The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reportedly destroyed an illegal refining site at Dariama village in Rivers state. Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, said the site was destroyed by the air component of operation Delta Safe. The publication said the airstrike on the illegal refinery was intelligence-driven, adding that the site is located at Dariama village, which is about 20 kilometres south-west of Abonnema. According to an intelligence source who spoke with Makama, the artisanal refinery was said to have tanks and reservoirs filled with suspected illicit refined products. The source added that the airstrike demonstrates the commitment of the air force to eliminate activities of oil thieves and illegal oil bunkers. In May, about 41 illegal refining sites were destroyed by troops of operation Delta Safe in Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers states.

  A Federal High Court in Lagos has fixed July 25 for the arraignment of the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, over alleged unlawful possession of firearms. The date was fixed by Justice Nicholas Oweibo after controversy in the delay by the State Security Service (SSS) to bring the charges in line with various orders of courts. The SSS had on July 13 filed a two-count charge against Emefiele over illegal possession of arms. In the charges filed before the court, the SSS accused Emefiele of being found in possession of one single-barrel shotgun (JOJEFF Magnum 8371) without licence. He was also alleged to be in possession of 123 rounds of live ammunition (cartridges) without a licence. Both charges are said to be in contravention of sections 4 and 8 of the Firearms Act Cap F28 Laws of the Federation, 2004, punishable under section 27 (1)(b)(i) of the Act. In protesting over the non-compliance with the orders of high courts in Abuja, some group of lawyers on July 17 filed a contempt proceeding before a Federal High Court in Abuja to commit the director-general of the SSS, Yusuf Bichi to jail on allegations of contempt of court. The lawyers, led by Maxwell Opara and Ahmed Tijani on Monday accused Bichi of disobeying different orders of M. A. Hassan, Hamza Muazu and Bello Kawu were disobeyed by the service despite the orders being served on them.

  The Federal Character Commission (FCC) has said that reports that it has become a recruiting agency are false and should be ignored by Nigerians. The Director, Public Affairs and Communication of the FCC, Dr Chuks Okoli, noted in a statement yesterday that the mandate of the commission did not include job recruitment. “The FCC is charged with the responsibility of ensuring fairness and equity to all geo-political constituent units of the federation in matters of employment, provision of infrastructural facilities and socio-economic amenities. “In other words, the commission is to ensure that employers of labour and providers of services, particularly in the public sector conduct themselves correctly in the performance of their duties. “The general public is advised to report to the law enforcement agency or the commission, anybody requesting for financial inducement for job assistance under the disguise that FCC offers employment to people,” Okoli said.

  Saturday 22 July 2023 Benue Brothers killing Brothers: Alia ponders amnesty for killers as 90 die in 56 days Benue Brothers killing Brothers: Alia ponders amnesty for killers as 90 die in 56 days 2023 polls: INEC meets collation, retuning officers for post-election review Confiscation Order: Ibori can appeal to higher Courts in UK — Sagay Achonu remains our governorship candidature in Imo, says Labour Party State police, best way to tackle insecurity, Gani Adams tells FG Diphtheria: 3 dead, 7 hospitalised in Kaduna Parents face tough times as schools raise fees APC crisis: Oyetola, ex-Senate spokesperson Basiru favoured to replace Omisore Baba Ijesha marks one year in prison, 15 more to go I returned missing $8,000 in Mecca to avoid Allah’s wrath – Pilgrim Troops kill four bandits in Zamfara, recover weapons Skit maker, Trinity Guy, regains freedom from prison Tinubu Seeks Change In Military Practice, Doctrine FG Hikes Fees In Unity Schools By Over 100% We’re Not A Recruiting Agency, FCC Alerts Nigerians Demolition: Court Awards N2m Damages Against Kano Govt ‘Victory for us’ — Akeredolu’s wife shares photo of husband in medical facility on birthday Court orders AGF to take over Stella Oduah’s ‘N5bn fraud’ case National social register developed by states, NASSCO replies NEC Treaty violation: UK court orders Nigeria to pay Chinese firm $70m, dismisses immunity plea Abdullahi Sule: N8000 palliative is a lot of money to many poor families Court Fixes Date For Emefiele’s Trial Over Illegal Firearms Possession Trump Docs Trial Set For May 2024 At Height Of White House Race Atiku Urges Tribunal To Uphold INEC’s Declaration That He Won 21 States Four Held Over India Naked Women Video, May Face Death Penalty Alleged Terrorism Financing: Court Bars Lawyers, Journalists From Tukur Mamu’s Trial Bauchi Govt Sacks Six Traditional Rulers Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…

  The South East Security Response ( SEER) has called for the immediate release of the Commander of Anambra State Vigilante Group (AVG) of Umuchu in Aguata Local Government Area, Mr. Charles Chinedu Umeakuesie alias Bishop, who was abducted a week ago on Thursday, July 13th. 2023 at Arondizuogu, Imo State. The AVG Commander was said to have gone to recover a vehicle with the owner when they were ambushed, Abducted, and taken to Okigwe in Imo State. Retired Major Kinsley Obi, the protem chairman of SEER said that the owner of the vehicle has since been released but all efforts to secure the release of the AVG Commander have not yielded results. He said the identity of the leader of the kidnapping gang has been unmasked and called his name as Clinton Michael Obiezue of Ifite Village in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State. He said about N200,000 has been paid to the kidnappers but they have refused to release the victim as at the time of going to the press. The leader of the kidnapping gang, according to their investigation, said Rtd Major Obi, resides in Okigwe where he is operating as a leader of a gang of Unknown Gun Men (UGM) with his in-law,Nnaemeka Juliana Chidikaobi.

  Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, wife of the governor of Ondo, has shared the photograph of her husband in a medical facility amid death rumours. Betty posted the picture on Friday across her social media handles. The picture shows the ailing governor sitting on a motorable chair while his wife posed beside him. The background of the picture shows the picture may have been taken in a medical facility. “Aketi dey kampe!. Victory for us!” Betty captioned the picture. Coincidentally, today is the 67th birthday of the Ondo governor, who was born on July 21, 1956. Earlier, Akeredolu posted a picture on his Twitter handle to celebrate his 67th birthday. “Which of the Favour of the Lord can I deny? Chapter 67. To God be the Laud, Honour and Glory!!!” the Ondo governor tweeted. Over the past few weeks, the health status of Akeredolu has been making the headlines. Akeredolu had embarked on a 21-day leave on June 7 and was expected to return on July 6. The governor had directed Lucky Aiyedatiwa, his deputy, to act in his stead. However, Akeredolu wrote to the state house of assembly, extending his medical leave when he did not resume work at the initial date of resumption. Meanwhile, Abdullahi Adamu, the former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), stirred another controversy when he said Akeredolu was hospitalised and in a state of “extreme incapacity”. The Ondo government had countered Adamu and assured residents of the state that the governor will resume duties soon.

  Presidential Candidate of Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has submitted that President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima’s reference to “anarchy” against the legal decision of their petition is dangerous and low. Obi and LP’s submission is contained in the final written addresses in reply to the copies earlier filed by Tinubu and Shettima before the Presidential Election Petitions Court. Tinubu and Shettima had also stated in reaction to not scoring 25 percent in the FCT that it is not the position of the law, maintaining that “any other interpretation different from this will lead to absurdity, chaos, anarchy and alteration of the very intention of the legislature.” In the 42-page address signed by the lead counsel to Obi and LP, Livi Uzoukwu (SAN), pointed out that Tinubu and Shettima “went too low and abandoned discretion when they claimed as follows: ‘Our submission is that the petitioners are inviting anarchy by their ventilation of this issue of non-transmission of results electronically, by INEC.’ Obi and LP said, “This is a cheap, misguided, and destructive blackmail clearly intended to target the country’s judicialism and constitutionalism. It also aims at cannibalizing our democracy. “It will also raise the issue of insecurity if the petitioners emulate the bad example of the 2nd-3rd respondents (Tinubu and Shettima). However, that will never happen. When has it become offensive for petitioners to canvass a ground prescribed for the challenge of an election in Section 134(1)(b) of the Electoral Act 2022? Desperation taken too far can be extremely dangerous. Let the 2nd-3rd Respondents know that where the rule of law is trampled upon or truncated, anarchy reigns supreme.”