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, lamented that despite meeting with the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, on October 14, 2021, on issues, including funding for revitalisation of public universities, earned academic allowances, University Transparency Accountability Solution; promotion arrears, renegotiation of 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, and the inconsistencies in Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System Payment, none of its demands had been met. Following the threat, the Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, promised that the union would be paid. A few weeks after, ASUU suspended the planned strike, as N22.1 billion earned allowances was paid to lecturers in federal universities. On the heels of the union’s renewed agitations, the co-chairmen of the National Inter-religious Council, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Abubakar III, and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Dr. Samson Ayokunle, visited the President, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), last month, over the lack of implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding the government signed with ASUU in 2009 and others. At the meeting, Buhari said the government remained committed to fulfilling the promises made to ASUU. The president also stated that he had mandated Ngige; the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, and his (Buhari’s) Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, to look into the demands of the union. But Osodeke in an interview with one of our correspondents insisted that the Federal Government could not be trusted despite the promise of the president. The union consequently declared Monday, February 9, 2022 as a lecture-free day, in order to mobilise its members ahead of what it described as the longest strike in history. Several chapters of the union embraced the directive, and had held several congresses, where they told the public to hold the government responsible if the union decided to embark on strike. A final decision on the looming strike will be reached this weekend as ASUU NEC meets from February 12 (today) and February 13, at the UNILAG. Another NEC told Saturday PUNCH that the decision on strike would be put to voting, and all the members present would vote either for — or against it. He said, “The president of our union is not the one to decide on the strike. Also, none of the officers is expected to unilaterally decide on it. The issues at stake are to be tabled and debated at the meeting. “Then, all the NEC members will vote either for — or against the strike. Whatever we decide on Sunday would form the next line of action.” Asked if there were enough grounds for the lecturers to go on strike, the source answered in the affirmative. “Yes, we have even started the strike earlier than now. But as parents, we have been waiting for the government to yield the ground, and fulfil the agreements it voluntarily entered with us,” the source added. Efforts to reach Adamu proved abortive as he neither picked calls nor replied to a text message sent to his phone number. But Nwajiuba declined to comment on the union’s meeting, where the ultimate decision on the impending strike would be taken. Meanwhile, Ngige has promised to step into the dispute between the federal government and ASUU, if the Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission failed to resolve the issue. The minister told one of our correspondents on Friday that his ministry could only perform a reconciliatory role, as it is not the employer of the lecturers. He said, “The Ministry of Education is their employer, and we have handed over the necessary tools to them. The major issue with ASUU now is the deployment of UTAS which is under the purview of NITDA — which is under the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy. The NUC also has its own role to play. “My role is to play a reconciliatory officer. If their employers and the NUC fail to reconcile them, then I step in as the reconciliatory officer. It’s not more than that. But I know their employers are finding ways to resolve these issues.” Source: Punch

Buhari sacks First Lady’s aide, Zainab Kazeem

  President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Muhammad Sani Zorro, journalist, politician and former lawmaker as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs and Strategy, Office of the First Lady. The President has also approved with effect the disengagement of Zainab Kazeem, the Special Assistant to the President on Domestic and Social Events, Office of the First Lady. appointees in her office to the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, pending their assignment to some other government departments or agencies.” Those affected by the redeployment are: Dr. Mohammed Kamal Abdulrahman, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Health and Development Partners and Personal Physician to the First Lady; Hadi Uba, Special Assistant to the President on Administration and Wole Aboderin, Special Assistant to the President on Non-Governmental Organisations, NGOs. “Also approved with effect from 11th February is the disengagement of Zainab Kazeem, the Special Assistant to the President on Domestic and Social Events, Office of the First Lady,” it said. Continuing, the statement said, “Zorro, a famous journalist brings to the new job decades-long experience in media practice, publishing and unionist leadership. “He was at various times President, Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, West African Journalists Association (WAJA) and the Federation of African Journalists, FAJ. “He was in the House of Representatives where he chaired the committee on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Refugees and Initiatives on North East.

Jonathan Supports Governor Bala Mohammed’s Presidential Ambition

  Former President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed confidence in the ability of Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi to lead the country. Speaking during a meeting held on Thursday, Jonathan said he is very familiar with the Governor’s commitment to national service. Governor Bala served as FCT Minister during Jonathan’s tenure as President.   “If you are there (as President), then I have a son,” Jonathan said. “Every father wants his son to grow. “Those of you who worked with me, it is my duty to support you. We are the same family. The best thing will happen for us. “You are very competent and focused person. By the divine providence, with the support of Nigerians and God, you will become the President of Nigeria.”

UK, US ask citizens to ‘leave Ukraine now’ amid Russia ‘threat’

  The United Kingdom and the United States of America have called on their citizens currently in Ukraine to leave the country immediately. There have been tensions between Ukraine and Russia with concerns over threats of invasion. The crisis stems from the protracted Russia-Ukrainian war that began in early 2014. Russia had annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula and allegedly threw its weight behind a separatist rebellion after then-President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted. In a previous statement, the UK foreign, commonwealth, and development office had advised its citizens against “all but essential travel” to Ukraine. But in a statement on Friday, the UK government said it is now advising its citizens against all travel to the country. “The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office today (Friday 11 February) updated its travel advice to Ukraine, and is now advising British nationals against all travel to Ukraine,” the statement reads. “British nationals currently in Ukraine should leave now while commercial means are still available.” According to the statement, a spokesperson of the office said its travel advice was updated because the safety and security of British nationals is top priority. The UK government also said British nationals who choose to remain in Ukraine should keep their departure plans under constant review, and ensure their travel documents are up to date. Meanwhile, Jake Sullivan, US national security adviser, has also urged Americans to leave the country. He said although the US does not have definitive information that an invasion has been ordered by President Vladimir Putin of Russia, all the pieces were in place for a major military operation that could start “rapidly”. “The risk is high enough and the threat is now immediate enough that prudence demands that it is the time to leave now,” Sullivan said. The US had previously disclosed that Russia could invade Ukraine “any time now”. In an interview, Sullivan had said “there is a very distinct possibility that Vladimir Putin will order an attack on Ukraine”. “It could take a number of different forms. It could happen as soon as tomorrow or it could take some weeks yet,” he added. On its part, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has advised Nigerians in Ukraine to be security conscious.

No zoning in Nigeria’s constitution, says Atiku

  Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has faulted the call on the Peoples Democratic Party to zone its presidential ticket to a particular region of the country, adding that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria does not recognise it. This is as he expressed optimism that the PDP would adopt the indirect primary, which he said was not only the most efficient and least expensive, but also allowed the politically enlightened members of the party to make important decisions for the party. Atiku, who spoke at a meeting with members of a group, ‘Let’s Fix Nigeria’ with Atiku, on a solidarity visit at his residence in Abuja, said any Nigerian endowed with the right attributes could lead the country, as against the call for a younger president, and urged Nigerians to look for such a person and give him leadership. Similarly, the leader of the Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, who was present at the meeting said, there was no doubt whatsoever that Atiku had the capacity, ability, the will, to unite the country as he had been tested and proven. It would be recalled that the Southern and Middle-Belt Forum, comprising the Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere; the pan-Igbo socio-political group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo; and the Middle-Belt Forum, had called all political parties to zone their presidential ticket to the South as the regions would not vote for a Northern presidential candidate in 2023. But speaking on Thursday, Atiku, who is one of the prominent northern politicians interested in contesting the 2023 presidential election, said, “Fundamentally, the Constitution says all of us can run. The Constitution has not barred any one of us. There is no zoning in the Constitution; there is none. I was a member of the constituent assembly that drafted the current Constitution and there was nothing like that. However, the Waziri of Adamawa, who recalled how he bought the idea of zoning in the PDP during a discussion with a former vice president, the late Dr. Alex Ekwueme, assured that he would adopt measures that would unify and stabilise Nigeria, if elected. “But then, as a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country, we felt that there should be a sense of belonging. We went and invented this zoning. “Therefore, we went further to say there should be zonal representation. So, let me assure you that as far as I am concerned, I will observe and implement whatever will bring about the peace and stability of this country. “Leadership is endowed by God. You can have a young man come and do better than an old man. So, it is an endowed attribute from God, therefore, we should try to look for such a person who has been endowed by God, who has those attributes and then give him leadership. The former vice president lamented that Nigeria was more divided now than it was during the Civil War, while insecurity and poverty had become prevalent in the country. “I have never seen; this country have so many challenges at the same time. So, sometimes, when I am on my bed, I begin to wonder whether to go for it (contest) or not, because the challenges are just too many. In my life, I have never seen Nigeria in such a bad situation. “As far as the unity of this country is concerned, we are more divided. Even when we fought the Civil War, we were never as divided as this. We never have a breakdown of law and order like this because when we fought the Civil War, it was confined to a particular location, in every other place, there was peace. “We never had this kind of poverty where even the farmer cannot go to farm the food to eat, not to talk of commercial farming. So, I have never seen this country so bad, and it is going to be a daunting task for anybody to come and turn things around.”

Abba Kyari: PSC Postpones Decision, Insists On New Panel To Conduct Fresh Investigation

  The Police Service Commission has deferred its decision in the case involving the suspended former Commander of the Inspector General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari over his alleged connection with the suspected fraudster, Abbas Ramon commonly called Hushpuppi. The PSC is also insisting that a new panel be set up to conduct a fresh investigation into the matter. A statement issued by the commission on Friday and signed by its Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani said the commission made its stance known at its 14th Plenary Meeting held on Thursday, February 10th 2022 in Abuja which was chaired by Alhaji Musiliu Smith, a retired Inspector General of Police and Chairman of the Commission. The decision of the Commission comes two weeks after it rejected the report of the panel set up by the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba Alkali to investigate the alleged connection between Abba Kyari and Hushpuppi for lacking depth. The Standing Committee on Police Discipline and Appeals of the PSC had also directed the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba to carry out a more thorough investigation on the matter and submit its report within two weeks in line with the advice by the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN) that all loopholes in the matter be tightened. “The Commission also directed that further necessary investigation should take half the time it took the Police to conduct the original investigation and that the investigation should be carried out by a different panel,” the statement said. Mr Kyari was suspended for alleged involvement in a $1.1 million internet fraud allegedly perpetrated by Hushpuppi and four others – Abdulrahman Juma, Vincent Chibuzo, Rukayat Fashola, and Bolatito Agbabiaka. The Federal Bureau of Investigation had alleged that Hushpuppi paid $20,600 to two bank accounts allegedly provided by Kyari on January 20, 2020. Meanwhile, the Commission at its 14th Plenary Meeting also considered 20 pending disciplinary matters and five appeals as well as petitions from the Inspector General of Police and aggrieved serving and ex-Police Officers. It also considered and promoted 89 staff of the Commission with a promise to ensure that staff promotion would continue to receive priority attention while they should ensure they, at all times put in their best.

Buhari’ll decide APC candidate, successor, says Ayade

  The Governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade, has said he trusts the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to make the right decision on who to take over from him in 2023. According to Ayade, Buhari would act in “the interest of the nation,” and advise the ruling All Progressives Congress as to the best candidate to succeed him. Speaking with BBC pidgin on Friday, Ayade said, “I believe the President will do the right thing for the interest of this nation. As far as I know, Buhari, to a large extent, would be the one to decide for the party (APC) the person that will succeed him. If he sees Osinbajo as the right candidate, having worked with him for eight years, I will support him. He is a man of good conscience who is fair and sensitive. That tells you that he truly belongs to no one but belongs to everyone.” Asked what he thought about the presidential ambition of APC national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Ayade said it was within his right to declare his ambition, particularly given his role in Buhari’s electoral victory. Ayade said, “Anybody that has come to contest from the South is in his/her right to do so. More people will still come out. If you ask me about Tinubu, I would say it is correct that he came out, because he fought and worked hard and supported Buhari to put this government that is in place. Such a man will expect that since we are talking about a southern presidency, let him try to contest. “Anyone that is saying he is not supposed to declare his intention is not doing the right thing. He should try his best. I cannot say it is not good. I can’t say that. I belong to a party and the party will calculate. If the party says it is Tinubu, I will support him. If the party decides to go with someone else, I will lead the convoy that will go and beg Tinubu about the party’s decision. This is because I know that the man has worked hard for this party and I have a conscience. “If you see someone that has struggled like that to make the party stand then you will now say, ‘Go, we don’t need you again. You are too old.’ It is not good. I won’t do that.” Ayade said he was still waiting on the party for a decision and would back the party’s decision irrespective of who he is. “I am waiting for the party. If the party makes the calculation and says it should not be Tinubu for any reason, everyone deserves respect on their own level. He (Tinubu) deserves special respect. We must go and convince him. He is not a bad person. He is a good person. If he sees that he is given a good reason that convinces him, then we can go ahead. That is my position,” he added. Asked to advise the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, about the presidential bid, he said, “I will advise Osinbajo to continue to support the system. I will help him in any way that I can. I will not advise him against his own ambition. I will not tell him to run when he doesn’t want to run. We are friends and as far as I know this country, we in the political class all meet together at one point or the other.” The governor, however, said, many people were ‘pushing’ him to contest for presidency in the coming elections but he is ‘not like that.’ Ayade said, “I belong to a family. They are the ones that will calculate and bring out a candidate. You may even be in your house sleeping and they will call you up from sleep and tell you that you are the chosen one.”

Three IPOB Members Killed, Nine Others Arrested In Imo

  Three members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), have been killed following a gun battle between men of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) and the proscribed group. The Spokesman for the Imo State Police Command, CSP Micheal Abattam, disclosed on Wednesday that the command’s tactical teams on Monday after credible intelligence gathering and surveillance of some identified camps of the terror groups in the state stormed in a commando-style, two identified terror camps located in Okwudo in Njaba LGA of Imo State and Umuorji Mgbidi in Oru West LGA of Imo State respectively. CSP Abattam further revealed that the policemen engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun battle and in the process, successfully dislodged them due to their number and superior fire-power. According to him, the hoodlums suffered heavy casualties and in the process, lost three of their members while nine others were arrested with various degrees of bullet wounds. Those arrested include: Ekene Abiaziem age 31 years m of Mgbidi, Emmanuel Nwabueze m age 58 years of Mgbidi, Ifeanyi Eze m age 38 years of Mgbidi, Izunna Chukwukezie m age 39 years of Okwudo, Ejike Onuabuike m age 44 years of Okwudo, Chukwuebuka Elvis Nkonta m age 27 years of Okwudo, Jerohm Amaiah m 33 years of Okwudo, Chukwuebuka Nwachukwu m age 23 years of Okwudo and Chimobi Ogbonna m age 27 years of Awomama to the station. Speaking further on the feat, the police spokesman stated that on combing the bush and searching the camps, the officers recovered – three automatic pump action guns, four locally made pistols, twenty-one (21) rounds of live cartridges, four locally made Improvised Explosives Devices (IEDS). Other items recovered include, five sharpened cutlasses, five rounds of 7.62 mm live AK47 rifle ammunition, four rounds of 5.56 mm live assault rifle ammunition, one big rubber drum containing substances suspected to be Indian hemp. The policemen also captured from the IPOB members a good quantity of Ice Hard Drugs suspected to be “Mkpurumiri”, one live tortoise, assorted black charms, four Biafran flags, several Biafran/MASSOB Identity cards, three battle axes, four Biafran berets and assorted phones. CSP Abattam noted that while investigation is ongoing, the three corpses were later deposited at Federal Medical Center Mortuary Owerri. According to him, in the course of investigation, it was revealed that the terror suspects are the ones that have been terrorising the people of Imo State. He further stated that the individuals are those who orchestrated several reported cases of kidnapping and armed robbery, adding that they have made useful statement and have volunteered to assist the police in the arrested of his members of their gang presently, on the run. Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Imo Command, CP Rabiu Hussaini, while commending the officers and men for their gallantry and prompt action, urged them to intensify efforts in ensuring that the other suspects are arrested. He also advised communities and vigilante groups to work in collaboration with the police and give credible information that will assist in the arrest of the fleeing suspects.

Zamfara Assembly resolves to begin deputy gov’s impeachment

  Members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, on Thursday, unanimously voted in favour of the impeachment of the Deputy Governor, Mahdi Gusau. The decision of the House to vote for his impeachment followed a motion moved by the Deputy Speaker and Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts, Musa Yankuzo, and seconded by Yusuf Maru. After the secondment of the motion, the Speaker, Nasiru Magarya, directed the Clerk to House, Shehu Anka, to effect voting for each and every member of the House, who attended the plenary as required by law. Eighteen out of the 22 members of the House voted in favour of the impeachment. Shortly after the voting, the Speaker said, “Having satisfied the requirements of the law, the House passes a strong resolution requesting the state Chief Judge, Justice Kulu Aliyu, to immediately constitute a panel to investigate all the allegations levelled against the Deputy Governor, Mahdi Aliyu Muhammad Gusau, as contained in the provision of Section 188 (5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.” At Wednesday’s plenary, the Speaker directed that each member of the House be served with the impeachment notice alongside with all the allegations levelled against him for their perusal and necessary action. With this development, attention has now g shifted to the chief judge to constitute the panel to investigate the deputy governor as required by the law of the land.

Supreme Court declares Executive Order 10 unconstitutional

  The Supreme Court has declared as unlawful and unconstitutional the Executive Order 10 (EO10) issued by President Muhammadu Buhari on the funding of State Judiciary and Legislature. In a split decision on Friday, majority of the court’s seven-member panel agreed that the President exceeded his constitutional powers in issuing the EO10. Six out of the seven members of the panel proceeded to void and set aside the EO10. The majority decision also held that it was not the responsibility of the Federal Government to fund the capital and recurrent expenditures of the superior courts created for States under Section six of the Constitution. All the seven members agreed that the States were not entitled to be refunded all they have spent before now to maintain those courts. The judgment was on the suit filed by the 36 States against the FG on the funding of the Judiciary and the constitutionality of the EO10. Details shortly…