The decision of the All Progressives Congress’ Presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, to nominate a fellow Muslim as the vice-presidential candidate for the 2023 presidential election could escalate crisis in Nigeria and destabilise the country.
According to People’s Gazette, a processed intelligence report to President Muhammadu Buhari by the Department of State Services confirmed the threat.

The document, which got to the president by way of the National Security Adviser Babagana Monguno, said Tinubu should consider security implications of his selection before making it public, according to three officials briefed on the report. 
“The SSS produced the report and handed a copy to the NSA,” an intelligence officer said.
“The NSA looked at the report and added it for security briefing to the president.’’
“Simply put, our understanding is that the alliance will destabilise Nigeria and embolden attacks on Christian citizens from their fellow Muslim citizens,” the official said.
“The distrust Christians are likely to harbour against a presidency occupied by two Muslims won’t make our work easy at national security level.”
The official said Buhari was not involved in the deliberations that led to Tinubu’s announcement of Kashim Shettima, from the Boko Haram stronghold in Borno, as his 2023 running mate to the ire of Christians across the country.
“People can say whatever they like about the President, but as a senior intelligence administrator I can guarantee you he was not involved in Tinubu’s decision at all,” the official said in a remarkable moment of candour.
Another official said the report was commissioned after Tinubu became the standard-bearer of the ruling All Progressives Congress on June 8 and started embracing the idea of a Muslim-Muslim ticket as the most potent strategy to be elected as president in an ethnically and religiously polarised country like Nigeria
Traditionally, northern Muslims have voted more than southern Christians, a traditional pattern which Tinubu looked to exploit, particularly as a similar ticket in 1993 saw the election of Moshood Abiola as president despite picking Babagana Kingibe, a northern Muslim, as running mate.
While the ticket was accepted by Nigerians at the time, the victory was annulled by former dictator Ibrahim Babangida and augured a protracted turmoil across the country.
“Strong intelligence led us to believe that he was passionate about the idea of a Muslim running mate,” the second official, an assistant director at the SSS, said.
“By the time our analysts reassessed the state of the country right now and what would likely come out of a Muslim president and vice-president, everything tilted towards negative and very dangerous times ahead.”
A spokesman for the SSS declined requests to comment on the memo, and both the State House and Tinubu’s campaign headquarters did not respond to requests for comment.
Yet, the report could drive a wedge between the secret police and the man who may be the country’s next president on the back of President Buhari and the ruling party.
The second official also dismissed questions about whether or not the SSS was injecting itself into uncharted political waters which could warrant serious consequences should Tinubu go on to be elected next February, saying it was after Tinubu had already taken the decision that he informed the president.
“We have it in our files that Tinubu went to the president to ask him about who to pick but the president was very reluctant to contribute and Tinubu noticed this before walking away,” the official added. “We have a role to play towards safeguarding national security and our report was not intended as a political intervention.”
Tinubu had unveiled Shettima, a serving senator and under whose governorship tenure Boko Haram became an international terror network between 2011 and 2019.

News AddThis :  Original Author :  Sahara Reporters, New york. Disable advertisements : 

Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the lawyer to the detained leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has denied reports that the IPOB leader is missing in the facility of Department of State Services where he is being held.
Ejiofor made the clarification in a statement titled, “Important clarification” on Friday in Abuja. 

He said contrary to reports, particularly an audio clip circulating online that Kanu was missing in detention, he visited Kanu on Thursday and confirmed that he was in the facility.
He urged Nigerians to disregard the information, noting that it was handiwork of enemies and
mischief makers.

The statement read, “Please UMUCHINEKE, kindly ignore the audio message being mischievously promoted/circulated by the enemies of our people, to the effect that ONYENDU MAZI NNAMDI KANU is missing in DSS facility.
“The information is fake, a blatant lie and should be totally ignored by Ezigbo UMUCHINEKE. Thank you and God bless. Always keep your eyes on the ball.”
Recall that IPOB in a recent statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, had alleged that there was a plot to attack Kanu at the DSS facility.

News AddThis :  Original Author :  Sahara Reporters, New york. Disable advertisements : 

Gunmen suspected to be bandits have attacked members of Ansaru terrorist sect in Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
According to Daily Trust, the sect members were “preaching” to locals when bandits opened fire, killing two villagers in the process.

The bandits were said to have stormed Damari village under Kazage Ward in Eastern part of the local government in an attempt to dislodge the terrorists from the village.
Ansaru terrorists had taken over communities in Eastern part of the LGA, guiding villagers against attacks by bandits.
‎Ishaq Usman Kafai Chairman, Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressive Union (BEPU),‎ who confirmed the incident said the clash between the two groups lasted for an hour.
According to him, the Ansaru members who were also heavily armed overpowered the bandits which made them (bandits) to retreat from the village.‎
“There were damages during the clash; a shop was burnt; two vehicles were burnt; a Private Hospital was burnt. Two locals (labourers) were also killed by the bandits while the bandits were running away into the forest,” he said.
Ishaq said the hospital was accidentally burnt due to the fire that spread from a burning vehicle.
He said the casualty figure between the armed bandits and the Ansaru members couldn’t be ascertained but said the Ansaru members defended the town from the bandits’ attack.
The group said the attack was organised because the bandits knew the Ansaru members were in the town.
He said ‎the Ansaru members continued with their preaching after the fight as they advised the people to acquire arms to defend themselves against enemies as well as fight government in order to establish what they refer to as Islamic State.

Insecurity News AddThis :  Original Author :  Sahara Reporters, New york. Disable advertisements : 

A civil society, Yiaga Africa, which is also an election monitoring group, has raised concerns about the “inducement of voters” in Osun State by political parties ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
“Specifically, food items and livestock were distributed to people as a campaign strategy employed by political parties,” said Yiaga Africa executive director, Samson Itodo.

Fifteen of the 18 registered political parties fielded candidates for the election and will be on the ballot on Saturday.
Addressing reporters in Osogbo, Itodo revealed that voter inducement remained a recurring feature throughout the group’s “Watching The Vote” pre-election observation.
“Yiaga Africa is concerned that voter inducement may undermine the legitimacy of electoral outcomes and create an unequal playing field for candidates and parties,” he explained.
According to him, violent activities of cult groups recruited by politicians are a threat ahead of Saturday’s election, citing Egbedore, Iwo, Orolu, Ifedayo, Irepodun, and Ede, as flashpoints.
“Yiaga Africa tracked the violence attributed to the heightened activities of cult groups in the five pre-election reporting periods. Between July 6 and July 13, Yiaga Africa observers reported intra-cult clashes precipitated by power tussle in various cult groups alleged to be affiliated with the PDP in Gbemu Area/Isale Osun in Osogbo LGA,” he disclosed.
“Furthermore, Yiaga Africa received reports of cult groups assembling small arms and light weapons ahead of the election.”
“In Ilesa East and Ilesa West LGAs, the cult group known as Afiri Enibaa Boys were reported to be demanding pay-outs from the APC & PDP and threatening to disrupt the conduct of the elections in these LGAs,” Itodo stressed.
YIAGA Africa’s director of programme, Cynthia Mbamalu, expressed dissatisfaction with the absence of a female governorship candidate in the contest.
She urged security agencies to display professionalism and neutrality during the poll to prevent violence and secure lives and properties.

Elections Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  Sahara Reporters, New york. Disable advertisements : 

The Kano State Government has shut down at least 26 illegal Private Health Training Institutions (PHTIs) pending the outcome of necessary investigations.
This was stated in a statement issued on Friday by The State Ministry of Health signed by Hadiza Mustapha Namadi, Information Officer of the Ministry for the Commissioner of Health.

The statement explained that these institutions were established without recourse to extant regulations governing the establishment and operation of such institutions.
Some of the affected Institutions included; Unity College of Health Science and Technology, Dorayi, Khali College of Health Science and Technology, Zaria Road, Shamila of College of Health Science and Technology, Muslim College of Health Science and Technology and Ado Bayero College of Health Science and Technology, Dala Local Government Area among others.
The statement regretted that the unrecognised institutions lacked definite sites and offered dubious programmes against the established course - curricula while extorting exorbitant fees from students and their parents.
“Suffice to indicate that this ugly trend is at the detriment of the people, educational development and efficiency of the entire health institution” the statement added.
The statement enjoined members of the public to only patronise duly registered institutions and accredited courses, saying that subscription to unrecognised institutions was tantamount to self-subjection to a security risk, doomed academic and career prospects as well as financial losses.

PUBLIC HEALTH News AddThis :  Original Author :  Sahara Reporters, New york. Disable advertisements : 

 

 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was on Thursday served with the court judgement sacking the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Sheriff Oborevwori as the Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship candidate for the 2023 general elections.

 

Justice Taiwo O. Taiwo of a Federal High Court in Abuja sacked Oborevwori, who is Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s stooge on account of supplying false and forged documents to INEC in aid of his qualification for the governorship election.

The judge subsequently directed the electoral commission and the PDP to recognise the plaintiff as the candidate of the PDP in the 2023 governorship election in Delta State.

 

Olorogun David Edevbie, a former Commissioner of Finance under former Governor James Ibori, who came second in the primary had contended Oborevwori’s participation in the primary on the grounds of alleged discrepancies in his academic qualifications as well as his age.

 

He specifically urged the court to bar the PDP from submitting the Assembly Speaker’s name as the candidate of the party.

Meanwhile, Oborevwori has appealed the judgement.

 

The suit numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/795/2022 is between David Edevbie as the Plaintiff and Oborevwori Sherrif Francis Orohwedor, Peoples Democratic Party and Independent National Electoral Commission as the first, second and third defendants.

The order of Justice Taiwo read in part, “That the 1st Defendant is not qualified to participate and/or be declared the winner of the 2nd Defendant’s Delta State Governorship Primary elections which held on 25th May, 2022 for the purpose of electing its candidate or flag bearer in the forthcoming 2023 Gubernatorial Elections in Delta State, scheduled to hold on 11th March, 2023 by the 3rd Defendant.

 

“That having supplied false information and submitted dubious or forged credentials/certificates in order to participate in and be declared the winner of the 2nd Defendant’s Delta State Governorship Primary elections which held on 25th May, 2022, the 2nd Defendant herein is legally precluded from submitting, forwarding or otherwise transmitting the name of the 1st Defendant to the 3rd Defendant as the candidate or flag bearer of the 2nd Defendant in the forthcoming Governorship elections in Delta State, now scheduled to hold on 11th March, by the 3rd Defendant.

“That the Plaintiff who, next to the ineligible and unqualified 1st Defendant, scored the highest number of valid votes cast at the Delta State Governorship Primary elections of the 2nd Defendant which held on 25th May, 2022, ought to and should be returned and declared the winner of the 2nd Defendant’s Governorship Primaries and accordingly, returned as the candidate of the 1st Defendant for the forthcoming Governorship elections in Delta State scheduled to hold on 11th March, 2023 by the 3rd Defendant.”

 

In the judgement, the court also said, ‘that the 1st Defendant should and ought to be prohibited, inhibited, prevented or otherwise restrained from holding out, parading and/or advertising himself as the candidate of the 2nd Defendant for the forthcoming Gubernatorial elections in Delta State scheduled to hold on 11th March, 2023 by the 3rd Defendant”.

 

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  Sahara Reporters, New york. Disable advertisements : 

 

 

A former senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani has knocked the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for warning the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing against visiting the South-East region.

 

IPOB had in a statement on Thursday, warned Laing to be wary of the security situation in the South-East, noting that the advice followed an alleged plot to harm her by those “threatened by the Biafra restoration project.”

In the statement issued by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB advised those planning to invite Liang to provide her with adequate security.

 

The separatist group had said, "We wish to advise the British High Commissioner, Catriona Laing, to be more conscious of her environment.

 

“We as well call on her to shelve her regular visits to different parts of the Nigerian countryside, especially the Biafraland otherwise referred to as Southeast.

 

“The reason for this sincere security advice is to save her life… We have optimal respect and value for the sanctity of life, especially for visitors to our land."

 

However, the President of the Civil Rights Congress of Nigeria and former Senator who represented Kaduna Central district between 2015 and 2019 condemned the security threat to the UK High Commissioner.

 

The Senator, who took to his Twitter handle @ShehuSani, wrote: "If actually the separatist group in the South East has issued threats to the British High Commissioner, Catriona Laing not to visit the South East, then that threat is condemnable; And I believe it doesn’t reflect the views of the people of the region except otherwise Stated".

If actually the separatist group in the South East has issued threats to the British High Commissioner,Catriona Laing not to visit the South East,then that threat is condemnable;And I believe it doesn’t reflect the views of the people of the region except otherwise stated.

— Senator Shehu Sani (@ShehuSani) July 15, 2022

He also lambasted President Muhammadu Buhari over his proposal for the establishment of African Anti-Corruption Court, querying whether the president had obeyed the judgments of the regional ECOWAS Court.

 

He said, "The President wants an African Anti-Corruption Court; the question is how many Ecowas Court ruling has the Government respected and obeyed?"

News AddThis :  Original Author :  Sahara Reporters, New york. Disable advertisements : 

The Osun State Security Network, codenamed Amotekun Corps has been restrained from participating in Saturday’s governorship election duties in the state, either as security personnel or volunteers.

 

A Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo, the State capital, ruled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should not make use of the Amotekun Corps as part of the personnel to be deployed to provide security in the election.

The presiding judge, Ayo Emmanuel ruled “that 1st (INEC) defendant is hereby restrained from requesting the deployment of the 2nd defendant (Amotekun Corps) as part of the security deployable for the purpose of Osun 2022 Governorship election pending the determination of the originating summons filed in the suit.”

The court also forbids Amotekun operatives from serving as either security personnel or volunteers in the election.

“That the 2nd defendant (Amotekun Corps) is hereby restrained from deploying or volunteering her officers, agents, staffs as part of the security personnel deployable for the purpose of Osun Governorship Election pending the determination of originating summons filed in this suit.”

The case was adjourned to July 20, 2022.

There have been fears that governors in the South-West could use Amotekun Corps under their control for personal agenda. And in the case of Osun governorship election, opposition parties in the state were afraid that the All Progressives Congress government of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola could deploy Amotekun Corps personnel to intimidate members of the opposition and rig the election.

 

For instance, chairmen of the PDP in Lagos, Osun, Ekiti and Ogun states had in 2021 raised the alarm over an alleged plan by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to take over 150 armed thugs dressed in Amotekun uniforms to Osogbo, Osun State, for the Southwest Zonal Congress.

 

Ogun State PDP Chairman, Dr. Sikirulai Ogundele, who spoke on behalf of others had said no Amotekun Corps operative would be allowed close to the venue of the congress. 

 

Elections News AddThis :  Original Author :  Sahara Reporters, New york. Disable advertisements : 

 

The coordinator of the Global Coalition for Security and Democracy in Nigeria (GCSDN), Frederick Odorige has accused the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa of misappropriation of funds.

 

Odorige accused Dabiri-Erewa of misappropriating funds meant to be used to bring medical experts back to Nigeria.

“Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, under Abike Dabiri-Erewa, & Min. of Health- Osagie Ehanire, jointly proposed N234.6m to attract medical professionals from the diaspora,” he posted on Twitter.

 

Responding to the accusation, Dabiri-Erewa wrote, “N24m to be spent on trainings & conferences abroad. A NiDCOM without a board!‪ @gcsdn_org shall ask questions.”

 

“False.1.‪ @nidcom_gov cannot propose a budget for Ministry of health.‪ @Nidcom capital budget is 160m for the whole year. I will then propose 234 in another Ministry? Use your brains if you have any. Go report to your sponsors ! Next ??.”

 

Speaking further with SaharaReporters, the activist claimed the NiDCOM boss had drained the finances of the agency without any significant project to match the millions of naira allocated to it annually.

 

He added that Dabiri-Erewa has been running the commission like a personal estate because it’s the only government agency in Nigeria that does not have board members as required by the constitution.

 

“Monies are annually budgeted to run the affairs of Nigerians in the diaspora with little or nothing to show for it. I’m asking those involved to show how the money was released and spent.

 

“You cannot imagine the insultive defences by the Chairperson of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri. It may further interest you that NiDCOM is the only commission in Nigeria that does not have members of board as required by the constitution.

 

“All its administrative and financial affairs are run by the decision of only the Chairperson. Diasporans cannot vote to contribute to national policies yet we are being milked.”

The Ministry of Health had sought to engage Nigerian medical doctors, pharmacists, medical academics and other health workers from overseas, proposing to spend N234, 620,402 from the 2020 Budget for the purpose.

 

Dr Osagie Ehanire, Minister of Health, in October 2019 told the House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Affairs that N173,020,401 would be spent on the “establishment and operationalisation of Diaspora Professional Healthcare Initiative, provision of logistics and implementation of Diaspora Professional Healthcare activities.”

It had proposed to spend N24 million on training and participation of the health ministry delegation to conferences involving health professionals among others.

 

 

News AddThis :  Original Author :  Sahara Reporters, New york. Disable advertisements : 

Oyo State Deputy Governor, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan

Oyo State Chief Justice, Munta Abimbola, on Thursday constituted a seven-man panel to investigate the allegations levelled against the deputy governor of the state, Rauf Olaniyan, by the House of Assembly.

The House of Assembly has been pushing to impeach Olaniyan, a move that was intensified after the deputy governor defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.

Oyo State Deputy Governor, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan

The state governor, Seyi Makinde and the majority of the state lawmakers are in the PDP.

Olaniyan’s camp had alleged that Makinde sidelined and relegated him to the background of his government before his defection.  

However, the panel was formed pursuant to the resolution of the House of Assembly, and as requested by its Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin.

Ogundoyin made the request in a letter dated July 6, 2022.

The Speaker in the letter requested the constitution of the panel by virtue of the power conferred on the State Chief Judge by section 188 (5) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The members of the panel comprise Chief Kayode Christopher (Chairman); Adebisi Soyombo; Chief Lawal Adekunle Dauda; Princess Olanike Olusegun; Rev Fr. Patrick Ademola; Chief Mrs Wuraola Adepoju (JP); and Alh. Tirimisiyu Akewusola Badmus.

Justice Abimbola urged the panel members to be fair in their investigation of the allegations against the deputy governor.

SaharaReporters earlier reported that the State High Court sitting in Ibadan stopped state lawmakers from going ahead with the impeachment of Olaniyan.

The court presided over by Justice Oladiran Akintola gave the order when the case filed by the deputy governor came up for hearing.

This was to allow the Assembly to respond to issues raised by the deputy governor.

 

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  saharareporters, new york Disable advertisements : 

NNPC

 

A property developer, Mr Cecil Osakwe, who was charged with alleged N130 million fraud by the Nigerian government has accused one Asabe Waziri, an employee of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) of blackmailing him.

 

In a petition to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, Osakwe said he was not legally notified or served with the said charge by the judicial workers.

NNPC

Osakwe through his counsel, Victor Giwa and Associates alleged that Waziri has been using Malami’s name to intimidate and harass the judiciary, policemen and other security agencies in a bid to achieve her objective of taking over his property through the stalled transaction which a competent court had terminated.

According to him, on February 17, 2022, Justice Musa Othman of the FCT High Court delivered a judgment which terminated the said transaction and ordered him to refund all the payments made by the NNPC staff.

 

The property developer said he immediately paid Waziri the sum of N150 million being total of all fees as directed by the court. Attached to the petition were photocopies of the cheques for the refund.

 

The petition read, “It has come to the attention of our client through reports in various media both electronic and newspaper publications about a purported charge and arraignment on ‘trumped-up charges’ of obtaining by false pretences the sum of one hundred and thirty million naira (N130,000,000.00), from Ms Asabe Waziri, a staff of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

 

“Although our client was not legally notified or served with the said charge, the charge was later sent to our client through one Police officer, after the media sensation aimed at defaming our client.

 

“Honourable Minister Sir, it will interest you to know that Ms Asabe Waziri had threatened our client with the use of your office when the transaction went awry; a threat we took with a pinch of salt. However, the latest development now reveals that the threat is being carefully executed using some person in your office, an office that should be highly regarded.

 

“Following the blasphemous publication and the attempt to use of your office to settle personal scores, we are constrained to bring to your notice these developments which we believe might not be within your knowledge, as the said Asabe Waziri has been using your name to intimidate and harass the judiciary, policemen and other security agencies with a bid to achieve her dubious objective of taking over a property through stalled transaction with our client which a competent court had terminated. It is therefore pertinent that we present the fact of the case.

 

“Ms Asabe Waziri had approached our client sometime in 2022 February, to purchase 2 units of 2-bedroom apartment which was priced at 130 million naira each totaling 260 million naira.

 

“She made various (payments) totaling about 140 million naira, after which she was given possession of the flats even while she had not completed her payments.

 

“Shortly, after possession was delivered to her in the same year, Asabe Waziri converted one of the units into a short let apartment in violation of the covenants of the apartment.

 

“Based on the various breaches and her mode of payment, our client approached Asabe Waziri to terminate the transaction and offered to refund her money, an offer Asabe bluntly refused, prompting our client to approach the FCT High Court Abuja.

 

“On the 17th of February, 2022 the said High Court Coram Hon Justice Musa Othman delivered a judgment which terminated the said transaction and ordered our Client to refund all the payments made by Asabe Waziri and further ordered that Asabe Waziri immediately deliver possession to our client. Attached is the judgment.

 

“Immediately, our client refunded to Asabe Waziri the sum of N150 Million being the total of all fees as directed by the court. Attached are photocopies of the cheques.

 

“On the 18th of February, after the payment, Asabe Waziri through her counsel ILS Attorneys Barrister and Solicitors returned the instrument of payment stating that Asabe Waziri has appealed the judgment in the Court of Appeal. The said letter is attached.

 

“On the 18th of March, 2022 the said judgment was enforced and Asabe Waziri was vacated from the apartment.

 

“Shortly after the said enforcement, Asabe Waziri and her agents started contacting and employing senior police officers to intimidate and harass our client and his lawyer, Giwa Victor Esq coercing them to issue her the title to the property even when the matter is before the court of appeal with appeal number CA/ABJ/2022 for adjudication.

 

“Sir, we were shocked on the 3rd of July, 2022, when the media was awash with the news of the arraignment of our client by the Federal government on the charges of obtaining by false pretences the sum of N130 Million. This becomes more disturbing that we were not even served with the said charge before the news report.

 

“It will be invidious and odious to speculate that Ms Asabe Waziri in conjunction with her cohorts in the Ministry of Justice is using the Minister of Justice to pursue her personal vendetta against our Client all in a bid to embarrass and damage our client’s hard-earned reputation.

 

“However, we are fully aware that you will not allow your office to be used as an instrument for settling personal scores, we further believe you will take the appropriate steps when such anomalies are brought to your attention.

 

“We, therefore, appeal to you that you do not allow Asabe Waziri with her accomplice to abuse the office of the Attorney General of the Federation by using it to continue to harass and intimidate honest citizens who are using their hard-earned resources to provide the much-needed employment to Nigerians.”

 

DOCUMENT : Alleged N130m Fraud_ Nigerian Petroleum Company, NNPC Worker Using Justice Ministry Officials to... by Sahara Reporters on Scribd

Scandal News AddThis :  Original Author :  saharareporters, new york Disable advertisements : 

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Lagos State House of Assembly in Ikorodu Constituency 1, Gbolahan Ogunleye is currently enmeshed in a certificate forgery scandal.

 

Gholahan, who is a son of Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, former Lagos State deputy governor, in May during the APC primaries defeated the House Majority Leader, Sanai Agunbiade, who has represented the constituency for almost 20 years.

Sources said despite failing to present some vital documents such as his birth and West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) certificates during screening, he was cleared because of his father’s influence.

Gbolahan claimed to have graduated with a pass in Economics from Lagos State University in the 1999/2000 set but documents obtained by SaharaReporters show that the APC candidate’s name is not on the school’s brochure, listing the names of graduating students for the set.

Checks by SaharaReporters on the list of graduates for the set show that none of them graduated with a pass.

 

The list stops with Economics graduates with Third-class degrees as seen on the university’s brochure and none of the graduates listed is Ogunleye Gbolahan Adetokunbo.

 

“You can see the results stopped at Third class as seen on the university brochure and there is no name like his on it.

 

“Economics stops at page 108 of that brochure. Every LASU graduate has their name published in the university brochure. Mr Gbolahan Ogunleye should present a brochure that has his name published,” an employee of LASU told SaharaReporters.

The university authorities also confirmed Gbolahan’s record could not be found in the Examination and Records Division.

 

“Having gone through records available at the Examinations and Records Division, I write to confirm that there is no record that the Notification of Result in respect to Mr OGUNLEYE Gbolahan Adetokunbo with Matriculation Number 94/06/01/092 was issued to him by the university,” a letter signed by Odusami Adetutu, Deputy Registrar of the institution read.

 

 

SaharaReporters however learnt that Adetutu has been queried for issuing the letter saying Gbolahan Ogunleye has no records in the school.

The Deputy Registrar who issued the disclaimer on June 28, 2022, was said to have been issued a query by the school management under the influence of Gbolahan’s father.

Another letter dated July 14, 2022, was issued saying the APC candidate graduated with a pass.

 

“The Deputy Registrar who issued the first one has been queried and already put into trouble because of Gbolahan. Remember his father is a former deputy governor,” a source told SaharaReporters.

 

“A member of LASU Governing Council is close to Gbolahan Ogunleye’s father. He was the one who influenced the second letter.”

 

However, efforts to reach Gbolahan Ogunleye were not successful as calls to his mobile line were not answered nor returned.

 

A text message also sent to his line had not been replied to at the time of filing this report.

 

DOCUMENT : EXCLUSIVE: APC House Of Assembly Candidate And Son Of Former Lagos Deputy Governor, Gbolahan Ogu... by Sahara Reporters on Scribd

Politics Exclusive News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, new York Disable advertisements : 

The Federal High Court sitting in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has adjourned the hearing of the motions filed before it by Prince Joseph Kpokpogri, the estranged lover of the controversial Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh, over the demolition of his property in the city.

 

Adjourning the case on Friday, Justice Charles Agbaza also extended a restraining order he issued against the FCT Minister, Mohammed Bello; the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), over the demolition of Kpokpori’s house on plots 203 and 204, 27 Road, Guzape District.

SaharaReporters reported that Kpokpori dragged the FCT Minister and other agencies in the capital city to court to claim over N2 billion in damages after his multi-million-naira mansion was demolished by the FCTA in May.

 

Other Defendants in the matter filed before Justice Agbaza were the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, the Federal Housing Authority and the Attorney General of the Federation.

 

Justice Agbaza had on July 7, issued a restraining order against the defendants upon an ex parte application moved by Kpokpogri’s legal representative, Mike Ozekhome (SAN).

 

The interim injunction issued by the presiding judge “restrains the defendants either by themselves, agents, officials, privies, all those purporting to have derived title from them or other persons howsoever called from trespassing on or further trespassing on, demolishing, or further demolishing the property known as Plots 203 and 204, 27 Road, Gusape District, Apo Estate, Abuja, covered by letters of allocation issued by the Federal Housing Authority with Ref. No. FHA/BD/ES/APO/P.203 and Ref. No. FHA/BD/ES/APO/P.204 or from evicting the occupants of the said property or in any way interfering with the plaintiff’s exclusive right of possession of the said property pending the determination of the motion on notice”.

 

 

News AddThis :  Original Author :  saharareporters, new york Disable advertisements : 

President Muhammadu Buhari says he is leaving behind a legacy of fighting corruption in the country, stressing the need to fight graft for the benefit of present and future generations.

 

Buhari disclosed this on Thursday while speaking as the special guest of honour as Nigeria marked the 6th African Union Day of Anti-Corruption with a national dialogue on this year’s theme: “Strategies and Mechanisms for the Transparent Management of COVID-19 funds”.

He highlighted the fights that Nigeria has fought against corruption since 2015 and lauded the country’s anti-corruption laws and agencies.

 

The Nigerian President also urged African leaders to intensify the fight against corruption and create more disincentives for the stealing of public funds.

 

“Distinguished participants and fellow African leaders, corruption is evil and all efforts at tackling it are desirable. I have monitored the fight against corruption in Africa and I can see both successes and drawbacks.

 

“The battle must continue for the sake of the continent and its people no matter the difficulties.

 

“In Nigeria, the fight against corruption has been vigorous since 2015. A lot has been achieved in the areas of arrest, prosecution, conviction, asset recovery and anti-corruption laws.

 

“I must admit that the fight has not been a bed of roses. Truly, a lot of more work in many fronts is required.

 

“For example, civil and public servants must be ethical and professional at all times. The private sector must contribute in curbing corruption. The international community needs to close safe havens.

 

“The judiciary requires more impetus. Perhaps, an International Anti-corruption Criminal Court is needed,” a statement by Garba Shehu, the presidential spokesman quoted Buhari as saying.

 

Despite having gained power on the back of the promise to fight corruption, which is largely responsible for Nigeria’s rarely improving development crises, Buhari’s government has failed to combat the ills in the public service.

 

In 2021, a London-based news magazine, The Economist, described the Nigerian President as inept and high-handed, adding that he had also failed to tackle corruption.

 

The 178-year-old magazine said due to Buhari’s mismanagement of the economy, food prices had soared while life had become more difficult for Nigerians.

 

The editorial had read in part, “Economic troubles are compounded by a government that is inept and heavy-handed. Mr Buhari, who was elected in 2015, turned an oil shock into a recession by propping up the naira and barring many imports in the hope this would spur domestic production.

 

“Instead he sent annual food inflation soaring above 20 per cent. He has failed to curb corruption, which breeds resentment. Many Nigerians are furious that they see so little benefit from the country’s billions of petrodollars, much of which their rulers have squandered or stolen.”

 

The Economist stated that even before COVID-19 in 2020, Nigeria was already witnessing unprecedented poverty.

The United States also described the scale of corruption in Nigeria under Buhari’s administration as “massive” and “widespread”

According to the 2020 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices released by the US Department of State titled ‘Corruption and Lack of Transparency in Government’, the US said, “Although the law provides criminal penalties for conviction of official corruption, the government did not consistently implement the law, and government employees frequently engaged in corrupt practices with impunity. 

 

“Massive, widespread, and pervasive corruption affected all levels of government, including the judiciary and security services. 

 

“The constitution provides immunity from civil and criminal prosecution for the president, vice president, governors, and deputy governors while in office. There were numerous allegations of government corruption during the year.”

 

The report was released on March 30, 2021.

 

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  saharareporters, new york Disable advertisements : 

The Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina has knocked Nigerians for criticising the President over insecurity, poor economy and the general failing system in Nigeria.

 

Adesina, who took to his Facebook page to lambast Nigerians for asking President Buhari to resign after he (Buhari) complained that leading Nigeria is a tough and rough task, said that Nigerians close their eyes and ears to challenges being experienced in other parts of the world including the United State of America and the United Kingdom, while they wail about anything against Buhari.

“Some people would wail about anything and everything in the country, particularly if it comes from President Muhammadu Buhari. Early in the week, that honest and forthright man said it was tough leading the country (is it not?), and he was looking forward to finishing his second term next May 29,” he said.

Adesina concurred with his principal, saying that leading Nigeria “At a time of severe socio-economic challenges can only be a yeoman’s job, a burden you would want to be gladly rid of. Rough. Tough,” describing it as not a tea party.

 

Berating Nigerians, Adesina said, “The wailers have been into different kinds of paroxysms, misinterpreting what the President said, twisting, contorting it, and asking him to resign. They abhor all manner of truth.

 

“They would have preferred a President working surreptitiously for a third term in office than one deadpan enough to tell them he was leaving at the appointed time.”

 

He further said, “Yes, we agree that the insecurity is from the bottom of hell, fiendish, Luciferous. But then, it is not peculiar to Nigeria, though it is the duty of government in every country to solve its peculiar challenges.

 

“And the economic problems? Also global, with countries like America, United Kingdom, and many others recording worst indices in about 40 years. But the wailers close their eyes and ears to things happening in other parts of the world. Buhari, Buhari, Buhari, they continue to chant.”

 

 

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  saharareporters, new york Disable advertisements : 

A National Industrial Court, Abuja Division has ordered the Nigerian Government to immediately review the salaries and allowances of judicial officers in the country.

 

Justice Osatohanmwen Obaseki-Osaghae handed down the order after ruling that the "current salaries and allowances of judicial officers in the country were not only abysmally low but embarrassing".

Delivering judgment in a suit instituted against the Federal Government by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Sebastine, Justice Obaseki-Osaghae ordered the government to commence a monthly payment of N10 million to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), N9 million to other justices of the apex court, President of Court of Appeal, N9 million while other justices of the appellate court will get N8 million.

The Chief Judges of both Federal and State High Courts will get N8 million while judges of the Federal and States High Courts will get N7 million.

 

The judge held that the refusal of the government to review the judicial officers’ salaries and allowances for 14 years was unconstitutional, unlawful and should be compelled to do the needful.

 

"It is unfortunate that justices and judges who are ministers in the temple of Justice have become victims of injustice in the country," Obaseki-Osaghae said.

Fourteen Justices of the Supreme Court had lamented the decrepit state of affairs in the court in a letter sent to the immediate former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Tanko Mohammad.

 

In the leaked letter, the Justices accused the CJN of refusing to address the issues despite drawing his attention to them.

The justices accused the CJN of travelling with his spouse, children and personal staff, while not allowing them to travel with an assistant on foreign trips.

The judges had said in the leaked letter, “With regard to Justice’s vehicles, several are due for replacement, while the new Justices have not received their full complement of vehicles to date. Moreover, some of the vehicles supplied to the Justices are either refurbished or substandard. Your Lordship has not taken steps to address this problem.

 

“At the meeting we also discussed training. In the past Justices were nominated to attend two to three foreign workshops and trainings per annum with an accompanying person for reasons of age. Since Your Lordship’s assumption of office Justices only attended, two workshops in Dubai and Zanzibar. They were not accorded the privilege of travelling with accompanying persons as was the practice.

“Your Lordship totally ignored this demand and yet travelled with your spouse, children and personal staff. We DEMAND to know what has become of our training funds, have they been diverted, or is it a plain denial? Your Lordship may also remember that the National Assembly has increased the budgetary allocation of the Judiciary. We find it strange that in spite of the upward review of our budgetary allocation, the Court cannot cater for our legitimate entitlements. This is unacceptable!

 

“Another issue discussed was the provision of qualified legal assistants. We are aware that even lower Courts provide legal assistants for their Justices and Judges. The Supreme Court, apart from being the highest Court in the land, is a policy Court. We are confronted with various complex legal issues of national significance with the addition of time bound matters coming in between our regular Court sittings. We require qualified legal assistants in order to offer our best. This demand has not been accorded any attention by the Honourable Chief Justice.

 

“The state of health care in the Court has deteriorated; the Supreme Court clinic has become a mere consulting clinic. Drugs are not available to treat minor ailments. There is general lack of concern for Justices who require immediate or emergency medical intervention. Your Lordship has not addressed the issue of our rules Court. The Rules of Court are the immediate tools employed by Justices to dispense Justice to Court users.”

 

Breaking News News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, new York Disable advertisements : 

The Tiv Youth Council Worldwide has lambasted Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State for calling on the Nigerian government to release the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

 

Governor Ortom on Thursday asked the Nigerian government to release the IPOB leader as part of the peace-building effort in the country, describing Kanu's issue as a socio-political challenge that should be dealt with politically.

According to Ortom, if President Muhammadu Buhari’s government could release Boko Haram terrorists to reintegrate them into society, why should Nnamdi Kanu continue to languish in detention.

But reacting to the call in Abuja, the president of the Tiv Youth group, Mike Msuaan, asked the governor to immediately return home from his trip abroad to pay the pensions and salaries of his state’s pensioners and workers respectively.

“It is worrying that a governor who has been unable to meet minor demands of governance like paying workers and pensioners benefits for several months is on globe gallivanting venture.

 

“The photo sessions with citizens of United Kingdom will not translate to good governance in the state. It will not return the hundreds of thousands of people living in IDP camps back to their homes.

 

“Second-term governors are busy commissioning legacy and life-changing projects for their people while in the absence of any, Governor Ortom is issuing press statements to be featured on newspaper headlines.

 

“Governor Ortom must return home and live with the problems he has created in the state,” he said.

 

 

News AddThis :  Original Author :  saharareporters, new york Disable advertisements : 

The Labour Party has said that it is responding to a suit filed by the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking disqualification of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi and his counterpart in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu.

 

The Labour Party’s lawyer, Alex Ejesieme, said this while confirming receipt of the suit process.

The PDP filed a lawsuit before the Federal High Court, Abuja against Nigeria's electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disqualify Obi and Tinubu from participating in the 2023 general elections, along with their new running mates, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed and Senator Kashim Shettima respectively.

 

According to the suit with file number FHC/ABJ/CS/1016/2022, the PDP prayed the court to issue an order restraining the INEC from replacing the running mates of Obi and Tinubu.

The opposition party insisted that the respondents can only participate in the election with Doyin Okupe and Kabiru Masari, whom the Labour Party and APC respectively first presented to the commission.

 

The PDP listed INEC, APC, Tinubu, Masari, Labour Party, Obi and Okupe as the first to seventh respondents in the case.

 

The main opposition party asked the court to determine if, by the combined interpretation of Section 142(1) of the constitution, Section 29(1), 31 and 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC’s timetable, the Labour Party and APC’s presidential candidates are bound by the submission of Okupe and Masari, respectively as their running mates.

 

The party further asked the court to determine if “by the combined interpretation of Section 142(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sections 29(1), 31, 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, the first defendant (the Independent National Electoral Commission - INEC) can validly accept any change or substitution of the 4th (Masari) and 7th (Okupe) defendants as running mates of the 3rd (APC) and 6th (Labour Party) defendants.”

 

 

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  saharareporters, new york Disable advertisements : 

 

The sacked Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly Service Commission (LAHASCOM), Olawale Mogaji, says he will go to court to seek redress following his sacking by the Assembly during plenary.

 

In a unanimous decision on Thursday, lawmakers voted for the sacking of Mogaji.

His sacking was approved after a voice vote by members of the House at plenary.

His dismissal was announced in a statement by Eromosele Ebhomele, the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa.

The statement read in part, “Mogaji’s sack was approved after a voice vote by members of the House at plenary.

 

“The lawmakers appointed Mrs. Folashade Raulat Latona as the new Secretary of the Commission. Latona replaces Mrs. Esther Lambo, who retired recently.

“The House also confirmed Barrister Olalekan Onafeko as the substantive Clerk of the House while it elevated three other senior staff to the position of Deputy Clerks.

“Those elevated Deputy Clerks include Mr. Babs Animashaun, Mr. Taiwo Otun and Mrs. Adenike Oshinowo.

 

“Onafeko was appointed Acting Clerk in 2020.”

 

Reacting, Mogaji in a statement noted that due process was not followed with the termination of his appointment.

 

The former chairman claimed democracy had been bastardised with the conduct of those who are supposed to ensure the rule of law and sanctity of justice.

 

"I heard through the news that the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly sack my appointment (sic) as Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly Services Commission at the plenary today.

 

"It is very sad that our Democracy has been basterdise (sic) with the conduct of those who are supposed to ensure the rule of law and sanctity of justice.

 

"The speaker without recourse to the Service rules has been operating the commission like a unit of the assembly.

 

"Recently, he appointed Mr Olalekan Onafeko on GL- 15 as Clerk of the House whereas, to be appointed as a clerk of the house, you must be a full Director on GL-17.

 

"Also, today, he appointed another woman, Mrs Raulat Latona on GL-15 to be the secretary of the Commission, you must also be a full Director on GL-17," he said in a statement sent to SaharaReporters.

 

Mogaji said the alleged unilateral action taken by the Speaker of the House had affected the activities of the commission, adding that Obasa always saw any attempt to advise him on the need to follow due process as an affront.

 

However, the embattled former LAHASCOM Chairman said he would remain steadfast and allow the law to take its course to protect his integrity.

 

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  Sahara Reporters, New york. Disable advertisements : 

Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle

A Court of Appeal sitting in Sokoto has approved the defection of Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle from the opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

This was revealed on Wednesday in a judgement presided over by Justice A. A. Gumel.

Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle

This judgement dismissed an appeal case filed by some PDP members, Bashiru Saleh, Abdulhameed Haruna and Ibrahim Muhammad Turaki, seeking the removal of Governor Matawalle from office for defecting from the PDP to the APC.

 

In Appeal No. CA/S/61/2022, the court in a unanimous decision in the appeal argued by Matawalle’s counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, held that Governor Matawalle has the right to defect to any political party of his choice in exercise of his fundamental right to freedom of association as guaranteed by section 40 of the 1999 Constitution and as earlier decided by the Supreme Court in the case of ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION V. ABUBAKAR (2007) 10 NWLR (PART 1041) 1 at page 124; and subsequently followed by the Court of Appeal in OGBUOJI & ORS v. UMAHI & ORS (2022) LPELR-57166(CA).

Other Justices who concurred with the lead judgment are Justice Mukhtar, JCA, and Justice Dan-Juma, JCA. 

 

At the trial court, the appellants, as plaintiffs, had approached the Federal High Court, Gusau, via an Originating Summons, which amongst others, sought a declaration that Governor Matawalle having defected on June 29, 2021, to the APC from the PDP which sponsored his election to the office of the Governor of Zamfara State, is deemed to have repudiated from his election to the said office and therefore had resigned from the office of the Governor of Zamfara State effective from the date of his defection. 

But the court affirmed the earlier decision of the Federal High Court, Gusau, which had held that Matawalle cannot be removed from office simply because he defected from the PDP to the APC.

On the substantive issue of defection, the court held that a governor cannot lose his seat on the ground of defection from one party to another.

The court affirmed that a governor can defect from one party to another without losing his seat in tandem with the provisions of section 40 of the Constitution, and the binding decisions of the supreme court in A.G. FEDERATION V. ABUBAKAR (Supra); and the Court of Appeal in OGBUOJI V. UMAHI (Supra). 

The court also held that the provisions of the Constitution are very clear to the effect that no punishment was provided for a governor who defects to another party; that Governor Matawalle cannot, therefore, vacate his seat; and no court of law can remove him just because of his decision to defect to another political party of his choice in exercise of his constitutional right of freedom of association.

The court added that once a governor is sworn in, he ceases to be under the control of the political party which sponsored him, and he can only be removed from office in line with the provisions of sections 180, 188 and 189 of the 1999 Constitution.

SaharaReporters had reported that cases were filed challenging the defection of Governor Matawalle of Zamfara to the APC.

The state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Junaidu Aminu, disclosed this in Gusau after the sitting of the investigative panel on the impeachment of Deputy Governor Mahdi Aliyu-Gusau.

 

 

Four years after losing his Bakura/Maradun Constituency seat in 2015, Matawalle became the 2019 PDP governorship nominee and got to the office after a Supreme Court ruling disqualified the original winner.

 

 

 

In 2021, he defected from the PDP to the APC after a rally in Gusau alongside many elected officials in his government.

 

 

 

Politics AddThis :  Original Author :  Sahara Reporters, New york. Disable advertisements :