The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that its office in Oru West Local Government Area of Imo State has been set ablaze by arsonists. The National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, said this on Sunday in a statement.   According to him, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Imo State, Prof. Sylvia Uchenna Agu, reported that the commission’s office in Oru West Local Government Area was attacked at about 4.00am today Sunday 4th December 2022. “The attack affected the Conference Room where office furniture and fittings were destroyed. However, other critical facilities were not affected,” Okoye said. He also recalled that on Thursday 1st December 2022, INEC office in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State was also attacked. He said, “Overall, this is the 7th attack on our facilities in five states of the federation in the last four months. “Once again, the commission expresses its concern on the consequences of what appears to be a systematic attack on its facilities across the country on the conduct of elections in particular and electoral activities in general.” He said that the attention of the security agencies has been drawn to this latest incident for investigation and prosecution.

  Festus Keyamo, spokesman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential campaign council, has debunked rumours of a United States visa denial for Bola Tinubu, the party’s standard bearer. Last week, the APC presidential campaign council said Tinubu would embark on foreign trips from December 4 to meet global leaders and pitch his presidential aspiration. “The APC presidential candidate will travel to key Western capitals from December 4th and expected to return to Nigeria latest December 12th to continue his campaign rallies and stakeholders’ engagement,” the statement said. “Tinubu and his delegation will be in London, USA, France and key European Union member states to share his vision and plans and to also solicit the support of the Western powers for the democratic process that will usher in the new administration in from May 29th, 2023.” However, rumours began to spread that Tinubu was denied entry into the US based on some allegations levelled against him. In a tweet on Saturday, Keyamo shut down the rumours by sharing a picture of Tinubu’s American visa. “For mischief-makers who peddle unfounded rumours about ⁦@officialABAT being denied a visa to the US, you leave us with no option but to show you his current visa (that has always been renewed since time immemorial). This is for the misguided ones who believe these rumours,” he tweeted.

  President George Weah of Liberia Liberian President George Weah’s long absence from the country has raised eyebrows and prompted criticism, leading one opposition figure to ask if the West African nation is running on “autopilot”. Weah went abroad at the end of October for a string of political gatherings in numerous countries — and to watch his footballer son represent the United States at the World Cup in Qatar. Since then, the president — himself a former football star — has not been seen in his homeland where people are battling soaring prices and shortages of basic goods. Even those with an understanding of the demands of top-flight diplomacy, or the enduring love of the beautiful game, are beginning to wonder. Weah has shared pictures and video of himself with his son in Qatar on Twitter, speaking of being a “proud daddy” as the US national team qualified for the knockout stages. But images of Weah enjoying himself in the stands in Qatar — where he is a “guest of honour” — while Liberians struggle have not gone down well with many compatriots venting their anger on social media. “This one here has passed the limit now… who (has) he left us with?” 23-year-old Abraham Kaneh told AFP in the capital Monrovia. “He’s not going to do the work of the Liberian people. He went to do the work of his own son. He did not go on our plea, he’s gone to see other friends,” said fellow Monrovian Momo Fully. Well-known media personality Henry Costa joked online that the president would extend his absence to January if his son Timothy scored against England last month. – ‘Abandoning the entire country’ – New York-born Timothy Weah is one of many people to hold US and Liberian nationality, with the countries maintaining close ties dating back to Americans’ role in the creation of the West African state in the 19th century. Plenty of football-loving Liberians follow the younger Weah’s performances for his French club Lille, but for opposition politician Lewis Browne that does not justify the president’s globe-trotting activities. “Weah continues to insult the intelligence of Liberians and exhibit a high degree of don’t-care attitude by abandoning the entire country and citizens to witness soccer matches,” he said. Browne also accused Weah of misusing public money to lead a celebrity lifestyle. The opposition has also condemned what it sees as the president’s gallivanting between Qatar and international summits in Morocco, Egypt, France, Monaco and the United States, with former vice president Joseph Boakai saying Liberia was “on autopilot”. “We continue to witness other acts of poor leadership, irresponsible behaviour, lack of concern, impunity, and wanton misuse of our finances,” the Unity Party heavyweight added, suggesting others could have represented the country in Weah’s place. – A ‘necessary’ absence – Other Liberians defended Weah, who acquired iconic status after becoming the first and only African to win football’s most prestigious individual award, the Ballon d’Or, in 1995. “I support the president. The man wants to see his son playing, what’s wrong with that?” Alex Bono, 31, told AFP. Entrepreneur Antoinette Anderson praised Weah for “trying to render services to the Liberian people” and “gather funds out there to make Liberia a better place to live”. “I don’t have problems with the events he went on. The fact he went there on behalf of the country, I think it’s necessary,” added Tarlue Zeyon in Monrovia. Weah last month extended his stint abroad, the longest since he became president, by another 25 days and is due back in Liberia on December 18. His government is also facing criticism over its handling of a census that must take place before elections in 2023. Weah, who came to power in 2017 on a pledge to fight poverty and corruption, has been chosen by his party to seek re-election, but critics say he has failed to honour his commitments.

  Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has filed a lawsuit against President Muhammadu Buhari over “the failure to probe the spending of trillions of ecological funds by governments at all levels—federal, state and local governments from 2001 to date, and to ensure the prosecution of suspected perpetrators of corruption and mismanagement of public funds.” Joined in the suit as Respondents are the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha. The United Nations Children’s Fund recently said that no fewer than 600 persons died and 1.3 million were rendered homeless as a result of the floods that ravaged most states across the country, with the destruction of properties worth billions. In the suit number FHC/L/CS/2283/2022 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court, Lagos, SERAP is asking the court to “direct and compel President Buhari to promptly and thoroughly investigate the spending of Ecological Fund by governments at the Federal, state and local government levels from 2001 to date.” SERAP is also asking the court to “direct and compel President Buhari to ensure that suspected perpetrators of corruption and mismanagement of trillions of ecological funds are promptly brought to justice, and any missing public funds fully recovered.” In the suit, SERAP is arguing that “the failure to probe the alleged missing trillions, prosecute suspected perpetrators and recover any missing public funds is a fundamental breach of constitutional and international legal obligations.” SERAP is also arguing that “impunity for corruption in the management of Ecological Fund will continue as long as high-ranking public officials go largely unpunished for their alleged crimes.” According to SERAP, “It is in the public interest to direct and compel President Buhari to probe these allegations so that evidence can be taken before the court and the truth about the spending of ecological funds revealed, and justice served.” SERAP is also arguing that “the Federal Government has violated the obligations to protect and uphold the human rights of those affected, and to provide them with access to justice and effective remedies.” The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyer Kolawole Oluwadare read in part: “the Federal Government has the legal obligations to address the calamitous consequences of flooding for the human rights of millions of people, and to prevent and address the consequences that climate change may reap on human rights.” “According to the audit of the Ecological Fund Office carried out by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, the total amount received by the fund from December 2011 to November 2016 alone was N277 billion.” “The operations of the Fund from 2012 to 2016 reportedly showed that some of the disbursements were not utilised for the purpose for which it was established. During these periods, N74,170,932,645.20 was released to State Governments to solve ecological problems in their States.” “Although ecological funds are shared across the three tiers of government, and emergency management agencies, the funds are managed and supervised by the Federal Government.” “The Federal Government has the legal obligations to prevent and address the threats to human rights that result from climate change, and to provide access to justice and effective remedies for victims when these rights are violated.” “The Federal Government has a positive obligation to protect individuals against the threat posed to human rights by climate change, regardless of the causes, and to effectively address the aftermath of the flooding such as deterioration in health, diminishing access to safe drinking water and susceptibility to disease.” “Climate change also has the potential to exacerbate existing threats to human rights in the country. Rising global temperatures will jeopardise many people’s livelihoods, increasing their vulnerability to poverty and social deprivation.” “Many years of allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the spending of Ecological Fund and entrenched impunity of perpetrators have undermined the ability of governments at all levels and emergency management agencies to prevent the impact of flooding on the human rights vulnerable Nigerians.” “Allegations of corruption and mismanagement have undermined the ability of authorities at all levels to invest in drainage systems, and to tackle soil erosion and climate change challenges across several parts of the country.” “The funds released for ecological projects are characterised by mismanagement, diversion of funds, substandard and abandoned projects fully paid for. Ecological funds have also been allegedly spent for other purposes such as election campaigns and political patronage.” “Prevention of corruption in the spending of the Ecological Fund, and preventing and addressing the challenges caused by climate change are serious and legitimate public interests.” “There is a legitimate public interest in ensuring justice and accountability for alleged corruption and mismanagement in the management of the Ecological Fund.” “Nigerians have the right to know how the public funds budgeted to address ecological challenges are spent. Publishing the details of allocations of the Ecological Fund since 2001 would promote transparency, accountability, and reduce the risks of corruption in the spending of the funds.” No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

Letter Bellow Dr. Cynthia Nwakobi 617 Central Avenue Albany, New York 12206 United States of America 28TH NOVEMBER 2022 His Excellency, President Muhammad Buhari, GCON Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces ASO rock, FCT ABUJA Your Excellency, Sir: AN APPEAL TO THE PRESIDENT OF NIGERIA TO HAVE EFCC EXPEDITE RECOVERY OF MY ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY TWO MILLION,FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND NAIRA (N132,500,000.00 DEFRAUDED BY (1) CHIEF JIM NWOBODO (2)MRS. PATRICIA NWOBODO AND (3) BARRISTER ELI UGWU, WHO ILLEGALY SOLD A COMMUNITY LAND UNDER LITIGATION IN ENUGU HIGH COURT CASE NO.E/471/2019. I am Dr. Cynthia Nwakaobi. I hold a doctorate degree in Business Management and live in the From my research, I discovered that real Estate investment is one of the safest investments one can make in his or her home country. Based on that premise, sometime in August 2021, I was introduced to landed property situate at Enugu along Agbani Road near Afor Awkunanaw Market also known as Garikki Market by Barrister Eli Ugwu who was then my legal adviser but in connivance with Chief Jim Nwobodo, his wife Mrs Patricia Nwobodo using their estate Company named SATELITE ESTATE ENUGU defrauded me the indicated amount. The legal adviser turned out to become my agent in paying for 6 plots of land at the said estate not knowing that he was aware that the land is encumbered and pending in court between Chief Jim Nwobodo and Amechi Awkunanaw Community under the indicate suite No.E/471/2019. Chief Jim Nwobodo, his wife, Mrs. Patricia Nwobodo in collusion with Barr. Elli Ugwu assured me that the land was free from any litigation and collected the sum of N=132,500,000.00 as follows: =N=90,000,000.00, =N=38,000,000.00 paid into their account domiciled at the Access Bank Plc. Account No. 0728768392 and Barrister Elli Ugwu an accomplice in the fraud collected the sum of N4,500,000.00 at his ECOBANK Account No. 0019434000 as the agent of the duo. Evidence of the payments have been made available to the EFCC and attached herewith. My Petition to the EFCC Enugu Zonal Office was dated 29th March, 2022 and was received by EFCC accordingly. EFCC then invited the trio but only Barr. Eli Ugwu appeared before EFCC while Chief Jim Nwobodo and Patricia Nwobodo absconded defying every attempt made by EFCC Enugu to interview them. After several months of defying EFCC invitation, I learnt that they filed a motion in court for fundamental human right protection. Ever since then no action has been taken by EFCC to recover my money prompting me to seek your intervention to persuade EFCC to hunt down the trio wherever they are hiding and recover my money. I sincerely plead with you because I know that as the President, you will not allow fraudulent people to deprive Nigeria of foreign investments as well as taint the image of this country. It is obvious that by your position, you will protect the interest of the poor masses from fraudsters who may believe that they are above the law. I am pleading with you through this medium to intervene on my behalf to save me from the financial crimes and injustice dished out to me by this so called high and mighty. I cannot begin to explain vividly because you have to wear my shoes to feel how my life has been turned upside down by their wicked actions just merely because they perceive me as being vulnerable and a perfect person to take advantage of my naivety. It is obvious that they believe that I do not have anyone that will fight for me. My life in the United States is hell because I borrowed money from banks which I am now repaying in addition to interests. The trauma that I have experienced as a result of the shocking act and realization that I have been defrauded by people I believed and trusted as respectable members of the society is unexplainable. It is so bad that it has led me to depression and suicidal thoughts; my mental health is now a mess. I am a single mother with two boys that I am responsible for their wellbeing, I cannot in the present circumstances over emphasis the impact, damage and wreck that will be occasioned on our lives if the above mentioned people are allowed to go scot-free after defrauding me of my hard earned money simply because they feel that they are above the law. I am crying out for justice and I hope you will do whatever it takes to protect the rights of the less privileged Nigerians. I most humbly urge you to use your good offices to look into this matter and I plead that you direct EFCC to investigate this fraud and ensure that my money is returned to me. You might just find my dead body the next time you hear about me but still my heart tells me that your office will never allow such injustice to thrive under your watch. I thank you generously for taking time out of your busy schedule to attend to me. I further thank you for I have unshakable belief that your office is very professional and would not consciously degenerate to such level of shying away from its responsibilities of directing EFCC to investigate this financial fraud. As a poor lady, my questions are as follows: (1) Is Chief Jim Nwobodo and Patricia Nwobodo above the law? (2)Does Fundamental Human Rights Law suit prevent one from making a statement when invited by EFCC? (3)Why is EFCC not placing them on watch list and making effort to arrest them if they continue to defy their invitation? I sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart knowing full well that you will do justice to my request. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Best Regards   Dr, Cynthia Nwakaobi

  Sunday 04 December 2022 Buhari spends 225 days on medical trips, visits 40 countries Poverty: You got it wrong, NGF replies FG Election Petition: Oyetola, APC close case as INEC presents Adeleke’s certificate IPOB lauds Abia women for protesting to demand Nnamdi Kanu’s release Attacks: Enough is enough – DSS boss warns terrorists, bandits IPOB: Kanu’s release will restore peace, security in S/East – GIA Obi, Baba-Ahmed release 62-pages manifesto ‘Pact with Nigeria’ NRC to resume Abuja-Kaduna rail operations Monday 5th 2023: Don’t waste your money, Rivers is ‘No-go area’, Wike tells APC South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa won’t resign, says spokesman Tinubu Postponed US Trip, He Was Never Denied Visa – Orji Kalu INEC, NCC To Meet Over Result Transmission Wike To Honour Oshiomhole, G5 Members, Others With Grand Service Star Of Rivers State NRC To Resume Abuja-Kaduna Rail Operations On Monday 2023: Rivers State A ‘No-Go Area’ For Other Parties, Says Wike Labour Party, Peter Obi Release Campaign Manifesto For 2023 Osinbajo heads to Vietnam for trade and bilateral engagements No law says presidential candidates must attend your town hall, Tinubu campaign replies Arise TV Two former heads of state are supporting Obi’s presidential bid, says Pat Utomi 13% derivation: I owe no one apology for commending Buhari, says Wike Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…

  General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye yesterday decried the worsening insecurity and economic challenges in the country wondering most times if those in authority understands the agony Nigerians are passing through. The cleric said this during the end of a seven days prayer and fasting session with the General Overseer and RCCG family held at the New Arena of the church, Simawa, Ogun State ahead of the annual Holy Ghost Congress. Pastor Adeboye had earlier asked his church members to join him as he prepares to go on national prayer and fasting for the country. Leading the prayer session which lasted for over three hours, Pastor Adeboye lamented that Nigeria the world’s 6th oil producer of oil still experience incessant hike in diesel price. In his words: “We are living in a country, one of the biggest oil producing countries in the world and from what we read in newspapers, the cost of diesel had multiplied for about three times in less than a year. “Covetousness is on increase, corruption like the whole world has never seen before. It’s only in Nigeria we hear of budget being padded, violent, human trafficking, drug trafficking, you even wonder if our rulers knew what’s going on. Theft of national treasuries on a level that cause you to shiver. It is even difficult now to buy bread. Let’s cry to God as representatives of our nation and ask for mercy, that we are sorry for all our wrong doings,” Pastor Adeboye pleaded to his adherents. He also advised Christians to rise up to their responsibilities and shine as light in their different domains. Members of RCCG yesterday gathered in their thousands at the church’s camp to join the General Overseer in supplication for the ailing nation.

  The Nigerian Navy has accused the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited of not revealing the true cause(s) of crude oil theft in the country, but reeling out exaggerated figures to save its face. This disclosure was made to the Senate Committee on Economic and Financial Crimes by the Navy Chief of Training and Operations, Rear Admiral Solomon Agada, during an interactive briefing of the relevant agencies implementing the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022 at the National Assembly. Our correspondent exclusively observed the proceedings. Agada revealed that at several interactions with the NNPC, the Navy had explained the causes of fuel scarcity to the company that there was no way anyone would steal 100,000 barrels of oil in a day, but the NNPC had deliberately continued to mislead Nigerians. He made the disclosure when the Chairman of the committee, Senator Suleiman Kwari, questioned him on why the country continued to experience cases of oil theft if the waterways were secured as Agada posited. Kwari queried, “The oil theft issue has been a very worrisome one to every Nigerian and more importantly, it has negatively impacted our economy. How come the Navy hasn’t been able to solve the issue of oil theft and if the Navy is claiming that the waterways are secured, why are there still cases of oil theft?” Agada explained in his responses, “The challenge is that because of the criminal activity inshore by the illegal refiners in tapping into the export lines, those export lines have not been in operation since early this year. “The major terminals have not been able to process fuel for export since around February/March and instead of the NNPC telling the Federal Government that this product is not brought out to be able to process as export, they say the oil was stolen.” He explained that the argument of the Navy had been that the NNPC should tell people the difference between the oil that they have shut in and not brought out, and what is being stolen. He added, “The stolen produce that we have been dealing with among illegal refineries is nothing compared to what the NNPC is declaring as being stolen. “If you’re talking about stealing 100,000 barrels a day, you need about five-tonne batches 20 times a day from the creek to the high sea, which is very unrealistic. I told them at the NNPC that if that were to be the case, even a blind man would observe that something was happening in Nigeria’s waters and we are there on patrol and not seeing this. “The only reasonable explanation why the fuels are not coming out is because the Shell platform on Bonny Island is not exporting and the Chevron terminal in Escravos is also not exporting. All these things are very clear, but because it is easier to say these things are stolen, then they just come up with that. “Let’s get someone who can do proper analysis of these figures and we’ll find out that these claims are just bogus; there is nothing substantive about them. We have communicated appropriately with the NNPC; even at our last interface with them, they agreed with us; but when they come to the public, they say oil theft, hiding the fact from the public.” Senator Yusuf Yusuf noted that at an oversight function, the NNPC said crude pipelines were being tapped from the pressure pipe under sea and crude oil was usually transferred from there into vessels, and this had been happening for nine years. “Is the Navy aware or not of the taping going on under the sea?” Yusuf asked. Agada responded, “On the tapping of the vessel, I also visited that location with the Chief of Defence Staff and there is a directive by the President from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to set up a committee on that particular incident. “We are not indicting the NNPCL; we are just saying that let matters be presented correctly so that people can make informed decisions. The Navy has no hand in any stealing of oil in this country. I have no ship or vessel, nor do I know anyone who has; you can investigate me.” The Navy boss further explained that the increase in diesel price was because of the operation in stopping illegal bunkering on the waters. He said, “People who have been doing this illegal business will confirm to you that since we started this special task force operation in April, their business has gone sour. “This is also responsible for the increase in diesel price in the country. Since we stopped the illegal diesel from coming to the market, the price has gone up, because once there is high demand and the supply is low, the price will go up. “People who ought to import will cut corners and buy the illegal products, but now that they can’t import and the illegal ones are not coming, this has reduced the quantity in the country. But somehow, nobody is coming to share this information with the people.” He added that the Federal Government had invested in infrastructure through the Maritime Domain Awareness Infrastructure, which had assisted the Navy in detecting and arresting illegal refiners and vessels that were usually handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for prosecution. Agada stated, “And right from Abuja here, we have the capacity to see the entire Nigeria Exclusive Economic Zone. We have 24 hours watch on the exclusive economic zone. Any vessel that enters Nigerian waters that is not permitted to be is immediately arrested because we see their movement. “Any vessel in the international waters is expected to have their automatic identification system on and that shows that you’re transparently operating; so, any vessel that switches off its identification system automatically becomes a vessel for the Nigeria Navy and we will immediately arrest them and thereafter investigate. “So, as of today, there is no tanker