Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu

The Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday, paid an unscheduled visit to the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre located in the state’s secretariat to empathise with journalists who were on Sunday attacked by hoodlums on a bus conveying them in Lagos Island.
SaharaReporters had reported how hoodlums attacked journalists covering the homecoming of the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, who returned to Lagos State 12 days after he won the ruling party’s ticket.

Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu

As gathered, the journalists were attacked while returning from the Palace of Oba of Lagos, Oba Riliwanu Akiolu, where they had gone to cover Tinubu’s visit to the monarch.
The journalists involved were said to be those attached to the Lagos State Governor’s office. It was learnt that two journalists were injured while their bus was vandalised.
Their attackers were said to have stoned the bus conveying the journalists while other weapons were also used to vandalise it.
The governor, who came around 4pm and was accompanied by his Chief of Staff (CoS), Mr Tayo Ayinde, and Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr Gboyega Akosile, urged the journalists not to be deterred by the hazards of their job, which he described as very risky.
"Your job is risky, very risky but don’t be deterred by the hazards of the job. You must have the courage to persevere," he said.
Meanwhile, the governor has ordered an investigation into the attack.
He directed that those involved in the attack must be fished out and made to face the law.
Governor Sanwo-Olu in a statement issued earlier by the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho said the state government would pay the hospital bills of those injured in the incident.
“Lagos State Government condemns the incident. We hold the media in high esteem and the government has always ensured that they have a conducive environment to perform their duties. Nobody or group will be allowed to destroy our cordial relationship with the media. Lagos has no room for hooligans," he said.

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The Nigeria Police Force, Oyo State command has said its operatives foiled a bank robbery planned by a criminal gang who conspired with at least a contract worker of a new generation bank in Ibadan.
The police also arrested a female suspect and four others during the operation that led to foiling the planned attack already hatched a day before the criminals would strike.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer for the Oyo State Police Command, Adewale Osifeso, on Monday.
Osifeso said the suspects were picked from their hideout around Odo the Ona area of Ibadan following an intelligence received by the police.
“The Oyo State Police Command in an intelligence-led and purposeful driven operation has identified, tracked and apprehended members of a criminal gang specialised in carrying out well-coordinated robbery attacks on banks.
“Preliminary investigation reveals that the criminal gang comprising of Abass Azeez ‘m’ 42yrs, Mayowa Kehinde ‘m’ 29yrs contract staff/marketer with a new generation bank, Rildwan Eniola ‘m’ 33yrs, Mistura Akinade ‘f’ 33yrs, Abass Aderoju ‘m’ 41yrs and Akeem Adeniyi ‘m’ 37yrs were all nabbed at their Agara Odo-Ona hideout along Akala Expressway, Ibadan on Monday 13/06/2022 at about 2100hrs after concluding plans to execute a bloody bank robbery attack on another new generation bank within the metropolis at the early hours of Tuesday 14/06/2022.
“The suspects have all confessed their various involvements in the criminal operations which include arms procurement and clandestine intelligence gathering ahead of the proposed date of perpetrating the dastardly act.
“While comprehensive investigations are in progress to crack down the criminal network and other accomplices, the Oyo State Police Command enjoins the good people of the state to continue partnering with the police in terms of providing timely and credible information valuable in curbing criminality and maintaining the relative tranquility enjoyed in the state.”

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Nnamdi Kanu

The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has asked residents of the South-East region to fish out the criminal gangs  terrorising the people.

Kanu who expressed dismay over the spate of criminalities by unknown gunmen who had infiltrated the areas told those sponsoring the hoodlums to count themselves as part of the evils doers who had desecrated the lands.

Nnamdi Kanu

He made this known on Monday in Abuja in a statement issued by his legal team led by Ifeanyi Ejiofor after a routine meeting with Kanu at the facility of the Department of State Services, DSS.

He warned those behind the senseless killings and kidnapping of innocent people in the region to desist just as he called on the residents to fish out the marauders from their various hideouts.

The statement by Ejiofor said, “The routine visit to our indefatigable Client - Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu (Ohamadike Ndi Igbo) was conducted today, in line with the prevailing Court Order. 
“As the D-Day is fast approaching, the need for final dotting of the 'i’s' and crossing the 't’s' becomes compelling. Hence, today’s visit is substantially anchored on our last minute preparations. Onyendu is delighted with the level of preparedness as reported to him, and the anticipated positive outcome, come June 28th, 2022. Since our briefing was purely privileged, it shall remain private until the die is cast.
“Onyendu is profoundly enthused with the level of our peoples’ commitments towards reclaiming our land from the marauders desecrating our land. Onyendu specifically requested that UmuChineke be reminded as follows:
“That by virtue of what you represent, you should be Holy and behave holy at all times, and always be guided by his whiter than white preachings. That you should be seen to be real Children of God.  That it is the responsibility of this generation to protect the next generation, hence, you should never indulge in any act capable of  endangering the next generation.

“That anybody sending funds to the monsters/criminal gangs desecrating and terrorizing our land should count himself/themselves among those fueling the kidnapping, killings and violent crimes on our land, and should be reminded that the evil activities of these enemies of our people has given the Security Agencies the free ingress into our land.

“The downside resultant effect is that in the course of pursuing these monsters, they ended up abducting and whisking away our innocent sons and daughters caught up in the web.

“That the onerous task staring on the face of every UmuChineke now, is to join this formidable front to resist and eradicate all forms of crimes and criminalities on our land, and reclaim our Land. There must be total peace on our Land.

“That UmuChineke should snoop out the various hideouts of these marauders and flush them out without further ado. That our land is under siege by the presence of these criminal gangs, and they can no longer be tolerated. Total cleansing of our land is demanded. That our land is holy land and should be kept holy at all times.”

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A former Nigerian Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), has been discharged from a London hospital after treatment for an unknown ailment.
SaharaReporters had earlier reported that General Abdulsalami (retd.) was flown abroad over his deteriorating health condition.

The retired Army General, who was taken abroad about three weeks ago for medical treatment, according to reports, may have suffered a partial stroke.

He was first flown to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) but was thereafter taken to a hospital in the United Kingdom (UK).
Abubakar was accompanied by his wife and former First Lady, Justice Fati Abubakar.
The National Peace Committee (NPC) Chairman, according to the report, is in a stable condition as doctors continue to monitor him.
A media aide to President Muhammadu Buhari, Garba Shehu, on Monday evening said the former Head of State was not in a “serious condition.”
Shehu, in his post, said, “Alhamdu Lillahi for Allah's mercy. I just ended a visit to His Excellency Abdulsalami Abubakar, former Head of State. He is out of hospital in a London apartment and apparently in no serious condition.
"He was his jovial self, maintaining a keen interest in developments back at home in Nigeria. Please, no cause for alarm.”

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File photo used to illustrate story.

Gun-wielding hoodlums have reportedly bombed the Izombe market in the Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.

The hoodlums on Monday carried out the dastardly act while they were said to be enforcing every Monday’s sit-at-home order which the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had since called off.

File photo used to illustrate story.

IPOB had in 2021 ordered every Monday sit-at-home across South-East and some parts of South-South to demand unconstitutional release of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu who had been in detention at facility of the Nigeria secret police, Department of State Services (DSS).

Sources said the incident caused uneasy calm as the traders and customers in the market scampered for safety, according to Daily Sun.

One of sources said the gunmen had stormed the market, warning the traders of the implications of coming out on Monday for their business transactions.

Angered by their defiance, the hoodlums set two vehicles ablaze in the market which caused serious pandemonium before bombing the market.

The source disclosed that everybody in the market sensing danger scampered for safety, while many attempting to escape danger got wounded in the process.

Meanwhile, in the midst of the commotion, traders in the market seeking safety got wounded while struggling for survival.

“They came and threw a local bomb inside the market, everybody started running for safety, they poured fuel on two vehicles and everywhere was in flame."

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A former Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, has said that 2003 is too early for the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi, to rule Nigeria.

Aliyu during an interview on Channels TV on Monday monitored by SaharaReporters advised Obi to wait for either 2027 general elections or 2031 to become the president of Nigeria. 

The former governor described Obi as an excellent person. 

He said Obi would have been the running mate of Atiku Abubakar if he had remained with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

He said, “Peter Obi is my good friend and a former member of (my) Nigerian Governors’ Forum. A very excellent person; his candidature, in terms of the Presidency, – I think he will make some name now. But he may be able to make it only in 2027, 2031. But 2023? Too early.”

He also said he doubted if Nigerians were ready for him as president.

“Even though the young people might go for him, the name is not dropping everywhere else. I doubt if Nigerians are ready for him now as a presidential candidate. I would have loved him as a Vice-President. Many of us were rooting for him to be running mate to Atiku again.”

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Several Nigerian nationals who were deported from Germany have been struggling for good living at the Quarantine Hotel, along Airport Road, Ikeja, Lagos State, due to the government's neglect.

According to a report by Network Refugees4Refugees, the government failed to take care of the deported citizens which had made life unbearable for them, particularly during the period of quarantine.

The group in the report said Nigerians risked a brutal evacuation from the hotel without anything to fall back on.

The group said, "Quarantine period for the batch of 34 deported persons from Europe to Lagos State will end today; the affected persons will be expected to check out from the hotel by tomorrow morning or face violent evacuation as the case may be. These deported persons were deported on Tuesday, June 14 on board an Evelop Machine to arrive after midday at the cargo session of the Lagos Airport.

"Notwithstanding our criticism, challenging the Nigerian government to own up to its responsibility for deported persons to Nigerians and at the same time take a bold stand to confront Germany’s arrogance and disrespect for Nigerian and its citizens; it seems clearer now that this deportation is big either for some elements of the Nigerian Government.

"After the April deportation incident, some deported persons informed the press about their traumatic experiences from the deportation and further exploitation in the quarantine hotel. They blamed the government for its lack of concern for their situation. The press took further steps to contact our network after being informed about our quick intervention to de-escalate the situation and avoid further trauma for the already vulnerable deported persons.

"So far on the scandalous deportation experience, the only new development from the government was to have a delegation appearing in the usual ceremonial style at the cargo airport landing to observe the deportation arrival. Quoting a statement of one of the deported persons we have been communicating with on phone; “it's not enough to just say welcome back to your country, whose country? A country that does not have any value for its citizens. We are being treated in a very hostile way because this country Nigeria has betrayed us.”

"Quoting another deported person who spoke to us; “we expected the Nigerian officials to listen to our different experiences of violence especially the trauma from the mishandling of parents in front of the children onboard. It was an absolute abuse of the right of a child. These children were born in Europe and only heard about and watched the country Nigeria on TV. How can they survive in this hostile country? With today being the last day to end the quarantine, no official of the Nigerian government or migration stakeholders has visited us here in the hotel. The hotel expenses are even borne by the German government.

"According to a family who was deported with two kids, one of the kids had been through a major operation between the ear and the neck. There is still a metal chip in there and she requires constant checks up. Her pregnant mother narrated her experiences with the violent arrest that caused her miscarriage at the scene. Notwithstanding the massive bleeding, the doctor assigned for the deportation operation certified her as fit for the flight and the deportation was enforced.

"With no provision of medical care for the deported persons, the lady is left without further treatment alongside the many others who may require medical attention. Any health situation reported at the hotel is turned down as they claim it is not their duty to handle their medical care. Our local team had in December taken responsibility for the medical expenses for a deported and seriously sick lady in this same quarantine Hotel “Excel Oriental Hotel along Airport Road, Ikeja."

They, therefore, urged well-meaning Nigerians, the media and other concerns to observe the possible evacuation of the deported persons by tomorrow morning.

Most of them are complaining about being stranded tomorrow.

The group noted that considering the previous incidents and threats from the hotel administration.

Any attempt to stay longer than the checkout time would be meted with the police and military evacuation.

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Malami

The Federal High Court in Abuja has awarded the cost of N20, 000 against the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami for failure to respond to court processes in due time. 

Justice M. O. Olajuwon of the Federal High Court, Abuja (Court 8) awarded the cost in the matter between the attorney-general and Sesugh Akume with suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/43/2021.

Malami

In the suit, Akume challenged section 84 Sheriffs and Civil Procedure Act (SCPA) 2004, “asking the court to determine whether it makes meaning, whether it is lawful for the law to provide that after a person wins a case against the government where it is to pay, and such a person (the judgement creditor) is required to go to the same government (specifically to the attorney-general of the state or the federation) to get consent before a valid court order is obeyed? 

“Whether doing so does not put the court under the attorney-general to decide whether or not to obey a valid court order? Etc. We ask the court to nullify such an unconstitutional, obnoxious, and vexatious provision of the SCPA 2004."

The Office of the Attorney-General replied by saying Akume does not have the locus standi (the right to sue) in the matter; that the provision is constitutional, etc.

He said after several adjournments to hear the case, the case came up for hearing on Monday (adoption of written notices). However, rather than going on with the case as slated and closing it to await the judgement, the prosecution lawyer, J. I. Gbim-Gbande Esq. notified the court that the respondent had a process to regularise.

“The respondent (the attorney-general) was served the court processes since March 2021 and they did not respond within the 30 days allowed. Having filed out of time, they more or less have nothing before the court. 

“The opportunity our attorney gave them was to correct this defect. The respondent’s counsel had not paid attention to this until it was pointed out. They, therefore, asked for time to put their house in order.

“Whereas our counsel did not oppose adjourning the matter for them to correct the defect, he asked for a modest 200,000 naira in punitive costs, on the grounds that the attorney-general as leader of the bar in Nigeria and chief law officer cannot be sloppy to the extent of not respecting the court by answering to suits as and when due, and not pursue cases diligently, it is a betrayal of public trust and of high office."

The opposing counsel was said to have countered the issue on untenable grounds but the court awarded N20,000 in costs. The matter was been adjourned to October 12 for hearing. 

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President of war-torn Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has said that Africa was “a hostage” of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Zelensky noted that the war which brought about global food shortages, has particularly spurred fears of famine across the African continent as the war had led to blockage of food exportation from the two countries which are the major producers of grain.

He however said that Kyiv was engaged in “complex negotiations” to unblock the grain trapped at its Black Sea ports by Russia’s naval blockade.

President Zelensky, according to Channels TV, said this in an address to the African Union (AU) that “Africa is actually a hostage…of those who unleashed war against our state.”

According to him, “This war may seem very distant to you and your countries. But the food prices that are catastrophically rising have already brought (the war) to the homes of millions of African families,” he said.

“The unjust level of food prices, which has been provoked by the Russian war, is being painfully felt on all continents. Unfortunately, this can be a particular problem for your countries.”

Recall that since Russia invaded Ukraine, it blocked Ukraine's ports, thereby paralysing grain exports from the country which is one of the world’s largest producers of grain.

This blockage sparked dramatic grain and fertiliser shortages and put hundreds of millions of people across the world at risk of hunger.

The President said Ukraine was trying everything possible to free up its ports while also trying “to build a new logistical supply chain” for the 25 million tonnes of grain blocked inside its borders.

He said, “We are conducting complex multilevel negotiations to unblock our Ukrainian ports. But there is no progress yet because no real tool has yet been found to ensure Russia does not attack them again.”

It could be noted that for now, global organisations had not found a way to convince Russia to surrender its weapons and end the war in Ukraine.

“That is why the food crisis in the world will continue as long as this colonial war continues.”

Zelensky added that Kyiv wanted to “intensify” dialogue with African Union member states and would soon appoint a special representative for Africa.

The Ukraine President further proposed to open discussion on a “major political and economic conference” on ties between Ukraine and Africa.

Reacting to Zelensky’s proposal, Senegalese President and Chairman of the African Union, Macky Sall extolled him on Twitter, saying that Africa “remains committed to respecting the rules of international law, the peaceful resolution of conflict and the freedom of trade.”

Similarly, the Chairman of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, in a Twitter post noted that there is “the urgent need for dialogue to end the conflict to allow peace to return to the region and to restore global stability.”

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Favour Madu, sister to late gospel singer, Osinachi, on Monday, told the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, that the husband, Peter Nwachukwu, maltreated the late singer which eventually resulted into her death.

Madu testified as a second witness for the prosecution in the alleged culpable homicide case brought against Nwachukwu by the Attorney-General of the Federation’s office.

While demanding justice for her late sister, Madu said Nwachukwu treated her sister like an animal and starved her despite being the provider of the house.

She told the court, “My sister developed ulcer as a result of starvation because Nwachukwu never provided for his family. She was the provider for the family. My sister owns the house they lived in.

“He drove her out of the house with their last baby under the rain and it was her first son that got a wrapper to cover the baby."

Madu said the family referred to Nwachukwu as “Manager” because he had control of everything including her money, and the fear she had of him, made her not to relate well with her family.

She added, “Her husband never treated her well. He treated her like an animal, beat her anyhow, never made her happy and never allowed her to associate with her family.

“There was a time she went for ministration and when she asked for stage fee, she was told that N2million had been paid into her husband’s account.

“He was responsible for booking events, collecting money and only told her to go and minister without giving pocket money. When my father was ill, he wanted to come to Abuja for treatment but the defendant refused and he eventually died.

“While travelling for our father’s burial, the defendant slapped her because she complained of how rough he was driving.”

During cross-examination, the defence counsel, I A Aliyu, asked how Madu became aware of the occurrences since she was in Enugu but the latter said she became aware of this through telephone conversation.

Aliyu equally asked the witness if the family expected to benefit from her late sister’s finances, and she answered in the affirmative.

When she was asked if she asked what led to her sister’s death at the hospital, she said the defendant prevented the deceased’s twin sister and her brother who were in the hospital from asking the doctors.

The judge, Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme, discharged the witness and adjourned the matter until Tuesday, for continuation of hearing.

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Former Cameroon international and FC Barcelona footballer, Samuel Eto’o Fils and his former representative José María Mesalles have accepted the sentences of 22 months and one year in prison, respectively, after acknowledging having defrauded 3,872,621 euros from the Public Treasury, between 2006 and 2009.

According to SportsBay, Eto’o in his statement in the Criminal Court number 11 of Barcelona, admitted the fraud but he blamed it, without citing him directly, on Mesalles, whom he has always defined as “a second father.”

The former Cameroonian footballer had filed a lawsuit against his former representative for alleged crimes of fraud and misappropriation in the management of his assets, a matter that is still in the investigation phase.

“I recognise the facts and I am going to pay, but let it be known that I was a child then and that I always did what my father asked me to do,” said Samuel Eto’o.

Mesalles, for his part, has preferred not to testify before admitting the facts, in a conformity trial in which the third accused, Jesús Lastre , administrator of one of the instrumental companies used in the fraud, has been acquitted.

In its indictment, the prosecution requested sentences of 4 years and 6 months in prison for Eto’o and Mesalles , which have finally been reduced to 22 months for the former player, as the author of four crimes against the Public Treasury, and one year for his former agent as a necessary co-operator.

Likewise, the former African striker has been sentenced to pay four fines, one for each crime, amounting to 1,810,310 euros, and his former representative to another four for a total value of 905,155 euros.

The sentences, whose execution will be suspended since neither of them has a previous criminal record, have been mitigated by the Public Prosecutor’s Office by recognising both the facts and having partially repaired the damage with the return of part of the defrauded fees.

The fraud relates to Eto’o failing to declare income derived from the transfer of image rights to Puma and Barcelona in his personal income tax return between 2006 and 2009.

Eto’o pretended that such rights had been assigned to two companies resident in Hungary and Spain, so that the income diverted to the Hungarian company, managed by Lastre, was not taxed to the Treasury, while that diverted to the Spanish company, managed by Mesalles, will not be taxed heavily, that is, corresponding to his Personal Income tax. 

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An Arabic teacher, identified only as Farouk, has been charged to an Ikeja Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court in Lagos State over a nine-count charge involving sexual assault.

The teacher was alleged to have contravened Section 261 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, (2015) for fingering his nine Islamic pupils, ages seven to 13 years.

Zipo.co.ke

According to Vanguard, a witness, named Mrs Oluchi Nwoke-okoi, a registered nurse and midwife, while being led in evidence by the state prosecutor, Mrs Olufunke Adegoke, said she was a staff of Women At Risk Foundation (WARIF) and had 15 years’ experience in midwifery.

She testified before the court that she attended to the nine survivors and conducted vagina examination on seven of them after their mothers brought them to WARIF centre on February 20, 2019.

She said, “The survivors and their mothers were brought to the centre by police officers. We took time to question each of the survivors and also conducted vagina examination on them.

“Seven of the survivors said that the defendant, who is their Arabic teacher, on several occasions, inserted his fingers into their vaginas. The 8th survivor said the defendant only touched her breast while the 9th survivor told us that she was afraid to attend the lslamic class after her sister told her that the defendant inserted his fingers into her vagina.

“Vagina examination was carried out on them. Based on their histories and the vagina examination, the result shows absence of hymen. Conclusion is suggestive of sexual assault of minor,” she said.

She disclosed that the youngest of the survivors was seven years while the oldest was 13 years.

Similarly, during cross-examination by defence counsel, Mr A.O. Okonkwo, Nwoke-okoi said she was certified by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), revealing that the vagina examination she did on the victims was within her area of practice.

She continued, “I have a license to practice as a registered and certified midwife and the vagina examination I carried out is not outside my practice.

“Laceration of the vagina means bruises, injuries or scars on the vagina. In some cases, when the vagina is tampered with, there may be laceration or not.

“In the case of sexual assault, laceration can be seen when the survivor struggles or when penis, fingers or object is being forced into the vagina. In the same vein, hymen cannot be intact when the finger, penis or object is inserted into the vagina. It is not in my power to decide whose fingers penetrated the vaginas of the survivors and I disagree that scratching can tamper with hymen."

It was gathered that the prosecuting counsel told the court that the witness was their last witness in the trial and hugged the court to order the defendant to open his defense.

Hence, Justice Abiola Soladoye adjourned the case until October 5 for the defendant to open his defence.

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The Nigeria Police Force, Ogun State command, has ordered upcoming singer, Habeeb Okikiola, aka Portable, to report himself at the nearest police station, over a video clip circulating on social media, where he organised some youths to beat up a young man.

In a statement issued by the Command’s spokesperson, Abimbola Oyeyemi, on Monday, the police said that the incident happened somewhere within the state about two days ago.

Oyeyemi explained that the young man was inflicted with bodily injury as a result of the beating.

The PPRO described the act as barbaric, unruly, and unbecoming of Okikiola, who was supposed to be a role model for the youths.

The statement reads, “The attention of Ogun State Police Command has been drawn to a video clip circulating on social media where a popular hip-hop musician, Habeeb Okikiola a.k.a Portable, the Zazu crooner was seen organising some youths to beat up a young man and inflict bodily injury on him.

“The incident was said to have taken place somewhere within Ogun State about two days ago. Such unruly and violent behaviour is not only barbaric but unbecoming of somebody who is supposed to be a role model for the youths and therefore should not be tolerated.

“In view of this, the Command is using this medium to advise Okikiola Habeeb a.k.a Portable to report himself at the nearest police station in Ogun State, failure of which his arrest will be ordered.

“The flagrant display of impunity by ‘Portable’ in the viral video is condemnable and if not checked, it will send a wrong signal to the youths who are looking up to him as a role model.

“Jungle justice has no place in our laws and whoever embarked on it must be made to feel the weight of the law, no matter the status of such person.”

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The family of the student of the Command Secondary School, Enugu State, who was reportedly flogged to death, has said they will not pursue the case with the Nigerian Army, adding that they have handed the matter to God.

SaharaReporters had reported that a soldier, identified as First Lieutenant Nweke flogged Master Eneh, an SS1 student several times on the head which inflicted severe injuries on him after he allegedly did not cut his hair.

Shortly after, his head started swelling and he was moved to several hospitals before he died as a result a few days ago.

His mother, Adaeze Chibuzo, had taken to Nkanu People of Enugu State Nigeria Facebook platform to share the news with the pictures of the deceased showing a swollen head before his demise.

She had said “It is still very hard to believe that you are gone my son but one thing I know is that God will surely fight for us, rest in peace my son.”

"Army man flogged my son in school to death in command sec sch, Enugu. RIP; my first fruit in life."

However, when SaharaReporters interviewed the deceased’s father, Mr Evaristus Eneh, on Monday, he said he had handed the incident over to God as he had no plan to confront the army authorities.

Eneh said that since his son had died, there was nothing that would be done to bring him back to life.

According to him, "I have decided to leave everything onto God. I don't know how to step into the whole thing and I don't want to go into any case. Somebody called four days and I told him I don't want to go into anything. I am not confronting them; I want to leave off.

"My boy has just died and he is dead. My boy is dead; he is dead and nothing will bring him back so why am I wasting my time. I have every plan to go and bury him so that is it."

Meanwhile when the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Col Abubakar Abdullahi, was reached on Monday, he asked the family to come and report the matter to the school authorities so that it could be taken up.

“Let them come to the school if they have any grievances to report. If they report to the school, the school authorities will find out; not this media hype. Even if something happened to you in your office where you are working the best thing to do is either report to the police or report to the school or both and say this is what happened. If the office sees it in the media; what do you expect them to do. But if they have reported, I am not in the picture."

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Special counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Aloy Ejimakor, has demanded the release of his client from the detention of the Department of State Services (DSS) custody, one year after his arrest.

Ejimakor, who made the demand on his Twitter page, said that Kanu’s extraordinary rendition was legally and politically wrong and therefore, the prosecution must be stopped and Kanu freed.

Recall that Kanu was intercepted in Kenya and returned to Nigeria on June 19, 2021 by the Nigerian government in collaboration with Interpol for the continuation of his trial on treasonable felony charges.

Ejimakor wrote, “It came to pass that one year ago, (June 19,2021) an extraordinary rendition was committed. It was a day that will live in infamy because it was an extraordinary abomination.

“It was a legal wrong. It was a political wrong. And it must be undone. Stop the persecution and free Nnamdi Kanu.”

As the Father's Day was celebrated on Sunday, Kanu’s family expressed displeasure that rather than spending the day with his children and family, he spent it in the DSS custody.

Aligning with Ejimakor’s call, the younger brother to the IPOB leader, Emma Kanu, said, “I am feeling sad today. This is a year today since he was kidnapped and brought back to Nigeria.

“The question is, ‘Has anything changed?’ The answer is, ‘No’. This is because the impression before now is that Nnamdi Kanu is part of the problems in Nigeria, whereas he is part of the solution and not part of the problem.

“It is better that the Federal Government understands that Nnamdi Kanu is a force to work with and not a force to jettison. The earlier they understand this, the better for you and I.”

He wished his brother, Nnamdi Kanu a Happy Fathers’ Day “there in DSS detention”, adding that “the federal government should have a reasonable thought to free Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. This is because the man has done nothing wrong before God and mankind.

“What Nnamdi Kanu stands for is about transparency, equity, and wellbeing of everybody. He is not against anybody in Nigeria, be you Hausa, Fulani, Igbo, wherever you come from, North or south.

“He is focused on the condition and constitution of this country that is affecting you and me and until we see change, I assure you, nobody is going to back off from this particular job.”

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The mother of Osinachi Nwachukwu has narrated before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja how her in-law had threatened to kill the late gospel singer.

Mrs Caroline Madu, the 61-year-old told Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme on Monday during the commencement of trial that the accused, Peter Nwachukwu threatened to kill Osinachi if she (the mother) tried visiting her, Channels TV reports.

Madu, according to a report, told the court that her daughter, who was 42-year-old was last seen by her in December 2021 during a church programme before her eventual death on April 8.

When the singer was sick, Madu claimed to have told Osinachi that she needed treatment. She, however, said she would have to plead with her husband, adding that if she (the mother) visited her, her husband would kill her.

The singer’s mother, who was in tears, accused Peter of coming to steal her child. Madu said Peter told the family that he was an evangelist. On the contrary, he would beat her daughter like a carpenter working on a piece of wood.

During Osinachi’s pregnancy, the mother said her husband would beat her and when she asked her (Osinachi) to come and see him, the singer’s husband refused.

She added that Peter bragged that if she (Osinachi) did not go alive, she would go in death.

Madam Madu stated that the situation forced her to send her senior daughter – Favour Madu – to go and bring Osinachi home. The move was successful as Osinachi stayed a year and three months before Peter sent some pastors to plead with her family to take her back.

According to her, Osinachi agreed, telling her family, “What God has joined together, no man should put asunder.”

The late singer was said to have returned to her husband who then resumed the beatings.

When she asked Osinachi for monetary assistance, Madu claimed the late singer could not give her as the money was deposited in Peter’s account.

She further told the court that there was a time she was ill, and people had to plead with Peter to allow her to come over to Abuja for treatment. She recalled going to church with them one day and after the service, Peter drove off with the kids leaving Osinachi and her stranded.

She added that Osinachi never visited her in Enugu and Peter never allowed her to even pick up her call.

On Osinachi’s health status, Madu maintained her daughter only told her that she had an ulcer whereas the husband had claimed she died of lung cancer.

Upon hearing about her daughter’s death via radio and television on April 8, the grieving mother said people started coming to her house crying

In the evening around 7pm, she said Peter used Osinachi’s number and called her and she asked him how they were, stating that Osinachi was dead.

Responding, Madu told the court that she shouted in tears telling him (Peter) that the promise he made that if she didn’t leave alive, she would come in death, had finally come to pass. She recalled how he then cut the call and switched off the phone.

During the cross-examination, she said she never knew if Osinachi suffered from another ailment.

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The Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has debunked reports making the rounds that a $20 million investment made by a former governor of the state, Peter Obi, is now worth $100 million.

 

Obi is the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections. 

The investment was allegedly made in SABMiller Group.

 

A Facebook user had credited a statement to Soludo alleging that the $20 million which Obi allegedly invested on behalf of the state in the company is now worth $100 million.

 

“Mr Peter Obi’s $20 million investment in Anambra worth $100 million today - Charles Chukwuma Soludo,” the Facebook user had said.

Reacting to the claim on his verified Facebook page, Soludo said, “Where did you read or hear me make such false statement? This fake news has been roundly debunked by my team.

 

“We can carry on with campaigning for our preferred candidates without consciously misleading the reading public. The report is fake and never emanated from me. Thank you.”

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File photo used to illustrate story.

A female member of the National Youths Service Corps, identified simply as Immaculate, and three other people including a 70-year-old chief from the Otuan community have been confirmed dead following Saturday’s boat accident that occurred along the Otuan and Ayama communities.

The two communities are in the Southern Ijaw Local Government council area of Bayelsa State.

File photo used to illustrate story.

According to sources from the community, the corpses of other victims of the boat mishap are yet to be found.

Daily Trust reports that the boat accident was allegedly caused by bad weather, poor visibility and the lack of life jackets for passengers.

A boat operator at Ayama waterfront also confirmed that the corpses of the victims, particularly the female corps member, and the 70-year-old chief from Otuan were found floating on Sunday night close to the scene of the incident.

The Bayelsa State Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union, Comrade Ipigansi Ogoniba, said that the union and the search teams were notified of the corpses of the victims floating on the river close to the scene of the accident, adding that the recovered corpses had been handed over the families of the deceased, while the two toddlers were still missing.

He disclosed that the authorities of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) had been notified of the recovery of the corpse of the deceased female corps member.

Domo Timi, who is the son of the 70-year-old victim, confirmed that while the corpse of his father was deposited at the Niger Delta Teaching Hospital at Okolobiri, the remains of the corps member was deposited at the Federal Medical Centre.

Meanwhile, the spokesman of the Bayelsa State Police Command, SP Asinim Butswat, has denied the rumoured arrest of the boat driver, Lucky Christopher.

He said the driver of the ill-fated boat was only invited by the police for questioning on why he conveyed the victims during a heavy rainstorm.

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A yet-to-be-identified Nigerian Army Officer has reportedly shot a young boy, who is identified as a fuel attendant at Ashafa Filling Station near Obasanjo Shopping Complex, Minna, Niger State. 


The soldier was said to have shot the fuel attendant in Minna after he was stabbed by the boy.


SaharaReporters could not confirm if the fuel attendant was killed or not. 

When SaharaReporters contacted the state police spokesman, Abiodun Wasiu, to get more details on the incident, he said, "I will call you back."


He had not got to back to SaharaReporters at the time of filing this report. 

In another development, an armed robbery gang on Sunday reportedly robbed a filling station of N1.8 million. 
One of the robbers was caught by soldiers while the gang was trying to escape.
It was gathered that the soldiers were driving along Agbani Road in Enugu State metropolis when they saw the armed robbery suspects and went after them. 
They caught one of them whose identity could not be ascertained at the time of filing this report. 
A viral video of the incident which SaharaReporters saw on Monday, shows the suspect's hands were bound behind his back by the soldiers.
A voice could be heard in the video saying that the suspect was one of the members of the gang that robbed the filling station.
The person speaking in the video said, "A staff of the filling station, Pinnacle Oil, Agbani Road was waiting for 'Keke' (commercial tricycle) in front of the station with a bag containing N1.8m, which she was taking to the bank.
"In what appeared like a movie, gun-wielding hoodlums jumped out of a minibus and snatched the money.
"As they tried to escape, the unfortunate robber was caught with the help of soldiers who were just driving past."
SaharaReporters, however, could not verify whether the suspect was handed over to the police or later killed, as the soldiers reportedly shot him in the leg.
 

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Zainab Ahmed

Members of staff unions in the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation have called on the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, to ensure compliance with the law while appointing a new accountant general.
The letter addressed to Ahmed was dated June 6, 2022, and signed by the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria; Nigeria Civil Service Union; Amalgamated Union of Public

Zainab Ahmed Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees and Nigeria Union of Public Service Reportorial Secretariat, Data Processors and Allied Workers.
Members of the union noted that in the next few months, the acting AGF would be exiting from service, urging Ahmed to ensure the appointment of a new and Substantive Accountant-General of the Federation is in line with the provisions of the Federal Establishment Circular 2011-2020.
They said appointing the most senior director (Accounts) in the pool for the job was the appropriate thing to do.
According to them, if this is done, the image and confidence of the treasury will be maintained.
The letter reads, “We know you for your integrity and prudence, it is on this note that we the Union of this office wishes to extend our gratitude for your quick intervention in appointing the new Acting AGF. This is necessary to keep the services of the nation going.
”In the recent times, we have observed that EFCC and ICPC are interfering with the office activities which may hinder quick services to the Nation. These Agencies are free to discharge their duties, but with decorum not to distract the services being rendered.
"The Union is praying that in the next few months when the Acting AGF will be exiting from service, the Substantive AGF should be appointed or selected based on the Federal Establishment circular 2011 – 2020. With this, the image and confidence of the treasury will be maintained.
“The most Senior Director (Accounts) in the pool, according to the circular attached should be considered. Based on your integrity and transparency, the Union knows that the needful will be done.”
Sources alleged that following the suspension of the AGF, Ahmed Idris was suspended over an allegation of N80billion fraud, the minister had bypassed the most senior officer who could have replaced Idris and appointed Anamekwe Nwabuoku to oversee the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.
However, Nwabuoku is due for retirement in a few months, and there are allegations of misconduct, hence the need for the letter by the unions.
Meanwhile, SaharaReporters had obtained a copy of the Federal Establishment circular 2011 – 2020 which the workers mentioned.
The document which was signed by Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and addressed to all Head of Extra Ministerial Departments/Directors General/Chief Executive Officers of Parastatals, Agencies, Commissions and Government Owned Companies, explicitly stated that they must keep to the date of expiration of their tenure in office.
It reads, “It is important to note that chief Executives: whose duration of term in office are explicitly stated in the ending Acts of the establishment of their respective organizations and/or as specified in the instrument of such respective appointments, are under no circumstances, allowed to exceed the expiration of their tenure in office.
"Furthermore, pending the appointment of a substantive Head of Extra-Ministerial Department/Director General/Chief Executive Officer of parastatals, Agency, Commission and Government Owned company, the outgoing Chief Executive Officer must hand over to the next most Senior Officer of the establishment, as long as the officer does not have any pending disciplinary marten; outgoing Heads of Extra-Ministerial Department, Parastatals, Agencies, Commissions and Government-Owned.”

 

DOCUMENT : Finance Minister Must Appoint Most Senior Officer As Accountant-General — Workers' Union Demands... by Sahara Reporters on Scribd

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