The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, yesterday, expressed displeasure over the continued detention of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu by the Department of State Services, DSS, in the country. The Igbo organization raised concern over the Federal Government’s alleged disobedience of court orders, bordering on the release and freedom of the IPOB leader from detention. It further called on the Federal Government to address the health challenge facing Nnamdi Kanu, even as it appealed to it to allow the IPOB leader to go for medical treatment urgently.   The statement read in part: “Rising from a National Executive Council, NEC,meeting held at the National Secretariat of Ohanaeze, 7 Park Avenue Enugu, the Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo Youth Wing Worldwide led by Mazi Livinus Obasi Onu made the following observations: “In strong terms, we frown at the level of injustices meted out on our brother, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, especially as it borders on his health and the Federal Government’s continuous refusal to obey court orders. ” Security of lives and property are the fundamental responsibilities of every government and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s life is now at stake, if not given urgent access to effective medical attention, even as the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Soludo has accepted to stand surety for him. “His health is paramount to the unity and stability of our dear country Nigeria, and to the millions of Igbo youths within and outside Nigeria. “In patriotism, enhancing to rule of law, and for peace and stability to be sustained in Nigeria, we admonish the appropriate quarters of the Federal Government, to responsibly grant Mazi Nnamdi Kanu access to necessary medical attention, to ascertain his health status and subsequently release him unconditionally.” The statement added: “Our attention was also drawn to the viral publication, concerning our Leader, Mazi Livinus Obasi Onu ; Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, Secretary General; and Arthur Chinedu Ugwa- financial Secretary, over the support of the Igbo youths for Governor Okowa as Vice Presidential Candidate in the recent 2023 general elections and Governor Sanwo-Olu for second term in office as Governor of Lagos State. “On this note, we hereby state emphatically that Mazi Livinus Obasi Onu has the mandate of the Igbo youths as the National Leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Youth Wing. Again, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa is an Igbo man, and thus, deserves the support of his people, Ndigbo and we have no regret whatsoever for our unreserved support to our brother and worthy Igbo son.   “Sequel to the above, we hereby pass a vote of confidence on the NEC delegation to Lagos State led by our Leader, Mazi Livinus Obasi Onu for the bold step taken on behalf of NEC and in favour of the Igbo communities resident in Lagos. “The 2023 general elections have come and gone, even as it was allegedly marred by malpractices and irregularities. In a democratic setting like Nigeria, it is obvious that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is not the final determinant of the election’s outcome as the process can be challenged in court. “We largely commend all the candidates and other stakeholders, especially the electorate and security agencies, for the spirit of sportsmanship that contributed immensely to the physical success of the elections, particularly as it borders on voter apathy and election violence. We are motivated and encouraged by the social and judicial countenances of the opposition parties and their followers, which is responsible for the stability and relative peace we enjoy since post-elections. “We, therefore, admonish the Judiciary and other concerned stakeholders to take responsibility to promote and protect democracy, uphold her mandate as the hope of common Nigerians, and restore the confidence of the people. “On the other hand, we have also noted the unpreparedness of the National Population Commission (NPC) towards the scheduled 2023 National Census; and we hereby add our voice to the widely recommended postponement of the National Census that is meant to commence in May 2023. This is to ensure that all necessary factors that shall determine the success and uphold the purpose of the exercise are put in place. “These factors involved are not limited to the status of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), insecurity, and other technical matters bedeviling the Commission. This call for postponement shall also ensure judicious use of the N88b budgeted for the nationwide exercise to maximize impact and serve the purpose. “We call on all Nigerians, irrespective of the ethnic divide, religion, and party affiliations, to join hands in building lasting peace, unity, and stability in our dear country. To achieve this, we all must collectively eschew and condemn injustice, ethnic profiling, and religious preferences. In the interest of peace and progress as a nation, we must promote and protect equity and fairness. “On this note, we call on all well-meaning Nigerians to stand up against various acts of injustice and neglect, especially those citizens in various IDP camps and those unduly kept in detention as prisoners of conscience in correctional facilities across Nigeria. This shall cover unprecedented miles in our journey for national cohesion and healing. “In conclusion, we commend the acting leadership of the National Executive Committee of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide ably led by the Secretary-General, Amb. Okay Emuchay; Elders Council led by Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, and the Women Wing ably led by Mrs. Rita Daniels for squaring the onerous task of leadership. “We frown at the continuous impersonation of the Leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide by some unrepentant mischievous individuals like Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Okwu Nnabike, Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, and Arthur Obiora; irrespective of a Court Order, stopping them from illegally parading themselves as officials of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. We, therefore, admonish them to desist from illegality as we shall not fold our hands and watch them cause unnecessary confusion in the affairs of the Igbo Nation. “Finally, we reaffirm our unreserved solidarity and support to all our friends and allies alike, as we look forward to a better working relationship that shall

  The Nigerian Prisons Service said yesterday that inmates on death row were as high as 3,298 in prisons across the country because of the increasing number of human rights groups. According to the Prisons, this has discouraged governors from signing the death warrants of prisoners on death row. The Public Relations Officer of the Service, Mr Abubakar Umar, who disclosed this in Abuja, however, also said the term “condemned criminal” had been abrogated. He said governors now shy away from signing the death warrants of inmates on death row to avoid attacks from human rights bodies. Umar noted that many inmates on death row, IDRs, had been executed in the past before the proliferation of the activities of human rights groups and organisations. He said: ”Currently, there is somewhat a kind of moratorium on execution of offenders. “Before the moratorium on execution of IDRs became widespread, executions of IDRs were being carried out as and at when due. “But with the rising activities of human rights groups, many governments shy away from signing the death warrants of these offenders. “Though it is still in practice, it is not common as it used to be. The last execution of IDRs was carried out in 2016 in Edo. “We encourage state governors who shy away from signing the death warrants, to commute them into other sanctions.” According to him, with the emergence of the NCoS Act 2019 which made the prisons correctional centres, the term “condemned criminal” has been abrogated because of its stigmatising nature. He said the prisons service preferred to use a more friendly term of ‘inmates on death row, IDR’, pointing out that death sentences were not always carried out immediately after they were imposed. Umar said: “There are often long periods of uncertainty for the convicted while their cases are being appealed at higher levels. “Some offenders have been executed more than 15 years after their convictions. “They were basically awaiting the hangman’s noose in our custodial centres after being found guilty of capital offences. “We have quite a number of them; as of today, we have a total of 3,298 inmates on death row. They constitute about 4.5 per cent of the total number of inmates in our various custodial centres nationwide.” The prisons’ scribe said some IDRs had been in custody for many years, adding that some had been there since they were arrested up to when they were tried and sentenced.   According to him, many of them committed capital offences such as culpable homicide, armed robbery and terrorism, among others. “The good thing is that we engage all of them in activities that will reform and modify their behaviours. The goal is to make them better citizens of the nation. “We also make them undergo personal development programmes such as anger management, civic education as well as entrepreneurship. “Some of them, who do well and show some glimpse of hard work, industry and discipline, are recommended for clemency to the relevant authorities,” he said.

  The House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating the sale of 48 million barrels of crude oil, amounting to over $2.4 billion and crude oil export to China from 2014 to date, said yesterday it has uncovered payment of $200 million allegedly made as consultancy fees in whistleblower recoveries by the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, Abubakar Malami. within statutory approvals. Chairman of the committee, Mark Gbillah, who disclosed this at the resumed public hearing on the issue, also said Malami and the Minister of Finance, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, had not been cooperating with the committee, failing to answer to issues arising from the crude sales, despite letters of invitation sent to them. He said: “We have not been getting any form of cooperation from the Ministry of Finance and Attorney General’s office regarding this investigation, despite a series of correspondents sent to them on this matter we are investigating. ”We’ve seen documentation from the Accountant General’s office, where the minister of finance approved the payment of the substantial amount of money to so-called whistle-blowers where details of monies recovered were not provided. “’We’ve heard media reports by the Federal Government indicating that millions of dollars were recovered through whistle-blower revelations on behalf of the country, but we as a parliament have not seen that those monies were routed through the constitutional appropriation process before they were expended. The constitution is very clear about the receipt and expenditure of Nigeria’s money. Gbillah, who expressed displeasure at the actions of the two public officers, however, appealed to them to cause an appearance before the committee or risk arrest. “We’ve looked at the functions of the Attorney General’s office and we’ve not seen any statutory powers provided for the Attorney General by the constitution to determine how Nigeria’s money should be spent. “There was an incident about a whistleblower, who made a formal report to Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU, about $200million paid into two companies accounts, Biz Plus and GSCL, allegedly for consultancy services, which allegedly were approved by the Attorney General’s office on the approval of Mr. President. “We need the Minister of Finance, and the Attorney General of the Federation to appear before this House to provide clarity on the inflows that have come in from whistle-blowers’ recoveries, and how these monies were recovered. ”The CBN is required to provide information that has been provided by these whistleblowers about substantial amounts of monies paid allegedly for consultancy services when there’s no record of any agreement entered into by those companies regarding any services. “These are very weighty allegations and as a responsible House, we owe everybody a fair hearing and benefit of the doubt, and this is what we’ve been seeking to accord those who have been mentioned in these allegations. ”But we find it unfashionable that the minister of finance and Attorney General of Federation have not bothered to respond to any of the correspondence from the committee and this in our opinion shows a lack of regard not only to the institution of House but also that of the National Assembly as a whole. “We will make this further appeal to the minister of finance and Attorney General of the Federation and all others who have not responded or who have not honoured the committee’s invitations to do so in the national interest. ”In the event that they fail to do so, we will be constrained to invoke the instrument of the summons and all other necessary powers the National Assembly can exercise in this regard. “”But we want to make this a formal and final notice to those concerned, the minister of finance and Attorney General of the Federation, to cause appearance before the committee to give evidence with regards to the allegations that have been laid before the committee,” Gbillah said.

  The Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, on Wednesday, warned that bandits could take advantage of the transition period to launch bloody attacks in the country. He, therefore, advised that security operations against bandits should be increased in the remaining days of the current administration and beyond. El-Rufai spoke during the presentation of a security report by the Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House, Kaduna, the state capital on Wednesday. The reviewed 2022 annual and first quarter 2023 security reports indicated that 1,266 and 4,973 persons were killed and kidnapped respectively in 15 months. The tenure of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari(retd.) and 17 governors will come to an end in less than 40 days. However, there have been increased attacks by suspected terrorists and bandits in Benue, Zamfara, and Niger since after the general elections. In the past weeks, no fewer than 75 persons, including internally displaced persons had been murdered in different communities by armed herdsmen in Benue State. Also in Zamfara in March, bandits attacked the headquarters of the Maru Local Government, killing a divisional police officer and two others. Scores of people including security operatives had equally been killed across several communities in Niger State by suspected bandits. Speaking on the security reports presented by the state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, El-Rufai called for sustained simultaneous ground and air kinetic actions across the seven frontline states of the North-West zone and Niger which had contiguous forest ranges and is most heavily impacted by the security challenge. He said the operation was to prevent a dangerous lull during the transition period at the federal level which the criminal outlaws could exploit. The governor observed that the reports on the security situation in the state provided detailed data on the persistence of the security challenges in the state. El-Rufai said, “Though grim, these reports are published in fulfilment of the obligation of transparency that the government owes the residents of this state. “Just as they have a right to updates on the progress in investments, revenue generation and other happy events, citizens have legitimate expectations to be provided with consistently accurate accounts of what is going on and on the measures being taken to address security challenges. “The two reports just presented by Samuel Aruwan, our Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, indicate the persistence of security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, and the unfortunate toll in killings, kidnappings, injuries and threats to the livelihoods of our people. “We regret the pain and losses, pray for the repose of the souls of those killed, pay tribute to the victims of various crimes and reiterate our solidarity with them.’’ Government efforts Speaking further, he noted, “As the statistics presented show, there has been some slight year-on-year improvement in fatalities and other incidences of criminality across the state between 2021 and 2022. We hope that with your combined efforts, this downward trend will continue towards zero in the shortest possible time. “The Kaduna State Government does its level best to prevent these sad events through institutional measures and pragmatic actions on the ground. “These measures include persistent pressures on the Federal Government to launch comprehensive and sustained military operations against the terrorists and criminal elements that are menacing our people and their lives, liberty and livelihoods. security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, and the unfortunate toll in killings, kidnappings, injuries and threats to the livelihoods of our people. “We regret the pain and losses, pray for the repose of the souls of those killed, pay tribute to the victims of various crimes and reiterate our solidarity with them.’’ Government efforts Speaking further, he noted, “As the statistics presented show, there has been some slight year-on-year improvement in fatalities and other incidences of criminality across the state between 2021 and 2022. We hope that with your combined efforts, this downward trend will continue towards zero in the shortest possible time. “The Kaduna State Government does its level best to prevent these sad events through institutional measures and pragmatic actions on the ground. “These measures include persistent pressures on the Federal Government to launch comprehensive and sustained military operations against the terrorists and criminal elements that are menacing our people and their lives, liberty and livelihoods. “We note with gratitude that the military initiated offensive security operations against the bandits in the last half of 2022. As observed earlier, this helped to improve the security situation in many of our communities but these operations must obviously be widened and sustained as the most effective way to protect our people and uphold law and order.” El-Rufai thanked the Federal Government for finally authorising the launch of the combined military and police offensives. He also commended the military and security forces for their efforts and sacrifices as they work to uproot the criminals. The governor said, ‘’I wish to stress that in this region, this vital mission requires a comprehensive and consistent sweep across the North-West and Niger states for sustained success. “We appeal for an escalation of security operations over the 39 days remaining till the end of the tenure of this administration and beyond so that the change of baton at the federal level does not result in a dangerous lull that criminal outlaws can exploit. “There is every reason to intensify and sustain simultaneous ground and air kinetic actions across the seven frontline states of the North-West region and Niger which have continuous and contiguous forest ranges and are most heavily impacted by this security challenge. “On our part, the Kaduna State Government will continue to do everything within the powers of a state to enhance security. We have invested considerable resources and energy in managing security to the extent that the Constitution of our nation permits a sub-national. “Our interventions since 2015 include supporting the federal security agencies deployed in our state with vehicles and other logistics, collaborating with other frontline states to fund military operations

  A 35 year-old man in Ayamelum Local Government Area of Anambra State, Joseph Egwuatu, has denied raping a two-year old girl in his village. Egwuatu, who was remanded in prison after arraignment by an Awka Chief Magistrate Court for allegedly defiling the two-year-old child, said he was only babysitting the little child when she started crying and bleeding from her private parts. Egwuatu, aged 35, was arraigned by the Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State capital, for the offence, which it said, was punishable under Section 34(2) of the Child’s Right Law of Anambra State, 2004. During the arraignment, the presiding Chief Magistrate, Genevieve Osakwe, duly informed the suspect of his constitutional right to a defense counsel of his choice, before the charge was read and interpreted to him. But speaking with newsmen on the allegations, Egwuatu claimed that he only volunteered to help babysit the child when he heard her crying as he returned from where he went. “While I went to babysit her, I was shocked when I got where the child was crying and saw her with blood stains and wounds all over her vagina. “I was trying to babysit her while also still wondering what could have happened to her, before one of our relatives rushed in and started shouting and accusing me of raping the child, all to my utmost surprise”, he said. Mr. Egwuatu insisted that he was innocent of the accusations, while wondering what could have made him commit such act against the innocent child who is even related to him by blood. Speaking on the incident, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Ify Obinabo condemned the act and frowned at the rate of rape cases, child molestation and child abuse in the society these days. She, however, assured that the Ministry would follow the matter to the end, to ensure that justice was served. It was gathered that the child had since been taken to the hospital for proper medical attention.

  A 45-year-old woman, Karima Nuhu, on Tuesday dragged her husband, Musa Falalu, to a Shari’a Court sitting in Rigasa, Kaduna, for allegedly failing to take her to Saudi Arabia. The complainant, who resides in the Rigasa area of Kaduna, told the court that she had been married to Falalu for four years, during which he provided her with food for only two months. “He told me that he lost his job as a driver but had secured another one in Saudi Arabia, urging me to be patient while promising to take me along. “So far, I have been feeding myself. I even borrowed money for him so that he would be able to pay for the trip, but after getting what he wanted, he divorced me,” she said. She told the court that she had no witness except for God who will judge them on the last day. The defendant, however, denied the allegations. He told the court that he had divorced the complainant. The judge, Malam Anass Khalifa, who confirmed the divorce between the couple, said the court would only listen to the complainant’s claims if she had witnesses. (NAN)

  Aisha ‘Binani’ Dahiru, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa, has denied bribing an official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The Adamawa governorship supplementary election was conducted on Saturday following the declaration of the March 18 poll as inconclusive over alleged irregularities. The collation of election results was suspended till Sunday after results from 10 LGAs were announced. However, Hudu Yunusa-Ari, the resident electoral commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Commission (INEC), declared Binani as the winner when the results from the remaining LGAs had not been announced. After her declaration, there were reports that the APC candidate gave INEC officials N2 billion to be announced as the winner. INEC subsequently discontinued the exercise and described his action as null and void, adding that the declaration of a winner is the responsibility of the returning officer. On Tuesday, INEC commenced the collation of election results in the state, and Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was announced as the winner.   In a statement issued on Tuesday evening, Binani denied giving the sum of N2 billion to “procure a favourable declaration as governor-elect to some unnamed INEC staff”. Binani said the report is “very bizarre, unfounded and wild allegations”. “I never did, I would never do such,” the statement reads. “I wish to reiterate that I am a democrat. I have always been a committed democrat and will never do anything to subvert the democratic process. I am not a do-or-die politician. In the past, I have won elections into the house of representatives and the senate in a free and fair manner. “What happened in Adamawa was an unsuccessful attempt to subvert the will of the people. The REC was illegally told to stand down by two INEC national commissioners from Abuja who were supposed to be in Adamawa in a supervisory capacity. Even more curious is the nocturnal visit of some INEC national officers to the Adamawa state government house and the bizarre declaration the same day after the visit that they have taken over the collation through the backdoor with the collation and returning officers selected by the governor of Adamawa. “The roles of these INEC officers from Abuja and the real mission of the two to the government house should be of interest to all democrats. “I urge all lovers of democracy to take a deeper interest in our electoral process and democracy not only in Adamawa but in the whole country.” Binani thanked her supporters for their “unflinching support in the midst of half-truths and opposition smear propaganda”.

  The Chinese government has denied funding terrorist groups in parts of Nigeria to secure access to mineral reserves. In a recent report, the Times, a British newspaper, claimed that through bribes and illegal transactions, “Beijing could be indirectly funding terror in Africa’s largest economy”. The report alleged that some Chinese nationals who have worked informally as miners in Zamfara serve as runners for some militant groups in the state and other parts of the northwest zone. However, reacting in a statement on Monday, the Chinese embassy in Nigeria said the report was based on “unproven information”, adding that the allegations “were totally irresponsible and unethical”. The embassy said China remained committed to addressing development and security-related issues in Nigeria   The statement read: “The Chinese government, as well as the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, have always encouraged and urged Chinese companies and nationals in Nigeria to abide by the laws and regulations of Nigeria, and to implement the local rules and guidance on labour, environment, health and safety, etc, and would continue their efforts in this regard. “The Chinese government was and would never be involved in any form of funding terrorism. The allegations contained in the report were totally irresponsible and unethical, and the intention of the report is seriously questioned. “For the past decades, the bilateral cooperation between China and Nigeria has brought tangible benefits to our bilateral ties and well-being of the two peoples. ”We will continue to work with the Nigerian government to promote development and address security issues.”

  THE presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the February 25 election, Mr Peter Obi has said that he is not afraid of what he called lies and propaganda against him, describing them as part of the journey to a new Nigeria. “I have always lived my life in the most law-abiding manner possible. Sometimes, as humans, we make mistakes, but I will never knowingly break any law. “I am, therefore, not afraid of the lies and propaganda against my person, which are part of the journey to a New Nigeria,” Obi said at the National Executive Council, NEC, meeting of the Labour Party in Asaba, Delta State on Tuesday.   According to him, there may be more mud slinging on him from those who are against the emergence of the New Nigeria, adding, however, that he would never be deterred by the obstacles along the way to victory. He urged Nigerians to remain calm and steadfast in their journey of reclaiming their mandate of a New Nigeria, assuring that he would never give up on the journey until victory is achieved. Obi explained that he never expected the journey to New Nigeria to be an easy one, adding that the forces which had, over the years, lived off the old order, were bound to fight back, as is being experienced currently. He said: “if they come at us through land, air and sea, we will respond to them through land, air and sea, but we will remain law abiding and will never give up on the nation. “We are on the right path, and we will remain committed to the course. “The millions of Nigerians who voted for me did not just cast their votes, but they invested their hope in me. They deserve justice, so we must stay the course. “And beyond regaining our mandate, I am committed to lifting people out of poverty. I remain committed to transforming Nigeria, starting from the North to every part of the nation”. He reiterated his commitment to a ‘Nigeria that will be beneficial to every Nigerian’, stressing that the struggle to reclaim the mandate is not about him, as a person, but about millions of Nigerians who reposed their trust on him through their votes.