Ministerial Retreat Aims At Setting Agenda For Next 4-Year Of Buhari’s Govt – SGF

August 19, 2019

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha has reminded the ministers designate that the ministerial retreat being conducted before their assumption of office is aimed at setting agenda for the next four-year second tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government.

“It is expected that the outcome of this retreat will set a strategic agenda which would define our course of action for the next four years of the Administration, set achievable targets and identify basic strategic options that will assist the new cabinet realize the goals for which the Administration was elected to achieve.”

Boss Mustapha, in his welcome address at the retreat being held in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, beginning today, August 19, said also that the objective of the retreat is to prepare the new cabinet in driving and coordinating the affairs and activities of the various socio-economic and political spheres of the nation.

According to him, the retreat will afford participants the opportunity to familiarize themselves with their roles and responsibilities as cabinet ministers, “an understanding that will help to shape and streamline efforts towards achieving the delivery of dividends of democracy to the people of Nigeria.

“The Federal Executive Council, referred to in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as the Executive Council of the Federation, is the principal instrument of policy decisions for the Federation, being the body charged with the responsibility for enunciating policies on matters to which the executive authority of the Federation extends.

“Section 148 Subsection 1&2 (a-c) defines the responsibilities of the Federal Executive Council. It stipulates that the President shall hold regular meetings with the Vice President and all the Ministers of the Government of the Federation for the purposes of:

determining the general direction of domestic and foreign policies of the Government of the Federation;

coordinating the activities of the President, the Vice President and the Ministers of the Government of the Federation in the discharge of their executive responsibilities; and

advising the President generally in the discharge of his executive functions with respect to which he is required by the constitution to seek the advice or act on the recommendation of any other person or body.”

Boss Mustapha said that ministers are collectively responsible for policy decisions in Council, adding that though individual minister could differ in opinion during deliberations on any proposal before Council, but that once a decision is taken, it becomes a binding Council decision. “That no Minister can speak against either in public or private, no matter the argument he/she presented during discussion on the proposal.

“This principle of collective responsibility also infers that a Minister has responsibilities wider than those relating to his/her assigned portfolio and will, in that capacity, receive documents from other Ministers/Ministries, which do not concern the subjects under his/her portfolio, requiring his/her consideration and contribution during the weekly Council meetings.

“It is in this wise that this retreat was conceptualized in three thematic phases comprising, a Context Setting segment, which will be led by His Excellency, the Vice President and supported by our team of consultants, Messrs. Mckinsey & Co. and KPMG. The second thematic area involves articulating the priorities of Government and target setting, encompassing all sectors of our national life. This segment is principally designed to be more interactive, setting the values of team work as your appointments demand, which will be demonstrated by your involvement in syndicated breakout sessions focused on topics across defined Government priority areas. The first day will close with presentations at plenary of group outcomes arising from the syndicated discussions on priority areas.”

INEC Describes Atiku’s Move To Unseat Buhari At Tribunal As Mission Impossible

Editorial staff

August 19, 2019

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has described the move by the Presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to unseat President Muhammadu Buhari through the electoral tribunal, after winning the 2019 election, as a mission impossible

“…and the aim of the petitioner (Atiku) is to use them (witnesses) to prove allegations of non-compliance with the Electoral Act during the Presidential Elections in 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. What a mission impossible!”

INEC, in a final written address it filed before the Justice Mohammed Garba-led five-member Presidential Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja, through its lawyers, led by Mr. Yunus Usman (SAN), said that it was satisfied that Atiku did not secure majority of lawful votes cast during the election.

The electoral umpire denied the allegation that votes were illegally awarded to the All Progressives Congress (APC), to ensure that President Buhari was re-elected for a second term, insisting that the petitioners failed to justify why a fresh election should be conducted.

“We refer to the relevant paragraphs of the petition where the petitioners made the sundry allegations of deliberate wrong entry/falsification of election results by the 1st Respondent.

“Clearly, it can be gleaned that nothing concrete or specific has been offered by the Petitioners in this regard.

“For example, the petitioners pleaded wrong and deliberate entry of wrong results by the 1st Respondent in 11 states of the country, namely: Borno, Yobe, Bahchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger and Zamfara States.

“Thereafter, the petitioners proceeded to break down this allegation State by State.

“However, a cursory appraisal of paragraph 155(4) of the petition dealing with this allegation of ‘posting wrong results’ to the non-existent 1st Respondent’s server and not the wrongful entry of the results in the physical /manual Form EC8 series.

“The most astonishing part is that the petitioners failed to call witnesses who were at the various Units to observe these various alleged anomalies.

“We submit that allegations bordering on alleged wrong entry/falsification of election result are criminal in nature and must be proved beyond reasonable doubt.

“Furthermore, by virtue of section 150(1) of the Evidence Act, the results declared by the 1st Respondent enjoy a presumption of regularity. Accordingly, the petitioners herein are duty bound to rebut this presumption with credible evidence”.

The electoral commission said Atiku failed to show how the number of votes cancelled affected the votes he got.

“We submit that it is trite law that not only is the petitioner duty-bound to prove each and every allegation on non-compliance; he is also expected to prove that such non-compliance substantially affected the result of the election. See BUHARI V OBASANJO (supra), NYESOM WIKE V DAKUKU &ORS (supra).

“We humbly submit from the foregoing that the petitioners have failed to prove the allegation of non-compliance with the Electoral Act, and indeed every other allegation contained in the petition. The petition, therefore, lacks merit and should be thrown out on this point and this honourable court is urged so to do.

“In the instant petition, the petitioners called 62 witnesses in proof of their petition. Only 5 were polling agents, while 5 were Assistant Presiding Officers, who incidentally had no problem with the conduct of the election but only came to assert that they transmitted the election result to a fictitious and non-existent server.

“The rest of the witnesses called are Ward, Local Government, State or National Collation Agents. And the aim of the petitioner is to use them to prove allegations of non-compliance with the Electoral Act during the Presidential Elections in 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja. What a mission impossible!

“The eyes of the parties and candidates in an election at the Polling Unit are their respective agents and voters who were present to cast their votes. Consequently, in calling witnesses in proof of these allegations, these class of individuals are indispensable.

“Taking a rational, reasonable and critical examination and assessment of the evidence placed before this honorable court, one cannot but submit most humbly that the elements of the allegations of corrupt practices against the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Respondents have not been proved at all talk less of proof beyond reasonable doubt.”

Those Who Attacked Senator Ekwerenmadu Face 10 Year Jail In Germany

Editorial staff

August 19, 2019

Nigerians, opefating under the auspices of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), who attacked former Nigeria’s Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu in Germany are facing a possible 10 year imprisonment according to that country law.

In a statement today, August 19, the Embassy of Nigeria in Berlin, Germany said that the suspects will be prosecuted by the German government to serve as deterrence to others who may be planning such assault.

Under German laws, physical assaults are punishable by fines or imprisonments of up to 10 years, depending on the gravity.

The statement reads: “The Embassy of Nigeria, Berlin, Germany wishes to react to viral videos of a vicious physical attack on the immediate past Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate and serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ike Ekweremadu, by some members an illegal and terrorist entity named Indigenous Peoples of Biafra ( POB) in Nuremberg on 17th August 2019.

“The attack happened at an event organised by Nigerians in Germany under the auspices of a socio-cultural organisation known as Ndigbo Germany, a registered entity in the Federal Republic of Germany.

“Invitations were extended to Nigerian dignitaries, including the Distinguished Senator and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany, His Excellency Yusuf Maitama Tuggar.

“The Nigerian Ambassador also honoured the invitation but arrived at the venue shortly after the incident.

“The organisers reportedly requested for police protection to ensure public order during the event but were told that the threat level was minimal and did not require stationing of any personnel at the venue before the incident.

“The Embassy has requested a thorough investigation of this attack with a view to identifying the perpetrators and bringing them swiftly to justice in accordance with German law.

“This would deter future acts of violence against officials of the Nigerian Government on German soil particularly against the backdrop of threats by the proscribed IPOB to carry out similar attacks on more Nigerian dignitaries, especially those from the South Eastern part of the country.”

With Population Explosion, It’s Dangerous To Rely On Foreign Handouts To Develop – Buhari

Editorial staff

August 19, 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that with expected population explosion in Nigeria, it would be dangerous to rely on handouts from foreign development partners to solve some of the challenges confronting the nation.

President Buhari, who spoke today, August 19, at the opening of a two-day retreat for ministers designate and other top government officials at the presidential villa, Abuja, asked the incoming ministers to get ready towards delivering policies and programs of his government meant to lift many Nigerians out of poverty.

“We are all aware of the looming demographic potential of our country. By average estimates, our population is close to 200 million today. By 2050, UN estimates put Nigeria third globally behind only India and China with our projected population at 411 million.

“This is a frightening prospect but only if we sit idly by and expect handouts from so-called development partners. The solution to our problems lies within us.
“As Ministers, I am counting on you together with Advisers and Nigerians willing and able to contribute to build upon our road map of policies, programmes and projects that will lift the bulk of our people out of poverty and set them on the road to prosperity.”

The President said that his government cumulatively in eight years, would have laid the grounds for lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty, adding that such outcome will fundamentally shift Nigeria’s trajectory and place it among the World’s Great Nations.

Buhari who reminded the ministers designate that they will be responsible for the development and implementation of policies, programmes and projects in their various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), said that they must ensure that such agencies remain effective, efficient and accountable in the discharge of their responsibilities.

“It is a great privilege for you to be called upon to serve in these Great Offices of State and you must grasp the chance with two hands and put in your best efforts as Nigeria today needs top managers to handle our numerous challenges. There will be long hours and you must be prepared to live laborious days if we are to serve our people optimally.

“I congratulate all the new comers who your country has chosen above others to join the first term Ministers whose performance has been outstanding. All of you are appointed to assist and advise the President in running the affairs of our country.

“At the end of the Retreat, it is hoped that all of you will be in tune with the roles and responsibilities of positions you will occupy in Government. Many national issues require unified decisions,” President said.

Buhari enjoined the ministers designate to encourage team work, saying that his government succeeded in the last four years in rolling back the frontiers of terrorism; and actively addressing other challenges such as kidnappings, farmer-herder violence, improving the safety of our roads, railways, air traffic and fire control capacities.

“We are steadily turning the economy round through investment in agriculture and manufacturing, shoring up our foreign reserves, curbing inflation and improving the country’s infrastructure.

“On corruption, we have recovered hundreds of billions of stolen assets and are actively pursuing control measures to tackle leakages in public resources. We will not let up in fighting corruption,” Buhari said.

In his welcome remarks, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha said the objective of this retreat is to prepare the new Cabinet in Buhari’s second tenure, the opportunity to familiarize themselves with their roles and responsibilities as Cabinet Ministers, an understanding that will help to shape and streamline efforts towards achieving the delivery of dividends of democracy to the people of Nigeria.

He said the outcome of the retreat will set a strategic agenda which would define our course of action for the next four years of the Administration, set achievable targets and identify basic strategic options that will assist the new Cabinet realise the goals for which the Administration was elected to achieve.

According to him, the retreat was conceptualized in three thematic phases comprising, a Context Setting segment, led by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and supported by Mckinsey & Co. and KPMG as consultants.

“The second segment is principally designed to be more interactive, setting the values of team work as your appointments demand, which will be demonstrated by your involvement in syndicated breakout sessions focused on topics across defined Government priority areas,” Boss noted.

The retreat is expected to end on Tuesday while the ministers will be sworn-in by President Buhari on Wednesday.

NNPC Releases Names Of 15 Companies That Win Crude oil contract For 2019/2020

Editorial staff

August 18, 2019

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has released the names of 15 companies that have won the Direct Sales and Direct Purchase (DSDP) of Crude oil contract for 2019/2020.

The Corporation’s spokesman, Ndu Ughamadu, in a statement today, August 18 in Abuja, said that the announcement of the winners is in line with the corporation’s commitment to transparency and accountability in its activities as committed by the new Group Managing Director, Malam Mele Kyari.

“Following the completion of the 2019/2020 DSDP tender exercise, 15 consortia/companies, made up of reputable and experienced international companies and Nigerian Downstream companies, emerged successful to undertake the 2019/2020 DSDP arrangement.

“The contract is for one year, effective 1st October, 2019 to 30th September, 2020,” he said.

The companies that won the contracts are:

BP OIL INTERNATIONAL LTD./AYM SHAFA LTD.
VITOL SA/CALSON-HYSON
TOTSA TOTAL OIL TRADING SA/TOTAL NIG. PLC
GUNVOR INTERNATIONAL B.V./AY MAIKIFI OIL & GAS CO. LTD.
TRAFIGURA PTE LTD./A. A. RANO NIG. LTD…
CEPSA S.A.U./OANDO PLC
MOCOH SA/MOCOH NIG. LTD.
LITASCO SA/BRITTANIA-U NIG. LTD./FREEPOINT COMMODITIES
MRS OIL & GAS COMPANY LTD
SAHARA ENERGY RESOURCE LTD
BONO ENERGY LTD./ETERNA PLC/ARKLEEN OIL & GAS LTD./AMAZON ENERGY
MATRIX ENERGY LTD./PETRATLANTIC ENERGY LTD./UTM OFFSHORE LTD./LEVENE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT LTD
MERCURIA ENERGY TRADING SA/ BARBEDOS OIL & GAS SERVICES LTD./RAINOIL LTD./PETROGAS ENERGY
ASIAN OIL & GAS PTE LTD./ EYRIE ENERGY LTD./ MASTERS ENERGY OIL & GAS LTD/CASIVA LTD
DUKE OIL COMPANY INCORPORATED.

He said that the tender process comprised technical and commercial bid submission respectively, evaluation and shortlisting, then commercial negotiations with prequalified companies and engagement of the successful consortia/companies by NNPC.

“Under the DSDP arrangement, the aforementioned fifteen consortia/companies shall, over the contract period, offtake crude oil and in return, deliver corresponding petroleum products of equivalent value to NNPC, subject to the terms of the agreement.”

It will be recalled that Kyari, while taking over the mantle of leadership of the corporation on July 8, had promised to open NNPC books to public scrutiny, as a publicly owned company.

He said this would ensure transparency and accountability in the operations of the Corporation.

The Nuremberg, German Madness, By Sufuyan Ojeifo

Editorial staff

August 18, 2019

I call it the Nuremberg madness. I solemnly consider it as grotesquely outlandish. It defies all manner of ratiocination and rationalizations. I had read a number of opinions that tended to either draw some bizarre corollary upon which a general warning was issued to other Ibo leaders and leaders of other ethnic nationalities to beware or that tended to justify the wanton assault in the context of the festering socio-political and economic ferment in Nigeria.

It is a no-brainer to surmise that the act of folly that was garbed as ethnic revulsion or contempt for perceived immersion in government or laissez-faire attitude on the part of Ekweremadu to issues that allegedly affect Ndigbo within the Nigerian nation-state was egregiously misplaced. Some had suggested that the attire that Ekweremadu wore that bore the nation’s imprimatur, to wit: the Coat of Arms, and which suggested patriotic support, was the casus belli of the attack.

Regardless, whatever precipitated the harsh reaction by those irate folks in Nuremberg, that thing led to the unconscionable violation of the civility in the atmosphere of Germany that provides a catholic liberty, which John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) in his work: “On Liberty”, recognized as both the freedom to act and the absence of coercion. Whereas those Ibo men had the liberty to act in expression of their displeasure, they did not have liberty to coerce or assault Ekweremadu in the fashion they did.

In fact, in the realm of domestic approbation and appreciation of social-political values, the physical assault of Ekweremadu offended the republican spirit of the Ibo people. In spite of their utmost frustrations, those folks were they resident in Nigeria, and knowing full well that they have the power to vote out leaders in elective offices who fail to provide them with the kind of leadership they desire, should have waited for another general election to vote out leaders who have failed to perform or align with their aspirations.

Instead of the global opprobrium that they had attracted to Ndigbo by their act of idiotic indiscretion, they should have embraced a mature way of passing across their displeasure. For instance, they could have embarked on a systematic campaign of naming and shaming Ibo leaders who have betrayed their people on the altar of filthy lucre; or who have compromised the ideas of Ndigbo for personal aggrandizement with a view to denying them the people’s votes whenever they seek re-validation of their mandates.

That would have been much better than the great disservice to their individualities and, generically, to the pristine tradition of Ndigbo as a politically sophisticated and self-respecting people. Those who attacked Ekweremadu have lost the moral high ground. They have become vermin of a brutish culture that tended to misrepresent the Ibo people as bellicose and sanguinary.

Indeed, it is this kind of combative attitude of both leadership and followership alike, a throwback to the failed attempt to Biafranise Nigeria that has contoured public perceptions of the Ibo persona and mentality within the framework of the Nigerian nation-state as aggressive and aggravating. Having used force and war to no avail to claim their rightful position in the political configuration of the country, a counter strategy of stooping to conquer could have been salutary this time round rather than the continued resort to ballyhoo.

Even if the strategy must be to deploy force in correcting the structural imbalance in the Nigerian federation or addressing the existential problems facing the ethnic nationality, the Ibo would be committing a greater mistake, given their numbers, to push the frontiers of “freedom” as a fractious and separated ethnic nationality of disparate drum majors. That was the point that the Ibo self-acclaimed salvation group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB), missed by its alleged directive to its members to humiliate Ekweremadu.

The group’s action was pathetically counter-productive. It gratuitously assaulted one of the leading lights of Ndigbo and by, so doing, suffered a self-inflicted ignominy. Ekweremadu had, without a doubt, been a victim of physical assault by his kinsmen who should have protected him from harm’s way in Nuremberg. But they decided to drag him in the mud to satisfy a fit of anger. But were they given a trophy for so doing? No! Did they receive any well-meaning or well-intentioned accolades? I doubt.

The accolades that appeared to support the Nuremberg madness were wrapped in chicanery by conspiracy theorists merely to promote or champion the advocacy for a civil disorder rather than constitutional means that will upend the nation’s civil authority that is perceived to have failed to address a number of issues to the utilitarian benefit of the Nigerian people.

But, to be sure, that act of folly in Nuremberg parodies our reality as a people. It is a travesty of our collective obscurantist predilection to raise all manner of issues that support our biased positions and suppress those that negate the same. Interestingly, the question now, and this clearly speaks to the perceived irritability of Ndigbo, is why was it that those Ibo folks chose the platform of unity, which the annual Yam festival typified for the ethnic nationality, to brutalise a rallying and uniting personality, thus damaging the fulcrum of unity?

Ekweremadu may not have been the best or perfect paradigm of leadership that has been in a position to be able to minister to or address critical existential issues of the Ibo; there is also no justifiable basis to dismiss him as a selfish leader who, outright, did not promote the interest of Ndigbo. If he had been an all-round failure in the praxis of pragmatic leadership, let Ndigbo speak out.

Even where and when such allegation of failure cannot be rebutted, nobody, not even the IPoB or any other Ibo group for that matter, has the right to abridge Ekweremadu’s rights of movement, association (in this case, he was invited to attend the event) and expression, let alone the rights to assault him in the sordid way and manner those Ibo folks dealt with him in Nuremberg. I dare say that it was the collective shame of Ndigbo.

In rounding off, I share the position of Nigerians who have condemned, in the strongest terms, the unconscionable assault. I particularly concur with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the Nigerian Ambassador in Germany should work in concert with the German Government to take “appropriate decisive action on the matter”. Those Ibo folks must be dealt with in line with the laws of Germany.

I also agree with the opposition party that the federal government should “take urgent comprehensive steps to address issues leading to acts of resentment and agitations by Nigerians within and outside the country” on the watch of President Muhammadu Buhari. The Nuremberg saga may just be a wake-up call to advert the attention of the federal government to do the needful to douse the rising tension in the country that is triggering harsh reactions from and by “Diasporic Nigerians”.

· Ojeifo contributed this piece from Abuja via ojwonderngr@yahoo.com

We’ll Soon Expose Those Behind IPOB’s Attack On Ekwerenmadu – Ohanaeze Youth

Editorial staff

August 18, 2019

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council (OYC) has said that it had identified the politicians behind the attack on the former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekwerenmadu in Germany bby members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and will soon expose them.

The Secretary-General of the OYC, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, at a press briefing in Enugu today, August 18, said that after carrying out an investigation, OYC had identified the sponsors of the attack on Ekweremadu in Nuremberg, Germany and would be exposed soon.

According to him, the action of the IPOB members and their pay masters was all about the 2023 elections.

“This is an affront not just on Ekweremadu but on Ndigbo, which Ekweremadu represents. It is on record that Distinguished Senator Ike Ekweremadu has put his very best in championing Igbo interest in and out of the National Assembly.

“It is therefore a slap on our face for anyone to visit such animalistic treatment on him under whatever guise.

“From our investigation, we understand that this is all about 2023, but we shall soon expose the politicians behind this dance of shame. They hid under the IPOB to perpetrate this global shame.

“On the part of IPOB, for allowing itself to be used, it has touched the tail of a lion. Indeed this shall not be taken for granted.

“If IPOB so love Ndigbo as it claims, what strategy has it put in place to checkmate the excesses of the herdsmen in Igbo land? We repeat, their action was purely sponsored by politicians and they should get ready to hear from us.”

Raging Flood Washes Off 12,000 Hectares Of Farmlands In Jigawa

Editorial staff

August 18, 2019

Raging flood has washed away about 12,000 hectares of rice, cassava, sesame and guinea corn farmlands in nine villages under Malammadori Local Government Area of Jigawa State.

The Councilor representing Tashena Ward, Alhaji Yunusa Bulama, who made this known in Malam madori today, August 18, said that the flood affected such villages as Tashena, Kadumunbari, Hadyan, Azumu, Kadumantudu, Dowawa, Dososo, Allahyayi and Unguwar-Jamaare villages.

Another lawmaker, representing Kaugama/Malammadori Federal Constituency, Alhaji Maki Yalleman, said that 8,000 hectares of rice farmlands were destroyed in the flood, while 4,000 hectares of land destroyed contained cassava, sesame and guinea corn.

This was even the Chairman of the Council, Alhaji Hussaini Birnin-Kudu, said that 5,000 sacks had been distributed to residents to erect sand-bag at the bank of Hadejia River in the area.

He explained that the embankment would check damages as water level kept rising by the day.

Source: NAN.

Pastor Confesses Stealing Car Worth N1.2 Million As Tithes Are Not Big Enough

Editorial staff

August 18, 2019

A 41 year old Pastor of Jesus Miracle Church at Afan, Sango-Ota, Ogun State, Jeremiah Ehindero, has confessed that he stole a car worth N1.2 million as his congregation’s tithes and offerings are not enough to pay off a N650,000 bank loan. He also blamed the devil for his action.

The pastor was quoted by the police to have confessed: “I decided to steal the SUV to sell and use the proceeds to settle the N650,000 I borrowed from a microfinance bank in Lagos.

“I borrowed the sum of N650,000 from a microfinance bank to renovate my church with the hope to recover the investment from tithes and offerings, but I was surprised that for three months, no money was realized to repay the loan.

“When the pressure from the microfinance bank became too unbearable for me, the devil told me to go and steal a vehicle from the car dealer to sell and use the proceeds to repay the loan. I regret my action.”

The Federal Special Anti-robbery Squad (FSARS) at Adeniji Adele Road, Lagos Island, Lagos alleged that Ehindero stole the Toyota Highlander Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) from a car dealer and sold it off at Ore, Ondo State, for N600,000.

The police said that they also have in their custody, Ehindero’s alleged accomplices: Lateef Oyetunde who allegedly purchased the SUV from the pastor; Jamiu Abiodun, 35 and Lukman Moyoyesa, who both allegedly introduced Ehindero to the buyer.

However, Oyetunde said that he was not aware that the SUV was stolen, adding: “if I had known that the Pastor stole the SUV, I would not have purchased it.”

The police alleged that Ehindero visited a car sales outlet at Sango-Ota, belonging to one Jamiu. He introduced himself as a cleric and requested for a Toyota Highlander SUV to be used for evangelism.

After the parties agreed a price of N1.2 million for the SUV, the dealer allowed him to test drive the vehicle within the area. But the pastor got into the car and zoomed off, never to return.

According to the police, Ehindero switched off his phone, removed the SUV’s number plate marked ‘LND 816 CK’ and sped off to Ore, where he sold the vehicle to a spare parts dealer for N600,000.

After waiting for 24 hours, the dealer reported the case to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, (DCP) in charge of FSARS, Lagos, Kola Okunola Kamaldeen.

Following investigation, the SUV was tracked to Ondo State and recovered. The buyer and Ehindero’s alleged accomplices were also arrested at the scene, the police said, while the pastor was traced to his residence in Sango-Ota.

A police source said the suspects would be charged to court after conclusion of investigation.

IPOB Threatens To Similarly Attack Nwodo, Umahi, Ikpeazu, Obiano If They Set Foot Abroad

Editorial staff

August 18, 2019

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB, has threatened to launch similar attack on the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, as well as the Governors of Ebonyi, Abia, and Anambra states, among others, any day they are sighted in any public event abroad.

In a statement today, August 18 reacting to the attack on the former Senate Deputy President, Ike Ekwerenmadu in Germany yesterday, August 17, the Media and Publicity Secretary of IPOB, Emma Powerful, said that the group is strategically located in over 100 countries around the world.

Emma Powerful, who patted members of the group on the back that carried out the attack on Ekwerenmadu in Germany, stressed that the attack should serve as a warning to other Igbo leaders, including the governors of the Southeast.

He attributed the attack on Senator Ekwerenmadu to a standing directive that have since been issued by the IPOB’s leader, Nnamdi Kanu, directing members to hound all instigators of Operation Python Dance.

“Today being the 17th day of August 2019, the Nuremberg IPOB family in Germany in keeping with the long standing directive from our leader to hound all instigators of Operation Python Dance, is glad to report that Ike Ekweremadu was confronted and duly hounded out of a so-called New Yam Festival event in Germany.

“This should serve as a warning to Nnia Nwodo, Dave Umahi, Okezie Ikpeazu, Willie Obiano and co that any day we find them in a public event abroad, they will be humiliated. IPOB is strategically located in over 100 countries around the world. Anywhere we find them, they will be dealt with.”

IPOB announced that it has started its own revolution, adding that things will never be the same again.

“It’s up to other ethnic nationalities to deal with corrupt politicians and merchants of misery within themselves. We have started ours and Nuremberg is only a tip of the iceberg. Let the #Revolution start now.

“With Enugu and Ebonyi State on the verge of capitulation to Fulani criminality, violence and Miyetti Allah domination, conspiratorially complimented by yet another round of military invasion of the East starting tomorrow, our leader shall ventilate these issues and offer guidance on what shall become the fate of corrupt politicians, collaborators and their families whenever they set foot on foreign soil.”

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