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Popular Nigerian comedian, Gordons, has urged singer, Tuface to use music, a tool he is familiar with to protest and pass across his message to government at all levels.
The comedian, who was reacting on Wednesday to the highly-publicised but cancelled Tuface-initiated anti-government protest, said that the singer got it wrong when he tried to protest by marching."How on earth can Tuface be fighting a fight that he is not used to.
"He is not a politician but a musician; if he wants to lead a protest, he should lead with music. "How will be expressing himself when a microphone is right in his face and he will do this using his music.
2face
"It is not his game; let him do it with music that he is used to,'' he urged. Gordons noted that there were several Nigerian music legends over the years that had used the tool of music to express their displeasure against oppressive or under-performing governments.
"When Fela was fighting government, he used a tool that he was used to, that was music.
"Sony Okosun, before he died was fighting for freedom with the tool that he was used to, which is music.''
"Then, Osayomore Joseph in Benin city, fought government and also used music as a tool,'' he said.
Gordons
The 'African Queen' star had in early January announced his intention to lead a nationwide protest on Feb. 6 against the current Federal Government.
According to him, many Nigerians, especially the youths are languishing in poverty with little to hope for in the future.
The iconic singer, however, announced on Feb. 5 that the protest was cancelled due to security reasons, claiming that hoodlums would take advantage of it.
His sudden change of mind was however trailed with mixed reactions from Nigerians, especially his fans and other artistes.
However, the protest was held in some states by some civil society organisations.
Pastor Femi Aribisala has said that any body who is seriously ill should not run for president of Nigeria.
Femi Aribisala The scholar and international affairs expert made this known in a series of tweets on his twitter handle.
He asked that ‘Why run for office as president when you are seriously ill? Is it in order to get free medical attention at public expense? He also said that ‘Vice-president Osibajo used to be an esteemed pastor of the RCCG. But now he is just another APC politician. How are the mighty fallen!’
Plateau United Football Club of Jos on Wednesday at the Rwang Pam Stadium defeated visiting El-Kanemi Warriors FC 2-0 to remain unbeaten in the 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
Plateau United who dominated proceedings right from the beginning got a breakthrough in the 10th minute when Solomon Junior put them in the lead.
The home side almost doubled the lead on the 31st minute through a header from Philip Azango but the effort went wide.
But they were successful in the 44th minute when three players exchanged passes before Jimmie Ambrose scored with a shot from outside the penalty area.
Plateau United could have put the game to bed in the 70th minute, but Golbe Elisha's goal from a free kick was ruled offside.
The visitors stepped up their game thereafter and were able to soak the pressure without conceding more goals.
Kennedy Boboye, the Chief Coach of Plateau United, told newsmen after the match that every member of the team was determined to contribute 100 per cent to the club's success.
"Every member of the team, from players to officials, is there for the team and we are ready to continue this way," he assured.
Abraham Audu, the El-Kanemi captain, on his part, blamed the playing turf for the defeat.
Audu said the field was rough and did not allow the game to flow.
With the victory Plateau United remain top of the NPFL log with 17 points after seven matches.
Earlier, Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau who was at the stadium to watch the match had visited the teams in their dressing rooms during the half-time and spoke with them.
He had told Plateau United to win the match and earn what he promised them at the beginning of the season.
"I told you to win the first five matches and leave the rest to me and you have played six matches without defeat.
"But, just win today and see what I will do," he promised them after a handshake with all the players and officials.
The governor also told El-Kanemi Warriors that their state governor, Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno, was his friend.
Somalia has a new president. He is Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo.
He was declared winner today after beating rivals in the second round of vote.
He got 184 votes, to beat incumbent Hassan Sheikh, who had 97 and Sheikh Shariff, 46.
Farmajo, a former Prime Minister was immediately sworn in.
Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, Somali new president
Incumbent Hassan Sheikh Mohamud conceded just when the process was about to enter a final round.
His victory means Somalia maintains the culture of electing a new President at each election.
Hassan Sheikh won the first round of votes which saw the original number of 21 candidates pruned to four.
Out of that number, PM Sharmake also dropped out citing interference in the process. he however tasked electors to vote for change.
Farmajo once served as a prime minister for less than a year before he was forced to resign under a deal supported by the population who protested when he refused initially.
Special Representative of the African Union has congratulated Farmajo on his election.
Ambassador Madeira reaffirmed AU's commitment to working with him, the government and people of Somalia. He also applauded the outgoing president for conceding defeat leading to a peaceful transfer of power in the strife torn country.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday arraigned the quartet of Umar Audu Bida, Truth Igogori, Ifenyinwa Nwankwesiri and Ogechukwu Obaji before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja on a 9-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of $1million (One Million US Dollars).
The accused were arraigned alongside four companies: Universal Contractors, Lambda Energy Services Limited, Double Wonder Concept Limited, and ICS Energy Services Limited.
Bida and his co-accused sometime in 2014 allegedly conspired to defraud one Donald Latella of North Park LLC of $1million under the pretext of supplying about two million barrels of Bonny Light Crude Oil.
The offence contravenes Section 8 (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.
Count 2 of the charge reads: “That you, Umaru Audu Bida, Truth Igogori, Ifenyinwa Nwankwesiri, Ogechukwu Obaji, Universal Contractors, Lambda Energy Services LTD, Double Wonder Concept Limited, and ICS Energy Services Limited and others now at large, sometime in 2014, within the Judicial Division of the Federal High Court of Nigeria attempted to obtain the sum of $1,000,000.00 (One million United States Dollars) from Donald Latella of North Park LLC under the false pretence of supplying about 2 million Barrels of Bonny Light Crude Oil which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act".
The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Upon their plea, counsel to the EFCC, Onjefu Obe, asked the court for a date to present his witnesses and for the accused to be remanded in prison custody pending trial.
However, Ammeh O. Ammeh representing 1st and 5th defendants and R. O. Attabo standing for 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th and 8th defendants, through oral applications prayed the court to admit their clients to bail.
Justice Nyako held that the court was a court of record and asked the defence to make their applications formal.
The judge, thereafter, adjourned to Thursday, February 16, 2017, for hearing of the bail applications and ordered that the accused persons to be remanded in prison custody.
A retired English teacher was jailed for at least 16 years on Wednesday for what his judge called an “appalling catalogue” of sex offences against children in Thailand and Britain.
Mark Frost, 70, admitted 45 sex offences against nine children in Thailand between 2009 and 2012 and two British pupils in the 1990s.
The offences including rape, sexual assault and inciting sexual activity with a child under 13. His victims were aged between 10 and 15.
At England’s Central Criminal Court in London, he was sentenced to serve 13 concurrent life sentences and will spend a minimum of 16 years in jail.
His crimes were “the most appalling catalogue of sexual abuse”, judge Mark Lucraft said.
“It is clear you have an obsession with sexually abusing young boys with evidence of planning and grooming.
“Your conduct towards each and every one of these victims is horrific and deeply disturbing.”
He added Frost’s offending was “truly shocking” and that he was someone who will continue to pose a risk to children.
The court heard how Frost raped impoverished Asian boys and encouraged them to engage in sex acts after grooming them with cash and sweets.
“The harrowing evidence presented by the prosecution in this case outlined the suffering that Mark Frost caused to his victims,” said Ruona Iguyovwe, from the state’s Crown Prosecution Service.
“Over many years, Frost repeatedly exploited vulnerable young victims, both in the UK and in Thailand, for his own sexual gratification.
“His offending has caused severe psychological harm to all of the children he abused, many of whom are now old enough to realise the enormity of what happened to them.”
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) urged other potential victims to come forward.
“Mark Frost’s vile campaign of sickening child abuse spanned over quarter of a century in the UK and abroad, and today’s sentence will likely see him spending the rest of his days behind bars,” a spokesman said.
“Frost was a prolific and dangerous paedophile who worked as a teacher and Scout leader for decades. We hope that anyone who suffered can now find the courage to speak out.”
The Presidency has debunked insinuations by some Nigerians that the Senate may void President Mohammadu Buhari's request for extension of his vacation period saying the Senate, in fact, need not sit to approve the letter.
Mr Ita Enang, Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, told newsmen in Abuja that the situation did not need Senators' debate as no resolution was required to approve the letter.
According to him, the senate does not need to sit to validate the letter.
Enang, who is a lawyer and former lawmaker, described insinuations as "unfounded''.
Senator Enang
The president had on Jan. 19, sent a letter to the senate, intimating it of his intention to proceed on a 10-day working vacation from Jan. 23 to Feb. 6.
He also intimated the senate that he would undergo some routine medical check-up within the period.
However, another letter was transmitted to the senate at the expiration of the 10-day period earlier requested, asking for an extension of the period to enable the president to complete the medical checks.
On Tuesday, the senate acknowledged receipt of the letter conveying the fresh request for extension but noted that no time frame was indicated.
Enang said that what was important was for the senate to be informed of the president's intention.
"It doesn't require a `yes' or a `no'; it is to inform it.
"What is important is that there is a communication with the senate.
"Once the communication is received by the senate and the House of Representatives, through their respective presiding officers, that settles it,'' the presidential aide said.
On non-specification of time frame needed by the president, he said "this question will not be answered until the senate sits.
"But, I want us to look at the Constitution because the Constitution says what should be done is notification.''
He also said that no vacuum was created by the president's absence as the Vice President was already piloting the affairs of the country in acting capacity.
A crew of seven Russians and a Ukrainian have been taken hostage off the coast of Nigeria after their ship was attacked, diplomats in Moscow and Kiev said Wednesday.
“According to the information of the Russian embassy in Abuja, there has been an armed attack on the cargo ship BBC Caribbean which belongs to German company Briese Schiffahrt,” a Russian foreign ministry statement said.
“Seven Russian citizens who are members of the crew have been taken hostage,” it said, adding that Russian diplomats are in contact with Nigerian authorities who are searching for the vessel.
A Ukrainian consular official said there is also one Ukrainian national on the ship.
“At this time the kidnappers have not made any demands and we don’t know the location of the kidnapped sailors,” said an official with the consular department of Ukraine’s foreign ministry, Vasyl Kyrylych.
The BBC Caribbean is a multipurpose vessel intended for dry cargo and flies the flag of Antigua and Barbuda, according to the company’s website.
Ship monitoring website Marine Traffic said the BBC Carribean last departed the port of Douala in Cameroon on February 4, headed for Spain’s Las Palmas.
It reported that the ship was attacked by pirates on a motor boat in the Gulf of Guinea who were repelled in a firefight and later proceeded westward
Some members of the Ondo State House Assembly on Wednesday called on the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to provide adequate security for them and their families following alleged threat to their lives.
Mr Iroju Ogundeji, a spokesperson for the lawmakers, told newsmen in Ibadan that they had received several threat calls and messages.
Ogundeji, who was accompanied by the Acting Speaker, Mr Malachi Coker, and 11 others, said that the messages received from unknown persons were for them to reverse the purported impeachment of the former Speaker.
Journalists report that 13 out of 26 members of the assembly were said to have on Jan. 27 impeached Mrs Jumoke Akindele as Speaker.
Also said to have been impeached were her deputy, Fatai Olotu, and Majority Leader, Ifedayo Akinsoyinu, over alleged fraud.
Ogundeji further called on the Commissioner of Police and other security agencies in the state to immediately withdraw the security aides attached to the Akindele, having purportedly been removed.
He accused Gov. Olusegun Mimiko, of supporting Akindele, alleging that he had been deploying divid and rule tactics.
"The executive arm had been interfering in the impeachment of the speaker which ought not to be so because we are an independent body.
"Both Akindele and Olotu should have been impeached 10 months ago for high-handedness but the governor intervened and assisted her escape impeachment.
"We are not against Mimiko but corruption. The impeached principal officers of the assembly committed offences against the rules and must go." he said.
Ogundeji said the impeached speaker had approached the court to obtain an injunction against her impeachment and the court adjourned till March 6.
ABUJA – The Federal Government, on Wednesday, tendered into evidence, bags of cash, both foreign and local currencies that were allegedly recovered from the official residence of Justice Adeniyi Ademola who is facing corruption charges.Justice Ademola and his wife, Olabowale at Abuja court recently.
The cash totalling about N39.5million, was tendered before trial Justice Jude Okeke of an Abuja High Court sitting at Maitama, in a Ghana-Must-Go bag.
It was brought to court by an exhibit keeper at the Department of State Service, DSS, Mr. Umar Ahmed, who testified as the 11th prosecution witness.
Justice Ademola who was formerly serving at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court is facing trial alongside his wife, Olabowale, and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Joe Agi.
The embattled Judge was accused of receiving gratifications from Agi to the tune of N38.5m, including a BMW Saloon 320i car gift.
He allegedly got the bribe money from the senior lawyer through a Guarantee Trust Bank, GTB, account number 201/110160/1/1/0, operated by his wife who was the former Head of Service in Lagos State.
At the resumed hearing on the matter on Wednesday, the witness told the court that “bags of cash” were found at Ademola’s house during a sting operation the DSS conducted in October last year.
Umar who was led in evidence by government lawyer, Mr. Segun Jegede, totalled the various sums of money contained in three separate bags as N54m; $171,779; €4,400; £80 and R1,010 (Indian Rupee).
Other items the witness also tendered before the court were two Avar Magnum Pump Action gun registered under the names of Justice Ademola and another Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ahmed Mohammed.
He also tendered two cartridges – a red head of 25 pieces and a white head of10 pieces along with original copies and photocopies of licenses for the guns in the name of the two Judges.
Aside the N39.5m contained in a ‘Ghana-Must-Go’, the other recovered items, including two iPads and an 8GB flash drive, were tendered before the court in sealed transparent cellophane with different identification numbers.
While identifying the items, th witness said the white bag contained N6m comprising of 12 bundles of N1,000 notes, making N500,000 per bundle.
He said: “My lord the small black bag with a design contains 17 bundles of N1,000 each which equal to N8.5m.
“The ‘Ghana-Must-Go’ (grey in colour) contains 79 bundles making N39.5m.”
He also gave a break down of the dollar denominations as comprising 51 bundles of $100 bills, as well as other lower dollar denominations.
The witness further confirmed to th court that the dollar currencies recovered from Ademola was $121,779 in total, with €4,400; £80 and R1,010 (Indian Rupee).
He said all the recovered item were handed to him item on October 10, 2016, two days after DSS raided Ademola’s home.
“I got to office in the morning of October 10, 2016 and I saw honourable judges, about six or seven of them.
“Then later in the evening Mr. Ike Onuoha, who happened to be the leader of one of the operatives that conducted the search told me about the items recovered during their raid”.
Meanwhile, none of the defence lawyers raised objection to admissibility of the recovered items including the cash.
Justice Okeke marked the cash as exhibits X, Z, BB, CC, DD, EE and FF and handed it over to the Director of Litigation of the FCT High Court, Mr. Madugu Mohammed for safekeeping.
The trial Judge stressed that the money which all the parties agreed should be lodged in a deposit account by Mohammed, must always be made available to the court whenever the need for arose.
Earlier in the proceeding that lasted over eight hours, a banker with Guaranty Trust Bank, Mr. Malik Babatunde, who testified as the 10th prosecution witness, told the court that Justice Ademola transferred N175m a account operated by a firm,Don Parker Properties, on January 24, 2014.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, increased charges the defendants to 18 counts.
Among the new counts was an allegation that Justice Ademola “on or about October 10, 2016, gave “false information intended to mislead a public servant,” an SSS operative, Mr. Babatunde Adepoju, by falsely claiming that one of the guns recovered from him belonged to another judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ahmed Mohammed.
The offence was said to be punishable under section 140 of the Penal Code Act, Laws of the FCT.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the amended charge even as the court adjourned further hearing till Thursday.
A lawyer, Mr Babatunde Olokun, has slammed a N10 million suit on Sen. Buruji Kashamu (PDP-Ogun).
Olokun is pressing charges against Kashamu over alleged unlawful arrest, continuous threat to life, harassment and infringement on fundamental human rights.
Olokun, a legal practitioner, who filed the application at the Federal High Court in Abuja, alleged that the senator was making murderous threats to his life through phone calls.
He asked the court to declare the acts unconstitutional and a violation of his rights.
Buruji Kashamu
The lawyer also prayed the court to stop the politician from using the police or any other law enforcement agent to harass, intimidate or molest him as well as or interfering with his personal liberty.
When the matter was called on Wednesday, Counsel to Olokun, Mr Stanley Iji, prayed court for a short adjournment, saying that the respondents had yet to be served the processes.
The Judge, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, noted that this was the second time the applicant had failed to serve the processes on the respondents.
The respondents are Kashamu, Onamusi Onadeko and the Inspector-General of Police.
Dimgba warned that the case would be struck out on the next adjourned date if Olokun failed to serve the processes on Kashamu and the others.
The judge adjourned the matter till Feb. 17 for hearing.
Five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova has been handed a wildcard for the Madrid Open in May just weeks after completing a 15-month ban for doping, organisers confirmed on Wednesday.
The Russian who won the French Open for her fifth Grand Slam in 2014 – shortly after winning the Madrid Open that year – plans to make her return to the circuit in Stuttgart on April 26.
“Sharapova requested an invitation to play in the tournament and after careful consideration, we decided to give her a wild card,” said tournament director and former Wimbledon champion Manolo Santana.
“Maria is one of the best players of the last 15 years and also a past winner of our tournament.
“In Madrid she always plays well and I'm sure she will come back to the courts highly motivated and hoping to do well in her first tournaments.”
Sharapova hasn’t played on tour since testing positive for meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open.
However, her initial two-year ban by the International Tennis Federation, was reduced to 15 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
“Sharapova is one of those players that all tennis fans want to see,” added tournament CEO Gerard Tsobanian.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, today February 8, 2017, arraigned a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Muhammed Dele Belgore and a former minister, Professor Abubakar Sulaiman before Justice R.M Aikawa of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos on a 5-count charge of conspiracy and possession of proceeds of crime to the tune of Four Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (N450, 000, 000. 000).
But reacting after they were granted bail Professor Abubakar Sulaiman said ‘what has EFCC got to do with donations voluntarily made by oil marketers to Jonathan government?
Prof Abubakar Sulaiman with Bar Dele Belgore
The defendants were alleged to have made a payment of Fifty Million Naira (N50, 000, 000. 00) to one Sheriff Shagaya and also taken possession of the sum of Four Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (N450, 000, 000. 000) without going through a financial institution.
One of the counts reads, "that you, Muhammed Dele Belgore (SAN) and Professor Abubakar Sulaiman on or about the 27th day of March, 2015, in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to directly take possession of the N450, 000, 000. 00 (Four Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) & 4 of the same Act".
Another count reads, "that you, Muhammed Dele Belgore (SAN) and Professor Abubakar Sulaiman on or about the 27th day of March, 2015 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court directly took possession of the sum of N450, 000, 000. 00 (Four Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) and 4 of the Same Act".
The defendants pleaded 'not guilty' to the charges preferred against them. In view of their plea, counsel to the first defendant, Ebun Shofunde, (SAN) prayed the court to grant bail to his client based on self recognizance. "He is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and not likely to jump any bail; he has been faithful to the administrative bail granted him and will make sure to stand his trial", he said.
In the same manner, counsel to the second defendant, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde, (SAN) also prayed the court to grant his client bail on self recognizance. "He is a Professor of Political Science at the University of Abuja and was once a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he submitted himself to the EFCC and never jumped the administrative bail granted him", he said.
Rotimi Oyedepo, counsel to the EFCC did not oppose bail but asked the court to grant the defendants bail in terms that will compel them to be available for trial.
Justice Aikawa granted the defendants bail on self recognizance and ordered that their international passports be deposited with the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court and must only be released on court order.
The matter was adjourned to February 23, 2017 for trial.
Our Arrest is Abuse of Prosecurial Power- Ex-Minister of Planning
Mr. Kale Belgore, SAN, and my humble self, were invited by the EFCC to its Lagos Office for questioning on N450million campaign fund during the 2015 Presidential elections.
Of course, we were in the EFCC's custody for a few days and today, by the grace of God, we were granted bail on self-recognisance.
It is however apt to put the record straight and situate the development within the context of the politics currently playing under the present administration.
I wish to state unequivocally that this didn't come to me as a surprise. It is a continuation of politics by other means, and that has nothing to do with the source of election funds that emanated from the presidential campaign office. The question is; what has EFCC got to do with donations voluntarily made by oil marketers to Jonathan government?
The commission, in a bid to implicate us and set the general public against us, was busy struggling and frantically searching for better word to use. The whole charade is an abuse of prosecutorial power .
But I assure you it cannot stand in any court of law. We shall fight hard to prove our innocence and I believe the judiciary is there to do justice to this case. Thank God, we are not been alleged to personally enrich ourselves with the so-called fund.
A trending video footage on social media shows two soldiers assaulting a physically challenged man for allegedly wearing army fatigue in Onitsha.
Although the exact time it occurred is not very clear, the video shows the soldiers drag the helpless man on the ground after throwing away his wheelchair. They afterwards lashed him severally with canes while civilians looked helplessly in awe. Type your comment below after watching this video let see your thoughts.
By Levinus Nwabughiogu ABUJA – Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday met with Emir of Kano, Mohammed Sanusi II at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Both of them met behind closed doors.
When approached by the State House Correspondent to speak on his mission to the Villa, Sanusi however declined saying simply “you can just report that I came to the Villa.”
It will be recalled that Sanusi had been very critical of President Muhammadu Buhari’s policies one of which was the decision to borrow $30 billion from external sources.
He had also consistently spoken out on the illiteracy of Northern Nigeria, asking the stakeholders to convert mosques to schools.
Also, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State was seen leaving the office of the Acting President.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin has emphasized that the Nigerian Military has always been guided by the principles of Human Rights protection in all its operations and engagements.
The CDS made this known when the Project Implementation Committee of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and its partners paid him a courtesy call at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ).Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Gabriel Olonisakin
Represented by the Chief of Defence Policy and Plans, Air Vice Marshal Bashir Saidu, the CDS assured the team that the Armed Forces of Nigeria would continue to respect the right of every individual, not only in its operations in the North East but in every other operations it is involved.
He said: "the DHQ and the Services have Departments of Civil Military Relations which report directly to the CDS and the Service Chiefs respectively. He added that the military has also established Human Rights Desks in all its formations, units and operational areas across the country. This gesture, he said, was aimed at ensuring that the principles of human rights are strictly adhered to and observed in all its operations".
Earlier, the Acting Executive Secretary, NHRC, Mrs Oti Anukpe Ovrawah said the team had come to seek collaboration with the Nigerian Military at both the national and field command levels in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States in the project aimed at promoting human rights accountability in the prosecution of counter insurgency operations in the States.
In a related development, the Chairman of Arik Airline, Sir Joseph Akinbola Arumemi, has solicited for closer ties with Defence Headquarters on the air lifting of officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces, including those on Peace Keeping Operations inside and outside the country.
He made this call when he led a delegation to pay courtesy call on the Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Abayomi Olonisakin (CDS) at the Defence Headquarters Abuja. He noted that the airlines could contribute positively to various Peace Keeping Operations by providing affordable air transportation and better services to the members of the Armed Forces.
Sir Joseph therefore solicited support of DHQ to have confidence in Arik Airline, as an indigenous airline that put safety as its priority. The CDS, who was represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Air Vice Marshal Bashir Saidu; in his remarks, reaffirmed that the military will continue to do It's best to ensure safety of all Nigerians.
The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs screening the 46 ambassadorial nominees, concluded the exercise on Wednesday.
In her address at the end of the two-day screening, Chairman of the committee, Sen. Monsurat Sunmonu, commended the members for their dedication and commitment.
She assured that the committee would work on the report of the screening promptly and transmit it to the senate in plenary for confirmation.
Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Sen. Ita Enang, in reaction, expressed the presidency's appreciation on the completion of the exercise.
He acknowledged the commitment of the committee to the assignment, saying that it carried out the exercise in two days as against three days scheduled for it. "You stressed yourself to conclude it and we appreciate the effort,'' he said.
SENATE CHAMBER
The nominees who were screened are Dr Uzoma Emenike (Abia), Aminu Iyawa (Adamawa), Maj.-Gen. Godwin Umo (retd) (Akwa Ibom), Christopher Okeke (Anambra), Yusuf Tuggar (Bauchi) and Baba Madugu (Bauchi).
Others are Brig.-Gen. Stanley Diriyai (Bayelsa), Prof. Steven Ugba (Benue) and Baba Jidda (Borno), Dr Etubom Asuquo (Cross River), Mr Frank Efeduma (Delta), Jonah Odo (Ebonyi) and Uyagwe Igbe (Edo).
Also screened are Dr Eniola Ajayi (Ekiti), Maj.-Gen. Chris Eze (Enugu), Suleiman Hassan (Gombe), Justice Sylvanus Nsofor (Imo), Aminu Dalhatu (Jigawa), Ahmed Bamali (Kaduna), Deborah Iliya (Kaduna) and Prof. Dandatti Abdulkadir (Kano).
Mr Haruna Ungogo (Kano), Justice Isa Dodo (Katsina), Mohammadu Barade (Katsina), Prof. Tijjani Bande (Kebbi), Prof. Y. O. Aliu (Kogi) Nurudeen Mohammed (Kwara), Prof. Mohammed Yisa (Kwara), Justice George Oguntade (Lagos) and Modupe Irele (Lagos) are among the nominees.
The names also included Musa Muhammad (Nasarawa), Ahmed Ibeto (Niger), Suzanne Folarin (Ogun), Jacob Daodu (Ondo), Afolahan Adeyemi (Osun), Maj.-Gen. Ashimiyu Olaniyi (retd) (Oyo), James Dimka (Plateau) and Dr Haruna Abdullahi (Plateau).
Mr Orji Ngofa (Rivers), Sahabi Gada (Sokoto), Kabiru Umar (Sokoto), Hassan Ardo (Taraba), Goni Bura (Yobe), Garba Gajam (Zamfara), Cpt. Bala Mairiga (Zamfara) and Ibrahim Ugbada (FCT) were screened.
President Muhammadu Buhari had on Jan.12 re-transmitted the nominees' list to the senate for confirmation after it was first rejected.
A one day round table interactive session organized by the Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency (CESJET) has come to an end in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital with stakeholders advising the participants to embrace peace and intensify national cohesion. The theme of the event was “Love not Hate, A Symbol of Any True Religion".
One of the hosts, Comrade Philip Agbese, CESJET Ambassador to the United Nations on Human Rights in his welcome address recognised the prominent role played by clerics and religious bodies in ensuring peace and tranquillity in Nigeria.
He equally recognised the role of women particularly the mothers in every society play to ensure proper upbringing and instil discipline in the child geared towards peace and a thorough bred mannerisms.
Comrade Agbese highlighted the aims and objectives that inspired CESJET to organise the event which is timely as a result of the incessant Boko Haram activities, the killings by Fulani herdsmen, sectional killings in Southern Kaduna and "the growing murmur of making Nigeria practice one religion". He frowned at religious and political leaders instigating religious crisis due to many unguided remarks.
One of the keynote speakers in the event, Dr. Udenta O. Udenta a former Director in the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution in his remarks enjoined all participants to encourage interfaith dialogue in the context of democratic dialogue to ensure peace.
In his words “democracy incarnates conflict in every society because it paves way for liberal agitations but it is a paradox that democracy still have the mechanisms to settle disputes”.
He maintained religion is one of the diversities in the country and it should be a wheel to propel peaceful coexistence.
Another invited guest, Bishop Elijah Ogar preached the doctrine of love. He admonished participants to practice peace, love and unity and made allusions to the Bible quoting from Psalm 127.
In the course of the event, an academic interactive session was anchored by Dr. Mahfouz Adedimeji, a Director in the Center for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Illorin, Kwara state.
In his paper titled "The Role of Religious Leaders in Peace Coexistence" he highlighted and discussed the message of peace as enshrined in the dictates of all religions because " we are all equal before God".
The event witnessed the honour of resource persons which cuts across the academic, religious and political sector prominent among whom were Prof. Emmanuel Onneh the Head of Department Philosophy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Shiek Farouk Umar and Prof. Damian Anyam from the Benue State University.
Others are Prof. Emmanuel Omeh the HOD Philosophy University of Nigeria Nsukka, Prof. Uguanyi from the University of Abuja, Mr. Johnson Onumah and Prof. Eugene Aliegba who delivered a short paper titled "How Religion and Politics can Function in the Society".
The session agreed that President Muhammadu Buhari is a gift to the nation and requires the appreciation, support and commendation of all Nigerians to do more. It was agreed that an inter-faith concert featuring prayers for the country’s leadership be held to thank God for the defeat of terrorism in Nigeria.
The session came to an end with participants interacting with the key note speakers with posers and answers on topical religious, political and psychological issues.
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri ABUJA – The National Judicial Council, NJC, at the end of an emergency meeting it held in Abuja on Wednesday, re-nominated Justice Walter Onnoghen for appointment as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN.
NJC forwarded its resolution at the meeting to the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, SAN, barely 24 hours after Onnoghen’s name was reportedly transmitted to the Senate for confirmation by the Presidency.Justice Onnoghen
The Council took the action in view of the fact that it may be impossible for the Senate which is currently on recess, to reconvene and screen Onnoghen before Friday when his constitutional three months tenure as Acting CJN would expire.
Consequently, in line with section 231(5) of the 1999 constitution, as amended, NJC, urged the Acting President to extend Onnoghen’s acting tenure for another three months.
Though Onnoghen is statutorily the Chairman of the NJC, a source at the meeting which was held in camera, told Vanguard that the extension letter sent to the Presidency was signed by Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad.
Justice Muhammad is the second highest ranking jurist at the Supreme Court.
Insinuations were rife that he was President Muhammadu Buhari’s first choice for the CJN position.
However, the source who pleaded anonymity because he was not permitted to speak on behalf of the NJC, said Justice Muhammadu was favourably disposed to Onnoghen who is currently the most senior Justice of the apex court, clinching the judiciary top-job.
“All the NJC members that attended the meeting were unanimous in the decision to re-nominate Justice Onnoghen. We have already forwarded the letter to the Presidency”, the source added.
According to section 231(5) of the 1999 constitution, as amended, “Except on the recommendation of the NJC”, Onnoghen’s appointment by President Buhari “shall cease to have effect after the expiration of three months from the date of such appointment, and the President shall not re-appoint a person whose appointment has elapsed”.
Onnoghen who is from Cross River State is the first Southern jurist to qualify for the CJN position in about 30 years.
President Buhari had on November 10, 2016, okayed him to head the judiciary in acting capacity.
The appointment which was based on recommendation letter from the NJC, followed retirement of former CJN, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, who bowed out upon clocking the 70 years mandatory retirement age.
Onnoghen will clock 70 on December 20, 2020. He was elevated into the apex court bench in 2005.
Delay by President Buhari to forward Onnoghen's name to the Senate till few days to expiration o his three months acting tenure had fuelled insinuations that he could be sidelined from emerging as the substantive CJN.
Justice Ayo Gabriel Irikefe who held sway as the CJN in 1985, was the last Southerner that headed the apex court.
Ahead of the governorship election in Ekiti in 2018, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday declared as illegal the current campaigns being embarked on by some aspirants and their agents.
The spokesperson of INEC in the state, Alhaji Taiwo Gbadegesin, stated this in Ado Ekiti that all those engaging in such activities would be referred to law enforcement agencies.
He said the commission had noted that some aspirants were erecting billboards as well as opening campaign offices in Ado Ekiti even when the commission had not directed them to do so.
Gbadegesin also expressed disappointment with the manner some aspirants and their agents had been placing advertisements in the media canvassing the choice of certain individuals ahead of the poll.
According to him, the Electoral Act was explicit on the exact time frame on when and how politicians could begin to either express interest or campaign for elective offices.
"At this stage, we want to take it that those involved are ignorant of what the law says, but we want to assure them that any further action after this warning will compel the commission to refer their cases to law enforcers
"People must learn to be obedient on simple legal instructions.
"In the pre-election period that ushered in the present governor who is just barely two years in office, this was the way all manner of people began campaigning before the regulatory time frame without any recourse to the commission.
"This did not stop until we reported them to law enforcement agents
"If this crop of politicians or their agents feel they can come around again to cause us sleepless nights, we will be left with no option than to catch up with them and make them to face the consequences of disobeying the law,'' he said.
The INEC spokesperson enjoined aspirants and their sympathisers who may not be aware of the relevant electoral guidelines, to contact any of the commission's state or local government offices for assistance.
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