Category: News

By Ifeanyichukwu Nwannah – Gusau.

A group known as Arewa  Youths  Forum has expressed its determination to collaborate with the Zamfara state government towards ending the dastard activities and general insecurity ravaging the state.

This was disclosed during a press briefing in Gusau, the state capital by the National President of the association, comrade  Gambo  Ibrahim  Gujungu.

According to him, the key objectives of the project are not limited to enhance the state government’s intervention and effective engagement with community groups on peacebuilding and conflict mitigation.

READ ALSO: This is not our agreement with Buhari ― Zamfara residents lament escalation of foodstuff prices

“We will also work towards changing how people perceive and react to issues relating to religious and communal conflicts and it’s the effect on the community,” he said.

“Strengthening the capacity of existing and community structures to promote peace and local socioeconomic developments remains our ultimate objective”

“To promote full inclusiveness and effective participation of community groups in state and federal government peace efforts”

READ ALSO: Zamfara APC inaugurates committee to investigate warring factions

Comrade  Gujungu further reassured the residents in the state as well as other parts of the northern states on the government’s capacity to maintain peace, thereby making the states and indeed the country at large the destination choice for investment.

He maintained that the enlightenment campaigns would be carried out in the whole three senatorial zones of the state.

Vanguard News Nigeria

A housewife, Ladidi Abbas, on Tuesday dragged her husband, Shehu Abbas to a Sharia Court sitting in Magajin Gari, Kaduna, seeking divorce over alleged battery.

Abbas, who resides at Rigasa, Kaduna, said her husband usually beats her over any misunderstanding and hospitalised for 13 days due to the beatings.

“He usually beats me in front of our children, the last time he beats me, I was hospitalised for 13 days”, Abbas said.

She prayed the court to dissolve the marriage and grant her custody of their children.

READ ALSO: Divorce finalisation excites American singer Keyshia Cole

The defendant, Abbas, a retired journalist who also resides at Rigasa, denied the allegation.

“It is now I even begin to love my wife the most,” he said, and prayed the court to grant him time to resolve their marital problems.

The judge, Murtala Nasir, after listening to both parties, ordered the complainant to bring witnesses to testify on her allegation of battery.

He adjourned the case to September 10, for further hearing.

Vanguard

By Shina Abubakar – Osogbo

In furtherance of registering its grievances against the increment in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly known as petrol and electricity tariff in the country, the National Association of Nigerian Students has embarked on a protest in Osogbo, Osun State capital.

The protest which was organised by the NANS leadership in conjunction with Joint Campus Committee Osun Axis took off around 10am with the protesters moving round major routes in the state capital.

ALSO READ: Full details of Femi Falana’s letter to Salami-panel over ‘misleading evidence’ against Magu

They were singing different solidarity songs against what they described as the cruel action of government against citizens with the hike.

They also bore placards with several inscriptions such as, ‘FG is insensitive to Nigerians plights”, We demand a reversal of the increment in prices of petrol and electricity”, We are in pains”, among others.

NANS Public Relations Officer in the Zone, Kazeem Olalekan said students would continue to occupy the streets until government reverses the wicked price increase policy against the people.

VANGUARD

Boko Haram jihadists killed 10 civilians in attacks on three villages in Borno, local security officials said Monday.

Babakura Kolo, the leader of a government-backed anti-jihadist militia, told AFP the insurgents had carried out the assaults on Sunday.

Kolo said they raided the village of Kurmari, 40 kilometres (25 miles) from regional capital Maiduguri, late Sunday, killing four residents as they slept.

The attackers did not use guns so as not to attract troops in a nearby town, said another militia member Ibrahim Liman.

The area has been the target for repeated suicide and gun attacks.

ALSO READ: Zulum calls on Boko Haram to sheathe swords as IDPs return home

Elsewhere, sources said jihadists burned three people alive and hacked a fourth to death in another village on the outskirts of Maiduguri, also on Sunday.

Two farmers were also killed as they tended their fields and several others abducted close to the city.

Boko Haram fighters have stepped up attacks on farmers as they work in their fields.

The jihadist conflict which started in 2009 has killed 36,000 people and displaced around two million in northeast Nigeria.

The violence has spread to neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon, prompting a regional military coalition to fight the militants.

[AFP]

Vanguard News Nigeria.

Chief (Engr.) Joe Orode Omene

By Emma Amaize

URHOBO Progress Union, UPU, umbrella body Urhobo ethnic nationality in Delta State, has called on the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Edo State, to caution its members to desist from smearing the reputation of Resident Electoral Commissioner, Cross River State, Mr. Mike Igini.

Chief Joe Omene, president general of a parallel UPU, who gave the warning in a press statement, described Mr Igini as an illustrious Urhobo son and exceptional public officer in the country.

ALSO READ: Corruption Cases: MURIC calls for establishment of special court

Omene said: “We condemn in its entirety the false allegation against the Cross River State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Mike Igini, by the duo of Col. David Imuse (Rtd.) and John Mayaki, chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo state, that he was perfecting plans with Edo state Governor Godwin Obaski to rig the forthcoming governorship election in the state.”

“Mike Igini, is one of the rare and finest public officer that the Nigerian people have come to know and appreciate deeply for his integrity, competence, consistency, dedication and strength of character, this is why Nigerians have reacted angrily from all parts of the country condemning the two characters behind this ugly and barefaced lies,” he added.

VANGUARD

By Nwafor Sunday

Ifedayo Olarinde, aka, Daddy Freeze, has reacted to the statement credited to the Founder and General Overseer of Salvation Ministries, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, wherein he described Freeze as a half-caste and ‘a bastard son of a Somalian’.

The Nigerian-Romanian broadcaster and radio talk show host, in a new video, drew the attention of the general public and of course the Nigeria Police force, saying that Pastor David Ibiyeomie should be hold responsible if anything happens to him.

He wondered why the Pastor has not been arrested by security officers for allegedly threatening his life.

The outspoken Freeze described Pastor David’s statement as ‘Hate Speech’, demanding apology from him for demeaning ‘broadcasting profession’. “You must apologize to all journalists for demeaning the profession”, he said.

On ‘Half-Caste’, Daddy Freeze, said he is proud to associate with Romanians, saying that they are wonderful people like Nigerians.

He equally condemned the fact that he was referred as a ‘half caste’, noting that now the ‘live of black man matters’, is the time a black man is speaking ill of his fellow black man.

READ ALSO: You’re a bastard, Ibeyiome blasts Daddy Freeze, accuses him of insulting Oyedepo

“The world is fighting racism, and you are a racist, condemning your fellow black man”, he said.

On ‘A Bastard’, Daddy Freeze expressed sadness, asking Pastor David to show him (Daddy Freeze) his father since he is saying that the man who gave birth to him is no longer his father.

“You must show me my father.”

The Genesis of the story

Bishop David Oyedepo had last week advised women to be submissive to their husbands, in order to protect their marriage.

Criticizing this, Daddy Freeze, cited a bible verse, saying that women and men should be submissive to each other.

He described Oyedepo’s teaching as modern day slavery, advising men and women to be submissive to one another.

Reacting to Daddy Freeze’s submission, Pastor David Ibiyeomie said: “Insult me , I will take it but insulting Oyedepo, that bastard, tell him any day I hear him talk about Oyedepo… Do they know his father? Does Daddy Freeze have a father? Who is his father? That half-caste who was born by a Somalian. “The day I will hear him insult Oyedepo again, I will deal with him. Oyedepo may not talk but I can’t be alive you insult my father. Who gave birth to him? If he has a father, let him show us his father’s picture. Somebody dey give birth to mischief. Does he look like a Nigerian? He is a Somalian.

“If I hear him insult my father again, Oyedepo may not talk but I can’t be alive, you insult my father. I curse the day he was born. Insult my father when I am alive, I cannot take it.

“Oyedepo will not talk but I can’t be alive you insult my father. I will tear you…I will tear you to pieces. I will be alive you insult my father and say heeeey.…I will tear you to pieces you bastard. People who have father, don’t insult fathers. He is insulting because he has no father. You can never insult a father if you have a father. He has no father. Tell him ooo, tell him, this is the last thing he will talk about Oyedepo again.

“He is a bastard, he is a bastard, does he have a father? Who is his father? Let him show his father’s picture, if he has a father. A man who cannot marry, he has no wife. He cannot manage his home and he is coming to talk on television. Is it not his wife that left him. A man who is a broadcaster, does he have a good job?

“You have been insulting my father and people are laughing. Anybody who insults my father again, I will just ….. Oyedepo may not talk but Me ooo I go just… I will never be alive to see somebody insult my father, you are not born, you are not born. I will kill you, I will tear you to pieces. Me I will arrest him.”

Small step for religion? https://t.co/ea1weZ69ZK

— ghoul (@_bebob) September 7, 2020

Vanguard

Prof. ishaq Akintola

The Muslims Rights Concern (MURIC) an NGO, has called for the establishment of special courts to try corruption cases in Nigeria.

The Director of the group, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, made the call on Tuesday in a statement in Abuja.

Akintola said, the call became necessary considering the dangers that corruption posed to the peace, development and security of the nation.

Also read:  2023 ZONING CONTROVERSY: Why the South should not believe El-Rufai— Abaribe

“Although the war against corruption has registered some significant victory in some areas, it is very glaring that many cases are being delayed in courts courtesy of legal technicalities.

 ” Many individuals are hiding under the provision of some legal clauses to delay, frustrate their trial and subsequently escape justice.

“Special courts will remove such obstacles and ensure that cases are speedily and efficiently disposed of,” he said.

Akintola also reiterated the need for the national assembly to expedite action to ensure move for the establishment of Special courts became a reality.

“We, therefore, charge the National Assembly to expedite action on the establishment of special courts particularly to try corrupt public officials.

” The present NASS is on course and it should not relent until it gives Nigeria special courts. 

” The machinery for enacting a bill on special courts for corruption into law should be set in motion in the NASS without any delay,” he said.

Akintola said those who rob the poor citizens of the opportunity to have access to live more abundant do not deserve to roam freely on the streets.

“A special prison should be constructed for those who steal pensioners money. The inmates of this jail should be in chains 24-7.

” Rapists should be castrated while kidnappers should be given long jail terms and this reclassification of punishments will deter criminally-minded Nigerians,” Akintola said.

He commended the giant stride of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration for the ongoing infrastructural development across the country.

“The infrastructure development which we see in various places have been made possible by the fact that Nigeria now has an incorruptible leader.

” We would not have been talking of any Abuja metro line, any Mambilla Hydropower project of 3050 megawatts forty years after it was abandoned, talk more of Itakpe-Warri-Ajaokuta standard gauge rail line abandoned since 1987, and the Second Niger Bridge,” he said.

” We will continue to support the war against corruption because we know that the latter is the bane of development in this country,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Muhammadu Buhari submitted the Special Crimes Bill 2016 to the legislature in 2016 as part of his anti-corruption policy.

NAN reports that the bill was drafted by the Prof. Itse Sagay-led Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption.

The proposed court will exclusively handle corruption cases and other cases including narcotics, human trafficking, kidnapping, cyber-crime, money laundering and other related offences.

The offences under the existing legal framework are still being prosecuted by some law enforcement agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission before the Federal High Courts and State High Courts.

The intention of the bill, the executive said,  is to ensure speedy trials of the offences – as indicated in its title which reads – “An Act to provide for the establishment of a Special Crimes Court as a superior court of record to allow for speedy trials of certain offences, including economic and financial crimes, terrorism, money laundering and corruption offences and for related matters”.

Vanguard News

4th September 2020

The Secretary,

The Ayo Salami Judicial Commission,

The Presidency,

Three Arms Zone,

Abuja, FCT.

REQUEST TO REFRAIN FROM RECOMMENDING THE TERMINATION OF CHARGE NO. LD/2415C/16 (FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA v GNAHOUE SOUROU NAZAIRE & 2 ORS) AND CHARGE NO: LD/6147/2017 (FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA v GNAHOUE SOUROU NAZAIRE & ANOR) PENDING BEFORE THE LAGOS STATE HIGH COURT 

9. We are Solicitors to Madam Rachidatou Abdou on whose behalf we write this letter in respect of the above mentioned criminal cases which are currently pending before the Lagos State High Court.
11. Our client who is the complainant in both criminal cases has informed us that the defendants recently submitted a petition to the Honourable Judicial Commission of Inquiry headed by the Honourable Justice Issa Ayo Salami PCA (rtd) where they claimed, albeit falsely, that the suspended Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr Ibrahim Magu abused his office by charging them with forgery and stealing in the Lagos State High Court on the basis of a petition written on her behalf by our law firm.
13. We have since confirmed that the Honourable Judicial Commission entertained the petition, reviewed the two criminal cases pending in the Lagos State High Court took evidence from the 2nd defendant who has been dismissed from the company on grounds of fraud.
15. The tainted evidence of the defendants was said to have been corroborated by his lawyer who alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is currently prosecuting Mr Ricky Tarfa SAN for defending the defendants in the criminal cases.
17. To the utter dismay of our client, the defendants who are citizens of Benin Republic, have been boasting in Cotonou that both criminal cases pending against them in the Lagos State High Court would soon be terminated based on the assurance from the Honourable Judicial Commission.

19. ALSO READ: P&ID: My story, by Shasore, ex-Lagos Justice Commissioner

21. Embarrassed by the development our client has instructed us to protest the decision of the Honourable Judicial Commission to deny her the opportunity to react to the contemptuous and misleading evidence of the defendants who have deliberately stalled their trial at the Lagos State High Court.
23. However, notwithstanding our reservations about the alien procedure adopted by the Honourable Judicial Commission we have assured our client that we shall resist any attempt to divert the course of justice in the criminal cases pending in the Lagos State High Court. Accordingly, we have our client’s instructions to put the record straight for the sake of posterity.
25. More so, that she has already given evidence as the complainant in the pending criminal cases before the Lagos State High Court where the defendants are standing trial for forgery, uttering of documents and stealing the sum of N630 million  from her company.
27. On our own part, we have deemed it fit to defend the integrity of the Lagos State High Court whose competence to hear and determine the pending criminal cases has been challenged by the defendants before the Honourable Judicial Commission.
29. Otherwise, a dangerous precedent may be set whereby political authorities will be encouraged to use the instrumentality of judicial and administrative commissions of inquiry to stop the prosecution of criminal suspects involved in serious economic crimes and other grave criminal offences.
31. It may interest the Honourable Judicial Commission to know that our client who is a dual citizen of both Benin and Nigeria resides in Cotonou, Benin Republic. Sometime in 2007, she decided to incorporate her company called RANA HAIR PRESTIGE in Nigeria. Out of her own volition, our client made her friend, Mr Gnahoue Sourou Nazaire a co-director in the company.
33. Thereafter, the two business partners became close and our client became pregnant shortly after they started dating. But while our client travelled to France to deliver her baby Mr. Nazaire diverted the fund of the company and forged vital documents in order to reduce her shares in the company. Upon her return to the country in May 2012, our client wrote a petition to the Special Fraud Unit of the Nigeria Police Force.
35. In the said petition which was written by Akingbolu & Salawu, her counsel at the material time, our client alleged fraud, forgery and stealing of the fund of her company by her partner, Mr Nazaire and a former Managing Director of the company, Mr Senou Modeste.
37. The Police investigated the allegations and confirmed that they were true. Even though the defendants were indicted the Police declined to arraign them in court based on their plea to resolve the dispute with our client in an amicable manner. On the basis of the assurance of the defendants our client withdrew her petition from the Police.
39. However, the defendants refused to resolve the dispute and threatened thereafter to deal ruthlessly with our client as they boasted that they are “well connected in Nigeria”. It was at that stage that our client briefed us to take over her case.
41. We accepted the brief on the condition that our office would collaborate with the law firm of Akingbolu & Salawu to secure justice for her. As soon as she accepted our terms we reviewed the case and petitioned the EFCC via our letter dated December 16, 2013.
43. Contrary to the spurious evidence of the defendants before the Honourable Judicial Commission, our client’s petition was submitted to the EFCC under the chairmanship of Mr Ibrahim Lamorde. The EFCC painstakingly investigated the complaint, indicted the defendants and charged them with forgery and uttering of documents at the Lagos State High Court on July 20, 2015.
45. The Charge No was LD/1709C/2015 (FRN v Gnahoue Sourou Nazaire &2 Ors) was later amended with the leave of the learned trial judge. However, following the commencement of the criminal proceedings in the Lagos State High Court the defendants filed a fundamental right application (Suit No FHC/L/CS/715/2015) at the Federal High Court seeking to restrain the Attorney-General of the Federation, Inspector General of Police and EFCC from arresting, detaining and persecuting them on the basis of our client’s complaint.
47. The application was opposed by the counsel to the Respondents who cited several authorities including the case of Dokubo Asari v Federal Republic of Nigeria (2007) 12 NWLR (Pt 1048) 220 where the Supreme Court had held that “The power of arrest of suspected offenders is vested in the police and no one can take it away from them. This general power invested in the police to arrest and detain suspected criminals is statutory.” Curiously, the Federal High Court presided over by Nasir Yinusa J. ignored the authorities and proceeded to grant the reliefs sought by the applicants.
49. It was later established by the EFCC that the judgments were purchased by the applicants’ counsel and that there were regular telephone conversations between the counsel and the Judge when the fundamental rights cases were pending at the Federal High Court.
51. Hence, Mr Ricky Tarfa SAN was charged with obstruction of justice contrary to section 97(3) of the Criminal Code Law of Lagos State. We have confirmed that the Honourable Judicial Commission has also taken evidence from the representative of Mr Ricky Tarfa SAN with a view to making a recommendation to the President to direct the Attorney-General of the Federation to terminate the criminal case pending against him at the Lagos State High Court.
53. It is on record that the criminal case instituted by the EFCC against the defendants at the Lagos State High Court in July 2015 and the fundamental rights cases filed by the defendants at the Federal High Court were inherited by Mr Ibrahim Magu in November 2015 upon his appointment as the Acting Chairman of the EFCC.
55. Therefore, the defendants LIED ON OATH and deliberately set out to pervert the course of justice when they claimed before the Honourable Judicial Commission that our client’s petition was submitted to the EFCC under the leadership of Mr Ibrahim Magu.
57. Before approaching the Honourable Judicial Commission the defendants had attempted but failed to frustrate our client from pursuing the criminal cases pending in the Lagos State High Court. In particular, the defendants had written a petition to the Nigeria Immigration Service wherein they alleged that our client is not a Nigerian citizen and that she had provided false information to secure her Nigerian Passport.

59. ALSO READ: Salami Panel: Magu applies to summon Malami as witness, says entitled to confront main accuser

    The Nigeria Immigration Service investigated the allegation and dismissed it after confirming that our client is a bonafide Nigerian citizen.

60. As if that was not enough, the defendants colluded with a few corrupt policemen at Zone 2, Onikan, Lagos State to deport our client from Nigeria. To achieve the criminal objective the police arrested and charged our client with forging her Nigerian Passport before the Chief Magistrate Court at Igbosere, Lagos State.
62. But upon a critical review of the facts of the case the office of the Attorney-General of Lagos State caused the criminal charge to be withdrawn as there was no scintilla of evidence to prove it. Consequently, the learned Chief Magistrate struck out the charge and discharged our client.
64. Having failed to use the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Police to deport our client from Nigeria and thereby frustrate their trial the defendants have decided to subvert the Nigerian criminal legal system by praying the Judicial Commission to recommend to the President to direct the Attorney General of the Federation to terminate the criminal cases pending against them in the Lagos State High Court.
66. With profound respect, the prayer of the defendants/petitioners cannot be granted by the Honourable Judicial Commission on the following solid legal grounds:
68. The review of the criminal cases pending before the Lagos State High Court is not covered by any of the terms of reference listed in the Instrument setting up the Honourable Judicial Commission.
70. It is submitted that the Tribunal of Inquiry Act is not a law of general application in the country. Our authority for this submission is the case of  Fawehinmi v. Babangida (2003) 12 WRN 1 where the Supreme Court held that “the power to make a general law for the establishment and regulation of tribunals of inquiry in the form of the Tribunals of Inquiry Act 1966 is now a residual power under the 1999 Constitution belonging to the States.
72. However, in regard to the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, the power resides in the National Assembly.”Since the evidence of the defendants pertain to the criminal activities carried out by them in Lagos State the President is not competent to authorise the Honourable Judicial Commission to investigate them.

• Notwithstanding that the Honourable Judicial Commission is headed by a retired President of the Court of Appeal it is an inferior tribunal which is subject to the jurisdictional supervision and control of a High Court. To that extent, the Honourable Judicial Commission lacks the competence to review the criminal cases that are pending before the Lagos State High Court.
• In Williams v Dawodu (1988) 4 NWLR (Pt 87) 189 the Court of Appeal held that section 14(2) of the Lagos State Tribunal of Inquiry Law which purported to upgrade the recommendation of a tribunal to that of a High Court is contrary to the judicial powers vested in the courts by section 6 of the Constitution.

1. By denying our client the opportunity to challenge the evidence adduced by the defendants the Honourable Judicial Commission has infringed on her fundamental right to a fair hearing and departed from the principles established by the Supreme Court in Garba v University of Maiduguri (1986) 1 NWLR (Pt 18) 550 at 558 where Oputa JSC held that “To constitute a fair hearing whether it be before the regular courts or before Tribunals and Boards of Inquiry the person accused should know what is alleged against him. He should be present when any evidence against him is tendered and he should be given a fair opportunity to correct or contradict such evidence?”
3. The power of the EFCC to prosecute the defendants for economic crimes on the authority of the Attorney-General of Lagos State cannot be questioned by the Honourable Judicial Commission. In Frank Amah v Federal Republic of Nigeria(2019) 6 NWLR (Pt 1667) 160 at 188 Kekere-Ekun JSC stated that “The presumption which has not been rebutted, is that the EFCC has the requisite authority, donated by the Attorney-General of Lagos State, to prosecute the appellant for offences allegedly committed under the Criminal Code Law of Lagos State. The authority cannot be questioned. As rightly held by the lower court, this court has taken judicial notice of the fact of the delegation, which is binding on all.”
5. As a fact-finding body, this Honourable Judicial Commission is not competent to determine the guilt or otherwise of the defendants who are currently standing trial in the Lagos State High Court. This principle was laid down by the Supreme Court in Sofekun v Akinyemi (1981) 1 NCLR 135 wherein Obaseki said that “It is in the interest of the Government and every individual in this country that the guilt of crime should not be tagged on any individual without a proper trial in the courts of law known as such under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

• The Honourable Judicial Commission lacks the power to request the President to order the Attorney-General of the Federation to terminate the criminal proceedings arising from the contravention of the Criminal Code of Lagos State.
• It is trite law that the Attorney General of the Federation is not subject to the control or directive of the President or any authority whatsoever in the exercise of the power to terminate any criminal case under section 174 of the Constitution. See The State v Ilori (1983) 1SCNLR 94 at 111.
• However, since the defendants have been charged under the Criminal Law of Lagos State it is the Attorney-General of Lagos State who is empowered by section 211 of the Constitution to terminate the pending criminal cases pending before the Lagos State High Court in accordance with the principles of law enunciated by the Supreme Court in the case of Anyebe v The State (1986) 1 MWLR (Pt 14) 39.
• It is equally submitted that the Honourable Judicial Commission lacks the vires to review the criminal cases pending in the Lagos State High Court as the President who constituted it has no control over the subject matter.
• Furthermore, the Attorney General of Lagos State who authorised the EFCC to initiate the criminal proceedings is not an agent of the President. In Gafar v Government of Kwara State (2007) 20 WRN 170 the Supreme Court held that “the Federal High Court lacked the jurisdictional competence to entertain the appellant’s application for the enforcement of his fundamental rights as the 1st respondent “which constituted the Commission of Inquiry and issued a White Paper on the report thereof, is not an agency of the Federal Government.”
• Incidentally, the Judicial Commission of Inquiry in the Gafar’s case was headed by Ayo Salami JCA (as he then was).

17. In view of the foregoing and having regards to the fact that the constitutional democracy operated in the country rests squarely on the principle of separation of powers, we urge the Honourable Judicial Commission of Inquiry to refrain from further reviewing the criminal cases pending in the Lagos State High Court.
19. In particular, the Honourable Judicial Commission should reject the dangerous invitation of the defendants to constitute itself into an Appellate Court over the Lagos State High Court.
21. However, if our humble prayer is refused for any reason whatsoever we shall not hesitate to approach the Federal High Court with a view to quashing the proceedings of this Honourable Judicial Commission of Inquiry for reviewing criminal cases that are pending before the Lagos State High Court.
23. While awaiting the reply of the Honourable Judicial Commission to this letter, please accept the assurances of our highest esteem and professional regards.

Yours Sincerely,

FEMI FALANA SAN, FCI Arb.

CC:

1. President Muhammed Buhari,

The President & Commander-in-Chief of The Armed Forces,

Federal Republic of Nigeria,

The Presidential Villa,

Three Arms Zone,

Abuja.

2. Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN),

The Vice President,

Federal Republic of Nigeria,

The Presidential Villa,

Three Arms Zone,

Abuja.

Vanguard

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers has commended the organised labour in the state for suspending its planned strike for Tuesday.

It said in a statement issued by its spokesman in the state, Mr Ogbonna Nwuke, that the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and its associates had demonstrated uncommon maturity and discipline.

Nwuke noted that labour demonstrated this by allowing last-minute discussions with the Rivers Government.

Also read: Biography: Dr Kingdom, former Rivers Assembly member, 1st graduate from Egi clan

He said that the breakthrough recorded at the meeting was plain as a result of the unique sacrifice made by labour in the overall interest of the state and nation.

“We have heard that the Rivers Government and labour have settled their differences.

“It took last-minute efforts that lasted late into the night to avert a crippling strike.

“While we welcome the resolutions reached at the end of that very crucial meeting, it is our expectation that the Rivers Government would fulfil its promise to workers.

“Government must have a human face and all of us have a responsibility to evolve for mankind, a kinder and responsive system that is understanding, just and fair,’’ he said.

Nwuke urged Gov. Nyesom Wike to learn lessons from the action of the labour.

“His administration had no reason whatsoever to threaten sons and daughters of Rivers who are part of the labour movement and who are rendering essential services to the people of the state.

“We thank the labour leaders for doing the needful, they have proved that the interest of the working class was more paramount in the decision they took to call out workers,’’ he said.

Nwuke called on the governor to eschew his “gunboat politics’’.

“It has no place in an egalitarian society and no place in a society that hopes to embrace a system of social responsibility,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the national leaders of the organised labour had arrived at Port Harcourt on Monday to lead the protest against the Rivers government over ill-treatment of workers in the state.

The resolve of labour to press on with the action in spite of a purported order stopping the action forced the state government to invite labour leaders for a meeting to avert the strike.

Vanguard News

Jim Nwobodo

By Chioma Gabriel, Dennis Agbo & Chimaobi Nwaiwu

Former governor of the old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo, has reacted to Mbazuluike Amechi comment on his politics saying the elder statesman should respect his age and keep quiet.

The First Republic Aviation Minister, Amechi, had said; “I do not think I personally take Nwobodo seriously in Nigerian politics because most of the trouble we have in Nigeria between the North and the Igbo have a touch of Jim Nwobodo,”

But reacting, Senator Jim Nwobodo, said he would rather advise Amechi as an elder statesman to refrain from inciting Ndigbo against their governors but to keep quiet and hold his peace.

“A man at 90 years should not talk the way he talks. He talking as if he is 30 or 40 but I respect age.”

Nwobodo said: “Mbazuluike Amechi said he doesn’t take me serious and  I was his elected governor for four years. He came to see me as his governor on several occasions for one favour or the other and when he looks around his town, he will see my legacies in Ukpor.

“Yet, he doesn’t take me serious? Something must have gone astray. I don’t believe he is the same person saying this.

“He had neither contested nor won an election before in his life, not even councillorship. He has not governed before in his life and doesn’t even know what governance is.

“So, he should please keep quiet and hold his peace. He is talking about inconsistency; it is he who is inconsistent. On one hand, he wants an alliance with the north and on other hand, he wants the governors to fight the north and the Inspector General of Police in order not to be seen as weak.

“Is that how the presidency of Igbo extraction would be achieved? Yet, Mbazuluike wants to be taken seriously?

ALSO READ: Why Nwobodo should not be taken serious politically — Mbazuluike Amechi

“He wants an alliance with the north to the exclusion of other parts of Nigeria; the south west, south-south and the middle belt.

“When I talked about a president from the south-east, I meant a Nigerian president from the south east and not a southeastern president in alliance with the north only.

“The president must be in alliance with the northeast, north-west, north-central, south-west, south-south and south-east.

“Mbazuluike said I was inconsistent because I brought Awolowo to re-unite with Zik in my house. Is Awolowo not one of the foremost Nigerian leaders?

“A highly respected leader, who governed the old western region, with legacies that contributed to what south-west is today? Now Mbazuluike Amechi is already dividing Nigeria by talking about Zik and Bello alone, forgetting that the leaders then were Zik, Bello and Awolowo. This view is his alone and does not represent the views of the Igbo.

“Mbazulike seemed to be ignorant of what happened in the second republic. I never contested for governorship nomination with Chief C. C. Onoh in NPN; it was Dr Alex Ekwueme and Dr Chuba Okadigbo who contested for the governorship of old Anambra State with Onoh in NPN, and Onoh won.

“Chief Onoh contested the larger Enugu Local Government election with my elder brother, John Nwobodo under non-party basis and my brother won.

“Mbazuluike has never governed before; he does not understand what governance means, so he is not qualified to speak on governance.

“He is ignorant of how parties were formed, so he does not understand what happened and I can forgive him. He was meddling with Club 19 that was supposed to metamorphose into NPP.

READ ALSO: If we truly deregulated, shouldn’t fuel price drop? Atiku ponders in new tweet

“He could not achieve it and could not fund the party until T O S Benson and Chief M.T Mbu invited me to take over the Club 19. I funded it with my personal resources and built it up into a political party and that was how NPP was formed.

“He is now calling for a meeting of both APC and PDP leaders from the south east in his home town at Ukpor where he would sit down in his bedroom and select an Igbo President for Nigerians.

“I don’t know how many Nigerian Presidents were selected in one man’s bedroom. This is what he is working on. And this is the man who wants to be taken seriously.

“APC and PDP do not belong to the Igbo alone and are not the only parties in Nigeria. He claims he is going to start making contacts to achieve Igbo presidency.

“Was that how Presidents Obasanjo, Ya’radua, Jonathan and Buhari became presidents? Yet he wants to be taken serious.

“I have respect for age but Mbazuluike should please speak like an elder. I would not talk about this issue anymore and would not want to join issues with him. I have made my points and they are verifiable.”

Nwobodo went further to say: “I challenge Mbazuluike Amechi to tell Nigerians one thing he has done for them, one thing he has done for  Ndi-Anambra, one thing he has done for Ndigbo and I will name one hundred things I have done for the Igbo. In all his life, it has been I want to bring this side and the other side, yet none of them succeeded.

“How can one be failing all the time? There is nothing he did that succeeded. It was the three governors that he was insulting that brought Zik and Shagari.

“Where I led the negotiating team, Paul Unongo and others got what we got and that was what gave us our golden era. Mbazuluike was not in the show at all. He has never been in any show that succeeded.

“All those following Mbazuluike should be careful because he is now trying to derail our chance. You want President and you are talking about fighting?

“You don’t get presidency by fighting, by calling people names. He has never succeeded and that’s the man that wants to get President for Ndigbo.

“Let him name one thing he has done for Ndigbo and I will name many things I did for his village, Ukpor, in Anambra, in Enugu and in Ebonyi. He is just a rabble-rouser.

Vanguard News Nigeria.

Victor Ogunyinka

Former Vice President Abubakar Atiku has again punctured the recent deregulation in petroleum that has led to an increase in fuel price, asking “If we truly deregulated, shouldn’t fuel price drop?”

Atiku, in rhetorics on his verified Twitter handle Tuesday morning, tweeted that as a businessman, he is more concern with the economic perspective of things.

He pointed out that in the US and Europe, fuel prices are far lower than they were in 2019.

Then he asked in a ponderously, “If we truly deregulated, shouldn’t fuel price have dropped?”

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The post If we truly deregulated, shouldn’t fuel price drop? Atiku ponders in new tweet appeared first on Vanguard News.

Prof. ishaq Akintola

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) an NGO, has called for the establishment of special courts to try corruption cases in Nigeria.

The Director of the group, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, made the call on Tuesday in a statement in Abuja.

Akintola said the call became necessary considering the dangers that corruption posed to the peace, development, and security of the nation.

“Although the war against corruption has registered some significant victory in some areas, it is very glaring that many cases are being delayed in court courtesy of legal technicalities.

READ ALSO: Oyo TESCOM counters MURIC over alleged ‘Christianisation’ of examination

“Many individuals are hiding under the provision of some legal clauses to delay, frustrate their trial, and subsequently escape justice.

“Special courts will remove such obstacles and ensure that cases are speedily and efficiently disposed,” he said.

Akintola also reiterated the need for the national assembly to expedite action to ensure the move for the establishment of Special courts became a reality.

“We, therefore, charge the National Assembly to expedite action on the establishment of special courts particularly to try corrupt public officials.

“The present NASS is on course and it should not relent until it gives Nigeria special courts.

“The machinery for enacting a bill on special courts for corruption into law should be set in motion in the NASS without any delay,” he said.

Akintola said those who rob the poor citizens of the opportunity to have access to live more abundant do not deserve to roam freely on the streets.

“A special prison should be constructed for those who steal pensioners money. The inmates of this jail should be in chains 24-7.

“Rapists should be castrated while kidnappers should be given long jail terms and this reclassification of punishments will deter criminally-minded Nigerians,” Akintola said.

He commended the giant stride of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration for the ongoing infrastructural development across the country.

“The infrastructure development which we see in various places has been made possible by the fact that Nigeria now has an incorruptible leader.

“We would not have been talking of any Abuja metro line, any Mambilla Hydropower project of 3050 megawatts forty years after it was abandoned, talk more of Itakpe-Warri-Ajaokuta standard gauge rail line abandoned since 1987, and the Second Niger Bridge,” he said.

“We will continue to support the war against corruption because we know that the latter is the bane of development in this country,” he said.

President Muhammadu Buhari submitted the Special Crimes Bill 2016 to the legislature in 2016 as part of his anti-corruption policy.

The bill was drafted by the Prof. Itse Sagay-led Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption.

READ ALSO: MURIC denies link to terrorist group

The proposed court will exclusively handle corruption cases and other cases including narcotics, human trafficking, kidnapping, cyber-crime, money laundering, and other related offenses.

The offenses under the existing legal framework are still being prosecuted by some law enforcement agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offenses Commission before the Federal High Courts and State High Courts.

The intention of the bill, the executive said, is to ensure speedy trials of the offenses – as indicated in its title which reads – “An Act to provide for the establishment of a Special Crimes Court as a superior court of record to allow for speedy trials of certain offenses, including economic and financial crimes, terrorism, money laundering, and corruption offenses and for related matters”.

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The World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF), an affiliated partner of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI), has appointed Dr. Freeman Osonuga, Chief Executive Officer of Adloyalty Business Network (AdloyaltyBN) as Senator representing Nigeria.

As an affiliated partner of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI), the World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF) is committed to collaborating globally to empower the economic development of the world by fostering innovative financial instruments for startups, scale ups, innovators, entrepreneurs and SMEs and to promoting gender equality and women’s participation in all sectors of the world economy.

As announced by BaybarsAltuntas, the chairman of the World Business Angels Investment Forum, Dr. Freeman will represent Nigeria at the Grand Assembly of the World Business Angels Investment Forum. The Inclusion of Nigeria in WBAF provides a wide range of opportunities for Nigerian startups, scale ups, and high growth businesses, and opens doors for economic development.

In response to Dr. Freeman’s appointment as Senator, BaybarsAltuntas said; “Dr. Freeman who currently leads over 20,000 real estate consultants in Nigeria has made significant contributions to driving financial inclusion across the country and has helped secure market-based funding for several real estate developers and firms and we believe beyond all reasonable doubt that he would function perfectly in this position.”

BaybarsAltuntas, further stated; “As an affiliated partner of the G20 Global Partnerships for Financial Inclusion (GPFI), the WBAF supports startups, develops entrepreneurial ecosystems, and helps venture capital and companies connect with international companies, FinTechs, and other relevant institutions.

READ ALSO: Africa Investment Summit: Gov. Matawalle woos foreign investors

We are confident about our choice of contribution to the economic development of the country by facilitating connections with entrepreneurial ecosystems. We strongly believe that Nigeria will soon become a country that can foster the development of its economy in a more entrepreneurial atmosphere.’’

Dr. Freeman Osonuga is a Multi-award-winning Nigerian Real Estate Entrepreneur and global leader who effortlessly dons many caps and has made an easy meal of successfully being a Medical Doctor, Real Estate Broker, Humanitarian, International Public Speaker, Accomplished Author and a successful entrepreneur all in his stride.

Dr. Freeman, humbled by this appointment, reassured WBAF of his continuous commitments to connect more with the global investor’s markets which will open up splendid opportunities for the country.

In his interview with Pressmen, he stated; “I appreciate The World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF) for this opportunity, now local Nigerian angel investors, incubation centers, accelerators, private equity funds, co-investment funds, technology parks, corporate ventures, and aspiring entrepreneurs will have more opportunity to connect with global leaders in the same field.”

I am more than happy to collaborate with the High Commissioner for Nigeria, HauwaYabani, and fellow senators to drive financial inclusion in Nigeria and across the world. Dr. Freeman Said.

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Mbazuluike Amechi

By Chioma Gabriel, Dennis Agbo & Chimaobi Nwaiwu

One of the remaining members of the Zikist Movement and father of Nigerian politics, Chief Mbazuluike Amechi, has said the former governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo, should not be taken seriously politically.

According to the First Republic Aviation Minister, “most of the trouble we have in Nigeria between the North and the Igbo have a touch of Jim Nwobodo”.

The duo (Amechi and Nwobodo) have been in a war of words following the performance of South-East governors and other issues pertaining to the south-east.

“I do not think I personally take Nwobodo seriously in Nigerian politics because most of the trouble we have in Nigeria between the North and the Igbo have a touch of Jim Nwobodo,” Amechi said.

“I wish you can hear me well because I really want to talk to you on that. When I  make a heavy statement like that, I want to explain it.

“I said the trouble between the North and the Igbo has its origin and Nwobodo played a very big role in them in 1978/79. I negotiated the formation of alliance between the National Party of Nigeria, NPN and Nigerian Peoples Party, NPP.

ALOS READ: Women who resort to bigamous marriages get their fingers burnt

“Now, after the election, Nwobodo won on the platform of  NPP and in Imo State,  Chief Sam Mbakwe won and the man in Jos, Solomon Lar, won in Plateau State. Zik used his position with the North to forge an alliance between the NPP and the NPN in the formation of the Federal Government of 1979.

“Again, Nwobodo won the second term election. Mbakwe and Solomon Lar also won in 1982/83. Jim Nwobodo again went and brought alliance between Zik and Awolowo and I told Zik that there was no way it would work, that he should not break the alliance he had with the NPN.

“But they formed their progressives and it was the same Nwobodo that engineered that and it failed.

READ ALSO: Herdsmen still tormenting us, Enugu Council Chairman, farmers lament

“While Nwobodo was enjoying his governorship in his second term, he lost to Christian Omoh who became governor of Old Anambra State. Throughout the time Nwobodo was a member of NPP, he was never consistent.

“In 1993 or thereabout,  during the Olusegun Obasanjo’s era, they went to Jos Convention. It was the same Nwobodo who threw some confusion into Ekwueme’s camp.

“A great percentage of Northerners agreed they have run their turn, that it was time for the people of the Southeast. Then, Nwobodo got up there in Jos and said all sorts of nonsense in Hausa and that led to the loss of  Dr Alex Ekwueme to Obasanjo.

“Under former President Goodluck Jonathan, he joined the All Progressives Congress, APC. He is an opportunist. He wants wherever he will gain personally. So, when he talks on matters of life in politics, I don’t take him seriously.”

Vanguard News Nigeria.

Taj Mahal

India’s top tourist attraction the Taj Mahal is set to reopen more than six months after it was shut, officials said Tuesday, even as the vast nation battles soaring coronavirus infections.

India, home to 1.3 million people, on Monday overtook Brazil to become the world’s second most-infected nation with more than 4.2 million cases, behind only the United States.

“The Taj Mahal will reopen on September 21. All Covid-19 protocols, like physical distancing, masks will be followed,” northern Uttar Pradesh state’s Tourism Department deputy director Amit Srivastava told AFP.

ALSO READ: Cross River by-election: PDP electoral panel submits report

Visitors will be limited to 5,000 a day, down from the usual daily average of 20,000, he added.

One of the New Seven Wonders of the World, the shining marble mausoleum south of the capital New Delhi has been closed since mid-March as part of India’s strict virus lockdown.

Uttar Pradesh, home to Agra city where the Taj is located, is one of the worst-hit states in India with more than 270,000 virus cases recorded so far.

India has pushed ahead with reopening to boost its virus-battered economy even as infections have steadily increased.

Since August, India has been reporting the highest single-day rises in the world.

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The Nigerian Police

By Ugochukwu Alaribe – Umuahia

Gunmen, on Tuesday, killed a policeman while four others sustained injuries following an attack on them in Ohafia council area of Abia State.

Vanguard gathered that the gunmen suspected to be about 12 attacked five police officers at a bus stop at Okagwe Junction, Ohafia, during a heavy downpour in the early hours of Monday, September 7, 2020.

The five policemen reportedly went on a ‘pin down operation’ in the area when the gunmen struck.  In the ensuing gunfire, a policeman was shot dead while the gunmen escaped with bullet injuries.

The injured policemen are said to be receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital in the state.

As at the time of this report, efforts to get the reaction of the State Commissioner of Police, Mrs Janet Agbede, was unsuccessful as her mobile number was unavailable. However, a senior police officer in the state command confirmed the incident.

Meanwhile, Abia state government in a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, disclosed that the government in conjunction with the security agencies is currently investigating the incident.

READ ALSO: Killers of two Hausa settlers in Rivers not IPOB ― Police

The statement urged medical facilities in the state to report any patient with gunshot injuries to the nearest police station or the relevant Transition Council Chairman.

It also advised law-abiding residents to go about their normal duties without fear as the government has taken measures to protect them as well as arrest the fleeing gunmen.

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the late gallant officer who lost his life in the course of service to fatherland. In the same vein, we pray for the quick recovery of the injured,” the statement read in part.

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President Muhammadu Buhari

Though the deregulation of petrol is causing hardship across the polity, the initial pain will eventually give way to greater benefits among which include a significant reduction in the price and availability of the product at all times, according to Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari.

The President stated this on Monday at the First Year Ministerial Performance Review Retreat for Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and top government functionaries in Abuja.

Apparently, this was what happened when competition was allowed in the Telecoms sector, the tariffs were initially high, even the cost of SIM cards then was about N50,000, but today due to competition SIM cards are in fact given free of charge by operators.

Speaking on the impact of petrol deregulation, the President acknowledged the difficulty that the development is causing Nigerians, noting that “we will continue to seek ways and means of cushioning pains especially for the most vulnerable in our midst.”

According to the President “We will also remain alert to our responsibilities to ensure that marketers do not exploit citizens by raising pump price arbitrarily. This is the role that government must now play through the PPRA.

“This explains why the PPRA made the announcement a few days ago setting the range of price that must not be exceeded by marketers. The advantage we now have is that anyone can bring in petroleum products and compete with marketers, that way the price of petrol will keep coming down.”

ALSO READ: Brace up for more fuel price increases — BUHARI

Still referring to the benefits of a deregulated market, President Buhari said petrol scarcity which usually caused long queues at petrol stations have been dealt with noting that “under this administration, Nigerians no longer have to endure long queues just to buy petrol, often at highly inflated prices.”

In the same vein, the President explained his administration’s tariff adjustment policy emphasizing that it was geared towards improving service delivery and addressing arbitrary increases.

According to him, “NERC, the industry regulator, therefore, approved that tariff adjustments had to be made but only on the basis of guaranteed improvement in service. Under this new arrangement, only customers who are guaranteed a minimum of 12hours of power and above can have their tariffs adjusted.

“Those who get less than 12 hours supply, or the Band D and E Customers MUST be maintained on lifeline tariffs, meaning that they will experience no increase.

READ ALSO: Fuel hike: You’re pushing Nigerians against their will, PDP blasts Buhari

“This is the largest group of customers. Government has also taken notice of the complaints about arbitrary estimated billing.

“Accordingly, a mass metering program is being undertaken to provide meters for over 5 million Nigerians, largely driven by preferred procurement from local manufacturers – creating thousands of jobs in the process.”

Speaking on actions taken to addressing long standing challenges, the President said measures are being put in place to address the challenge faced by Nigerians not connected to the grid.

“…as part of the Economic Sustainability Plan, we are providing Solar Home Systems to 5 million Nigerian households in the next 12 months. We have already begun the process of providing financing support through the CBN for manufacturers and retailers of Off-Grid Solar Home Systems and Mini-Grids who are to provide the systems.

“The Five million systems under the ESP’s Solar Power Strategy will produce 250,000 jobs and impact up to 25 million beneficiaries through the installation This means that more Nigerians will have access to electricity via a reliable and sustainable solar system,” the President noted.

Vanguard News Nigeria.

The convict said he would bomb National Assembly.

A Socio-cultural group, Tiv Youth Organisation (TYO) has urged the National Assembly to be guided by the national interest in its debate on the National Water Resource Bill before it.

Its President, Mr Timothy Hembaor, made the call on Monday in Enugu, while briefing newsmen at the end of a meeting of Indigenous Ethnic Youth Leaders of Nigeria.

Hembaor also called on the political class, especially state governors, to lend their voices to the ongoing debate on the bill, which had been reintroduced in the House of Representatives.

Also read: AMOTEKUN: Buhari won’t regret decongesting political space —Tony Momoh

He regretted that the governors that would be most affected by the passage of the bill, remained silent except for Gov.Samuel Ortom of Benue

Hembaor said the proposed bill was thrown out by the 8th National Assembly after due consideration of the challenges it would stoke in the polity.

“We have the feeling that the passage of the National Water Resources Bill will pose a serious challenge to the affected communities.

“We appeal to the National Assembly to listen to the voice of reason and only legislate on laws that will promote the unity of the country,” he said.

Hembaor said that the country would be better off if local communities continued to have control over their water resources unhindered and used them to improve their social wellbeing.

“If Nigerians allow that bill to become law, the future of generations yet unborn in this country might be mortgaged.

“Therefore, we appeal to the National Assembly to stay action on the bill in the interest of the peace and unity of the country,” he pleaded.

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The majority Leader and Honourable Member representing Isoko North Constituency, Hon. Sir Tim Kome Owhefere Esquire, has denied making political statements that he would not contest for any political position in 2029, urging the general public to disregard the fake news.

Disclosing this in a statement signed by Palmer Ogheneyole Nathaniel, Special Assistant (Media & Publicity) to the Majority Leader, Owhefere said he never told anyone that Governor Okowa agreed to make him a Speaker, noting that Speakers are not made by Governors but elected on the floor of the House.

Read the full statement below:

RE: OPEN LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR

“The attention of the Majority Leader and Honourable Member representing Isoko North Constituency, Hon. Sir Tim Kome Owhefere Esquire, has been drawn to an open letter written to the Governor of Delta State, His Excellency Sen. Dr. Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa, and published in one of the national dailies.

This letter signed by unknown individuals was nothing but a fidget of human imagination and outright mutilation of political facts and realities. While we do not want to join issues with the paid signees, let the following facts be put on record.

1. On the allegation that Honourable Member representing Isoko North Constituency made a promise to voters in 2019 that he would not contest again as a ploy to secure their votes. We want to challenge any of the signees of the Letter to show proof of such communication. It is hereby stated emphatically that at no time did Hon. Owhefere enter into any written or oral agreement with anyone in that regard.
2. On the allegation that Hon. Tim Owhefere is planning to run for a 5th Term in the House, having been assured to be made a Speaker by the Governor, His Excellency Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa.

Let it be put on record that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has carefully laid down requirements for contesting the Assembly elections, and Hon. Owhefere is ably qualified if he so desire to do so. However, at no time did Hon. Owhefere tell anyone that Governor Okowa has agreed to make him a Speaker.

Speakers are not made by Governors but elected on the floor of the House on inauguration, and the Govornor Okowa known to the world do not interfere in Legislative matters as the Delta State House of Assembly, now practices autonomy. We again challenge anyone with evidence to the contrary to come out with it.

3. We want to encourage anyone who is interested in contesting the House of Assembly election from Isoko North to go about his intention peacefully without dragging the name of Hon. Tim Owhefere into the arena.
4. The people of Isoko North are by this publication enjoined to disregard the publication, as Governor Okowa is too experienced a politician to be swayed by falsehood and half-truths concocted by desperate power seekers who are frightened to their bones by the mere mention of the name ‘Tim Owhefere’. “

Vanguard

National Arts Theatre

Mr Sunday Baba, the immediate past Acting General Manager of the National Arts Theatre, Lagos, says the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) did not take over the national monument.

Baba said that the CBN, through the Bankers’ Committee, would only renovate the theatre complex and hand it over to the Federal Government.

Baba spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on his experience as the Acting General Manager of the theatre.

Also read: Renovation of National Theatre will build more resilient economy — Emefiele

He said that the clarification became necessary due to speculations that CBN had taken over the theatre.

He said that the intervention of CBN and Bankers’ Committee was approved by the Federal Government and aimed to upgrade dilapidated structures and facilities of the theatre complex and then hand over.

“The edifice built in the 70s is wearing out and needs proper attention to meet standards; it requires a huge amount to execute the project.

“It was on that note that the Federal Government gave approval to the CBN and the Bankers’ Committee that have intervention funds to take responsibility for the renovation.

“They are to redevelop the entire complex and upgrade outdated facilities; it will last for 18 months.

“On completion, they will hand over the renovated complex to the Federal Government and National Theatre management,” he said.

He noted that the official handover to the CBN and Bankers’ Committee for the renovation was held in July.

“During the handover, the Minister


of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed made it clear that no member of staff would lose his or her job.

“We need to make it clear once again and for better understanding that CBN is not taking over the National Theatre,” he told NAN.

He expressed optimism that the glory of the edifice would be restored and it would remain Nigeria’s pride while retaining its position as the primary center for performing arts as it was in the late 70s and 80s.

NAN reports that the Federal Government on July 12, in the Theatre Complex, officially handed over the edifice to the CBN and Bankers’ Committee for renovation and redevelopment.

Baba has handed over to a substantive General Manager of the National Arts Theatre, Prof. Sunday Ododo, appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari on Aug. 26.

Vanguard News