Nigeria's Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, has confessed that he shared over 200 exotic vehicles to ruling All Progressives Congress members ahead of the party’s governorship primary in Kebbi State.
 
Malami had in April declared interest in the Kebbi State governorship race.

Days after his declaration, exotic vehicles such as Toyota Prado, Lexus, Toyota Hilux, and Mercedes-Benz vehicles were given to APC members.
 
However, the minister last week claimed the story attributing vehicle distribution to him was mischievous and misconstrued information.
 
In a video shared by Peoples Gazette, Malami was heard saying some people were not happy with the distribution because they were used to hard drugs.
 
He also boasted that he will soon share hundreds of aeroplanes and not cars alone.
 
“They are used to distributing hard drugs, but we shared cars, so they will not be happy with the good things we are doing.
 
“They have been reporting that we shared over 200 Mercedes Benz cars, if Allah gives us the opportunity, we will share hundreds of aeroplanes, not only cars.”
 
Malami, a lawyer from Kebbi State who was hardly known before 2015 when he was appointed into the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, is today one of the richest men in Nigeria.
 
In 2020, a series of detailed investigations carried out by SaharaReporters showed that Malami had acquired several properties whose value run into many billions of naira since being appointed into the administration of President Buhari as Nigeria’s chief law officer.
 
For example, the AGF has an underground hotel in Sokoto, three houses at Peace Estate, Abuja, a brand-new state-of-the-art school in Kebbi, two houses for his sons worth N100 million each and a new hotel under construction in the Jabi area of Abuja.
 
Malami also bought a house this year worth N150 million in the Gwarimpa area of Abuja.
 
A school located at the back of NITEL in Gesse Phase 1, Birnin Kebbi and a house worth N600 million on Ahmadu Bello Way, Nasarawa GRA, Kano, are among properties acquired by Malami since he became a minister under President Buhari.
 
The houses he built for his sons in Kebbi are 200 metres apart in a posh part of the city.
 
That is not all. Malami also built N3billion multipurpose event centre in Kebbi State named Azbir Arena, for his son.
 
The facility is said to be an entertainment centre with a plaza and kids’ playing section.
 
This is apart from Rayhaan Hotel located on Zaria Road, opposite Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, which the AGF massively upgraded using unexplained wealth.
 
Ever since SaharaReporters published a series of detailed reports exposing these illicit acquisitions, the online news medium has been a target for the AGF’s camp.
 
Apart from falsely claiming to have sued SaharaReporters over the expository reports he said had damaged his reputation before the world, Malami also issued a petition to the former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, on the issue to arrest the publisher of the online newspaper, Omoyele Sowore.
 
Despite these questionable acquisitions, 53-year-old Malami continues to portray a saintly stance in the Buhari government whose fight against corruption has been called into serious question in recent times.

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Posters of a Dutch Nigerian, Wiebe Boer, also known as Yohanna Maigona, announcing his intention to contest the governorship election in Plateau State have flooded the internet.

Maigona’s party political, All For All Peoples Party is, however, not registered with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigeria’s electoral boy.

The poster reads: Peoples Choice 2023; Vote Yohanna Maigona, aka Sarkin Bature Plateau for Governor Plateau State #All For All Peoples Party#.”

Maigona who lives in Jos and has lived there all his life speaks impeccable Hausa, PM News reports. He was said to have had secondary education in the city.

Maigona is the CEO of All On Energy, which is into renewable energy, such as solar power.

He also has an affiliation with Pan African Writers Association (PAWA).

On 12 May 2021, Maigona, also officially called Wiebe Boer, was the interviewer of Professor Wole Soyinka, the first guest of PAWA’s Conversation Series.

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The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has extended its strike by 12 weeks.
 
This was confirmed by the National President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke who spoke to SaharaReporters on Monday morning.

The academic body took the decision at an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) held at ASUU Secretariat in Abuja.
 
The emergency meeting, which had in attendance principal officers and branch chairmen, started on Sunday and ended early Monday morning.
 
Members of the union had embarked on a one-month strike on February 14 over the failure of the Nigerian Government to honour the various agreements reached with them.
 
Some of ASUU’s demands include the release of revitalisation funds for universities, renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement, release of earned allowances for university lecturers, and deployment of the UTAS payment platform for the payment of salaries and allowances of university lecturers.
 
Following the expiration of the initial four-week warning strike, the union had gone ahead to declare additional eight weeks of industrial action, saying that it was giving the government more time to attend to its needs.

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An aspirant for the House of Representatives' seat on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Engr. Sunday Oche, has been arrested by the Nigeria Police for allegedly committing forgery and perjury. 
Oche, who seeks to represent Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State, was arrested early on Sunday morning at Double K Resort, Otukpo, and was immediately whisked away to Abuja where he was detained at the Force headquarters till night.

It was gathered that Oche's arrest was predicated upon a petition submitted at Zone 7 Police Headquarters, Abuja and addressed to the Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) in charge of the Zone on April 19, 2022, by one Mr. Michael Unogwu, who was the APC candidate for House of Representatives in the 2019 general elections. 
SaharaReporters learnt that Oche allegedly forged the signature of Mr. Unogwu on his private letterhead, which was transmitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 2018, as a letter of withdrawal from the National Assembly race, shortly after Unogwu's emergence as the candidate of APC. 
The petition which was submitted by the counsel for Unogwu, F.S. Jimba & Co, reads in part: "After the submission of the name of our client as its candidate for the election by the APC, Mr. Oche Sunday Oche came up with a criminal design to unlawfully replace our client as APC candidate for the election. In this quest, Mr. Oche Sunday Oche criminally procured INEC form CF 004A(i) being notice of withdrawal of candidate, filled it with our client's information, unlawfully obtained our client's passport photograph and affixed to the said form and then forged our client's signature on the said document.
"In addition to the above, Mr. Oche Sunday Oche placed his passport photograph on the said INEC Form CF 004A(i) as the candidate to replace our client as candidate. 
"Furthermore, Mr. Oche Sunday Oche also forged a letter of withdrawal dated 15th November, 2018 and addressed to the National Chairman of APC, purportedly withdrawing our client's candidature from the General Election. As a result of the above, the name of Mr. Oche Sunday Oche was then forwarded to INEC as the candidate of APC for the election."
The petitioners annexed the purported letter of withdrawal; INEC Form CF 004A(i) and letter of mandate from the party asking INEC to substitute the name of Mr. Unogwu for that of Oche.
Also annexed was the letter signed by the Secretary to the Commission (INEC), Rose Oriaran Anthony in December 2018, informing the party of the anomalies associated with the purported letter of withdrawal and the reply signed by the APC national chairman, informing INEC that the letter of withdrawal was actually forged. 
"After thorough investigation, the party has come to the conclusion that the purported letter of withdrawal was indeed forged, hence nullifying his purported withdrawal," the letter signed by the APC national chairman reads in part. 
Also sighted by our reporter as an annexure, was a copy of the affidavit deposed to by Oche, saying the information provided in the purported letter of withdrawal and the INEC Form CF 004A(i) were true; thereby committing perjury.
It was also gathered that when the Zone 7 Police headquarters failed to act swiftly by arresting Oche, the complainant, Unogwu, through his lawyers, approached the court with a direct criminal complaint against the defendant, to seek his immediate prosecution for forgery, perjury and attempt to use a forged document to commit a crime. 
The Chief Magistrate Court, Bwari, subsequently ordered his arrest, investigation and arraignment.
He was, however, released on bail by the police around 8 pm on Sunday. 
Comrade Austin Agada, the Benue State Chairman of the APC, also confirmed the development in a telephone conversation on Sunday night.
Meanwhile, a pressure group, National Liberty and Justice Movement, has reacted to the release of Oche by the Nigeria Police, describing it as unfortunate. 
Comrade Wisdom Adeleye, national secretary of the group who spoke in Abuja Sunday night, warned the law enforcement agency against being suppressed by the pressure from politicians in the area.
"We are very much aware of this case and we shall join the suit. Our lawyers have been briefed and they shall apply to join the suit as we await the arraignment of Mr. Sunday Oche. The same way we monitored the case of Hon. Gololo in Bauchi, we shall be actively involved in this, to ensure justice is served. 
"The police should not allow pressure from any powerful politician to suppress them. The entire world is watching," Adeleye said.

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Monkey Pox

A person in England has been diagnosed with monkeypox, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said.
 
The patient had recently travelled from Nigeria, which is where they are believed to have contracted the infection, before travelling to the UK, the UKHSA said.

Monkey Pox Discovery Magazine

The person is receiving care at the expert infectious disease unit at the Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, Daily Mail reports.
 
Monkeypox is a rare viral infection which kills up to one in 10 of those infected but does not spread easily among people.
 
It is the seventh ever case of monkeypox in the UK and is the only case recorded since two patients were identified in North Wales in 2021.
 
The disease was first detected in the UK in 2018 after another traveller brought the virus back from Nigeria and it spread to two other people, including one NHS nurse who caught it from bed linen.
 
The person who has contracted Monkeypox is receiving care at the expert infectious disease unit at the Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London (pictured)
 
It is usually a mild self-limiting illness and most people recover within a few weeks but severe illness can occur in some individuals.
 
The infection can be spread when someone is in close contact with an infected person; however, there is a very low risk of transmission to the general population.
 
A Government spokesperson said that, as a precautionary measure, UKHSA experts are working closely with NHS colleagues and will be contacting people who might have been in close contact with the individual to provide information and health advice.
 
Dr Colin Brown, Director of Clinical and Emerging Infections, UKHSA, said: 'It is important to emphasise that monkeypox does not spread easily between people and the overall risk to the general public is very low.
 
'We are working with NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSEI) to contact the individuals who have had close contact with the case prior to confirmation of their infection, to assess them as necessary and provide advice.
 
'UKHSA and the NHS have well established and robust infection control procedures for dealing with cases of imported infectious disease and these will be strictly followed.'
 
Dr Nicholas Price, Director NHSE High Consequence Infection Diseases (airborne) Network and Consultant in Infectious Diseases at Guy’s and St Thomas’, said: 'The patient is being treated in our specialist isolation unit at St Thomas’ Hospital by expert clinical staff with strict infection prevention procedures.
 
'This is a good example of the way that the High Consequence Infectious Diseases national network and UKHSA work closely together in responding swiftly and effectively to these sporadic cases.'
 
Initial symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion.
 
A rash can develop, often beginning on the face, then spreading to other parts of the body.
 
The rash changes and goes through different stages before finally forming a scab, which later falls off.
 
The first case of monkeypox in a human being was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and has since been detected in a number of central and western African countries.
 
Most cases are reported in the DRC and Nigeria.

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Queues At A Filling Station In Akure

Barely one month after having some relief, fuel queues have resurfaced in many parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja as many filling stations claim to have run out of stock.

The scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, was noticed on Saturday night when motorists started queuing up to get the product and lamenting over the fresh scarcity.

File Photo SaharaReporters Media

A few stations that were seen dispensing the product in the city centre and satellite towns had long queues of vehicles while the management of some other stations said they could not get the product from the depot.

Meanwhile, black marketeers are back on the roads selling at exorbitant prices as 10 litres of petrol now sell for between N5,000 and N6,000. 

It is, however, not clear why the petrol queues are back in the nation’s capital but petrol transporters had been asking for improved bridging claims following the high cost of diesel. 

The country was thrown into chaos earlier this year when there was fuel scarcity across the country despite assurances from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

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Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.

The governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, has headed to a Federal High Court in Abuja to seek a constitutional interpretation of his non-resignation while pursuing his political interests.
SaharaReporters had in several reports exposed how Emefiele had been scheming and mobilising funds to fulfil his presidential ambition.

Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele. Chris J. Ratcliffe/Bloomberg

Since last Friday, the governor of the apex bank has been a subject of public criticism after N100 million expression of interest and nomination forms of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were purchased on his behalf.
But on Saturday, Emefiele on his Twitter handle thanked those who bought the forms for him, saying he would use his personal resources to procure the forms if he decided to contest.
“I am humbled by the growing interest of those asking that I run for the Office of President in the 2023 general elections: I have not come to that decision.
“I note and salute the sacrifices of those farmers and patriots going as far as raising personal funds and offering me Presidential Nomination Forms: I thank them most profusely.
“However, Should I answer their calls and decide to seek presidential nomination, I will use my own hard-earned savings from over 35 years of banking leadership to buy my own Nomination Forms, without proxies in an open and transparent manner in full compliance with the laws and Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“And should I not run for elected office, I will continue to serve and sacrifice for the good people of Nigeria under the able leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari. This is a serious decision that requires God’s Divine intervention: in the next few days The Almighty will so direct,” he had tweeted.
However, sources told The PUNCH that the CBN governor had reached out to a constitutional lawyer and human rights activist, Dr Mike Ozekhome (SAN), to seek interpretation of the constitution and public service rules on public servants seeking elective positions while in office.
A highly placed source in the CBN told The PUNCH that the case had been scheduled for today (Monday).
He said, “Emefiele has just briefed Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) as his lawyer. He has just filed a case in court and is coming up tomorrow (today, Monday).”
Several efforts by The PUNCH correspondent to get the reliefs being sought by Emefiele from the source proved abortive. Although the details of the suit were still sketchy Monday night, another source in the APC said Ozekhome was taking up the matter “for certain constitutional interpretations.”
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Ward 6 in the Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, Mr Nduka Erikpume, told The PUNCH on Sunday that the CBN governor had registered as an APC member since February 2021.
When asked whether Emefiele had registered in the APC, Erikpume said, “Yes, he has registered since February 2021. He is our member.”

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A former Nigerian Senator, Francis Arthur Nzeribe died on Sunday morning, SaharaReporters gathered.
A source told SaharaReporters that Nzeribe was declared dead at a foreign hospital following an undisclosed ailment. 

Meanwhile, the late Nzeribe during his active years in politics was part of those who made efforts to sabotage the democracy of Nigeria, particularly with the role he played during the June 12, 1993 elections. 
Having high hopes for a smooth passage into a democratic government, Nigerians filed out in orderly queues on June 12, 1993, to decide who would become the President between Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola (MKO Abiola) of the Social Democratic Party and Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention. 
However, Nzeribe and Abimbola Davis, among others had other plans, which were to ensure Ibrahim Babangida remained in power.
In a May 18, 1993 meeting at Sheraton Hotel (room 1034), which involved Nzeribe, Abimbola Davis, Director of Operations of Association for Better Nigeria (ABN); Clement Akpamgbo, Attorney-General of the Federation and legal strategist; Brigadier-General Haliru Akilu, Babangida’s chief spook and linkman with the ABN, the group finalised plans to stop the June 12 elections.
After learning of the plot, Campaign for Democracy, a pro-democracy outfit then led by Beko Ransome-Kuti, headed for the court to stop the ABN from carrying out its coup.
Joined as defendants in the suit No. LD/1148/93 were General Ibrahim Babangida and Chief Ola Olatunde, National Director of Operations of the ABN and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Dr Ransome-Kuti had contended that if not checked, the activities of ABN could derail the transition process.
In her ruling, Justice Dolapo Akinsanya restrained the ABN and its agents from carrying out any activity that could perpetuate Babangida in office.
However, Nzeribe and his ABN group, two days before the election, approached an Abuja High Court and obtained a court order from the late Justice Bassey Ikpeme in a midnight ruling, which they tried to use to stop the June 12 election.
The ABN, led by the late Nzeribe, was an organisation believed to have been set up and funded by Babangida to scuttle the 1993 democratic election. 
 

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The Group of Seven leaders have committed to phasing out dependency on Russian energy as they announced fresh sanctions as part of an “unprecedented” package of coordinated sanctions to reinforce Russia’s economic isolation over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, AlJazeera reports.
The G7 – which unites the world’s seven wealthiest nations, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States – has escalated a campaign against Russian elites who support President Vladimir Putin, whom the group accused of bringing “shame” on Russia’s historic sacrifice against Nazi Germany in World War II.

“We will ensure that we do so in a timely and orderly fashion, and in ways that provide time for the world to secure alternative supplies,” a G7 joint statement said.
“We will continue and elevate our campaign against the financial elites and family members, who support President Putin in his war effort and squander the resources of the Russian people,” the joint statement said.

The White House said the new sanctions will “hit hard at the main artery of Putin’s economy and deny him the revenue he needs to fund his war”.
After meeting virtually with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the leaders said they would cut off key services on which Russia depends, reinforcing the isolation of Russia “across all sectors of its economy”.
The group expressed concern that the war was causing global economic disruptions, impacting the security of global energy supply, fertiliser and food provision, and the functioning of global supply chains.
“Together with the United Nations, we call on Russia to end its blockade and all other activities that further impede Ukrainian food production and exports, in line with its international commitments,” the statement said.
“Failure to do so will be seen as an attack on feeding the world.”
Additional measures include sanctions against three Russian television stations, the ban on the provision of accounting and consulting services to Russians, and the sanctioning of executives from Russia’s Gazprombank.
The measures levied against Gazprombank executives are not the first involving the bank, which is closely tied to the giant Russian gas exporter Gazprom. But the United States and its allies have avoided taking steps that might lead to disruptions of gas to Europe, Russia’s main customer.
“This is not a full block. We’re not freezing the assets of Gazprombank or prohibiting any transactions with Gazprombank,” a senior official from the administration of US President Joe Biden official told reporters.
“What we’re signalling is that Gazprombank is not a safe haven, and so we’re sanctioning some of their top business executives … to create a chilling effect.”
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the group saying “the world must go further and faster to support Ukraine,” his office said after the call.
“Ukraine needed to receive military equipment that allowed them to not just hold ground in Ukraine, but recapture it,” Johnson told the leaders.
The G7 meeting comes as Europe commemorates the end of World War II and Europe’s liberation from Nazism and fascism.
In its remarks, the G7 said that President Putin’s actions in Ukraine “bring shame on Russia and the historic sacrifices of its people”.
The group’s leaders also reiterated their support for Zelenskyy, adding that the new measures were aimed at “strengthen[ing] Ukraine’s position on the battlefield and at the negotiating table”.

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Delta State commissioner of police, Ari Muhammed Ali, has placed officers and men of the command on red alert over a purported 'sit-at-home' threat by a group that identified itself as 'unknown gunmen' in Asaba, the state capital.
Ali, while assuring residents of Asaba of their safety, urged them to go about their lawful business. 

He said the command was ready to decisively handle anyone or group of persons who tried to cause any form of trouble in the state.
In a statement by the commissioner of police, signed by the command's public relations officer, DSP Bright Edafe, and obtained by SaharaReporters, the police boss directed the deputy commissioner of police (operations), area commanders, DPOs, and tactical commanders to maintain police visibility across the length and breadth of the state and introduce measures that will make the state uncomfortable and uninhabitable for any group of hoodlums.
The statement said in part, "The attention of Delta State Police Command has been drawn to a Facebook post by some faceless individuals with the caption 'Unknown gunmen Asaba Delta State sends strong message', in which Asaba residents are warned to observe the 'Sit at home order' as declared by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). For the purpose of clarity, the Delta State Commissioner of Police CP Ari Muhammed Ali, FCIA, psc+, has declared that there is no 'sit at home order' in the state.

"He assures residents of their safety and urges them to go about their lawful business(es) as the command is willing and able to deal decisively with anyone or group of persons who try to cause any form of trouble in the state. He admonishes members of the public particularly residents of Asaba and the entire Delta North district to remain vigilant, monitor and report any strange and suspicious movements or persons in their neighbourhood to the Command or other law enforcement agencies.
"Meanwhile, the CP in his determination to maintain the existing peace in the state, has placed officers and men of the Command on red alert and urged them to remain watchful and deal decisively with anyone or group of persons attempting to cause any form of mayhem in the state. 
"He has further directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police Operations, Area Commanders, DPOS, and Tactical Commanders to maintain Police visibility across the length and breadth of the State and emplace measures that will make the State uncomfortable and uninhabitable for any group of hoodlums. 
"Delta State Police Command can be contacted through the following numbers; The PPRO’s Office on +234 915 557 0008, +234 915 557 0007, Or the Command Control Room via +234 803 668 4974."

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Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, on Sunday suspended its decision to withdraw its services from all airports in the country from Monday, May 9.
The announcement was conveyed in a statement issued and jointly signed by the AON President, Abdulmunaf Sarina, and six other members of the association.

SaharaReporters Media

The signatories include Abdulmunaf, Managing Director of Azman Air; Shehu Wada, Executive Director of Max Air; and Obiora Okonkwo, Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines.
Others are Roy Ilegbodu, Chief Executive Officer of Arik Air; Abdullahi Mahmood, Chief Executive Officer of Aero Contractors; and Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace.
Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, had earlier announced that members of AON were reviewing their decision to withdraw services from the said date.
Ibom Air, Dana Air, Green Africa Airlines and Arik Air were some of the operators to have announced a boycott of the planned shutdown. 
The statement by the operators titled: 'AON ACCEDES TO CALLS FROM GOVERNMENT, SUSPENDS ACTION IN GOOD FATE', reads:
"The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) wishes to inform the general public that further to numerous calls from the highest echelons in government with promises to urgently intervene in the crises being faced by airlines due to the astronomic and continuously rising cost of JetA1, that the AON has acceded to requests to withdraw the action for the time being while we allow for a fresh round of dialogue with government in the hope of reaching an amicable solution.
"We have also reached this decision with the highest consideration for our esteemed customers who have been faced with uncertainty over the last few days and to enable them to have access to travel to their various destinations for the time being during the period of discussions with relevant authorities.
"In view of the above and in the interest of national economy and security considerations, AON hereby wishes to notify the general public that the earlier announced shutdown of operations on May 9, 2022, is hereby suspended in good fate pending the outcome of hopefully fruitful engagement with government."
The announcement comes less than 24 hours before the association's planned withdrawal of services, which it said was necessitated by the rising cost of aviation fuel and other logistic costs.
 

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CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele

A Niger Delta youth leader and businessman, Richard Akinaka has lambasted the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele, over his continued denial and stay in office despite his move to join the 2023 presidential race on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC. 
He described Emefiele as a morally weak aspirant hiding to contest for President. 

CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele

He, therefore, called for the disqualification of the CBN governor.
Richard said though he has nothing against anyone with the requisite qualifications to seek political office, Emefiele vying for political office while still occupying the office of governor at the apex bank is a gross violation of ethics. 
Akinaka described it as gross misconduct not needed for anyone vying for such an exalted office. 
According to Akinaka, Section 9 of the CBN Act, 2007 provides that “the governor and the deputy governors shall devote the whole of their time to the service of the bank, and while holding office, shall not engage in any full or part-time employment or vocation, whether remunerated or not.”
He pointed out that "politics is a vocation and the CBN Governor is not allowed by law to engage in partisan politics. It is unthinkable that Emefiele, despite his embarrassing failures of managing the country’s economy still wants to further wreck the entire country."
He said, "Every young Nigerian, especially those of us within the age bracket of 40 years and below, should be concerned with what is going on in this country to the extent that it should be our priority to decide the next set of leadership we desire. Because we have a great stake in this country now.
"But in the interim, what is the major issue now is the level of decadence in our public sector. The loss of value to the extent that public offices are now being driven by the whims and caprices of those who occupy them.
"I see no reason why the Central Bank Governor will be politically exposed. Though he has a right as a Nigerian to contest elections, he has a right to pursue his political aspirations but not at the expense of the office he occupies, when campaigns, billboards and branded cars and posters are everywhere about his ambition and he is denying it.
"But right now, it is on record that nomination form has been bought and according to him or media reports, it was bought by local farmers. A form worth 100 million naira! It is not true. With the level of hunger ravaging this country, I don't think local farmers have the money to make such contributions. 
"It is rather unfortunate that he cannot come out boldly to own up to his aspiration because he doesn't want to resign from his office and this is the height of immorality and irresponsibility and for me, this alone should disqualify him.
"In any case, what does the CBN governor, Emefiele have to offer to Nigeria seeing the level of the economic woes we have in this country under his watch? What else does he have to offer this country that he has not done? 
"So, I am calling on the National Assembly, as a matter of urgency, to enact a law so that people in public offices will not have the undue advantage to use government resources and influence to pursue their political aspirations. What is going on is wrong. Emefiele has a mark of honour which I know he has lost and should resign immediately and save the sanctity of that office if he wants to contest."
A coalition of rice farmers and other crop growers had purportedly moved to drag Emefiele into the 2023 presidential race by purchasing N100 million All Progressives Congress’ presidential expression of interest and nomination forms for him.

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Overland aircaft

The Overland Airways Limited has announced that it will continue to provide needed services to its customers and the general public from tomorrow, May 9 and beyond, backing off from the proposed shutdown by the Airline Operators of Nigeria.
The airline, in a statement on Sunday signed by Mrs. C. M. Mohammed, however, said it is in solidarity with the AON and will participate actively in the dialogue to resolve the issue, urging the government to rise up to its responsibility.  

Overland aircaft

Recall that the AON, in a statement by its President, Abdulmunaf Sarina announced on Friday, the suspension of operations as from Monday due to the high cost of aviation fuel which has hit 700 naira per litre.
The statement advised the travelling public who intend to fly to make alternative arrangements to avoid being stranded at the country’s airports.
But the Overland Airways, in a statement said the shutdown of operations by airlines is not the solution to the problem, adding that it has commercial and legal obligations to customers, financiers and staff, which must be honoured. 
The statement reads, “Overland Airways Limited has been inundated with enquiries about flight services on Monday, 09 May, 2022, following the public statement issued by the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) Executive, on Friday 06 May, 2022. It is, therefore, necessary for us to make the following clarifications:
“Overland Airways acknowledges the existential threat that these runaway fuel price increases pose for the Air transport industry in Nigeria. However, we do not believe that Airlines volunteering to stop operations is the solution.
"Overland Airways has Commercial and Legal obligations to customers, financiers and staff, promise of which must be honoured. 
“Overland Airways believes it is the responsibility of Government to address the inequity behind the Aviation fuel supply chain and we join the AON to call on Government urgent action as a duty of State.  
“Overland Airways will continue to provide full service to its customers and general public with normal operations on Monday, 09 May 2022 and beyond. 
“The above notwithstanding, we identify very strongly with our AON and will participate actively in every dialogue to resolve this national emergency as soon as possible in the interest of our country.
“We thank our customers and the general public for their continued patronage."

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Gunmen on Sunday, set ablaze a truck loaded with cows along Uga-Ezinifite Road in the Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.
In a video shared online, an eyewitness said the truck was being driven by northerners before it was attacked by the gunmen who set it on fire.

However, no casualty was recorded in the incident, the man who made the video noted. 
He said, “Good morning everybody, unknown gunmen just attacked Hausa men carrying cows this early morning Sunday. The gunmen did not kill anyone but they injured the driver. As you can see, they have set this vehicle on fire. This is a full trailer carrying cows.
“Unknown gunmen attacked at Ezinifite road between Ezinifite and Uga. This is live, it just happened now." 
This comes exactly a month after unknown gunmen shot dead over 20 cows and several goats at the Nkwo Igboukwu market in the Aguata local government area of Anambra.
SaharaReporters had reported at the time that some residents who were thrown into a state of confusion following the incident, gathered around the dead livestock, deliberating what could have happened.
From videos shared, some of the traders were seen running, as they assumed the gunmen came back to attack them. However, they returned when they observed their assumption was baseless.
A man said, “People can just start running at any time. We are just being vigilant. This is happening live at Igboukwu.”
 

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The family of former Nigerian Senator, Francis Arthur Nzeribe has confirmed his death.
The late lawmaker, who died on Sunday morning, was 83 years old. 

SaharaReporters Media

A source told SaharaReporters that Nzeribe was declared dead at a foreign hospital following an undisclosed ailment. 
Confirming his death, the family released a statement signed by Ojiabu Francis Anyegbu Nzeribe; Anthony Akpati Nzeribe and Ojiabu Oliver Nwedo Nzeribe.
According to the statement, the family has commenced traditional consultations, promising to release a programme for his funeral rites. 
They, however, appealed to members of the public to respect the privacy of the family to enable them to grieve in peace.
The statement, obtained by SaharaReporters reads, “The Nzeribe Royal Family of Umudei Royal Village of Oguta in the Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State in total submission to the will of God Almighty and in appreciation of a remarkably worthy life hereby announces the death of our Son, Cousin, Uncle, Husband Father, and Grandfather. Distinguished Senator, Chief Francis Arthur Uzoma Nzeribe (Ogbuagu, Oshiji, Damanze Oyimba of Oguta on the 5th day of May 2022 at the age of 83.
“While we are pained by this loss, we are proud of this African Legend who distinguished himself in various fields including Sports, International Business, Politics and gave the Nzeribe brand worldwide acclaim.
“The family has immediately commenced the necessary traditional consultations and will, in due course, release a programme for his funeral rites. We appeal to the public to respect the privacy of the family and the solemnity of this event to enable us to grieve in peace.”

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Chidi Chike Achebe, son of the late Nigerian novelist, poet, and critic, Chinua Achebe, has bagged the John and Samuel Bard Award in Medicine and Science. 
Achebe will on May 27 be honoured by the Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, United States of America for his excellent and meritorious service in healthcare delivery. 

A brief biography of the medical practitioner reads, “Chidi Chike Achebe MD, MPH, MBA ’92 is a physician and an executive, with more than 25 years of healthcare experience. 
“He is chairman and CEO of African Integrated Development Enterprise (AIDE), an organization that works to bring together international companies and expertise to create sustainable, integrated delivery of medical care on the African continent. 
“Its goal is to build 18 health facilities, beginning in Nigeria and Kenya. Achebe has also served as president and CEO of Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center, medical director of Whittier Street Health Center, and assistant professor at Tufts University School of Medicine— all in Boston, Massachusetts. 
”He earned his medical degree at Dartmouth Medical School; a master’s in business administration from Yale University School of Management, and a
master’s in public health from the Harvard School of Public Health. In his professional endeavours, Achebe advocates for health-care equality. 
“For his efforts in bridging health care 
disparities, he was awarded the 2012 Dartmouth College Martin Luther King Jr. Social Justice Award for Ongoing Commitment.” 

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The United States is set to mark the 2022 World Press Freedom Day with month-long activities. 
The U.S. Consulate in Nigeria said it was committed to advocating for press freedom, freedom of information and access to factual and accurate reporting provided by independent media which is foundational to transparency and accountability in any democratic society.   

The U.S. Consulate General in collaboration with Media Career Development Network will mark this year's World Press Freedom Day with multiple events from May 10 to May 27.        
Activities will begin on May 10 with a screening and panel discussion on the documentary “Joseph Pulitzer: Voice of the People” at the Ikeja American Corner. Similarly, the documentary will be screened on May 19 to a wide audience in Port Harcourt, as disclosed by Yayou.   
The “Joseph Pulitzer: Voice of the People” documentary highlights how the remarkable man behind the prestigious Pulitzer Prizes became one of America’s most admired newspaper publishers and a crusader for freedom of the press.  
On May 17, reporters and editors will participate in a fact-checking workshop that will help build their capacity, deepen their professional knowledge and equip them with skills to conduct investigations, identify reliable sources, and fact-check information.         
Participants will also discuss issues, challenges, and opportunities for the local media to play a greater role in helping the public identify misinformation and disinformation campaigns.         
On May 24, there will be a press freedom panel discussion on the theme: “Journalism under Digital Siege: The digital era’s impact on freedom of expression, the safety of journalists, access to information and privacy.”         
The theme of the panel discussion underscores the increasing role of technology, which can be used not only to disseminate information more quickly and farther than ever before but also for spreading disinformation and misinformation.     
The month-long press freedom activities will end on May 27 with a reception in honour of journalists working to fight corruption, holding the government accountable, and calling out abuse and injustice, often at great personal risk.    
Speaking on the activities to commemorate the 29th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day, U.S. Consulate Public Affairs Officer Stephen Ibelli noted that the events will provide an opportunity for journalists to discuss the state of press freedom, protection of journalists, and citizens’ rights to unbiased, accurate information.     
“The United States considers a free press to be a foundation of democratic governance. We believe a free press must be fostered to keep citizens properly informed and actively engaged in the issues that affect them in order to hold government and other institutions accountable to the public,” Ibelli added.     
Reporters, editors, students and faculty members from journalism schools as well as representatives from media development organizations interested in attending any of the events are encouraged to register using this link: https://bit.ly/2022WPFD    

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The Indigenous People of Biafra has accused the Nigerian government of sponsoring ‘a failed international propaganda' against its struggles.

 

The United Kingdom Visas and Immigration office in its May 2022 policy update had been quoted out of context as saying IPOB was proscribed in the UK and its members could not be granted asylum. However, the British High Commission in Abuja has since refuted the claims.

Reacting in a statement on Sunday, IPOB, through its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, said the Nigerian government should bury its head in shame for rejoicing over the misinformation purportedly shared by the “enemies of Biafra".

 

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, had said the UK’s stance was a welcome development and should be followed up with appropriate actions.

 

Shehu had said, “Nigeria welcomes the decision by the United Kingdom to proscribe the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist group. The violent secessionist organisation has long been proscribed as such in Nigeria where it carries out the majority of its murderous activities..."

 

IPOB, in the statement, said Shehu's stance had only confirmed that President Muhammadu Buhari's administration was behind the viral misinformation. 

 

The group further alleged that the Nigerian government had been sponsoring insecurity and banditry in the South-East region to demonise IPOB and ESN (Eastern Security Network) operatives and falsely present them as terrorist organisations. 

 

IPOB's statement reads in full: “We are the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) movement worldwide ably led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Our attention has been drawn to the inaccurate and fake news purporting that the United Kingdom, UK Government has classified IPOB as a terrorist organisation.

 

“We, therefore, wish to clarify that there is no iota of truth in the said malicious fake news planted and being peddled by the enemies of Biafra freedom and independence. Nothing more may be said than the clarification already given by the British High Commission in Abuja, to the effect that the said media report is untrue and should be disregarded.

 

“The curiosity and childish haste with which the Nigerian Government celebrated the said fake news, commending the UK Government for the imaginary but non-existent proscription only confirmed that the Muhammadu Buhari and his Fulani-controlled Federal Government of Nigeria are behind the fake news. 

 

“We are calling on British government to change their minds about continuing to humiliate Biafra, this is not jet age the world is going behind those old systems they used to humiliate Biafra at that time. Stone age has gone and they should understand that Biafrans are human beings and they must benefit from Biafra when the time comes. 

 

“Maybe Fulani terrorist government has forgotten that the UK is not Nigeria where there is no rule of law and due process. Nigeria unilaterally proscribed IPOB and designated IPOB terror organisation while freeing and compensating Fulani bandits, the real mass murderers. What hypocrisy.

 

“Nigerian Government has been sponsoring insecurity and banditry in Biafra land and continues to link it with IPOB in its desperation to demonise IPOB and ESN operatives and present us as a terrorist organisation that we are not. Nigeria kills its own citizens like the recent case in Imo State where an Army couple was beheaded after the woman was allegedly raped. Can you believe this, all in a bid to nail IPOB and justify the likely military invasion of our land?

 

“Nigerian Government should hide its face in shame for sponsoring a failed international propaganda against IPOB, they have removed their evil celebrations on Twitter. 

 

“They are using hoodlums to sponsor violence in our land to create the impression that our leader is leading a criminal organisation but they will keep failing. The Nigerian Government defends Fulani terrorists and bandits. They hardly talk about their atrocities in the media but any time there is little violence in Biafra land, they will rush to the media to blame IPOB. 

 

“IPOB had been existing long before those criminals trying to blackmail the good work of IPOB in London for a long time. Nigerian media must be objective in their reportage and ensure they investigate news before giving the public wrong information that is not true. We commend the objective media platforms and enjoin others to emulate them and resist any attempt by Government to be used as a propaganda tool.

 

“IPOB is a peaceful and nonviolent movement seeking to free indigenous Nigerians from the bondage Fulani put every tribe in Nigeria, not terrorist activities in Nigeria. 

 

“While commending the British High Commission for putting the records straight, we still don't know why British Government has not come out openly to condemn the numerous abductions, killings and rape by Fulani bandits and other terrorists in the South-East Region, especially the killings in Agatu of Benue, Sothertern Kaduna, Uzouwan in Nsukka Enugu State, Plateau State and the rest of Middle Belt Region since 2014. 

 

“The British High Commissioner in Abuja should endeavour to give accurate information about IPOB to her Government in UK, and resist peddling fake news sponsored by Nigeria against us. The global world knows how IPOB operates both in Biafraland and the entire world. 

 

“It is only proper for the Ambassador to give accurate information about freedom seekers based on facts on the ground and not allegations and frame-ups by the Nigerian Government.

 

“Nigeria government, shame on you, IPOB must win this battle with you our great leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu started and show us the way to move forward to the free land. We advise Biafrans to be resilient and pursue our freedom with determination because Biafra must come in our time. We have gone far and cannot stop midway." 

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The Kaduna State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has boasted of clinching victory at the 2023 governorship election in the state after Governor Nasir El-Rufai unveiled his preferred successor.

El-Rufai had recently endorsed Senator Uba Sani, the lawmaker representing Kaduna Central in the National Assembly, as his 'anointed' successor in 2023.

The governor subsequently called on his loyalists to support Sani in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary.

PDP stalwarts and supporters across the state believe that El-Rufai’s endorsement of the senator, believed to be unpopular, provides it with high prospects of securing the governorship in the 2023 elections.

Sani became unpopular in areas of the state dominated by Muslims in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic when a viral video showed him coming out of the bathroom after allegedly having sex with a young lady in a hotel. 

The lady who recorded him naked without his knowledge later shared the video with her friends who then sent it to Sani’s political opponents.

It is understood that while close associates of El-Rufai such as Sani Dattijo, who himself was a governorship hopeful, accepted the decision, and agreed to purchase the form for Kaduna Central Senatorial District, as directed by the governor, other APC aspirants in the state dissociated themselves from the so-called “consensus”.

Sani Sha’aban, a former member of the House of Representatives, who has bought the expression of interest and nomination forms for the position of governor, is aggressively opposing the decision with hopes of using his connections in the Presidential Villa to get the ticket. 

His son, Mohammed Sha’aban married President Muhammadu Buhari’s youngest daughter, Hanan in 2020.

Another top contender, Bashir Jamoh, the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the father-in-law to President Buhari’s Personal Assistant, Yusuf “Tunde” Sabiu, is also seeking to use his Presidential Villa connection to grab the ticket.

He has also opposed the governor’s endorsement of the scandalous Senator Sani.

 

The Deputy Governor of the state, Hadiza Balarabe has rejected an offer to deputise for Sani. 

 

While her reasons for turning it down are not clear, it is believed that she is trying to avoid the stigma that will come with being paired with the senator. 

In addition, it is suspected in some quarters that it may seem to her like an intellectual demotion to be asked to deputise for someone like Senator Sani after working with El-Rufai.

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Former Nigerian Senator, Francis Arthur Nzeribe is dead. 
The late lawmaker was 83 years old. 

He died on Sunday morning, a source told SaharaReporters.

According to the source, Nzeribe was declared dead at a foreign hospital following an undisclosed ailment. 

"He died this morning in a hospital abroad. The family will soon release a statement," the source said. 

In 2017, the photograph of ageing and possibly sick Nzeribe, sitting languidly, with medics around him went viral on social media.

He was elected a Senator to represent Orlu first in 1999 but in November 2002, the then-Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim suspended Nzeribe indefinitely over an allegation of N22 million fraud. 

Also, in April 2006, the Orlu People’s Consultative Assembly, sponsored by the then Governor of Imo State, Achike Udenwa, staged what it called a “One million march” to drum support for Nzeribe’s recall from the Senate. Due to popular demand, in December 2006, Nzeribe was defeated by Osita Izunaso during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries for the 2007 Senatorial election.

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