Aftermath of what appeared a failed coup against the National Chairman, Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee CECPC of the All Progressives Congress APC, Gov. Mai Mala Buni, his allies on Tuesday took over the Buhari House national secretariat of the party.
Our correspondent gathered that the move is preparatory to the return of Gov. Buni back into the country.
Specifically, National Secretary of the CECPC, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe who has been away from the secretariat was on hand on Tuesday accompanied by the Kogi state chairman of the party, Abdullahi Bello and some aides of Gov. Buni
Member of the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon Obinna Ichita, has said the state government under Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu must account for $800million it received from the World Bank to share to the people under Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) initiative.
The representative of Aba south state constituency said this in a statement made available to our correspondent in Umuahia, the state capital, yesterday, in reaction to an order of a state high court restraining him from inquiring into how the government appropriated the money and another $56 million for the reconstruction of four major roads in Aba.
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) member and leader of the opposition party in the state said the government had denied receiving both funds just as he had forwarded evidence of their receipt to the court.
His words, “We have forwarded our list of witnesses which include staff of Debt Management Office, senior federal government officials and agencies concerned and management staff of the bank that documented the loan transaction.”
The leader noted that since he filed his statement of defence with the list of witnesses, the government, its agents and lawyers have refused to appear in court. “The matter was supposed to have come up on Friday 11 March 2022.”
He said the matter was instituted by the commissioner for youths, Mr Charles Onyedikachi, and the coordinator of Nigeria Erosion Watershed Management Project, Mr Izuchukwu Onwughara, adding that it had been adjourned to April 1.
“We are monitoring the road projects as well as the movement of the funds. We shall also continue to apply pressure on the government to ensure that those in the constituency do not suffer the fate of Faulks road,” he added
The legal team of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra has clarified that a former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Imo State, Chukwuma Machukwu-Ume (SAN), would join the team challenging the proscription of IPOB in court.
According to the leader of the legal team, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Mike Ozekhome remains the only Senior Advocate of Nigeria in the defence team against treason charges before Justice Binta Nyako of a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Ejiofor’s explanation was contained in a statement titled: “Clarification of information on the legal team of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu Re: Inclusion of Chief Chukwuma Machukwu Ume (SAN),” released Monday night.
He said, “My attention has been called tonight to the information making the rounds that Chief Chukwuma Machukwu Ume, SAN, has been included in the legal team defending our indefatigable client, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, in the 15 counts amended charge preferred against him at the Federal High Court, Abuja. This information has generated effusive commentary of a diverse nature making it expedient for me to say a few words by way of clarification.
“Firstly, I say straight away that the information, in actual fact, is misinformation. No SAN, apart from Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), is in the legal team defending Onyendu in the aforesaid pending criminal matter.
“Secondly, Chief Chukwuma Machukwu Ume (SAN), on the instruction of Onyendu, was introduced into the already existing IPOB legal team, ably headed by my good self, to prosecute the pending appeal challenging the Proscription of IPOB. The said appeal is pending at the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division. This appeal and the 15-count Amended Charge pending at the Federal High Court, Abuja, are entirely two different cases.
“Thirdly, any instruction to engage any lawyer whatsoever to join in the legal team representing either Onyendu or IPOB in cases pending in court must come from Onyendu himself and not from any other person whatsoever. Onyendu has been particularly enthused by and appreciative of the quality of advocacy demonstrated by Chief Mike Ozekhome, (SAN), in the conduct of proceedings at the Federal High Court. He has implicit confidence in the present formidable legal team defending him. Accordingly, he has no need whatsoever to tinker with the idea or consider the possibility of engaging another senior lawyer in his defence, presently or in the foreseeable future.
“However, in the unlikely event of such future engagement, information to that effect must proceed either from my good self or from the revered and respected learned silk.
“Finally, I urge Umuchineke and the general public to take particular note of the above clarification and be properly guided. Thank you all, Umuchineke, and remain blessed.”
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to hand over to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, saying from all indications, the president lacks the capacity to rescue the country from the worsening economic and security predicaments confronting the nation.
The Governor who spoke yesterday during an interaction with newsmen in Makurdi, among others, said “Since the inception of our country Nigerian even before the independence we have never witnessed this kind of nepotism that is going on in our country. We have never witnessed this level of disunity in our country. We have never seen this level of insecurity and we have never seen this kind of economic downturn the way we have it today.
“I am a grassroots person, so I appreciate the feelings of the people out there. I feel so sad and I also pity the President of our country because those surrounding him are deceiving him and he is not aware of the plight of our people. The basic responsibility of any government we were told is the provision of security for lives and property. The level of insecurity in the country today is worrisome.
“Those people who are complacent and living in their comfort zones without looking at the reality of what is happening in our country today should have a rethink. It is really unfortunate that I have over 1.5million IDPs in Benue state out of the projected seven million population that I have in Benue, and more than 80 per cent of the IDPs are farmers that earned us the appellation of the food basket of the nation.”Today they are in IDPs camps suffering. As if that is not enough, everyday you wake up to the news that Fulanis with the consent of the federal government have decided to make life unbearable for my people in Benue State.
“How can we allow our country go on with this level of impunity by the APC led Federal Government? How can they allow these Fulani herdsmen to come and murder, kill and rape our women and children? So, the Federal Government has completely failed and I want to call on our President, Muhammadu Buhari to accept the fact that he has failed this country and I want to advise him to honourably resign as President of Nigerian.
“He can resign and hand over to his Vice to handle the affairs of this country otherwise this country is going down. No wonder in 2014 I saw a video clip where the President promised Nigerians that his APC government was going to take Nigeria from the top to bottom.”And today if nothing is done, if the president does not rise up to the responsibility of taking this country out of the bottom to the top, we are going underneath.
“Those who are keeping quiet should continue, but I have said my beat. They can insult me and also send the EFCC after me and declare all the things we do right as wrong. But I have nothing to hide, if you come after me I will approach the courts because I have nothing to hide.
“I will always stand for truth, equity, fairness and justice and that is all. This country belongs to all of us. It is not about a Fulani President or President Buhari. We have had Fulani presidents who I adjudged as the best we have ever had. We had President Shagari, a Fulani man from the caliphate.
“He was a good leader. He provided security for lives and property. We had President Yar’adua a Fulani man from Katsina state. He did very well and till tomorrow nobody has provided the solution to the Niger Delta crisis more than President Yar’adua a Fulani man.
“The issue today is about incompetence, it is about non-performance, it is about barefooted leadership, it is about lame-duck, it is about somebody without a vision and direction to lead our country.
“So I call on President Muhammadu Buhari to resign. If he wants APC to continue he should hand over to his Vice to take up from there. Anybody who is deceiving President Buhari telling him that he has performed well is a liar.”
Prince Kanu Meme, brother to the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has revealed how Kanu was blindfolded and chained in both legs while he was being bundled from Kenya to Nigeria.
Nnamdi Kanu
Prince Meme said this on his Facebook page on Monday after a visit to Kanu at DSS facility in Abuja where he is currently being detained, adding that an assault rifle was pointed at the back his head while he was being led to NIA detention facility after his abduction from Kenya.
In the post titled, “My visit to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu today and the good lesson I learnt” he said Kanu was chained till a point when blood stopped flowing in his body system.
Prince Kanu Meme said the IPOB leader endured these for the freedom of Biafra, expressing optimism that Nnamdi Kanu will be a free man.
He said, “Confidence comes not from always being right but from not fearing to be wrong.Today he said things I never knew he passed through. Do you know Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was blind folded for nearly 5hours from Kenya to Nigeria ?
“Do you know upon arrival he was blind folded from Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport Abuja to Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA) for 2 days before bringing him to court and remained blind folded while in court ? Do you know throughout his flight duration he was handcuffed and his 2 legs chained to the point that blood wasn’t flowing ?
“Do you finally know an assault rifle was pointed at the back of his head while he was being taken to NIA detention facility ?In all of these things he has remained determined and focused just for our freedom.Ipob leader must be free.”
Nnamdi Kanu is standing trial over allegations bordering on terrorism at the federal high court in Abuja.
He has since denied the allegations, urging the President Muhammadu Buhari led federal government to free him.
AN Ebute-Meta Magistrates’ Court, in Lagos, yesterday, sentenced a 36-year-old dismissed police officer, John Dennis, who stole an Iron bar, valued at N6,000 on the day of his father’s burial, to 27 months imprisonment.
The Magistrate, Mrs Folarin Williams, sentenced Dennis to two years imprisonment on the first count of stealing and three months imprisonment on the second count of breach of public peace.
Magistrate Williams said: “The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge and confessed to committing the crime. He said he intended to sell the iron rod he stole on the day of his father’s burial.
“It is trite that there is no evidence as weighty as that of the confession of the defendant.
“The prosecutor, ASP Cousin Adams, while reviewing the facts of the case said the defendant had been arraigned in almost all the courts at Ebute-Meta for similar offences.
“He said that because of his criminal records he was dismissed from the police force, adding that his criminal record caused the death of his father, who was also a retired Deputy Superintendent of Police.
“All the review in the facts of the case and the exhibits tendered before the court and the admittance of the defendant of committing the crime, tallies and supports the review of the facts of the case by the prosecutor. The defendant is not ready to change.
“Whatever sentence the court will give to you will serve as a deterrent to others. The items stolen are not the issue but the intent to continue to commit the crime.”
The Magistrate added that the prosecutor also told the court during the review of the facts of the case that the convict also stole on the day of his father’s burial.
Dennis was arraigned on February 28, on a two-count charge of stealing and breach of peace preferred against him by the police.
ASP Adams told the court that the convict committed the offence on February 24, 2022, at about 9 pm.
He said the incident took place at the front of Denton Police Station, Murtala Muhammed Way, Ebute-Meta in Lagos.
Adams said Dennis stole four pieces of bar iron rods valued at N6000, property of STEEP Development Company Limited.
He also told the court that the convict conducted himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace, by unlawfully removing four pieces of L bar iron rods from the construction box of concrete casting.
In a bid to strengthen his legal team, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has hired a new lawyer, Chukwuma Machukwu Umeh (SAN).
Nnamgi kanu
One of Kanu’s lawyers, Aloy Ejimakor, on Monday evening, announced the latest development.
He had on January 18, Kanu’s lawyer, unveiled Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) as the leader of the defence counsel for Nnamdi Kanu.
The IPOB leader is standing trial before Justice Binta Nyako over charges bordering on alleged terrorism and treasonable felony filed against him by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“Just exited from a groundbreaking visitation with Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. It was groundbreaking because we covered many new grounds, including the addition of Chukwuma Machukwu Umeh(SAN) to the Legal Team. Onyendu sends his love and felicitation to all his true followers,” he posted.
Kanu, on Monday, expressed optimism that his “freedom is near”.
He also commended his followers for always exploring peaceful measures in the expression of their solidarity.
Kanu’s lawyer and human rights activist, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, in a statement issued after the visit of his legal team, said his client was sure of freedom soonest.
He said, “Today, March 14 2022, we visited our amiable client – Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu at the headquarters of the DSS Abuja. We had frank and fruitful discussions, which dwelt predominantly on prospects of his forthcoming case, and other strategic legal measures to be adopted upon the delivery of the ruling.
“Onyendu also expressed his implicit confidence in our indefatigable legal team led by the erudite and distinguished learned silk, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN).
“Also prominent is our untiring efforts to ensure that orders of the court are henceforth obeyed to the letter by the DSS.
“Onyendu is firm and unshaken in his convictions and consequently, encourages millions of his followers to follow suit. Onyendu recognises the Ezigbo Umuchineke who have remained extraordinary, firm and resolute in their resolve.
“He is indeed very proud of you all, as you continue to show the world what the exemplary peaceful expression of one’s inalienable rights to self-determination represents.
“Onyendu seized the opportunity offered by the visit to remind UmuChineke that his freedom is near, and implored you all not to lose focus or be distracted by dissidents, who do not mean well for his peaceful movement.
“Furthermore, Onyendu commended the peaceful efforts of his indefatigable team who are steering the ship in his absence, in carrying on within the best international practices and conventions.
“Onyendu applauded his followers for always exploring peaceful measures in the expression of their peaceful solidarity, he is indeed, very grateful.
“We thank you all Umuchineke for your steadfast trust, love, confidence and belief in the ability of our legal team to frontally face the task ahead to ensure that Onyendu is unconditionally released.
“Be assured once again that God being our helper, it will definitely come to pass, Umuchineke. May we also use this medium to reassure Umuchineke that we are equally not resting on our oars to ensure that everyone who is arrested and illegally detained by the various Nigerian security agencies is released.
“In doing this, we are invoking all the instrumentality of the judicial process to ensure that they get Justice. We are indeed, very proud of you all, Umuchineke, and may you all remain hugely blessed. It will surely end in praises Amen.”
The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has knocked his Edo State counterpart, Godwin Obaseki, saying they are both not on the same level when it comes to party politics.
ABN TV had earlier reported that Obaseki warned Wike not to cause disruption in PDP while maintaining that all members are equal under the platform.
The governor was responding to Wike’s outburst on his (Obaseki) Deputy, Philip Shaibu, over the concerns Shaibu raised about how they were being treated in PDP following their defection to the party.
Obaseki, in a statement he personally signed on Monday, informed Wike that the party belongs to all members and that no member can claim ownership of it.
“It clearly amounts to delusion of grandeur, for any one man to nurse the idea that he owns or has more stake in the PDP and everyone should pander to him.
“We are all equal stakeholders in the party and an aggregate of the ideas, opinions, and contributions of all leaders and members should form the position of the party and not the view of one individual or a select few,” Obaseki said.
However, in his response, Wike described Obaseki as a “serial betrayer and an ungrateful person”, adding that he has more stake than the Edo governor in PDP.
Speaking on Monday at the inauguration of Community Secondary School, Omuanwa, in Rivers state, Wike maintained that he had contributed to the fortune of the party more than Obaseki.
“I am not in the class of Obaseki, never! We are not the same, we can’t be the same. I was the DG of his campaign, I went there (to Edo) for three days.
“I stayed there without having my bath. I have never seen somebody like that in my life – a serial betrayer.
“Let me tell you Obaseki, I know your cohorts and I will smoke all of you out. This is not the Benin artefact that you were challenging the Oba (of Benin), this is politics.
“Obaseki, I have more stake in PDP than you. I have fought for this party, mention one thing that you have done for the PDP.”
Furthermore, Wike apologised to a former national chairman of All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, who he claimed, earlier warned him about Obaseki.
“If you check the DNA of Obaseki, what you will see in that DNA is betrayal, serial betrayal, and ungratefulness.
“Let me stand today to apologise to Adams Oshiomhole who has been vindicated by telling us that we will see the true colour, the insincerity, the ungratefulness of Governor Obaseki.
“We have voted for PDP since 1999 till now; ask Governor Obaseki if he has done anything for PDP (or) voted for PDP. The only election he voted was his own election – where we gave him an umbrella.”
The Force headquarters on Monday debunked insinuations making the rounds that personnel of the Nigerian Police Force were planning to embark on strike over non-implementation of the new salary package approved for the police.
IGP Usman Baba
A statement by Deputy Force Public Relation’s CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said, “The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to a news making the rounds on social media alleging that some members of the Force will be embarking on a strike action with effect from March 26, 2022.
“The Nigeria Police Force wishes to state unequivocally that the alleged publication is fake and a mischievous attempt by unscrupulous individuals to bring the Force to disrepute, misinform the general public and heat up the polity.
“It is pertinent to restate that the Nigeria Police Force is a regimented and disciplined organization with laid down rules and guidelines for addressing grievances and in no circumstance is a strike action one of such means.
“The men and women of the Nigeria Police Force are fully aware that a strike action or other deliberate disruption of law enforcement services by any security organization is mutinous and the personnel of the Force would not degenerate at any point to that level of disloyalty and indiscipline, as policing services are paramount and essential in the maintenance of orderliness and peace in the nation.
“It is pertinent to emphasize that the IGP is accelerating efforts to ensure the full implementation of the increment of salaries and allowances proposed by the President and approved by the Federal Executive Council.
“It is important to accentuate that it was the President’s initiative without any demand from the Police to direct the process of increasing salaries and allowances.
“The Federal Government is therefore fully committed to the implementation of the new salary package.
“Since that approval, the Salaries and Wages Commission has issued an implementation circular, the Honourable Minister of Police Affairs and the IGP have been working with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to ensure the stoppage of tax deductions as directed by the President and approved by the Federal Executive Council.
“Similarly, the Inspector-General of Police reiterates that police officers under his leadership are well motivated with the ongoing reforms, especially the provision of kits, accoutrements, body armour, the cooperative society’s housing scheme, the renovation of training schools, upgrade of police training curriculum, procurement and deployment of technology to boost ICT-driven policing.
“The IGP equally assures that the police are committed to discharging their duties to the nation as expected and renew their commitment to ensuring public safety and the protection of lives and property of all and sundry.”
Leader of All Progressives Congress, APC in Abia, and Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has submitted to the national leadership of the party an authentic list of statutory delegates from Abia State ahead of the party’s national convention slated for 26th March, 2022.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu
This he said is to forestall a situation where there will be infiltration and importation of fictitious names and designations by some overzealous party men.
In a letter addressed to the National Chairman Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Governor Mai Mala Buni, and members of the planning committee sighted by our correspondent in Abuja on Monday, Former Deputy Governor of the state, Dr. Chris Akomas, BOT member of the party, Prince B. B. Apugo, former lawmaker, Senator Bob Nwannunu and member representing Bende Federal Constituency, Hon. Benjamin Kalu were among those who made the statutory delegate list.
The Senator representing Abia North in the letter also appealed to Buni to treat the letter as “most important.”
Kalu’s letter with the title ‘Forwarding of the list of statutory delegates from Abia State (APC) to the 2022 National Convention’, reads:
“I write as the Chief Whip of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and leader of APC in Abia State, to convey to your Excellency, the attached authentic list of statutory delegates from Abia State (APC Chapter) as required and provided for in the constitution of our great party APC for the forthcoming National Convention.
“The above motive is necessary to totally avoid the infiltration and importation of fictitious names and designations by some overzealous party men.
“Accordingly, with the above, our great party would have avoided certain landmines and embarrassing litigations, hence this list.
“Your Excellency is kindly advised to treat this as most important. Always accept the assurances of my kindest regards,” he said.
See the full list of statutory delegates from Abia State as submitted by Sen. Orji Kalu:
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Former Governor (1999-2007); Dr. Chris Akomas, Former Deputy Governor, (2007-2011); Prince B. B. Apugo (BOT); Ambassador Sam Nkire (BOT); Senator Bob Nwannunu, None Serving Senator, (1999-2003); Senator Chris Adighije, None Serving Senator (2003-2007); Senator Nkechi Nwogu, None Serving Senator (2007- 2015); Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejiocha, Member House of Representatives (Serving); Hon. Ben Kalu, Member of Representatives (Serving); Hon. Sam Onuigbo, Member House of Representatives (Serving).
Others are; Hon. Nze Esiaga, Former Rep Member (1992); Hon. Iheanacho Obioma, Former Rep Member (1999); Hon. Chidia Maduekwe, Former Rep Member (1992); Hon. Tony Enwereuzo, Former Rep Member (1999); Hon. Emeka Atuma, Former Rep Member (2003); Hon. Chinenye Ike, Former Rep Member (2003); Hon. Stanley Ohajuruka, Former Rep Member (2007), Speaker Abia House of Assembly (1999); Hon. Nnanna Ngwu, Former Rep Member (1999); Hon. Nnanna Uzor Kalu Former Rep Member (2003); Hon. Uzor Azubuike, Former Rep Member (2007); Hon. Arua Arunsi, Former Rep Member (2007), Speaker Abia House of Assembly (1992); Hon. Uche Maduako, Former Rep Member (1999); RH. Martin Azubuike, Former Speaker (2015); RH. Agwu U. Agwu, Former Speaker (2007); Hon. Emeka Okafor, Serving State House of Assembly. It also comprises; Hon. Chijioke Chukwu, Serving State House of Assembly; Hon. Dr. Mike Ukoha, Serving State House of Assembly; Hon. Chibuzo Okogbuo, Former Minority Leader Abia (2015); Hon. Donatus Nwamkpa, Former Minority Leader Abia (1999); Hon. Chijioke Nwachukwu, Former Deputy Min. Whip (2015); Hon. Uche Ogboso, Former Minority Leader (1992); Hon. Goldy Nwagbara, Former Minority Leader Abia (1992); Hon. Ikedi Ezekwesiri, Former Minority Leader Abia (2015-2019).
Seven members of Omega Power Ministries (OPM) sponsored abroad by the Founder of the ministry, HRM King Apostle Chibuzor Gift Chinyere, have officially commenced...
