Kogi Vows To Prosecute Violators Of Lockdown In Kabba-Bunu, Moves In Mobile Courts

June 2, 2020

Kogi State Government has deployed mobile courts to Kabba-Bunu local government area to prosecute anyone who violates the lockdown order, handed down yesterday by the governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

In a statement today, June 2, the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, said that while the lockdown is a painful one, the measure was taken “to ensure effective Containment of the purported outbreak of Covid-19 in the Local Government Area.

“As controversial and disputed as the results of the FCT cases recorded for Kogi State are; we accept the fact that they are our citizens and live in Kabba as well as relate with people at the Local Government Area.
“In line with our commitment to public health management, His Excellency, Alh. Yahaya Bello has ordered a total lockdown of the Local Government to enable incident managers carry out contact tracing and massive testing.

“We urge our people to fully comply with the lockdown rules as violators will be arrested and tried by Mobile Courts deployed to different parts of the Local Government Area.
“Our people should persevere and obey all the rules of the lockdown which are in their best interest. We shall overcome this phase and come out stronger as a people.”

US Democrat Nominee, Joe Biden, Blasts President Trump, Accuses Him Of Narcissism

Editorial staff

June 2, 2020

The Democratic Presidential nominee for the United States of America, Joe Biden, has slammed the US President, Donald Trump over his handling of George Floyd protests, saying that Trump is “more interested in power, than in principle.”

In a speech today, June 2, at Philadelphia’s City Hall, Biden said of Trump: “he thinks division helps him. This narcissism has become more important than the nation’s wellbeing.

“We can be forgiven for believing the president is more interested in power than in principle; more interested in serving the passions of his base than the needs of the people in his care.

“I ask every American to look at where we are now, and think anew: Is this who we are? Is this who we want to be? Is this what we pass on to our kids’ and grandkids’ lives? …fear and finger-pointing rather than hope and the pursuit of happiness? …incompetence and anxiety? …self-absorption and selfishness?

“Like many of you, I know what it’s like to grieve. I know what it feels like when you’re thinking you can’t go on.

“This president today is part of the problem and accelerates it. Trump is consumed with his blinding ego.”

But, a senior adviser to the president’s re-election campaign, Katrina Pierson, said that Biden’s speech “obviously made the crass political calculation that unrest in America is a benefit to his candidacy.

“President Trump is restoring the nation to order and is clearly the leader we need to return the country to peace and prosperity,” she said in a statement.

Source: AP

PDP Wants Federal Government To Reduce Fuel Price To N70 Per Litre

Editorial staff

June 2, 2020

The main Nigerian political opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has asked the All Progressives Congress (APC) led Federal Government to further reduce petrol pump price to N70 per litre.

In a statement today, June 2 by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP charged the government to immediately reduce the pump price to N70 per litre, to reflect the appropriate pricing template following the fall in the price of crude oil in the international market.

“The PDP completely rejects the N121 per litre price announced by the Federal Government, which has even remained unenforced.”

The main opposition party described the new price as announced by the government, as highly provocative and a further display of insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians, “particularly as they battle the social and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic”.

The PDP insisted that a N121 per litre price amounted to fleecing Nigerians of over N50 per litreof fuel.

“This is in continuation of the N55 per litre overcharge, which Nigerians had borne under the inappropriate N125 per liter, which prevailed for months, before it was brought down to N123.50 per litre, in spite of the crash in international price of crude oil.

“The PDP rejects the unnecessary price pinching and demands that the Federal Government, should without further delay, implement the appropriate price as well as declare and account for the billions of naira accruable as overcharge since the crash in crude oil price.”

The party said that failure to reduce the pump price to N70, as well as the non-declaration of the alleged overcharge would not be acceptable to Nigerians, “as it only points to questions of corruption in the system”.

The party insisted that the government had no justification to retain the pump price of fuel at over N70 per liter.

It challenged the administration to justify its actions by publishing the prevailing landing cost, depot cost, trucking cost as well as the retail outlet administrative cost and show why the pump price should be above N70 per liter.

The party urged the National Assembly to protect the interest of the people by prevailing on the government to implement the appropriate fuel pricing and account for the excess charges.

The government had embarked on phased price reduction in the last few months -from N145 to N125 then N121, announced yesterday.

Dokubo Accuses Nnamdi Kanu Of Collecting Millions From Governors To Pursue Biafra

Editorial staff

June 2, 2020

Asari Dokubo, former Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force (NDPVF), has accused Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), of collecting hundreds of millions of naira from Southeast governors to pursue the cause of Biafran Republic.

Dokubo, who denied receiving 20 million naira from the IPOB leader, in a video he posted on his Facebook page, yesterday, June 1, swore that Nnamdi Kanu’s days are numbered he would soon be disgraced and punished publicly.

“Nnamdi Kanu, your followers have challenged me that if I did not collect N20m from you I should swear by the Qur’an, I swear by the Qur’an that I never collected N20m from you or any of your members.

“I never betrayed any of your members, you sent them to me and they left, as we speak I have about 18 IPOB members staying in my house because of the love and trust they have for me. So many IPOB members, BSS Commanders come to me and even beg me not to talk.

“I swear, if I collected any money or betrayed any Biafran, may Allah punish me in this world and the one after.

“I also now ask Kanu to swear if you have not being collecting monies from all the governors of the Igbo states and beyond running into hundreds of millions.

“Swear that you have never betrayed IPOB members to the DSS, I know that whether you swear or not your days are numbered.

“You will soon be punished and the whole world would see your disgrace. I stand my the Quran and maintain that if I ever demanded N200m and you gave me N20m, may Allah punish and disgrace me in this world and the one thereafter.”

Reacting to the allegation, Kanu insisted that he gave Dokubo money.

He, however, claimed he stopped giving Dokubo money when he realised that former warlord was a “full time Fulani Caliphate agent.”

My Detractors Are Out To Tarnish My Name, AfDB – Akinwunmi Adesina

Editorial staff

June 2, 2020

President Buhari receives in audience President of African Development Bank Akinwunmi Adesina in State House on 2nd June 2020 | State House

President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina has cried to President Muhammadu Buhari to save him from detractors, with the United States of America in the forefront, who are determined to tarnish his name and that of the AfDB.

Adesina, who visited President Buhari today, June 2, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, insisted that he had not done anything wrong to warrant the kind of negative posturing put up by the US and its allies.

The AfDB boss, who got the assurance of Buhari of his support for his second term in office, narrated the circumstances leading to the current controversies, saying that the 16 allegations raised against him were trumped up, “and without facts, evidence, and documents, as required by the rules and regulations of the bank.”

According to him, after the Ethics Committee of the bank had cleared him of all the allegations, calls for fresh investigation by the United States of America, were against the rules.

“My defense ran into 250 pages, and not a single line was faulted or questioned. The law says that report of the Ethics Committee should be transmitted to the Chairman of Governors of the bank. It was done, and the governors upheld the recommendations. That was the end of the matter, according to the rules. It was only if I was culpable that a fresh investigation could be launched. I was exonerated, and any other investigation would amount to bending the rules of the bank, to arrive at a predetermined conclusion.”

Dr. Adesina, who was Nigeria’s minister of agriculture under the government of President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said that he is proud to be Nigerian even as he thanked President Buhari for his unflinching support.

“You helped me to get elected in the first place, and you have supported me robustly all along, and the African Union unanimously endorsed my re-election” he declared.

While commiserating with President Buhari on the death of the former Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari, Dr Adesina described Professor Ibrahim Gambari, new Chief of Staff as “a man of integrity, and of global standing.”

The President assured Dr. Adesina of his unflinching support for his second term, adding: “in 2015, when you were to be elected for the first term, I wrote to all African leaders, recommending you for the position. I didn’t say because you were a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Minister, and I belonged to the All Progressives Congress (APC), so I would withhold my support. I’ll remain consistent with you, because no one has faulted the step I took on behalf of Nigeria.”

President Buhari pledged that Nigeria would work with all other leaders and stakeholders in AfDB to ensure that Dr Adesina was elected for a second term built on the record of his achievements during his first term.

The African Union had already endorsed the incumbent AfDB President as sole candidate for the continent, but some other stakeholders are trying to ensure that Dr Adesina is re-investigated on some allegations, and rendered ineligible to run.

Rain Maker, Majek Fashek, Dies At 71

Editorial staff

June 2, 2020

Nigerian reggae maestro and songwriter, Majekodunmi Fasheke, popularly known as Majek Fashek is dead. He was 71.

His death was announced today, June 2, by his backup singer, Monica Omorodion Swaida. She confirmed Fashek’s death in a Facebook post, when she wrote: “I have been getting phone calls and text messages. How news flies.

“It is true. I didn’t want to believe it, but it is true. The rain maker has disappeared! He said he won’t die, but will disappear. He has gone to be with the Lord.

“If you love him, say a prayer for the family. Rejoice and play his music.

“Majek Fashek, the rain maker has disappeared from humans! It is true, it is true. Singing now with the angels.”

Majek Fashek, who was also a guitarist, was born in February 1949 in Benin, capital of Edo State.

Ex Boyfriend Of New Wife Of Customs Boss Goes To Court, Demands Millions Of Naira

Editorial staff

June 1, 2020

Ex boyfriend of Zainab Abdullahi Yahaya, who recently married to the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), retired Colone Hameed Ali has dragged her to court, demanding various sums of money running into millions for alleged deceit, mischievous and breach of trust.
The aggrieved boyfriend, Zubairu Dalhatu Malami claimed that he had been in a relationship with Zainab (now Mrs. Ali) for over three years and had invested so much in her life, future and business when she consistently promised to marry him.
In the Demand Notice, filed by Buba Partners (Kwarshi Chambers), dated 22nd May, 2020 and sighted by Arewa Agenda, Zubairu Malami alleged that Zainab picked an unnecessary fight with him few days to her marriage to the Customs boss wherein she insulted him and called him all kinds of names with claims that he calculate all she had collected from him both as loans, investments and trip tickets.
Zubairu Malami is therefore demanding that Zainab should refund the sum of N2,778,270.40 kobo for travel tickets (he bought for her)to travel to various countries, including the United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates, N1,500,000 loan for her investment, N1,763,000 only for her LEFE (bride) clothes, among other monetary and material demands.
Speaking to Arewa Agenda, a publication of young writers from the North, Counsel to the aggrieved boyfriend, I.I. Wangida confirmed the letter but refused to say more on the matter because it is “unethical.”

He expressed surprise at how the letter leaked to the press knowing that he had only served it to Zainab Abdullahi Yahaya.
Efforts to reach both the aggrieved boyfriend and the bride proved abortive at the time of this report.
It would be recalled that on October 29, 2018, the first wife of the Customs, Hajiya Hadiza Jummai Ali, died in Abuja. Their marriage was blessed with four children.
And on Saturday, May 30, the Comptroller General married a new wife at a low-key ceremony in Kano State.
Before being appointed as Comptroller General of NCS by President Muhammadu Buhari, Ali had previously served as military administrator of Kaduna State from 1996 to 1998.

42 Year Old Exxon Mobile Engineer To Spend 15 Years Behind Bars For Rape, Others

Editorial staff

June 1, 2020

Former Exxon Mobil engineer, James Onuoha, has been sentenced to15 years in prison without an option of fine for raping a14-year- old girl, a tenant’s niece and other sexual escapades.

Justice Adedayo Akintoye of an Igbosere High Court in Lagos lsland, pronounced the sentence today, June 1. In his judgment, Justice Akintoye, said Onouah was guilty as charged and should, therefore, be punished.

In his allocutus, Olowonla pleaded with the court to tender justice with mercy as he was a first time offender.

”My lord, he is a first time offender, he is a family man with wife and children and also the breadwinner of his family.

”He has lost his job since this case came up, going by the circumstances of this case, I urge my lord to tender justice with mercy.”

Onouah was arraigned by the Lagos State Government for allegedly raping his tenant’s 14-year-old niece. He was alleged to have committed the offences on January 4, 2016, at 11.30 a.m.,at 25, Samuel Amoore Street, Idowu Estate, Ike-Ira Nla, Lekki-Ajah, Lagos.

The prosecution, led by Dr. Jide Martins said that the defendant willfully had an unlawful sexual act with the teenager without her consent.

The offences contravened Sections 134 (2), 135 (1), 137 and 258 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
He was first arraigned in January 2016 at the Magistrates’ Court on a four-count charge of defilement.

Onouah was remanded in Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending legal advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

He pleaded innocence of the offences.

Following the DPP’s advice, the case was transferred to the high court for trial.

Source: Persecondnews

Abuja Embraces Community Policing, Minister Inaugurates Advisory Committee

Editorial staff

June 1, 2020

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has embraced the concept of community policing, as the minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello inaugurated an advisory committee, headed by the FCT Commissioner of Police, Bala Ciroma.

Inaugurating the 17-member committee today, June 1 in Abuja, the minister advised members to be non-partisan in the discharge of their duties, reminding them that the concept of community policing was anchored on a premise of trust between the people and security agents. A trust which, he said, must not fall short if the objective of the policy is to be achieved.

“Once there is a trust deficit in any guise or form, the workability of this policy becomes highly diminished and we would have lost a great opportunity in improving the security profile of the Territory.”

The minister said that in selecting those that will serve as members of the special constables, the committee must be fair, just and equitable.

Muhammad Musa Bello said that those selected should be provided with basic training required for the job, even as he advocated a robust feedback and monitoring mechanism on the performance of those appointed to assigned tasks within the communities.

He also called for the confidentiality of investigations and protection of informants.

An Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Community Policing, Bala Senchi gave an overview of the functions of State Community Policing Advisory Committees, saying that it is the highest advisory body on community policy in a state.

According to him, the implementation of the policy will be cascaded down to the grassroots through the State Community Policing Committee, Area Command Community Policing Advisory Committee, Local Government Community Policing Advisory Committee, the Divisional Community Policing Committee and the Special Constabulary.

Members of the FCT State Community Policing Advisory Committee are CP Bala Ciroma as Chairman, the Ona of Abaji, Adamu Baba Yunusa; Senator Phillip T. Aduda – Senator representing the FCT, Rev. Dr Samson Jonah- Chairman, FCT Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Dr Tajudeen M.B Adigun- Chairman, FCT League of Imams Initiative; The Commander, Army HQ Garrison, Abuja; The Commander, Guards Brigade, Abuja; The Commander, Naval Unit, Abuja; The Commander, 053 NAF Camp, Abuja and State Director, Department of State Service, Abuja.

Others are the Comptroller, Nigeria Correctional Services; the Commandant, NDLEA, FCT; Command; the Commandant, NSCDC, FCT Command; the Comptroller, Nigeria Immigration Services, Abuja; the Sector Commander, FRSC, FCT Command; the Director Security Services Department, FCTA and Chief Bolaji Adigun – Chairman, Police Community Relations Committee.

Group Accuses Dangiwa Umar Of Promoting Fake News About Buhari’s Appointments

Editorial staff

June 1, 2020

A group, Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has accused the military administrator of old Kaduna State, retired Colonel Dangiwa Umar of falling for the antics of purveyors of fake news on the issue of appointments made by President Muhammadu Buhari.

In a statement today, June 1, the group’s Chairman, Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary, Cassidy Madueke, said that in appointing Nigerians since 2015, the President has been taking deliberate and necessary steps to achieve regional and ethnic balance.

“We are surprised that a respectable Nigerian of the calibre of the former military administrator of the old Kaduna state, Colonel Dangiwa Umar (Rtd)could fall for the antics of purveyors of fake news bent on painting the President bad.
“These slimy characters are the same people who were part of a scheme cooked up by a British firm Cambridge Analytical, which was confirmed to have been paid £2m by an unnamed billionaire sympathetic to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the run-up to the 2015 Presidential election to, among other things, present the then-candidate Muhammadu Buhari as a sectional leader.
“Of course that move failed and even after the election, Nigerians saw how opposition elements readily made unverified claims about political appointments, aside from pushing the rest of the Cambridge Analytical game plan which included questioning the President’s educational credentials.
“We want to refer Nigerians to an investigative piece by an online publication, ‘The Interview’ on all political appointments in the first term of the Buhari administration, which exposed the lies that the North was favoured to the detriment of the South.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the piece which focused on all political appointees including heads of parastatals and Presidential aides showed that the North had a 51% share of appointments in MDAs to the South’s 49% while 52.4% of Presidential aides were from the South compared to 47.6% from the North.”

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