BREAKING: Police seal off venue of PDP National Convention in PH

News reaching us from Nigerian info FM. 92.3 is that the venue slated to hold the PDP convention in PH has been sealed up by men of the Nigerian Police force.. more details shortly

Barely four hours to the commencement of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, armed policemen has sealed off the Venue of the convention, sources confirmed.

It was gathered that all roads leading to the Old Presidential Lodge and the Deputy Governor Lodge are now blocked with Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC).

The sources added that the Rivers State Government House is “partially sealed”.

They claimed to be obeying Abuja Court Order, which INEC said it had not seen as at yesterday’s night.

NEWSVERGE reports that Justice Okon Abang, of a Federal High Court in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, had suspended the convention stating that the suspension was in the interest of justice to both factions in the party in a suit pending before him and also to curb the excesses of some parties in the suit and to serve as a disciplinary action against those treating the court with levity.

In another ruling, Justice Ibrahim Watila of a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, had restrained the police, the Department of State Services and the electoral body from interfering or stopping the Port Harcourt convention.

The injunction, which was also gotten from the court by Senator Ben Obi, also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to supervise the convention.

The court on Monday restrained the Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Director of the Department of State Security Service, (DSS), the Director DSS Rivers State and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from interfering in the conduct of the party’s convention.

Meanwhile, the Abuja Judge held that Senator Obi ‘secretly went to Port Harcourt’ to obtain the said order when he knew he was a party seeking to be joined in the legal action filed by the Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff’s faction.

Sheriff’s faction had filed a case with the court to stop the Port Harcourt convention days after another court upheld his leadership of the PDP.

“Any court of coordinate jurisdiction which makes it a habit to grant ex parte injunctions against decisions made by a sister court is on its own,” he said.

In the case, Senator Sheriff had challenged the legality of the planned PDP convention and requested that the court should stop it on the grounds that it was being organised by a body not known to the law.

After suspending the convention, the court adjourned to the August 16 of for continuation of hearing.

Leadership crisis had deepened in the opposition party in May, after some members of the party removed Senator Sheriff as the party’s chairman and set up a caretaker committee to organise another convention where its principal officers would be elected.

After his removal, Senator Sheriff has continued to lay claims to the leadership of the party, saying that a court had issued an order suspending the convention before it was held.

He has obtained a court ruling upholding his leadership.

On Sunday, however, Senator Sheriff said he had received recommendations from the party’s reconciliation committee, but said he had also made his own demands which he would stand on.

Part of his demands, he said, was for the planned national convention to be shelved while arrangements should be made to hold a convention in Abuja that will be transparent.

After the court in Port Harcourt gave its ruling on Monday, the Ahmed Makarfi’s faction published a statement welcoming Party leaders, delegates, members, supporters, invited guests and observers to the planned National Convention.

A Nigerian footballer Dies In Azerbaijan During Training

A young Nigerian footballer by the name Michael Umanyika died on Monday while training with his team Zagatala PFK, a First Division club in Azerbaijani.
While the training was still in session, Umanyika suddenly stopped and fell, and all efforts to revive him proved futile. It has been reported that his death was almost instantaneous.

It was his first training session with Zagatala PFK after returning from Nigeria, where he spent his vacation.

The 20-year-old midfielder joined Zagatala PFK in the 2015-2016 campaign and made 20 appearances for the club over the course of the season.

Umanyika died from an apparent heart attack, but this has not been confirmed officially.

CELEBRATING THE BEAUTY OF A TIV WOMAN

The beauty of a TIV WOMAN has been ably portrayed by this young lady.
She is a 400 level student of Mass Communication Benue State University,
She is the 4th child in a family of five children,
She attended the famous Government  Girls College makurdi,
She was born on the 19th of july 1991 to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Atakpa,
She is from Sengev council ward in Gwer-West local Government of Benue State,
She was crowned the MISS GWER-WEST in 2013
She was crowned the ADOO ASHE U TIV (THE BEAUTY OF TIV) on the 15th of July 2016,
She is no other but Miss Atakpa Mnena Jennifer Gabriella (ADOO ASHE U TIV

PRESS RELEASE

COALITION OF CONCERNED CITIZENS WITH LIKE MINDS

BEING A PRESS RELEASE BY THE TRIO OF, GLOBAL AWARENESS FOR DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE, VOLUNTEER AWARENESS NETWORK MOVEMENT AND COALITION FOR CHANGE INITIATIVE UNDER THE AUSPICES OF COALITION OF CONCERNED CITIZENS WITH LIKE MINDS ON THE ALLEGATION OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT AGAINST THREE NIGERIAN LEGISLATORS ON OFFICIAL ASSIGNMENT IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

THEME: SEXUAL MISBEHAVIOR OR BRUTAL/RACIAL OPPRESSION 

Respected Gentlemen, women and stakeholders of the press, our attention has been drawn to serious allegations/claims made by the United States Government through its ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle against three highly respected honorable members of the Federal House of Representative, Nigeria. In a 9^th June petition addressed to the Speaker of the House, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, the ambassador allegedly accused these three lawmakers, Hon. Mark Terseer Gbillah (Gwer East/Gwer West, Benue State), Hon. Samuel Ikon (Etinam/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium, Akwa Ibom State), and Hon. Mohammed Garba Gololo (Gamawa, Bauchi State), of committing what he termed ‘sexual misbehavior’.

Recall that, between the 7^th to the 13^th of April this year, ten honorable members were selected and subsequently invited by the United States Government to attend, the International Visitor Leadership Program on good governance, in Cleveland, Ohio. The US authorities claimed they received misconduct report from some employees of the Marriot hotel in Cleveland where the honorable members lodged. These horrible allegations were very explicit. Hear Mr Entwistle “Mohammed Gololo allegedly grabbed a housekeeper in his hotel room and solicited for sex. Mark Terseer and Samuel Ikon purportedly requested the hotel parking attendants assist them solicit prostitutes”. To further add salt to injury, the US mission in Nigeria hurriedly cancelled/revoked the visas issued to the lawmakers barring them from future trips to the United State. This is a gross misuse/abuse of power and a flagrant disregard of the rights/privileges of these lawmakers. Also, it is pertinent to note this very simple but hard truth; He who asserts must prove, meaning an accused stands innocent until proven/pronounced guilty and enjoys the benefit of any doubt. But even as we speak, the erstwhile US ambassador to Nigeria and also a runaway diplomat has failed to provide any evidence, or has he indicated any interest to present any corroborative proof to support his country’s spurious accusations against these highly esteemed lawmakers of our great nation.

Furthermore, the fact that the alleged misconduct occurred in April, but it took the US a whole month to petition the Speaker; a country which prides itself on its ability to give an accused person fair hearing and dispense quick justice, left a lot to be desired and clearly there is an ulterior motive. Why didn’t the US security agency confront these lawmakers with the allegation? In Hon. Mohammed Gololo’s case, how is it possible for him to attempt to rape a lady in his hotel room without the lady screaming? In a technologically advanced country like the US with its up-to-date CCTV cameras, why were video footages not presented as evidence against them? These and many unanswered questions have countered these accusations, making it false, speculative, a terrible blunder and a complete blackmail to malign/tarnish not just the good image of these legislators, but also the integrity of the Nigeria State among the league of nations. Ours is not a perfect society, but we would not blackmail any nation or its citizens without substantial evidence.

In view of the aforementioned, the personality, integrity and diplomatic competence of James Entwistle have been brought to disrepute, as he is nothing but a mere rubble-rouser and a reckless diplomat who is not fit to represent the US in Nigeria. He made these unfounded allegations without any shred of evidence. This is an affront to the National Assembly and a big mockery of our sensibility as a people. These are plain trumped up charges by certain individuals using their authoritative positions to gravely ridicule the good people of Nigeria and by extension, Africa. We also believe these are all part of a grand plan and concerted effort to project black people as having weak and loose morals. This is not the first embarrassment we have received from western countries, but this is one too many, and we vow to make it the last, as we will do everything within our powers and the confines of the law to put an end to this bullying attitude of this self acclaimed saints (USA).

People of the press and fellow Nigerians, it is against this backdrop and out of passion, love and concern for this great nation that we make bold to say, “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH”. A lawmaker anywhere in the world is a representative of his country everywhere he goes. This is the reason why we as proud Nigerians cannot sit and do nothing while our representatives are humiliated, defaced and unjustly accused of sexual misbehavior.  A congressman in the United States is treated with utmost respect, and such a person will not accept any form of unjustified allegation against his/her personality especially by another country.

 

We as civil society groups in Nigeria who stand to uphold peace, equity, social justice and transparency are severely worried by the fact that Mr. James Entwistle who was the US ambassador to Nigeria breached protocol by writing a petition to the Speaker of the House of Representative, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, instead of writing to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama. The same James Entwistle, arrogantly rebuffed the National Assembly by turning down an invitation from the Federal House of Representatives. It is also confirmed that no evidence was tendered alongside the allegations, as the estranged

hotel employees have refused to testify to all the allegations they purportedly made. It is also very disheartening to know that the visas of these honorable representatives were revoked without giving them fair hearing.

We therefore call on members of the public, the press and every other well meaning countryman/woman to stand up against this show of disrespect to our lawmakers and by extension our great nation. We urge you all to remain calm and resolute as we MUST see to a fair conclusion of this matter.

                                                                                            

Long live Civil Society Groups in Nigeria

Long live Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, and Benue states

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Thank you all

A man caught Red Handed While butchering a human being

A human parts seller was caught in Oke-Opo area of Ilesha in Osun state while still butchering a human being. The arrest was made by men of the Nigerian police force following a tip off by residence of the area.
Pictured is the man who was caught in the act while dis-membering an unknown man.
I cant help but wonder why the heart of man is so desperately wicked.

Okada man Shot Dead By Policemen In Zaki Biam. PICS

A motorcyclist was allegedly gunned down earlier today by men of the Nigerian police in a deadly clash between police and Okada riders in Zaki Biam, Benue state. It is said  that The Okada riders in the area who are seen carrying the corpse of their colleague - mobilized themselves for a serious protest against the police force.

A motorcyclist was allegedly gunned down few minutes ago by men of the Nigerian police in a deadly clash between police and Okada riders in Zaki Biam, Benue state. The Okada riders in the area who are seen carrying the corpse of their colleague -have mobilized themselves for a serious protest against the police force. At the time of publishing this, the cause of the clash is yet to be ascertained.

Suswam Replies Governor Samuel Ortom

Former governor of Benue State Gabriel Torwua Suswam has taken time to react to allegations made by his successor the present governor of Benue State Samuel Ortom, claiming that the Former purchased and empowered youths of the state with dangerous weapons and arms to perpetrate even. The former governor in refuting this allegation on his Facebook page, went on to list some measures he took to make Benue State a secure and peaceful state to live in.. Read his full response below and comments of some Benue people..



My attention has been drawn to a statement credited to the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, and published in some national dailies, where he alleged that I had “equipped” the youths in the state with arms to perpetrate violence during my tenure in office as governor of the state. The statement quotes Governor Ortom as alleging that his administration has recovered over 600 assorted weapons, which I had given to the youths from over 800 of them, who surrendered during the Amnesty Programme, and that I and my cohorts believed in violence and could take everything by force.

I like to state here clearly that nothing could be further from the truth than these unfortunate remarks from Ortom, which clearly bear the stamp of his well-known trade mark of leveling all manner of allegations against me, since his assumption of office, no matter how bizarre, absurd and preposterous such allegations might be. But, by now, I am aware it has become obvious to the people of Benue State and even beyond that throwing accusations at me has not only become a favourite pastime of Governor Ortom, it is also a cardinal lynch-pin of his administration’s policy drive.
However, this mindset and approach of my successor, Governor Ortom, is lacking in veracity and wisdom, considering that the people of the state are neither blind nor are they deaf that they cannot see and hear well enough to know if the governor is telling the truth in his endless accusations against me, or merely trying to create a smoke-screen to divert the attention of the people from his own activities and performance so far in office.
Is it really true that as Governor of Benue State, I, Gabriel Suswam, did arm youths in the state with dangerous weapons and encouraged them to perpetrate violence and commit crimes, as Ortom is accusing me? It is on record that I am not a violent person and I abhor violence in whatever guise, which Ortom knows.
A retrospective look at my political trajectory is very clear that no violent activity was perpetrated or could be traced to me unlike the records of my accusers and traducers as their kinsmen can attest to. Were security a sector one could score hundred per cent I would have scored that as governor, but that is a record that is globally being sought for.
On assumption of office as governor in 2007, I had moved decisively to turn around the state of insecurity, which pervaded the state as a fallout from politically motivated violence, which wreaked havoc on some parts of the state, particularly in Kwande, Tarka and Gwer-East Local Government areas, resulting from failed local council elections in those areas, where an indeterminate number of persons were killed and many others maimed for life.
In co-operation with the Nigeria Police and the Army, rapid response security units were set up in the state, such as ‘Operation Zenda’ and the ‘Red Scarf’ which my administration funded properly with the attendant result that throughout the eight years of my reign as governor, Benue State enjoyed the status of the most peaceful and secured state within the much troubled North-Central region of the country, a ‘peace and safety haven’ which witnessed rapid influx of people fleeing violence and unrest from other states in the country.
I also initiated the setting up of cross-border security outfits with neighboring states to curb the menace of inter-state criminal elements, particularly Nasarawa State, which though was under the rule of a governor from a different political party (CPC), co-operated with me to achieve results, which till date, no security operation in any part of the country has equaled the positive results from that exercise.
Regrettably, now that both Nasarawa and Benue States are in one political party – the ruling APC – such co-operation is not there. I will not be surprised if today, Ortom blames me for the present lack of co-operation and attendant poor result. I can, today, proudly flaunt as one of the achievements of my tenure in office the fact that Makurdi during that period earned the distinction of becoming the second fastest growing city in the whole of the West African sub-region of the African continent, but before my tenure, Makurdi was never on any global radar for positive reasons.
It should also be noted that when Fulani herdsmen and their militia descended on parts of the state visiting death and destruction on whole villages and communities, with a carefully thought out framework and strategy, my administration was able to curb the menace and the peace and security status of the state and its socio-economic stability and equilibrium were not adversely affected.
Such a feat was possible through a wide-embracing process of consultations and integration of stakeholders of the Benue project, most of whom were top-rated security experts and technocrats, under a number of technical committees, such as the Gen. (Rtd) John Atom Kpera-led committee, and also the involvement of a Civilian Task Force drawn from the locals that seamlessly complemented the efforts of security agencies, and together, we were able to harness effectively internal peace and security architecture.
I like to reiterate here that the issue of the peace and security of any state is too weighty and sensitive a matter to be thrown to the pedestrian walkway of petty politics, where the major considerations are rather dangerously trivial and only capable of undermining the deeper foundations of the prosperity and wellbeing of that state.
For Governor Ortom to seek to extend his endless and rather shallow blame game against me to the issues of security in the state, which flies in the face of reason and truth is an unfortunate and sad reflection of his lack of appreciation of the weight and responsibilities of the office of governor, and this is further suggestive of a basic lack of capacity on his part for such high office.
To buttress his apparent lack of preparedness for the task of being governor, Ortom even had no idea of the basic procedure for structuring his so-called Amnesty Programme, which he so loves to flaunt now, and it took the urgings of elder statesman, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, for the governor to realise that he needed to put in place an Amnesty Committee, and this was well after the programme was purported to have gotten underway.
What this strongly suggests is a lack of consultation and wide enough involvement of Benue sons and daughters, who are knowledgeable in such matters and who could bring their weight of expertise and experience to bear on such a programme for the peace, security and overall good of the state.
Unfortunately, but predictably, Ortom’s Amnesty Programme today is the sham and failure that it is, with top officials of his administration being accused of involvement in crimes under the guise of the purported programme. For the very first time in the history of this state, a governor’s top security Aide has been assassinated and the accused culprits are members of the governor’s kitchen cabinet, yet he is apparently incapable of reining in his appointees.
The implication here is that Governor Ortom, as the supposed Chief Security Officer of the state, is not in control of the security apparatus of the state, and does not, therefore, have the authority over certain individuals and vested interests, and this reflects a bigger security menace than could be imagined in a modern society which is presumed to be operating on the principles of rule of law and order. Is it Gabriel Suswam, who is responsible for all of these? The answer is obvious to all.
As governor, I did my best possible within the limits of resources available to me to ensure the security of the lives and property of citizens of Benue State, and to guarantee for them, an atmosphere of peace within which to pursue their endeavours. I did not arm any individual or groups with weapons of any sort neither did I encourage violence or criminality in any form, both in my private and official capacity.
There is no record or proof anywhere to buttress these allegations of Governor Ortom that I did arm criminals with dangerous weapons. My regret now is that the honour, respect and clout my administration restored on the Benue man has been thrown to the gutters.
This is clearly yet another of the governor’s wild and baseless accusations against me, and the intention is yet all the more glaring, that he is desperately in need of something to divert the attention of the world away from non-performance and the serial scandals rocking his administration, from assassinations within his kitchen cabinet to, according to ICPC, embezzlement of workers’ salaries and loans, to lately, indictment of his regime by anti-corruption agencies, and the arrest and detention of government functionaries and his cohorts by the EFCC on charges of fraud.
Governor Ortom is evidently having the worst of times as the leader of a failing administration, one which is being daily exposed in the eyes of the world for its fraudulent character. He is, therefore, a desperate drowning man clutching at straws in the form of those unfounded allegations against me.
But I urge the governor to pull himself together and go back to basics. Being governor entails much more than just riding about in motorcades blowing sirens. It demands clear-headedness and an open mind targeted more towards the larger goal of the pursuit of the good of the majority of the people. No governor can succeed in office by being a mere stooge and a willing pawn in the hand of some god-father, who has no ambition in life other than to lord it over fickle-minded people and imagine himself a mini-god.
I left Benue State in a much better state of peace and security than I met it, and it is my advice to Governor Ortom to strive with all the resources at his disposal to improve on my legacy. This is the only way government will always derive its legitimacy – to improve on the existing standards at any given point in time, and by so doing ensure the continual progress and development of society.
On a last note, performance is needed to endear you to the people; blame-game can only buy you time. Once more, Ortom, roll up your sleeves and go to work.
– Suswam is the immediate past governor of Benue State
Quote
For Governor Ortom to seek to extend his endless and rather shallow blame game against me to the issues of security in the state, which flies in the face of reason and truth is an unfortunate and sad reflection of his lack of appreciation of the weight and responsibilities of the office of governor, and this is further suggestive of a basic lack of capacity on his part for such high office

Pevnor Ainnosoo Bemol After reading this well articulated article. I pick out d following lines; that his unending accusation on u is simple, To buttress his apparent lack of preparedness for the task of being governor= true. Your regret now is that the honour, respect and ...

Austin Ajieje The hope and aspirations of Benue people have been dashed by a clueless and incompetent leader . Excuses have taken the place of performance in Ortom led government.

Ortom, with due respect to him, has been very competent and smart in directing his fa...

Sewuese Tofi Lynda An illiterate is an illiterate, if you want buy a PhD in Harvard University for him your excellency, please forgive pastor Judas Iscariot ortom saa mokpa me lu gorna, despite all his accusations we were living in peace, no assassinations, street attacks, and so on, Pls sir help this man before Akume runs him mad

Victor Kwaghkule My HON ex governor of Benue state and current governor ORTOM,what a horrible write up.Never is there either work without reward nor any reward without work? because work is the true source of human welfare he that must succeed must be ready to pay the ...

Alfred B. Awua If truly our former governor is reading this comments, I wish to advise that a Tiv man remains one even in the face of provocation. He should visit Ortom as a stakeholder of our state and let peace flow our homes. We still remember names like Pastor, g...

1 Reply

Agba Suwen You owed salaries for over 7 months which u left behind an federal government give to ortom as bail out ortom is owing too BT we no the economy has crumble an many states are owing due to the problem what was ur excuse to owe salary? Was the allocation...

Erastus-Zoe Meshach Shallow blame game indeed; instead of facing governance, they engage in propagandas (the central-FG inclusive). Change promised is fading away, yet they are blind to reality!

Luisa Agine Sir this is rather ridiculous benue state has gone back to zero level all we keep hearing is the damage you did was great and efforts to restructure benue back to life is difficult so everyone should be patient you can imagine, I believe we are simply...

Donald Harga Ortom is a confused motor park taut who has nothing to offer, come 2019 power must change hands and for Akume time shall tell

Adamu Yusuf Your excellency your there, you truly defended your self. We are waiting for you 2019

Stephen Seungwa Tyozer to me I will say call Orton talk to him like a brother not sending all this on air

Okey Seniorman Even though you are not there but we recognized you as our governor at Ukum here

 

Hikon Chris Apaji How I wish u bought warships and fighter jets..... shame unto Ortom. U disarmed your people and can't protect them. Or gber kon ta tor huan viin......

Dominic Iorlaha But Ajav, how do u access the past and incumbent administration?

19 Persons Killed In Calabar Cult Violence

No fewer than 15 lives have been lost in 48 hours to the ongoing war between members of two criminal gangs, the Baggars Confraternity and Mafians, a version of the Klans confraternity in Calabar, findings by CrossRiverWatch reveal.

This follows the yet to end war between the Klans confraternity and confraternity which in less than a month has claimed over 10 lives too, bringing the count to about 20 in less than a month.

The hostility between the Baggars and Mafians sources say, began last Tuesday afternoon along Palm street where a strike team of Mafians attacked and killed a member of the Baggars gang along Palm street with his skull carved open with a machete and slashes along his stomach and arms which infuriated his colleagues who later carried out a reprisal attack with at least two mafians gunned down in Goldie and Yellow Duke street axis of Calabar South on Wednesday.

The killings continued Thursday, as 3 more were gunned down at Mbukpa, with 2 happening close to the Mbukpa market, 1 at Umo Orok near New Airport road and Bedwell, all before noon while a source said one more was killed at an undisclosed location around 9 p.m.

Another killing occurred later in the day along Palm Street by Mayne Avenue and 1 more was gunned down along Whitehouse street also known as Dan Archibong street, close to Nyong Edem street on Friday morning between 7:30 am and 8 am.

According to sources, some Baggars Thursday, converged at the CRUTECH pavilion to plan an attack on selected targets in school only for a combine team of the State Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) and Operation Skolombo in about 6 siren blaring vans chased them away following a distress call from the school security network as no fewer than 3 CRUTECH students have been lost to the ‘wars’.

One other person was said to have been killed at Etta-Agbor by Akim. He was said to have been axed badly around the chest region and left to die.

Shops in CRUTECH and around Ekpo Abasi, Yellow Duke, Atakpa, New Airport, Watt market, Bedwell, Egerton, Beach market, Calabar road, Mayne Avenue, Goldie and other major places in Calabar South now close earlier than usual to avert ‘eventualities’.

The fight according to reliable sources say the rivalry is for supremacy as to who controls ticketing for tricycles (keke) in major points in Calabar South.

These comes on the heels of similar killings due to a war between Klans confraternity and the where a suspected gangster in Calabar, Friday, last week was gunned down at Marian close to Effanga Mkpa street, with sources saying it happened in the middle of peace talks between warring gangs.

The alleged gangster, unknown, according to sources, is said to be a victim of a precedent set during the early 2000’s following the Chaka Zulu’s war which saw the gun down two Vikings members at the entrance to the venue of the peace talk to confirm whether they were truly prepared for it.

The war has been ongoing amidst serious armed robbery as a gang of five, last week Friday between the hours of 9 and 10 pm stormed Ekpo Abasi junction in a Volkswagen Golf car parked at a church, “Warriors Camp” a few metres away from the junction and began robbing shop to shop unknown to many until they fired a shot into the air which caused momentary pandemonium.

After the initial commotion, the Vigilante group in the axis and other strong hearted individuals mobilized and approached the robbers who jumped into their vehicle and sped off. Egerton, Ewa Ekeng, Inyang Ekeng, Hawkins, Mayne Avenue, Mount Zion, Orok, Ekpo Abasi are among streets being robbed daily between the hours of 8pm downwards.

To confirm what the Police are doing to restore peace and order, ASP John Eluu, Police Public Relations Officer Cross River Police Headquarters was called from our news room and he said: “We have arrested one suspect for the killer of the guy killed at Palm Street, I don’t know of other killings in the area let me call the Atakpa DPO for briefi

Niger Deltans Drag FG To ECOWAS Court Over Oil Blocks Ownership

PRESS RELEASE: Niger Deltans Drag Federal Government To Ecowas Court Over Oil Blocks Ownership

This is to inform the general public, interested parties and oil & gas stakeholders that on Thursday the 16th day of June 2016, in the Ecowas Community Court of Justice, Suit No: ECW/CCJ/APP/20/15, holden at Abuja, on the commencement of hearings after pleadings have been concluded by learned counsels on both sides of the Plaintiffs and Defendant since the suit was instituted just over a year ago. This landmark case is between the Plaintiffs, Mr. Nosa Ehanire-Osaghae, Mr. Jonah Gbemre, Mr. Aiko Obobaifo and Mr. Daniel Ikponmwosa, suing on behalf of the Niger Delta People and the Defendant, the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Our expectation is for the Defendant to take plea for the court to hear witnesses on both the Plaintiffs and Defendants sides. That we are set to go on with the matter until the determination of the case.

That the Ecowas Court is a noteworthy International Court for the common man of West Africa, and that at the end of this landmark case, the Honorable Court will grant the orders we sought in prayers. Namely:

1. That the Federal Republic of Nigeria has violated the fundamental human rights of Niger Deltans by depriving them of their God given oil blocks vis-à-vis natural resources which they allocated to foreign oil companies and non-indigenes from other parts of the country at their own expense and impoverishment.

2. That the Federal Republic of Nigeria has violated the fundamental human rights of Niger Deltans to life and a healthy environment by the hazardous flaring of gas in their host communities unabated for the last 30 years, which has resulted in many health casualties, fatalities and untimely deaths without adequate reliefs and compensations.

3. That the Federal Republic of Nigeria should put a stop to all acquiring, renewal, award, allocation, transfer, prospecting, buying and selling of oil blocks and their assets until the hearing and determination of substantive matter.

4. That the Federal Republic of Nigeria should re-allocate the ownership of all onshore and offshore oil blocs in the Niger Delta region back to the indigenous oil communities forthwith in accordance with its United Nations and African Union treaty obligations and statutory international law.

5. That the Federal Republic of Nigeria should immediately pay remedial environmental damages to the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) in order for them to speedily facilitate the total remediation of the oil polluted farming lands and fishing waters in Niger Delta region to the tune of $30 billion. For the excess of 9 million barrels of spilt crude oil in the Niger Delta region and for the hazardous gas flaring over the last fifty years of oil exploration and exploitation in the Niger Delta.

6. That the Federal Republic of Nigeria, should not impede and mitigate but rather assist and facilitate an enabling environment for the people of Niger Delta to conduct a peaceful and democratic Referendum to exercise their inalienable Right to Self Determination as enshrined in the United Nations and African Union treaties which it ratified and is signatory bound in accordance with the statutes of international law.

ANY OTHER ORDER OR FURTHER ORDERS that this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances of this case.

SIGNED:

BARRISTER SOPHIA OKOEDION.
H.S Okoedion Chambers,
90 Akpakpava Road, Benin City.
08039514131, 08091987480, 08057816764.

Reps Fight Over Prado SUV, Constituency Projects - The Sun

From Kemi Yesufu, Abuja

MEMBERS of the House of Representatives are still sharply divided over which car to purchase for official use, Daily Sun learnt.

According to sources at the Executive Session of the House yesterday, lawmakers deliberated on different issues with questions arising on why the leadership of the House settled for the Nigerian made Peugeot 508, rather than the more prestigious Toyota Prado Landcruiser SUV, which is the preferred choice of the Senate.

Daily Sun also gathered that lawmakers, many of whom are now in possession of the 2016 budget details, took turns to express grievances over the spread of constituency and zonal projects.

The lawmakers also raised objections to Abdulmumin Jibrin’s position as Chairman of the Ap­propriations Committee, demanding that he be removed to salvage the reputation of the House which, they insisted, had been severally damaged by the controversies that surrounded the 2016 budget. Jibrin, who was not at yesterday’s plenary, has been accused of allocating projects worth N4 billion to his Bibeji/Kiru Federal Constituency.

Only few minutes into the commencement of plenary yesterday, Speaker Yakubu Dogara called on the House Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila to move the motion for the House to go to an executive session.

An hour and half later, when the House reverted to plenary, Dogara did not speak on what was dis­cussed even as lawmakers displayed conviviality, most of them chatting in clusters and back slapping.

But Daily Sun learnt that the executive session was characterised by complaints as lawmakers took turns to say that they have been shortchanged with regard to the spread of constituency projects.

Many lawmakers pointed fingers at principal officers who they said cornered projects that should have been shared to other constituencies in their states and zones.

A lawmaker, told Daily Sun that majority of lawmakers weren’t disposed to the purchase of SUVs owing to the reduction of the allocation to the National Assembly from N150 billion in 2014, N120 billion in 2015 and to N115 billion, this year.

“If you look at what has happened in the last three years, I don’t think lawmakers should still be talking about what kind of car we should be given. This year we have only N115 billion as allocation, where do they expect the leadership of the House to get money to buy SUVs?

He also said that members were disappointed that the tradition of principal officers influencing allocation of more money for projects in their constituencies and zones to the detriment of others was still the practice.

“People are really disappointed that the culture of principal officers taking a lion share of constituency projects , leaving those in their states and even their geo-political zones with almost nothing is still the order of the day.

“We thought that part of the change the All Progressive Congress government is talking about also has to do with transpar­ently spreading constituency projects. But the contrary is the case and people made their feelings known about this.”

R

Ekiti State Doctors Embark On Indefinite Strike

Doctors in Ekiti state have embarked on an indefinite strike action in order to press home their demands commencing from 12 am yesterday 15th June, 2016. This is coming after the expiration of 21 day ultimatum issued to the state government and failure of government to accede to their demands.
Their demands include implementation of skipping and relativity, oustanding promotion of members and payment of 5 month salaries owed the doctors. These among other welfare issues. All government owned hospitals in the state have been shut down.
The doctors are under the coalition of Association of Residents Doctors EKSUTH and National Association of Government General and Dental Practitioners, Ekiti state branch.

A YOUNG GRAPHIC ARTISTE ON THE RISE...

There is a young artiste on the rise in Makurdi known as Terkimbi Ivase who has been doing his freehand sketching on the low until i came across one of his works in which he did a  free hand sketch of the famous JAGABAN crooner Oludemilade Martin Alejo popularly known by his stage name YCee.. the work was so lovely i thought it wise to share with you.. I will be back with more of his works soon..

FG Releases N280b For Capital Projects

The Federal Government on Tuesday said it has released N280 billion for the implementation of capital projects captured in the 2016 budget.
The money is part of the N350 billion promised by the government to fund capital projects in the country.
Six key ministries – Works, Housing and Power, Agriculture, Interior, Education, Information and Environment, have been captured in the first phase of the funds.
The government stated that the money was for projects that had already been scrutinized and ongoing.
The Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Hajia Zainab Ahmed, said the names of 60 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have been sent to the Federal Ministry of Finance for approval.
She stated that the released funds would be used to carry out specific projects, adding that government would not release money for any new projects.
Zainab, who said this at a one day workshop for the review and implementation of the 2016 budget in Abuja on Tuesday, added that another batch of about 30 MDAs where the screening process had been concluded would be sent to the finance ministry on Wednesday.
The event was organized by a civic technology organization, BudgIT Nigeria.
She said: “The release of the N350 billion is ongoing but of course, as I presented, we were not releasing budgets based on one quarter allocation. We needed to scrutinize the process. It took some time but we have sent about N280 billion for projects that have been scrutinized.
“As I said earlier on, the release will be done for specific projects. Our concentration was on projects that are ongoing, except for a few exceptional circumstances; we are not releasing funds for any new projects.
“We have reviewed their projects, approved them and have sent them to the ministry of finance.
“We have sent to the ministry of finance up to about 50 or 60 MDAs, but I can tell you that Works, Housing and Power, Agriculture, Interior, Education, Information and Environment are part of the ministries that we have sent to the finance ministry.
“There are about 60 MDAs already in the first batch. We have another batch of about 30 where the screening process had been concluded and we should be able to send that today (Tuesday) or tomorrow (Wednesday).”

FG Bars States From Bank Loans

The Federal Government has barred banks in the country from giving loans to state governments. The decision was taken in line with the Fiscal Sustainability Plan, FSP, which has been agreed to by the Federal Government’s economic team and state governors, to ensure prudent management of sub-national resources.

This comes as the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, will today announce details of the much anticipated ‘flexible’ foreign exchange rate policy. President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, Finance Ministry sources said, was disappointed at the manner some past and current governors took loans from banks and misapplied such funds, while mortgaging their states’ finances.

Currently, some states are left with too little to meet even their recurrent obligations, after deductions are made from their monthly federation account allocations. Gives condition for bond proceeds release Rather than bank loans, the Federal Government asked states to source funds from the capital market for their infrastructure development.

It also insisted that funds sourced through bonds must not only be on bankable, measurable projects but must also be released in tranches. Vanguard gathered that the release of the proceeds of bond issuing will, henceforth, be on the basis of satisfactory utilization of earlier released proceeds.

The FSP aims to improve accountability and transparency; increase public revenue; rationalise public expenditure; improve public financial management; and sustainable debt management. Specific action points of the reform include biometric capture of all civil servants; establishment of an efficiency unit in each state, implementation of continuous audit, improvement in internally generated revenue, IGR, and measures to achieve sustainable debt management. States that meet the above FSP conditions can access a new N50 billion facility to be guaranteed by the Federal Government.

POLICE CONMENCES NOTIFICATION OF SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES FOR RECRUITMENT

The police service commission has commenced the third phase of the recruitment into the Nigerian police service. After receiving applications from interested applicants, an online screening was done by the commission and successful candidates have started receiving messages. The date for the exercise is set on the 6th of june 2016..

AVM Oguntoyinbo Arrested by EFCC For N166m Bribe

In continuation of its relentless efforts in bringing corrupt public officers to justice, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, June 2, 2016 arraigned Air Vice Marshall Olutayo Tade Oguntoyinbo before Justice Olukayode A. Adeniyi of the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja on one count charge of bribery to the tune of N166million (one hundred and sixty-six million naira).
Allegedly, AVM Oguntoyinbo while being the Chief of Training and Operations of the Nigerian Air force collected the sum of N166m (one hundred and sixty-six million naira) as gratification from a contractor with the Nigerian Air force, Societe D’ Equipments Internationaux Nigeria Limited.
The act contravenes Section 17(a) of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under Section 17(c) of the same Act.
The charge reads:
“That you, AVM Olutayo Tade Oguntoyinbo whilst serving as Chief of Training and Operations, Nigerian Air force and the CEO/Managing Director as well as the sole signatory to the account of Spaceweb Integrated Services Limited with Wema Bank, on or about the 11th July, 2014 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did accept a gift in the sum of One hundred and Sixty Six Million Naira (N166,000,000) from Societe D’ Equipments Internationaux Nigeria Limited, a contractor with the Nigerian Air force in performance of your official act and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section17(a) of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under Section 17(c) of the same Act”.
The defendant pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him
In view of his plea, counsel to EFCC, Francis Jirbo asked the court for a date for hearing.
But, Oguntoyinbo’s counsel, Henry Michael Ihun prayed the court to grant bail to the accused on liberal terms.
Jirbo kicked saying that, he was served with the bail application shortly before the court started sitting and needed time to respond to it.
Justice Adeniyi ordered that the accused person be remanded in Kuje Prison pending hearing on the bail application and adjourned to June 6, 2016.

POLICE RECRUITMENT: Date Fixed For Screening Nationwide

The Nigerian Police Force recently began recruitment exercise to fill 10,000 approval by the Federal Government, the online registration which has ended few days; the police authority according report has fixed a date for examination and screening exercise for the shortlisted applicants from the over 800,000 that applied


The exercise is scheduled for JUNE 6th and will hold at the same time in the whole federation to avoid political and undue interference and is planned to be transparent and the best so far.Be informed that only successful candidates will be contacted at the end of the Exercise.'

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW..
1. Check your Mailbox regularly..gmail or whatever....a mail will only be sent to prospective candidates from Police Service Commission

2. Check your phone regularly...text message will be sent to only successful candidates.

3. A computerized selection is done by the Police Service Commission and weeded away those with suspicious age declarations, incomplete school record that did not tally with original date of birth, those who submitted incomplete data during logging in.

4. Computerized selected and contacted candidates will be notified on a specific date for screening at the state commands level, Only those invited for a day meant for categories will be considered..to avoid roundness

5.All contacted candidates should prepare to face a screening panel comprising Representatives of federal character commission,Police service commission, Senior officers from Abuja,Media, Police commissioner,Other senior officers and Command PPRO.

6. Candidates should not appear with Luggage as There will be Dog sniffers, Bomb experts in the venue.

7. Candidates will undergo aptitude tests and physical check ups,eyesight, deformities, protruded bellies, height and chest measurement.etc

8.ASP and Inspectorate cadres will terminate their screening at Force Headquarters while the Specialists will be tested based on their skills at the Zonal level. Good luck!

Man Rapes 15-Year-Old Orphan At Gunpoint In Enugu (Photo)

A carpenter, identified as Casmir Eze, is now in the custody of the police in Enugu State for allegedly defying a 15-year-old orphan at gunpoint.

Eze, from Umugoji Orba in Udenu Local Government Area, had on Sunday, about 2am, allegedly gained entrance into the compound of the victim, Ogechi (surname withheld), an SS1 student, by scaling the fence and threatening to kill the victim if she failed to open her door. The suspect also warned the victim not to shout or alert the neighbours.

After Ogechi opened the door, Eze, who covered his face with a scarf, allegedly pointed a gun at the victim and ordered her to switch off the lantern in the room. He thereafter pounced on the victim and forcibly had carnal knowledge of her.

Unknown that the victim had identified him, Eze fled after satisfying his sexual urge. But Ogechi reported the incident to Eze’s relations who helped her to report it to the police.

The police later arrested the suspect. Eze told his interrogators that he committed the crime but said it was the devil which pushed him into the act.

He said: “I don’t know what came over me. I have been planning how to get the girl. I decided on this method after other means failed.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ebere Amaraizu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), confirmed the story yesterday. Amaraizu said that operatives of the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigations Department (SCIID), had commenced a full scale investigation into the incident.

The PPRO said: “The suspect is now begging for forgiveness and at the same time attributing the incident to the act of devil.”

Prospective Corpers Embark On A Peaceful Protest Against Postponement (Photos)

It is no more news that the batch A stream two orientation camp has been postponed, it is in reaction to this that some prospective corps members decided to take to the streets to express their dis pleasure. Below are some of the pictures of the peaceful demonstration...

Appeal Court Dismisses Nnamdi Kanu's Appeal

ABUJA—–The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday, dismissed the appeal that was lodged before it by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu.

Kanu and two other pro-Biafra agitators, David Nwawusi and Benjamin Madubugwu, had gone before the appellate court to challenge what they termed “strange procedure” adopted in their trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The trio ‎who are answering to a six-count treason charge the federal government preferred against them, in their consolidated appeal, alleged bias against trial Justice John Tsoho who not only ‎declined to grant them bail, but also permitted the prosecution to shield the identity of eight witnesses billed to testify in the ‎matter.

Justice Tsoho had equally rejected application praying him to discharge and acquit the three defendants in line with ‎section 351(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

Meantime, in a unanimous judgment on Wednesday, a three-man panel of Justices of the appellate court led by Justice Abdul Northerner, dismissed th defendants’ appeal as “grossly lacking in merit”.

The appellate court further declined to order the release of the defendants on bail on the premise that allegations against them are “grievous and serious”.

Justice Northerner who read the lead judgment, said it was not in doubt the 1st defendant, Kanu, has dual citizenship.

He said Kanu’s possession of both Nigerian and British passports increased the likelihood that he could jump bail if released from detention.

On the procedure adopted by the trial court, the appeal court panel maintained that Justice Tsoho had the discretion to decide how the proceeding should be conducted.

“The lower court has the power to exercise its discretion on the matter and the exercise of such discretion by the trial judge did not amount to denial of fair hearing to the defendants.

“The issues are resolved against the appellants. Ruling of the trial court is hereby upheld”, the appellate court held.

Basically, Kanu and his co-defendants, through their lawyer Chief Chuks Muoma, SAN, argued before the appellate court that trial Justice Tsoho erred in law “when having refused the application for the witnesses of the prosecution to testified behind screens, or masked” on February 19, 2016, “suddenly varied the said order in the ruling delivered on March 7, 2016, on a mere oral application by the respondent”.

They maintained that the variation order was made on the basis of a mere oral application by the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, Mohammed Diri, who had informed the trial court that witnesses scheduled to testify against the defendants said they would not appear unless they were allowed to wear masks or their identities shielded from both lawyers and people observing the proceeding.

“My lord this is because they are already receiving threats from associates of the defendants that they will be dealt with. The witnesses said they love their lives and requested that their identities be shielded from people who are coming to witness the proceeding”, Diri told the court.

He said DSS operatives also billed to testify in the matter, made similar request on the basis that they are investigating terrorism cases and would not want their identities exposed.

Following his application, Justice Tsoho gave an order permitting the witnesses to testify behind a screen, stressing that the decision did not amount to a variation of a previous ruling that prohibited the witnesses from appearing in mask.

The three defendants had‎ earlier opposed FG’s application for secret trial, even as they queried the propriety of the court allowing ‎”masquerades” to testify against them.

Though Justice Tsoho maintained that the subsequent order he made in respect of the trial was in tandem with his ruling on February 9 that rejected secret trial of the defendants, the defence lawyer, Muoma, SAN, yesterday, urged the appellate court to set aside “the revised order for the identities of the witnesses to be protected”.

‎Muoma, SAN, ‎argued that the trial court had become functus-officio on the matter, having earlier ruled on the previous application by the prosecution.

It was his argument that FG ought to have appealed against the initial ruling instead of re-approaching the same court with a similar application.

He prayed the appellate court to direct the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to transfer their case-file to another Judge for trial.

Nevertheless, FG, in a counter-affidavit ‎it filed before the appellate court, sought the dismissal of the appeal which it said lacked merit.

The DPP argued that the March 7‎ order of the high court did not amount to a variation of the February 9 ruling.

FG insisted that Kanu and the others were never denied fair-hearing by Justice Tsoho to warrant re-assignment of the case-file to another Judge. It opposed their request to be released on bail.

‎Besides, FG accused the defendants of attempting to use frivolous interlocutory appeals to delay their trial.

‎‎Kanu who was hitherto the Director of Radio Biafra and Television, ‎has been in detention since October 14, 2015, when he was arrested by security operatives upon his arrival to Nigeria from his base in the United Kingdom.

The defendants were alleged to have committed treasonable felony, an offence punishable under Section 41(C) of the Criminal Code Act, CAP C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

FG alleged that they were the ones managing the affairs of the IPOB which it described as “an unlawful society”.

Kanu was alleged to have illegally smuggled radio transmitters into Nigeria, which he used to disseminate “hate broadcasts”, encouraging the “secession of the Republic of Biafra”, from Nigeria.

The accused persons however pleaded not guilty to the charge on January 20, even as the court ordered their remand at Kuje prison ‎in Abuja.

dead man Found In A Well In Taraba State. (photos)

There was confusion this morning in Jalingo after a man was found dead near Maijidda Plaza in of Taraba state. According to sketchy reports, his corpse was found in a well -with no one in the area being able to identify him or say how he got there. Security agents were called in to remove the body and deposit it in a mortuary. See photos below

We Are Detaining Fani-Kayode With A Valid Remand Warrant - EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday said it was detaining Femi Fani-Kayode with a valid remand warrant. The Commission was reacting to reports indicating that the former Minister of Aviation was still being detained despite meeting administrative bail conditions by the EFCC.

In a telephone chat with SIGNAL on Friday, spokesperson to the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren denied Fani-Kayode had met any bail conditions. "Which administrative bail conditions did he meet? What I can tell you is that we are holding the man with a valid remand warrant and what that means is that work is still ongoing on his case", Uwujaren told our reporter.

A statement on Friday by Fani-Kayode’s special assistant on media, Jude Ndukwe, disclosed that the EFCC has moved Fani-Kayode, to Lagos for further investigation despite meeting his bail conditions.

Ndukwe said the anti-graft commission did not give any reason for moving Fani-Kayode who has been in their custody since Monday, May 9, 2016.

The Commission had on Friday, May 6, 2016 sent an official invitation letter to Fani-Kayode to explain his role in the presidential campaign funds of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2015 presidential elections.

According to Ndukwe, the EFCC were only trying to punish the former aviation Minister and keep him away from his family.

He said: “They just want to stress him, take him away from his family in order to break him.

“We do not know why he was moved, we just want to believe it is one of the antics of the EFCC to just harass him and keep him away from as many of his relatives and associates as possible.

“I don’t even think that there was any need for the transfer, if there was something they wanted to get regarding their investigation, they would have as well done in Abuja,” he said.

Female student of College Of Education Oju shot by soldier (Photo)

A female student of College of Education in Oju was shot while sitting in front of her residence at Lawani hostels, situated outside the school campus.

According to a source who choose to remain anonymous, “the problem started when one student of the institution was alleged to have a long standing problem with a female student and supposed girl friend of a soldier.

“For that reason, the soldier, Thursday afternoon stormed the institution to whisk Anthony to the ‘Operation Zenda’ base in Oju, but fellow students resisted the move. He was asked to get an approval from the institution’s management before taking the student away.

“At that point the angry soldier went away, promising to come back. That evening the soldier went back to the institution with some of his colleagues to abduct the said Anthony but were resisted by students in the institution who also aided Anthony to escape.

“Vexed by the action of the students the soldier opened fire with his riffle and the innocent girl who was sitting by the door of her room got hit at the side of her chest.

“She was rushed to Adoga hospital in Oju where she was given two pints of blood because she had lost so much blood and thereafter rushed to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, BSUTH, for further treatment because the bullet could not be extracted and her condition was deteriorating.

“As I speak with you we cannot ascertain the condition of the student but the Army Corporal has been arrested by the Police in Oju and transferred to the Command Headquarters in Makurdi.”

Meanwhile, attempts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Assistant Superintendent, ASP, Moses Yamu failed but a top Police source who craved anonymity confirmed that the matter was being investigated while the Army Corporal was being interrogated.