The Nigerian Army has announced the introduction of new technologies and application of drones in the fight against Boko Haram insurgents in the Northeast.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, who spoke at a dinner and media interactive session organized for editors and defence correspondents in Maiduguri yesterday, Saturday. Said: “we are working on deployment of drones.
“The Nigerian Air Force has been deploying drones in our operations in the northeast and they are deploying more, it has been very effective in this operation.
“For surveillance, local drones are deployed and when new ones are also deployed, it will be effective and useful in the operation.”
Buratai said that applications of drones and new technologies are critical in modern warfare to ensure successful implementation of the counter insurgency campaign.
According to him, the army had utilized drones in surveillance and research and that the process was effective in execution of its operations against the insurgents.
According to him, the military has also deployed modern military hardware, rehabilitated office and house accommodation, clinics and executed viable projects for the improvement of personnel welfare and boost their morale.
Buratai said that the military would also deploy modern scanning machines to check vehicular movements and enhance security on high ways.
The army chief called for closer media-military relation to check the spate of terrorists’ propaganda and campaign of calumny against the Nigerian Army.
The army chief commended the media for effective coverage of counter insurgency campaign, even as he tasked them to educate the people, to discourage terrorists’ propaganda.
Buratai lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for his support to the military which he said, facilitated significant successes recorded by the military against the insurgents.
He reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian Army to end insurgency, restore peace to the northeast, and remain apolitical, disciplined and professional in the discharge of its constitutional mandate.
A group, known as Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has alleged that Joshua Dariye is still receiving the N750,000 salary and N13.5 million monthly allowances, amounting to a total of N14.2 million, from the Nigerian Senate in the prison, where he is serving 10 years jail term for corruption.
SERAP, which went to the Federal High Court in Lagos to challenge the Senate President, Bukola Saraki over the continued payment of such salary and allowaces to Dariye, who was once the governor of Plateau State, insisted that such payment, which is still being made six months after the conviction of the Senator, violates Nigerian law and international obligations.
Joined as defendants in the suit number FHC/L/CS/2146/18 filed on Friday, are Dariye and the National Assembly Service Commission.
SERAP said that the Senate President and the National Assembly Service Commission are trying to override Nigerian law and the judgment of the court by continuing to pay Dariye’s allowances while he serves out a 10-year prison term and unable to sit and perform the functions of a senator.
It said that such action undermines the rule of law and is a great moral failure because it sends a message that corruption pays—it’s the opposite of Nigerian Constitutional principles and international obligations.
“Stopping the Defendants would ensure that only sitting and serving senators are worthy of drawing salaries and allowances from the public treasury. It would also further the public interest and general public confidence in the government it elects. The interest in public confidence is greater than the convicted person’s interest in continuing to receive allowances while serving his sentence for corruption in Kuje prison.”
The 15-page lawsuit read in part: “Mr Saraki and the National Assembly Service Commission should be immediately restrained from unlawfully paying salaries and allowances to Mr Dariye who is serving jail term. Restraining them would send a clear message to Nigerian elected officials that corruption does not pay and contribute to promoting accountability and fostering public trust and confidence in Nigeria’s democracy, the rule of law and the governance system.”
“By paying Mr Dariye’s allowances while in prison, Mr Saraki and the National Assembly Service Commission have destroyed the efficacy and purpose of Mr Dariye’s conviction and have brought the rule of law and administration of justice into disrepute. SERAP and the public are alarmed by the action of Mr Saraki and the National Assembly Service Commission and they ought to be restrained by this Honourable Court.”
“Mr Saraki and the National Assembly Service Commission should not be allowed to continue to make a mockery of the rule of law, our process of administration of justice and our judicial system by behaving as if the Nigerian Senate is not bound by the court judgment which convicted and sentenced Dariye for corruption. Mr Saraki and the Nigerian Senate should be compelled to respect and obey decisions of the court.”
“By continuing to pay Mr Dariye’s allowances after his conviction and while in Kuje prison and unable to sit and perform the functions of a sitting senator, Mr Saraki and the National Assembly Service Commission have played a negative role to wit: undermining the authority and integrity of the court. Mr Saraki and the National Assembly Service Commission knew or ought to know that Mr Dariye has been convicted and sentenced and now serving his jail term in Kuje prison pursuant to a decision of a competent court.”
“Mr Dariye, having been convicted, sentenced and currently serving jail term in Kuje prison can no longer by virtue of his imprisonment lawfully carry out or perform the duties of a senator. Mr Dariye ordinarily ceases to be a senator, as per the provisions of section 66 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended).”
“Section 68(1) provides that a senator shall vacate his/her seat if any circumstances arise that would cause him/her to be disqualified for election as senator. This is exactly what happened to Mr Dariye, who is, as a result of his imprisonment, no longer fit to be a senator let alone be entitled to allowances of a sitting senator. Similarly, a senator shall vacate his/her seat if without just cause, he/she is absent from meetings of the Senate, for a period amounting in the aggregate to more than one-third of the total number of days during which the Senate meets in any one year”
“Mr Dariye is no longer a senator having been convicted, sentenced and currently serving prison terms and having been in prison since June 12, 2018, he is caught by the provision of section 68(1)(f) as it is practically impossible for him to sit as senator.”
“Mr Dariye, having been absent for a period amounting in the aggregate to more than one-third of the total number of days during which the Senate meets in 2018, is disqualified and therefore his seat has automatically become vacant. Mr Dariye is no longer entitled to be paid and/or to receive the allowances of a sitting and serving senator.”
“Mr Dariye’s conviction remains in effect until it is set aside. Therefore, the argument that he has appealed his conviction will not hold water. A judgment of a competent court of law subsists until set aside on appeal. The Supreme Court of Nigeria has made this point very clear in several cases.”
“So long as the decision exists, it must be obeyed to the letter. A judgment of court, no matter the fundamental vice that afflict it, remains legally binding and valid until set aside by due process of law. As the Supreme Court has said, the judiciary like all citizens of this country cannot be a passive on-looker when any person attempts to subvert the administration of justice and will not hesitate to use the powers available to it to do justice in the cases before it.’’
“Mr Dariye cannot justly and reasonably earn the allowances of a sitting and serving senator, having been convicted and sentenced and serving a prison term. Under the common law principle of money had and received, Mr Dariye is under a legally binding duty to return all such salaries and allowances to the public treasury, having not justly earned such. Mr Dariye should be compelled to return the allowances he has received so far since his conviction.”
“SERAP is seeking an order restraining Mr Saraki and the National Assembly Service Commission from paying Mr Dariye any further allowances while serving his jail term in Kuje prisons, Abuja.”
“SERAP is also seeking a declaration that the seat of Mr Dariye in the Senate is automatically deemed vacant, having being convicted and sentenced to a prison term and currently serving jail term and having been absent at the sessions of the Senate for a period amounting in the aggregate to more than one-third of the total number of days allowed, and that he is therefore,not entitled to any allowances reserved for a sitting and serving senator.”
“SERAP is also seeking an order compelling Mr Dariye to return all salaries and allowances paid to him as a senatorwhile in prison, having not performed the functions and office of a sitting and serving senator and having not deservedly earned such.”
“Unless the reliefs sought are granted, Mr Saraki and the National Assembly Service Commission will continue to act in flagrant defiance of the judgment of the court, the independence and authority of the court, and the rule of law. It is in the interest of justice to grant this application as the Defendants have nothing to lose if the application is granted.”
An FCT high court, in June this year, convicted Dariye for diverting N1.162 billion state ecological funds while he was governor. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison, which was later reduced to 10 years by a court of appeal in Abuja.
Dariye is said to have been paid N85.5 million as allowances since his conviction.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
“The 2019 general elections is our own. We are not looking at the 2019 but 2023. If we get it in 2019, Yoruba will get it in 2023. Because if we don’t get it in 2019, we may not get it in 2023 and it may take a very long time to get it. We need to look at tomorrow and not because of today. What we are doing now is for tomorrow and not for today.”
These are the words of advice by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo when he paid a courtesy visit on the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi 111 in his palace today, Saturday. He was in the palace to pay homage to the monarch along with Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state, All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the 2019 general elections, Adebayo Adelabu; former Senate leader, Senator Teslim Folarin and Hon. Akeem Adeyemi who represents Atiba/ Afijio/Oyo East/Oyo West in the House of Representatives.
Osinbajo asked Yoruba people and Nigerians to beware of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which he said, was in power for 16 years without any tangible achievements, except the institutionalization of corruption.
He advised the people of the southwest and Nigerians, not to return the PDP to power, adding: “now, they are regrouping. These are the people that have ruled for 16 years and they say they want to come back again. They are corrupt. Though, it is still difficult because no man or woman can build a house without a foundation.”
He said that President Muhammadu Buhari has proved to be a man who has zero tolerance for corruption, describing corruption as one of the major problems in Nigeria.
“What I know about Buhari is that he is an honest man. What he says he will do, he will do it.”
Oba Adeyemi had earlier described Osinbajo as a cerebral lawyer who has excelled in his profession.
“He is a good lawyer, the case he instituted on behalf of Lagos state when the federal government withhold the local government allocations in Lagos state during Obasanjo regime, he won the case. And it was Yar’adua that paid the money to Lagos state. The load you are carrying is big, Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, you will succeed.”
President Buhari participates at the 54th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS in Abuja on 22nd Dec 2018
Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Muhammadu Buhari has reminded his colleagues in the sub-regional body that despite some successes, there are still a lot of challenges ahead of it.
He listed such challenges as including difficulties in the economic, governance, peace, security and humanitarian fields.
The ECOWAS Chairman, who is also the President of Nigeria, in his welcome address today, Saturday, at the opening session of the 54th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Abuja, Nigeria, reminded members of the primary objective of body as set out in its Treaty.
According to President Buhari, the Treaty is to “promote cooperation and integration, leading to the establishment of an Economic and Monetary Union in West Africa, in order to raise the living standards of our people and contribute to the progress and development of the African continent”.
He stressed that as a Community, the aspiration should be to “create a borderless, peaceful, prosperous and cohesive region, based on good governance and where our people have the capacity to access and harness its resources through the creation of opportunities for sustainable development, job creation and environmental preservation.”
The Nigerian leader said that such lofty ideals cannot be attained without peace and security, which is why he said, he had decided to make the issue of peace and security the major focus of his Chairmanship.
“I am happy to inform this august assembly that our efforts have started yielding dividends as we have been able to douse tension and restore confidence in some potentially disruptive political situations, particularly in Guinea Bissau, Togo and Mali.”
President Buhari noted that the gathering of the ECOWAS leaders is a clear testimony of their continued collective resolve and commitment to the effective integration of the West African sub-region.
“We applaud the significant progress made by our Community in the recent past, particularly in the areas of political governance, peace and security as well as economic and social fields. These achievements have positioned ECOWAS as an example of a regional economic community on our continent.”
He commended the individual efforts of members not only for striving to promote peace, stability and development in their respective countries but also for their unwavering commitment to regional issues of interest and concern.
Buhari also expressed satisfaction with significant progress made through members’ collective efforts towards the resolution of the political and institutional crisis in Guinea Bissau, adding that within the framework of the regional solidarity, “we have assisted the Governments of Togo and Mali in tackling political and security problems while also addressing food challenges in parts of the sub-region.
“We have also extended electoral support and assistance to several countries and acted pro-actively to neutralize some potential conflicts through preventive diplomacy before they exploded. In this connection, we welcome the successful elections held in Sierra Leone and Mali in 2018.”
“Our determination to create a safe and stable sub-region must be predicated on a strong and capable organization. You will all agree with me that no institution can function effectively without adequate funding.
“This would require that all hands are on deck and that all Member States ensure the payment of the Statutory Community Levy as and as when due. By so doing, we will empower and enable the Commission to implement the Integration Agenda, as we march towards the year 2020, and actualize our vision of building an ECOWAS of Peoples and not of States.
“In light of the continuing fragility of our economies linked closely to commodity prices, our nascent democracies, the negative effects of climate change on our farming systems, the globalisation of crime and terrorism, we are required on a daily basis, to join forces to eliminate these factors that militate against a secure, conducive and prosperous environment for the benefit of our people. These realities remind us of the need for even stronger intra-ECOWAS solidarity in order to address emerging challenges.
“This is indeed the very sense of our Union. To that end, important decisions are taken in the course of our meetings, with the goal of impacting transforming positively on the lives of our citizens.”
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has asked members of the National Assembly to apologize to Nigerians for booing President Muhammadu Buhari during the presentation of the 2019 budget estimate.
The Public Relations Officer of NANS, Azeez Adeyemi, who spoke today, Friday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State Capital, condemned the lawmakers’ behaviour, saying that it had further tarnished the external image of the country.
He asked the lawmakers to always promote the integrity of the country, advising the legislators to jettison personal and political interests while treating matters of national interest.
“Nigerian students believe that members of the National Assembly should be role models to Nigerian youths and students by displaying worthy and enviable character.
“It is important to place respect for the honour and integrity of our dear country above any personal or political interests.
“We, hereby, call on the leadership of the National Assembly to, as a matter of necessity, apologize to the entire people of Nigeria over the members’ unruly conduct during the president’s budget presentation.”
Police have announced the arrest of the leader of Boko Haram insurgents, 39 year old Umar Abdulmalik, a native of Idoji in Okene, Kogi State, and seven members of his gang, responsible for the Nyanya and Kuje bombings of 2015.
They were also responsible for the killings of seven police officers in Galadimawa roundabout, Abuja, on July 2, 2018 and the killings of two other police officers around Abaji in June, 2018 as well as one police officer in Lugbe, Abuja on November 4, 2018.
A statement today, Friday, by the Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood said that Umar Abdulmalik and his gang were also responsible for the attack and jail break at Medium Security Prison, Minna, Niger State, on June 3, 2018 where 219 prisoners serving jail terms for capital offences and other crimes escaped from lawful custody.
“Two (2) Boko Haram members under Umar Abdulmalik in the Medium Security Prison, Minna, Niger State, were rescued by him during the jail break.”
The statement described Umar Abdulmalik as one of the most wanted Boko Haram terrorists leader and an explosive expert for the insurgence group.”
The police gave the names of others who were arrested along with the leader as 29 year old Abubakar Bello Sidi, from Obehira, 31 year old Yusuf Abdulazeez, a.k.a Fine Boy, from Enyinare all in Okene local government of Kogi State; 24 year old Suleman Zakariya, a.k.a cause trouble from Idah local government also in Kogi State; 25 year old Lukman Abdulmalik, a.k.a Lampard from Idoji in Okene local government; 25 year old Haruna Lamidi from Ihima Okehi local government; 30 year old Abdullahi Mammanjimoh from Idogido in Okene local government and 34 year old Mustapha Adenoyi from Ihima in Okehi local government, all in Kogi State
The police listed the items recovered from the suspects are four Police AK47 rifles which they allegedly carted away after killing the Policemen; six magazines; 270 rounds of AK47 ammunition and two police walking talking radio, which they also allegedly carted away after killing the Policemen.
They were arrested, according to the statement yesterday, December 20 by the IGP Intelligence Response Team (IRT), led by DCP Abba Kyari in a location at Ibafo, Lagos while receiving treatment from the bullet wound he sustained on November 26, at Bassa village, off Airport road, Abuja during exchange of gun fire with the operatives of the Intelligence Response Team when four of his gang members were arrested and three other suspects were subsequently arrested.
“Umar Abdulmalik and his gang confessed to be the mastermind and responsible for the Nyanya and Kuje bombings in Abuja in 2015, killings of seven Police Officer in Galadimawa roundabout on 2nd July, 2018 and the killings of two other Police Officers around Abaji in June, 2018 and one Police Officer in Lugbe, Abuja on 4th November, 2018.
“The Boko Haram terrorist gang during interrogation and investigation also confessed to several bank robberies in Edo and Ondo States, and other kidnappings, armed robberies and killings in different locations in Kogi and other contiguous States.”
The police said that investigation is being intensified to arrest other members of the Boko Haram cell under the control of Umar Abdulmalik and other suspects connected to the crimes the gang have committed.
“All the suspects confessed to the crime and admitted to their various criminal roles they played in the commission of the crimes. They will all be arraigned in Court on completion of investigation.”
Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has made it clear that it is not in the character of the Executive arm of the government to engage in exchange of words with the legislature.
According to him, presentation of the national budgetary appropriation bill to the National Assembly, as President Muhammadu Buhari had done on Wednesday, is a constitutional matter which has been accomplished, saying that how that legislature reacts to it has nothing to do with the Executive.
Speaking to news men today after presenting a portrait of President Muhammadu Buhari in five major Nigeria attires; one is in Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Efik and one in suit, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Lai Mohammed said: ”it is not the practice of the executive to be exchanging words with the legislative arm of government.
“They are independent, we are independent but to the best of our knowledge, we presented a budget given the circumstances of our resources this year, we feel that is the best we can. It is left for the National Assembly to consider it. “
The minister expressed confident that the labour unions in the country, whose members he described as patriotic, “will not do anything that will embarrass the government or do anything that is going to worsen the situation.”
He advocated continuous engagement, which he said is the key, adding “we will continue to engage them and I think they do also fully understand what the challenges are. And both parties are determined to ensure that a common ground is arrived at which it will be comfortable for all.”
Lai Mohammed insisted that Buhari government has been able to meet all the promises and obligations he, and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to Nigerians.
“And as the year rolls out, we are more determined to even deliver more to Nigerians. I wish to use this opportunity to wish everybody merry Christmas and a happy new year.”
Two men who were caught with $2.8 million cash at the Akanu Ibiam International airport, Enugu by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), have implicated Union Bank Plc.
The suspects, identified as Ighoh Augustine and Ezekwe Emmanuel, who also claimed to be workers of Bankers Warehouse, confessed that they have been in the business of conveying such money for banks in the last six years.
“We have been conveying such cash for some notable banks, for over six years and we are in the process of doing same for Union Bank Plc, located at New Market, Onitsha, Anambra State, when we were caught.”
According to the EFCC, the two men concealed the cash in two suitcases, containing $1.4 million each.
A statement by the commission said that the suspects were arrested at the departure lounge of the airport yesterday, Thursday night while about to board an Arik Air flight to Lagos.
Bayelsa State Governor Henry Seriake Dickson has described some politicians in the state as criminals and cultists.
Dickson, who spoke in a live radio media chat on Glory FM, said that the sole motivation of such characters is to destabilize and subvert the achievements of his administration in the past seven years.
The governor advised politicians not to overheat the polity as they go about their campaigns, insisting that people should be free to campaign and vote the candidates of their choice.
Governor Dickson said that Bayelsa is one of the safest and most stable states in the country as a result of the investments his administration has made in security.
The governor appealed to parents and guardians to be more committed to monitoring and observing the behaviour and activities of their wards as the government intensified its campaign against cultism and drug abuse.
He ascribed the frequent change of police commissioners in the state to a supposed plot by the leadership of the opposition APC in the state of seeking protection and cover for what he said are questionable activities.
According to him, while he does not determine who gets posted to the state, it is his responsibility to ensure that things are done properly to secure the State.
He said that the recent signing of the law amending the Community Safety and Vigilante Corps would create opportunities for citizens to participate more effectively in the security of their state.
“Bayelsa remains one of the safest and most stable states in this region and in Nigeria. This is as a result of a lot of factors and measures put in place by this administration. The leadership of this state has shown maturity in how we have been managing things, even matters that are provocative. I want to commend the people of Bayelsa for their peaceful disposition and commitment to peace and order. Though there are few challenges that are quite troubling, such as cultism and drug abuse, particularly as it involves young people, the security services are doing their best to ensure the state is safe and stable for the citizenry even during this Christmas period.
“I also want to caution people, especially the youths of our state not to be misled by criminals masquerading as politicians who buy guns and ammunition to kill and main people. It is very important that people are free to canvass for votes and also vote their preferred candidates.”
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has said that the governorship candidate of the party, Hope Uzodinma will bring an end to government by a single family in Imo Sate if elected in the 2019 election.
Oshiomhole, who spoke at the just concluded rally to launch the APC campaign in the state, stressed that the days were gone when a governor would look at the faces of his people and say there was no money to do other things besides pay those who were working for the government.
“When you elect Senator Hope, appointment into government will be based on merit, not family connection.
“I’m assuring you that we have a governorship candidate, whose purpose is to develop and bring prosperity to the Igbo young man, the Owerri young woman, the carpenter, the mechanic and, above all, my own comrades, the civil servants of Imo State who don’t know any longer what a payday looks like.
“When we talk of happiness, we will not domesticate it in the hands of a sister. The happiness of the great people of Imo State will be the primary purpose of government under Senator Hope Uzodinma.”
According to the APC chairman, due process will be the basis for constructing buildings and building roads.
“One contract will not be awarded to three people. If it must be awarded, it will not be awarded to in-laws. It will be awarded to the genuine businessmen and women of Imo State.
“Never again will any of your governors look at your (traditional) leaders and abuse them because democracy is about people.
“Never again shall we govern on the basis of family connections. Whether you know somebody or you don’t, whether you marry from me or I don’t marry from you, that shall not be the basis for winning the next election.”
Oshiomhole assured families with breadwinners and pensioners who had not been paid for six to nine months that “the bailout, which President Muhammadu Buhari had given governors, including the governor of Imo State, and was not used for that purpose, will be retrieved and our pensioners will smile again.”
“Let me also say without fear of contradiction that those who are printing posters and putting President Buhari’s face on it with their face and logo because their face and party are unknown — those ones are fake.
“President Buhari has the APC as his party. He is our presidential candidate. He has adopted Sen. Hope Uzodinma as the governorship candidate.”
Earlier, Uzodinma assured the APC chairman that, at the end of the day, the party would be vindicated.
“We are not going to disappoint the people of Imo and we’ll have victory, five over five. I promise, in the name of the almighty God, it shall never be the same again. The Egyptians you are seeing today, you shall see no more.”
The incumbent governor, Rochas Okorocha, and the state Chairman of the APC, Dan Nwafor, were absent from the rally.
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Police have announced the arrest of the leader of Boko Haram insurgents, 39 year old Umar Abdulmalik, a native of Idoji in Okene, Kogi State, and seven members of his gang, responsible for the Nyanya and Kuje bombings of 2015.
Two men who were caught with $2.8 million cash at the Akanu Ibiam International airport, Enugu by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), have implicated Union Bank Plc.
Bayelsa State Governor Henry Seriake Dickson has described some politicians in the state as criminals and cultists.
