How We Arrested PDP Lawmaker, Igwe, With $498,100 Cash In Rivers

February 24, 2023

The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a member of the House of Representatives on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),

Dr. Chinyere Igwe in Port Harcourt, with a total sum of 498,100 USD, in his possession.

A list of people the monies are meant to be distributed to on behalf of the PDP Presidential candidate in the tomorrow’s election was also found with him.

The Command’s spokesman, Grace Iringe-Koko, said that Igwe was nabbed during a stop and search operation by operatives deployed to the Independent National Electoral Commission office along Aba Road in Port Harcourt.

Following his arrest, Iringe-Koko said the Assistant Inspector General of Police deployed to the state for elections, AIG Abutu Yaro, has ordered swift interrogation and arraignment of the lawmaker.

Igwe, who represents Port Harcourt Federal Constituency 2 in the green chamber of the National Assembly, is a staunch supporter of the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

The police statement read: “Police Officers from Rivers State Command deployed to INEC Headquarters Aba Road today 24/2/2023 at about 0245hrs, while on stop and search, arrested one Hon Chinyere Igwe, member House of Representatives representing Port Harcourt II Federal Constituency with a cash sum of $498,100 USD inside a bag in his car.

“Also recovered was a list for distribution of the money. The Assistant Inspector General of Police (Election) AIG Abutu Yaro, has ordered swift interrogation and arraignment in court.

“The Command urges all contestants and political parties to comply strictly with provisions of the Electoral Act and other relevant laws.”

Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, urged residents of the state and members to take advantage of the hotlines made available by the police to report suspicious movements and situations capable of causing security breaches.

“Members of the public are encouraged to avail themselves of the available hotlines to report any observation they believe have potential to lead to crime or break down of law and order,” she said of the arrest of the member of the member of the House of Representatives with loads of dollars.

Source: The Punch

Election: Police Arrest PDP Lawmaker In Port Harcourt With $500,000 Cash

Greenbarge Reporters

February 24, 2023

A federal lawmaker in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) operating in the House of Representatives, Dr. Chinyere Igwe, has been arrested with over $500,000 raw cash.
Report reaching us indicated that the Lawmaker, who represents Port Harcourt Federal Constituency 2, in the lower chamber of the National Assembly, was arrested early in the morning of today, February 24, along Aba Road in Port Harcourt.
Spokesperson of the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, who confirmed the arrest said: “a statement on it will be released soon.”
Igwe is said to be a staunch supporter of the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
Source: The PUNCH.

President Buhari Lands In Daura For Saturday Election

Editorial staff

February 23, 2023

President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived in Daura, Katsina state, in preparation for the Presidential elections scheduled for Saturday, February 25.

A statement today, February 23, by the senior special assistant on media and publicity, Garba Shehu said that the President was received by the Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari and Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.

The statement said that President Buhari will cast his vote at a polling unit close to his country home in Daura, alongside his wife, Aisha Buhari and other family members.

The statement said that President Muhammadu Buhari helicopter landed at 5:25 in Daura, preparatory to the elections.

“He will be participating, not as a candidate as he had done since 2003, but as a voter.

“Knowing the importance of every single vote, the President makes sure that all members of his family, members of the entourage, including security, protocol and other staff are registered to vote in Daura.

“Before heading home for the elections, President Buhari had actively participated in the campaigns of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and presented the flagbearer, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as his preferred successor, showcasing his record of statesmanship and contributions to economic development and democracy.”

Elections: Federal Govt Blocks Chances Of Cyberspace Manipulations, Sets Up Committee Of Experts

Editorial staff

February 23, 2023

The Federal Government has moved to block manipulative tendencies of politicians in the general elections, beginning with Presidential election on Saturday, February 25 across the country.

To that effect, the minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Ali Ibrahim Pantami today, February 23 in Abuja, inaugurated a Committee, led by the Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Professor Adeolu Akande.

According to a statement by the spokesman of the NCC, Reuben Muoka, the Committee will advise the Federal Government on appropriate measures to take in protection of the nation’s cyberspace and ICT infrastructure from potential attacks, especially during the 2023 general elections.

The Minister, who represented President Mohammadu Buhari, announced that constitution of the Committee was on the directive of that President that he should put in place, a committee that will work to coordinate computer security centres in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry in collaboration with other relevant institutions towards intercepting potential cyber-attacks.

He said that with the increased role of ICT in online activities, and its crucial role in the conduct of the 2023 general elections, in line with the Electoral Act, as amended, the job of the Committee will be to assist the nation in conducting a free, fair and credible elections.

He directed the Committee, to which he also belongs alongside the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, and the Director General of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Abdullahi, among other CEOs in the ministry, to work round-the-clock from Friday, February 24, 2023 till the morning of Monday, February 27, 2023.

He said that the Committee will also ensure it receives complaints around any attacks to critical infrastructure and ensure such complaints are escalated to relevant institutions, public or private, for necessary remedial actions. The CEO of Galaxy Backbone, Prof. Mohammad Abubakar, and the Special Assistant to the minister on Digital Economy, Professor Aminu Ahmad, are members of the Committee, including key directors in the agencies.

“Our main responsibilities in this Committee are more of advisory. Firstly, when it comes to intercepting potential attacks that may come to our cyberspace. The Committee will coordinate the NCC’s Computer Security Incident Response Team at NCC; the Computer Emergency Readiness and Response Team at the National Information Technology development Agency (NITDA) and the Galaxy Backbone’ National Cybersecurity Centre.

“These three centres must work together, complement each other and ensure they intercept any potential attacks on our cyberspace particularly on our Critical Infrastructure during the election so that we could either take action or provide necessary advice to the government.”

Pantami said that the Committee will work closely with institutions such as the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), mobile network operators (MNOs), among others, to collectively safeguard the Nigeria’s cyberspace from potential attacks or cases of vandalism and fibre cuts during the election.

“The challenges of protecting our cyberspace is a collective national responsibility; it is a national assignment. As a sector, we would play our own responsibility objectively and professionally. We would work collectively rather than working individually as agencies since we are in the same sector.”

Chairman of the Advisory Committee, Professor Adeolu Akande, expressed gratitude to the Hon. Minister for finding him and others worthy to be saddled with the very important national assignment, and assured the Hon. Minister of the readiness of the Committee to work hard towards delivering on its mandates of ensuring, in advisory capacity to the Federal Government and other relevant institutions, the protection of the nation’s cyberspace and ICT infrastructure during the elections.

“The committee members will do everything in their capacity to deliver on their Terms of Reference.”

May You Burn In Hell, CharlyBoy Curses Simon Ekpa, IPOB Leader Arrested In Finland

Editorial staff

February 23, 2023

Nigerian entertainer and activist, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has cursed Simon Ekpa, self-proclaimed disciple of the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu,.

Simon Ekpa was arrested today, February 23 in Finland by the security operative in Finland from where he has been inciting Igbo people in the Southeast against the government of Nigeria.

Charly Boy, who reacted to the arrest, via his Instagram handle, to the arrest of Simon Ekpa, asked God to put the self-acclaimed leader of IPOB in hell for causing so much confusion and pains to the people of the Southeast..

Charly Boy wrote: “Is it true that this scum bag has finally been arrested by the Finis Police. The Saboteur in Igbo land causing mayhem and sponsoring terrorists. For all the youths you have led to their untimely death, may u burn in Hell.”

Finnish Police Release Biafran Agitator, Simon Ekpa, “As Crime Suspect”

Editorial staff

February 23, 2023

The Finnish Central Criminal Police has confirmed that the Biafran Republic agitator, who lives in that country, Simon Ekpa, has been released after being tagged crime suspect.

The police said that Ekpa’s arrest was in connection with the ongoing preliminary investigation.

“The person being questioned today is suspected of a crime. We will return to the title on Friday,” Tommi Reen from the Central Criminal Police told HS during a phone interview.

Simon Ekpa, a self-acclaimed disciple of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, had repeatedly ordered Igbos in the Southeast to observe sit-at-home and asked them to boycott the country’s general elections scheduled to begin on Saturday, February 25.

Earlier in the day, Ekpa was escorted out of his apartment in Lahti by Finnish policemen.

Ahead Of Saturday Election In Nigeria, Finland Arrests Biafran Agitator, Simon Ekpa

Editorial staff

February 23, 2023

Two days to the Presidential election slated for Saturday, February 25 in Nigeria, the fire spitting Biaftan Republic agitator, Simon Ekpa has been pick by security agents in Finland where he lives.

Criminal Tommi Reen from the Central Criminal Police, confirmed to Finland news outlet, HS, that the KRP had a police operation in a private apartment in the center of Lahti.

Reen said that the operation was in connection with an ongoing preliminary investigation. He did not comment further on the matter.

Nigeria had asked Finland to intervene in Ekpa’s activities.

Last week, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Godfrey Onyeama invited the Finnish ambassador, Leena Pylvänäinen to a meeting.

Simon Ekpa who is Finland-based legal practitioner and former athlete is known for his subversive comments against Nigeria and its leadership.

The political activist has in recent years spoken against the unity of the country, insisting the Republic of Biafra must be achieved.

Simon Ekpa increased his campaigns after the June 2021 re-arrest and repatriation of Nnamdi Kanu, founder of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Security and intelligence service have linked the kidnapping and murders in the South-East to speeches made by Ekpa, who recently gave directive to Igbo people in the Southeast not to participate in the general elections that will usher in new President and leaders in various political offices.

Nigerian Press Organization Sets Up National Media Complaints Commission

Greenbarge Reporters

February 23, 2023

The Nigerian Press Organization (NPO) has announced the setting up of a nine-man board of the National Media Complaints Commission (NMCC), otherwise known as the National Ombudsman.
The commission, according to a statement by the President of the Newspaper Proprietors’’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Malam Kabiru A. Yusuf, is a major step by the industry to strengthen public confidence in the media through prompt resolution of issues bordering on ethical breaches in media content.
Kabiru Yusuf who is also the President of the NPO that is made up of NPAN, the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), with Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), said that the process for the setting up of the National Media Complaints Commission was conceived working in tandem with other strategic media players and the civil society, in particular the MacArthur Foundation
The statement said that membership of the commission were drawn from the media, the Bar, the academia, and civil society, giving the names of the members as Emeka Izeze , former Managing Director, Guardian Newspapers as Chairman; A. B Mahmoud, former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, and a member of the Body of Benchers; Professor Chinyere Stella Okunna, Deputy Vice Chancellor, (Academic) Paul University, Anambra State; Dr. Hussain Abdu, a Development & Humanitarian Specialist and Country Director, Care International (Nigeria) ; Lanre Idowu, Editor-in-Chief of Diamond Publications Ltd. and Founder, Diamond Awards For Media Excellence (DAME); Edetaen Ojo, Executive Director, Media Rights Agenda (MRA); Mrs. Dupe Ajayi-Gbadebo, a Journalist, Lawyer and Arbitrator ; Mrs. Eugenia Abu, Broadcaster, Author and Columnist, and Managing Partner/CEO, Eugenia Abu Media, and the Chair, House of Representatives Committee on Information
The statement said that the commission will serve as an independent forum for resolving complaints about the press, quickly, fairly, and free of charge; maintain high standards of Nigerian Journalism and journalistic ethics; and defend the freedom of the press and the rights of the people to know.
it said that prior to the announcement, each media house had been directed to institute at the newspaper level, the local Ombudsman. The National Ombudsman will serve as an appellate body for the local Ombudsman as well as a court of first instance.

Desperate Politicians Have Cornered New Notes To Buy Votes, Bishop Adeoye Alleges

Greenbarge Reporters

February 23, 2023

The Lead Bishop of Worldwide Anglican Church (WAC) in Nigeria, Bishop Seun Adeoye has alleged that politicians desperate to win elections have cornered the new naira notes and make them scarce to common people for the purpose of buying votes.
The World Bishops’ Council (WBC) spokesman in Africa said, in a statement today, February 23, in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, said that going by the agonies Nigerians have been passing through in the last few weeks over the shortage of new naira notes, it will be out of order for anyone to possess such cash to buy votes during the polls.
“We were told that the new naira notes are unavailable for Nigerians because politicians have mopped up the cash printed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
“So, our real enemies are those who removed from circulation the new naira notes and kept them out of the reach of the masses for the purpose of using same to buy votes on election day.
“If we see anyone sharing same new naira notes as inducements to buy votes, we should not hesitate to report them to security agencies. Already, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released telephone numbers you can call when you see such.
“Vote against any political party that makes attempt to bribe you. Some say take their money and vote against them but I say reject it and vote against them because that money is blood money from wicked people.”
Bishop Adeoye advised Nigerians to troop out in large number on Saturday to vote for the candidates of their choice while calling on security agents to be alert to check those who plan to cause trouble.

2023: Abdulsalami’s Committee Berates Political Parties For Violating Peace Accord

Greenbarge Reporters

February 23, 2023

Chairman of the National Peace Committee for the 2023 general elections in Nigeria, retired General Abdulsalami Abubakar has berated political parties and their candidates jostling for elective offices, especially Presidency, in the elections that begin this week’s Saturday, February 25 across the country, for violating the letter and spirit of the peace accord they signed in September last year.

Speaking yesterday, February 22 in Abuja, at the renewal of peace accord amongst the candidates of the various political parties in Nigeria, Abdulsalami said that the main culprits in the lack of compliance to the earlier accord are the major political parties.

According to him, 44 per cent of the violations were carried out by the spokespersons of the political parties; 26 per cent by party members; 19 per cent by the presidential candidates themselves; 11 per cent by the hardcore supporters and 4 per cent by the Chairmen of the parties,” he said.

The Chairman of the Peace Committee said that since the start of official campaigning on September 28, 2022, there have been 60 attacks recorded on political rallies, resulting in nine fatalities, with the highest numbers in the southwest and southeast and lowest in the northeast and north-central.

“This is according to data collated by the National Election Violence Tracker.”

He, therefore, called on all political actors, key stakeholders and Nigerians to support a peaceful transition, promote the ideals of peace and a violent free post-election period.

“I urge all politicians who will sign the accord to fully commit themselves to the letter and spirit of the Accord.”

This was even as the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu assured the nation that the presidential election will hold on Saturday, February 25, saying: “INEC is ready.”

According to him, INEC has already commenced the movement of sensitive materials to the various Local Government Areas (LGAs) nationwide.

“By Friday we will activate the registration area centres so that at first light on Saturday, polling units will open on time.

“The commission is committed to free, fair, and credible elections in compliance with the electoral framework and the spirit of the peace accord.

“All political parties and candidates are hereby reassured of the commission’s neutrality. INEC is not a political party. We have no candidate in the election. Our allegiance is to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and our loyalty is to Nigerians.

“Therefore, Nigerians should feel confident that their votes will count.”

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