Grace, the wife of Zimbabwe’s President, Robert Mugabe, has said that even if her husband dies today, he would still win the Presidential election scheduled for next year.
Grace, who was addressing a rally of the governing Zanu-PF party in Buhera, south-east of the capital Harare, said: “one day when God decides that Mugabe dies, we will have his corpse appear as a candidate on the ballot paper.
“You will see people voting for Mugabe as a corpse. I am seriously telling you, just to show people how people love their president.”
Grace Mugabe accused some ruling ZANU-PF party officials of plotting to take over from her husband.
She said the officials, some from the era of guerrilla war against white rule, cannot take power from Mugabe because they too were old.
“Anyone who was with Mugabe in 1980 has no right to tell him he is old. If you want Mugabe to go, then you leave together.
“You also have to leave. Then we take over because we were not there in 1980,” Grace said, pointing to herself.
Mugabe, who declared he wants to live until 100 and rule till that age, has governed Zimbabwe since the end of white-majority rule in 1980 following a bloody war.
Mugabe, who will turn 93 on Tuesday, has slowed down on public engagements, while his 51-year-old wife has become increasingly visible in political circles. [myad]
Ex Nigeria’s Aviation Minister, Mr. Femi Fani-Koyde has called on members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to prepare to leave the party’s carcass for the treacherous mole called Sheriff and form a new party.
“It is time for us to quit the PDP, leave its carcass for the treacherous mole called Sheriff and form a new party.”
Fani Kayode, who reacted to the appeal court judgment that recognized the factional National Chairman of the Party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as the authentic leader of the party, in a series of tweets on his twitter handle wrote: “The Court of Appeal decision is absurd.”
A three-man panel of judges in a unanimous decision agreed that the former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, is the authentic National Chairman of the party. [myad]
Nigeria’s Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has assented to seven bills passed by the National Assembly.
The bills are: Oath (Amendment) Act 2017, Defence Space Administration Act, Veterinary Surgeons (Amendment Act).
This was confirmed by the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang.
Other bills signed by Osinbajo are: National Film and Video Censors Boad, Pension Rights of Judges, Nigerian Institute of Social Science (Establishment ACT and Mortgage Institutions Amendment Act.
Enang explained that the Acts, other than the Defence Space Administration Act and Institute of Soil science were mainly Amendments to the Principal Act.
Osinbajo has been acting for President Muhammadu Buhari since January 19.
Buhari is currently on medical vacation and is expected to return shortly. [myad]
The former President, Court of Appeal, Justice Umaru Abdullahi, has admitted that there are judges in Nigeria but not all of them are corrupt.
He declared: “we are not disputing the fact that there is no bad element in the judiciary, but not all in the system are bad. If you compare the number of the bad ones, the good ones out-number the bad ones.”
Justice Umaru Abdullahi spoke today, Saturday, during a public presentation of the journal on Private and Comparative Law, organized in his honour by the Faculty of Law of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.
“The judiciary is a human and Nigerian institution. Therefore, it is not surprising that some few judicial officers are being picked up for going out of their parameters of judicial function.’’
The former appeal court judge insisted that the Nigerian judiciary has developed into a very solid institution, adding that it has been delivering services to the continuity of the country and is in the forefront in providing solutions to some of the problems facing the country.
Justice Umaru Abdullahi said that it is unfair to condemn the judiciary because of the few bad ones, as there is no sector in Nigeria that is insulated from corruption.
“There is the machinery the government can use effectively to flush out bad elements in the judiciary.”
He said that the government also has the machinery to ensure that only credible persons are appointed as judges.
The President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, said that the judiciary has been trying its best in the fight against corruption, adding that the judiciary has a standard of measuring judges.
“We have our code of conduct the judicial officer is expected to abide with, If you see anything different from our code of conduct, that officer would have gone astray.
“If you go strictly by the code of conduct you can’t go wrong; So, we are committed to the fight against corruption.” [myad]
In a chat with my wife over a news item published in one of the social media platforms about some human rights group: Advocates for Human Rights in Nigeria (AHRN) and The Southern Kaduna Coalition of Professionals (SKCOP), condemning the continued detention of former Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Andrew Yakubu and demanding that he should be released immediately, she lamented: what is wrong with Nigerian brains?!!! Andrew Yakubu, a chemical engineer, is being detained after the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) allegedly recovered huge sums of money, combined in local currency to be over N3 billion. The cash, in Dollar and Pound Starling denominations, was found at his house in the Sabo Tasha area of Kaduna state a little over a week ago. Just before then, $153.3 million was discovered from the former Nigeria Petroleum minister, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke even as $5 million was recovered from Dame Patience, wife of the immediate past President of Nigerian, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. This is in addition to numerous other monies recovered from former political and military as well as judicial leaders. One analyst has come up with what the over N3 billion discovered from Andrew Yakubu’s residence alone can do to improve the Nigeria’s electricity generation, and therefore the economy. They are N1.36 billion for the construction of 700mw Zungeru hydro-power project; one billion naira for the construction of Suliya-Ghaza-Babuni road in Niger State; N465.06 million for the construction of off-Grid renewable energy (solar) micro utility and N150 million to acquire 800 pieces of 11kv Transformers, repair of asphalt overlay and provision of drainage on Mohammed Isdrissa wat in Potiskum, Yobe State among others. There was also an analysis of the money allegedly looted by just three Nigerians, which is enough to fund the budgets of five states. It goes thus: Andrew Yakubu – $10 million Diezani Alison-Madueke – $153.3 million Dame Patience – $5 million. Total – $168 million, equivalent to about N600 billion at an exchange rate of N350 to $1 Against the background of the 2017 budgets of Osun State of N138.2 billion, Ebonyi State of N127.3 billion, Ekiti State of N93.46 billion, Taraba State of N110 billion and Edo State of N150 billion, which brings the total budget for 2017 fiscal year for these five selected States to N619 billion. What is baffling is that the agitation by groups has not been against the public treasury looters that have brought Nigeria to its knees in terms of economic development, but, very unfortunately, against the Muhammadu Buhari government that has been exposing them. In a series of statements released after the EFCC took the former NNPC Group Managing Director into custody on February 8, the Advocates for Human Rights in Nigeria (AHRN) and The Southern Kaduna Coalition of Professionals (SKCOP), declared their solidarity for the detained Chemical Engineer and called on the anti-corruption agency to release him immediately. The groups described the detention of Andrew Yakubu as a serious violation of his human rights, saying: “this arrest is reflective of an ongoing practice of harassment, arrest and incarceration of citizens unlawfully. “The continued detention of Engr Yakubu today is yet another nail in the coffin for freedom in Nigeria. He is not a flight risk; he was out of the country when the alleged raid took place. As a responsible citizen, he flew back to meet with the anti-corruption agency and the court has since seized the funds temporarily, so why is he still in detention? He should be released and charged to court,” said Mr. Lakun Anifowoshe, director of AHRN. “If Andy Yakubu is not being persecuted because he comes from Southern Kaduna and the Middle Belt, we challenge the EFCC to also parade all the people it claims to have recovered humongous sums of money from. Failure to so would mean the agency is lying, or has two sets of law for two kinds of Nigerians.” Sagamu Jaspar, General Secretary of the Southern Kaduna Coalition of Professionals, wondered if there was a law which forbade anyone from keeping his earnings at home, adding: “we are waiting to see if a court of law can establish that the said amount found in his home is a proceed of crime, or whether there is indeed a law that forbids anyone from keeping his earnings at home,” Jaspar said. “We suspect that the deliberate negative publicity the EFCC is generating over his arrest and its failure to release him from their detention after meeting his bail conditions is more vindictive and political than fighting corruption.” The question pops out again, loud and clear: what is wrong with Nigerian brains? [myad]
Acting President Yemi Osinbajo aborted his reschedule visit to Ondo State today, Friday due to what his media aide, Laolu Akande described as dusty and very poor visibility.
Laolu, in a statement, said that Osinbajo had set out on the trip in continuation of his tour of the oil-producing communities which earlier took him to Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Imo States. He said that Professor Osinbajo was already air-borne when weather reports indicated dusty haze and very poor visibility at the Akure Airport and other alternative airports nearby. “The presidential jet therefore had to return to Abuja following which the weather condition was closely monitored until about 2:30 pm, when it became abundantly clear that the situation would not change in time for the Acting President to achieve the purposes of the visit.”
The statement said that the visit has been rescheduled for Monday, the 20th of February, adding that the presidency apologized to the State Governor, the Governor-elect, traditional rulers and the generality of the people of Ondo State who had been awaiting the Acting President’s visit. [myad]
The Supreme Court today, Friday, affirmed the conviction and sentencing to two months in prison of Professor Festus Kolo, a lecturer at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria for enticing a married woman. The court did not give the Porfessor an option of fine.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Clara Ogunbiyi held that the appellant had failed to dispel the prosecution evidence that linked him to the offence.
“It is ironical and intriguing that a Counsel for the appellant, who described the act of his client as condemnable and detestable, could in another tone dismiss the same act simply as mere allegation.
“It was stated that the appellant had been warned severally by the husband of the woman both face to face and on phone to stay away from her.
“He had refused to heed until he was caught red handed with the woman in a hotel room.
“The appellant according to the evidence before the court had left his place and travelled for up to four hundred kilometres from Zaria to Dutse to pursue his illicit sexual act,’’ she said.
Ogunbiyi said: “it was alleged further that the appellant was arrested by the Police in the hotel room and later charged to court for enticing the married woman.
“This alleged offence is contrary to Section 389 of the Penal Code’’.
The judge said: “ for purpose of recapitulation, a critical analysis of the behaviour pattern exhibited by the appellant will give a reasonable assessment of his character and intention.
“This is well depicted in his persistent refusal to stay away from another man’s wife despite several warnings by her husband.
“In addition to the foregoing, the open confession made by the appellant to the commission of the offence during police investigation is a further reason to discountenance the submission put forward by the appellant.
“I have stated the position of this court earlier in the course of this judgment wherein it holds that the confession is the best form of evidence.
“And an accused person can be convicted on his confessional statement alone’’.
Ogunbiyi held that: “consequently, the lower court could not be faulted when it went ahead to affirm the conviction and sentence of the appellant.
“This was done according to strict compliance with summary trial procedure by the successive lower courts’’.
The judge, therefore, held that the appeal at hand was devoid of any merit.
“The concurrent judgments of the lower courts are endorsed while the conviction and sentence of the appellant by the lower court is also affirmed by me.
“The appeal is dismissed and the judgment of the lower court is affirmed by this court,’’ she said.
NAN reports that it was an appeal against the decision of the appellate session of Jigawa State High Court delivered on Sept.17, 2013 in appeal No. JDU/14/CA/2013.
The court had affirmed the judgment of the trial Magistrate Court, Kiyawa, Jigawa state wherein the appellant was convicted summarily for the offence.
Upon this conviction and sentence by the Magistrate, the appellant was dissatisfied and lodged an appeal before the appellate division of the Jigawa state High Court.
Kolo had asked the court to decide whether or not the lower trial Magistrate, “Senior Magistrate’’ had the jurisdiction to try and determine the offence under Section 389 of the penal code laws of the state.
After hearing argument from both sides, the High Court in its judgment delivered on Sept. 17, 2013 dismissed the appeal and upheld the decision of the trial court.
NAN reports that the statement of facts indicated that Kolo was a professor and lecturer at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria while the victim was his student at the University.
It was stated in the face of the First Information Report (FIR) that the appellant had been sending love messages via his phone number to the married woman through her phone number.
The FIR also said that the convict had defied all warnings, adding that he was thereafter caught in the near sexual act with the victim in a hotel by the police.
The convict had described the entire incident and trial as a set up.
Wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, has distributed foodstuffs and baby kits to nursing mothers and patients in some hospitals in the FCT as part of a goodwill to mark her birthday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a delegation sent by the wife of the President visited the Asokoro, Garki, Wuse, and Maitama District Hospitals.
Aisha Buhari, who was represented by her Senior Special Assistant (Administration), Dr. Hajo Sani, on Friday in Abuja, said the gesture was an expression of kindness to the less privileged in the society.
“This is not the first time Mrs. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, is celebrating her birthday. I remember we had a similar event in the orphanage where she presented a humanitarian gift to orphans in Karu.
“As you are all aware, today is her birthday and we are also glad and most importantly, that whoever we give this gift, they are very excited, happy and wish her excellency many happy returns.”
The wife of the President also prayed to God to heal the patients and to cater for their families.
While receiving the delegation, the Medical Director of Maitama District Hospital, Dr. Adetoun Sotimehin, expressed her appreciation for the kind gesture and wished Mrs. Buhari a happy birthday.
Some of the patients, who spoke with NAN during the visit, expressed their happiness for the kind gesture of the President’s wife.
Also speaking, Mrs. Ummi Abbas, who is one of the nursing mothers at the Garki Hospital, expressed gratitude to Aisha Buhari for the gifts and prayed to God to grant the President Muhammadu Buhari administration the wisdom and capacity to succeed.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has inaugurated a 10-member boundary committee during which time he cautioned communities having boundary disputes in the FCT not to take the laws into their hands but follow due process to get them resolved amicably in the interest of peace.
The Committee has the FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye as Chairman, with representatives of the Attorney General of the Federation, FCT Directors of Urban & Regional Planning, Economic Planning Research & Statistics, FCT Police Commissioner, Director of FCT Command of DSS, FCT Comptroller of Immigration Services, Isa Dara, and Musa Yahaya, former Chairmen of Bwari and Abaji Area Councils respectively as members, while the Director of FCT Survey and Mapping will serve as Secretary.
The Minister rolled out the terms of reference of the committee, which include dealing with inter and intra Area Council Boundary disputes within the FCT; define and delimit Inter Area Council Boundaries in accordance with the delimitation instrument or document established for that purpose as well as identify and intervene in areas of potential disputes in the FCT.
Other areas to be covered by the committee include holding quarterly meetings to ensure maintenance of peace and order in border areas; liaise with State Boundary Committees of neighboring States with a view of taking joint measures that promote good inter-community relationship; and arranging with other State Boundary Committees for joint utilization of shared resources and facilities along the common borders, in addition, encouraging and promoting joint inter-community development ventures among border dwellers.
He also advised the Committee to work harmoniously and in full cooperation and communication with the National Boundary Commission as well as similar bodies in the States that surround the FCT.
The Minister warned that the FCT Administration will not hesitate to sanction community or political leaders in the FCT who allow boundary disputes in their domain to escalate into a breakdown of law and order. He said that any community or political leader who fuel crisis would be made to face the full wrath of the law
“I want to state here very clearly, in all the communities, whether it is inside the FCT or at the bordering communities, any community that takes the law into its hands or tries to create misunderstanding that results into violence, the traditional rulers of that community and the relevant political and administrative officers of that community will be held fully and squarely responsible.”
In his response, the Chairman of the Boundary Committee, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye, assured that the committee would ensure that the task of government of maintaining peace and security is provided.
“We are going to do this professionally and dispassionately. The committee will not take sides. The committee will ensure that everything is done particularly with the fear of God because it is God that gives absolute peace.” [myad]
A Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has ruled that former Borno State Governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff is the substantive Chairman of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Two out of the three members of the Panel held that Senator Ali Modu Sheriff is the legitimate Chairman of the Party, while one, in a minority Judgement held that he has no business being Chairman of the Party. It would be recalled that Senators Ahmed Makarfi and Ali Modu Sheriff had tested the legal waters in several courts in Nigeria (Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt), with each getting favourable orders and directives with the attendant effect on stability in the party. Both Makarfi and Sheriff have been operating from satellite offices, following the closure of the national headquarters of the party at Wadata Plaza in Abuja. The crisis in the PDP has divided the party in many states where Makarfi and Sheriff share the loyalty of members. It has also incapacitated the PDP, thereby making it incapable of actively playing the role of opposition in the country.
Meanwhile, Senator Ahmed Muhammad Makarfi has describedruling of the Court of Appeal which gave judgment in favour of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as a temporary set-back.
Addressing newsmen in his Kaduna residence in reaction to the ruling, Makarfi stressed that his party would overcome this set back politically and legally and would come out of it stronger and bigger.
“We have utmost respect for the judiciary. So we are not going to take the laws into our hands. We might not agree with the judgment but there is a process and procedure if you did not agree with something.
“As an individual, I cannot decide for the party until the party stakeholders meet and take a definite decision.
“The party will meet on Monday to take a decision of the Court of Appeal Judgement. Every person concerned had been notified. The governors, members of the National Assembly, members of the Board of trustees and Party officials.”
He therefore called on party members to remain calm, urging them to remember that PDP is in opposition. “We have to accept this temporary set-back,” he reiterated.
He maintained that since he took over the party, the party had done a lot of things to remain afloat, pointing out, “We will not allow opposition to be killed. We must strive to ensure that we survive for the sake of democracy and the country.
Asked if on Monday, the Ali Modu sheriff faction might occupied the party secretariat based on the judgment, he said he is not in position to tell the world what Sheriff will do.
However, he would be surprised if the security will allow him (Sheriff) access to the party secretariat.
“When a court ruled in our favour sometimes ago, we were not allowed to occupy the secretariat. So, we are going to see what happens this time around.” [myad]
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
Acting President Yemi Osinbajo aborted his reschedule visit to Ondo State today, Friday due to what his media aide, Laolu Akande described as dusty and very poor visibility.
A Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has ruled that former Borno State Governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff is the substantive Chairman of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).