Home Blog Page 1069

Court dismisses suit seeking to disqualify Tinubu, Atiku

Beloved JOHN
-
0
Court dismisses suit seeking to disqualify Tinubu, Atiku

THE Court of Appeal in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Friday dismissed a suit seeking to disqualify Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar from the 2023 presidential race.

The suit was filed by Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, a former minister of state for Education, and the Rights for All International, a non-governmental organisation.

READ ALSO:

Don’t use Nnamdi Kanu as bargaining chip for your election, IPOB tells Atiku

Naira redesign: Atiku calls for extension of January 31 deadline

Atiku gives conditions for appointments in his administration

New Year Message: Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso canvass votes, Tinubu harps on peace

The ex-minster, alongside the NGO, had in December 2022 asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to annul the processes that produced both candidates, alleging that they paid delegates to vote to ensure they emerge flagbearers of their parties.

But the court struck out the suit, saying it had no merit.

Dissatisfied, Nwajiuba appealed the High Court judgment.

The duo asked the Appeal Court to cancel the processes that produced Tinubu and Abubakar as presidential candidates for their political parties.

The appellate court struck out the suit also based on a preliminary objection filed by counsel to the APC, Babatunde Oganla.

The court awarded the sum of N100,000 against the appellants, in favour of Tinubu and Atiku.

The court stated, “The appeal is lacking in merit, and the appellant only sought to revive the dissolved NGO through the back door. The counsel to the appellant, who is also a trustee of the NGO, should live with the same in sober reflections.

“The appellant is not clothed with locus, as can be gleaned from Section 285(14) a, b, and c of the 1999 constitution.

“The appellant is a busybody and a meddlesome interloper.”

Ban on Ebubeagu: Umahi approves two new security outfits for Ebonyi State

Bankole ABE
-
0
Ban on Ebubeagu: Umahi approves two new security outfits for Ebonyi State

THE Ebonyi State governor, David Umahi, has approved two new security outfits after a court disbanded the Southeastern states-owned Ebubeagu outfit.

Umahi said Ebubeagu would only function in the state once a Stay of Execution is granted.

The governor disclosed this on Friday, February 17 during a State Security Council meeting in Abakaliki, the state capital.

He disclosed that the state now has two new security outfits, Ebonyi State Neighbourhood Watch and Ebonyi State Vigilante Corps.

“However, let me thank the House of Assembly for passing into law another two sets of vigilante outfits for Ebonyi State, which process started in 2021, but they graciously passed it a few days ago, and that is Ebonyi State Neighbourhood Watch.

“Let me say that we have had this Neighbourhood Watch even before now, as far back as 2015, and they did tremendously very well, so the law is back, and they are empowered to function.

“Another vigilante that has come into effect is the Ebonyi State Vigilante Corps, and this will also function in the state. I am hereby inaugurating these new outfits officially today, and by the laws of the state, they are empowered to function. However, when Ebubeagu comes back to do their jobs and these two vigilante outfits, my directive is that they must not infringe on the rights of anybody,” Umahi said.

The governor encouraged all the state’s security chiefs to deal with any member of political parties, vigilante groups or Ebonyi citizens who attempted to violate people’s rights or instigate them to commit acts of violence.

A few days ago, a Federal High Court in Abakaliki had disbanded the Ebubeagu security outfit in the state.

Ebubeagu was set up by Southeast governors to combat instability and attacks by criminals pushing people to quit their lands.

However, many residents expressed concern that the group had deviated from its intended roles.

The group has been accused of human rights violations, particularly extrajudicial killings.

This led to the decision of the Federal High Court in Abakaliki to disband the organisation.

PDP says El-Rufai inciting Nigerians against Buhari’s order on naira notes

Beloved JOHN
-
0
PDP says El-Rufai inciting Nigerians against Buhari’s order on naira notes

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign council has alleged that the Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, is inciting Nigerians against President Muhammed Buhari’s directive on old naira notes.

The party’s campaign spokesperson, Daniel Bwala, speaking on a Channels TV programme, said El-Rufai committed treason by countering Buhari’s claim on the validity of the N500 and N1,000 notes.

READ ALSO:

How Buhari govt lied to govs about burning N500, N1,000 notes – El-Rufai

El-Rufai berates Buhari, fifth columnists over naira redesign, fuel crisis

Why youths are not fit to rule Nigeria — El-Rufai

El-Rufai expresses concern over NNPCLtd’s non-remittance to Federation Account despite commercialisation

Buhari had in a nationwide broadcast on Thursday February 16 directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to release the old N200 note into circulation, while the old N500 and N1,000 banknotes ceased to be legal tender.

But el-Rufai had directed that the old and new notes remain valid in Kaduna State pending the Supreme Court judgment.

Bwala said el-Rufai, by his action, was asking members of the ruling All Progressives Congress across the country to undermine the order of President Buhari “who stands as the symbol of the sovereignty of the country.”

Rather than incite the people against the order, Bwala argued, el-Rufai should have reported the matter to the Supreme Court.

He said the law dictates that when such a “matter comes up at the Supreme Court, you either get contempt proceedings against the president, or you will draw the attention of the Supreme Court.”

Bwala also accused El-Rufai of defying court orders multiple times when he served as the minister of the Federal Capital Territory between 2003 and 2007, and also as a governor.

The Supreme Court had on February 8 ruled that the old notes remain legal tender pending the determination of a case filed before it by three state governors.

However, President Buhari’s address on Thursday would seem to have annulled that ruling.

Naira Scarcity: Sanwo-Olu appeals for calm in Lagos

Ijeoma OPARA
-
0
Naira Scarcity: Sanwo-Olu appeals for calm in Lagos

LAGOS State governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has urged residents to remain calm amid the fuel and naira notes scarcity, among other challenges they have been experiencing.

Sanwo-Olu made the appeal at a conference on Saturday, February 18, following series of protests against the scarcity, which erupted in many parts of the state during the week.

Urging residents of Lagos to shun violence, the governor said efforts were being made to resolve the issue.

“To my good people of Lagos, please resist the opportunists who seek to take advantage of the anger and frustration that you all are feeling to hijack the situation and foment trouble.

“We know that there are unscrupulous persons who want to sow seeds of violence and discord through their very utterances and actions, all with the view of robbing you of the chance to cast your votes in the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections. Do not allow them to use you to achieve their evil intentions,” he said.

The governor said there would be no tolerance for violence and destruction, adding that talks were ongoing with transport workers to avoid a hike in fares during this period.

Protests had erupted along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway on Friday due to the scarcity of the new naira notes residents have been experiencing.

Commuters were stranded as protesters blocked the highway, burning tires on the road.

There were also protests along the Ketu/Mile 12 area of the state due to the rejection of old notes and unavailability of the new naira.

Sanwo-Olu had also released a statement on Friday, February 17, appealing to residents to maintain peace despite the current challenges.

Naira swap not initiated to keep Buhari in office — Presidency

Beloved JOHN
-
0
Naira swap not initiated to keep Buhari in office — Presidency

THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) did not initiate the Naira redesign policy to install an interim government or keep Muhammadu Buhari in office beyond May 29, according to a statement the Presidency issued on Friday, February 17.

The Presidency is debunking a speculation that Buhari’s insistence on the policy was an effort to trigger chaos that would necessitate the imposition of an interim government.

READ ALSO:

PDP says El-Rufai inciting Nigerians against Buhari’s order on naira notes

Naira swap not initiated to keep Buhari in office — Presidency

ICPC arrests petrol station accountant over new naira notes racketeering

Ekiti assembly urges Buhari, CBN to obey Supreme Court ruling on naira notes

In the statement issued by Garba Shehu, President Buhari’s spokesperson, the Presidency described the talk of an interim government as “way off the mark.”

Garba said the speculation was being peddled by people who “stand to gain nothing at all but the creation of panic and the incitement of the public against the Federal Government.”

The statement noted that President Buhari was ready to relinquish power to the next elected president on May 29, 2023, as the Constitution stipulates.

Garba also indicated that “there is a lot of pressure on everyone,” from political parties to electoral officials, presidential candidates, and law enforcement agencies due to recent events.

He urged citizens to remain calm as national leaders address and resolve the issue of cash scarcity.

Police arrest female gun-runner in Zamfara, recover 325 rounds of ammunition

Bankole ABE
-
0
Police arrest female gun-runner in Zamfara, recover 325 rounds of ammunition

THE Zamfara State police command has arrested a female gunrunner, Fatima Sani, aged 30, from Kaura Namoda local government area for gun-running.

The Command said the arrest followed intelligence obtained about Fatima’s movement and connection to a notorious bandit kingpin hibernating in Zamfara forest.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Command’s spokesperson, Mohammed Shehu, on Saturday, February 18.

“In the course of interrogation, the suspect confessed to having been in the business, and that she had earlier supplied three AK 47 rifles and 1000 rounds of AK 47 live ammunition to bandits operating within Zamfara.

“Discreet investigation is in progress and the suspect will be charged to court for prosecution,” the police stated.

The Command said that on February 12, 2023, it also arrested some kidnap kingpins, also acting on intelligence.

It added that the kidnap syndicate had been terrorising different villages in Kaduna, Kano and other neighbouring states like Zamfara and Sokoto.

“During the investigation, it was discovered that the suspects had carried out a series of kidnappings where unspecified people were abducted, and millions of naira were collected as ransom.

“Each suspect further narrated the number of kidnappings they had participated in and their role in each kidnapping.

“One of the suspects, Thomas Ya’u, confessed that sometime last year, he masterminded the kidnapping of his biological mother and three others. As a result of the kidnapping, they collected the sum of N30 million from the relations as ransom, and in turn, he was given N1 million as his share,” the statement added.

Members of the kidnap gang arrested included Thomas Yau, Abdulsamad Mohammed, Bello Abdullahi, Abubakar Namadi, Suleiman Gabriel, and Christopher Gabriel.

The Command reassured citizens of their safety before, during and after the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

ICPC arrests petrol station accountant over new naira notes racketeering

Bankole ABE
-
0
ICPC arrests petrol station accountant over new naira notes racketeering

THE Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested an accountant of the Oando filling station at Dutse Alhaji, Abuja, over alleged racketeering of the new naira notes.

The arrest followed the continued onslaught by the Commission on some elements who have been taking advantage of the scarcity of the new naira notes to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday and signed by the ICPC spokesperson, Azuka Ogugua.

The ICPC said its Monitoring Team had received a tip-off that the said filling station deliberately disconnected its point-of-sale (PoS) services so that motorists could not have access to buy petrol, using their automated teller machine (ATM) cards.

“Upon reaching the petrol station, the Team found out that motorists were forced to pay for the product in cash, and those without the new notes were directed to a PoS operator directly opposite the filling station to access the cash.

“ICPC operatives found out that the PoS did not only belong to the accountant of the filling station, but it was charging a very high exorbitant rate as commission against the directive of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN),” the agency stated.

The Commission said it discovered the sum of N1 million with the PoS operator, which the Team directed should be paid into a bank account.

The accountant was arrested alongside the PoS operator, but the Commission had granted both of them administrative bail.

The ICPC had arrested a woman, Omoseyin Oluwadarasimi Esther, with the Twitter handle @SimisolaGold, earlier this month for allegedly offering new naira notes for sale on social media.

According to the ICPC, intelligence reports prompted its operatives to seek and arrest the suspect on Wednesday, February 1.

2023: FRSC to deploy 25,783 officials to monitor elections

Beloved JOHN
-
0
2023: FRSC to deploy 25,783 officials to monitor elections

THE Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says it will deploy 25,783 officers to monitor the 2023 elections in different states across the country.

The commission said this is to curb electoral violence and ensure that the presidential poll is conducted safely.

In a statement issued on Friday, the commission noted that it would also deploy 769 patrol vehicles, 139 ambulances and 33 light, medium and heavy tow trucks.

FRSC said it intends to collaborate with security agencies to ensure orderliness and timely delivery of election materials.

It added that the personnel deployed would work round the clock to monitor unfolding events at different polling units.

“Being a member of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, the Corps will work alongside other security agencies to ensure orderliness and timely delivery of election materials,” the statement read in part.

Science journalists eligible for Sharon Begley Award

Blessing OTOIBHI
-
0
Science journalists eligible for Sharon Begley Award

THE Council for the Advancement of Science Reporting is accepting applications for the Sharon Begley Science Reporting Award.

The award will recognise and support reporting and writing that embodies the high standards embodied by Sharon Begley (1956–2021), a science journalist of unflinching dedication, skill, moral clarity, and commitment to mentoring.

Interested applicants must submit three to five published clips, or other work samples that illustrate their best work in science journalism.

Applicants must also submit a project proposal describing a reporting and writing project to be undertaken with the award grant.

CASR aims to consider a highly competitive and highly diverse pool of candidates, and encourages all mid-career science journalists to consider entering. Toward that end, there is no entry fee, and applications will be accepted online.

Staff and independent journalists living and working anywhere in the world are eligible if they have published in news outlets that are available to international audiences. Although the award can be won only once, there is no limit to the number of times one can enter.

Experienced science journalists can compete for an award that grants US$20,000 to undertake a significant reporting project.

Journalists living and working anywhere in the world are eligible if they have published in news outlets that are available to international audiences.

The submission of application deadline is April 30, 2023.

Interested applicants can apply here.

Tinubu only concerned about himself, not Nigerians’ welfare – Oyo PDP chieftain

Vincent Ufuoma
-
0
Tinubu only concerned about himself, not Nigerians’ welfare – Oyo PDP chieftain

A FORMER Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Jumoke Akinjide, has said that the All Peoples Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is only concerned about his self-ambition.

To Akinjide, who spoke on a radio show called ‘Bo se n lo’ on Lagelu FM 96.7, hosted by Temitayo Oyeladun, on Saturday, February 18, Tinubu was selfish and insensitive to the plight of Nigerians.

She claimed that Tinubu, who recently complained about the devastating effects of the Federal governent’s naira redesign policy and fuel scarcity on Nigerians, was only interested in his mandate and not in the suffering of Nigerians.

Akinjide wondered why he had not complained about the plight of Nigerians in the almost eight years of the Muhammadu Buhari administration until now.

She also criticised the APC chieftain for snubbing the Olubadan-in-Council, during his visit to the state on Thursday, saying that the revered traditional ruler and his council of chiefs had waited all day in vain in expectation of welcoming Tinubu to his palace.

She lamented that Tinubu and other APC chieftains had gone to the state governor, Seyi Makinde, and then met with some Obas in Ibadan but went straight to the airport without visiting His Imperial Majesty, the Olubadan of Ibadan.

She described this as “bad” and said that even Presidents would not do such a thing.

She stated that Tinubu’s recent visit to Governor Seyi Makinde indicated that he had abandoned the governorship candidate of his party in the state, Teslim Folarin.

Akinjide also noted that Tinubu had visited Mapo Hall in Ibadan, where he had handed the APC flag to the party’s standard-bearer without any word of campaign for himself or the gubernatorial candidate of the party. She alleged that this showed that Tinubu had subtly abandoned the candidate of his party and supported the PDP candidate.

A former deputy governor of the state, Rauf Olaniyan, who also featured on the Lagelu FM programme, dismissed Akinjide’s allegations as “flimsy.”

Olaniyan suggested that the ruling party in the state was more fragmented, and questioned whether Akinjide had ever followed Makinde to any campaign ground.

He also defended Tinubu’s visit to the state, saying that if he had made a speech at Mapo Hall, he would have cried in appreciation of the reception he received. He added that the crowd was reassuring enough beyond words, and Tinubu had nothing more to say.

 

1...1,0681,0691,070...3,441Page 1,069 of 3,441