Ibori fled Nigeria because the cabal in Jonathan’s administration wanted him dead - By Tony Eluemunor

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <script src="//www.digitaladplanet.com/portal/display/js/ads.js?2244&124&468&60&0" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <script src="//www.digitaladplanet.com/portal/display/js/ads.js?2363&124&728&90&0" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <br /> <div align="center"> <script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script> <!-- JJD1 --> <br /> <h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="headline"> <br /></h3> <div class="post-header"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrdh_DYxqEUH-xJ2A73Qn_RE5N3s1f3m-1tY_hwI3TfPmMCj1o3hVNk4tZeI8Pkgcnfj990h5AGl-W77ndIKRIHqV8bUIrIUBSCMVfnswYrNDdRebxidTigcy6Z_bQ4odacUYWA4xQe8/s1600/Ibori.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrdh_DYxqEUH-xJ2A73Qn_RE5N3s1f3m-1tY_hwI3TfPmMCj1o3hVNk4tZeI8Pkgcnfj990h5AGl-W77ndIKRIHqV8bUIrIUBSCMVfnswYrNDdRebxidTigcy6Z_bQ4odacUYWA4xQe8/s1600/Ibori.jpg" /></a></div> Tony Eluemunor is Ibori's media assistant. Read his article below...<br /> <blockquote class="tr_bq"> In this final article in my series of replies to Simon Kolawole’s “The Welcome Party” (Thisday newspaper of Sunday December 25, 2016), where he condemned the massive celebration Chief James OnanefeIbori’s release from UK jail elicited in Nigeria, I will face the sixth untruth in his single article. <br /> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a></blockquote> He wrote: “Season Three, I call it ‘The Journey’, started in 2010 when the government of President Goodluck Jonathan re-opened the case and Ibori, in an attempt to escape another trial, ran to Dubai”.<br /> <br /> <br /> <div class="Body"> In this final article in my series of replies to Simon Kolawole’s “The Welcome Party”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>(THISDAY newspaper of Sunday December 25, 2016), where he condemned the massive celebration Chief James OnanefeIbori’s release from UK jail elicited in Nigeria, I will face the sixth untruth in his single article.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>He wrote: “Season Three, I call it ‘The Journey’, started in 2010 when the government of President Goodluck Jonathan re-opened the case and Ibori, in an attempt to escape another trial, ran to Dubai”. </div> <div class="Body"> </div> <div class="Body"> OlusegunObasanjo’sAso Rock had spent its entire second term setting traps for Ibori, but he was re-elected, was not impeached, and completed his tenure. The first obstacle was that Ibori’s name mysteriously disappeared from the list of those cleared to contest the 2003 elections, which was displayed at Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters, Abuja on a Saturday. The then INEC Secretary, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, was in charge as Dr. Abel Guobadia had travelled to Benin for the weekend. I called Guobadia in Benin, and he denied that INEC stopped Ibori; he addressed the press in Benin the following day to insist that Ibori was cleared. Today, Baba-Ahmed is a columnist that pontificates on right and wrong, and I laugh, knowing that talk is cheap. </div> <div class="Body"> The next attack was the ex-convict court judgment forgery. That too failed to fly. Then after Ibori had completed his two terms of office, as Delta State Governor, Mr. NuhuRibadu stepped in to stop his forward match in Nigerian politics. He arrested and arraigned Ibori in Federal High Court, Kaduna. Why Kaduna? Forum shopping is the answer! Between Asaba and Kaduna, there are well over eighteen Federal High Courts starting from the Benin Division of the Federal High Court. That is a story for another day. His real weapon was to keep an accused in Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) custody and torture him until he would choose either to die or plead guilty. D.S.P Alamieyeseigha got this treatment and he was counseled by several people to plead guilty and live. My witness here is no less a person than former President Goodluck Jonathan himself. He met with Alamieyesiagha at the Vice President’s Lodge, Marina, Lagos, and convinced him to plead guilty. Jonathan, on that occasion, was an emissary of late President UmaruYar’<span lang="PT" style="mso-ansi-language: PT;">Adua</span>’s, who promised to grant Alamieyeseigha state pardon because he was convinced that he was a victim of a witch hunt. </div> <div class="Body"> </div> <div class="Body"> What pained Yar’Adua the most was that Alamieyeseigha was accused of purchasing Chelsea Hotel, , Abuja, for himself, when it was bought for Bayelsa State. If this is true, then only God can understand why Jonathan who was Alamieyesiegha’s deputy did not correct this impression, even when he became President. Till today, that hotel lies totally fallow!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">   </span></div> <div class="Body"> </div> <div class="Body"> Iboriescaped Ribadu’s deadly plot by requesting the court to remand him in Kaduna prison. What followed; that it took the Judge two complete months to decide whether to grant Ibori bail is a sign of what had been plotted for him. Ibori would have been given the Alamieyeseigha treatment, denied bail; trial would have stalled indefinitely, until he would be forced to plead guilty.</div> <div class="Body"> </div> <div class="Body"> May 2010, things had changed drastically. Jonathan was now President, and after Jonathan had declared that Ibori should be arrested DEAD or ALIVE, as newspapers widely reported, his administration attempted to slap a coup d<span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR;">’é</span>tat charge against Ibori; a charge whose punishment is death. </div> <div class="Body"> </div> <div class="Body"> Pretentious investigations actually began after which arrests would follow. The Chief Apostle of that plot from hell was Jonathan’s one-time National Security Adviser (NSA) late Gen. Owoye Andrew Azazi<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>followed by the then Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Paul Dike whom late Azazi reported the fake intelligence to; the two then went to work onthe then Chief of Army Sfaff. Azazi had already set plans in motion before he told Ibori’s brother, friend and comrade Chief D.S.P Alamiesiegha who then dragged him to see Ibori in Lagos to repeat his allegation to him face to face. What delayed their planned arrest of Ibori was the stance of the then Chief of Army Staff, Gen Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (the present Interior Minister) who refused to join in that devilish plot. He told them that they could not make a coup plot against Ibori stick without dragging in some innocent soldiers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>He said to Azazi: “Sir, you have been everything in the Army, including its head. So, why will you destroy the Army just because you want to rope in a politician into a non-existent coup plot? How many troops are under Ibori? Were he to contemplate a coup plot, would he, a bloody civilian, even know who to recruit? Would Ibori not prefer to wait for the next election and work against the re-election of a sitting President, which you and I know he has the power to do? To make this thing stick, you know you have to rope in a lot of innocent soldiers, and destroy many families – all because of politics. You and I know that no real intelligence report has brought this up or fingered Ibori. Sir, if you want to take him out, find other ways to do it but don’t involve any innocent soldier; no officer, no troop, under me.”</div> <div class="Body"> </div> <div class="Body"> </div> <div class="Body"> Then he promised to talk with Ibori. On leaving General Dambazau, the lawyer who accompanied Ibori to that meeting advised him to leave Nigeria if he wanted to remain alive. Ibori did not return to his house, which by then was being watched by strange faces: without getting home to collect anything, he left Nigeria for Dubai, where he did not bother to hide but stayed in a hotel to contemplate his next move. </div> <div class="Body"> </div> <div class="Body"> Just one more thing, before we close this chapter; last Monday, Dr. Patrick Dele Cole, Obasanjo’s former Special Adviser, International Relations, published “Return of James Ibori” in the Vanguard. He bore witness to what I wrote last week that Obasanjo declared an all-out war against Ibori, using the Federal Government, EFCC, the Police, the diplomatic trail and heaps and heaps of lies. Cole granted this much: “(Ibori’s) achievements are considerable”, “he belonged to the club of rich men; though he was fantastically generous and he carried himself as a successful rich man. James Ibori, like most PDP members, did not believe that General OlusegunObasanjo, OBJ, would want a second term. Ibori had said electing OBJ for second term was unwise and that OBJ was unelectable. This is why OBJ had it in for Ibori who had led the movement to stop Obasanjo’s second term bid because that was the original agreement at the time of recruiting OBJ to run in 1999. OBJ was to be President for only one term, so even the third term proposal was unaccepted”. </div> <div class="Body"> </div> <div class="Body"> “Have it in for Ibori” is an idiom, meaning “to persistently try or desire to criticize, cause harm to, or harass someone, especially due to a grudge”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>So, the truth is that it was not an anti-corruption fight that led to Obasanjo’s misuse of the EFCC to hound Ibori; it was Ibori’s opposition to Obasanjo’s crudity which was giving politics a bad name, according to Cole, Obasanjo’sUnder Secretary in Dodan Barracks, Lagos, whom Obasanjo appointed Daily Times M.D in 1976, 1987 -1990 Ambassador to Brazil and who returned as Obasanjo’sAdviser inAso Rock, Abuja in 1999. And when Cole wrote that “Ibori led the Southern revolt” he should know what he was talking about. Often, he was the one Obasanjo sent, whenever the 1999 – 2007 set of South-South Governors metto advance the Fiscal Federalism (Resource Control) course, to whittle down the effect of any collective stance. Unfortunately, Cole is from the South-South.</div> <div class="Body"> </div> <div class="Body"> Rather than reveling in the witness of Dr. Cole (PhD, Cambridge) that I wrote the truth in my last article, I mentioned him for thedeceptive philosophy in his essay’s introduction and conclusion. His intro: “HIS (Ibori’s) achievements are as considerable as his background is somewhat murky and unclear”. So, right from the first line, he had to detract from Ibori’s achievements by bringing in unclear and murky background. How does Dr. Cole define murky and unclear? Would he agree that some things about himself are really “murky and unclear”? When Obasanjo dropped him, only Aso Rock insiders knew it was because of an oily business concerning Sahara Oil and Ghana. Does that make Cole’s life murky and unclear ever after? I don’t think so. </div> <div class="Body"> </div> <div class="Body"> Ambassador Patrick Dele Cole and Chief YomiEdu are two people that can testify to how most of the PDP Governors of 1999-2007 spent their own resources in their various states to get Obasanjo and the PDP in power. Most of them were men of means before contesting for the position in their various states. That is one admission he makes and probably accounts for PDP’s solid structure in Delta State today.</div> <div class="Body"> </div> <div class="Body"> His concluding paragraph:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Showing his angst at the heroic welcome Lagos crowds accorded the late Biafran leader Chief EmekaOdumegwu – Ojukwu<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>on his return from exile and the one Ibori is sure to receive, he asked a totally illogical question: “What if at the end of the World War II, Hitler was to come back to Germany, what would be Germany’s reaction”? Hitler was the aggressor in the Second World War. That some people still believe in his Nazism, Aryan race and anti-Semitism nonsense has no bearing with the Ibori issue, which is strictly that of government’s forgery of indictments against him. The example of the most publicly known charge against Ibori, the $15m bribery allegation, will do: Ibori was not asked about it when EFCC questioned him on July 4th 2007. It was never mentioned while he was being questioned after his arrest on 10th December 2007; EFCC never questioned Ibori at all on it. So Ibori never made any statement about it. </div> <div class="Body"> </div> <div class="Body"> Interestingly, Ibori was arraigned at the Federal High Court in Kaduna on December 11, 2007, but the three statements about that bribe allegation – <span lang="IT" style="mso-ansi-language: IT;">Ribadu</span>’<span lang="ES-TRAD" style="mso-ansi-language: ES-TRAD;">s, Lamorde</span>’s and James Garba’s were dated December 12, 2007. That is, two days after Ibori’s arrest and a day after he was arraigned in court. </div> <div class="Body"> </div> <div class="Body"> Such leaves doubts in Ibori’s follower’s minds – doubts about the money’s origin, Senator Uba’s role, etc. Uba himself would later issue a press statement saying Ibori handed out the money in his presence and house but he was ignorant of the reason for that transaction. Thus Uba, a Senator of the Federal Republic, was contradicting Ibrahim Lamorde and James Garba, who said in their police statements that when they collected the money from Uba’s houseIbori was not there, and that Andy Uba’s aides brought out the money. That is yet another set of contradictions in the various statements as though all the accusers have been condemned by an unknown force never to agree on any material particular except on the name Ibori. Ribadu himself has made some five statements and all contradicted every other one! And if Ibori handed out the money, in Uba’s presence, why did EFCC lawyer, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs say in open court that the money came from IBORI’S UNKNOWN AGENTS? Hey, how many versions should truth have? The real truth will come out one day. </div> <div class="Body"> </div> <div class="Body"> For lack of space I’ll reserve my expose of all the lies in Ribadu’s several statements as well as in those of Lamorde and James Garbafor next week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></div> <div class="Body"> Coles last statement:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>“One thing is clear; Ibori’s arrival in Delta will change the political dynamics of Delta State and thereby of South-South.” Wrong: Delta state and South-South politics never changed; the people have remained loyal to Ibori’s leadership though he has and remains absent from home for almost a decade. This is truly remarkable! Cole may not understand this; just as he did not understand Ndigbo’s ever enchantment by Ojukwu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>May it never be forgotten that Ibori has not yet returned, yet he is causing this entire ripple. This is because the South-South celebrates the grace of God which kept their hero alive despite all the devilish machinations against him which began during Nigeria’s, no,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Obasanjo’s, era of brigandage, gangsterism and banditry which claimed the lives of Bola Ige, A.K Dikibo, Harry Marshal, ChubaOkadigbi, DSP Alamieyesigha, and countless others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>And none stood as stoutly in the turf of battle as the Odidigboigbo himself.</div> <div class="Body"> </div> <div class="Body"> Tony Eluemunor is Ibori’s Media Assistant.</div> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div> </div>

Ibori fled Nigeria because the cabal in Jonathan’s administration wanted him dead - By Tony Eluemunor

Tony Eluemunor is Ibori's media assistant. Read his article below... In this final article in my series of replies...

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'I stand by my word' Sowore threatened my life & demanded N100m bribe from me' Lekan Fatodu claims

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <script src="//www.digitaladplanet.com/portal/display/js/ads.js?2244&124&468&60&0" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <script src="//www.digitaladplanet.com/portal/display/js/ads.js?2363&124&728&90&0" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <br /> <div align="center"> <script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script> <!-- JJD1 --> <br /> <h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="headline"> <br /></h3> <div class="post-header"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhSH5sd38t6Dsat-7WgUtKa8DDT1_pM7N9hVWi3W-7KEr2XB267ynuJhPL4EEhSbt1UxBe28qATFh1fLHmmhSmWZXaDSZF7HIWJD3OE1RqgQKoxwEV_a8FnFb1kExf9Org4DU1QVRmcI/s1600/a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhSH5sd38t6Dsat-7WgUtKa8DDT1_pM7N9hVWi3W-7KEr2XB267ynuJhPL4EEhSbt1UxBe28qATFh1fLHmmhSmWZXaDSZF7HIWJD3OE1RqgQKoxwEV_a8FnFb1kExf9Org4DU1QVRmcI/s320/a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div dir="auto"> This is a statement from UK-based journalist, Lekan Fatodu, who recently filed a petition to the police against Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore. Read below...</div> <blockquote class="tr_bq"> <div dir="auto"> I'm dropping this quick note because Sowore violated the idea of reconciliation suggested to the Police by his team of lawyers and supporters led by the elder statesman, Dr. Tunji Abayomi on Thursday. Sowore was at the Panti Police station with about 15 lawyers . I didn't go with any because I didn't need to. I know my case against him is incontrovertible!<br /> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a></div> </blockquote> <div dir="auto"> </div> <div dir="auto"> It's however surprising that one of Sowore's lawyers who was part of the agreement for reconciliation has come out to spew lies and try to twist the story against the Police. But it won't work because everyone is aware of Sowore's shady operations. </div> <div dir="auto"> </div> <div dir="auto"> Sowore is understandably rattled and bitter that Lekan Fatodu is the FIRST person to ever confront him for his characteristic threat to people's life, blackmail and extortionism.</div> <div dir="auto"> </div> <div dir="auto"> I had petitioned the police on a threat to my life and career, criminal defamation and blackmail by Sowore. And that's  contrary to the lies that Sowore has been spreading about an attempt on his life. I will share the true story of the event of Sowore's arrest with video evidence  in due time. And I bet that the world will be shocked to see what really happened on that day. </div> <div dir="auto"> </div> <div dir="auto"> I knew that Sowore's idea of reconciliation was to "buy" enough time to cook up some lies to change the narrative on his criminality. Hence, I agreed to it only to give him the benefit of doubt. But he has since been using proxies to write different articles in his favour and also fabricating lies that some people in power are behind me. They've been churning out many lies but I am not bothered in the least.</div> <div dir="auto"> </div> <div dir="auto"> I'm glad myself and Sowore are presently in Nigeria and the court shall verify the text messages, emails and Whatsapp messages that we exchanged when he, using different insidious means, demanded 100 million naira bribe from me out of a fictitious 500 million that he claimed he heard that I got out of a strange 1.7b naira from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). And I will include other strong evidences of his attempt on my life particularly on the day he was arrested. </div> <div dir="auto"> </div> <div dir="auto"> Sowore, I'm sure you can't deny the attached Text Message!</div> <div dir="auto"> </div> <div dir="auto"> Once again, I am proud of the excellent job I did for the ONSA and for which I was paid 12 million náírà.  Meanwhile, the Presidency under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari has already validated the work my company, Leeman Communication in different national dailies. And I won't stop seeking government's contract where my expertise is required. It's my legal right as a Nigeria! </div> <div dir="auto"> </div> <div dir="auto"> Of course, Sowore is ashamed and sad that his wicked plot against me didn't work.</div> <div dir="auto"> </div> <div dir="auto"> And for violating his own idea of reconciliation, I SHALL BE DRAGGING SOWORE TO COURT!</div> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div> </div>

'I stand by my word' Sowore threatened my life & demanded N100m bribe from me' Lekan Fatodu claims

This is a statement from UK-based journalist, Lekan Fatodu, who recently filed a petition to the police against Sahara...

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Omoyele Sowore is not under investigation for criminal defamation & blackmail, his lawyer writes

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <script src="//www.digitaladplanet.com/portal/display/js/ads.js?2244&124&468&60&0" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <script src="//www.digitaladplanet.com/portal/display/js/ads.js?2363&124&728&90&0" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <br /> <div align="center"> <script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script> <!-- JJD1 --> <br /> <br /><div class="post-header"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArLqWwff-YvoOWkNMErGNpEVWEXCFjSW-jdeCrqupubpPYkhtTQ0Cfvb4hqramd8Jv4evKSn3uMwd1WYyMUDM8gqr_GfffkX1ea73iRuDDbkIQ2jXpu6YX5BssyWbJilugerSwrbeM8g/s1600/sowore.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArLqWwff-YvoOWkNMErGNpEVWEXCFjSW-jdeCrqupubpPYkhtTQ0Cfvb4hqramd8Jv4evKSn3uMwd1WYyMUDM8gqr_GfffkX1ea73iRuDDbkIQ2jXpu6YX5BssyWbJilugerSwrbeM8g/s400/sowore.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Read the statement from his lawyers below...<br /> <blockquote class="tr_bq"> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">O</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">ur attention has been drawn to various reports in the print, online and social media suggesting that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mr. Omoyele Sowore</b>, a Nigerian citizen and the Founder and Publisher of the popular and globally celebrated online news media SaharaReporters domiciled in New York City, United States of America (USA) was arrested and is being investigated by the Nigeria Police Force on allegations bothering on ‘’criminal defamation’’ and ‘’blackmail’’.</span></blockquote> <blockquote class="tr_bq"> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a></blockquote> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">These misleading reports are variously credited to the trio of Mr. Lekan Fatodu; the Commissioner of Police Lagos State, CP. Fatai Owoseni and the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP. Dolapo Badmos.</span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">While we do not wish to respond to every insinuation connected with the subject under consideration, we are impelled to issue this press release to set the records straight for the sake of credulous and unsuspecting members of the public who may be misled by the outright falsehood and half-truths being fed the public by the trio.</span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The verifiable facts and truth of the matter are as follows:</span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On Wednesday the 11^th day of January, 2017 while driving in company of two of his associates through the Government Reserved Area (GRA) in Ikeja, Lagos State, Mr. Sowore was waylaid and gruesomely attacked by one Mr. Lekan Fatodu and his accomplice simply identified as Mr. ‘Andre’. The said assailants assaulted Sowore and made attempts on his life before they were restrained and overpowered by concerned members of the public.</span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Following the intervention of concerned members of the public, the assailants fled from the scene only to return soon afterwards in company of a team of armed Policemen from the Area ‘’F’’ Police Station, Ikeja on the pretext that Sowore had committed ‘’traffic offence’’ and should be arrested and taken to the nearest Police Station. The Police later claimed that they received a distressed call from a member of the public.</span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Policemen first took Sowore and his associates to the Area ‘’F’’ Police Station in Ikeja after which he was taken before the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni at the State Police Command, Ikeja. In what smacks of unholy alliance between the assailants and the Policemen from Area ‘’F’’, Fatodu continued to assault and molest Sowore right inside the Police van while he was being conveyed to the State Police Command without any resistance from the Policemen.</span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Shockingly, when Sowore drew the CP’s attention to the assault on his person and the attempt on his life by Fatodu and his accomplice, he was ignored and treated with scorn by the CP. He was subsequently transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba, Lagos State where he also reported the assault on his person and the attempt on his life by Fatodu and his accomplice.</span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sowore was released unconditionally from the SCID Panti late in the night of Wednesday the 11^th day of January, 2017 and asked to report the following day by 2:00 PM. On his part, the assailant and his accomplice were only released after signing a Bail Bond.</span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Before they were released on Wednesday night, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the SCID, Panti, DCP. Bolaji Salami invited the Investigating Police Officer (IPO.) in charge of the matter and asked him openly the offence that he was investigating as it concerns Sowore, Fatodu and his accomplice. The IPO in the presence of and to the hearing of the following persons: Sowore and his Counsel (Mr. Inibehe Effiong, Esq.); Fatodu and his accomplice; Comrade Olanrewaju Suraju; and the Assistant Commissioner of Police SCID, Panti ACP Frank Mba, declared that he was investigating a case of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">‘’TWO FIGHTING’’.</b></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When Sowore reported at the SCID, Panti on Thursday the 12^th day of January, 2017 by 2:00 PM as requested, the DCP and the ACP in charge of the SCID, Panti rather than investigating the assault and attempt made on the life of Sowore, or the alleged offence of ‘’two fighting’’ earlier alluded to by the IPO, told him in unmistaken terms to forego the case and accept an amicable settlement or resolution with Fatodu. A senior lawyer and activist, Dr. Tunji Abayomi who was among the numerous persons present during the meeting at the DCP’s office where the peaceful settlement was discussed offered to interface between the parties and report back to the DCP on Tuesday the 17^th day of January, 2017.</span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Throughout his stay at the Area ‘’F’’ Police Station and the SCID, Panti Sowore was NEVER at any time informed that he was being investigated for alleged ‘’criminal defamation’’ or ‘’blackmail’’ neither was he questioned or confronted with evidence in respect of the malicious, unfounded and spurious allegations. Though the Lagos CP had brandished a piece of paper which he claimed contained a petition supposedly written by Fatodu against Sowore for ‘’criminal defamation’’, Sowore was neither given, shown nor allowed to peruse or respond to the alleged petition and the contents thereof despite asking for same. The CP was actually incensed by Sowore’s demand to be given the petition and allowed to respond. For daring to exercise his fundamental rights, the CP explosively asked Sowore, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">inter alia</i>: ‘’who do you think you are’’?</span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Without any plausible or prior investigation, the Lagos CP held a press conference where he dismissed the assault and attempt made on the life of Sowore by Fatodu and his accompice as ‘’false alarm’’. This is not surprising given the unfriendly, rude and aggressive manner the CP treated Sowore when he was brought before him on Wednesday 11^th January, 2017.</span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Given the biased and premeditated comments made by the Lagos CP during his press conference and the further incendiary remarks made by Fatodu, </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">we are indicating to the Nigerian public our total rejection of the so-called mediation, it was a ruse packaged by the CP to fool the public.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> We believe in the primacy of justice and the rule of law over ‘peace of the graveyard’.</span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Unknown to the Lagos State Police Command and Fatodu, the so-called offence of ‘’criminal defamation’’ no longer exist in Lagos State. Just for clarity, the existing penal legislation in Lagos State is the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Criminal Code Law of Lagos State 2011</i></b> which came into force on the 8^th day of August 2011. The Police may have wrongly relied on the provisions of a repealed law, specifically Chapter 33 of the Criminal Code Law, Chapter C17, Vol. 2, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003 (now repealed by <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Section 417 of the Criminal Code Law of Lagos State 2011</i></b>) under which the said offence was created. However, the offence was abrogated and expunged by the Lagos State House of Assembly under the current law (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011</i></b>) as it cannot be found in any of the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">418 Sections of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011</i></b>.</span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We wish to remind the Nigeria Police Force of the trite principle of our criminal jurisprudence that a person can only be punished for an act or omission that is expressly defined to be an offence under a written law as at the time the act or omission took place. The maxim is<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> nulla poena sine lege </i></b>(No punishment except in accordance with the law). We reference <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Section 36 (8) & (12) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended)</i></b> and the celebrated decision of the Supreme Court in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Aoko v. Fagbemi (1961) All NLR 400</i></b>.</span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In conclusion, we are particularly pained that the very person who assaulted and attempted to kill Sowore is now doling out tissues of lies and half-truths to the public despite the questionable peace moves initiated by the Police for his benefit. The fact that Fatodu disingenuously went to the press after Thursday’s meeting at the SCID, Panti and infamously accused Sowore of ‘’criminal defamation’’, ‘’blackmail’’ and boasted of having in his possession either non-existent or fabricated evidence is to say the least preposterous, defamatory, irresponsible and utterly ludicrous.</span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We know, and Fatodu also knows that he is not acting alone. The treacherous attempts by Fatodu to dishonestly denigrate Sowore, his long time benefactor for immediate and insatiable gains is most unfortunate. Sowore who has resisted compromising offers from different governments at all levels and politically exposed persons in Nigeria right from his days as a fearless student leader cannot condescend to the level of seeking pecuniary benefits from the very person he has assisted financially and otherwise for several years.</span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Those who think that they can use Fatodu or any other mischievous element to cow or blackmail Sowore and SaharaReporters into submission should wake-up from their self-induced slumber because it is easier for the camel to pass through the needle than for Sowore or SaharaReporters to be silenced.</span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Thank you.</span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 260.25pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Signed:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">                                                                           </span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">INIBEHE EFFIONG, ESQ.</span></b></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Solicitor and Counsel to Omoyele Sowore.</span></div> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div> </div>

Omoyele Sowore is not under investigation for criminal defamation & blackmail, his lawyer writes

Read the statement from his lawyers below... O ur attention has been drawn to various reports in the print, online and s...

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Presidency defends dollar subsidy for Muslim pilgrims

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <script src="//www.digitaladplanet.com/portal/display/js/ads.js?2244&124&468&60&0" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <script src="//www.digitaladplanet.com/portal/display/js/ads.js?2363&124&728&90&0" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <br /> <div align="center"> <script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script> <!-- JJD1 --> <br /> <br /><div class="post-header"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTiEOe1NmdYyBTMlRI1XKJxQXCPetrtp0mkEOHQxdo4HFddFq8J6JzE1mWA7TLm5usBQmrOBlahbru-XlFmPQ1HfftIjlbejWpzvuRqDcK0p5IC5_qVeKIl-NFOk_ZXBKspJnCQjLSwQ/s1600/1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTiEOe1NmdYyBTMlRI1XKJxQXCPetrtp0mkEOHQxdo4HFddFq8J6JzE1mWA7TLm5usBQmrOBlahbru-XlFmPQ1HfftIjlbejWpzvuRqDcK0p5IC5_qVeKIl-NFOk_ZXBKspJnCQjLSwQ/s1600/1.png" /></a></div> According to the Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Shehu Garba, the dollar subsidy is non-discriminatory and was also approved for Christians as well. <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div> </div>

Presidency defends dollar subsidy for Muslim pilgrims

According to the Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Shehu Garba, the dollar subsidy is ...

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Graphic Photos: Couple lose their two children & home in a fire outbreak in Akwa Ibom

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <br /><div class="post-header"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlp9vPO4qAc7rkA1Mf9EdXm0ya7-bsSVKCRHr2f7C4IRZfEVk19J1gXimA-QzqH-226uVFxXaimoD-Cmc9Jq1APtNwXA6uVCF1trnVHG1Iy2ZCo0lNkjyGLz930KLUtmXm0Ah9VQbeJYZ/s400/00.png" width="223" /><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaiHPRECUoX8v-rwqpmsJ8QdRbblh7t-kbFHexD5rOtuIWsZfsKleu0r7OYonPOkkNN2AXOOr-fXsZSg9ACK12m4jCb7OZSzPBVVys4efKTFfCCwOr9Y2omDlE0lolin7sTd0vKcgEneo-/s400/000.png" width="223" /></div> A couple identified as Mr and Mrs Francis Ekanem, lost their two children and home, in Ikot Usen, Ibiono LGA, Akwa Ibom state. According to an eyewitness, the tragedy occurred in the morning on August 1st. <br /> The couple, reportedly bean cake (akara) traders, were outside by 2am grinding the beans needed to prepare their product later in the day. Their children were asleep in a room and a lit candle was also in the house. The candle fell and started a fire but the busy couple were initially not aware.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a><br /> The eyewitness claimed that the children shouted fire and tried to escape from the house but couldn't because of the burglary proof. The parents were later alerted to the fire outbreak and Mrs Ekanem ran to alert the fire service for help. <br /> Sadly, the children were burnt to death before they could be rescued. The house was also totally gutted by fire. Police have started an investigation into the incident. <br /> <br /> See more hotos from the scene below...<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYYfT3OSwz8Vg1gnE-yrSYTHlyfkAhSi2LJ37u26Dao2J2e4ZF7szY3a5UeVFhFkbMknZz5t9E1U05PcIRRiaRW56za9N78B0We6lxwSqk7qPfb1_7FV3V-NDuZyoRFVrqi5WpBAqa6Z_G/s1600/3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYYfT3OSwz8Vg1gnE-yrSYTHlyfkAhSi2LJ37u26Dao2J2e4ZF7szY3a5UeVFhFkbMknZz5t9E1U05PcIRRiaRW56za9N78B0We6lxwSqk7qPfb1_7FV3V-NDuZyoRFVrqi5WpBAqa6Z_G/s320/3.png" width="179" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyLrTDo0EUL2Dn-D3CnIb-ogs3mfQMYQnpWTvhel4pK4wmyICLP0BD1ORLCMuskB45tnVcMV2V7cAEcPDEEkL0Mrk8I1i58c8TEeWSholXV97MeEuyC9VWhasjA6s2l4pVuXNm7aRSJdp/s400/1.png" width="223" /><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEi_emuP2Z4iyooMF7cBhEFDhetAFYfQx4UPTCFSTxo7xKfMNAXp1Pq3k0Lgjuwqgffp23ugJVAhN8Cw2qcRmoEb587gXvXa7junWirFl9Cd0QBrWn2GW81nQ3U_U3_wh6QWOL4sMh-T2/s400/0.png" width="223" /></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPoTs4Ln2m6Pa7lroNw9hlEizHajWkbipYMqZRdDfomqdNStYvHZEa1q3jZATKmr8_1syuvbUvjIOGLhXYqjKPgY29Kr_yUn8WROacDgSUPFSuFWWfoXhXAMADo4i35NS87Dl65Kk8CF5/s400/1a.png" width="223" /><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5csBz5CAbcL6XwZ2KJqx4XM3VKkuoj69XwbsfBDmKPokoXt-7xQ9-jPBxLsjTvwod75MlQQLeB-3gHh2meUO29J5GCtt1DYz7N-_lXU-u9GLDxmDwVKbMr2hYdr5tSDB7qAOwYBKkGyO/s400/1b.png" width="223" /></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTz_-o07r3D06VoLPwm90XkOQql9RzM4SH95E_q5IkUiWC23YqwuIyonzrpDJBGX96neH6KBZtQoUX9WJUqEf42CKMPycy4SpbJo54pf9uzFOzZ9SVohRRQkeWxHZRSveUaA24Q0-TLdU/s400/1d.png" width="223" /><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTHUv1Ae3UiZMuNlsO-gb9EsCYD4nsW-_76HgmNvpfsiUmIi7sx-yGk91kaPEo3jlJVCvof2gs57_15IfoHI3jpo710K9-n-jkDgRdPGOy43_ZLv0s7bSR5U0FKzXqPLKZtXq6TB62Kzj/s400/1e.png" width="223" /></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpMwkZy28Jvbg-MFwVAz871zm5iw_EADV5SnrMx2Edkjd5Bgrx-8jQbdPB8xCm0mLRTIzRVyDbnoTEJ6ZtqlPMge_geqr8W8I5lkhqlZkTRc_NN8bVffm_mQoZxiUCKFqEiKEAVKbyG8N1/s400/1f.png" width="223" /><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJMovOHXujoulH2BVvAor446ErC_EDJroutgFaMyWua1O2-LIZmEi8Kzf3KNtYcas4yBT8TSS6mfi1PL3JR8nDyjmvNlcl2YG229FTj5l4YhxknB0AdYOGTzBWdTbRon12_NUG5PeDwpU/s400/1c.png" width="223" /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">  </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHW7qkl19pQ2j_NRUZk9RivSs_9m9rrvXrMVRGkQhhrW9VIft_Gr2gqB981h_F2hAvBzvY9Ki7-2FHKmnB02UWA9CVYbknW2HwwkSU2eYogTzMYMm98lXnnU14eN8ZoKPFedn0fmm3onF/s1600/2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHW7qkl19pQ2j_NRUZk9RivSs_9m9rrvXrMVRGkQhhrW9VIft_Gr2gqB981h_F2hAvBzvY9Ki7-2FHKmnB02UWA9CVYbknW2HwwkSU2eYogTzMYMm98lXnnU14eN8ZoKPFedn0fmm3onF/s400/2.png" width="400" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">  </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbCwIMEcjnniJvhSu9Cf81YagNdn1JDQyX0T-tMsu62b4vUxVWTwZSMXyNIZOaA-aomKZdCASxmm9ug5Rh95vNHBkGPi0Flce6ktXqYTvII6BSjq6S2PBEKcBjYmdkTSswo-yXar03dfWI/s1600/2a.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbCwIMEcjnniJvhSu9Cf81YagNdn1JDQyX0T-tMsu62b4vUxVWTwZSMXyNIZOaA-aomKZdCASxmm9ug5Rh95vNHBkGPi0Flce6ktXqYTvII6BSjq6S2PBEKcBjYmdkTSswo-yXar03dfWI/s400/2a.png" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hO2nHH5JcCkwsvsZrhsT5bq2d3x7x651tot9mk2NeqcekooDtbOihgDOW0iYNksfjgE6zC81AKFRWm0-T40V86owF3oMK5BcBb5HSyM_1MXQ5t0r026Mg1_x9tNAt9F1o1sryY_HbvPM/s400/1g.png" width="223" /><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-fqEDfLMzBwf7ioWRomRZOLfdGSqR5l7wt3rTbQufdgCDphXTZ5BZFxEebdRPvH0kZD7_n1XLaj5jQc0vod3_dVzi5L0JmOItpanHb_q8_3pl89WtvhRTbZDx4X3wuMV7DePJfVCNRT-/s400/1h.png" width="223" /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> The two children covered clothes with after being burnt to death by the fire</div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">  </div> <br /> Photo Credit: Destinydauda Mamman <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <script src="//www.digitaladplanet.com/portal/display/js/ads.js?2244&124&468&60&0" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <script src="//www.digitaladplanet.com/portal/display/js/ads.js?2363&124&728&90&0" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <br /> <div align="center"> <script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script> <!-- JJD1 --> <br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-9872345222599731" data-ad-slot="2611207405" style="display: inline-block; height: 250px; width: 300px;"></ins><script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div> </div>

Graphic Photos: Couple lose their two children & home in a fire outbreak in Akwa Ibom

A couple identified as Mr and Mrs Francis Ekanem, lost their two children and home, in Ikot Usen, Ibiono LGA, Akwa Ibom state. Accord...

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Army rescues missing commanding officer, 5 others

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name"> <br /></h3> <div class="post-header"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikN7iVzK-PqwLf64n25z2xjw6rE2-DoNZubMHRe-SVGfWhQ91UMf2Ykm3gBlU8-ppgpaZNBpVSucfY5wGK9m9yp9Vjl75H_283TARN-Eu2nj3QPmx-7MMMErIIlW0VuWkDsp0O3rWtX24/s1600/0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikN7iVzK-PqwLf64n25z2xjw6rE2-DoNZubMHRe-SVGfWhQ91UMf2Ykm3gBlU8-ppgpaZNBpVSucfY5wGK9m9yp9Vjl75H_283TARN-Eu2nj3QPmx-7MMMErIIlW0VuWkDsp0O3rWtX24/s400/0.png" width="400" /></a></div> The Nigerian Army has rescued five soldiers and officers among those declared missing after an ambush by Boko Haram members at Guru Gongon in Borno state on Wednesday July 20th. ‎ A commanding officer, three officers and 16 soldiers were declared missing in action after the ambush. <br /> <br /> In a statement released today by Army spokesman, Col. Usman Sani, the commanding officer of the troops was among those rescued early this morning.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a><br /> The statement reads <br /> <blockquote class="tr_bq"> ”It will be recalled that some of our troops were missing in action after an ambush at Guro Gongon on July 20, 2016. Consequently, concerted efforts were initiated to search for and rescue them. The measures included the use of air assets, special forces and patrols. We wish to inform you that the search party has this morning found five more officers and soldiers that were declared missing in action, including the unit’s commanding officer. Although they are in a stable condition, they have been moved to our medical facilities for medical care.”</blockquote> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <script src="//www.digitaladplanet.com/portal/display/js/ads.js?2244&124&468&60&0" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <script src="//www.digitaladplanet.com/portal/display/js/ads.js?2363&124&728&90&0" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --></div>

Army rescues missing commanding officer, 5 others

The Nigerian Army has rescued five soldiers and officers among those declared missing after an ambush by Boko Haram members at Guru...

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Nuhu Ribadu leaves PDP, rejoins APC

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <br /><div class="post-header"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodEf_HzfOCURDAfsIaIy9KjJPOm6NHIT5SsXjV42naG_rG76gwKSzgmM8WR_uD4cAix9VN6aUe_FLrrDFYdf4g0-cBqchY9B3VThofzzufsnSntIrJHcA8jNTC4UV56_IkxLwoXI3XtE/s1600/index.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodEf_HzfOCURDAfsIaIy9KjJPOm6NHIT5SsXjV42naG_rG76gwKSzgmM8WR_uD4cAix9VN6aUe_FLrrDFYdf4g0-cBqchY9B3VThofzzufsnSntIrJHcA8jNTC4UV56_IkxLwoXI3XtE/s320/index.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> There have been rumors that he left PDP and re-joined APC, a party of which he was a founding member. He has just released a statement confirming the rumors. Read his statement below<br /> <blockquote class="tr_bq"> I have finally heeded the calls on me to return to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a party of which I was a founding member. I re-registered as a member of the APC on Thursday through the party’s online portal. After that, the leadership of the party in my Bako ward of Yola South Local Government Area visited me in my Yola residence to welcome me back to their fold. <br /> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a>My decision to return to the APC was triggered by my believe that all politics are local. Almost everyone around me, and with whom we started my political journey believed the time had come for us to make sacrifices and make concessions. That is in addition to the unbelievable love that my friends in the APC have showered on me in the past months. They demonstrated in words and action that they wanted me back home. I also did a deep and long reassessment of the circumstances that warranted my exit from the APC in the first place. I left the APC in 2014 owing to fundamental disagreements with the ways the chapter of the party in my state was run after it fell into some hands. Some colleagues and I tried hard to save the then APC administration from an orchestrated impeachment plot which was unfortunately carried out with active collaboration of some ranking APC members in the state. However, events in the last 15 months have addressed many of the issues and healed some of the wounds. More so, with the genuine and sincere invitations I received since last year to retrace my steps into the party, I decided to return after consulting family and political associates at all levels. I would like to appreciate all those members of the party who privately and publicly prodded me to return to the party. My appreciation also goes to the leadership of our party, from my ward in Bako to the national leadership, for the enthusiasm they showed in having me back. NR</blockquote> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <script src="//www.digitaladplanet.com/portal/display/js/ads.js?2244&124&468&60&0" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <script src="//www.digitaladplanet.com/portal/display/js/ads.js?2363&124&728&90&0" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --></div>

Nuhu Ribadu leaves PDP, rejoins APC

There have been rumors that he left PDP and re-joined APC, a party of which he was a founding member. He has just released a statemen...

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Appeal Court affirms David Mark’s election

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name"> </h3> <br /><div class="post-header"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqGo3CUSpFYdqgioc3xj9_NQhifUECZdcysd9RpgnXrWpDcZkeF2GRTXm5m-vxtH0GKj6Uj5U3vAVm_5iVU_bv6laaRQNhi5G6DPuz1yYNv1labwaRWiTV6aNJdGKr8Ojb38s_R9pveo/s1600/index.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqGo3CUSpFYdqgioc3xj9_NQhifUECZdcysd9RpgnXrWpDcZkeF2GRTXm5m-vxtH0GKj6Uj5U3vAVm_5iVU_bv6laaRQNhi5G6DPuz1yYNv1labwaRWiTV6aNJdGKr8Ojb38s_R9pveo/s400/index.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> The Court of Appeal sitting in Makurdi, Benue state today affirmed the decision of the state election petition tribunal to uphold the February 20th 2015 election of former Senate President, David Mark for the Benue South Senatorial district. APC candidate in the election, Daniel Onjeh, had petitioned the state election tribunal over Mark's victory at the polls.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a>The election tribunal in its ruling on June 30th dismissed Onjeh's objection saying he failed to file in his objection within the 21-days from the election as enshrined in the constitution. A dissatisfied Onjeh headed to the Court of Appeal to ask for an overturn of the tribunal's decision.<br /> <br /> In its ruling today, Justice Oyebisi Omoleye agreed with the lower tribunal in dismissing Onjeh's petition. <h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name"> </h3> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <script src="//www.digitaladplanet.com/portal/display/js/ads.js?2244&124&468&60&0" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <script src="//www.digitaladplanet.com/portal/display/js/ads.js?2363&124&728&90&0" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --></div>

Appeal Court affirms David Mark’s election

The Court of Appeal sitting in Makurdi, Benue state today affirmed the decision of the state election petition tribunal to uphold t...

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Photos : Alaafin of Oyo and his Oloris storm Maiduguri

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <br /><div class="post-header"> </div> <div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8725635177612110977" itemprop="description articleBody"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOc9OmZHFLs3pHKxNamGc8_mwG_dRkopqzq8aa2juAXs-bmlun07E4ffzwAH8B9DB6h3wSN0a5tcxGXlum7-o-ooGSq6Iuv4SE5u4GZS6mw7_G1FTDqOlQpPQXtTGFobo0KrMxdDcYvw0/s1600/5.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOc9OmZHFLs3pHKxNamGc8_mwG_dRkopqzq8aa2juAXs-bmlun07E4ffzwAH8B9DB6h3wSN0a5tcxGXlum7-o-ooGSq6Iuv4SE5u4GZS6mw7_G1FTDqOlQpPQXtTGFobo0KrMxdDcYvw0/s1600/5.png" /></a></div> <div> The A‎laafin of Oyo and his Oloris are presently in Maiduguri, Borno state to attend the 40th anniversary and convocation ceremony of the University of Maiduguri which comes up <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1181621817" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">tomorrow</span></span> <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1181621818" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">April 16th</span></span>. The Alaafin is the Chancellor of the University. More photos after the cut...</div> <div> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy34nVL_8_88pquc-CGTLW9K3USixh4v1XXAm6kMPPu3v_0ocU90R2L-JrMwALW3R5IPB2FPdNZJ8fZVkw87EFsKX-FhwROYsrkkBCBS7mNr9x54OqN3j-bg5EzOUJoa70HRTyv8L4Wxuf/s1600/2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy34nVL_8_88pquc-CGTLW9K3USixh4v1XXAm6kMPPu3v_0ocU90R2L-JrMwALW3R5IPB2FPdNZJ8fZVkw87EFsKX-FhwROYsrkkBCBS7mNr9x54OqN3j-bg5EzOUJoa70HRTyv8L4Wxuf/s1600/2.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWoy1iTlOrLnu6K48KqSycFlFh7tXkROfsvaCheZs_uEleK0bnTQO801z7O-1-vsl7IpvVzfYrNj_5qb7GWUVvoLvdkXXmGyjKWK8ZpPVA-wpatZ51wzWnzQDxGYTzhAemKl41VZegOnM9/s1600/4.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWoy1iTlOrLnu6K48KqSycFlFh7tXkROfsvaCheZs_uEleK0bnTQO801z7O-1-vsl7IpvVzfYrNj_5qb7GWUVvoLvdkXXmGyjKWK8ZpPVA-wpatZ51wzWnzQDxGYTzhAemKl41VZegOnM9/s1600/4.png" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmbLpxycPBZrqqmfyswm5dR7v24_P_XFOij9HlnAu8UuDZfTXu-SbRy5iambCHi6nC3qSoVL03ob8-trxgbWVQJHQhS2CoEdyN9YQ5zE30GugdDvx5jGLfIRIsd6H7x48LNPz_0IPVEjh/s1600/1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmbLpxycPBZrqqmfyswm5dR7v24_P_XFOij9HlnAu8UuDZfTXu-SbRy5iambCHi6nC3qSoVL03ob8-trxgbWVQJHQhS2CoEdyN9YQ5zE30GugdDvx5jGLfIRIsd6H7x48LNPz_0IPVEjh/s1600/1.png" /></a></div> </div> <span class="post-author vcard"> </span><span class="post-icons"><span class="item-action"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/email-post.g?blogID=9174986572743472561&postID=8725635177612110977" title="Email Post"> </a> </span></span><!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <script src="//www.digitaladplanet.com/portal/display/js/ads.js?2244&124&468&60&0" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <script src="//www.digitaladplanet.com/portal/display/js/ads.js?2363&124&728&90&0" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --></div>

Photos : Alaafin of Oyo and his Oloris storm Maiduguri

The A‎laafin of Oyo and his Oloris are presently in Maiduguri, Borno state to attend the 40th anniversary and convocation ceremony ...

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FFK reacts to Ali Modu Sheriff's threat to sue

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <br /><div class="post-header"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwsDQLYdgkA39kzA2oEFHfxa1RCr0Nr_blyoUoyyKdOpkholZl5IYsb7HTAvLrJ3vymnKJGBbit8K2Tx_uc8KOVv2uPfCL3aWWTuMpWGcORcRjK_jS9AMwlMN70fQV5wcsKO_D8nBEQPQ/s1600/3441551_femifani_jpeg9aded9c57d91e3410584e933c30e82f3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwsDQLYdgkA39kzA2oEFHfxa1RCr0Nr_blyoUoyyKdOpkholZl5IYsb7HTAvLrJ3vymnKJGBbit8K2Tx_uc8KOVv2uPfCL3aWWTuMpWGcORcRjK_jS9AMwlMN70fQV5wcsKO_D8nBEQPQ/s400/3441551_femifani_jpeg9aded9c57d91e3410584e933c30e82f3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Below is a statement from FFK's spokesman, Jude Ndukwe<br /> <blockquote class="tr_bq"> ''We read the newspaper advert in Thisday newspaper in which Ali Modu Sheriff has threatened to sue Chief Femi Fani-Kayode. Though we have not received a formal letter from his lawyers to that effect we wish to inform him and members of the public that we stand by everything that we have said about Sheriff, we have briefed our lawyers, we welcome the suit and we shall gladly meet him in court.<br /> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a></blockquote> The days of silencing people with arrogant threats and frivolous litigation are long over. We cannot be silenced by Modu Sheriff's threat to sue and we are not losing any sleep over it. Such a course of action will prove not only to be counter-productive for him but by the time it is all over he will get the shocker of his life''- Mr. Jude Ndukwe, spokesman to Chief Femi Fani-Kayode.<!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <script src="//www.digitaladplanet.com/portal/display/js/ads.js?2244&124&468&60&0" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <script src="//www.digitaladplanet.com/portal/display/js/ads.js?2363&124&728&90&0" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --></div>

FFK reacts to Ali Modu Sheriff's threat to sue

Below is a statement from FFK's spokesman, Jude Ndukwe ''We read the newspaper advert in Thisday newspaper in which Ali ...

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Strong quake hits Taiwan, killing 3; 221 rescued from rubble

<br /><div class="post-header"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UsDzqAl8h6iuqqrafcr_eoHJTYzBIWcUFbeAD5TD-a5N2Wkb5lGXlslDacNa4pnFB-GjOPOr_iF258A2SAanwrnXfHPBv6OMfX0vyib4F7f3DTU1FhZs7_0ve4zqTIv6lzsCIrxGX_4/s1600/_87578908_12b78e44-c363-4e89-8291-8ca26971b77a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UsDzqAl8h6iuqqrafcr_eoHJTYzBIWcUFbeAD5TD-a5N2Wkb5lGXlslDacNa4pnFB-GjOPOr_iF258A2SAanwrnXfHPBv6OMfX0vyib4F7f3DTU1FhZs7_0ve4zqTIv6lzsCIrxGX_4/s400/_87578908_12b78e44-c363-4e89-8291-8ca26971b77a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Rescuers in the southern Taiwanese city of Tainan pulled out 221 people and three dead from a residential high-rise complex that collapsed when a shallow 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck before dawn Saturday, leaving still others trapped inside.<br /> Firefighters and soldiers scrambled with ladders, cranes and other equipment to the building that folded like an accordion in a pile of rubble and twisted metal and extracted dazed survivors.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a><br /> The emergency response center told The Associated Press that three people were killed, including a 10-day-old infant, a 55-year-old woman and a 50-year-old man. Taiwan's official news agency said the infant and the man were pulled out of a 17-story Wei Guan residential building and that both were later declared dead. The agency said 256 people were believed to have been living in 92 households.<br /> Dozens more people have been rescued or safely evacuated from a market and a seven-floor building that was badly damaged, the Central News Agency reported.<br /> <br /> A bank building also careened, but no injuries were reported, it said.<br /> <br /> Most people were caught asleep when temblor struck about 4 a.m. local time (2000 GMT Friday). It was located some 22 miles (36 kilometers) southeast of Yujing, and struck about 6 miles (10 kilometers) underground, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.<br /> <br /> As dawn broke, live Taiwanese TV showed survivors being brought gingerly from the high-rise, including an elderly woman in a neck brace and others wrapped in blankets. The trappings of daily life — a partially crushed air conditioner, pieces of a metal balcony, windows — lay twisted in rubble.<br /> <br /> People with their arms around firefighters were being helped from the building, and cranes were being used to search darkened parts of the structure for survivors. Newscasters said other areas of the city were still being canvassed for possible damage.<br /> Men in camouflage, apparently military personnel, marched into one area of collapse carrying large shovels.<br /> <br /> The Taiwanese news website ET Today reported that a mother and a daughter were among the survivors pulled from the Wei Guan building and that the girl drank her urine while waiting for rescue, which came sooner than expected.<br /> <br /> The quake was felt as a lengthy, rolling shake in the capital, Taipei, on the other side of the island. But Taipei was quiet, with no sense of emergency or obvious damage just before dawn.<br /> <br /> Residents in mainland China also reported that the tremor was felt there.<br /> <br /> Earthquakes frequently rattle Taiwan, but most are minor and cause little or no damage.<br /> However, a magnitude-7.6 earthquake in central Taiwan in 1999 killed more than 2,300 people. <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <script src="//www.digitaladplanet.com/portal/display/js/ads.js?2244&124&468&60&0" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <script src="//www.digitaladplanet.com/portal/display/js/ads.js?2363&124&728&90&0" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code -->

Strong quake hits Taiwan, killing 3; 221 rescued from rubble

Rescuers in the southern Taiwanese city of Tainan pulled out 221 people and three dead from a residential high-rise complex that colla...

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Restoring Peace: Time For Police To Take Over North-East- Arase

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <br /><div class="post-header"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmIzn1jyDRZuFqVBmILTGnfqjQUz8npit5URVE819ABSQ03JmX5uFEMyzuF7DYZDI0KmVuLnhnMN8hdxDKMatLWdUc6wA5s27x_-7QAYte_qkPEVUGCnaQao_HwdptRxbDpx8TMqIWmTL/s1600/Nigerian-police.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmIzn1jyDRZuFqVBmILTGnfqjQUz8npit5URVE819ABSQ03JmX5uFEMyzuF7DYZDI0KmVuLnhnMN8hdxDKMatLWdUc6wA5s27x_-7QAYte_qkPEVUGCnaQao_HwdptRxbDpx8TMqIWmTL/s400/Nigerian-police.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> The Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase has said the time has come for police officers to take over liberated areas in the North-East from the military as part of measures to restore peace and normalcy in the region.</div> <div class="MsoNormal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal"> Speaking at a roundtable meeting with strategic stakeholders on security in the North-East on Thursday in Abuja, Arase said with the increasing successes of the military, the time had come for the police to play its lead role in restoring civil authority in the war-torn areas.</div> <div class="MsoNormal"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal"> He said, “I want to state that the unstable situation and wide range conflict created in the North-East has greatly denied citizens in the affected areas of the security which they constitutionally deserved to enjoy and it is for this reason that the Nigeria Police Force is evolving operational strategies that will lead to the restoration of police primacy and restoration of civil authority in the North-East. Of course, I will not just post Police personnel to the North-East without first ensuring their safety and provision of adequate welfare. That is why we have already sent the Deputy Inspector-General of Police,  Operations to go beforehand and ensure adequate preparations towards the taking over of the place by the Police,” he said.</div> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <script src="//www.digitaladplanet.com/portal/display/js/ads.js?2244&124&468&60&0" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <script src="//www.digitaladplanet.com/portal/display/js/ads.js?2363&124&728&90&0" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --></div>

Restoring Peace: Time For Police To Take Over North-East- Arase

The Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase has said the time has come for police officers to take over liberated areas in the Nor...

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International Marathon: Lagos restricts movement on major highways...announces alternative routes

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <br /><div class="post-header"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYXY06mHnkGT_XOefDc_Qyt5YyndwBihI7OJpLta0qZdnTncnaVP0sj5h7jAo6dubTgjaZDWR7hivBW7R4-ijJARceT8k4_K-JoyZbZLtHCjIUoZv9rLyc2LW28-3lCyEtauaByHCCTm4/s1600/eko-bridge-snipview.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYXY06mHnkGT_XOefDc_Qyt5YyndwBihI7OJpLta0qZdnTncnaVP0sj5h7jAo6dubTgjaZDWR7hivBW7R4-ijJARceT8k4_K-JoyZbZLtHCjIUoZv9rLyc2LW28-3lCyEtauaByHCCTm4/s400/eko-bridge-snipview.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Lagos State Government on Wednesday announced restriction of movement in some of the major highways to be used for the February 6, 2016 International Marathon scheduled to start by 7am at National Stadium Surulere and terminate at Eko Atlantic City. </span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Lagos International Marathon, which was last held in 1983, is billed to be attended by over 20,000 athletes, including over 20 world class marathoners.</span></span><br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">Speaking during a press conference at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Transportation, Prince Olanrewaju Elegushi disclosed that the Marathon will start from the National Stadium and move to Anthony, and thereafter to Gbagada Road, Third Mainland Bride through Alfred Rewane to Lekki Ikoyi Bridge and terminate at Eko Atlantic City.</span></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><br /></span></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">Elegushi, who explained that the Marathon will commence at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2137143919" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">7am</span></span>, said the restriction of traffic will however start from <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2137143920" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">6:30am</span></span> and end at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2137143921" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">1pm</span></span>, adding that adequate arrangements have been put in place to ensure that security operatives and officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) barricade access to the dual carriage way to be affected by the event.</span></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><br /></span></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">According to him, all traffic flow and access from Alaka and Alhaji Masha to National Stadium towards Ojuelegba and along Western Avenue terminating at Anthony Bus stop would be blocked, while the whole stretch of the Anthony Oke to Gbagada unto Third mainland Bride along with accesses at New Garage, Adeniji Adele interchange; Sura/Simpson and Obalende would equally be blocked.</span></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><br /></span></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">He added that all access from Dolphin Estate towards Osborne terminating at Falomo Road About would be blocked for the event, while access to Falomo Roundabout from Alfred Rewane (Kingsway Road), Awolowo Road and traffic from Victoria Island would also be affected.</span></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><br /></span></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">According to Elegushi, other areas to be affected include all access/link roads along Bourdillon up to Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge Roundabout and the Link Bridge, while there would also be blockade of traffic on Admiralty Way from the bridge outlet inward Lekki-Epe Expressway inward Ozumba Mbadiwe to Akin Adesola, Bishop Oluwole and Bar Beach (Atlantic City).</span></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><br /></span></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">He, however, call on all Lagosians “to see the event not only as a sporting event but for its tourism content. As a people who are naturally friendly, we should put on display, our positive attitude to visitors,” Elegushi counseled.</span></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><br /></span></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">He said governor would not hesitate to lift the restriction if and when it is perceived as necessary to bring about free flow of traffic.</span></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><br /></span></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">While regretting any inconveniences that the residents might suffer as a result of the restriction, Elegushi said the security operatives and LASTMA officials have been stationed to ensure free flow of traffic in all the other alternative routes which the people could make use of during the event.  </span></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><br /></span></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of LASTMA, Christ Olakpe assured residents of the preparedness of his men to ensure a hitch-free tournament.</span></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">Olakpe, a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, added that instructions have been given to his men to be civil in dealing with residents.</span></span></span></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">SIGNED</span></b></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">HABIB ARUNA</span></b></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY</span></b></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2137143922" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">FEBRUARY 3, 2016</span></span></span></b></span></span><!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <script src="//www.digitaladplanet.com/portal/display/js/ads.js?2244&124&468&60&0" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <script src="//www.digitaladplanet.com/portal/display/js/ads.js?2363&124&728&90&0" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --></div>

International Marathon: Lagos restricts movement on major highways...announces alternative routes

The Lagos State Government on Wednesday announced restriction of movement in some of the major highways to be used for the February ...

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Photos: Buhari receives President of Italy

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <br /><div class="post-header"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eu0HY-_jYyLynmCvpaAJ_bJZjeP9OGGeLJ-L3jL2Tm2p3cjSg5ZXl3l_EaJTE0rMSSU0RqsDuuHBG_62VrNd0DNipCanPNC0F13ENKsvLe8RnjEzyO1QJmq0TsVdSz9o5Sk1quLw3_I/s1600/1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eu0HY-_jYyLynmCvpaAJ_bJZjeP9OGGeLJ-L3jL2Tm2p3cjSg5ZXl3l_EaJTE0rMSSU0RqsDuuHBG_62VrNd0DNipCanPNC0F13ENKsvLe8RnjEzyO1QJmq0TsVdSz9o5Sk1quLw3_I/s400/1.png" width="400" /></a></div> President Buhari today received the Prime Minister of Italy, Matteo Renzi on his Official visit to the statehouse. More photos after the cut...<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhob69jLc6CVQIPkAkIouWmJ_1RFCVtuRCjcdwfJi7mErugxSppiS3FnLaPVP8793FOfDgVbgwgYlqWZzgxkK300PtYF8F7zOrxAs4zhh4sWNKONmFiR9GMgDa5nBOUDPAoKr_NSlvVnSs/s1600/3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhob69jLc6CVQIPkAkIouWmJ_1RFCVtuRCjcdwfJi7mErugxSppiS3FnLaPVP8793FOfDgVbgwgYlqWZzgxkK300PtYF8F7zOrxAs4zhh4sWNKONmFiR9GMgDa5nBOUDPAoKr_NSlvVnSs/s400/3.png" width="400" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">  </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfUK1H4gDJ1RoNpqWLcGXMAneeDskYkOerIvTrJSR_z5mwFryk6CgVZvAqHLqOli6eSTp98cmX6ilZFG98FyQ11VoFW3wQCk1jCDirg1UIsoj2lNDZXAlDclo6F_TTF0oEB3GEFbY4zI/s1600/5.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfUK1H4gDJ1RoNpqWLcGXMAneeDskYkOerIvTrJSR_z5mwFryk6CgVZvAqHLqOli6eSTp98cmX6ilZFG98FyQ11VoFW3wQCk1jCDirg1UIsoj2lNDZXAlDclo6F_TTF0oEB3GEFbY4zI/s400/5.png" width="400" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">  </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBnKf5IRR0uHLTnlAKHl-h-3MmzdsnLr8PyIJQXnBP89B7MWnZuBFIcljHMvedF3mJZjOjlMZqbGc8rzAje7hSd8ejiBl9pcdMWYW1gc4erDWcJSyFlM_v6wMKKUtLTH-mPBXnJEorYI/s1600/5.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBnKf5IRR0uHLTnlAKHl-h-3MmzdsnLr8PyIJQXnBP89B7MWnZuBFIcljHMvedF3mJZjOjlMZqbGc8rzAje7hSd8ejiBl9pcdMWYW1gc4erDWcJSyFlM_v6wMKKUtLTH-mPBXnJEorYI/s400/5.png" width="400" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">  </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVChBmYYVwYDJ2uidgiegfpWN0AdeghtrAZN29WOPytc-Bwe3Raozdt3wJr7p_VGstsT2CH650eE3y53jJxfAYBjR4oyZDw29DA9s7_ugYS4nIlk29NdETEjD446QqQbAdcvphSTqB2Qw/s1600/4.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVChBmYYVwYDJ2uidgiegfpWN0AdeghtrAZN29WOPytc-Bwe3Raozdt3wJr7p_VGstsT2CH650eE3y53jJxfAYBjR4oyZDw29DA9s7_ugYS4nIlk29NdETEjD446QqQbAdcvphSTqB2Qw/s400/4.png" width="400" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">  </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNfINxJqYgR-qnFnCe1yWfLwM5hFomOfdcfctaZDMIBR876ONUlom-kc2MtILjOP3UL57sKAfncjHK8AIfED-a39KfRPJ85ccuT-uZaAWuDDBI7cu2IzaQlztDmV4UoAvK7mcWFiT2wYY/s1600/6.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNfINxJqYgR-qnFnCe1yWfLwM5hFomOfdcfctaZDMIBR876ONUlom-kc2MtILjOP3UL57sKAfncjHK8AIfED-a39KfRPJ85ccuT-uZaAWuDDBI7cu2IzaQlztDmV4UoAvK7mcWFiT2wYY/s400/6.png" width="376" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">   </div> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <script src="//www.digitaladplanet.com/portal/display/js/ads.js?2244&124&468&60&0" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <script src="//www.digitaladplanet.com/portal/display/js/ads.js?2363&124&728&90&0" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --></div>

Photos: Buhari receives President of Italy

President Buhari today received the Prime Minister of Italy, Matteo Renzi on his Official visit to the statehouse. More photos after ...

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Tope Aluko not worthy of response from sane minds - Fayose's aide

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name"> <br /></h3> <div class="post-header"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOkVuEkYnfM9PIq8LOwuccYKE_FnFFeyhFKjDakQ1DACq0bXCNHm7j9Mvd9o3oOFUGCb38Q0xzdTlWj0UuahjjBvYJGUqmxwzlwT31sBVQjXySWRPd9JB25YQMccz3kv_5LXvZjSQn6I/s1600/Tope-Aluko-300x162.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOkVuEkYnfM9PIq8LOwuccYKE_FnFFeyhFKjDakQ1DACq0bXCNHm7j9Mvd9o3oOFUGCb38Q0xzdTlWj0UuahjjBvYJGUqmxwzlwT31sBVQjXySWRPd9JB25YQMccz3kv_5LXvZjSQn6I/s400/Tope-Aluko-300x162.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Special Assistant to the Ekiti State Governor on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka has described the expelled former State Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr TKO Aluko as a new distraction from the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, saying he does not deserve response from sane minds.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a>Olayinka said Aluko was already beclouded by his desperation to seek revenge against Governor Ayodele Fayose because of the governor's refusal to make him his Chief of Staff, such that he (Aluko) was not mindful of committing the criminal offence of perjury.<br /> <br /> The governor's aide who said it was shameful that the APC have refused to accept a scandalous electoral defeat they suffered 19 months ago, asked whether it was also soldiers that rigged the 2015 presidential, senatorial, house of representatives and State House of Assembly elections that the party lost woefully in Ekiti. He said;<br /> <blockquote class="tr_bq"> "For Aluko to be taken seriously, he must first have to report himself to the police to be tried for perjury and committed to prison for three years, since what he is now saying is different from what he said under oath at the Election Tribunal being the only witness called by the PDP and Governor Fayose.</blockquote> <blockquote class="tr_bq"> "If after giving evidence under oath at the tribunal that the Election was free, fair and credible and that security agents, including soldiers performed their duties creditably well, saying something else more than one year after is an admittance by Aluko himself that he is not a stable character. </blockquote> <blockquote class="tr_bq"> "It is also a demonstration of the fact that giving the right offer tomorrow, the same Aluko can also address the press tomorrow to deny all what he said today. He can even deny his own existence since he can deny what he said under oath just because he was not made Chief of Staff. </blockquote> <blockquote class="tr_bq"> "Therefore, we won't bother ourselves, responding to what a political parasite chooses to say because he wouldn't have said what he is now saying today if he had been made Chief of Staff to Governor Fayose and it is sure that if he called today, and given the right offer, he will begin to sing another song. </blockquote> <blockquote class="tr_bq"> "Also, the APC bad losers in Ekiti State should know that it will take more than recruiting and paying a disgruntled TKO Aluko to discredit an election adjudged by both local and international observers, including the United States government as free, fair and credible. They will probably need to pay INEC to tell Nigerians that an election it conducted, in which an incumbent governor lost in his own local government was not credible. </blockquote> <blockquote class="tr_bq"> "As per his claim that $37 million was given to the governor for the election, the governor got financial support from various sources as it is usual of anyone contesting election and it is not for to begin to advertise in the media the level of support the governor received from individuals, corporate organizations or groups. However, if money belonging to the APC is missing and they suspect that the money was stolen by Dr Goodluck Jonathan to fund Ekiti State governorship election, they can approach the EFCC."</blockquote> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <script src="//www.digitaladplanet.com/portal/display/js/ads.js?2244&124&468&60&0" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <script src="//www.digitaladplanet.com/portal/display/js/ads.js?2363&124&728&90&0" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --></div>

Tope Aluko not worthy of response from sane minds - Fayose's aide

Special Assistant to the Ekiti State Governor on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka has described the expelled forme...

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Focus… Should Nigerians pay more for electricity?

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="single-post-thumb"> <img alt="ngige_fashola_ayuba__Ripples_Nigeria" class="attachment-slider wp-post-image" height="300" src="http://www.ripples.com.ng/en/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/ngige_fashola_ayuba__Ripples_Nigeria.jpg" width="596" /> </div> <br />Finally the D-Day is here, Monday, February 1st. The date all electricity consumers in the country are expected to adopt if you like, a new payment regime as announced by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola.<br /> The new payment policy will however not include service charge anymore as was the case before, but Nigerians are expected to pay more this time.<br /> <strong>Groundswell of opposition against new tariff</strong><br /> The new policy regime is coming in spite of a subsisting court order for all parties to stay action.<br /> It may be recalled that Barrister Toluwani Yemi-Adebiyi, a human rights activist, had taken the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), to court and subsequently got an order from the Federal High Court in Lagos to stop the NERC from further increasing its tariff. The injunction granted by Justice Ibrahim Idris against any increment was subsisting and had not been discharged.<br /> <blockquote> The extended labour unions, including the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have set machinery in motion to picket the offices of the electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) nationwide on Monday (today).</blockquote> Justice Idris made the order on May 28, 2015 restraining NERC from increasing tariff in June. The judge later restated the order, saying it subsists until the substantive matter is decided.<br /> The House of Representatives had also kicked against the new tariff, just as the organised labour said it was unacceptable.<br /> In fact as an indication of their opposition to the whole idea, the extended labour unions, including the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have set machinery in motion to picket the offices of the electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) nationwide on Monday (today).<br /> At a stakeholders’ meeting convened in Lagos over the weekend, the NLC president, Comrade Ayuba Wabba and his counterpart at TUC, Comrade Bobbi Kagama, and Messrs Adeola Samiel-Ilori, Coordinator, Electricity Consumer Protection Forum, Toluwani Yemi-Adebiyi, a human right activist and Chinedu Bosah, Publicity Secretary, CDWR had described as illegal, unfair and unjustifiable a further exploitation of the already exploited Nigerians the intention to increase electricity tariff come February 1st, 2016.<br /> Justifying the need for the rejection of the new tariff, they said due process was not followed in line with Section 76 of the Power Sector Reform Act, 2005.<br /> Besides, they said there has been no significant improvement in service delivery just as they accused the DISCOs of reneging on the memorandum of understanding in which the latter promised to provide meters to all electricity consumers but failed to do so.<br /> Subsequently, they hinted that the labour unions will as a matter of necessity mobilise all Nigerians to resist the new tariff by embarking on mass protest and picketing of all DISCOs’ offices nationwide.<br /> <blockquote> Labour said there has been no significant improvement in service delivery just as they accused the DISCOs of reneging on the memorandum of understanding in which the latter promised to provide meters to all electricity consumers but failed to do so.</blockquote> “We direct all consumers to reject any bill with the new tariff and so many other actions we may deem necessary.”<br /> <strong>Forcing a fait accompli on Nigerians</strong><br /> It does appear the federal government has already considered the new policy regime as a fait accompli judging by the preparedness of the electricity’s distribution companies (DisCos) to go ahead with the implementation.<br /> Speaking under their umbrella body, Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED), the DISCOs said power consumers’ cooperation have become imperative so as to ensure a hitch free service delivery.<br /> ANED Executive Director, Research and Advocacy, Sunday Oduntan urged the customers to pay their electricity bills for the growth of the power industry and the economy.<br /> Nigerians, he lamented, only pay for 40 per cent of electricity supplied, a situation, he admits, creates grave financial constraints for the entire value chain.<br /> “There is a culture of non-payment for electricity in Nigeria, maybe as a result of attitude of past governments. This attitude cuts across all the geographical regions. We pray our customers to endeavour to pay their bills,” he stressed. Nigerians, he emphasised, waste energy instead of conserving.<br /> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <script src="//www.digitaladplanet.com/portal/display/js/ads.js?2244&124&468&60&0" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <script src="//www.digitaladplanet.com/portal/display/js/ads.js?2363&124&728&90&0" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --></div>

Focus… Should Nigerians pay more for electricity?

Finally the D-Day is here, Monday, February 1st. The date all electricity consumers in the country are expected to adopt if you ...

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Buhari visits Dairy farm in Kenya

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name"> <br /></h3> <div class="post-header"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzTO3EEqpATyIjG0l_Ogbsj4tPWc5Xjcy5742Ln06OD37pzhHu0b5-AGgvcJXWVyVze8Z4Scw5mQAHRJ-Mj7LUHaGEGDOwtvEvLDFawv6O8gf8R6vhPHToOxCxgYWvBDPfvG0hZLHJmtc/s1600/2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzTO3EEqpATyIjG0l_Ogbsj4tPWc5Xjcy5742Ln06OD37pzhHu0b5-AGgvcJXWVyVze8Z4Scw5mQAHRJ-Mj7LUHaGEGDOwtvEvLDFawv6O8gf8R6vhPHToOxCxgYWvBDPfvG0hZLHJmtc/s400/2.png" width="400" /></a></div> President Buhari spent some time today visiting a dairy farm in Nairobi, Kenya. Buhari also has a cattle herd in his village, Daura in Katsina state. Continue to see more photos...<br /> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw5sC0Fdv8tBADj1RJaV72ea7MQWVVHGpR34x2HDHjCUndCKQ4tjSAx4O8s7drhwZnrl8Sc3LcVOpnGgqahPOkjpT75qJL-aHtwJt9UMt5Mz3a4hzKZ9bmobW6tfHku-FudY4tFPGMDV0/s1600/4.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw5sC0Fdv8tBADj1RJaV72ea7MQWVVHGpR34x2HDHjCUndCKQ4tjSAx4O8s7drhwZnrl8Sc3LcVOpnGgqahPOkjpT75qJL-aHtwJt9UMt5Mz3a4hzKZ9bmobW6tfHku-FudY4tFPGMDV0/s400/4.png" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWKxvQjCOd262hqqdCTEmuBYjgnn93ovbW9cXj2Bn7uS6Y4RziAeEGErby0zibBxb_lP8_dkwuZVli6uiCVOFgrhUb2AUBrwG1NsocAaKsb2E1_Ez9Bplq3XUtUlVTudWOBj5ixRmIuE/s1600/5.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWKxvQjCOd262hqqdCTEmuBYjgnn93ovbW9cXj2Bn7uS6Y4RziAeEGErby0zibBxb_lP8_dkwuZVli6uiCVOFgrhUb2AUBrwG1NsocAaKsb2E1_Ez9Bplq3XUtUlVTudWOBj5ixRmIuE/s400/5.png" width="400" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq5B2DVYJxAJ2uuaGIEL_kVgyki0V2QVN4loW3W2A3T95zl0UjUFWVVFpQ4HFQJT22rOALAevqvkj9tKOFtg-8BHBgBJQLPL1ul3dXN3kBMB3MPM7xed1gCTZMQwh4PYHl3sA8yyXK-kM/s1600/3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq5B2DVYJxAJ2uuaGIEL_kVgyki0V2QVN4loW3W2A3T95zl0UjUFWVVFpQ4HFQJT22rOALAevqvkj9tKOFtg-8BHBgBJQLPL1ul3dXN3kBMB3MPM7xed1gCTZMQwh4PYHl3sA8yyXK-kM/s400/3.png" width="400" /></a></div> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <script src="//www.digitaladplanet.com/portal/display/js/ads.js?2244&124&468&60&0" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <script src="//www.digitaladplanet.com/portal/display/js/ads.js?2363&124&728&90&0" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --></div>

Buhari visits Dairy farm in Kenya

President Buhari spent some time today visiting a dairy farm in Nairobi, Kenya. Buhari also has a cattle herd in his village, Daura...

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Buhari rejects devaluation of Naira, says "I won't kill the Naira"

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name"> <br /></h3> <div class="post-header"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs37NmcfzcTKR-8axd_HszzFj-1nYVFpTTZ_r5enMfWQeUXQPvx7dhLnKJyvVTjTO9AbIHL0KDog_3oeXuStu-hEvb-T3lKRiRJg2154pdHisssR8w-mtXnJEDEzHerNf2bMLpux7zIWM/s1600/index.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs37NmcfzcTKR-8axd_HszzFj-1nYVFpTTZ_r5enMfWQeUXQPvx7dhLnKJyvVTjTO9AbIHL0KDog_3oeXuStu-hEvb-T3lKRiRJg2154pdHisssR8w-mtXnJEDEzHerNf2bMLpux7zIWM/s400/index.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Press statement from the Presidency<br /> <blockquote class="tr_bq"> President Muhammadu Buhari declared late Wednesday in Nairobi that he was yet to be convinced that Nigeria and its people will derive any tangible benefit from an official devaluation of the Naira. Speaking at an interactive meeting with Nigerians living in Kenya, President Buhari maintained that while export-driven economies could benefit from devaluation of their currencies, devaluation will only result infurther inflation and hardship for the poor and middle classes in Nigeria's import-dependent economy.<br /> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a></blockquote> <div> <div dir="ltr"> <br /> <div style="color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.466667175293px;"> <div style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;"> The President added that he had no intention of bringing further hardship on the country's poor who, he said, have suffered enough already.</div> <div style="margin: 6px 0px;"> Likening devaluing the Naira to having it "killed", President Buhari said that proponents of devaluation will have to work much harder to convince him that ordinary Nigerians will gain anything from it.</div> <div style="margin: 6px 0px;"> The President also rejected suggestions that the Central Bank of Nigeria should resume the sale of foreign exchange to Bureaux de Change (BDCs), saying that the Bureau de Change business had become a scam and a drain on the economy.</div> <div style="margin: 6px 0px;"> "We had just 74 of the bureaux in 2005, now they have grown to about 2,800," President Buhari noted.</div> <div style="margin: 6px 0px;"> He alleged that some bank and government officials used surrogates to run the BDCs and prosper at public expense by obtaining foreign exchange from government at official rates and selling it at much higher rates.</div> <div style="margin: 6px 0px;"> "We will use our foreign exchange for industry, spare parts and the development of needed infrastructure.</div> <div style="margin: 6px 0px;"> "We don't have the Dollars to give to the BDCs. Let them go and get it from wherever they can, other than the Central Bank," President Buhari told the gathering.</div> <div style="margin: 6px 0px;"> The President reaffirmed his conviction that about a third of petroleum subsidy payments under the previous administration was bogus.</div> <div style="margin: 6px 0px;"> "They just stamped papers and collected our foreign exchange," he said.</div> <div style="margin: 6px 0px;"> The President appealed to Nigerians studying abroad to bear with his administration as it strives to address the challenges they are facing as a result of new foreign exchange measures.</div> <div style="margin: 6px 0px;"> He said that he was optimistic that the Nigerian economy will stabilize soon with the efficient implementation of measures and policies that have been introduced by his administration.</div> <div style="margin: 6px 0px;"> Garba Shehu</div> <div style="margin: 6px 0px;"> SSA to the President</div> <div style="margin: 6px 0px;"> (Media & Publicity)</div> <div style="margin: 6px 0px;"> <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_85494040" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">January 28, 2016</span></span></div> </div> </div> </div> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <script src="//www.digitaladplanet.com/portal/display/js/ads.js?2244&124&468&60&0" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <script src="//www.digitaladplanet.com/portal/display/js/ads.js?2363&124&728&90&0" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --></div>

Buhari rejects devaluation of Naira, says "I won't kill the Naira"

Press statement from the Presidency President Muhammadu Buhari declared late Wednesday in Nairobi that he was yet to be convinced...

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N50 Stamp Duty: CBN exempts salary accounts, self-to-self transactions

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <br /><div class="post-header"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaZUaKnET5kc9FudMX2QVBc-Fagya7JBvmor7tyBXWLZrKlIAZsk_oRXA6HkPM_Yetxg9QcWrL2Kd7rMjcr4Ot-Bmq6wxb3lH6HvwhUEyWxHE9xxxGcA1fKReolbOwmCycUQsJUUC5wsr/s1600/index.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaZUaKnET5kc9FudMX2QVBc-Fagya7JBvmor7tyBXWLZrKlIAZsk_oRXA6HkPM_Yetxg9QcWrL2Kd7rMjcr4Ot-Bmq6wxb3lH6HvwhUEyWxHE9xxxGcA1fKReolbOwmCycUQsJUUC5wsr/s400/index.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> The Central Bank of Nigeria says the recently introduced N50 stamp duty for all deposit transactions will not be collected for Payments of salaries and wages as well as payments and deposits for self-to-self transactions whether inter or intra bank.<br /> <br /> This clarification was made in a statement sent out by the Director Corporate communication of CBN, Mallam Ibrahim Mu'azu yesterday January 21st.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a>The management of the apex bank had on Monday January 19th sent out a circular to all Deposit Money Banks and Other Financial institutions titled, "Collection and Remittance of statutory charges on receipts of Nigeria Postal Service under theStamp Duties Act”, mandating it to collect N50 stamp duty for deposit transactions.<br /> <br /> The N50 stamp duty is being introduced to help increase the tax revenue of the Federal government. Part of the statement released by the CBN Director of Corporate Communication's reads “The implementation of the Stamp Duty at this point in time emanated from a Federal High Court order that the CBN should direct deposit money banks under its supervision to commence the collection of the duty on behalf of the federal government.<br /> <br /> Consequently, the money deposit banks have been directed to commence the collection of the duty. Banks are to collect the N50 stamp duty and remit same to the Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST) on behalf of the customer.<br /> <br /> The N50 stamp duty is charged per transaction and NOT per volume. Hence, irrespective of the amount, the sum of N50 is to be charged provided such a transaction is N1,000 and above. There are however some exemptions and these include payments of salaries and wages, payments and deposits for self-to-self transactions whether inter or intra bank among others,’’ the statement said. <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <script src="//www.digitaladplanet.com/portal/display/js/ads.js?2244&124&468&60&0" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --> <script src="//www.digitaladplanet.com/portal/display/js/ads.js?2363&124&728&90&0" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- Digital AdPlanet - Ad Display Code --></div>

N50 Stamp Duty: CBN exempts salary accounts, self-to-self transactions

The Central Bank of Nigeria says the recently introduced N50 stamp duty for all deposit transactions will not be collected for Paymen...

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