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The Nigeria’s Federal Government has ordered the release of former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki and convener of online #RevolutionNow, Omoyele Sowore.
The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami disclosed this in a statement today, December 24.
Abubakar Malami, in the statement said the decision to release them was in compliance with the bail granted the two by the court.
According to the statement: “the two defendants are enjoined to observe the terms of their bail and refrain from engaging in any act that is inimical to public peace and national security as well as their ongoing trial which will run its course in accordance with the laws of the land.’’

Details shortly…

President Muhammadu Buhari has called on insurgents, terrorists, armed robbers, kidnappers and economic saboteurs, to retrace their steps and join people of goodwill and common humanity or face annihilation.
“If they fail to heed this call, they will meet their end as the armed forces, security and law-enforcement agencies are poised now to confront and defeat them.”
In his message today, December 24, marking Christmas, the President advised Nigerians to make extra efforts to live in peace and harmony with their neighbours, irrespective of differences.
“While it is gladdening to note that incidents of violence and conflicts have reduced drastically owing to the several operations embarked on by our security agencies, we must not let our guards down.
“As Christmas indicates good tidings of hope and redemption, Nigerians can look forward to a turnaround in the administration’s priority areas of fighting corruption, providing security, economic diversification, job creation and infrastructure upgrade.
“Having recently signed the 2020 Appropriation Bill into Law, I reiterate my promise during the presentation of the Budget Proposals before the National Assembly on October 8, 2019 that, “We remain resolutely committed to the actualization of our vision of a bright and prosperous future for all Nigerians.”
“The 2020 Budget of Sustainable Growth and Job Creation will be rigorously implemented to further deepen its impact on the generality of our people.
“Let me use this occasion to once more thank the leadership and members of the National Assembly for the speedy consideration and passage of the 2020 Budget Proposals.
“We are confident that this new era of cordiality and cooperation between the executive and the legislature will fast-track our collective commitment to giving our people better life and governance.
“As we celebrate Christmas, let us remember to pray for members of our armed forces and other security agencies who are making so much sacrifice to protect us from people of evil intent. We should also extend love to the families of those whose bread-winners made the ultimate sacrifice while defending their fatherland.
“I appeal to motorists to drive with care this festive season, while road safety and security officials should ensure compliance with safety measures to avoid needless accidents and attendant loss of life and property.
“I wish you a Merry Christmas, and a more fulfilling New Year 2020.”

President Muhammadu Buhari has advised United States of America to ensure that its sources of information on Nigeria cut across all sectors as some people might provide misleading and manipulative narratives for self-serving purposes, ignoring the larger picture of a united country.
The President, who received Letters of Credence of United States of America Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Mary Beth Leonard, today, December 24, at the presidential Villa, Abuja, said that the recent listing of Nigeria for human rights concerns created an impression that some people were being unfairly treated or marginalized in the country.
“I know that those with access have created an impression of being marginalized.
“I sit here with a clear conscience. I took an oath and I am honouring the office.”
President Buhari said that he took some time to explain the situation in the country when he met with President Donald Trump in Washington DC as the American President expressed concern with reports of attacks on segments of the society.
“It is not an easy task to work for the unity of the country, and I am doing my best. During your stay in the country I am asking you to ensure that your sources of strategic information cut across.”
The President advised the envoy to use the opportunity of her posting to Nigeria, with her experience, knowledge and energy to get the facts on the country.
In her remarks, the United States Ambassador said Nigeria was listed on a watch list to deepen conversation on the humanitarian situation in the country, accepting that some people could “flare the flames and crystalize issues’’ that could affect peaceful-coexistence.
“There are people who make things less attractive than they seem,’’ she said, noting that the report will deepen conversation of the situation in the country, especially with religious leaders and mediators.
“I want to assure that the United States recognizes and celebrates the integration in Nigeria.’’
She said the United States will always side with transparent processes.
The Ambassador said that Nigerians and America have a lot in common in terms of “being big among neighbours, enthusiastic and entrepreneurial”.
Leonard assured President Buhari of support from the United States, especially on the humanitarian challenges, while appreciating the willingness to always share useful information and intelligence with her country.
“I feel it’s a privilege and great honour to be here; coming to see the giant of Africa. I have worked for 30 decades before coming to Nigeria. We will do a lot together for peace, security and delivering humanitarian assistance,’’ she added.
President Buhari also received Letters of Credence from the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Nigeria, Ahamed Lebbe Sabarullah Khan.
The President appreciated the country for supporting Nigeria to provide the President of the United Nations General Assembly.
In his remarks, the High Commissioner said: “our countries face similar challenges and we will support each other.’’
He said that Sri Lanka will also strengthen bilateral relations with Nigeria on trade and investments.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has condemned attack on his Otuoke country home today, December 24, by unknown gunmen, leading to the death of a soldier on duty.
“Jonathan promptly condemned the attack and reassured his people that there was no cause for alarm. The former President has also condoled with the family of the deceased soldier, the military and has urged the concerned security authorities to swing into action and bring the culprits to book.
A statement by his media aide, Ikechukwu Eze said that the attack was launched on a security post stationed near the Otuoke residence of Dr. Jonathan.
“The hoodlums who came in about five engine boats stormed the security post located about 100 metres away from former President Jonathan’s residence in his hometown Otuoke by 1:30 am on Tuesday and attempted to take away a gunboat belonging to the military stationed at the creek beside the residence. They were however resisted by gallant soldiers who engaged them in a fire fight.
“The gunmen who couldn’t stand the firepower of the military were forced to beat a retreat. One soldier, unfortunately, lost his life in the fight while another was injured. The injured soldier who is currently receiving treatment at a medical facility in Yenagoa is in a stable state.
“The former President who was not in Otuoke at the time of the attack however returned to his village early this morning to assess the situation.”

Former President Goodluck Jonathan escaped death in the early hours of today, December 24, as unknown gunmen stormed his Otuoke country home in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Reports has it that one soldier attached to the former president was killed during the invasion.
It is not immediately clear if Jonathan or any member of his family was hurt.
Details later…

Saudi Arabian Court has sentenced five suspects to death in connection to the gruesome murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Three others have received lengthy prison terms for their roles in the killing.
Khashoggi, a Saudi national residing in Washington was murdered at the Saudi embassy in Istanbul last October.
Grisly details about the killing, including allegations that the journalist’s body was chopped up, made headlines and strained relations between Riyadh and many of its western allies.
In September, Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman accepted responsibility for the murder, but insisted that he did not order the killing.
Saudi Arabia’s public prosecutor announced the court’s ruling on Monday.
Apart from the five sentenced to death, three additional suspects will spend 24 years behind bars.
The prosecutor said that Saud al-Qahtani, a senior Saudi royal adviser, was investigated, but later released without being charged.
The Saudi consul in Turkey was also released.
The investigation found that there was no past enmity between those convicted and Khashoggi, the public prosecutor said.

The Nigeria’s Presidency has advised the United States of America to keep its mouth shut over the affairs of Nigeria.
The Presidency was reacting to the US government decision to place Nigeria on the Special Watchlist of countries violating religious freedom.
Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, speaking as a guest on Sunday Politics, a political programme of the Channels Television, said that nobody has appointed the US to be the policeman of the world.
The presidential spokesman advised the Donald Trump’s administration to focus on burning issues affecting the United States.
“The United States itself has a lot to chew solving its own problems not to talk of pock nosing into another country. Nobody has appointed them the policeman of the world. Let them face their own issue.”
Speaking further, Adesina called on the US and other foreign powers to respect the internal issues of Nigeria, stressing that the Federal Government doing business with them does not mean the nation’s sovereignty should not appreciated.
According to him, the US Secretary of States, Mike Pompeo does not have a clear understanding of things happening here in the country.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina reacts to US report on Special Watchlist of countries violating religious freedom.
When asked if the accusation of the violation of religious freedom is not a reality, the presidential spokesman replied saying: “It is a discredited narrative as the Minister of Information (Lai Mohammed) has said.”
Adesina’s comment come hours after Mohammed faulted the report on religious freedom, accusing the US government of being misled by disgruntled elements.
The Information Minister noted that Nigerians enjoy unfettered freedom to practice their religion and it is unfortunate that the US fell for the antics of the discontented and the unpatriotic few.
The US in its Special Watch List placed Nigeria amongst countries that its government had engaged in or tolerated the severe violation of religious freedom.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has said that his people did not elect him to confront President Muhammadu Buhari or the executive.
He stressed that the 9th National Assembly is irrevocably committed to protecting the interests of the people through diligent discharge of its legislative duties.
The Speaker, who spoke today, December 22 in Lagos at the ‘Gbaja 2019 End of the Year Grassroots Empowerment Programme, said that criticism that the 9th Assembly is a rubber stamp to the executive is not fair.
According to him, the fact that the legislature is on the same page with the executive on issues of national interests does not make it a rubber stamp.
The Speaker emphasized that he, like his colleagues in the National Assembly, was not elected to fight the executive and that lawmakers would disagree with the executive if there is the need to do so.
“People, naysayers, critics and people from other parties have said the 9th National Assembly is a rubber stamp to the executive.
“You know my reply when they say that to you? ‘Tell them that you would rather have a rubber stamp National Assembly that will bring progress than the one that is fighting the executive without progress.’
“This is because when two elephants fight, the grass suffers. This is not a rubber stamp National Assembly; this is a National Assembly that represents the people and is committed to their interests.
“The people of Surulere Federal Constituency 1 did not elect me to go and be fighting the executive. Is that what you asked me to go and do?
“Rather, you asked me to engage and collaborate with other stakeholders to deliver democratic dividends, part of which we are having today.
“This is a new dispensation where there will be checks and balances, there will be separation of powers, we will disagree with the executive when there is need to do so and agree with them if there is need.
“But our watchword will be the interest of the people. That is the oath which I and my colleagues swore to.”
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that 23 saloon cars, 90 laptops, 30 generators and 301 sewing machines were given to beneficiaries in his Surulere 1 Federal Constituency.
The Speaker also gave between N100,000 and N200,00 grant each to 500 business owners as well as 30 photocopiers and 309 home solar systems to other beneficiaries at the programme.
Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in the state, Tunde Balogun, commended the Speaker for the empowerment, saying the party and the people were proud of him.
He also commended his constituents for their support for the Speaker, saying that the empowerment items were the dividends of their support. Punch