Gunmen have beheaded a yet-to-be-identified man, after killing him at a drinking joint in Aba, Abia State. The unknown gunmen numbering about four were said to have stormed the drinking joint along Georges Street by St. Michael’s road junction in a tricycle and shot the deceased thrice, beheaded him with a machete and fled the scene. Eyewitnesses told Vanguard that the incident caused panic in the area as people scampered to safety, leaving their drinks and vehicles as well as the deceased in a pool of blood. Though the reason for the killing was yet to be ascertained, sources have attributed it to cult violence. A business owner along St. Michaels road, said; “The drinking joint was filled with people enjoying themselves until there was a gunshot. Nobody knew where it came from, but everybody scampered to safety. When I returned to close my shop, I saw a man lying in a pool of blood and they cut off his head. The police later came and took the corpse away.” Vanguard gathered that the deceased had received a telephone call from someone whom he directed to the drinking joint. Few minutes after the call, the gunmen arrived in a tricycle and shot him thrice and cut off his head. It was also said that the gunmen fired sporadic shots as they left the area. Efforts to get the reaction of the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Abia State Command, SP Geoffrey Ogbonna, was unsuccessful, as he neither responded to calls nor a message placed on his handset as at the time of filing this report. However, a top police officer at the Aba Area Command confirmed the incident, adding that the corpse had been deposited at an undisclosed mortuary in the city.

  In an apparent bid to temper expectations, the Vice President-elect, Kashim Shettima, says the administration of his principal, Bola Tinubu, may not be off to a rosy start. Both Tinubu and Shettima are expected to be sworn in on Monday, signalling the end of the administration of outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari after the completion of two four-year terms. Shettima, in an address delivered on Friday at the 2023 Presidential Inauguration Public Lecture at the National Mosque, Abuja, assured Nigerians that Tinubu would hit the ground running. “The starting point might not be rosy, let me be very honest with you. The oil subsidy has become an albatross around our necks. The multiple exchange rates system is a drain on the national economy and creates a dual economic system,” he said. “There are certain decisions that the new administration will take, but in the fullness of time, Nigerians will come not only to appreciate but also to celebrate us.” According to him, the incoming administration does not have the luxury of time as the challenges facing the nation are “humongous.” “As the Chinese will say, ‘The worst curse that a Chinese man may wish on you is for you to live in interesting times.’ And indeed, we are living in interesting times. But rest assured that in the fullness of time, Nigerians will come to pay glowing tributes to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said. Describing power as the “most ephemeral” of God’s gifts to humanity, the Vice President-elect argued that a person’s pedigree does not make them who they are. “We’re here — we’re leaders — not because of our intellect. Neither Kashim Shettima nor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu holds any PhD degree. We are what we are not because of our physical powers. We are what we are, not because of our political sagacity. There are better politicians. “Power, to us, will be a humbling experience. It’s an opportunity to serve God and humanity. And whether we accept it or not, we are going to spend more years of our lives outside power than in power,” he said. Shettima described his principal as a pure-minded leader who would “do justice” to all Nigerians, irrespective of differences in political affiliations, religious persuasions, tribal or sectional backgrounds.   “We’re all united by our common heritage of poverty, destitution and insecurity. This is the time for all of us to coalesce into a single force,” he added.

  A federal high court in Abuja has dismissed a suit seeking to stop the swearing-in of Bola Tinubu, candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), as Nigeria’s president. With 8,794,726 votes, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Tinubu the winner of the presidential poll held on February 25. In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/ 657/2023, the plaintiffs — Praise Isaiah, Paul Audu and Anongu Moses — alleged that Tinubu lied on oath in his form EC9 that he was not a citizen of another country. They also alleged that the president-elect lied on oath about his age.

  An aircraft in Nigeria Air colours was today sighted at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport in Ethiopia. Recall that the Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, had stated that an aircraft in Nigeria Air colours is on its way to Nigeria in less than 24 hours. However, the development has created serious uproar, as experts, and stakeholders questioned the rationale behind the launch barely 72 hours to the end of President Muhammadu Buhari’s led administration. They also wondered how the aircraft can fly into the country without getting an Air Operating Certificate, AOC, from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA. In a chat with the Principal Partner, Avaero Capital, Sindy Foster, she said, “This is very poor indeed and a complete reflection of the entire shabby plan by the Federal Government. “Nigeria deserves better. Sadly some Nigerians think this is what they deserve. Does Nigeria Air have AOC? “If people do not love this country no one would be bothered. The reputation of the country was bad enough, now court orders are just being ignored by government officials with impunity. “Deals are being done with question marks hanging over them. 11th-hour non-launch of an airline for optics and the fake ticking of boxes of a so far non-existent roadmap. We should be celebrating genuine things.” Also, the President of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of Nigeria (AOPAN), Dr Alex Nwuba, said: “Can there be anything good in what is bad? “This could have been the best thing but it got contaminated with nuclear waste. “What an opportunity for greatness! What are you to do with this now? “To achieve excellence you must condemn mediocrity. This is not representative of the green, white and green. But why the condemnation?” Quoting the nation’s national anthem, he states that is this the path to lofty heights, for a great nation, and to soar in aviation? “Nigeria is greater than some people want to direct it. I reject this project in its entirety, confident that in a few days, we will chart a new path to our destiny and to,” he added.

  The Supreme Court has dismissed the People’s Democratic Party’s application for the disqualification of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu and the Vice President-elect, Kashim Shettima, over the latter’s alleged double nomination in the 2023 general election. The five-man panel of the apex court led by Inyang Okoro gave the judgment on Friday. The PDP lawyer, J. Agi SAN, had accused Shettima of violating provisions of the Electoral Act by accepting to be vice-presidential candidate to Tinubu while he was senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress for Borno Central. The PDP legal team urged the apex court to declare that contesting election in two constituencies contravenes the law which should result in the disqualification of Tinubu and Shettima. The Independent National Electoral Commission, APC, Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima were listed as respondents in the case. But the respondents urged the justices to dismiss the application for being statute-barred (filed out of time) and an abuse of court. But the PDP argued that having contested the 2023 presidential election, it had the right to challenge APC’s primary election. INEC maintained that PDP cannot cage an electoral umpire on how a political party conducts its internal affairs. Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court had dismissed it, saying the PDP had no legal right (lacked locus standi) to institute such application against the APC. Dissatisfied, the PDP went to the Court of Appeal but the appellate court on March 23, affirmed the decision of the court below, describing PDP as a “busybody”. Passing its final verdict on the matter on Friday, Justice Adamu Jairo held that for one to have legal right to institute action against another political party, it must be able to demonstrate that its right has been infringed by the actions of the respondent. The judge held that the 1999 Constitution states that an applicant must be a member of a political party or an aspirant in the party in order to challenge its primary elections. The apex court held that “the appellant not being a member of the APC” lacks jurisdiction to commence the action against APC and Tinubu’s choice. As such, the panel held that the appellant position on “locus standi” is shaky. “The position of the law is that no political party can challenge the nomination of another political party. “A political party equally lacks the actions of INEC in relation to another political party,” the Court said. “On this premise, I am in complete agreement with the decision of the lower courts. This issue on locus standi is resolved against the appellant,” the apex court held aligning with the Court of Appeal to call PDP a “busybody”. “The instant appeal is frivolous and bound to fail and is a waste of judicious time,” Justice Jairo held. Justice Jairo said the Supreme Court must strongly stand against anyone that tries to ridicule the highest court of the land, being a court of public policy.   “The appeal is grossly lacking in merit and dismissed,” held while slamming 2 million naira cost against the appellant. The court held that PDP tried to “mislead” the public and court by alleging that Shettima did not resign as a Senatorial candidate before accepting to be APC VP-elect.

  An elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, has said lack of trust is breaking up Nigeria, stressing the need for unity and peace in the country. Clark spoke on the occasion of his 96th birthday celebration on Thursday at his residence in Abuja, where prominent personalities including top politicians gathered. The leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) said, “It’s lack of trust that is breaking up Nigeria; Nigeria is so divided today. I am a Nigerian; I won’t keep quiet when Nigerians are suffering. If Nigeria does not stand properly, there will be no unity, there will be no peace.”   The former Minister of Information said he had not been celebrating his birthday since the Chibok girls’ abduction in 2014 because it was the worst experience any country could have. “I stopped celebrating my birthdays since the Chibok school girls were abducted in Borno State. It was very painful. Today, I am not celebrating, I am thanking God. I am not celebrating because I lost two younger brothers in the past,” he said. Speaking during the occasion, the Bayelsa State governor, Duoye Diri, expressed happiness that Clark was still preaching unity at 96, and could still remember Nigeria’s history.

  US President Joe Biden shakes hands with Air Force General Charles Brown, Jr. (R), after nominating him to serve as the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, DC, May 25, 2023. – Brown would become the second Black officer to serve as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff — after Colin Powell from 1989-1993 — at a time when the Pentagon is headed by Lloyd Austin, the country’s first Black secretary of defense. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP) US President Joe Biden on Thursday nominated General Charles Brown for chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, lauding the Black career pilot as a hero who’d not only survived ejecting from a fighter jet into a swamp but fought against racism.   If confirmed by the Senate, “CQ” Brown, as he’s known, will become Biden’s senior military advisor. Only the second Black man ever picked for the job, his confirmation — serving alongside Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin — would mark the first time that African Americans have simultaneously filled both of the military’s top jobs. “General Brown is a warrior descended from a proud line of warriors,” Biden said in the White House Rose Garden, noting Brown’s military family. As a pilot with 3,000 hours logged, including 130 in combat, Brown “knows what it means to be in the thick of battle and how to keep your cool,” Biden told the nomination ceremony.   Drawing laughter, Biden recounted how Brown’s F-16 jet once caught fire and he ejected into a Florida swamp. “A lot of fun, huh?” Biden chuckled. Biden praised the general as someone whose career has given him “unmatched first-hand knowledge” of US military operations around the world, earning respect from “our allies and partners.” “He plays to win,” Biden said, and “that is going to be an enormous asset to me as commander in chief and to the United States of America, as we navigate challenges in the coming years.” As the Pentagon’s top military officer, Brown would work to “maintain a combat force capable of deterring and defeating any potential threat,” Biden said. “And we have to manage our competition with China and meet the reality of renewed (Russian) aggression in Europe.”   Brown would also be presiding over an era where “emerging technologies, from AI to 3D printing could fundamentally change the character of conflict,” the president said. Biden, who has made a priority of raising minorities to top positions in his government, cast the nomination of Brown as part of celebrating “the most American of ideas, the most evident truth — that all women and men are created equal.” Biden recalled Brown’s previous testimony on “his own experience of racism and his deep love of our country,” saying to speak out had taken “real backbone.” If confirmed in the Senate, Brown will replace Army General Mark Milley, whose four-year term included serving through the end of the chaotic Donald Trump presidency.   AFP

  Femi Falana, human rights lawyer, has sued the chief of army staff over the killing of Monday Orukpe, a police officer, by a soldier in August 2022. On August 3, 2022, Orukpe was killed at the Trade Fair section of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway area of Lagos state, in the course of his official duties. According to the LASUTH autopsy report which was completed on October 27, 2022, and was signed by O.O. Onayemi of the department of pathology and forensics, Orukpe’s demise was brought on by multiple injuries and blunt force trauma. Falana filed the suit on Thursday on behalf of Favour Monday, wife of the deceased, for the enforcement of her late husband’s fundamental human rights to life, the dignity of the human person, private and family life and presumption of innocence. According to Falana, “a man should be allowed to thread Nigeria soil and breathe Nigeria air until the court finds him unworthy to so do”. “The respondent’s agents have no right to sniff life out of the deceased extra-judicially as they have done in this case. “The brutalization and indiscriminate killing of the applicant’s husband… is wrongful, oppressive, illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void as it violates the deceased’s fundamental right to the dignity of the human person.”   Falana is praying the court for an order mandating the respondents to set up a special education fund of not less than N100 million in favour of Orukpe’s four children “sufficient to cater to their educational needs from primary school to university in any educational institution they may wish to attend”. He is also praying the court for an order “compelling the respondents to jointly and severally pay to the applicant the sum of N200 million as general and aggravated damages for the illegal violation of the fundamental rights to life, the dignity of the person and presumption of innocence of inspector Monday Orukpe; their breadwinner”.

  The Court of Appeal, Abuja has fined a former presidential candidate, Ambrose Owuru, N40m for filing a frivolous suit seeking to stop the inauguration of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu on May 29.   The Court ordered Owuru to pay the sum of N10m each to President Muhammadu Buhari, the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami; the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Tinubu. Justice Jamil Tukur, who read the lead judgment of the three man panel of the court, held that Owuru embarked on a gross abuse of court process by filing a frivolous, suit to provoke the respondents. The Court of Appeal held that the grievances of Owuru against the 2019 presidential election was not only strange but uncalled for because the grievances had been pursued up to Supreme Court and was dismissed for want of merit. Justice Tukur said that the action of Owuru to resuscitate the case that died since 2019 at the Supreme Court, was aimed at making the lower courts to go on collision course with supremacy of the Apex Court. Background Owuru, a presidential candidate of the defunct political party, Hope Democratic Party (HDP) in the 2019 presidential election had prayed the Court of Appeal Abuja to prohibit Buhari, Malami and INEC from inaugurating the President-elect on May 29. Owuru predicated his grouse against inauguration of Tinubu or anybody else as successor to Buhari on the ground that he is the constitutionally adjudged winner of the 2019 election and has not spent his tenure as required by law. Among others, Owuru insisted that Buhari has been usurping his tenure of office since 2019 because the Supreme Court has not determined his petition filed in 2019 in which he challenged the purported declaration of Buhari as the election winner. He also applied for another order directing and placing on notice that any form of handover inauguration, organized and Superintended by Buhari on May 29, 2023 outside the adjudged winner of the 2019 presidential election, subject of the pending appeal, remains as an “interim place holder” administration pending the hearing and determination of his substantive appeal on constitutional interpretation thereof.

  The Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, on Thursday, said he knew nothing about the education sector when he was appointed in 2015 by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd). He disclosed this at a valedictory session with officials and heads of parastatals of the Ministry. Adamu, upon his appointment, shared his idea with those he called on to help him with a policy document on education. “I didn’t know anything about the education sector when I was appointed Minister except superficially. But when Buhari decided to make me Minister of Education, I called some people to assist me work on a policy document on education because I was a novice in the sector. I shared my idea with them and they assisted me greatly, and I remain grateful to them for these years,” the minister said. decided to make me Minister of Education, I called some people to assist me work on a policy document on education because I was a novice in the sector. I shared my idea with them and they assisted me greatly, and I remain grateful to them for these years,” the minister said.   He, however, commended President Buhari for counting him worthy of such a task. “I was busy making recommendations and suggestions to the President on who to appoint into his cabinet in 2015. All of a sudden, he announced my name to my surprise and that was it. We worked together till 2019. “In 2019, I approached the President and suggested that he reshuffle his cabinet because, in the eyes of many, it was unusual in our society for a President to work with the same Ministers for four years. Buhari had graciously allowed his Ministers to stay in office for four years. Ordinarily, Ministers stay in office for two years before they are reshuffled. “But I know him very well and I knew it will be difficult for him to do that. But I decided to make it easy for him by promising to bring people that would do the job better for me and others who served as Ministers in the first tenure.”