Nnamdi Kanu

Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has sued the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court Of Nigeria, Hon. Justice John Tsoho and the chief registrar of the Federal High Court of Nigeria over the new practice directions on hearing of terrorism cases.

 

Some weeks ago, Justice Tsoho issued Practice Directions On Trial of Terrorism cases, noting that “the distance and size of perimeters to be secured for the trial shall be determined based on the recommendation of security agencies on a case-by-case basis.”

Nnamdi Kanu

It means terrorism trials including the ongoing trial of Nnamdi Kanu and other related ones will be done secretly, even without journalists, except the judge rules otherwise. 

 

Kanu’s trial by the Nigerian government which continued on April 8, was the first casualty of the new directive.

 

In an originating summon with suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/550/2022 which was filed on Monday, April 25, Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, sought answers to whether the powers conferred on the 1st defendant, Tsoho includes the power to make directions for regulating trials of terrorism offences in the Federal High Court considering the provisions of Sections 36(1) and 364)(a) & (b) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

 

Ejiofor argued that the said Practice Directions were issued without the approval of the Federal Executive Council (formerly the National Council of Ministers of the Federal Government of Nigeria).

 

The lawyer said the IPOB leader was not afforded any hearing before the said Directions were made by Justice Tsoho.

 

He further argued that his client, Kanu, against whose interest the said Directions were primarily made, has already been publicly tried and condemned by the Federal Government of Nigeria and her Attorney General.

 

“That I know as a fact that it is in the interest of justice and fair hearing that the Plaintiff who has been so tried and condemned publicly by his accusers, enjoys a public trial, devoid of the restrictions contained in the practice directions,” he added.

 

He also noted, “that the Practice Directions apply to and affect the proceedings in Charge No: FHC/AB/CR/383/2015 pending before Hon. Justice Binta Nyako of Court No 2, Federal High Court Abuja, in which the Plaintiff is being prosecuted under the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act."

 

Ejiofor further urged the court to restrain the Defendants and their agents from applying and enforcing the provisions of the Federal High Court Practice Directions on Trial of Terrorism Cases 2022. 

 

Other reliefs sought include: “A declaration that the provisions of Order of the Federal High Court Practice Directions (On Trial of Terrorism Cases) 2022, are already the subject of Section 36(4)(a) & (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, and consequently, they are otiose, inoperative and outrightly ultra vires the 1st Defendant, invalid, null, void and of no effect whatsoever.

 

“A declaration that the failure of the 1st Defendant to first seek and obtain the approval of the Federal Executive Council (or the National Council of Ministers) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria prior to enacting the Federal High Court Practice Directions (on Trials of Terrorism Cases), 2022, as required by Section 44 of the Federal High Court Act renders the Federal High Court Practice Direction (On Trial of Terrorism Cases) 2022, ultra vires, null and void. 

 

“A declaration that Order III Rules 3(b) and (d) of the Federal High Court Practice Directions (On Trials of Terrorism Cases) 2022, which respectively empower a Federal High Court trying terrorism cases ‘to receive evidence by video link, and to receive written deposition of expert witness’ are inconsistent with Items 23 and 68 of the Exclusive Legislative List as well as Paragraph 2(b) of Part III of the 2nd Schedule to the Constitution which confers  on the National Assembly the exclusive power to make  rules of evidence, both substantive and  adjectival and are therefore ultra vires, null and void to the extent of the inconsistency

 

 

“A declaration that Order IV Rule 2 of the Federal High Court Practice Direction (on Trial of Terrorism Cases) 2022, which provides that a person who contravenes an order or direction made under these Directions shall be deemed to have committed an offence contrary to Section 34(5) of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011, (as amended) is otiose and inoperative, because the National Assembly had already covered the field vide Section 34(5) of the Terrorism Prevention Act 2011, as amended.

 

“A declaration that the rule-making powers of the 1st Defendant under Section 254 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, are limited to the premises of the Federal High Court and do not extend to outside its perimeters, which are under the exclusive responsibility of law enforcement agencies such as the Police, DSS, etc.

 

“An order of this honourable court declaring the federal high court practice directions (on trial of terrorism cases) 2022, unconstitutional ultra vires, invalid, null, void, and of no effect.

 

 

“The defendants are expected to appear within 30 days after the service of the summons on them, ‘inclusive of the day of such service cause an appearance to be entered for them to this summons which is issued upon the application of the above-named Plaintiff for the determination of the following question.'

 

“It was further noted that the duo, both of the Federal High Court may appear by entering appearance personally or by a Legal Practitioner either by filing the appropriate processes (as in order 7) in response at the Registry of the Court where the summons was issued or sending them to that office by any of the methods allowed by these Rules.”

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About 10 persons reportedly die of malaria every hour in Nigeria, a National Malaria Elimination Programme report has revealed.
 
While commemorating World Malaria Day on Monday, the Adamawa State Ministry of Health, said 90,000 malaria-related deaths are recorded annually in Nigeria.

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The Commissioner of Health, Abdullahi Isa, warned that malaria remains a major public health burden globally, with most cases reported in sub-Saharan Africa.
 
He said, "Recently, the National Malaria Elimination Programme revealed that over 90,000 malaria-related deaths are recorded in Nigeria, every year. Nigeria accounts for about a quarter of the global burden of malaria, with 9 to 10 persons dying of malaria or malaria-related causes every hour."
 
He, however, noted that the prevalence of malaria was declining as shown in national surveys from 27 percent in 2015 to 23 percent in 2018.
 
Malaria, he further noted can be prevented through seasonal malaria chemoprevention administration for children under five years.
 
"Adamawa State government has been providing all the needed counterpart funding to support malaria elimination programmes," Isa said.

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Ade Abraham, the pastor of Christ High Commission Ministry, also known as Royal Christ Assembly, Kaduna State, has convinced members of his church to relocate to a camp in Ekiti State with him, in order to “prepare for the end of the world”.
 
According to FIJ, one of Abraham’s congregants said that the pastor first relocated to Ekiti State from Kaduna State, where he was formerly based, in 2020.

He then later returned to Kaduna State in April to ask each member of his church to pay him N310,000 before they would be allowed to follow him to Omuo-Ekiti, where “the gate of heaven will open for all of them to fly to heaven”.
 
According to the source, Abraham also assured the members that they would all ‘ascend to heaven together from the location in Ekiti’.
 
“My relative has also asked her daughter, who is studying abroad, to return to Nigeria, or else the pastor (Abraham) would make her commit an offence over there that would see her go to jail,” the source said.
 
The newspaper also obtained a WhatsApp conversation that backed up the source’s claim. It was the conversation that reflected what the pastor’s follower told her daughter.
 
“Daddy Abraham said I should tell you to come back, that he is the one who makes you to come down to Nigeria [sic] and I was the one who gave you the chance to return back there, that I should also know how you will come back [sic] or he will make you to commit an offence over there and they will put you in prison. That he probably send you down so you will achieve your goals [sic],” the chat read.
 
“Please Elizabeth, if there is how you will help yourself to come back, I will be glad [sic]. Don’t let daddy put any one of you in trouble.”
 
Another member of the church who is currently in camp in Ekiti said that Abraham’s campers still go about their normal businesses on regular days.
 
The follower also said “saved members” left their “past lives” behind in Kaduna to join the pastor in Ekiti on April 6. He confirmed that they would be at the camp with the pastor “until the day of rapture”.
 
According to the member, Abraham still holds regular church services on Sundays and Wednesdays.
 
“We are not coming back. I can’t explain in details,” the member said.
 
“We are going to make rapture from here. We are going to a heavenly place.”

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Some youths and women numbering over 500 in the Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State Monday protested and barricaded Emevor-Iyede-Ughelli Asaba expressway, one of the busiest roads in the southern Nigerian state.
The protesters accused the administration of Ifeanyi Okowa of marginalising their area and refusing to construct the Emevor-Orogun Road and other roads in their community.

The mass protest which disrupted economic and official activities caused gridlock for several hours, leaving travellers stranded.
The protesters also condemned their political leaders, Paul Owhe, commissioners representing Isoko ethnic nationality in the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, (DESOPADEC) and one Nelson Ejakpovi, who is the board chairman, school of health, Ufoma, describing them as failures.
They alleged that the accused persons have amassed illicit wealth at the expense of the community.

The protesters displayed leaves and placards, with different inscriptions. They said Governor Okowa in April 2021 during the Isoko North House of Assembly bye-election electioneering, promised to build the Emevor-Orogun Road and other projects.
They however added that after the bye-election, the governor abandoned them to their fate.
 
 
The protesters, led by the community's youth secretary, John Odhe, lamented the poor execution of projects in the area. They vowed that no election or campaign ahead of the 2023 elections will be allowed to take place in Emevor community until the governor fulfils the promises made to them.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, the youth secretary said, "No Emevor-Orogun rRoad, no campaign and no voting in 2023.
“Our protest is to drive home our demand for the completion of the first phase of Emevor–Orogun Road which is in totality a four-phase planned road with each phase spanning across major towns along the Emevor-Orogun Road and the first phase being the construction of a major access road into Emevor then navigating towards the Emevor-Orogun Road axis.
“It should be noted that this contract was first awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) over six years ago without any landmark achievement.
"Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, during the Isoko North House of Assembly bye-election campaigns last year promised that as one of the dividends of electing the House of Assembly candidate, the Emevor-Orogun Road phase one would be completed in a matter of months after clinching power.
“However, contrary to the sweet campaign promises, we are yet to see conveyance of any sand to the said road since the House of Assembly member was elected and sworn in. We have resolved that we will not entertain political campaigns in Emevor and there won’t be an election if the promises made during the last bye-election by the governor and his team are not brought into reality."
 
 
A protesting youth who simply identified himself as Oghene, said, no meaningful project had been done in the community.
"For the past 15 years, Paul Owhe and Ejakpovi have been trading with our community, building big houses within and outside Isoko. Go to Oleh and Abuja and see the big house and hospital Owhe built.
“What about Ejakpovi? Go to Benin and see what he did there, amassing illicit wealth to the detriment of Emevor. These two Emevor politicians don't care about the people apart from their immediate families. Before now, Owhe was not a successful medical doctor but go and see the properties he has amassed."
As of the time of filing this report, SaharaReporters reliable gathered that an emergency meeting had been called to be held in the palace of the traditional ruler in the community over the protest.   
 

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No fewer than 20 suicide bombers equipped with Improvised Explosives Devices (IEDs) are on the loose during the last 10 days of the Muslim fast, Ramadan, counter-insurgency expert in the Lake Chad has said.
 
According to a tweet by the counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, the killing spree during the holy month of Ramadan would afford the terrorists a choice place in paradise.

Makama in a tweet on Saturday that the killer jihadists, jointly operating under the aegis of Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), began the suicidal mission on April 22, 2022, and that it is expected to last for the remaining 10 days of Ramadan.
 
The joint operation of the terrorists has mapped Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State and Bama Local Government Area of the state as their primary targets, he noted.
 
“Reliably informed that Boko Haram/ISWAP from Sambisa have prepared about 20 persons with Personnel Borne Improvised Explosives Devices,” Makama wrote.
 
The insurgents believe that shedding the blood of ‘infidels’ (an infidel is a person accused of disbelief in the central tenets of one's own religion, such as members of another religion, or the irreligious) during Ramadan increases their rewards — the reason some of them do not fast when going for an attack.
 
Sadly, the terrorists believe that insurgents or suicide bombers who lost their lives during the killing spree died a martyr.
 
“As Ramadan is halfway through, the complex attacks during the first half of the month indicate the group’s ideology and belief that heightened attacks during this period attract multiple divine rewards for their action,” Makama tweeted.
 
He added: “Sources disclosed that ISWAP going for attacks were told to suspend fasting to gather much energy, believing that if they die within the last 10 days, it’s going to be straight to paradise.”
 
He, therefore, urged the defence headquarters and police authorities that “emphasis must be placed on Damboa, Gaidam, Maiduguri and Bama within these periods.”
 
Meanwhile, suspected ISWAP bombs have hit two targets in Iware town in the Ardo Kola Local Government Area and Jalingo, both in Taraba State, killing six persons and injuring scores.
 
SaharaReporters reported earlier today that a loud explosion rocked Gashu’a town, the headquarters of Bade Local Government Area of Yobe State, on Sunday.
Gashu’a is also the home town of the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan.

The incident, which could be the third explosion caused by the terrorists, was said to have occurred at a beer parlour in the Abasha area of the town and at the time Muslims were observing late evening prayers.

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The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has dared armed herders to attack South-East Nigeria after a threat by some group of herders to attack and take over the region.
 
A group of herdsmen had reportedly threatened to invade the South-East and take over the land, saying they had done so in some other parts of the country.

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However, the spokesperson for the Nnamdi Kanu-led group, Emma Powerful, said they were waiting for the suspected herders to carry out their threat, adding that such assailants would not be spared.

He said, “We are waiting for them, let them come and invade and take over Igboland. We will not spare them, let them come again and invade any part of Igboland and let us see if they can succeed.
 
“They can only do what they are doing in the places they are doing it now, but not in Igboland. Everybody knows that these people are the problem of Nigeria and we can’t relent until their evil control is dissolved.

“We are used to their daily raging and threats but we are waiting for them to come again and attack any Igbo community and we promise them that they will never escape.”

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A mild drama ensued on Monday at the resumed hearing of the murder case of Timothy Adegoke, a postgraduate student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), when Magdalene Chiefuna, the second defendant in the matter slumped in the courtroom.
 
The Presiding Judge, Justice Adepele Ojo immediately adjourned the matter to allow the defendant to be attended to.

Chiefuna was said to have slumped when the lawyer for the defendants was arguing over the propriety of handing over the case to the human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN).
 
She was reportedly coughing repeatedly before the court clerk and corrections officials rushed to her side.

Last week, the Osun State Government declared Falana as being in full charge of the prosecution of the case involving the murder of Timothy Adegoke.

Adegoke was killed last November after lodging in the Hilton Hotel and Resorts, Ile-Ife, Osun State. Police investigations have linked some members of the hotel staff to the alleged murder and accused Adedoyin of moves to destroy evidence.
 
The case was first investigated by Osun State Police Command but was later taken over by the office of the Inspector-General of Police in Abuja. However, it was later moved to Osogbo by the Nigeria Police, after the police filed a criminal charge against the suspects in Abuja.
 
While the police prosecutors were prosecuting the case, the counsel for the family of Adegoke, Falana & Co, held a watching brief for the victim and witnessed the proceedings.
 
However, the Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, Ismail Omipidan in a statement signed by Oluwafemi Akande, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, said the office of Falana had already collected the letter conveying the fiat of the attorney general.
 

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Twitter’s 11-member board and Tesla CEO Elon Musk negotiated into the early hours of Monday over his bid to buy the social media platform, The New York Times reported.

This means that Twitter is nearing a deal to sell itself to Elon Musk, two people with knowledge of the situation said, a move that would unite the world’s richest man with the influential social networking service.

Twitter’s board was negotiating with the world’s wealthiest man, Mr. Musk into the early hours of Monday over his unsolicited bid to buy the company, after he began lining up $46.5 billion in financing for the offer last week, said the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss confidential information.

The two sides were discussing details including a timeline to close any potential deal and any fees that would be paid if an agreement were signed and then fell apart, they said.
 
The discussions followed a Twitter board meeting on Sunday morning to discuss Mr. Musk’s offer, the people said. Obtaining commitments for the financing was a turning point for how the board viewed Mr. Musk’s bid of $54.20 a share, enabling the company’s 11 board members to seriously consider his offer, the people said.
 
An agreement is not yet final and may still fall through, but what had initially seemed to be a highly improbable deal appeared to be nearing an endgame. The situation involving Twitter and Mr. Musk remains fluid and fast-moving, the people with knowledge of the situation said.
 
Mr. Musk, who has more than 83 million followers on Twitter and began amassing shares in the company earlier this year, declared his intent to buy the company on April 14 and take it private. But his proposal was quickly dismissed by Wall Street because it was unclear if he could come up with the money to do the deal. Twitter also adopted a “poison pill,” a defensive manoeuvre that would prevent Mr. Musk from accumulating more of the company’s stock.
 
Mr. Musk updated his proposal last week, putting pressure on Twitter to more seriously consider his bid.
In a securities filing that was made public on Thursday, Mr. Musk detailed how he had put together financing from the investment bank Morgan Stanley and a group of other lenders, which were offering $13 billion in debt financing, plus another $12.5 billion in loans against his stock in Tesla, the electric carmaker that he runs. He was expected to add about $21 billion in equity financing.
 
A Twitter spokesman declined to comment.
In previous public statements, the company had said its board was “continuing to conduct a careful, comprehensive and deliberate review to determine the course of action in the best interest of the company and all Twitter stockholders.”
 
Mr. Musk did not respond to a request for comment.
The Wall Street Journal earlier reported Twitter’s increased receptivity to Mr. Musk’s bid.
 
Wall Street was likely to view the openness of Twitter’s board to Mr. Musk’s bid as “the beginning of the end for Twitter as a public company with Musk likely now on a path to acquire the company unless a second bidder comes into the mix,” Dan Ives, an analyst at Wedbush Securities, wrote in a note on Sunday.
 
Mr. Musk’s offer for Twitter is a 54 percent premium over the share price the day before he began investing in the company in late January. But Twitter’s shares traded higher than Mr. Musk’s bid for much of last year.
 
Several analysts have said they expected Twitter’s board to only accept a bid that valued it at a minimum of $60 a share. Twitter’s stock rose above $70 a share last year when the company announced goals to double its revenue, but has since fallen to around $48 as investors have questioned its ability to meet those targets.
 
Mr. Musk, 50, has made clear that he sees many deficiencies in Twitter as a social media service. He has said that he wants to “transform” the company as a “platform for free speech around the globe” and that it requires vast improvements in its product and policies.

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A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has again adjourned a case of defamation and cyberstalking suit filed by a former lawmaker, Ned Nwoko against the human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore and his online platform, SaharaReporters to June 2, 2022.

The case which was scheduled for arraignment before Justice Emeka Nwite on Monday, May 25 could not hold when the court registrar told the lawyers that the court would not be sitting and that the judge was just resuming from Easter break.

The court, therefore, asked the lawyers to pick another date and the matter was subsequently adjourned to June 2.

 

 

 

Sowore's lawyer, Barr. Tope Temokun, who spoke to SaharaReporters, said they were ready for the trial anytime, adding that the adjournment was like postponement of an evil day for the lawmaker.

 

 

 

Meanwhile, Sowore's supporters thronged the court in solidarity with the activist as they displayed his campaign posters on the court premises.

 

 

 

Sowore was arrested by the police on February 24 at the gate of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, where he had gone for a case involving his party, the African Action Congress (AAC), following a petition by the lawmaker accusing Sowore of defamation.

 

This followed publications against him in SaharaReporters, an online newspaper.

 

Sowore was subsequently taken to the office of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), popularly known as ‘abattoir’, where he was detained for some time and later released.

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The Chairman of Mallinson Group, Chief Afam Mallinson Emmanuel Ukatu, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over allegations of dealing in hard drugs.
 
This was contained in a statement issued on Monday by NDLEA Media Director, Femi Babafemi.

According to the statement, Ukatu, who was described as a billionaire drug baron, is said to be behind the N3 billion Tramadol deal involving suspended police chief, Abba Kyari.
 
He was arrested at the MM2 terminal of the Lagos airport in Ikeja after months of surveillance and evading arrest.
 
The agency said the suspect has been a major importer of large consignments of different brands and high dosages of Tramadol Hydrochloride, ranging from 120mg, 200mg, 225mg and 250mg.
 
Ukatu owns pharmaceutical and plastic manufacturing companies, which he allegedly used as a cover to import illicit drugs into Nigeria.
 
“This is in addition to operating 103 bank accounts, most of which are used to launder money,” Babafemi noted.
 
Ukatu came under watch in 2021, a year after five cartons of Tramadol 225mg were seized from his staff on 4th May 2021.
 
He had sent them to sell to undercover police officers (unknown to Ukatu), from the then Kyari-led IRT, in Lagos.
 
The price of a carton of Tramadol was negotiated at N17 million each as against the then black-market value that ranged between N18 million and N20 million a carton.
 
Meanwhile, after the arrest of Ukatu’s staff, Pius Enidom and Sunday Ibekwete, Kyari’s men were led to Mallinson’s warehouse at Ojota in Lagos where 197 additional cartons of Tramadol 225mg were seized by the IRT.
 
The monetary value of the 202 cartons of Tramadol seized from Mallinson in one day was over N3 billion.
 
Three weeks after the seizure, the Kyari’s IRT team transferred only 12 cartons of the Tramadol with one truck and a suspect to the Lagos Command of the NDLEA, leaving 190 cartons unaccounted for.
 
After over eight months of following the lead, anti-narcotic officers of the agency eventually arrested Ukatu at the Lagos airport on 13th April 2022. Kyari and four top members of his team are already facing trial for a different but similar offence at a Federal High Court in Abuja.

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At least one person has been killed following an attack by fighters of the Islamic State-backed faction of Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), formerly known as Jamā'at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da'wah wa'l-Jihād in Kangara village, Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State.
 
Sources said that the insurgents invaded the community on Monday morning, while many residents ran into nearby bushes to seek refuge.

File photo used to illustrate story.

My villagers were also injured during the attack.
 
Gubio Local Government Area is about 70km away from Maiduguri, the state capital, which has been living peacefully in recent times.
 
Recently, Dr Geidam Bulama, who is the only medical doctor serving in the council area, was abducted by terrorists.
 
The kidnapping of Bulama, according to residents, took place when the gunmen rode in a camouflage Hilux vehicle and motorcycles and freely entered the residence of the medical doctor located a few metres away from security formations.

They took him away at about 2 am without confrontation, as the insurgents did not touch anyone else nor loot property.
 
Boko Haram and its offshoot, ISWAP have become more ferocious in recent times.
 
The Nigerian Army has repeatedly claimed that the insurgency has been largely defeated.
 
The terror group has caused the deaths of tens of thousands of people and displaced millions of individuals mainly in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.

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Deeper Life Bible Church logo

At least six members of the Deeper Life Bible Church, in Iragbo community, Badagry, sustained injuries on Sunday, after the church’s building collapsed.
 
The building collapsed under the influence of a heavy storm while the service was in progress around 9:30 am, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

Deeper Life Bible Church logo

A member of the church, Topohozin Tunde, told the news outlet that at least six members of the church, including him, sustained serious injuries.
 
He said, “I also sustained a serious knee injury. But thank God no life was lost. Just around 9:30 this morning, during the church service, there was a heavy storm which hit the church building, and before we could know what was happening, the whole church building collapsed.
 
“Some were able to escape, while about six of us sustained serious injuries. Those that were seriously injured were taken to the General Hospital in Badagry for proper attention.”
 
Meanwhile, the Baale of Iragbo, Thoma Agodi, said he was inside his palace when a resident came to inform him that the church building had collapsed.
 
“We have to thank God that there is no fatality as a result of the collapse,” he said.

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The wanted leader of a notorious gang of bandits terrorising communities in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states, Leggi Jibrin, has been arrested after a gun battle with troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, OPWS, the joint military/security operation covering the three states.
 
According to Vanguard, the wanted bandit, who had been on the radar of OPWS, was arrested by the troops at Agam/Gidan Bawa village in the Nasarawa Local Government Area of Nasarawa State during a sting operation.

A source stated that the operation, which took place last Wednesday and Thursday on the directive of the Force Commander, Major General Kevin Aligbe, also led to the rescue of five kidnap victims by the troops deployed to Ugya in Toto LGA of the state.
 
The source said, “Troops of OPWS deployed to Ugya in Toto LGA of Nasarawa State received credible intel and responded swiftly to a distress call of a kidnap incident at Zaure forest.
 
“On arrival at the forest, our troops saw three trucks loaded with illegal timber that was abandoned in the forest. Accordingly, the troops combed the forest, stumbled on the kidnappers’ camp and rescued five of their victims.
 
“The rescued victims are Abdulkafar Nuhu, Adamu Dagana, Emmanuel Osasede, Jacob Amaku and Danladi Amaku.”

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Nigeria’s First Lady, Aisha Buhari, has urged political parties and aspirants to consider having women as running mates for candidates at all levels in the next general elections.

According to Aisha Buhari, it was “high time women were adopted as running mates at all levels considering their voting strength and active involvement in political processes.”

She stated this on Saturday night while hosting presidential aspirants from various political parties to a Ramadan (Iftar) breakfast at the State House, Abuja.

“As we approach the 2023 election with greater hope, I am confident that Nigeria will continue to grow from strength to strength on the pedestal of our democratic tenets,” she said.

The first lady urged the presidential aspirants to be focused on factors that bind the country together and strengthen its unity and national cohesion.

She urged all the aspirants to imbibe the spirit of fair play and shun violent tendencies capable of dividing the country during electioneering ahead of the general elections.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who was represented by a former governor of Edo State, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, urged to “learn to practise politics without bitterness and imbibe the spirit of oneness.”

“It is not going to be a do or die affair and it should not be,” he added.

The National Leader of the party, who is also seeking to win the APC presidential ticket, Bola Tinubu, prayed for peace, unity and prosperity in the country.

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Nse Ekpenyong, Nigerian lawmaker representing Oron Federal Constituency of Akwa lbom State in the House of Representatives, is dead.
Ekpenyong, 58, reportedly died on Saturday.

The chairman of Mbo Local Government Area, where Ekpenyong hailed from, Asuqwo Eyo, confirmed the death to PREMIUM TIMES, but said the federal lawmaker was not ill.
He was a member of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly where he spent one term.
He was at one time the Deputy Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state. In 2015, he was elected into the Federal House of Representatives as a member representing Oron/Mbo/Okobo/UrueOffong/Oruko/Udung-Uko Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State on the PDP platform.
Ekpenyong was the Managing Director of Based/Investment Trust Co. Nigeria Ltd and the Chief Executive Officer of Brule Integrated Nigeria Ltd.
However, his career was blotted by his arrest for allegedly forging his school certificates which he presented to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). And in 2017, he was arraigned at the Federal High Court, Uyo, the state capital, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the alleged forgery of a national diploma certificate of the Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, Abia State.
The EFCC arraigned the lawmaker on nine counts bordering on forgery among others. 
 

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A Muslim rights advocacy group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has opposed the endorsement of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for a second term.
The group noted that Christians have had their two terms and that it is the turn of Muslims to produce the Lagos governor in 2023.

MURIC’s position was stated in a statement on Monday signed by the director of the organisation, Professor Ishaq Akintola.
The statement reads: “Leaders of the ruling party in Lagos, the All Progressives Congress (APC), last week endorsed the incumbent governor of the state, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for a second term in office for the 2023 gubernatorial election.
“Unfortunately, this endorsement violated a long-standing albeit unwritten rule on rotational governance between Christians and Muslims in Lagos State.
“It is on record that ex-Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, a Christian, spent four years in office and another Christian, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was brought in ostensibly to complete the Christians’ two terms which expire by May 2023, when a Muslim, ceteris paribus, is expected to take over the reins of office.
“That is why Muslims in Lagos State regard the recent endorsement given to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to run for the Christians’ third term as unfair, unjust and provocative.
“It may not be known in official circles but Lagos Muslims are grumbling and we have been under pressure for some time now to speak up. It is a dangerous dimension capable of eliciting protest bulk vote against the ruling party unless the issue is ironed out at a roundtable between leaders of the party, the Lagos State Government (LASG) and Lagos Muslims.
“For the avoidance of doubts, MURIC has no intention of hijacking control of the Muslim community in the state. We always recognise established leadership structures wherever they exist and Lagos Muslims have that structure.
“The Muslim Community of Lagos State which is under the able leadership of Professor Tajudeen Gbadamosi is the appropriate body to meet for the purpose of negotiating with Lagos Muslims. All Islamic organisations in Lagos State are under this body. The onus is therefore on LASG and leaders of the ruling party to reach out to the Muslim Community of Lagos State.
“MURIC rejects exclusivism in matters of governance. Lagos Muslims are taxpayers and key stakeholders in issues affecting the welfare of Lagos citizens. We must therefore be consulted on matters of governance.
“We refuse to be blindfolded on the way to the polling booth. Neither shall we be satisfied just as voters; we must also be voted for. That is the essence of democracy. It must be participatory. The choice of candidates and leadership must not be lopsided in a democracy. Every segment of society must be consulted.
“We, therefore, fault the process that led to the emergence of the incumbent governor as the flagbearer of the ruling party in the coming gubernatorial election. 2023 belongs to Muslims in Lagos State. Any deviation from this must be properly negotiated.
“For instance, if the Christians are going to enjoy the luxury of a third term by giving Sanwo-Olu the mandate to run for a second term, an agreement must be reached with Lagos Muslims guaranteeing twelve years of Muslim rule after Governor Sanwo-Olu. Anything short of this is tantamount to an attempt to shortchange Muslims in the state.”
“The narratives have changed. Muslim leaders are no longer satisfied with crumbs from the table. Giving the Imams rams during festivals and sponsoring Muslims on hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) are deliberate means of enslavement and marginalization. Lagos Muslims are now fully aware of the gimmicks,” it added.

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Yobe state map

A loud explosion rocked Gashu’a town, the headquarters of Bade Local Government Area of Yobe State were, on Sunday, Daily Post reports.

Gashu’a is about 188 km north of Damaturu, the Yobe State capital and is the ancestral home of the incumbent President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan.

Yobe state map

The incident was said to have occurred at a beer parlour in Abasha area of the town and at the time Muslims were observing late evening prayer.

 

“We were observing the late evening prayer at 8pm and all of a sudden, we heard a loud explosion and after the prayer, we were told that it was a suspected IED that exploded in the Abasha area,” a source told Daily Post.

 

It was learnt that one person died, while seven others sustained varying degrees of injuries and were evacuated to Specialist Hospital, Gashu’a for medical treatment.

 

No group has claimed responsibility for the explosion yet.

 

Similarly, there was an explosion on Friday night in Jalingo the Taraba State capital, leaving at least five persons injured.

 

 

 

The incident was said to have taken place at the entrance of the district head’s house where local gin (Burukutu) was being sold.

 

The incident followed another explosion at a drinking joint in Iware community in the Taraba State which occurred last Tuesday.

 

Six persons were confirmed dead, and at least 19 others were said to have been injured in the attack. The terrorist group, Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) claimed responsibility for the attack.

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Isaac Adewole, a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God has faulted the police report alleging top management staff members of Wema Bank Plc fraudulently moved N1.7 billion to his account number 0122367964, domiciled in the financial institution.

 

The report signed by the Commander of Area G, Lagos, ACP Ibrahim Zungura had said multiple fraudulent transactions were carried out through the account. 

 

“The culpability of WEMA Bank officers was further confirmed when the officers tried to bribe investigating officers with large envelopes that contained money.

 

“The officers declined the bribes but the Bank persisted. The officials spent time begging and persuading the investigating officers to drop the case. The Executive Director of the Bank, Mr Wole Akinleye, was also invited and he tried hard to derail and stop the investigation. He also wrote a letter to ask that he be exonerated from the case when it was clearly established that the bank could not explain the transactions, that the movement of funds was a form of stealing from the bank which is sometimes referred to as 'pay off source'.

 

“This is shown by the facts that the funds deposited were not removed in that order or in the sums deposited but carefully removed in different tranches as it is shown on the account statements. For his own part, Mr Adewole refused to cooperate with the investigations but instead did everything he could to assist the bank in covering up,” the report exclusively obtained by SaharaReporters had read.

 

In a petition to the Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Adewole, who is also the Managing Director of Shibawells Energy said the N1.7 billion transfer to his loan account was made in error and was reversed immediately.

 

He accused one businessman, Timi Popoola, who used his property as part of the collateral to secure the loan at the bank of planning to use the error to “embarrass one of its Executive Directors over some unresolved personal feud.”

 

The pastor added that the Commander of Area G who signed the report is a resident in one of Popoola’s property in Magodo GRA Phase II, Lagos and his good friend.

 

“In order to meet its obligations under the joint venture business, Shibahwells being an existing customer approached its bankers (Wema Bank Plc) for an additional facility in the sum of N500million. Wema Bank agreed to grant the facility on the condition that Shibahwells provide additional security in addition to the security that was provided for the existing facility.

 

“In one of such informal discussions as friend5s and neighbours, our client mentioned the above development to Timi Popoola who without hesitation, offered to release his property in Magodo G.R.A. Phase II as part of the additional security requested by Wema Bank. Our client made full disclosure to Timi Popoola on the joint venture business between Shibahwells and Star Orient, Shibahwells’ banking relationship with Wema Bank and in particular, the purpose for which the additional security was required by the bank.

 

“Based on the immediate foregoing and upon our client providing him some other consideration other than cash, Timi Popoola voluntarily released the title document for his Magodo property as part of the additional security required by Wema Bank for the facility obtained by Shibahwells. He also voluntarily executed all requisite documents in favour of Wema Bank in this regard.

 

“Having obtained the facility from Wema Bank, Shibahwells proceeded to finance the joint venture business but soon discovered that Star Orient had substantially misrepresented the facts about its financial capacity, its facilities and operational management. With this discovery, Shibahwells was left with no option but to invest heavily in the purchase of relevant equipment which Star Orient had represented was available prior to the commencement of the joint venture business.

 

“Shibahwells continued to finance the operations of the joint venture business with the facility obtained from Wema Bank. However, sometime in 2020, Shibahwells observed that Dare Osamo, the then Managing Director of Star Orient was fraudulently diverting funds meant for the joint venture business to other personal accounts, which consequently affected Shibahwells’ ability to finance the facility with Wema Bank. Upon further investigation, the result of the shady and fraudulent activities of Dare Osamo in the management of the funds of the joint venture business was shown to have impacted negatively on the business such that petroleum products and funds injected into the business by Shibahwells could not be easily accounted for as a result of mismanagement by Dare Osamo.

 

“After careful consideration of the nature of the fraud and criminal collusion that characterized the management of the joint venture business under Dare Osamo, Shibahwells as a responsible and law-abiding corporate entity notified Wema Bank and Timi Popoola. In addition, Shibahwells reported the matter at the Zone 2 Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force, Onikan, Lagos for thorough forensic investigation and possible prosecution.

 

“The result of the Police investigation is now subject to criminal prosecution in Charge No. ID/15422C/2021 – The State of Lagos vs. Dare Osamo & 2 Others pending before Honourable Justice O. Ogala of the Criminal Division of the High Court of Lagos State, Ikeja. Furthermore, the investigations established a case of abuse of fiduciary/statutory duties (among other cases) against Dare Osamo during his period as Managing Director of Star Orient and this is now subject of multiple civil court actions at the Federal High Court, Lagos to wit:

(a) Suit No. FHC/L/CS/874/2020–Star Orient Nigeria Limited v. Dare Osamo & 2 Ors.

(b) Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1017/2020–Dare Osamo & Another v. Isaaki Adewole & 5 Ors.

(c) Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1054/2021 – Star Orient Nigeria Limited v. Dare Osamo & Fina Trust MFB Ltd.

 

“Sometime in July 2021, Timi Popoola requested for the immediate release of his title documents and discharge of his Magodo property from the Shibahwells loan obligation to Wema Bank. In response, our client stated that the process of discharge/release of the title documents would not be immediate as it would take some time, especially having regard to Shibahwells’ indebtedness to Wema Bank and which indebtedness is as a result of the mismanagement of funds invested in the Star Orient/Shibahwells joint venture.

 

“To meet Timi Popoola’s demand, Shibahwells approached Wema Bank with a request to withdraw Timi Popoola’s title documents from the loan obligation and to replace same with other security to be provided by the Star Orient/Shibahwells joint venture. Some of the letters by Shibahwells to Wema Bank in this regard are attached as ANNEXURE 4. In response, Wema Bank called for a reconciliation of the loan account with a view to determining the extent of Shibahwells’ indebtedness to the bank. A consultant nominated by the bank was engaged to carry out the reconciliation of Shibahwells’ loan account and in the course of that reconciliation, the consultant discovered that the loan account had been erroneously credited and debited with some funds at different times/dates.

 

“The consultant brought this discovery to our client’s attention and also notified Wema Bank. In reaction, Wema Bank stated that the said bank transfers into the loan account were made in error and that the same was reversed immediately on each occasion the erroneous transfers occurred. On one occasion while our client was spending time with Timi Popoola and Lanre Bamgbose, a shareholder and director in Star Orient; the issue of erroneous funds transfer to Shibahwells loan account came up for discussion whereupon each person expressed different views as to the likely origin of the funds. Our client used this opportunity to clear the doubts by informing both Timi Popoola and Lanre Bamgbose that Wema Bank had already confirmed that the transfers were made into the loan account in error and that same were reversed immediately.

 

“To our client’s shock, Timi Popoola furiously stated that he was going to leverage the bank’s error to embarrass one of its Executive Directors over some unresolved personal feud. Our client immediately pleaded with Timi Popoola not to toe this path of blackmail, especially since posting funds across customers’ bank accounts was typically not part of the responsibility of a bank’s Executive Director. The conversation ended on this note. 

 

“With a settled expectation that the doubts around the erroneous bank transfers had been resolved, our client was surprised to receive an invite from Area G Command of the Nigeria Police Force, Ogba, Lagos on 5th November 2021. Upon honouring the police invitation on 8th November 2021, our client was informed that Timi Popoola had reported a case of suspected money laundry activities perpetrated by our client and Wema Bank.”

 

He added, “Our client initially wondered why the matter was reported at the Area G Command of the Nigeria Police Force, Ogba. The riddle was however resolved upon a discreet investigation which revealed that apart from being a close friend and associate of Timi Popoola, ACP Ibrahim Zungura (Area Commander, ‘Area G’ Police Command, Ogba, Lagos) is also resident in one of Timi Popoola’s property in Magodo GRA Phase II, Lagos.

DPP Legal Advice-COP v. Adewole Isaac by Sahara Reporters on Scribd

 

 

“During the meeting with ACP Ibrahim Zungura, our client was asked questions relating to the inflows and outflows on the Shibahwells loan account with Wema Bank. In particular, ACP Ibrahim Zungura cajoled our client to cooperate with the police so that the matter would be dispensed with at the Area G Command. Our client volunteered a written statement disclosing all he knows about the erroneous inflows and outflows on the Shibahwells loan account.

 

“On Wednesday 9th February 2022, our client was again invited by the Area G Police Command. And upon his arrival, ACP Ibrahim Zungura in his office, informed our client (with Timi Popoola in attendance), that the matter would be referred to court for prosecution since the parties were unable to resolve the matter amicably. From ACP Ibrahim Zungura’s office, our client and Kingsley Ananwude (Head of Oil & Gas, Wema Bank) were on the same day led to Court and arraigned before Magistrate A.O. Olayinka (Mrs.) of Court No. 2, Magistrates Court, Ogba, Lagos on 4-Count Charge of stealing and money laundering in Charge No. MIK/B/6/2022 – Commissioner of Police vs. Adewole Isaac & Kingsley Ananwude.

 

“At the instance of Timi Popoola, members of the Press were in attendance in numbers at the Magistrates Court, Ogba to witness and report the arraignment of our client and the 2nd Defendant in the criminal charge. This was ostensibly to damage our client’s hard-earned reputation as a businessman of almost two decades and to also bring the bank to disrepute. Although Counsel for the two Defendants applied that bail be granted in the most liberal terms, the presiding Magistrate granted bail with suffocating conditions and this resulted in the two Defendants not meeting the bail conditions until after staying at the Kirikiri Correctional facility for two consecutive nights.

 

“The relationship between Timi Popoola and ACP Ibrahim Zungura is too proximate to be ignored and our client reasonably believes that this is why the duo have continued to wrongfully use the instrumentality of the Nigeria Police Force to harass, embarrass, intimidate, and maliciously prosecute our client and Wema Bank’s official all in a bid to subject our client and the bank to ridicule and disrepute.

 

“Clearly, Timi Popoola has leveraged and continues to leverage his relationship with ACP Ibrahim Zungura to intimidate and maliciously prosecute our client and the bank’s official for no justifiable reason. Curiously, no fund of the bank is missing, and no customer of the bank has claimed its fund is missing. Yet, the police and Timi Popoola are pressing a criminal charge.”

 

Meanwhile, the police have charged one Ojo Oladipupo, Chief Security Officer of Wema Bank Plc, to court for attempted bribery.

 

He was accused of offering a policeman, ASP Jonathan Egwemi (A/P No: 143699), a monetary reward in order to stop him from carrying out a detailed investigation into the fraudulent and money laundering activities of the bank.

 

SaharaReporters had reported how N1.7 billion was moved to account number 0122367964, domiciled in the financial institution and operated by Adewole.

 

According to Adewole’s statement of account obtained by SaharaReporters, on January 28 2021 via transaction ID No: M35660, he received the sum of N424,811,000 from Caverton, N160,000,000 from Dana and N630,000,000 from Beam Energy, all with the same transaction number.

 

On June 18, 2021, via transaction ID No: M104031, the pastor received the sum of N300,000,000 via NIP transfer from an undisclosed account source.

 

Also on same June 18, 2021, via transaction ID No: M104031, Adewole received the sum of N270,000,000 from Messrs Morrifoil Oil and Gas Ltd., all totalling N1,784,811,000.

 

When contacted, a source at Dana Air said the airline didn’t do any transaction with Adewole nor his company, Shibawells Energy Limited.

 

“If I tell you we aren’t aware of this case, then I’m lying, the police some time ago invited us and we were surprised that the company’s name was used for such a fraudulent transaction. It will be wrong for me to share our bank statement with you but such a transaction wasn’t authorised by us,” a source at Dana Air had told SaharaReporters.

 

“We weren’t involved in such a deal, only the bank management can tell you why they use Dana’s name for the transaction. Go to the bank tomorrow and send money to anyone and use Dana as the sender they won’t stop you from doing that. Jokes apart, if we have that kind of amount, my brother, we don’t have any problem,” the source had added. 

 

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The leader of the Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, leader of the Southern & Middle Belt Forum, Pa Edwin Clark, and governors from the South-East region will on Monday converge on Abuja to persuade Nigerians on why the region should produce Nigeria’s next president.

 

Aside from Adebanjo and Clark, others to attend the Greater Nigeria Conference, which is slated for Monday at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, are eminent nationalists, statesmen, and foremost federalism campaigners, among others.

The GNC is a pan-Nigeria dialogue organised by a global Igbo think tank, Nzuko Umunna, to canvass support for a presidential candidate from the region during the 2023 general elections.

 

It is led by a former Governor of Enugu State, Chief Okwesilieze Nwodo, Senator Victor Umeh, and Senator Chris Anyanwu.

 

A statement on Sunday from the GNC Media Office signed by Collins Steve Ugwu said the conference is dedicated to awakening the best ethnic and political fraternities of Nigerians to appreciate the binding need for accommodation and sacrifice, in supporting a Nigerian president from the South-East region come 2023.

 

“The plannings are complete, the audience is ready, and more patriotic Nigerians are now selfless in championing the truth, that our country can only get better and faster on the wheels of equality, justice, fairness and deliberate inclusion, to all her citizens, especially the Southeast people of Nigeria," 

the statement by Collins Steve Ugwu, the GNC Media Coordinator said.

 

“Aside from the nationalist patriots expected in Abuja, from all over the country are also our Governors from the Southeast region, who will play central roles in the big idea of a Nigerian President from the Southeast persuasion project. It is already heartwarming, and a sign of great awareness that one of them, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo state declared passionately this week.

 

“That Ndigbo have cried enough on their marginalization, and Nigerians should grant the region a fair playing ground, come 2023 general elections for the Presidency."

 

Amplifying this firm and fair resolve, he again called Nigerians' attention to history, saying, “Most of the patriots who engineered the plan that made the Southwest region produce the presidential candidates for the two major political parties in 1999 are still alive and active in Nigerian politics. That same underlying love for the country that inspired them to do what they did for the Southwest in 1999, should inspire them to do the same for the Southeast in 2023. 

 

“That simply is a factual foretaste to the many more of what Greater Nigeria Conference will put on the front burner, as they gather all the Presidential aspirants from Southeast before Nigerians to dialogue and persuade the election of one as Nigerian President in the spirit of Together We Can do better for this country.” 

 

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Some aggrieved residents of Kajola in the Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo state have attacked the community police station, accusing policemen of recklessness and causing an accident which led to the death of three persons.

The accident it was learnt happened at a checkpoint along Lagos/Benin Expressway on Saturday evening.

The victims, David Olowofeyekun, Gbenga Abayomi and Kola Akinduro, who was the traditional leader of Korede village, were on a motorcycle and heading home from their farms.

Following the incident, some residents stormed the Police Divisional Headquarters, Kajola in their hundreds, chanting a series of protest songs to register their grievances.

They also dumped the three corpses at the police station.

According to them, the accident was caused by an illegal checkpoint mounted in the area by policemen, adding that they do not want to see any officer in the community again.

The spokesperson for the state police command, Funmilayo Odunlami, who confirmed the incident exonerated the police of any blame.

She said the accident was caused by the rider of the motorcycle, whom she accused of wrong-way driving (counterflow driving). 

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