File photo used to illustrate story.

With less than 24 hours to the Ekiti State governorship election, the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig Gen Muhammad Fadah, is set to meet with the stakeholders in the state to seek adequate protection for the corps members before, during and after the election.
The DG is also set to read the “riot act” to corps members who were drafted and earlier trained to serve as ad-hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the election.

File photo used to illustrate story.
According to a statement by the Director of Press and Public Relations of the NYSC, Eddy Megwa, the DG’s address would centre on the corps members’ strict adherence to the electoral laws and avoidance of any action capable of  endangering their lives.
“The Director General of National Youth Service Corps is about to debrief the corps members that would serve as electoral officers in the Ekiti State Gubernatorial election to strictly abide by the electoral laws and avoid any action that can endanger their safety.
“While in the state, the DG would also visit stakeholders in order to seek adequate protection for the Corps Members before, during and after the election,” part of the statement read.
The statement noted that INEC had trained some of the corps members to serve as the polling officers across the 16 Local Government Areas of the state.
“Before now, the corps members had been inducted into the do's and dont's of the electoral process that would make the exercise a huge success.
“This is a fall-out of the constant interaction between the NYSC Ekiti State Secretariat and INEC, which are critical stakeholders in ensuring free, fair and credible elections in the country.
“Before now, the involvement of corps members in elections in the country has added credibility to the electoral process, which has been commended by local and foreign observers at different times,” the statement added.

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The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF) has lambasted the governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, for accepting his nomination as the running mate to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.
The SMBLF stated this in a release signed by leaders of four regions which include Chief Edwin Clark; Chief Ayo Adebanjo, leader of Afenifere, Dr. Dru Bitrus, the President-General, Middle Belt Forum and Prof. George Obiozor, the President-General, Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide.

The statement read in part, “It bears recalling that the 17 governors of the Southern states of Nigeria, both of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), under the Chairmanship of the Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, met in Asaba, the capital of Delta State on May 11, 2021, and took far-reaching decisions, including that, based on the principles of fairness, equity and justice, the presidency should rotate to the South at the end of the statutory eight years of President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure.
“And this very Governor Okowa was the host of that historic meeting. The Southern governors later met again in Lagos, on July 5, where they reaffirmed their decision, and again in Enugu, on September 16, to restate the call that the presidency should rotate to the South in 2023.
“It is unspeakable and quite disappointing that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who is currently Chairman of the South-South Governors’ Forum, and a native of Owa-Alero in Ika North-East Local Government Area (one of the Igbo-speaking areas) of Delta State, would exhibit such barefaced unreliability.
“It is, therefore, most unfortunate that the Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa who should know better, accepted his appointment as running mate to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. We do not have anything personal against Ifeanyi Okowa but his action is treacherous and tantamount to a despicable pawning of the political future of the people of Southern Nigeria.
“Governor Okowa has, by his action, betrayed the trust reposed on him by his colleagues; the southern governors, the entire good people of southern Nigeria and all well-meaning Nigerians. He has made himself persona non grata, not only, with SMBLF but all citizens who treasure our oneness and yearn for a more united and peaceful Nigeria”
The group said it rejected Okowa, his vice president slot, describing the governor’s action as “a betrayal of the highest order.”
The statement added, “And that this is not a matter of loyalty to one’s political party, but rather a greedy, parochial and unpatriotic action, committed against the general interest of his state, Delta State, the Niger Delta region, and Southern Nigeria. It is, certainly, also not in the interest of the nation at large.”

 

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A Yobe North senatorial candidate, Bashir Sheriff Machina's refusal to relinquish his ticket to the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, may have been influenced by the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu and Yobe State governor, Mai Mala Buni.

 

SaharaReporters exclusively gathered that Tinubu and Buni instructed Machina not to step down from the contest to teach Lawan a bitter lesson.

As further gathered, Lawan was deceived by a presidency cabal to contest the APC ticket, assuring him that President Muhammadu Buhari was going to retain power in the north.

 

A source privy to the circumstances that led to Lawan's declaration to contest for the APC presidential ticket without making proper arrangements to secure a reelection ticket to retain his seat in the Senate, said Lawan was cocksure of succeeding Buhari.

 

The source said, "Ahmad Lawan was misled by those around the President (Buhari); they assured him that the President was not disposed to letting power out of the north and that he (Lawan) was the preferred candidate.

 

"Therefore, he failed to make plans like the Bauchi governor and others who reclaimed their tickets after losing contests at the presidential primaries.

 

"Seeing his aspiration had acutely traumatised Tinubu, it's now a payback time because we learnt Tinubu and Governor Buni have vowed to stand with Machina," the source added.

 

SaharaReporters on June 8, 2022, reported that the national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Tinubu, shortly after emerging as the presidential candidate of the party, lambasted Lawan, saying he (Tinubu) was surprised that Lawan could compete with him.

 

Tinubu when called to give his remarks at the concluding national convention of the party at the Eagle Square, Abuja, said the Senate President “could now lick his wounds.”

 

On Friday, a source who spoke to our correspondent said Machina, who is currently in hiding, would remain incommunicado until after the expiration of the time for submission of names of candidates to the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), later today.

SaharaReporters earlier on Friday reported that Machina raised the alarm that his life was in danger because he refused to step down for Lawan.

 

This was disclosed by his campaign organisation in a statement obtained on Friday.

Efforts to hear from Machina were not successful as his mobile phone was switched up until the time of filing this report.

 

 

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Nzan Ayam Osim, a Major in the Nigerian Army has been reportedly killed by gunmen suspected to be bandits in Niger State.
This is coming barely two years after his elder brother, Nzan Anara Erick, a captain in the army was also killed by same bandits in Niger State.

The duo were from Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State and joined the army same date.
Family sources told SaharaReporters that Osim was one of the soldiers killed during an ambush on a military convoy by terrorists in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.
The soldiers from the Nigerian military school and the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) were ambushed on Wednesday evening at Rijiya Daji village.
The gunmen also set ablaze an operational vehicle while guns were carted away.
“So sad, we lost our brother in an ambush by bandits in Niger state. His name is Nzan Ayam Osim from Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State.
“Unfortunately, his elder brother was also killed by bandits two years ago, his late brother’s name is Nzan Anara Erick; they were both from the same parents and all died serving the nation.
“They have refused to show us his corpse, same thing the army did to his elder brother when he was killed two years ago. Even Osim wasn’t allowed to see his dead body then.
“The whole community is mourning as we talk. Two brothers from the same parents died for the course. Both of them graduated same day and joined the army the same day as. Both studied Business Administration and graduated in 2006 at the River State University of Technology now UNICROSS.
“Pls note that the family has not received anything from the first brother that died two years ago. Same stories every day. Now this one is also dead. Osim that died yesterday is married and his son is just about four years old. But Anara Erick that died two years ago was not married,” a family source said.

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The Bayelsa State Government has disclosed that the current power outage in the state is as a result of a disagreement between the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) and Ahoada youths resulting to the switching off of the Ahoada Transmission Substation and cut of power supply to the state.
The entire state capital and environs have been in total darkness for a week plus with residents and business centres bearing huge costs from the alternative use of generating sets.

The state Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Ayibaina Duba, in a statement in Yenagoa on Friday, said the state had waded in solving the matter.
He disclosed that a team comprising the state Ministry of Power, Bayelsa Electricity Company Limited in collaboration with the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company was already engaging the TCN to ensure the restoration of power supply to the state.
According to the Commissioner, the team is also working on appropriate measures to prevent future occurrences. 
While appealing for the understanding of the public and power consumers in the state as all efforts were being explored to restore power supply, Duba alerted the public that there had been pockets of vandalisation of electrical installations by some unscrupulous elements in the state and called on communities to be vigilant and report any act of sabotage of power facilities in their environment.

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The British Government has ordered the immediate closure of the Salvation Proclaimer Ministries Limited, more commonly known as SPAC Nation, belonging to a popular UK-based Nigerian pastor, Tobi Adegboyega, over an alleged £1.9 million fraud.

The pastor is popular in the UK for donning designer attire, bold gold jewellery, and choice cars.

SPAC was started predominantly with youth members in 2008. The church prides itself on feeding its flock more than mere gospel but turning them from the nadir (lowest point) to the zenith of life.

On May 20, 2020, Mr Adegboyega stepped down as Lead Pastor of SPAC Nation and handed it over to Samuel Akokhia and Damy Balogun.

 

Peoples Gazette reports that Investigators interviewed one of the company’s directors, Adedapo Olugbenga Adegboyega, who was also known as Dapo Adegboyega or Pastor Dapo. During the interview, Mr Adegboyega said the church group had over 2,000 members and 200 ordained ministers and pastors but failed to provide any supporting information.

It was further gathered that SPAC Nation either failed to comply or only partially complied with statutory requirements, including providing data to support claimed donations, and accounting records in support of £1.87 million of expenditure.

Despite claiming that the company’s financial statements in the two years to 31 December 2019 set out £610,000 of rent expenditure, they did not have a single base of its own and would hire venues across London to hold services, at significant expense.

 

According to the Chief Investigator of the matter, Edna Okhiria, "While SPAC Nation claimed it had noble intentions to support vulnerable and young people, our enquiries uncovered a different side of the charity. There were clear concerns around how the church group managed its affairs and SPAC Nation failed to properly account for income received from donations and other expenditure.

The court recognised the severity of SPAC Nation’s actions and this sends a strong message that proper records and accounts must be maintained, even if you’re a charity.

An investigation done by BBC Panorama had also accused Mr Adegboyega and other church leaders of financially exploiting some members of the church.

SaharaReporters had also reported how documents showed that Mr Adegboyega may have defrauded a church member identified as Racheal Daniel of £110,000 in 2012.

 

 

 

 

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The Ukrainian military has released a video feed footage of another Russian ship coming under attack while transiting towards Snake Island.

The video which was released on Friday morning shows two missiles slamming into a vessel believed to be 19 miles east of Snake (or Zmiinyi) Island, causing it to erupt in a fireball.

The Ukrainian Navy in a statement on Twitter, claimed the vessel to be the Russian Black Sea Fleet’s Project 22870 rescue tug Vassily Bekh, described as carrying ammunition, weapons and personnel to reinforce Russian troops on the island—as well as a Tor air defence system.

Forbes reported that unconfirmed Russian sources apparently claimed that 10 of 33 crew on board were missing and the rest injured.

As with footage of several other vessels struck by Ukraine’s military, the attack is recorded by a video feed displaying the distinctive user interface of Turkish-built Bayraktar TB2 drones operated by the Ukrainian Navy and Air Force.

 

But while Bayraktars have knocked out smaller Russian vessels with laser-guided anti-tank missiles, the video shows two missiles approaching perpendicular to the viewer at relatively slow speed and at low altitude—i.e. clearly, not launched by the overflying drone. Quite likely the drone was instead earlier used to transmit coordinates to land-based missile launchers to facilitate the attack.

Forbes also said that a Ukrainian regional official claimed the attack was made by land-based Harpoon anti-ship systems recently delivered to Ukraine by the United States and Denmark. That seems to correspond with the sea-skimming cruise missiles seen in the video.

Other sources allege, however, said the attack was by a Brimstone missile supplied by the U.K. These supersonic missiles are quite fast but have only a 14-pound warhead.

 

Additionally, Ukraine has rushed into using indigenously developed Neptune land-based anti-ship missiles which might also have executed such an attack. Neptunes were responsible for the sinking of the Black Sea Fleet’s flagship the cruiser Moskva.

However, there was no way to avoid getting close to hostile Ukrainian shorelines to resupply the Russian garrison on Snake Island. To mitigate risks, Russia appears to have relied on smaller, more expendable vessels for the job.

That job proved dangerous indeed as Ukrainian Bayraktar drones picked off four Raptor-class patrol boats near the island, a Serna-class air cavity landing craft at the island’s pier and a helicopter in the middle of landing troops.

 

Despite Russian efforts to reinforce Snake Island’s air defences, the latest sinking shows that vessels sent to resupply the island will continue to be exposed to deadly attacks. The garrison itself could also grow more vulnerable to land-based attacks as Ukraine integrates HIMARS rocket artillery which can deliver precise GPS-guided strikes from over 40 miles away.

 

 

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Monica Bolna’an Dongban-Mensem

The President, Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Monica Bolna’an Dongban–Mensem (PCA) has constituted the Governorship Election Tribunal to hear and determine petition(s) arising from the forthcoming governorship election in Ekiti State.

 

A statement by the Secretary of the Appeal Court, Umar Abubakar, said the tribunal will seat and hear all petitions at the Ekiti State High Court of Justice Complex, Fajuyi Park, Ado Ekiti.

Monica Bolna’an Dongban-Mensem

According to the statement, the tribunal secretariat is now open to the general public for further inquiry and so forth.

 

The statement is titled "Re: Constitution Of The Governorship Election Tribunal For The 2022 Ekiti State Governorship Election."

 

It partly read, "This is to notify the general public that pursuant to the powers conferred on the Hon. President, Court of Appeal, under section 285 (2) & (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Section 130 of the Electoral Act, 2022, Hon. Justice Monica Bolna’an Dongban – Mensem (PCA) has constituted The Governorship Election Tribunal, to hear and determine petition(s) that may arise from the forthcoming 2022 Governorship Election for Ekiti State scheduled to be conducted on Saturday 18th day of June, 2022 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

 

"Sequel to the above, The Hon. Chief Judge of Ekiti State Hon. Justice Adeleye Adeyeye has granted the use of the Ekiti State High Court of Justice Complex, Fajuyi Park, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State as the venue of the Tribunal and its Registry/ Secretariat is now open to the general public for further inquiry and so forth.

 

"May you kindly cause this to form part of the news publication for the day in your Noble and Reputable media organization please. Thank you."

 

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Some youths have vowed to drag the Peace Corps National Commandant, Ambassador Dickson Akoh before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), over alleged fraudulent activities under his watch.

 

The youths also threatened to mobilise a 22-million-man protest against Akoh, who they accused of defrauding them by misrepresenting the status of the organisation.

They claimed that millions of youths have been caught up in the web of extortion and exploitation during their bid to join the Peace Corps of Nigeria as they were made to believe they were being recruited into a statutory paramilitary outfit belonging to the government.

 

In messages shared on the social media groups, the aggrieved peace corps members said they are ready to recover the money they paid to join the organisation, which is N60,000 each.

 

“We were made to pay N60,000 each as fees before being invited for training. People only get invited after they have made the payment, which forced us to part with the money,” a former member of the Peace Corps of Nigeria told SaharaReporters.

 

“It is usually after the training that we discover we have been defrauded because that is when we find out that there is no future for us as Peace Corps is not a government organisation, contrary to the impression we were given before joining.

 

“During training, they keep telling us the Peace Corps of Nigeria bill is before the National Assembly and would soon be signed into law by the President. We now know that the whole thing is a fraud to enrich the national commandant.”

 

President Muhammadu Buhari had in February 2018 withheld assent to the Peace Corps of Nigeria Bill over security concerns and the additional financial burden it would bring to a government that is already overburdened.

 

Akoh was arrested by a combined team of police, military and Department of State Services personnel and detained in 2017 for illegally conducting paramilitary training for the youth he conscripted into the Peace Corps of Nigeria.

It was also alleged that the organisation and other similar groups “were acquiring weapons and conducting covert military training in different locations across the country.”

 

A Nigerian government gazette in 2013 banned the activities of the organisation, which raises posers as to how Akoh is able to continue using it to allegedly extort youths that are desperate for government employment.

 

He is said to have perfected a strategy of ensuring that successive National Assembly has a Peace Corps of Nigeria Bill before it.

 

Some officials of the organisation also expressed concerns about how he is personalising the proceeds of the money being made from conscripts.

 

A source in the Gwarimpa Office of the corps said, “People here are bitter that they work to service Ambassador Akoh’s interest and nothing else. There is a small group that has been collating evidence and building the trail of how the proceeds of money realised from new entrants are re-invested into properties in Abuja, Otukpo, Ogoli his village and Dubai, UAE.

 

“We are worried that the EFCC would come into the matter any time from now and we are afraid of being caught in the situation he has created for himself and by extension the rest of us, we are really worried.”

 

One of the organisers of the protest added that the youths would be demanding that anti-corruption agencies investigate Akoh and cause him to refund the money they paid to him.

 

“We want him to refund our N60,000 because there are petty businesses that some of us can start with this token amount. He should also be tried for doing this to us so that he would be deterred from deceiving other hapless youths that are under pressure to get employed in the future,” one of the organisers explained.

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A 34-year-old man identified as Onwele Anayo, on Thursday morning killed the 3-year-old son of his friend at Hillview Estate in Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra state.

 

Anayo was said to have visited the father of the deceased on Wednesday evening and spent the night with them. But early on Thursday morning, an argument ensued between him and his host, during which he (Anayo) took the child identified as Divine Eze and hit him on the floor several times, leading to his death.

The suspect who has been arrested by the police also reportedly took a knife and went after Divine’s father in an attempt to kill him too.

 

Confirming the incident in a statement made available to journalists, the state police spokesperson, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga said, “The Anambra State Police Operatives have today 16/6/2022 arrested one Mr Onwele Anayo ‘M’ aged 34 years on the murder of Divine Eze ‘M’ aged 3 yrs residing in Hillview Estate, Nkwelle -Ezunaka.

 

“Preliminary information shows that the suspect visited the father of the victim yesterday 15/6/2022 and spent the night in the victim’s house. In the early hours of today 16/6/2022, an argument ensued between the father and the suspect.

 

“The suspect (Mr Anayo) took the child (Divine) as he was sleeping and killed him, by hitting him on the floor several times. Mr Anayo carried a knife from the room, and pursued the father around the house, threatening to kill him.

 

“Police operatives have visited the scene and recovered the body of the child and an investigation is ongoing. Further development will be communicated please.”

 

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The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has said its workers without Permanent Voter Card (PVC) will be denied their salaries.

 

IPMAN’s National President, Mr Chinedu Okoronkwo, earlier directed its employees nationwide to obtain their PVCs, before the expiration of the June 30 deadline given by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

However, the chapter chairman, Alhaji Bashir-Danmallam in a statement issued on Friday in Kano said the association found It necessary to take the measure.

He said the measure would ensure that all its eligible members obtain PVCs to enable them to exercise their civic responsibility in the 2023 general elections.

 

He asserted that the decision was reached at a meeting with Mr Okoronkwo who mandated him to issue the statement.

 

Bashir-Danmallam said members should feel free to vote for any candidate of their choice in any political party, adding that their concern is that members should obtain the PVC because, without it, one cannot vote, PM News reports.

 

The IPMAN chairman urged INEC to extend the PVC registration period to enable many members who live in remote areas and do not have access to the internet to register.

 

Bashir-Danmallam said, “The association found it necessary to take the measure to ensure that all its eligible members obtain the PVC to enable them to exercise their civic responsibility at the 2023 general elections.

 

“We are not saying our members should vote for a particular candidate or political party, but our concern is that our members should obtain the PVC because, without it, one cannot vote.

 

“Our members should feel free to vote for any candidate of their choice in any political party. They are at liberty to vote for candidates of their choice irrespective of which party affiliations.”

 

“The union is ready to open offices to facilitate the registration as it gave similar support to the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

 

“It assisted the NIMC with computers for the issuance of National Identification Numbers (NIN).

 

“Besides the Federal Government, our organisation is the highest employer of labour in the country. We call on INEC to consider the possibility of extending the deadline for the registration.

 

"IPMAN members should make the best use of the opportunity to register before the expiration of the deadline," he noted.

 

 

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The Ohanaeze Youth Council, the apex Igbo youth organisation, has claimed politicians are inducing the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ignore judgements ahead of the 2023 elections.

 

In a statement by Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, its national president, and Ifeanyi Nweke, its national secretary-general, the council lamented INEC's refusal to recognise Edozie Njoku as the authentic National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) despite a court judgement.

It is understood that the Federal High Court and the Supreme Court had earlier upheld Njoku as APGA's national chairman.

 

In the statement, Ohanaeze Youth Council called out Yakubu, Festus Okoye, and other staff members of INEC, accusing them of corrupt practices.

 

It also described Yakubu's continued stay as INEC chairman as a time bomb.

 

The statement reads: "It is with the deepest sense of humility and modesty that we wish to call the attention of the discerning public that there are plans by some fifth columnists in INEC to ensure that 2023 General Elections do not hold.

 

"Unfortunately, this ignoble and shameful crusade is being led by Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, the Chairman of INEC.  

 

"It is tragic that Mahmood Yakubu, Festus Okoye and some INEC staff have become referees putting on the Jersey of one of the clubs they are officiating their match, for pecuniary interest.

 

"We, the Ohanaeze Youth Council, as the apex Igbo Youth Organization worldwide are truly worried that INEC is yet to recognize Chief Edozie Njoku as the authentic National Chairman of APGA, after the Federal High Court and the Supreme Court had given Judgements in his favour.

 

"Let me say this without fear of equivocation. APGA is a thorough breed National Party; fortunately, APGA’s manifesto, mission and vision provide a roadmap for aggrieved people to converge and ventilate their minds rather than resort to agitation. Ozonkpu Victor Oye leadership desecrated APGA, this incensed major stakeholders in the Southeast and they threw their weight behind Edozie Njoku to ransom and redeem the Party. Instructively, this is what Mahmood and his gang are toying with.

 

"Pertinently, on April 6, 2022, in a subsisting Ruling delivered by Hon. Justice A.R. Mohammed of the Federal High Court Abuja Division in Suit No: FHC/BAU/CS/10/2020 in Motion No. FHC/BAU/M/41/2020 between Chief Edozie Njoku & Others Vs Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) & another; and the lead Judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria delivered by Hon. Justice Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili, JSC in Suit No: SC/CV/686/2021 between Jude Okeke Vs All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) & others declared Chief Edozie Njoku as the authentic National Chairman of APGA.

 

"Despite these Judgements, Mahmood and those he is working for have continued to play the ostrich for the past one month.

 

"Clearly, Section 287(1) and (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as altered, it is imperative that Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) obeys the aforesaid valid and subsisting Federal High Court Ruling and Supreme Court judgment; or face the full wrath of our people.

 

"Consequent upon the above, we have no doubt that Prof Yakubu Mahmood has compromised the principle and ethics governing global best practices in elections. Therefore, his continued stay as INEC Chairman is a time bomb.

 

"Furthermore, our investigation shows that Chief Oye and cohorts have induced Prof Yakubu Mahmood with financial inducement.

 

"We, therefore, call on EFCC, Director of State Services (DSS) and Inspector General of Police to immediately investigate the activities of Prof. Yakubu Mahmood before he drags the noble Commission to the mud."

 

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The European Commission has announced its approval for Ukraine to be granted candidate status.

 

This was recommended by the commission on Friday morning in the country’s bid to become a member of the European Union, the first formal step in a process that normally lasts longer than a decade.

According to New York Times, The commission also recommended a similar status for Moldova — which applied for membership to the bloc soon after Ukraine, spurred by concerns about Russia’s threats in the region — but not for neighbouring Georgia, which was deemed not ready for E.U. candidacy.

It also reported that the ultimate decision will be in the hands of European Union leaders who will meet on June 23 and 24 in Brussels, Belgium to tackle the thorny question.

 

The move regarding Ukraine took on an air of greater inevitability on Wednesday when Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany and President Emmanuel Macron of France joined other leaders visiting Kyiv and publicly announced their unanimous support for Ukraine’s pathway.

And Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission’s president, opened Friday’s meeting of E.U. commissioners in Brussels wearing a blue shirt and a yellow blazer, Ukraine’s national colours.

New York Times reports that the Commission stressed that Ukraine’s and Moldova’s candidate statuses are tied to overhauls on the rule of law, justice and anti-corruption.

 

“Starting accession negotiations is further down the line,” Oliver Varhelyi, the bloc’s top official for enlargement, told reporters.

 

“Today it’s not about that. Once conditions are met, then we’ll have to come back to it and reflect.”

 

The European Union’s member countries are split between those who believe that even though Ukraine is not technically ready to begin the vast changes required to join the bloc of 27, it should still be granted candidate status as a meaningful gesture of support in its defence against Russian aggression. This, proponents believe, will permit Ukraine’s leaders to illustrate that their nation has a bright future after the war ends, and will also start integrating the country into the bloc, which will be funding much of any reconstruction.

Other countries would prefer that Ukraine be given a sort of “candidate light” status: a promise, but with caveats and benchmarks to meet along the way, recognising that its path to full membership will most likely be very lengthy.

Those nations think that approach not only is more realistic but also demonstrates integrity toward Ukraine rather than making false assurances.

“In the view of the Commission, Ukraine has clearly demonstrated the country’s aspiration and the country’s determination to live up to European values and standards,” Ms. von der Leyen said on Friday, adding that Ukraine had already put in place about 70 percent of E.U. rules, standards and norms.

 

“We all know that Ukrainians are ready to die for the European perspective,” she added. “We want them to live with us the European dream.”

 

 

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A 53-year-old woman on Thursday was almost lynched by a mob in the Alasalatu area of Mushin State, Lagos over the alleged disappearance of a baby.

 

She was, however, saved by operatives of the Lagos State Police Command from Olosan Division, a statement issued by the Command's spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin noted.

According to the statement, the woman, who was stripped naked was already being stoned by the mob before the police intervention.

 

The mob alleged that the woman had touched a baby and the baby disappeared.

 

However, the police noted that the allegation has not been proven, and the accused person is currently in custody.

We really need to join hands to stop jungle justice. At 1810hrs today, people stripped naked a 53 year old woman (names withheld), started stoning her and were on the path of lynching her. This happened at Alasalatu, Mushin. The allegation was that she touched a baby and the… https://t.co/PUVZvXSflS

— SP Benjamin Hundeyin (@BenHundeyin) June 16, 2022

“We really need to join hands to stop jungle justice. At 1810hrs today, people stripped naked a 53-year-old woman (name withheld), started stoning her and were on the path of lynching her.

 

"This happened at Alasalatu, Mushin. The allegation was that she touched a baby and the baby disappeared. Police got there on time to rescue her.

 

"Lynch mob was dispersed with teargas. Allegation has not been proven. No parent/guardian has come forward yet to complain of a missing baby in that locality today.

 

"She’s currently at the station. Her husband has been contacted. Investigation is ongoing. Jungle justice is not the way to go. Say NO to jungle justice!!!"

 

 

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Kogi State House of Assembly has impeached the House Deputy Speaker, Hon. Ahmed Muhammed.

This was announced during an Emergency sitting held at the State Assembly complex in Lokoja on Friday.

The lawmaker representing Akpa1 constituency of the state was accused alongside 3 other principal officers of gross misconduct and arbitrary use of office, Politics Nigeria reports.

Hon. Enema Paul, the member representing (Dekina/Okura) State Constituency, who read the urgent motion that led to the impeachment, asserted that 17 lawmakers have signed the impeachment of Hon. Ahmed Mohammed and the suspension of three other principal officers in the house.

The three principal leaders are Bello Hassan Balogun (Majority Leader), Idris Ndako (Deputy Majority Leader), and Hon. Edoko Moses Ododo (Chief Whip).

The Assembly complex has been heavily secured by the police, Department of State Services (DSS) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officers.

 

 

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A chieftain of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Ekiti State, Olukayode Oso has cried out over an alleged threat to his life and plot to arrest him alongside other leaders of the party ahead of Saturday’s election.

 

He disclosed this on Friday in a letter titled, "Plot To Frame Me And Possible Arrest", which was addressed to the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police.

He said his life has been under threat since the recent attack on the campaign team of the governorship candidate of the party in the Itaji Oye Local Government of the state by suspected political thugs.

 

Oso, who is a close associate of the governorship candidate of the party, Segun Oni, is among the party leaders allegedly pencilled down for arrest before the election.

Oso’s letter accused the state government and former governor of the State, Ayo Fayose of working in cahoots to frame him up and link him with the attack that took place in Itaji on Saturday, June 11, 2022.

 

He said he was not in Ekiti on the day of the incident, adding that the growing popularity of the SDP in the state should not be used to harass or intimidate any of its members.

 

Meanwhile, the SDP had also written a petition to the Inspector General of Police and other security agencies.

 

Oso’s letter rea, "I am Olukayode Oso, an Ekiti State indigene and an S.D.P stalwart/close associate of Chief Segun Oni, the gubernatorial candidate of S.D.P in Ekiti State.

 

"I have on authority that the Ekiti State government in collaboration with the former governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, is planning to arrest me and possibly link me with a situation that occurred recently, especially the Itaji incident.

 

"I want to state clearly that I was not in Ekiti State on the date of the incident and I am a law-abiding citizen of this state.

 

"The fact that my party S.D.P is the leading party at the forthcoming election on Saturday, 18th June 2022, should not lead to unnecessary arrests/linking to issues that I know nothing about.

 

"It is important to note that the S.D.P legal committee, led by Barrister Owoseni Ajayi had written/notified all security agencies in the state."

 

SaharaReporters had reported how some political thugs suspected to be members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday, June 11, 2022, attacked and opened fire on the convoy Segun Oni, injuring two of his supporters.

 

The hoodlums were said to have attacked the former governor’s convoy with guns, cutlasses, and other dangerous weapons.

Luck however ran out on one of the attackers, who was wearing a campaign T-shirt of the APC candidate, Biodun Oyebanji, as he fell from the vehicle conveying them and was immediately apprehended.

Upon interrogation, he identified himself as Christopher, the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Ise garage, Ado Ekiti.

In a video seen by SaharaReporters, he said they were sent by a popular APC chieftain in Ekiti State, Mr Mentilo, to carry out the attack.

 

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President Muhammadu Buhari has stated that his administration has made progress with regard to stemming the tide of communal violence, farmer-herdsmen clashes, cattle rustling, and kidnapping across Nigeria.

 

The president vowed that he would continue to demonstrate zero tolerance for crime and criminality, as bandits and other criminal elements continue to launch violent attacks against innocent citizens.

President Buhari made this known in a statement issued by his media aide Garba Shehu, during the passing-out parade of the regular course 4/2016 cadets of the Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, Kano.

 

Mr Buhari promised to take care of the police officers’ welfare as they continue to fight criminals nationwide, noting that the police, notorious for brutality and extortion are their points men and they must rise to the occasion.

 

The statement reads, “I must specially commend the efforts and resilience of members of the Nigeria Police Force and sister agencies for the giant strides recorded so far in the fight against the prevailing security challenges.

 

“Across the North-Central and North-West of the country, we have made progress with regards to stemming the tide of communal violence, farmer-herdsmen clashes, cattle rustling, and kidnapping.

 

“As I said earlier, with the take-off of the Police Trust Fund, there has been an upgrade of infrastructure such as the construction of new barracks across the country, renovation of existing ones, construction of medical facilities, as well as procurement of modern operational vehicles."

 

The president vowed that he would “continue to demonstrate zero tolerance for crime and criminality”, adding that “Those who take laws into their hands, who bear arms illegally and who seek to profit from a climate of fear and insecurity will be decisively dealt with.”

 

He continued, “That remains our promise to the people of Nigeria, who elected us to keep them safe and secured: the peace and stability of our dear country will continue to be of utmost importance.

 

“This is why the present administration has been fully committed from the start to strengthening existing relations between Nigeria and her neighbouring countries.

 

“It has always been clear to us that there is no way we can achieve the security we seek without the cooperation and support of our neighbours. And we have implemented at home the most far-reaching social support programme ever in the country to tackle poverty at the roots: one of the drivers of insecurity.”

But despite Buhari’s assurances that his administration has curbed insecurity, the situation keeps getting worse.

Nigerians are afraid to travel by road now more than ever as motorists and commuters are being kidnapped on a daily basis.

On Sunday, June 5, South-West Nigeria experienced an unprecedented terrorist attack on a church in Ondo State.

No fewer than 40 persons were killed and several others injured when terrorists attacked St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, the hometown of the state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu.

 

 

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The lead counsel for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has said the separatist group has no links with unknown gunmen wreaking havoc in South-East Nigeria.

 

Ejiofor, whose aunt was kidnapped last week by the hoodlums and later released, said that the gunmen are criminals.

He, however, expressed optimism that they would soon be apprehended.

The lawyer said this on Thursday after his routine visit to his client, the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is being detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) since June 2021.

 

Although he didn't disclose whether a ransom was paid to secure his aunt's release, he said he discussed the abduction with Kanu.

 

According to him, Kanu declared that the days of the criminals now commonly known as ‘Unknown gunmen’ are numbered.

 

“We seized the opportunity offered by the visit to brief Onyendu (Nnamdi Kanu) of the barbaric act of the criminal gangs who kidnapped my Aunty a week ago, and her subsequent release.

 

“It is pertinent to note that the criminal gangs, who engaged in this sacrilegious act, in active connivance with some locals have nothing to do with IPOB.

 

“They are purely criminals who would soon be apprehended. To this end, Onyendu declared that the days of these monsters are numbered.

 

“Nevertheless, we continue to thank the most High God for the gift of life,” Ejiofor said in a statement.

 

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The funeral mass is currently going for the victims of the June 5 terrorist attack on the congregants of St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, where about 40 persons were killed and several others injured.

 

The funeral mass which is being held at the Mydas Resort, Owo, started at 10:00 am with the caskets bearing the bodies of the deceased lined up inside the hall.

The venue is filled with family members of the deceased, sympathisers and stakeholders from within and outside the state, many of whom are in tears.

The state governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and other top dignitaries are in attendance.

Terrorists on Sunday, June 5 attacked the Catholic church during a worship service, killing many congregants and injuring several others.

 

The Nigerian government of Nigeria in reaction to the ugly incident claimed that the attack was carried out by the dreaded terror group, the Islamic State's West Africa Province (ISWAP) operating basically in the Northern region of the country and other West African countries.

However, the group has neither debunked the claim nor accepted responsibility for the attack.

Akeredolu and his Ekiti counterpart and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Kayode Fayemi, have dismissed the claim, saying ISWAP would have claimed responsibility for the attack if it was involved.

 

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Aishatu Madina Ibrahim, a former women leader of the Peoples Democratic Party for the North West Zone, says she was arrested on Wednesday by officials of the Department of State Services from her residence in Abuja and held in their custody for about 10 hours.

 

Ibrahim, in an interview with SaharaReporters, said she was taken aback when over 20 security operatives stormed her house at Zone 7, Abuja without any means of identification.

She said the operatives were masked up and heavily armed.

 

She said she tried to stop them from gaining access to her apartment but one of them shoved her aside and went in.

 

According to her, the officials said they were arresting her due to a social media post where she allegedly made derogatory remarks about President Muhammadu Buhari; National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu and the First Lady, Aisha Buhari.

 

The posts were particularly linked to the APC presidential primary elections held in Abuja in which Tinubu emerged as the winner. 

 

Ibrahim said she could not remember making some of the posts but insisted she was not going to be handcuffed particularly as it was not a criminal offence.

 

According to her, it was while there were in transit that she observed the attire of the officials and queried if they were taking her to the DSS office in Abuja but one of them claimed they were going to the office of the National Security Adviser, while another officer said it was the DSS office.

 

She said the officials even informed her that they were aware she had not committed a crime but her arrest had a political undertone.

 

Ibrahim said she was taken from her house by 11 am on Wednesday and allowed to return to her house by 9 pm. She said her phones were seized and when she requested to contact her lawyer and family, the officials didn't grant the request.

 

She said, “They said I posted something, making comments about Tinubu and Buhari with the caption ‘Frying pan to fire', that I posted on WhatsApp, Facebook and TikTok.

 

“Some of the posts, I can't even remember them, I don't think I posted on TikTok and Facebook but probably WhatsApp. I am a politician, a PDP member, and the immediate past North-West PDP women leader. Even the one they said I posted on my WhatsApp status, I can't remember posting some because I do post a lot of things.

 

“During the APC Primaries, there was a time they called on Aisha Buhari to come on stage and she refused. They said I posted that ‘Aisha no wan climb stage with some people o'. I can't remember posting this.

 

“The picture of Buhari and Tinubu, I might have posted it but the Aisha Buhari own, I can't remember. I belong to over 50 WhatsApp groups and there are lots of things that are shared there that we reshare. In some of these groups, there are people that are not members of your party.

 

“On Wednesday, over 20 DSS officials stormed my estate at Zone 7 Abuja. Everybody in the estate came out to ask what happened, and why I was being taken away. It was when I returned that my neighbours told me that the officers they saw were more than 30. They came in their vehicles.

 

“The officers were not with an arrest warrant neither were they in uniform so there was no way I could identify them. In fact, when they arrived, they jammed the network of the area.

 

“They wore masks and black attire and they were fully armed. When they first arrived and they said they wanted to search my apartment, I refused because I didn't know who they were. One of them pushed me aside and went inside the house.

 

“Then they asked me to go with them to their office, they wanted to handcuff me and I refused. I told them no, I am not a criminal.

 

“While we were going, I observed that a part of their attire looked like DSS uniform and I asked them if they were from there, one of them said no, that they were taking me to National Security Adviser's office. The other person said we were going to the DSS office.

 

“When I got there, they interrogated me at three different points. They wanted to see if there would be discrepancies in my statements. They said I made derogatory remarks about the First Family. And about Tinubu during the APC Primaries.

 

“I was not assaulted there but I was not allowed access to my phone. I told them I wanted to call my lawyer and my family so they would know my whereabouts, but they didn't allow me to do this.

 

“After hours of interrogation, they warned me never to post anything that is against the First Family and Tinubu and I was asked to write a statement. I wrote there that I would not post anything I cannot prove before the law and that as a member of the major opposition party, it is my duty to point out the flaws of the opposition and seek how the country can get better.

 

“Also, I said I never insulted Aisha Buhari and I have no reason to do that because she is someone I respect a lot. She even speaks up against the wrongdoings in the APC."

Nigeria’s secret police, DSS are in the habit of harassing people for criticising public office holders.

For instance, in February 2022, the Executive Director of the International Press Institute and former President of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Mr Lanre Arogundade, was arrested and detained by the DSS allegedly over his criticism of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government.

 

The activist had just returned to Nigeria from Banjul, The Gambia where he had attended a training programme on ‘Conflict Reporting for Journalists’.

 

 

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