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Post Date : March 28, 2022

Abramovich, Ukraine Negotiators Suffer Suspected Poisoning: Report

  Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich and Ukrainian negotiators were targets of a suspected poison attack, potentially by Moscow hardliners seeking to sabotage peace talks, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday, citing people familiar with the matter. The billionaire businessman, recently slapped with sanctions by Western nations seeking to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin over his invasion of Ukraine, has reportedly been shuttling between Kyiv, Moscow and other negotiation sites. After a meeting in Ukraine’s capital, Abramovich and at least two senior Ukrainian negotiators developed symptoms including red eyes, painfully watery eyes, and peeling skin on their face and hands, the sources said according to the American newspaper. It was not clear exactly who may have conducted the apparent attack, but those targeted blamed hardliners in Moscow seeking to disrupt ongoing talks to end the war, the Journal said. The conditions of Abramovich and the other negotiators have improved and their lives are not in danger, the people said. “It was not intended to kill, it was just a warning,” Christo Grozev, an investigator with open-source collective Bellingcat, said in the Journal after studying the incident. Grozev, who determined after an investigation that Kremlin agents poisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny with a nerve agent in 2020, saw images of the effects of the apparent Abramovich attack, but no samples could be collected in time for forensic experts to detect poison, the paper reported. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday that his government had received offers of support from Russian businessmen, including Abramovich, who owns and is seeking to sell Chelsea Football Club and has had longstanding links to Putin. Zelensky told journalists that the businessmen had said they wanted to “do something” and “help somehow” to de-escalate Russia’s military assault on Ukraine that has left thousands dead. Zelensky did not mention a suspected poisoning, and according to the Journal a presidential spokesman had no information about such an attack. Abramovich aides have not responded to an AFP request for comment about the alleged poisoning. Western countries including the United States and the EU have imposed unprecedented sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, including placing oligarchs and other individuals close to Putin on sanctions lists. Last week the Wall Street Journal reported Zelensky asked US President Joe Biden to hold off on sanctioning Abramovich, arguing that the Russian billionaire could play a role in negotiating a peace deal with Moscow. AFP

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Post Date : March 28, 2022

“N1.3bn fraud’: Trial stalled as Olejeme, ex-NSITF boss, ‘slumps at home’

  The trial of Ngozi Olejeme, former chairperson of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), was stalled on Monday owing to the absence of the defendant. According to a statement by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Paul Erokoro, counsel to Olejeme, told the court that the former NSITF boss slumped at 6:30am on Monday. Erokoro added that the defendant was subsequently rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja. In October 2021, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Olejeme before a federal capital territory (FCT) high court in Jabi. The former NSITF boss was arraigned on a nine-count charge bordering on alleged diversion of public funds and money laundering to the tune of N69 billion before Maryam Hassan Aliyu, the presiding judge She had pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against her. In July 2020, a federal high court sitting in Abuja had ordered the interim forfeiture of 48 properties allegedly owned by Olejeme. At the continuation of Olejeme’s trial on Monday, counsel to the former NSITF boss presented a letter informing the court about the development on his client’s health, and prayed for an adjournment. Erokoro added that he could not present a medical report as the hospital was still reviewing her case. Responding, Steve Odiase, the prosecution counsel, did not oppose the application for adjournment. “My lord, they served us with a letter seeking for an adjournment based on the defendant’s ill health, and being the defendant’s first time absenting herself in the court and for the interest of justice, we are not opposing their application seeking adjournment,” Odiase was quoted as saying.   “Meanwhile, for record purposes, we came prepared with five witnesses in court, and all of them stood up for recognition.” The matter was thereafter adjourned till April 13 for continuation of trial.

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Post Date : March 28, 2022

PDP must respect zoning if it wants victory – Anyim

  A presidential aspirant on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim has said that the party must respect zoning if it wants victory in 2023. Anyim stated this on Monday in Jos when he interacted with Plateau delegates ahead of the party’s primaries.   The former Senate President said that power must shift to accommodate the views of all Nigerians. He said that those saying that power must remain in a particular zone for PDP to win the election were wrong. He said that those saying that power must remain in a particular zone for PDP to win the election were wrong. Anyim said that no part of the country would produce a president without the support and contribution of other regions. According to him, it was for such reason the PDP included zoning in its constitution that power must shift from North to South and vice versa. “If we don’t zone or rotate we will not win the election because the winning formula is fairness, justice and equity. “2023 is a defining moment for the nation because every nation is organic, it needs to grow. “We have had a checkered history of going forward and backward. “Nobody is happy with where we are today as a nation and I have put my credentials on the table as someone who would help the nation to grow. “I am seeking to protect our collective future, seeking to promote the growth of the nation,’’ he said. The former Secretary to the Government of the Federation told the gathering that there must be peace and progress on the Plateau. Jos, the Plateau capital, he said was planned by the initial leaders to be centre of learning and tourism. He promised to develop Jos as international city and restore its status as centre of learning and tourism. Plateau PDP Chairman, Mr Chris Hassan, said that the former senate president has the capacity to effectively lead Nigeria to greatness. “We appeal to you to have at least one man on your campaign structure and if you do that you will not forget us. “I know the friends you made in Plateau when you were senate president. “Plateau people are not deceptive people, when they pledge to work with you, they do that with all their whole hearts,’’ he said. (NAN)

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Post Date : March 28, 2022

ASUU strike: NANS resumes protest in Abuja

  The National Association of Nigerian students on Monday resumed its protest to demand an end to the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities. Speaking during the protest in Abuja, the national president of NANS, Sunday Asefon, said students are ready to throng major roads in the Federal Capital Territory. He added that students are resolute and would not retreat until universities across the country are reopened. Asefon said, “Since they have sent us out of our lecture rooms we would convert the streets and roads of FCT to our lecture rooms. “This is not a child’s play, we mean business this time around. Our message is simple: Reopen our universities. we are resolute if this strike is not called off, Nigerian Students are not leaving the streets. “We are resuming here not minding what happens. FCT residents should be notified that we are taking to the major roads as part of measures to demand our schools should be reopened.”

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Post Date : March 28, 2022

2023: Don’t pitch tent with any APC faction, Uche Nwosu tells Adamu

  A former governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the 2019 election in Imo State, Uche Nwosu, on Monday, called on the new leadership of the party to quickly harmonize all factions across the states before the 2023 elections. He however lauded the emergence of the Abdullahi Adamu-led National Working Committee but advised the APC leadership against pitching tent with any particular camp but rather ensure that the party was genuinely united. According to him, the next phase of the electoral process, which is the election of candidates through party primaries, is more delicate than electing the party leadership in a convention. “Harmonization is the key, I think what the new leadership under Senator Abdullahi Adamu should do is to first reconcile all the factions in the different states after that we know that we have a united APC in various states and then we can move into 2023 process for the general election which includes sale and buying of nomination forms and primaries, the most important thing is reconciliation. “Also I want the new leadership to avoid pitching their tent in one particular camp, harmonization is key, wherever they have Court cases or court judgment, the judgment should be obeyed and if the different factions want to settle out of court that will be better for us, then you divide the structure and we have a better and united APC but once they don’t do this reconciliation and we go to primaries and remember you cannot compare Presidential, House of Assembly or Senatorial primaries to the national convention, in fact, because electing leaders of the party is not the same thing as electing candidates, especially the Presidential candidate. I think they have a serious task but I trust Abdullahi Adamu, he will do justice to that”, Nwosu, who’s son in-law to ex-governor Rochas Okorocha, advised. Speaking on the ability of the new APC leadership to meet the yearnings of party members, Nwosu expressed confidence that Adamu has what it takes to deliver. He said, “Senator Abdullahi Adamu is a no-nonsense person right from when he was a Minister to when he was a governor, he is not a man that somebody will hijack or as governor, you can convince him on why you should have the structure in your state all to yourself. Meanwhile, there are other leaders; Abdullahi Adamu, I believe is a man of integrity who won’t be sentimental in resolving political issues, the best they can do is to go into reconciliation and after that, we can have a united APC.” On the lingering crisis in the Imo State chapter of the party, Nwosu advised thus: “Of course, the best that will happen between governor Hope Uzodinma’s camp and Owelle Rochas Okorocha’s camp, which is where I belong and that of Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, is harmonization and reconciliation, if they miss this opportunity, it is going to be a serious issue in Imo State in 2023 because all these groups will be divided. “In the issue of an election you can’t say one person does not matter, you remember what happened in Anambra State governorship election, even one vote was important, so one vote from Okorocha or Ararume or Uzodinma is important to win an election. “What we’re talking about is winning an election, the issue of fight, fight, fight should be over, I think Governor Hope Uzodinma should extend the hand of brotherhood to Okorocha and Ararume because peace is not to go to a national television to say you’re at peace with your brother when you can’t see your brother. “So, we have to make it real and something that will work and not just media statements to make people think there is peace. As far as we are concerned, APC in Imo State is not united, the sooner we unite, the better for us.”

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Post Date : March 28, 2022

Tension as IPOB dares Soludo over Monday’s sit-at-home order

  The Monday sit-at-home, which has abated in Anambra State, has resumed despite the directive of Governor Charles Soludo that workers should report to work. His order created tension in Anambra as banks, schools, traders returned to the trenches from Awka to Nnewi, to Onitsha and Ekwulobia areas   The residents blamed the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor for the renewed sit-at-home after the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) threatened to deal with anybody that flouts their order again. Soludo had directed all schools in the State and workers to return, adding it would be the turn of markets next week. He gave the directive during a meeting with leaders of 91 Markets and Transport Unions on Friday in Awka. He said that preliminary survey conducted showed that more than N19.6 billion was lost every Monday due to closure of businesses in the State. The Governor said the directive became necessary due to the obvious negative impact the sit-at-home across the South East region was having. He said that he was not against people sympathetic to the cause of the leader of IPOB being held in detention. “People should devout time to pray for him while we leaders continue to follow up the matter because I believe that through dialogue the matter will be resolved,” Soludo said. But Chairman, Bridge Head Markets, Sunny Obinze, appealed to the Governor to allow them meet their subjects before enforcement of the order. Some members of IPOB warned that anybody who dares them would have him or herself to blame. IPOB National Publicity Secretary Emma Powerful had distanced the group from the Monday sit-at-home, adding it was not part of it. However, all the schools and banks opened before now, were shut on Monday following the order from the circular which was not signed. The workers stayed away from their different offices on Monday for fear of being attacked while shops were all under lock and key The roads were empty as commercial vehicles stayed away. Some residents, who spoke with The Nation, blamed Soludo for the development, stating his order was not necessary since the sit-at-home was already fading away. Anambra Police spokesman, Ikenga Tochukwu, said people should stop causing unnecessary tension when there was none. “Anambra is safe, nothing is happening here. It’s only fear the people have created for themselves and it should not be so. We’ve not seen anything wrong with what the Governor said,” Tochukwu said. (TheNation)

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Post Date : March 28, 2022

Bandits didn’t shutdown Kaduna Airport, we killed 12 of them – Military

  The military authorities have cleared the air on the reported attack on the Kaduna International Airport by bandits. The military claimed the incidents happened six kilometres away from the Terminal and outside the Airport parameter fence.   It also said 12 of the bandits immediately given a hot chase were killed through airstrike. Kaduna Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, Garrison Command 1 Division Nigerian Army, Brig-General Uriah Opuene and Air Force Base Commander, Air Commodore, Ademuyiwa Adedoyin led journalists on an assessment tour of the attack scene. Briefing journalists at the scene of the attack, Brig-General Opuene said the Kaduna International Airport is secured adding there are several layers of security at the Airport that the bandits could not have dared to attack it. According to him, preliminary investigations have revealed the bandits were just passing through back of the Airport towards Riyawa village when they sighted the security man engaged by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) to watch over their metrological equipment around the axis. “As you can see, this place is about six kilometers away from the Airport terminal. The bandits were only passing behind the airport parameter fence when they saw the security man engage by NAMA and they fired at him. They just took advantage of that to pass a message that they have attack the airport. “There are several layers of security at the Airport, this is the first layer and even this first layer was not breached because from the moment of hearing that shot, it took our men just about three minutes to get here from the next layer of security. “On arrival, the bandits were already running away. So we engaged them through the use of ground forces. Then we called for air strike and helicopter was deployed and from the air report, about 12 of the bandits were killed. “So, as you can see from the distance, the insinuation outside that, the terrorists took over the Airport is not correct. If the terrorists had entered, they would have met us there,” he said. Air Commodore Adedoyin said security around the Airport general area has been beefed up since the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) was breached last year, adding bandits don’t have the audacity to attack Kaduna Airport. The Security Commissioner while assuring the Airport is safe and secured, said the State Government was engaging citizens in communities around Airport to scale up intelligence gathering.

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Post Date : March 28, 2022

Increase In Prices Of Foodstuff, Fuel, Global Trend – FG

  The Federal Government has said the increase in prices of some foodstuffs, petrol, diesel and other items is a global trend, and not limited to any country. The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who stated this at media briefing on Monday in Abuja, added that presenting the situation as a Nigerian problem was mischievous, disingenuous and a clear act of misinformation. He said the figures being bandied around by the opposition and a section of the press, comparing the prices of some foodstuff, petrol, diesel, pre-2015 and presently, was a mischief. “This misuse of statistics is clear mischief. Those who bandy around these figures without putting them in context are being clever by half. “Let’s take the price of foodstuffs and petrol. Google the price of foodstuffs in other countries, especially the UK and the US, and you will discover a steep rise. Ditto for the price of gas or petrol,’’ he said. The minister added that the crippling fuel shortage experienced across the country in recent times had started easing, as the measures put in place by the government begin take effect. He reiterated that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari recorded massive achievements in all sectors, in spite of the challenges it faced. Mohammed, therefore, admonished Nigerians to be wary of the lies and misinformation by the opposition. “Nigerians remain traumatised by their 16-year misrule, and will not return to ‘Egypt’ by allowing the ‘demolition gang’ back to office,’’ he said.

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Post Date : March 28, 2022

No Going Back On Eviction Order,’ Sanwo-Olu Tells Apongbon Traders

  Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Monday told traders with stores located around Apongbon bridge that there is no going back on the eviction order issued to them by the government. Governor Sanwo-Olu during an on-the-spot assessment of the bridge said the traders need to vacate the location so that extensive clearing can be done and the bridge needs to be repaired. He explained that the seven-day eviction notice given to the traders will elapse on Wednesday and no one is expected to remain under the bridge by then. “We have issued a seven-day notice to all illegal occupants under the bridge. The destruction of the bridge by the fire is very extreme and unfortunate. This is a clear testimony of how public assets should not be used. “I want to reiterate that the notice is still on. So, Wednesday is the deadline for anybody that has anything around the bridge. We are going to now start extensive clearing of the place. It is after this that structural engineers will commence work. “It is unfortunate. The traders refused to take care of public assets. Everything happening under the bridge is totally unacceptable. Between the last two years and now, we have had eight fire incidents around our various bridges,” Sanwo-Olu said. He urged traders and citizens to ensure their daily activities do not cause damage to government facilities. He added that traders also need to make use of proper markets to sell. The governor also assured them that plans will be put in place to rehabilitate the traders. “I will work with the special adviser CBD and local government chairmen and see how we can bring forward representatives from the market and see how we can relocate them. “We will do everything to ensure that normalcy is restored as soon as possible,” the governor said. The governor’s visit to the bridge comes a few days after the popular Apongbon market was gutted by fire. Although no life was lost in the fire outbreak, motorists heading toward Lagos Island were held up in grueling gridlock and the bridge was destroyed in the fire. Governor Sanwo-Olu visited the scene alongside his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat and other dignitaries in the state.

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Post Date : March 28, 2022

Alleged N6bn fraud: Court reduces Mompha’s bail sum from N200m to N25m

  An Ikeja Special Offences Court on Monday reduced from N200 million to N25 million, the bail sum for social media celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha (alias Mompha), charged with six billion Naira money laundering. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Mojisola Dada made the ruling following a prayer by defence counsel, Mr Gboyega Oyewole (SAN), and submission by prosecution counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo. Dada had on Jan.18 granted Mompha bail in the sum of N200 million and two sureties. However, on Monday, she held: “The defendant is admitted to bail of N25 million with two sureties in like sum. “One of the sureties must have a landed property worth N50 million within the court’s jurisdiction. “The defendant shall be temporarily released to defence counsel only for two weeks pending perfection of the bail conditions. “Defence counsel should also write an undertaking to that effect.” Earlier, Oyewole tendered an application which was supported by a 13-paragraph affidavit to pray the court to lessen the bail conditions. “My lord, I have an application dated March 8, 2022, seeking the court’s variation of the bail granted to the defendant. “The application is supported by a 13-paragraph affidavit which we adopted. Telegram “We seek the prosecution to see toward the possibility of some kind of restitutions but this is being tampered with because of detention. “We urge your lordship to consider the variation as proposed. The counsel said that the defendant had been on bail on a 22-count-charge before the Federal High Court and did not jump bail. Responding, Oyedepo had told the court that he was aware of the application and would leave it at the discretion of the court. “My lord, we are aware of the application. We have opposed it and gave conditions to the defendant. “WeI leave it to my lord’s discretion,” he said. NAN reports that the case was initially scheduled for trial. Mompha and his company, Ismalob Global Investment Ltd., were arraigned on an eight-count charge by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Jan. 12 . The charges include conspiracy to launder funds obtained through unlawful activity and laundering of funds obtained through unlawful activity. Other charges include retention of proceeds of criminal conduct, use of property derived from unlawful act, possession of document containing false pretence and failure to disclose assets and property. The court adjourned the case until April 6 for progress report on perfection of bail conditions. (NAN)

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