President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Dr. (Mrs) Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein, as the new substantive Accountant-general of the Federation (AGF). Her appointment followed the successful conduct of a selection process to fill the existing vacancy. Dr Madein is stepping in to take over from Mr. Sylva Okolieboh, who had been in acting capacity as the AGF following the suspension of Idris Ahmed from office over allegations of corruption and embezzlement of public funds. Ahmed is currently being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Comission (EFCC) on various corruption charges. Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, disclosed Madein’s appointment on Friday in Abuja. In the statement that was signed by the director of communications in the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, Mohammed Abdullahi Ahmed, Madein’s appointment is with effect from Thursday, May 18, 2023. “The new appointee is to resume immediately,” he stated.

  Jarvis Johnson, a member of the Texas house of representatives, has asked the US congress to prevail on the Nigerian government to release Nnamdi Kanu. In a letter dated May 10 and addressed to the US congress, Johnson, who represents district 139, said Kanu’s condition has deteriorated and that there is an urgent need to release him unconditionally. The lawmaker also informed the US congress that the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) was illegally extradited from Kenya to Nigeria in violation of international laws. “This is an appeal for your urgent intervention to urge the Government of Nigeria (GON) to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu (MNK) from his Extraordinary Rendition dating back to June 27, 2021,” the letter reads.   “For over 50 years, the Igbos have been engaged in a struggle for self-determination. “MNK is the leading advocate of this struggle for self-determination. “MNK’s persecution by the Nigerian Government has increasingly intensified since 2015 when he visited Nigeria from London.   “That MNK was extraordinarily renditioned has been judicially affirmed by the Nigerian Courts and the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. As a result of the persistent and consistent efforts of The Kanu Family, the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and its Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC) have engaged in insufficient efforts to secure his release from the GON’s extraordinary rendition. “For additional information on the Nigerian Courts and UN Opinions holding that MNK was extraordinarily renditioned to Nigeria, discharging and acquitting him of all charges, and ordering\directing his ‘unconditional and immediate release’. “Extraordinary rendition is illegal under our laws and policy. Congress explicitly clarified and codified this in the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 (FARRA) reprinted in 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1231 (Historical and Statutory Notes (1999). “There is no debate that the UN, Western Democracies including the UK and the US uniformly prohibit extraordinary rendition, as do the Nigerian courts and the Kenyan Government. Nevertheless, the GON continues to disobey its court orders and ignore the unanimity of laws prohibiting extraordinary rendition. “For months now, it is public knowledge that MNK’s health condition has deteriorated, and continues to do so daily. He suffers from a serious heart condition and other ailments for which he is not getting medical attention. “The right of self-determination is a natural right, and is enshrined in our foundational documents—The Declaration of Independence and Constitution. It has been, and is our policy and practice to support this right as we are now doing in Ukraine.” In October 2022, the court of appeal in Abuja struck out the terrorism charge filed against Kanu. The appellate court held that Kanu’s extradition from Kenya to Nigeria to stand trial was illegal. The federal government later filed an appeal before the supreme court challenging the judgement — and subsequently filed an amended charge before a federal high court. The federal government also filed to stay the execution in the appellate court and it was granted.   The supreme court heard the case last week but adjourned it to September 14.

  Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo says the world will miss the leadership acumen of President Muhammadu Buhari when he leaves office. Akufo-Addo spoke on Friday while unveiling two books written on the legacies of Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja. Buhari will leave office on May 29 after serving as two-term of eight years. The Ghanaian president said ECOWAS, Africa and the world at large would miss Buhari’s leadership qualities.   “As leaders, we all have our high and low moments, but I have no doubt that posterity will be kind to Muhammadu Buhari,” Akufo-Addo said. “President Buhari, we will miss you. West Africa, Africa, and indeed, the world will miss your leadership. The leadership of a military ruler turned consummate democrat who was extremely solicitous of Nigeria’s and Africa’s interests and who sought principles in all decisions which he took. “I’m yet to have a book written about me, let alone author one myself. I have some 19 months to leave office, and I guess I have to take a cue from my senior and hope the books will give about me.”   Meanwhile, the books: “State of Repair: How Muhammadu Buhari tried to transform Nigeria for the better” authored by Anthony Goldman, a former journalist and ex-Africa editor of the Financial Times of London; and “The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari” by Abu Ibrahim, former representative of southern Katsina senatorial district — raked in over N500 million during the presentation. The President-elect Bola Tinubu and the Vice-President-elect Kashim Shettima obtained copies of the book for a combined amount of N40 million. Abdulsamad Rabiu, chairman of BUA Group, generously purchased copies of the books with the sum of N200 million Aliko Dangote, chairperson of the Dangote Group, contributed N100 million to acquire copies of both books, and Muhammed Idimi purchased copies for the same amount.   The books were reviewed by Kayode Fayemi, former governor of Ekiti; and Abubakar Abba, deputy vice-chancellor of the University of Abuja.

  A 14-year-old boy, Marvelous Asefon, who allegedly stabbed his 17-year-old neighbour, Sunday Ogele, to death over his girlfriend, has been arraigned before an Akure Magistrates’ court. The Police charged the teenager to court on a count of murder.   Police Prosecutor, Matins Olowofeso, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on April 20, 2023, in the Oka-Akoko, area of the state. According to Olowofeso, the defendant killed one Sunday Ogele by stabbing him with scissors in his rib after a scuffle over his girlfriend. The charge read in part, “That you, Marvelous Asefon, ‘m’ on April 20 Sunday, 2023 at 8:pm at Kanmu, Oka-Akoko in the Ondo State Magisterial District, did kill one Sunday Ogele ‘m’ 17 years old by stabbing him with scissors in his rib, which led to his death.” The offence contravenes Section 319(1) and 316 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. 2, Laws of Ondo State, 2016. His plea was not taken. The Police Prosecutor urged the court to remand the defendant at the Correctional Centre pending the issuance of advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions, (DPP).   But the defence counsel informed the court that both parties involved are relations and that the father of the deceased had opted for settlement. The father of the victim, Mr Ogele told the court that he has not been properly approached for any out-of-court settlement. The presiding Magistrate, Folashade Aduroja, therefore ordered the remand of the defendant and adjourned the case till June 11 for a ruling. In another development, a 25-year-old hair stylist, Tomisin Odusanya, has appeared before an Akure Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly attempting to kill his mother, Mrs Abbey Lizzy for her refusal to cook for him. Tomisin was also said to have assaulted a police officer on his lawful duty. The defendant, who appeared before Chief Magistrate Musa Al-Yunus, pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge of assault, attempted murder and causing a breach of peace. Police Prosecutor, Nelson Akintimehin, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on May 13, 2023 at 8:30 pm at Third gate Oba- Afunbiowo Estate and at the ‘B’ Division Police Station, Oke-Aro. Akintimehim said that Tomisin assaulted his mother, Lizzy, by biting her all over the body and threatening to kill her. He was alleged to have assaulted an officer, one PC Gbenga Falana with force No: 515988 attached to the station with the intent to resist and prevent his lawful detention The offences, Akintimehin said, contravene the provisions of Sections 355, 86(i), 244(a) and 356(i) of the Criminal Laws of Ondo State, 2015. The court granted the defendant bail in the sum of N300,000 with two sureties in like sum. The trial Magistrate, Musa Al-Yunus, said one of the sureties must be the defendant’s father and adjourned the case till May 28 for trial. End

  House of Representatives member Abubakar Yunusa Ahmad makes an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, May 19, 2023. A member House of Representatives Committee on Loans, Aids and Debt Management, Abubakar Yunusa Ahmad, says federal lawmakers have approved the $800 million loan request of President Muhammadu Buhari. The lawmaker however argued that the loan would not be utilised by the Buhari administration, saying the incoming government would deploy its own approach to utilise the loan. “The $800 million — there were so many talks that we did, especially we in the loan committee and we advised them: ‘First, leave this thing to the incoming government,’” Ahmad who was a guest on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday said. “But since the loan has been granted, we can collect. If we cannot use it, maybe when the incoming government comes, they may have a different approach to issues, maybe unlike this government that is there. “Thank God, I won’t say it clearly but it was on social media that probably they intended not to use any of Buhari’s ministers because they have already taken them to have underperformed.   “So, the issue is, we have granted that loan, it is approved, so we want Nigerians to take it but it is not going to be utilised by this outgoing government. Now, if the incoming government comes, we will see also their own template.”   Buhari had earlier sent a letter to the Senate seeking approval to take a loan to the tune of $800 million from the World Bank to cushion the effects of subsidy removal. This follows the Federal Government’s April announcement of an $800 million World Bank grant targeting 50 million vulnerable Nigerians or 10 million households, as part of its subsidy palliatives measures. However, the request was met with rejection in some quarters, especially among the civil society organisations. In a statement earlier in the week, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) lamented what it described as the nonchalant attitude displayed by the Buhari administration towards the country’s crippling debt crisis. Also, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the World Bank President Mr David Malpass to use his “good offices to suspend any disbursement of the $800m loan to the Federal Government and to request the incoming administration to provide satisfactory explanations for the loan.” SERAP urged Mr Malpass and the World Bank “to reopen discussion on the reportedly approved $800m loan with the incoming administration to clarify the details on the rationale and use of the loan because the term of office of the government of President Muhammadu Buhari ends in May 2023.”

  More than 100 people in central Nigeria have died in several days of intercommunal violence that have destroyed hundreds of homes and caused thousands to flee, local officials said on Friday. The clashes between cattle herders and farming communities in Plateau State are the worst in years in a region that has long struggled with ethnic and religious tensions and reprisal attacks. The death toll from attacks by gunmen on farming villages in and around the district of Mangu since the start of the week has passed the 100 mark, after earlier reports said 85 people were killed, a local official said. Labour Party: Court Nullifies Candidature Of Alex Otti, Others In Abia, Kano Plateau state security forces had said on Thursday that calm had been restored, but local sources said several villages were still struggling with violence and residents were fleeing.   “The number of people killed has exceeded 100 people from those attacks,” Mangu district chairman Daput Minister Daniel told AFP. “Up till now there were reports of attacks and burning of houses in many places within the local government area.” A lawmaker representing Mangu and neighbouring Bokkos in the House of Representatives also said around 100 people had been killed and more than a dozen communities ravaged by attacks. Lawmaker Solomon Maren told AFP on Friday that the situation was now calm but access to some communities was still complicated. Plateau State government has so far not given any death toll, only saying the violence “left many dead.” The state government convened an emergency meeting over the attacks and said security forces would maintain a presence on the ground to stem further violence, a statement said on Friday. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said more than 3,000 people had been displaced and hundreds of houses destroyed. Police said five people had been arrested. Violence across Nigeria has been on the rise in the last few weeks after a brief calm period during the February presidential and March state elections. Last month, gunmen suspected to be Fulani herders have killed 33 people in an attack on a farming village in northwestern Kaduna state, where intercommunal herder-farmer violence is also common. Nigeria’s security forces in the northwest are also battling heavily armed bandit militias, as well as a 14-year-old jihadist insurgency in the northeast and separatist tensions in the southeast.

  Confirming the business titan’s demise in a statement Friday on Twitter, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State noted that the late octogenarian’s unwavering commitment, tireless efforts, and remarkable contributions would continue to inspire generations to come. It is with a heavy heart and sadness that we receive the news of the passing of our dear father, Otunba Michael Subomi Balogun, the Asiwaju Omooba of Ijeband and founder, First City Monument Bank – @MyFCMB He will be remembered as a visionary leader who dedicated his life to… pic.twitter.com/UNSYHQwKSJ — Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun – MFR (@dabiodunMFR) May 19, 2023   Reports indicate that Balogun, who was born March 9, 1934 in his hometown of Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, passed away in a London hospital Friday morning. “It is with a heavy heart and sadness that we receive the news of the passing of our dear father, Otunba Michael Subomi Balogun, the Asiwaju Omooba of Ijeband and founder, First City Monument Bank – @MyFCMB,” Abiodun tweeted. According to the governor, Balogun will be remembered as a visionary leader who dedicated his life to the betterment of society. “May the memories of Otunba Balogun Subomi serve as a guiding light and source of inspiration as we carry forward his legacy of service and dedication,” Abiodun said. “We hereby express our heartfelt condolences to his family and pray God grants them the strength to bear this sad loss. May God rest his soul.”

  There was a brief confusion in court as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria who is not a part of the Labour Party’s team of lawyers announced an appearance for the party on Friday. The panel of Justices who denied him recognition criticized the senior advocate who did not mention his name for attempting to stir up confusion adding that ” He should know better” following his excuse that “He was given a brief to appear.” Meanwhile, while the matter was called and before the drama, the presidential candidate of the LP, Peter Obi announced an appearance for himself and on behalf of the Labour Party. It could be recalled that factions of the Labour Party clashed in court on Wednesday following the attendance of the Lamidi-Apapa-led group at the proceeding. The PUNCH reported that confusion erupted at the Presidential Election Petition Court following the sizzling battle over the national leadership of the Labour Party. Recall that The Federal High Court, Abuja suspended Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the LP. The court restrained him and four others from parading themselves as national officers of the party over the alleged forgery of documents including court documents. Following this, Lamidi Apapa took over the mantle as the acting chairman but there has been a crisis in the party since then. Shortly before the court convened on Wednesday for the resumed proceedings in the pre-hearing of the petition filed by the LP and its presidential candidate against the president-elect, Bola Tinubu, the different factions of the party engaged in a war of words over which faction was the authentic one. The Apapa-led faction of the LP challenged why members of the party loyal to Abure were in the court. They asserted that the ruling of a High Court of the FCT, suspending the Abure-led faction, remains. Some moments later, when the matter was called, the PEP court denied recognition to any of the factions or its representative except the 1st Petitioner, Obi who was in court.