Wednesday, 22 July 2015
Boko Haram invades Army chief’s town in Borno
The home town of the acting Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen. Tukur Buratai, in Borno State, has been invaded by the terror group, Boko Haram, who razed virtually every structure standing in the town, including the house of the Army chief.
It was gathered that the terrorists also left two persons dead in the attack.
Also razed was the house of the former Borno State Commissioner for Education, Mr. Isa Buratai.
A resident of Buratai, who fled to Biu, Abubakar Buratai, told our correspondent on the telephone that the Boko Haram insurgents stormed the town at about 3.30am on Tuesday.
He said the militants shot indiscriminately, killing two people and burning down the remaining houses that were still standing after most of the houses in Buratai were razed after the first attack on the town.
The fleeing resident added, “You should already be aware that our town was attacked sometimes ago and many houses were burnt down. This time around, they burnt the remaining houses in the town including the house of the General and Hon Isa Buratai.”
A native of the town, who is resident in Maiduguri, Ibrahim Mohammed, also told our correspondent on the telephone that he received a call from one of his brothers, who fled Buratai, that terrorists had attacked their home town in the early hours of Tuesday, killing two persons and burning down the whole village.
Mohammed stated, “It is true they attacked Buratai. I received a call from my brother early this morning informing me that the insurgents have again invaded our home town and killed two persons before razing the remaining structures in the town, including that of COAS and Hon Buratai.”
Boko Haram invades Army chief’s town in Borno
The home town of the acting Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen. Tukur Buratai, in Borno State, has been invaded by the terror group, Boko Haram, who razed virtually every structure standing in the town, including the house of the Army chief.
It was gathered that the terrorists also left two persons dead in the attack.
Also razed was the house of the former Borno State Commissioner for Education, Mr. Isa Buratai.
A resident of Buratai, who fled to Biu, Abubakar Buratai, told our correspondent on the telephone that the Boko Haram insurgents stormed the town at about 3.30am on Tuesday.
He said the militants shot indiscriminately, killing two people and burning down the remaining houses that were still standing after most of the houses in Buratai were razed after the first attack on the town.
The fleeing resident added, “You should already be aware that our town was attacked sometimes ago and many houses were burnt down. This time around, they burnt the remaining houses in the town including the house of the General and Hon Isa Buratai.”
A native of the town, who is resident in Maiduguri, Ibrahim Mohammed, also told our correspondent on the telephone that he received a call from one of his brothers, who fled Buratai, that terrorists had attacked their home town in the early hours of Tuesday, killing two persons and burning down the whole village.
Mohammed stated, “It is true they attacked Buratai. I received a call from my brother early this morning informing me that the insurgents have again invaded our home town and killed two persons before razing the remaining structures in the town, including that of COAS and Hon Buratai.”
Inspection: Peterside wants election materials moved to Abuja
The All Progressives Congress and its governorship candidate in the April 11, 2015 election, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, have asked the state Governorship Election PetitionS Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, to order the Independent National Electoral Commission to move the materials used for the election from Port Harcourt, the state capital, to Abuja, for inspection.
APC and Peterside made this request in an application, which they filed following an alleged continued refusal by INEC to obey the order for inspection made by the tribunal on June 11, 2015.
Peterside and the APC had on May 3, 2015, filed their petition before the tribunal to challenge the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party and its candidate, Nyesom Wike, in the poll.
The petitioners had earlier complained to the Justice Muazu Pindiga-led tribunal that INEC was working with the PDP and Wike to frustrate the inspection of the election materials.
Following the petitioners’ complaint, the tribunal on July 9 re-affirmed the order of inspection, directing INEC to comply with it.
At the Wednesday’s proceedings, the petitioners’ lawyer, Akin Olujinmi (SAN), informed the court that INEC had refused to yield to the tribunal’s order for inspection.
“Your lordship made an order on June 11 for inspection of election materials. The order was restated on July 9. That order has not been obeyed by INEC,” Olujinmi said.
He confirmed after the proceedings that he had filed an application seeking an order, compelling INEC to move the election materials to Abuja for inspection since “they have made inspection impossible in Rivers State”.
Earlier, Olujinmi urged the tribunal to disregard the arguments canvassed by the respondents, challenging among others, competence of his clients’ petition and proceed to hear the case on merit.
The respondents argued through their respective lawyers – Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) for the PDP, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN) for Wike and Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) for INEC.
Olujinmi argued that the respondents were only raising technical issues rather than allow the petitioners present their case.
Olanipekun, while arguing his client’s motion challenging, among others, the competence of the petition, urged the court to strike out some portions of it, including part of the petitioners’ prayers on the ground that they did not comply with the provision of the Electoral Act.
Wike is challenging Peterside’s qualification to contest the election, arguing that his (Peterside’s) name was nor sent to INEC within 21 days before his party’s congress as required, a claim Olujinmi denied, insisting that his clients complied with all relevant laws in fielding Peterside for the election.
INEC, in its application, is challenging the territorial jurisdiction of the tribunal to sit in Abuja, a position Olujinmi faulted, insisting that the tribunal possesseD the jurisdiction to hear and determine his clients’ petition.
The tribunal, which rose shortly after 6pm, fixed July 29 for ruling on the applications by INEC and Wike.
It also fixed ruling for July 31 in the application by the PDP.
Bomb Blast At Dadin-Kowa Motor-Park In Gombe This Night
Suspected members of the Boko Haram sect struck at Dadin-Kowa motor park in Gombe state around 7:30 pm on Wednesday.
A source that activities are usually low during the period that the attack took place. “Two suicide bombers attacked Dadin Kowa bus station this evening. The park is one of the busiest in the town,” he said.
“You get vehicles going to Biu, Maiduguri, Yola but activities are usually low in the evening. So, we just hope that the casualty would not be high.” Fwaje Atajiri, the police public relations officer in the state confirmed the attack, saying the police has cordoned off the area to prevent hoodlums from taking advantage of the situation.
“It is true that there were bomb attacks in the motor park but the casualty figure is not yet known,” he said. “The injured have been taken to the hospital and the area has been cordoned off to prevent hoodlums from taking advantage of the situation to loot people’s property. Details would be made known to you later.”
Bomb Blast At Dadin-Kowa Motor-Park In Gombe This Night
Suspected members of the Boko Haram sect struck at Dadin-Kowa motor park in Gombe state around 7:30 pm on Wednesday.
A source that activities are usually low during the period that the attack took place. “Two suicide bombers attacked Dadin Kowa bus station this evening. The park is one of the busiest in the town,” he said.
“You get vehicles going to Biu, Maiduguri, Yola but activities are usually low in the evening. So, we just hope that the casualty would not be high.” Fwaje Atajiri, the police public relations officer in the state confirmed the attack, saying the police has cordoned off the area to prevent hoodlums from taking advantage of the situation.
“It is true that there were bomb attacks in the motor park but the casualty figure is not yet known,” he said. “The injured have been taken to the hospital and the area has been cordoned off to prevent hoodlums from taking advantage of the situation to loot people’s property. Details would be made known to you later.”
Jonathan Paid People To Attack Me – Obasanjo
Barely one week, after he defended his choice of successor in 2007, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has pointedly accused former President Goodluck Jonathan of paying people to attack him.
Obasanjo, who also reflected on the despotic regime of the late maximum ruler, General Sani Abacha, stated that he would have been killed wrongly for the fathom coup.
Speaking on Channels Television programme, Channel Book Club last night, Obasanjo alleged that Jonathan paid people to attack him over his controversial book, “ My Watch”.
He claimed that Jonathan paid an activist from the South-West to criticise him.
While defending his book, Obasanjo said he did not have any regret on what he wrote, advising those who do not like what he said in the book to also write theirs, “so let the dialogue begin”.
On the criticism, trailing his book, Obasanjo said: “ If I have to react to all criticisms people write about me, which most of them are not true, then, I will not have time to do anything really again
He stated that what his critics, including Wole Soyinka, said did not bother him.
“Wole Soyinka and I have been having running battle. As he has said that it will not end until one of us leaves this world and I have said in this book we re talking about that If he leaves before me, when I get to Heaven and I hope he will be there, he should welcome me. But If I leave before him, I wiil welcome him.
“Wole Soyinka is a gifted man, I have always acknowledged that, but he is a bad politician or poltiical analyst and it is my own point of view, he may agree with my own point of view or disagree,” he said.
Jonathan Paid People To Attack Me – Obasanjo
Barely one week, after he defended his choice of successor in 2007, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has pointedly accused former President Goodluck Jonathan of paying people to attack him.
Obasanjo, who also reflected on the despotic regime of the late maximum ruler, General Sani Abacha, stated that he would have been killed wrongly for the fathom coup.
Speaking on Channels Television programme, Channel Book Club last night, Obasanjo alleged that Jonathan paid people to attack him over his controversial book, “ My Watch”.
He claimed that Jonathan paid an activist from the South-West to criticise him.
While defending his book, Obasanjo said he did not have any regret on what he wrote, advising those who do not like what he said in the book to also write theirs, “so let the dialogue begin”.
On the criticism, trailing his book, Obasanjo said: “ If I have to react to all criticisms people write about me, which most of them are not true, then, I will not have time to do anything really again
He stated that what his critics, including Wole Soyinka, said did not bother him.
“Wole Soyinka and I have been having running battle. As he has said that it will not end until one of us leaves this world and I have said in this book we re talking about that If he leaves before me, when I get to Heaven and I hope he will be there, he should welcome me. But If I leave before him, I wiil welcome him.
“Wole Soyinka is a gifted man, I have always acknowledged that, but he is a bad politician or poltiical analyst and it is my own point of view, he may agree with my own point of view or disagree,” he said.
Tuesday, 21 July 2015
Obama okays Buhari’s agenda for defeating Boko Haram
THE US President, Barack Obama, on Monday offered strong support for Nigeria’s new President, Muhammadu Buhari, saying he had a “clear agenda” for defeating the militant Islamist group, Boko Haram, and was working to root out corruption.
Speaking as he greeted Buhari on his first visit to the White House since his election in March, Obama said the two leaders would discuss ways to cooperate against the group, which had wreaked havoc in parts of the West African country.
Obama told reporters in the Oval Office that Buhari had integrity and “a very clear agenda in defeating Boko Haram extremists of all sorts inside his country.”
Boko Haram has carried out multiple attacks in northern Nigeria, most notably the April 2014 kidnapping of 276 Nigerian schoolgirls who are still missing.
The specific tactics Buhari will use against the group are still unknown, say experts who study the region.
White House spokesman, Josh Earnest, said the United States could offer intelligence to help the Nigerian efforts as well as support for communities hurt by the group.
Buhari’s election is the first democratic power transition in decades, which Obama called “an affirmation of Nigeria’s commitment to democracy,” and the visit is meant to usher in a new chapter in relations between the two countries.
The US cooperation with Buhari’s predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan, had virtually grounded to a halt over issues including his refusal to investigate corruption and human rights abuses by the Nigerian military.
Buhari’s move on July 13 to fire military chiefs appointed by Jonathan cleared the way for more military cooperation, the US officials have said.
Since Buhari’s election, Washington has committed $5m in new support for a multi-national task force set up to fight Boko Haram. Obama did not signal whether he might send the US troops to help train Nigerian forces.
The US is also looking at improving its economic ties with Nigeria, Africa’s biggest oil producer, especially as relations with two of Africa’s other big powers, Egypt and South Africa, have cooled.
Obama called Nigeria one of the most important countries on the African continent and in the world and he commended Buhari’s work in rooting out corruption that he said had held back Nigeria’s economic growth.
Buhari was also expected to meet with the US Attorney General, Loretta Lynch, later on Monday to discuss countering violent extremism.
Meanwhile, Buhari on Monday said the sustained pressure mounted on the immediate past administration by the US and some European countries made the last general election in Nigeria to be free and fair.
A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, quoted the President as speaking while responding to the welcome remarks by Obama before the start of the bilateral meeting between officials of both countries at the Oval Office of the White House, Washington DC, on the second day of Buhari’s four-day visit to the US.
“Without the external pressure, we would not be where we are today,” Adesina quoted the President as saying.
Buhari recalled that the pressure started from the visit of the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, to the past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega.
“Nigeria will be ever grateful to President Obama and the United States for making Nigeria to consolidate its gains on democracy,” the President added.
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DSS invasion of my house unlawful – Ex-Sultan
The father of the embattled former National Security Adviser, former Sultan Ibrahim Dasuki, has expressed shock at the invasion of his Sokoto home by operatives of the Department of State Services, saying the invasion was unlawful.
The senior Dasuki, who was the 18th Sultan of Sokoto until he was deposed by the military regime of the late General Sani Abacha, said this in an interview he granted the Hausa Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation, on Monday.
The ex-monarch said that at 94 years of age, he was surprised that his residence could be invaded by security officials without being given the courtesy of being informed.
He explained that he had never been found wanting in all the places he had worked throughout his days as a youth.
Dasuki said, “I don’t know what they were looking for in my house. Even, I have not spoken with a member of my staff who they opened the house with. They entered into the ceiling of rooms belonging to women and no one said they found anything.
“They entered my portion of the house, there were two safes, they said they found an old Certificate of Occupancy of a house and that in one (of the safes), they found an empty envelop, that is what they said.”
Responding to a question over a container found within the compound, Dasuki said, “The container is on one side in the compound. Aliyu Dasuki (deceased) is my son, I am a younger brother to his father, and his wife is my daughter. When he died, his wife’s belongings mainly old furniture and mattresses are the things inside the container.
“They opened it. Like I told you before, even the member of my staff who was there, I have not been able to speak with him to know what exactly happened.
“All I have heard is hearsay and if he told me what happened, in the end, like I did before, I will leave everything to Allah.”
He also wondered why the security officials chose to invade his home in Sokoto when his son’s house is in Abuja.
“They did not go to Sambo Dasuki’s house, they went to my house. All my children have a right to my house. Sambo Dasuki is almost 60 years old, he is a man of his own. Can you hold a father responsible for the actions of his son?” he queried.
The senior Dasuki also explained that he was not averse to authorities questioning his son for his actions or inactions while in office.
He said, “He (Sambo) worked; they should ask him.”
The former sultan argued that even the constitution and the nation’s relevant laws stipulate that he should be informed before security officials entered his house.
It will be recalled that the DSS had in a statement on Sunday, explained that it carried out the search on the homes of the Dasukis following credible intelligence report that the former NSA was plotting to commit treasonable felony against the Nigerian state.
Spokesman for the security agency, Mr. Tony Opuiyo said the DSS had planned simultaneous searches on its two targets, but that the former NSA denied its officers entry into his main residence despite being presented with a genuine and duly signed search warrant.
The former NSA, he said, used the military guards at his home to prevent the DSS operatives from performing their legitimate duty, creating a potentially dangerous situation.
Meanwhile, some northern traditional and retired generals have intervened in the case involving the DSS and the former NSA.
Investigations on Monday showed that some traditional rulers from the North-West had prevailed on the former NSA not to drag the Federal Government to court over the invasion of his house in Abuja.
There were reports on Saturday that Dasuki would file a suit against the DSS on Tuesday (today) because of the invasion of his house.
The DSS had on Friday surrounded the ex-NSA’s house in Abuja and that of his father in Sokoto.
Dasuki was forced to stay indoors for about 24 hours and the DSS operatives were said to have seized his international passport.
The security agency had in a statement on Saturday night accused Dasuki of felony, misuse of power and being in possession of destructive weapons.
The senior Dasuki, who was the 18th Sultan of Sokoto until he was deposed by the military regime of the late General Sani Abacha, said this in an interview he granted the Hausa Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation, on Monday.
The ex-monarch said that at 94 years of age, he was surprised that his residence could be invaded by security officials without being given the courtesy of being informed.
He explained that he had never been found wanting in all the places he had worked throughout his days as a youth.
Dasuki said, “I don’t know what they were looking for in my house. Even, I have not spoken with a member of my staff who they opened the house with. They entered into the ceiling of rooms belonging to women and no one said they found anything.
“They entered my portion of the house, there were two safes, they said they found an old Certificate of Occupancy of a house and that in one (of the safes), they found an empty envelop, that is what they said.”
Responding to a question over a container found within the compound, Dasuki said, “The container is on one side in the compound. Aliyu Dasuki (deceased) is my son, I am a younger brother to his father, and his wife is my daughter. When he died, his wife’s belongings mainly old furniture and mattresses are the things inside the container.
“They opened it. Like I told you before, even the member of my staff who was there, I have not been able to speak with him to know what exactly happened.
“All I have heard is hearsay and if he told me what happened, in the end, like I did before, I will leave everything to Allah.”
He also wondered why the security officials chose to invade his home in Sokoto when his son’s house is in Abuja.
“They did not go to Sambo Dasuki’s house, they went to my house. All my children have a right to my house. Sambo Dasuki is almost 60 years old, he is a man of his own. Can you hold a father responsible for the actions of his son?” he queried.
The senior Dasuki also explained that he was not averse to authorities questioning his son for his actions or inactions while in office.
He said, “He (Sambo) worked; they should ask him.”
The former sultan argued that even the constitution and the nation’s relevant laws stipulate that he should be informed before security officials entered his house.
It will be recalled that the DSS had in a statement on Sunday, explained that it carried out the search on the homes of the Dasukis following credible intelligence report that the former NSA was plotting to commit treasonable felony against the Nigerian state.
Spokesman for the security agency, Mr. Tony Opuiyo said the DSS had planned simultaneous searches on its two targets, but that the former NSA denied its officers entry into his main residence despite being presented with a genuine and duly signed search warrant.
The former NSA, he said, used the military guards at his home to prevent the DSS operatives from performing their legitimate duty, creating a potentially dangerous situation.
Meanwhile, some northern traditional and retired generals have intervened in the case involving the DSS and the former NSA.
Investigations on Monday showed that some traditional rulers from the North-West had prevailed on the former NSA not to drag the Federal Government to court over the invasion of his house in Abuja.
There were reports on Saturday that Dasuki would file a suit against the DSS on Tuesday (today) because of the invasion of his house.
The DSS had on Friday surrounded the ex-NSA’s house in Abuja and that of his father in Sokoto.
Dasuki was forced to stay indoors for about 24 hours and the DSS operatives were said to have seized his international passport.
The security agency had in a statement on Saturday night accused Dasuki of felony, misuse of power and being in possession of destructive weapons.
Wike visited twice but never met me –CJN
Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed
Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, on Monday confirmed the visits to his office at the Supreme Court Complex in Abuja by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State twice this month.
But the CJN, who spoke through his media aide, Ahuraka Isah, said he was not around to receive or have an audience with the governor on both occasions.
The PUNCH had exclusively reported on Monday that one of the governor’s visits coincided with the day the Rivers State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, conducted hearing into an application filed by Wike to challenge an order permitting his opponent to inspect the electoral materials used for the poll that brought him to office.
The election of the former education minister, who ran for the governorship on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, is being challenged by the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Dr. Dakuku Peterside.
The PUNCH learnt that the governor’s visits to the CJN were made without prior appointments.
Reacting to The PUNCH story on Monday, Isah, in a statement, confirmed that the CJN never had prior appointments with the governor.
He explained that on the first visit by the governor, the CJN was away in Saudi Arabia observing the Lesser Hajj while during Wike’s second visit, the Nigeria’s number one judicial officer was also at a meeting of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee, where candidates shortlisted for the rank of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, were being interviewed.
The statement read in part, “Our attention has been drawn to reports that the Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike had met with the Honourable, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Mahmud Mohammed, GCON during one of his visits to the office of the CJN on July 6 and July 8 this year.
“However, we would not have ordinarily wished to react to such stories except for the erroneous impression it may cast in the mind of the public. We wish to state with all emphasis that the CJN at no time had an audience with Governor Wike. This includes before, on and after the said date.
“For further clarification, during the week of the purported first visit by Governor Wike on July 6, 2015, his Lordship was away in Saudi Arabia performing Umrah. On the date of the alleged second visit, which was on Wednesday July 8, 2015, the CJN was in court observing the interview of shortlisted applicants for the award of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
“A senior official in the CJN chamber intercepted Governor Wike and advised that it is a policy of the CJN not to entertain visits of politicians, especially those with cases in the courts.
“Consequently, Governor Wike left at that point, even though he tried to state reasons for his visit, which included the issue of the appointment of substantive Chief Judge for his state and to thank the CJN for sending the Bayelsa State Chief Judge to swear him into the office.
“In fact, his Lordship was not even aware of the visit until the next morning. The CJN therefore did not see the governor as reported in the said dailies.”
The CJN also assured the people of Rivers State and Nigerians that he “is veritably committed to upholding the integrity, neutrality and independence of our Judiciary”.
“This is a responsibility, which we hold dear and will not shirk,” the statement added.
Wike had denied that his visit had anything to do with his case pending before the tribunal. He had told one of our correspondents that he was at the office because of the issue surrounding the appointment of the acting Chief Judge of Rivers State.
The Publicity Secretary of the APC in Rivers State, Chief Chris Finebone, had on Sunday described Wike’s visit to the CJN as curious.
He had said, “We have no cause to doubt the integrity of the CJN, but we must say that the visits must have been made open and known to Nigerians. Why was it not made known?
“Wike believes that every human being has a price. His problem is just to identify the price. His case is pending and he refused to go with the media during the visits.
“We want to believe that the visits didn’t happen and if it happened, he must tell Nigerians why he chose to embark on the visit without the media.”
Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, on Monday confirmed the visits to his office at the Supreme Court Complex in Abuja by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State twice this month.
But the CJN, who spoke through his media aide, Ahuraka Isah, said he was not around to receive or have an audience with the governor on both occasions.
The PUNCH had exclusively reported on Monday that one of the governor’s visits coincided with the day the Rivers State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, conducted hearing into an application filed by Wike to challenge an order permitting his opponent to inspect the electoral materials used for the poll that brought him to office.
The election of the former education minister, who ran for the governorship on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, is being challenged by the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Dr. Dakuku Peterside.
The PUNCH learnt that the governor’s visits to the CJN were made without prior appointments.
Reacting to The PUNCH story on Monday, Isah, in a statement, confirmed that the CJN never had prior appointments with the governor.
He explained that on the first visit by the governor, the CJN was away in Saudi Arabia observing the Lesser Hajj while during Wike’s second visit, the Nigeria’s number one judicial officer was also at a meeting of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee, where candidates shortlisted for the rank of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, were being interviewed.
The statement read in part, “Our attention has been drawn to reports that the Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike had met with the Honourable, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Mahmud Mohammed, GCON during one of his visits to the office of the CJN on July 6 and July 8 this year.
“However, we would not have ordinarily wished to react to such stories except for the erroneous impression it may cast in the mind of the public. We wish to state with all emphasis that the CJN at no time had an audience with Governor Wike. This includes before, on and after the said date.
“For further clarification, during the week of the purported first visit by Governor Wike on July 6, 2015, his Lordship was away in Saudi Arabia performing Umrah. On the date of the alleged second visit, which was on Wednesday July 8, 2015, the CJN was in court observing the interview of shortlisted applicants for the award of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
“A senior official in the CJN chamber intercepted Governor Wike and advised that it is a policy of the CJN not to entertain visits of politicians, especially those with cases in the courts.
“Consequently, Governor Wike left at that point, even though he tried to state reasons for his visit, which included the issue of the appointment of substantive Chief Judge for his state and to thank the CJN for sending the Bayelsa State Chief Judge to swear him into the office.
“In fact, his Lordship was not even aware of the visit until the next morning. The CJN therefore did not see the governor as reported in the said dailies.”
The CJN also assured the people of Rivers State and Nigerians that he “is veritably committed to upholding the integrity, neutrality and independence of our Judiciary”.
“This is a responsibility, which we hold dear and will not shirk,” the statement added.
Wike had denied that his visit had anything to do with his case pending before the tribunal. He had told one of our correspondents that he was at the office because of the issue surrounding the appointment of the acting Chief Judge of Rivers State.
The Publicity Secretary of the APC in Rivers State, Chief Chris Finebone, had on Sunday described Wike’s visit to the CJN as curious.
He had said, “We have no cause to doubt the integrity of the CJN, but we must say that the visits must have been made open and known to Nigerians. Why was it not made known?
“Wike believes that every human being has a price. His problem is just to identify the price. His case is pending and he refused to go with the media during the visits.
“We want to believe that the visits didn’t happen and if it happened, he must tell Nigerians why he chose to embark on the visit without the media.”
EFCC set to probe Jonathan’s ministers, aides
Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde
THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has concluded plans to commence the probe of the former President Goodluck Jonathan with investigations into the financial transactions of his ministers and aides.
The PUNCH learnt that the Chairman of the commission, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, had already directed that all petitions against former public officers at the federal level should be forwarded to him to be acted upon.
Findings showed that former ministers, special advisers, heads of parastatals and those of other Federal Government agencies would be invited for interrogation by the EFCC in few weeks from now.
Our correspondents learnt that the anti-graft agency would focus on those whose establishments attracted huge allocations from the Federal Government when Jonathan was in power.
Such ministries and agencies, it was learnt, included defence, petroleum resources and power.
Three top sources in the anti-graft agency confided in one of our correspondents that Lamorde was “determined to expose any corrupt act during the administration of the former President.”
One of the sources, who confided in one of our correspondents, explained that anti-graft operatives had yet to arrest any of the former ministers, special advisers and heads of agencies who served under the former President.
The source said, “I am not aware of anybody who has been summoned or interrogated by the commission. Those to be interrogated would be determined by the gravity of the allegations against them as contained in the petitions.
“What happened last week was that a directive was issued to move all petitions against public office holders under the former President to the office of the Chairman.
“The files will be studied and assigned to units to handle the investigations. It is based on the petitions that people will be summoned.
“Most likely next week, action would be taken on those petitions…”
But the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwajaren, denied knowledge of such a directive when one of our correspondents contacted him on the telephone on Monday.
“I am not aware of the directive you are talking about. It is not to my knowledge,” the agency’s spokesman said.
Reacting to the development, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Abdullahi Jalo, said the party was not afraid of a probe.
According to him, the party and former President Goodluck Jonathan have nothing to hide, saying all the party is asking for is that any probe must be within the ambit of the law.
Jalo said the PDP as a political party discharged its duty of providing leadership for Nigeria for 16 years and that it did so transparently.
He said, “I am sure Nigerians still remember that it was because of PDP’s desire to deal with the scourge of corruption that our government under the leadership of President Olusegun Obasanjo established the EFCC and the ICPC. The records are there.
“All we are asking for is that there must be fairness and justice, whatever probe they want to carry out must have respect for the rule of law, good conscience and the fear of God.
“Such a probe must not be carried out based on vendetta or simply because somebody does not like the name or the face of somebody.”
Jalo also advised the All Progressives Congress-led administration to pay more attention to providing leadership to Nigeria, “rather than dissipating energy in the pursuit of trivialities.”
The Senior Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, had in an interview last week, said President Muhammadu Buhari would probe Jonathan’s government.
He had said that the present administration would recover billions of dollars, adding that “the world is too small a place for anybody to hide if you are running from justice.”
“It doesn’t mean that anybody that has ill-gotten wealth will not regurgitate it. They will. Remember when he (Buhari) went to Germany for the G7 summit, he met with President Obama and Obama told him to just give us information on where the loot is hidden and we will help you recover it and the government has been working on that. So, that shows that looters will never go free,” he had said.
Operatives of the Department of State Services had invaded the houses of Jonathan’s National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.) on Friday forcing the former NSA to a house arrest for 24 hours.
The security agency in a statement the following day accused Dasuki of felony, misuse of power and possession of destructive weapons.
It said it recovered from Dasuki’s home seven high calibre rifles (high assault weapons), several magazines, military related gear and 12 new vehicles, including five bulletproof cars.
A top officer of the DSS had confided in one of our correspondents that Dasuki would face further interrogations this week.
Also, the ex-President’s Chief Security Officer, Gordon Obua, was being detained as part of investigations into the security spending at the Presidential Villa during his time.
A lawyer to Obua has raised the alarm about the detention of his client.
The lawyer, Onochie Onwuegbuna, said in a statement that Obua had been in detention since July 16 without being told what offence he committed.
THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has concluded plans to commence the probe of the former President Goodluck Jonathan with investigations into the financial transactions of his ministers and aides.
The PUNCH learnt that the Chairman of the commission, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, had already directed that all petitions against former public officers at the federal level should be forwarded to him to be acted upon.
Findings showed that former ministers, special advisers, heads of parastatals and those of other Federal Government agencies would be invited for interrogation by the EFCC in few weeks from now.
Our correspondents learnt that the anti-graft agency would focus on those whose establishments attracted huge allocations from the Federal Government when Jonathan was in power.
Such ministries and agencies, it was learnt, included defence, petroleum resources and power.
Three top sources in the anti-graft agency confided in one of our correspondents that Lamorde was “determined to expose any corrupt act during the administration of the former President.”
One of the sources, who confided in one of our correspondents, explained that anti-graft operatives had yet to arrest any of the former ministers, special advisers and heads of agencies who served under the former President.
The source said, “I am not aware of anybody who has been summoned or interrogated by the commission. Those to be interrogated would be determined by the gravity of the allegations against them as contained in the petitions.
“What happened last week was that a directive was issued to move all petitions against public office holders under the former President to the office of the Chairman.
“The files will be studied and assigned to units to handle the investigations. It is based on the petitions that people will be summoned.
“Most likely next week, action would be taken on those petitions…”
But the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwajaren, denied knowledge of such a directive when one of our correspondents contacted him on the telephone on Monday.
“I am not aware of the directive you are talking about. It is not to my knowledge,” the agency’s spokesman said.
Reacting to the development, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Abdullahi Jalo, said the party was not afraid of a probe.
According to him, the party and former President Goodluck Jonathan have nothing to hide, saying all the party is asking for is that any probe must be within the ambit of the law.
Jalo said the PDP as a political party discharged its duty of providing leadership for Nigeria for 16 years and that it did so transparently.
He said, “I am sure Nigerians still remember that it was because of PDP’s desire to deal with the scourge of corruption that our government under the leadership of President Olusegun Obasanjo established the EFCC and the ICPC. The records are there.
“All we are asking for is that there must be fairness and justice, whatever probe they want to carry out must have respect for the rule of law, good conscience and the fear of God.
“Such a probe must not be carried out based on vendetta or simply because somebody does not like the name or the face of somebody.”
Jalo also advised the All Progressives Congress-led administration to pay more attention to providing leadership to Nigeria, “rather than dissipating energy in the pursuit of trivialities.”
The Senior Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, had in an interview last week, said President Muhammadu Buhari would probe Jonathan’s government.
He had said that the present administration would recover billions of dollars, adding that “the world is too small a place for anybody to hide if you are running from justice.”
“It doesn’t mean that anybody that has ill-gotten wealth will not regurgitate it. They will. Remember when he (Buhari) went to Germany for the G7 summit, he met with President Obama and Obama told him to just give us information on where the loot is hidden and we will help you recover it and the government has been working on that. So, that shows that looters will never go free,” he had said.
Operatives of the Department of State Services had invaded the houses of Jonathan’s National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.) on Friday forcing the former NSA to a house arrest for 24 hours.
The security agency in a statement the following day accused Dasuki of felony, misuse of power and possession of destructive weapons.
It said it recovered from Dasuki’s home seven high calibre rifles (high assault weapons), several magazines, military related gear and 12 new vehicles, including five bulletproof cars.
A top officer of the DSS had confided in one of our correspondents that Dasuki would face further interrogations this week.
Also, the ex-President’s Chief Security Officer, Gordon Obua, was being detained as part of investigations into the security spending at the Presidential Villa during his time.
A lawyer to Obua has raised the alarm about the detention of his client.
The lawyer, Onochie Onwuegbuna, said in a statement that Obua had been in detention since July 16 without being told what offence he committed.
Fayose attacks Obasanjo for criticising Jonathan
Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has urged former President Olusegun Obasanjo to stop attacking the immediate past President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.
He appealed to Obasanjo to allow Jonathan retire into private life “devoid of mudslinging from an elder statesman like Obasanjo.”
Fayose said he was miffed that Obasanjo could choose the 11th convocation lecture of Benson Idahosa University, Benin, Edo State, to say that the “performance of Jonathan while in office will hunt the people of the South-South region for a long time to come.”
The governor, according to a statement issued in Ado Ekiti on Monday by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, argued that the people of the South-South had already demonstrated their approval of Jonathan’s performance while in office by voting overwhelmingly for him on March 28 despite the collision orchestrated by Obasanjo and his allies.
“Most importantly, Jonathan’s performance as a democrat has been widely acknowledged locally and internationally, particularly by President Muhammadu Buhari, who on many occasions, acknowledged the role he (Jonathan) played in evolving a peaceful and successful transition programme, thereby averting crisis in the country.
“This is in contrast to Baba Obasanjo, who tried (to have a) third term when he was about concluding his constitutional two terms. And who knows whether he would have tried fourth term if he had succeeded with his third term agenda?
“The reality is, assuming but not conceding that Jonathan performed below expectation, the democratic governance that he established in Nigeria is more important than any other performance that Obasanjo alluded to,” he added.
Fayose, while urging Obasanjo to stop running other Nigerians down, said, “We are all stakeholders in Nigeria. It is wrong for any Nigerian, no matter how highly placed, to go about carrying himself around as the only honest and lover of the country.
“Since Baba Obasanjo has openly destroyed his Peoples Democratic Party membership card, he is free to go about seeking relevance in the All Progressives Congress without running anyone down.”
Advising that “people living in glass houses should avoid throwing stones,” Fayose added that, “Nigerians know those involved in the Halliburton scandal, and people who are yet to be cleared of their alleged complicity in a scam like Halliburton lacked moral rights to brand other people as corrupt.”
He appealed to Obasanjo to allow Jonathan retire into private life “devoid of mudslinging from an elder statesman like Obasanjo.”
Fayose said he was miffed that Obasanjo could choose the 11th convocation lecture of Benson Idahosa University, Benin, Edo State, to say that the “performance of Jonathan while in office will hunt the people of the South-South region for a long time to come.”
The governor, according to a statement issued in Ado Ekiti on Monday by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, argued that the people of the South-South had already demonstrated their approval of Jonathan’s performance while in office by voting overwhelmingly for him on March 28 despite the collision orchestrated by Obasanjo and his allies.
“Most importantly, Jonathan’s performance as a democrat has been widely acknowledged locally and internationally, particularly by President Muhammadu Buhari, who on many occasions, acknowledged the role he (Jonathan) played in evolving a peaceful and successful transition programme, thereby averting crisis in the country.
“This is in contrast to Baba Obasanjo, who tried (to have a) third term when he was about concluding his constitutional two terms. And who knows whether he would have tried fourth term if he had succeeded with his third term agenda?
“The reality is, assuming but not conceding that Jonathan performed below expectation, the democratic governance that he established in Nigeria is more important than any other performance that Obasanjo alluded to,” he added.
Fayose, while urging Obasanjo to stop running other Nigerians down, said, “We are all stakeholders in Nigeria. It is wrong for any Nigerian, no matter how highly placed, to go about carrying himself around as the only honest and lover of the country.
“Since Baba Obasanjo has openly destroyed his Peoples Democratic Party membership card, he is free to go about seeking relevance in the All Progressives Congress without running anyone down.”
Advising that “people living in glass houses should avoid throwing stones,” Fayose added that, “Nigerians know those involved in the Halliburton scandal, and people who are yet to be cleared of their alleged complicity in a scam like Halliburton lacked moral rights to brand other people as corrupt.”
Ondo workers to begin strike tomorrow
Civil servants in Ondo State are set to begin an indefinite strike action tomorrow (Wednesday) should the government fail to pay all outstanding salaries and deductions made (from their salaries) for months.
The State Chairman of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, Sunday Adeleye, stated this while speaking to journalists on Monday in Akure, the state capital.
Adeleye said the industrial action definitely would take place because the workers had last week issued a seven-day ultimatum to the state government which expires on Wednesday; and unless the government responds on Tuesday, the strike would begin on Wednesday.
He said, “We have been meeting with representatives of the state government since last week, after issuing a statement of a seven-day ultimatum and it was all deadlock.
“But if by Tuesday the state government fails to yield to our demand, the union will have no other option than to call out a congress by tomorrow (Wednesday) and a total strike action would be declared indefinitely.”
The labour leader lamented that the cooperative societies for workers had died a natural death due to non-release of workers’ deductions to the societies. He said the societies were the additional means the workers used to survive.
Adeleye had earlier noted in a statement that non-payment of all deductions in the salaries of workers showed the government’s insensitivity to the plight of civil servants in the state.
In his reaction, the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, urged the workers to be patient with the state government, saying the government would definitely look into their matter.
“I will appeal to them to embrace dialogue with the government instead of going on strike, because if they go on strike, we are still going to negotiate. So, strike should not be the option.
“The state government, through a commissioner, was already negotiating with the labour leaders, and I believe we are going to achieve fruitful result at the end of the day,” Akinmade assured.
The State Chairman of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, Sunday Adeleye, stated this while speaking to journalists on Monday in Akure, the state capital.
Adeleye said the industrial action definitely would take place because the workers had last week issued a seven-day ultimatum to the state government which expires on Wednesday; and unless the government responds on Tuesday, the strike would begin on Wednesday.
He said, “We have been meeting with representatives of the state government since last week, after issuing a statement of a seven-day ultimatum and it was all deadlock.
“But if by Tuesday the state government fails to yield to our demand, the union will have no other option than to call out a congress by tomorrow (Wednesday) and a total strike action would be declared indefinitely.”
The labour leader lamented that the cooperative societies for workers had died a natural death due to non-release of workers’ deductions to the societies. He said the societies were the additional means the workers used to survive.
Adeleye had earlier noted in a statement that non-payment of all deductions in the salaries of workers showed the government’s insensitivity to the plight of civil servants in the state.
In his reaction, the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, urged the workers to be patient with the state government, saying the government would definitely look into their matter.
“I will appeal to them to embrace dialogue with the government instead of going on strike, because if they go on strike, we are still going to negotiate. So, strike should not be the option.
“The state government, through a commissioner, was already negotiating with the labour leaders, and I believe we are going to achieve fruitful result at the end of the day,” Akinmade assured.
Monday, 20 July 2015
Lionel Messi Gets A Drive From President Of Gabon (Photos)
Ali Bongo Ondimba, the president of Gabon, takes Lionel Messi for a drive |
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BREAKING: Fresh Bomb Explosion In Damaturu
BREAKING: Fresh Bomb Explosion In Damaturu
Report just reaching our news desk indicates that a fresh bomb attack has occurred in Damaturu, Yobe State.
This is coming barely three days after suicide bomber attacked a Muslim praying ground during the Eid-el-Fritri celebration last Friday.
APC Cannot Win Ekiti Even If Tinubu Becomes INEC Chairman - Fayose
Monday, 20 July 2015
APC cannot win Ekiti even if Tinubu becomes INEC Chairman - Fayose
Fayose
He also took a swipe at the party’s national leader, Bola Tinubu.
“Even if Tinubu becomes the INEC chairman, they will lose in Ekiti, because they are not on ground here”, Fayose said via his Twitter account @GovAyoFayose.
According to him, Ekiti was gone for good from the hands of APC.
In a series of tweet, he re-echoed his preference for former President Goodluck Jonathan to win a second term, saying the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari was “the will of God”.
Excerpts from his tweets: “Elections have come and gone and, as I always say, President Muhammadu Buhari is the president of Nigeria, not by his own grace.
“I wanted Jonathan but God has given it to Buhari and so, we all have to submit to the will of God.
“It is a free society; there is no almighty governor; there is no almighty president. We are all governed by civility and by the constitution”.
PHOTO: FUTO Head Of Department,Dr (Mrs) Felicia Eze Kidnapped
PHOTO: FUTO Head Of Department,Dr (Mrs) Felicia Eze Kidnapped
Nigerian Police In Abakiliki Kill Unarmed Nigerian Man -Viewers Discretion Advised
The mail came in two parts.
The first is an SOS alert that the victim was in Hospital unconscious.Chinedu Uzor lost the battle and died this Morning.
His head was blown open with his brain tissue spilling out..
Please read what happened but please brace yourself for the next pic...
''Hello Stella, something really terrible just happened to one of my tenants, He was driving back home and he saw some guys dressed in mufti flagging him to stop, for fear that might be robbers, he sped off hoping to get to a legal checking point for safety. Only to see a checking point ahead, on getting there, he put off his car engine, and surrendered himself whilst explaining himself, the other team of police came there, met him and shot him on his head and arm at close range, as I speak to you, he is unconscious and on oxygen at Specialist Hospital Abakaliki.
For Goodness sake, why should they shoot at someone who was unarmed and raised his hands. This same man had a similar experience last two December where some guys stopped him and he stopped and they shot at him, luckily for him he survived that by God's Grace and now this. I really won't want this case swept under the carpet, The Nigerian Police has done more harm than good to its Citizens.
THE SECOND MAIL WHICH JUST CAME IN READS...
Attached Here are pictures of the man, his name is Chinedu Uzor. He died early this morning and the policemen are desperately trying to cover up their tracks and even trying to track down the witness who has gone into hiding''.
First Bank Plc Faces Money Laundering Charge
A federal high court sitting in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria has adjourned till after vacation hearing in a three count criminal charge of money laundering filed against First Bank of Nigeria Plc by Peep ‘N’ Pick Bureau de Change Limited and seven other accused persons.
According to the said criminal charge filed before the court by Mr K.A. Salawu principal state counsel from the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, a manager of FirstBank, Juliana Ifeyinwa Ochuka, First Bank Plc, Jenifer Osaseri Anasodo, Titilope Nasir Balogun, Aderonke Adedayo, Joy Ngosi Nnoruka, Caleb Chukwuka Ezeh, Oluwabunmi Afolashade Olujobi, Peep ‘N’ Pick Bureau De Change Ltd and others at large on or about 22nd of May 2014 conspired together to launder the sum of 1.9 million dollars, the source of which was unlawful and thereby committed an offence contrary to and Punishable under sections 15 (3) and 18(a) of Money Laundering (prohibition) Act.
The money whose source was unlawful was alleged to have been laundered through three different accounts open with the bank by one of the senior managers of the bank.
In an affidavit sworn to by Mrs Felicia Des-Dordes, chief Litigation Clerk in the office of the Attorney General of the federation, and filed before the court, the Deponent averred that all investigation into the case had been concluded and Mr K A Salawu in his position as prosecutor alleged that, prima facie case exists against the FirstBank Plc and all the accused persons.
According to the said criminal charge filed before the court by Mr K.A. Salawu principal state counsel from the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, a manager of FirstBank, Juliana Ifeyinwa Ochuka, First Bank Plc, Jenifer Osaseri Anasodo, Titilope Nasir Balogun, Aderonke Adedayo, Joy Ngosi Nnoruka, Caleb Chukwuka Ezeh, Oluwabunmi Afolashade Olujobi, Peep ‘N’ Pick Bureau De Change Ltd and others at large on or about 22nd of May 2014 conspired together to launder the sum of 1.9 million dollars, the source of which was unlawful and thereby committed an offence contrary to and Punishable under sections 15 (3) and 18(a) of Money Laundering (prohibition) Act.
The money whose source was unlawful was alleged to have been laundered through three different accounts open with the bank by one of the senior managers of the bank.
In an affidavit sworn to by Mrs Felicia Des-Dordes, chief Litigation Clerk in the office of the Attorney General of the federation, and filed before the court, the Deponent averred that all investigation into the case had been concluded and Mr K A Salawu in his position as prosecutor alleged that, prima facie case exists against the FirstBank Plc and all the accused persons.
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