The panel that recommended the pardons of two ex-governors, Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame, also recommended the pardons of 24 other convicts who were still serving their jail terms for various offences.
Premium Times obtained the full list of the convicts and ex-convicts pardoned by the Muhammadu Buhari government.

In the list, another 86 people who had finished serving their jail terms were also recommended for pardons by the panel, headed by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
One of the 86 people got a posthumous presidential pardon.
President Buhari had approved the pardons of former governors, Dariye and Nyame, who had been convicted of stealing public funds when they served as governors.
Both men were sentenced to 14 years each and had only served about three years of their jail terms, the presidential advisory committee on the prerogative of mercy said in its final report.
According to the presidential committee, Dariye, 63, who governed Plateau State from 1999 to 2007 was recommended for pardon “on grounds of life threatening ill health and age.”
Nyame, 66, who governed Taraba from 1999 to 2007 was recommended for pardon “on grounds of ill health and age.”
Their pardon was condemned by many Nigerians and human rights groups who argued that such action only encourages corruption by public officeholders.
Apart from the total of 112 people recommended for pardon, the panel also recommended clemency for 27 people. It also recommended reduced sentences for 13 people who were still serving their jail terms. Another 10 people who were on death row were recommended for reduced punishment to life imprisonment.
It was learnt that of the total 162 people for whom the panel recommended some form of pardon or sentence reduction, the council of state only rejected that of three people. One of the three was Francis Atuche, the former Bank PHB boss, who was sentenced to 120 years in prison for stealing bank funds.
Atuche was “recommended for clemency on grounds of life threatening ill health” but the recommendation was rejected by the council and President Buhari.
 

Full List Of 24 Convicts, 86 Ex-convicts Pardoned By Nigerian Government by Sahara Reporters on Scribd

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The General Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, Lagos, and presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has said the much criticised N100million for the APC presidential nomination forms is a price that must be paid.
Bakare, while speaking on an interview on Channels TV on Monday, said he was not part of the decision making committee and the presidential forms were worth paying a huge amount of money for.

“In talking about the cost, there’s price to pay for everything, I’m not part of the decision making process but if I’m going to apply for anything and it is raised, the price has to paid,” he said.
Speaking further, Bakare said the money was not thrown away but it was an investment in a party that needed resources to be a formidable party.
“It is not money thrown away, it is an investment into a party that needs resources to be a formidable party; yes it is a very high price. The last time in 2014/15, it was N30million and this time around, I was expecting it to be more. This is the time we have to step in and begin to make a difference; we have to comply by paying the price.”
 

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Pinnacle and Gas Oil Limited says its owner, Peter Mbah was about 10 years ago prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged illegal financial dealings and misappropriation of funds but was never indicted by any government panel or court.
The company was reacting to a story published by SaharaReporters over a plan by some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders in Enugu State to pick Mbah as governorship candidate despite prosecution by the EFCC. 

The newspaper reported how the former Commissioner of Finance in the state was charged before Justice Samuel Candide-Johnson of the Lagos State High Court, Igbosere for alleged intention to defraud and obtain by false pretences the sum of N986 million from the Nigerian government.
He was also said to have “requested to obtain payment payable to the Integrated Resources Limited, by the Nigerian government, under the petroleum support fund, in respect of 19.347 million litres of PMS, which they falsely claimed to have purchased from Guinness Petroleum limited.”
The case was however withdrawn by the EFCC a few months later.
The commission’s spokesman, Wilson Uwajuren said the withdrawal which was ‘temporary’ was to firm up and consolidate fresh charges for Mbah and others' re-arraignment in the court. 
“The withdrawal of the charges against Pinnacle Oil and Gas Plc and others was deliberate,” Uwajuren had said.
“In the face of fresh evidence, the Commission felt the need to firm up the charges, fully convinced that it is better to consolidate the charges ahead of formal arraignment than to start making amendments thereafter.”
SaharaReporters gathered that the businessman was also indicted by the House of Representatives committee on fuel subsidy, the Ribadu report and the Presidential Committee on fuel subsidy.
 
Reacting to the publication, Florence Tobi, Corporate Spokesperson for Pinnacle Oil and Gas Limited said “the case is long dead, buried and consigned to the trashcan of history where it rightly belongs.”
Florence added that the company and Mbah have never been parties to any plea bargain in any court of law in Nigeria or anywhere in the world.
The statement read, “The truth is that neither Mr. Peter Mbah, CEO, nor Pinnacle Oil and Gas Limited, has ever been indicted by any government panel or court, or currently facing trial for any alleged criminal offence. Needless to add, the two have never been party to any plea bargain in any court of law in Nigeria or anywhere in the world.
“The truth is that, indeed, 10 years ago, an allegation was made against Mr. Mbah and Pinnacle Oil and Gas which resulted in litigation, in suit number ID/117C/2012, before Hon. Justice Candide-Johnson of the High Court of Lagos State. 
“However, when confronted with incontrovertible and conclusive evidence, the prosecution deposed to a sworn affidavit where it averred that it was a case of wrongful charge.
“In an application entitled 'Application for the withdrawal of criminal charge' brought before the court by the EFCC prosecutor, Usani Francis O, Esq, on 26th July, 2012, the EFCC pleaded for “AN ORDER granting leave to the Prosecution to withdraw CHARGE NO. ID/117C/2012 against all the Defendants.
“The EFCC, having established that the Defendants were completely innocent of the charges against them, further supported the application with an affidavit deposed to by its lawyer, Usani Francis O. Esq, with averments which admitted that a mistake was made by the investigation agency in the charge against the 4 defendants.
“In this affidavit, deposed before the High Court of Lagos State on 27th July, 2012 in respect of Charge No. ID/117C/2012, the deponent stated inter alia: That the charges preferred against the defendants, in this case, were misconstrued by the prosecution and were inadvertently filed against the said Defendants. That a review of the prosecution’s case and the evidence available to the prosecution clearly shows that the Defendants did not commit the offences for which they are charged. That withdrawing the charges against the Defendants will meet the interest of justice in this case.
“The trial judge, Hon. Justice Candide-Johnson, based on the prosecutor’s avowals in the sworn affidavit, duly struck out the case. Both the deposed affidavit and His Lordship, Justice Candide-Johnson’s judgment in the matter are public documents, the certified true copies which we plead with truth-seeking Nigerians to apply to access, for the sake of justice and equity. Not doing this will give opportunity to maggots-minded politicians on image immolation escapade to fester in their nefarious game of crucifying anyone who expresses their intention to serve their people. In this instance, it will amount to the crucifixion of a man known all over by those who have had interactions with him, for his purity of mind and fairness in dealings with the other man.
“Why a case that is long dead, buried and consigned to the trashcan of history where it rightly belongs, and for which Mr. Peter Mbah and Pinnacle Oil and Gas came out clean, with their integrity unsullied, would be excavated in the minds of politicians who are afraid of a fair political contest, should bother all men of goodwill.”

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A woman, Nneka Maryjane, has narrated how she was raped by Andrew Ominikoron, the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver who allegedly raped and murdered Ayanwole Bamise, a 22-year-old Lagos resident.
Odezulu, who is the first prosecution witness in the ongoing rape and murder trial, testified on Monday before Justice Sherifat Sonaike, of Lagos High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa TBS.

She alleged that Ominikoron raped her from behind and tore her clothes when she boarded a BRT bus driven by him on November 25, 2021 while returning from work.
The witness who was led in examination in chief by the Lagos State, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN, said the defendant had tortured her, slapped and held her neck and she couldn't breathe again and he tried to strangle her and then tore her clothes.
The 29-year-old sales representative and mother said after close of work on the fateful day, she stood at Alesh Hotel Bus Stop and sighted the BRT bus parked.
Odezulu said she had approached the driver (the defendant) and asked him if he was going her way, Jakande, which he replied in the affirmative after which they agreed on the transport fare.
She said she boarded the bus and sat at the back. Few seconds after, according to her, a man approached the defendant and asked him if he was going to Oshodi which he also replied in the affirmative but after negotiations on the fares, the other man did not board the bus.
Odezulu said, “When I entered the BRT, the lights were on, but on getting to Lekki Conservation, Lekki - Ajah express way, he stopped the motor and brought out one medicine; he took the medicine with bottle water, so I did not bother myself because I thought it was a medication.
“After that he asked me to come to the front seat that why was I sitting at the back seat, then I stood up and went to sit at the front. Then he started asking me questions; what is my name, how old I am, who do I live with, in the process of asking me questions, he brought out his phone and talked about two transactions.
"He pushed me down at the back seat, I held the seats and was begging him, he held the knife, tore my clothes and raped me from the back. He said I should give him my account number, I told him, I did not need his money, then he said that I was being stubborn, that I didn't want to give him my account number; so I gave him my account number and he sent N3000 and said I should use it to buy pain killers.”
The witness showed the court the dress she wore on the day which was torn by Omininikoron. It was tendered before the court and the court admitted it in evidence as exhibit 1.
Earlier the defendant's counsel, Abayomi Omotubora, objected to the question of whether the man that argued with the defendant later boarded the bus and if she reported the rape case to the police that it was a leading question.
He also objected to the admissibility of the exhibit sought to tender that it was not stated in the proof of evidence, and cited Section 221 (1) (3) 2011  and 36 (6), 1999, of the evidence act to butress his argument. He urged the court not to admit the exhibit in evidence.
However, the AG urged the court to dismiss the objection of the defence counsel.
In a short ruling, Justice Sonaike, overruled the objections of the defence, counsel that asking a witness if she reported the case to the police was not a suggestive question and admitted the exhibit in evidence.
At the resumed hearing of the matter on Sunday, Onigbanjo SAN, informed the court that the prosecution had amended the charge and dated May 6 and an amended additional proof of evidence also dated May 6, 2022, pursuant to Section 155 and 251 (3) of the administration of criminal justice law of Lagos State, and urged the court to let the defendant retake his plea.
The five count amended charge was read to the defendant and he took his plea.
Ominikoron is facing a five-count charge bordering on rape, conspiracy, felony, sexual assault, and murder preferred against him by the Lagos state government.
The prosecution said that the defendant on November 25, 2021, allegedly raped a 29 year -old lady Nneka Maryjane Odezulu, without her consent.
It said that the incident took place at about 8pm, at Lekki- Ajah Conservation centre Lekki Ajah expressway Lagos.
The prosecution also told the court that Ominnikoron conspired with others now at large conspired to commit rape and murdered his 22-year-old passenger, Oluwabamise Ayanwole, a fashion designer.
It said that the defendant had sexual intercourse with Oluwabamise Ayanwole, without her consent and murdered her, at about 7pm, between Lekki Ajah expressway and Carter bridge, on February, 26, 2022.
According to the prosecutor, the offences committed were contrary to and punishable under Sections 411,223,260 and 165 of the criminal law of Lagos State 2015.
However, the 47-year-old defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him.
Consequently, Justice Sonaike, adjourned the case till Monday for continuation of the trial.

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Timipre Sylva

The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, on Monday picked the N100million presidential forms of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The forms were obtained by a group, Good People of Nigeria on behalf of Sylva.

Timipre Sylva
The leader of the group, Alhaji Mohammed Abu Abaji, while speaking in Abuja said the group had been closely monitoring the works of the minister in controlling the petroleum resources of Nigeria and believed that he was the right person to take over from President Muhammadu Buhari.
“That is why we bought these forms and called on him to come and contest in the APC primaries; I think it is one of the small things we can do for him. For the period he has been the minister you can see that he has spent a lot of time in the Niger Delta to talk to his people. We believe that as a president, a lot will happen for oil prospects for the development of Nigeria. We are the good people of Nigeria and it is a collective donation. Everybody you see here donated money for the fund," he said.
The former governor of Bayelsa who received the forms lauded the group.
He noted that he would not confirm his acceptance of the forms as he needed to consult widely before taking a decision.
“It is very humbling and I must also say it is shocking. What I will do now; I will not give you a direct response. I need to consult my constituency, the leaders of this country and then I will come back to you to let you know if I have taken a position to run for the president of this country.
“I will go to my leader, for example the Ijaw leader, Edwin Clark, I will talk to him; I will also consult other leaders,” Sylva said.

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A Nigerian medical student in China, identified as Evarastus, who had just recently returned to the country for an exchange programme, was on Saturday shot dead by gunmen. 
Twitter users close to the victim said Evarastus was shot in his chest twice by gunmen in an area known as Four Corners in Enugu State and his car was subsequently stolen.

According to the tweets, Evarastus was a medical student in Asia. He recently came to Nigeria for an exchange program but was killed whilst driving in his Lexus 350
Below are some of the tweets:
https://twitter.com/Duchess_of_cali/status/1523626686113525760?t=9pM9TGLSMHQcsO9vYUflYA&s=19
https://twitter.com/DrOffShirt/status/1523349659279785989?t=cKjs1Fz2KmOqQfRSWX4YTw&s=19
https://twitter.com/coldslot/status/1523452668781375489?t=rbgPOl15sLqEF7i30MXRMg&s=19
https://twitter.com/TheEtubom/status/1523667425837076481?t=1yxVGLY35JdIzUzSPC-J9g&s=19
https://twitter.com/luhleen/status/1523616253788983296?t=swqUnsmCdMqeA4NlVclTBA&s=19
https://twitter.com/luhleen/status/1523606863559880704?t=g8hYp59Bg_-CptrS2xWKfg&s=19
https://twitter.com/D_Doziee/status/1523351351756869633?t=DG7I-xL0BPQmjV2AqYRKMw&s=19
https://twitter.com/DrOffShirt/status/1523359790608846854?t=CmJMGyb2ikNk5n4C64AVNQ&s=19

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A coalition of northern socio-cultural groups has purchased the All Progressives Congress (APC) N100million Expression of Interest and Nomination forms for former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest for the 2023 presidency.
SaharaReporters gathered the coalition of groups, said to also be of Fulani extraction, picked the forms from the party’s organising secretary at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja, on Monday evening.

There have been speculations that Jonathan was preparing to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and seek the presidential ticket of the party.
However, some Nigerians, including human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, argued that his candidature would breach the constitution.
Falana had based his position on Section 137 (3) of the Constitution, which provides as follows: A person who was sworn in to complete the term for which another person was elected as president shall not be elected to such office for more than a single term.

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Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) says ex-president of the Senate, David Mark; former Speaker of the House of Representatives and now governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal; and other members of National Assembly added several controversial projects, as well as increased the 2015 budget by N17bn.
Okonjo-Iweala made the revelation in her book: “Fighting Corruption is Dangerous: The Story Behind the Headlines” which was leaked to the public in 2018. 

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
According to the former minister, the money, which was added into the budget was N20 billion initially, but was reduced to N17 billion.
She said, “By the time we presented budget on December 16, 2014, the oil prices has further fallen down to $58 per barrel. We were prepared and knew we had to trigger the additional expenditure and revenue measure in 2015 to make the budget work. This would be tough, given that we had entered election year.
“Indeed, legislators initially refused to accept pay cuts to their regular N150 billion budget, despite dwindling revenues. But, eventually agreed to 13 percent cut against backdrop of Ministers accepting voluntary 50 percent to their basic salaries.
“In a tough session with the National Assembly ad-hoc committee on budget (made up chairs of Finance committee and Appropriation Committee of both chambers and other leaders of National Assembly), an additional N20 billion was reintroduced as election expenses for the National Assembly members.
“We insisted that the amount should be dropped because it nullified the 13 percent cut to their statutory budget, but managed to reduce the N20 billion figure by only N3 billion to N17. This became the price to have 2015 budget passed.”
Speaking further on the accusation on her verified Twitter handle a few days after the revelation went viral, she said, “One more time, it is important that people read the book for themselves. In the case of the N17bn, the book does not talk of bribe.
“It indicates that lawmakers increased the budget by N17bn and we had to accept that to move on; hence, the term ‘price to pay’.
“The reason for discussing what happened is that this approach needs to change. The country must clear up and clarify its budget process for the future to improve.”

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A former Abia State Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu and a presidential hopeful under the All Progressives Congress has officially pulled out of the 2023 Presidential election.
Kalu, the current Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate, announced his withdrawal officially in a statement on Monday.

According to him, the decision to pull out of the race was informed by the fact that the ruling APC will not be zoning the presidency to any region.
He said if a candidate of South-East extraction was not successful in clinching the APC ticket, he would support a candidate from another part of the country.
Meanwhile, Kalu announced that he had picked his ticket to run for Abia North Senatorial zone.
His statement reads, “I congratulate my friend, former roommate and boss, Senator Ahmad Lawan, as he picks form to run for President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under our great party, All Progressives Congress (APC). I am most glad because he is from the North-East, the only zone alongside the South-East that is yet to produce President of Nigeria.
“I have always maintained an unambiguous stand that for justice, equity and fairness in our country, the next president of Nigeria after President Muhammadu Buhari should come from the South-East or the North-East.
“I have also told Nigerians that I would only run for president if the two major political parties (APC and PDP) zone their tickets to the South-East. That is why I was disappointed with our southern brothers who are talking about fairness and equity but has zero tolerance for the same fairness and equity in the South.
“I thank those who said they have picked a presidential form for me because they meant well for Nigerians. However, since there is no zoning and the contest is open to all Nigerians, I officially withdraw from the presidential contest in 2023. I have also picked a ticket to run for the Abia North Senatorial zone and to complete the good work I started in Abia North."

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Abdulrasheed Bawa

Justice SS Ogunsanya of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has adjourned further hearing in the trial of the Chairman of Nadabo Energy Limited, Abubakar Peters, till May 10.
The Head of Media and Publicity at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Wilson Uwujaren, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

Abdulrasheed Bawa EFCC
Peters, alongside his company, Nababo Energy Limited, were arraigned for offences bordering on obtaining money by false pretences, forgery, and use of forged documents to the tune of N761.6million.
The defendant allegedly obtained the money from the Federal Government by falsely claiming that it represented the subsidy accrued to them, the EFCC spokesman said.
They have, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.
The case had suffered several adjournments since it began before the trial judge then at the Lagos State High Court in Igbosere on November 26, 2020.
According to the statement, the EFCC chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, who is appearing in the case as the fifth prosecution witness, also concluded his cross examination on Monday.

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A Canada-based Professor of Education, Benedicta Egbo, on Monday joined the race for the 2023 nigerian presidency.
The female professor, who declared for the Presidency on the platform of the National Rescue Movement, said she joined the race to correct the mess past leaders had plunged Nigeria into, Punch reports.

She said at the top of her presidential agenda was an upward review of workers’ salaries and security, among others.
According to Egbo, corruption has increased significantly under the administration of the current government at the Federal level, saying that the corruption in Nigeria is so that it should be considered a National disease.
“Nigeria has become a beggar nation and if we are not careful, Nigeria will borrow itself into bankruptcy because no nation can borrow itself into prosperity for recurrent expenditure.
“I join the race to serve Nigerians because all past and current political leaders owe Nigerians apology. Nigeria has never had it so good. The country has retrogressed rather than progressed.
“The frequent cross-carpeting of politicians from APC to PDP is evidence of unprincipled leaders who only care about their selfish interests and lack a sense of direction.
“Governance is more than waving umbrellas and brooms. Governance should involve good and principled leadership that is grounded in competency, patriotism and a vision for the common good. Instead, what we operate is a government of a few, for a few by a few.”
“It is all psychological. I do not see why Nigeria is not ready for a female President. We need to change things. I am running because I want to see this country respected. We must reclaim our future.”

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Elder statesmen in the country and some of the presidential aspirants ahead of the 2023 general elections will be attending an “emergency national confab” on Thursday in Abuja to address the national consensus question, constitutional reforms and other burning issues.
According to a statement on Monday from the Nigeria Political Summit Group, one of the conveners of the confab, and obtained by SaharaReporters, the Christian Association of Nigeria’ executives, former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere leaders are among other dignitaries who would be addressing Nigerians at the confab.

“The Emergency Political Reforms Dialogue on the Constitutional Future of Nigeria holding on Thursday at Yar'adua Centre, Abuja on Thursday received major groundswell during the week from the support and goodwill of key stakeholders and eminent Nigerians.
“Some of those who gave their support are; former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, former Secretary General of Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, SCIA, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar, Cardinal John Onayekan, President of Christian Association of Nigeria, Dr Olasupo Ayokunle.
“Addressing members of the National Organising Committee of the 2022 National Dialogue on Sunday, the Chairman of the Organising Committee of the 2022 National Dialogue, Prof Pat Utomi expressed optimism that both President Muhammadu Buhari and his Vice, Prof Yemi Osibajo, who have been duly invited, will attend the non-partisan, multi stakeholders emergency Confab to receive the support of Leaders of Thought and Political Stakeholders from across sectional lines towards steering the country on the track of cohesion, stability, security and prosperity by reclaiming the soul of the country from the current strangulation of heightening acrimony, distrust, insecurity, instability, political tension, violence, unimaginable killings and anarchy ahead of the forthcoming general elections in 2023.
“Speaking Further Utomi clarified that the Thursday's gathering has been conceived as a critical summit of an inclusive platform of diverse stakeholders to negotiate and harmonise zonal and sectoral agenda for national consensus in taking effective advantage of the ongoing constitution review process of the Nigerian National Assembly, which was why the leadership of the National Assembly has been invited to interface with Nigerian leaders at the conference,” the statement said.

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Angry farmers in Ondo State have kicked against the alleged decision of the Governor Rotimi Akeredolu-led state government to sell their farmland to foreigners.
The farmers mostly deal in Cocoa, Cashew, Banana, Yam, and Cassava farming at the government reserve in Ofosu in Idanre Local Council Area of the state. 

The protesters, armed with placards bearing different inscriptions, took to the streets on Monday, blocking the Lagos/Benin highway.
Their placards read, "Respect Our Right to Livelihood"; Don't Give Our Land to Mindless Capitalists"; We Want to Remain Farmers and not Armed Robbers"; No Farmers, No Nation"; Please Don't Take our Farms" among others.
The farmers, in their numbers, accused the state government of selling the farmlands to a popular Chinese company, despite their huge quarterly pay.
Addressing journalists, the leader of the protesters, Kazeem Akinrimisi, said the farmers are about to lose over 20,000 acres of farmlands to the Chinese company.
He explained that the farmers, who currently occupy 74 camps in the Ofosu community, had been farming on the land for over 20 years.
He revealed that the farmers had been cooperating with the government directives since 2019 without any misunderstanding between the two parties.
According to him, no fewer than 25,000 farmers were captured in the data registration of the state government during enrolment for the government reserve.
Akinrimisi, however, wondered why the decision of the state government without proper briefing of the farmers using the land farming.
"The farmers had been paying their dues to the state government agencies for farming on the government reserve for years", he added.
While noting that he had paid N6 million as his dues for farming on the land to the state's internally generated revenue, Akinrimisi begged the state government to allow farmers to acquire the land instead of foreigners.
Another farmer, Ezekiel Olatunji, also explained that he had been farming on the land for over 20 years, stressing that he had paid N1.2million as his due to the government.
He noted that he was surprised by the government's decision to sell the land to foreigners, adding that Cocoa was a major foreign exchange to Nigeria.
The octogenarian, pleaded with governor Akeredolu to consider the means of livelihood of the farmers who mainly depend on farming to cater to their families.
Reacting, the traditional ruler of the Ofosu community, Henry Olumakaye, pleaded with the farmers to be peaceful with a promise to meet the state government on the issue.

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The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has vowed to block all federal roads and airports in the country to protest the 12-week extension of the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had earlier announced the extension of its strike by 12 weeks.

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, had started on Sunday and ended on 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.
However, the NANS President, Sunday Asefon in a statement on Monday, condemned the silence of the government and failure of the government officials to reach agreement with ASUU because they couldn’t afford private institutions for their children.
He asserted that students of public universities would disrupt primary elections and conventions by political parties scheduled for May ending. Berating the inaction of the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration over the industrial action which started on February 14, 2022.
The statement was titled, “ASUU Strike Extension: The silence of the Government and the ruling class; the nation must feel the heat.”
The statement reads part, “Having exhausted all window of constructive engagement with the government. I, on behalf of the national leadership of NANS therefore declare National Action from May 10, 2023.
“The National Actions is tagged ‘Operation Test Run’ and shall be held in all the 36 states of the Federation. Federal roads across the 36 states shall be occupied for a minimum of three hours daily. The Operation shall be a precursor to a total shutdown that will be decided during our Senate meeting/pre-convention on Saturday 14th May 2022.
“Our proposal to congress on the 14th shall be total blockage of the airport roads across the country and total disruption of political party primaries, blockage of the national assembly until they are committed to passing legislation banning public office holders from sending their children to university abroad.
“By this release, all JCC Chairmen, Zonal Leaderships and stakeholders are directed to act appropriately and ensure total compliance to the directive of ‘Operation Test Run’ shut down the federal roads in your state, the nation must feel the heat.”

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TETFUND

The disbursement of the direct intervention funds approved by the presidency to public Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education in the country has commenced by The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
Each beneficiary Institution which is a university is being allocated N642,848,138 while the polytechnic gets N396,780,086; meanwhile, N447,758,804 goes to each College of Education for the year 2022, which totally run into several billions of naira.

TETFUND The Nation
The heads of the beneficiary institutions on Monday received the allocation papers at the National Universities Commission (NUC) from the Executive Secretary of the Fund, Sunny Echono.
Echono, while presenting the document noted that, the desire to develop human capital to service the various sectors of the Nigerian economy primarily informed the government’s investment in the education sector.
According to him, the government is not unmindful of the deficit and decay in the tertiary sub-sector, noting that this also informed the establishment of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund; which was initially referred to as Education Tax Fund in 1993 and later metamorphosed into Tertiary Education Trust Fund in 2011.
The TETFund Boss equally lamented the instances of distressed or non-performing projects which according to him was becoming rampant and disturbing.
He noted that the fund had about seven non-performing/distressed projects in the University of Port Harcourt, six in Enugu State University, a total of five in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, four in Taraba State University; four in Kaduna State University and one at The Alvan Ikoku College of Education.
“This phenomenon becomes even more worrisome when viewed alongside the problem of un-accessed funds. We are mindful of the intricate variables in project management and delivery as well as the constraints created by our own internal policies and are ensuring that we review our processes where required but we will also demand from beneficiary institutions accountability and sanctions where needed.
“I will in the coming weeks be engaging beneficiary institutions who have these serious problems with the view of bringing the projects to speedy completion and use,” he noted.

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Gunmen on Monday kidnapped a traditional ruler, a 50-year-old woman and a middle-aged man at Otuabula Community in the Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
According to a community source, some heavily armed gunmen numbering about 20 invaded the community and abducted the victims into a waiting speed boat.

Those are the deputy paramount ruler of the community, Chief Otia Isomom, Mrs Lucy Osain and Mr Friday Abah.
A resident of the community, who witnessed the incident, said he was also stabbed with a dagger but he luckily escaped from being kidnapped by the gunmen.
When contacted, the Police spokesman in Bayelsa State, SP Asinim Butswat, confirmed the kidnap incident, adding that the police were intensifying efforts to rescue the victims, while investigation was ongoing to apprehend the culprits.

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The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, has been warned by the Independent National Electoral Commission of serious implications if he proceeds with his presidential ambition. 
This was made known on Monday by INEC in a statement, noting that the electoral office had been monitoring Emefiele’s political activities and addressed growing concerns about the sanctity of election materials being stockpiled at CBN’s facilities across the country.

“The strategic partnership between the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which enables the Commission to store its election sensitive materials with the CBN, has been in place for many years and beneficial in several ways.
“Indeed, there have been various reports that the CBN Governor is nursing an intention to run for the office of President. But, he is yet to formally declare his intention to run for the office of president as of today.
“However, if and when he eventually does, the Commission [will] look at the implications and take a decision on what becomes of the long-standing strategic partnership with the CBN,” INEC spokesman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, said.
Officials said INEC had partnered CBN for decades on critical election materials logistics, but might be forced to find alternatives should Emefiele run for president without resigning his position at CBN.
Emefiele has been heavily criticised for reportedly obtaining the N100 million nomination form of the All Progressives Congress from the party’s organising secretary at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja.
He, however, came out to debunk the reports claiming it was “patriots” who bought the All Progressives Congress party’s nomination forms for him, adding that he would use his own money to buy his nomination forms when he had made a decision to run for the number one office.
This sparked the outrage of Nigerians who highlighted the massive corruption cases the CBN governor is currently enmeshed in.

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By the decision of the Supreme Court in Akinlade v INEC, there is no competent suit filed by Mr. Emefiele pending before the court for adjudication.
An Originating Summons cannot be determined in the Federal High Court without a competent affidavit in support thereof.
By his status, Emefiele is an employee of the CBN. Any case to determine his status or eligibility should be filed at the National Industrial Court. So long as Emefiele earns salary as CBN employee, he should not dream of contesting election while still holding on to his office. It is an insult to our collective psyche as a people.

Sensitive election materials are always kept in CBN offices nationwide by INEC, unknown to Nigerians that Emefiele as Governor of CBN had been a politician all his life.
The political party that owns the presidential ticket that Emefiele wants to grab is not a party in his court case, contrary to extant laws and practice.
I urge the Nigerian Bar Association, Election Situation Room, SERAP and other civil society organizations to apply to court to join EMEFIELE’S case and put an end to this joke.
Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN
Lekki, Lagos.
09/05/2022

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Human rights lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN) has described the ambition of the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, to join the presidential race while holding on to his position as CBN governor, as an insult to the collective psyche of Nigerians. 
Adegboruwa, in a statement on Monday titled 'The Comedy Of Emefiele' s Case', also urged civil society organisations to apply to join Emefiele's case in a bid to stop his move to contest for President while still in office as CBN governor. 

"By his status, Emefiele is an employee of the CBN. Any case to determine his status or eligibility should be filed at the National Industrial Court. So long as Emefiele earns salary as CBN employee, he should not dream of contesting election while still holding on to his office. It is an insult to our collective psyche as a people," Adegboruwa said. 
The statement further read, "By the decision of the Supreme Court in Akinlade v INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission), there is no competent suit filed by Mr. Emefiele pending before the court for adjudication.
"The affidavit in support of the Originating Summons and indeed the Affidavit of urgency, were both deposed to by counsel on his behalf, in flagrant violation of Rule 20 of RPC.
"An Originating Summons cannot be determined in the Federal High Court without a competent affidavit in support thereof." 
"Sensitive election materials are always kept in CBN offices nationwide by INEC, unknown to Nigerians that Emefiele as Governor of CBN had been a politician all his life.
"The political party that owns the presidential ticket that Emefiele wants to grab is not a party in his court case, contrary to extant laws and practice.
"I urge the Nigerian Bar Association, Election Situation Room, SERAP and other civil society organizations to apply to court to join Emefiele's case and put an end to this joke," he added. 

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Senate President Ahmad Lawan

The speculation over the presidential ambition of Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, was laid to rest on Monday when a group of committee of friends picked the expression of interest and nomination forms for him.
He becomes the 24th aspirant to pick the party’s expression of interest and nomination forms for the May 30 primary.

Senate President Ahmad Lawan
A group of his friends led by Chief Sam Nkire, a member of the National Caucus of the party and 15 other Senators, purchased the form for him at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.
Lawan has been at the National Assembly since 1999, serving two terms in the House of Representatives before moving to the Senate in 2007.
He made a failed bid to be Senate President in 2015 when Bukola Saraki won the seat despite the APC, the new ruling party at the time with a sizeable majority in the Chamber, nominating Lawan for the position.
Last year, posters of Lawan had appeared in Damaturu, the capital of his home Yobe State, and some other northern cities.

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