African leaders congratulate Buhari

MOST African leaders have sent congratulatory messages to President Muhammadu Buhari on his re-election. 

King Mohammed VI of the Kingdom of Morocco described President Buhari’s victory as an affirmation of the level of confidence Nigerians have in their President and promised to work with him to advance the interests of both countries.

A statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu quoted him as saying, ‘‘Your re-election is a testimony to the level of confidence that you enjoy among the people of Nigeria, attributable to your wisdom, experience in politics, sense of engagement and devotion to the service and the protection of the interests of the country especially as they relate to the prosperity, well-being and security of your people,” King Mohammed VI said in his congratulatory message.

The monarch expressed satisfaction with the existing cordial and fraternal African relationship linking the two leaders, their people, and nations.

He reiterated his determination to work in concert with President Buhari to reinforce the mutually beneficial relationship between Morocco and Nigeria and to give it a new impetus to serve as a model on the African continent.

President Alpha Omar Conde of Guinea also extended his congratulations, describing the re-election of President Buhari as a dose of hope for the West African region.

Professor Conde expressed confidence that the cordial relations between Nigeria and Guinea will continue to get better.

Earlier, President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger, who was the first leader to call President Buhari minutes after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared him the winner of the 2019 presidential elections, said he looked forward to working with the Nigerian leader to further strengthen Nigeria-Niger relations.

President Buhari has also received congratulatory messages from Presidents Nana Koffi-Addo of Ghana and Macky Sall of Senegal

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PDP members defect to APC in Kwara

Over 500 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State.

They defected on Thursday at the party’s governorship campaign in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area.

Bashir Bolarinwa, the APC State Chairman, while receiving them, thanked the people for their support that ensured the emergence of all of the party’s candidates in the National Assembly and presidential elections held on Feb. 23.

NAN reports that he urged them to maintain the same spirit during the forthcoming gubernatorial elections.

Hon. Raheem Olawuyi, the newly re-elected member of the House of Representative for Ekiti/Irepodun/Isin/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency, on his part, dedicated his re-election to God and the support of party members.

He promised to be a good ambassador of the constituency by promoting legislation that would make meaningful impact on the living standard of people of the constituency and the state at large.

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Onnoghen Was Suspended As CJN, Not Removed - FG Finally Clarifies

The Federal Government and Attorney General of the Federation told the Supreme Court on Thursday that the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, had not been removed from office but was only suspended, Punch Metro reports.

Responding to a suit filed before the apex court by the Cross River State Government, the two respondents argued that Onnoghen was simply suspended to enable him to stand trial on charges of non-declaration of assets instituted against him before the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

The Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. Dayo Apata, who represented the two respondents, asked the apex court to dismiss the suit which was filed by Cross Rivers State to challenge Onnoghen’s trial and suspension by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Being a suit between the Federal Government and a state government, it did not arise from an appeal from the lower courts but was filed directly at the Supreme Court under the “original jurisdiction” of the apex court.

Reacting to the argument by the plaintiff’s, Lucius Nwosu (SAN), to the effect that Onnoghen’s “removal from office, by President Muhammadu Buhari was a violation of the Constitution, attack on the judiciary and a breach of the doctrine of separation of powers, Apata contended that “there is a clear distinction between suspension and removal”.

Insisting that Onnoghen’s suspension was not arbitrary, Apata said Buhari’s decision to suspend the CJN followed a valid order which Onnoghen himself has now appealed.

Apata also argued, among others in his client’s notice of preliminary objection and counter affidavits, that the subject matter did not qualify as a dispute between a state government and the Federal Government to warrant being heard by the apex

He said the suit did not disclose any dispute between Cross River State and the Federal Government of Nigeria  on the subject matter of this case or the charge pending before the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

In his argument, the plaintiff’s counsel, Nwosu, urged the court to dismiss the defendants’ objection and grant all the prayers sought by his client.

He added, “The seat of the CJN is an institution specifically established by the Constitution of Nigeria, which also makes it tenured, to the effect that the occupant should stay there until his/her retirement age.

“And the only way he/she can be removed before his/her retirement age, has also been stated in the Constitution. This dictates that even if there is any transgression, this procedure must be followed.”

Nwosu insisted that the Supreme Court was the proper forum for the case to be decided.

Nwosu argued that the suit before the Supreme Court was not personal to Onnoghen, but meant to cure a violation to the Constitution and the prevent such violation in future.

The seven-man panel of the apex court led by Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour fixed May 27 for judgment.

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INEC Lied About Weather - Hadi Sirika, Minister Of State For Aviation

Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika who reacted to the postponement of election and excuse Nigeria's electoral body gave, disclosed that INEC lied about the weather being bad to move materials. 

Recall that INEC Chairman, Yakubu Mahmood disclosed that the presidential and National Assembly elections were postponed over bad weather which affected flight operations.

However reacting to this via Twitter, Minister of State for Aviation who insinuated that INEC lied about weather, wrote; “INEC should say something else as weather was good for flight operations on the eve of elections, similarly all airports were directed to open 24 hours during the election period.” 

However an Spokesman for the electoral body, Mr Oluwole  Osaze-Uzezi who spoke with a Punch correspondent, debunked counter claims made by the Minister. 

He said; “Did we say weather was bad on Saturday or Friday? No, we said days before the election and we stand by that.”

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Horror As 66 Persons Are Killed In Kaduna On Election Eve

The Kaduna state government, Friday evening, disclosed that 66 persons were killed by unknown gunmen in Kajuru local government of Kaduna state, less than twenty four hours to the conduct of the presidential and parliamentary elections.

A statement issued by the spokesman to the governor of Kaduna state, Samuel Aruwan, said already, security agencies are on the trail of the assailants.

The statement however did not provide details about where or how the incidence happened but said among the victims were 22 children and 12 women.

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Expensive Cars Recovered From 10 Yahoo Boys & Girls In Abuja

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Abuja zonal office has arrested 10 suspected internet fraudsters, following intelligence report of their suspicious activities.

The suspects are, Triumph Chikwendu Madumere, Success Chukwumazu Obasi, Jamila Shuaibu, Bright Idumwonyi Osaigboko and Obasi Wisdom.

Others are Idemudia Emmanuel, Sandra Alang, Stanley Ohiaeri, Samuel Tochukwu and Ikechukwu David Ohiaeri.

They were arrested at Karu and Mpape settlements of Abuja, on February 7, 2019.

Items recovered from them include, three Mercedes Benz cars, five laptop computers, 10 handsets, ATM cards and other incriminating documents.

They will soon be charged to court.

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Two dead, 6 injured as petrol tanker explodes in Anambra

No fewer than two persons were confirmed dead and six others injured, when a tanker, fully loaded with petrol, on Saturday night, skidded off track and fell at Amawbia Junction, near the Governor’s lodge in Awka, Anambra State.

Eyewitnesses’ accounts said that at least eight vehicles and some residential buildings within the vicinity were also destroyed in the inferno.

Eyewitness account said that the fire occurred in front of the Amawbia Fire Service and near the Police Headquarters, Anambra Governor’s Lodge and other public buildings.

Narrating his experience, one of the victims, Mr Paul Igwemma, whose car got burnt in the fire, said the tanker was negotiating a bend when it fell and subsequently burst into flames.

Igwemma, who was full of praises to God, said he had to abandon his vehicle and ran for dear life.

“I saw the vehicle trying to negotiate to this direction and all of a sudden, the tanker fell and hit the pavement of the roundabout. So, I immediately ran out of my car.

“Few seconds after, there was an explosion accompanied by fire and as you can see, my car is burnt beyond recognition, together with about ten other vehicles,” he said.

An eyewitness, Mary Anyaora, who was seen weeping at the scene, said the number of casualties could still be more.

Anyaora said that many more people were still trapped in their buildings and might not be able to escape from the fire.

She said that the effect of the fire could have been minimal, if there was an immediate intervention from the Fire Service.

Confirming the incident, Mr Andrew Kumapayi, Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), blamed the incident on careless driving on the part of the tanker driver.

Kumapayi said that two persons died, while six others sustained injuries with eight vehicles burnt beyond recognition.

“The driver did not stop when the tank fell, the incident happened in front of the Fire Service and fire fighters were still making efforts to put out the fire,” he said.

NAN reports that the fire was still raging at the time of filing the report, while men of the fire service were seen battling to put it out.

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Comedian Seyi Law parts with wife Stacy

 

Popular Nigerian Comedian, Seyi Law has made a shocking announcement that he has separated from his wife of eight years, Stacy Ebere due to irreconcilable differences.

Seyi Law, born as Oluwaseyitan Lawrence Aletile, announced the end of the marriage which has produced a child, on his Instagram page early Sunday.

On Saturday, Seyi Law hinted about a major announcement that he wanted to make in a post, under the photograph of the daughter of the marriage.

“I find so much joy with Tiwaloluwa Oluwademiladeola Chiderra Aviella. You are the reason my pain don’t matter. Too many wishes in my life right. Major announcement later tonight. It is what it is. I am coming”, he wrote.

Hours later, he dropped the bombshell.

Seyi Law praised his ex-wife for her beautiful and good heart, but said it was sad that they had to part ways.

“Due to irreconcilable differences would have been enough to announce this, but the kind and beautiful heart of my ex-wife must be stated. She is one of the best women I have ever known.

“It is however sad, that I announce that my wife and I have decided to path(sic) ways for good. We will appreciate your love and support at this time. God bless you. Tiwaloluwa is safe and good,” he said on his Instagram post.

Seyi Law first married his wife in 2011. Then in 2017, the couple renewed their marital vows, after six years.

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Fire guts INEC Office, destroys election material

The office of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Qua’an Pan Local Government area in Plateau State on Saturday night gutted by fire.

This is coming less than a week to the 2019 presidential election.

Osaretin Imahiyereobo, Plateau State INEC Head of Department, Voter Education and Publicity, in a statement, confirmed the disaster.

“The INEC office is completely burnt with all its content…ballot boxes, Generators serviced and filled with fuel, cubicles, newly printed electronic and manual voters register, uncollected PVCs, materials for the preparations of RAC and other materials yet to be identified,” Imahiyereobo said.

According to Imahiyereobo, the incident was caused by a drunken security man.

Imahiyereobo described the incident as a setback for the preparations for the general elections in the Local Government Area.

“The management team led by the Administrative Secretary, Gbadamasi Rasheed are on their way to assess the situation.”

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COURT DISMISSES KASHAMU'S APPEAL FOR STAY OF PROCEEDINGS

The federal high court sitting in Abeokuta rendered useless and consequently dismissed an appeal by Buruji Kashamu to stay on proceeding on the matter between Hon. Sikirulahi Ogundele and other and Independent electoral commission (INEC) on the ground that he was not party to the matter and as such cannot exercise the right to file an appeal

The Judge of the High Court, Justice Abubakar had on Wednesday 30th January 2019, ordered that the motion for joinder in the matter proposed by Kashamu's counsel as intervener between the original appelant and defendant will be heard today, Tuesday 5th February, 2019

Based on this order and with the motive of stalling the hearing of the substantive matter, the counsel to Kashamu rushed to the appeal court in Ibadan

After series of arguments, the Judge made it clear to Oluyede that he was yet to be a party in the matter he is appealing and under the law he is not allowed

Oluyede after realizing that he had jumped an over zealous in executing his prayer bid thereafter admitted that his appeal has no ground and will be withdrawn

To procceed on hearing of the joinder motion, the court discovered that the counter affidavit filed by the lead counsel to the appellant, Afolabi Fashanu, SAN, are properly served on Kashamu's counsel as seen in the court bailiff records was claimed not to have been received by Barrister R.A Oluyede, SAN.

Barrister Fashanu immediately served the affidavit on Kashamus counsel on the spot in court and the court adjourned till Thursday 7th February 2019 for proper hearing of the matter

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PDP Give INEC 24 Hour Ultimatum To Release The List Of Its Ad Hoc Staff

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to within 24 hours publish the list of all officials and ad hoc staff that would play any form of role in the forthcoming general elections at all levels.

The National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, who made the call at a press conference on Monday in Abuja said that the list should be published for verification by stakeholders.

Ologbondiyan said that any delay or refusal by INEC to publish the list of ad hoc staff within 48 hours would be a clear acceptance

that the commission had been compromised by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He accused the INEC leadership of plotting to rig the forthcoming general elections for President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He also called on the international community to place the INEC Chairman, Directors and Commissioners in INEC responsible for this election on its watch list in the conduct of the elections.

Ologbondiyan however, urged all members of the PDP, and all meaning Nigerians to vote for the party and protect their votes.

Reacting to the allegations, the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that less than two weeks to the general elections, the commission could not afford to be distracted by baseless allegations.

Oyekanmi said that the Commission was not a political party and would not allow itself to be dragged into unnecessary controversies at a time like this.

“The INEC has been conducting general elections since the past 20 years.
“During this time, especially since 2010 and particularly from 2015, the commission has introduced many innovations to improve the electoral system.

“One of such innovations is to ensure that no member of any political party is engaged to participate in the conduct of elections.

“I therefore call on any political party or individuals with information on how the Commission plans to or has engaged members of any political party as ad-hoc staff for the upcoming general elections to make such information public and mention specific names.

“It is not enough to make wild allegations. It is incumbent upon those who make such allegations to also provide the proof,” Oyekanmi said.

He assured that INEC would conduct free, fair and credible general elections, and for which it needed the support of all Nigerians.(NAN)

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Senator Waku Dies In US At 72

Former senator for the Benue North West, Joseph K.N. Waku, is dead.

Waku, aged 72, served at the National Assembly in 1999, under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Waku was chairman of Senate committees on Senate Services, Works  and Housing, Health, Establishment, Water Resources and Privatisation, died in the United States.

Waku was an active member of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), after accusing theMiddle Belt Forum of excluding non-Christians from their organisation.

He said the ACF was formed to give a voice to northern minorities including those in the Middle Belt.

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Three APC members die in Lagos

Senator Solomon Adeola (APC, Lagos West) has described the death of three supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a road accident in Lagos on Monday as unfortunate.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the victims died when the SUV conveying them somersaulted in top speed while trying to join the convoy of the senator, who was on a campaign tour of Amuwo-Odofin council area.

Adeola, in a statement issued by his media aide, Chief Kayode Odunaro, to NAN, said he was devastated by the incident.

He prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of the deceased and asked God to grant their families the fortitude to bear the loss.

“It is quite an unfortunate accident. I sympathise with those injured and in hospital. I pray for the peaceful repose of the soul of these supporters of APC,” he said.

According to the statement, men of the Nigeria Police Force and an ambulance in the entourage of the senator took the victims to the hospital.

The statement added that Adeola quickly rounded off the day’s campaign after a one minute silence was observed in honour of the departed souls later at the venue of the campaign.

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How VP Osinbajo, Minister, 10 others survived helicopter crash

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, a Minister and 10 others, yesterday, in Kabba, Kogi State, survived when the helicopter in which they were  travelling crashed. The incident happened at Kabba Township Stadium.

The VP, who was in Kogi in continuation of the TraderMoni scheme, was scheduled to visit Kabba, Okene and Idah, headquarters of  Kogi West, Central and East respectively.

At exactly 2:40 pm, the first chopper in Osinbajo’s  entourage made a successful landing and was followed by the second  chopper conveying the VP.

The chopper conveying the VP, which made its landing around 2:45 pm, was, however, unlucky as the tail of the chopper caught one  of the vehicles  parked in the arena and tumbled immediately.

Emergency prayers erupted in the crowd when part of the chopper’s wings got severed from the main body.

It took several  minutes before the door of the chopper could be forced open.

The VP, who was subsequently freed  from his seat belt and carried out of the chopper, took some minutes to stand and waved to the waiting crowd.

He was immediately taken away to  an hotel  where he  rested before proceeding to the palace of  the Obaro of Kabba, who doubles as the Chairman, Okun Traditional Council, HRM, Oba Solomon Owoniyi.

In a statement by his spokesperson, Laolu Akande, later yesterday, Osinbajo expressed thanks to Nigerians for their concern over the chopper crash.

The statement said the VP, after the mishap, continued his engagements in Kogi, engaging the people on the Next Level plan of the Buhari administration.

He quoted him as saying, “We are safe and sound. Thank you to everyone who has expressed concern, and thank you to the crew who managed the situation well.

“We believe that God will continue to keep us and Nigeria safe even as we go higher. We continue Next level engagements in Kabba, Kogi State.”

In a follow-up statement, also by Akande, last night, the spokesperson  narrated  the incident. The statement said: “Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, departed Abuja around 1pm today on a chopper ride to Kogi State in continuation of the Family Chats & Next Level engagements.

“Prof. Osinbajo headed first to Kabba, and while landing at the Kabba Stadium, the helicopter suddenly skidded sideways  until it halted on its side few metres away from the intended resting spot.

“Alongside VP Osinbajo, the Minister of State for Labour and  Productivity, Prof. Stephen Ocheni, senior presidential aides, security officials and the crew; there were a total of 12 people on board. everyone came out safely after the incident.

“We are grateful to God for His protection and safety, and we thank the crew and security personnel for their prompt response and service. We are also grateful for the tremendous expressions of concern and affection, as well as prayers from all.

“As is procedural, a full investigation into the causes of the incident would be conducted by aviation authorities.

“The Vice President is continuing the planned engagements in Kogi State as scheduled.”

Shock, gratitude to God

The All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the vice presidential candidate of the PDP, Mr. Peter Obi, and Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State expressed shock over the helicopter crash.

The National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, in a statement, said the party continued to pray for the safety of all its leaders.

“We thank God our vice president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo is safe and sound along with his aides following his involvement in a helicopter accident which occurred in Kabba, Kogi State while undertaking the All Progressives Congress #NextLevelEngagements ahead of the #2019Elections”, the statement said.

“The Party prays for continuous safety of our leaders and general progress of our great country.

‘We also congratulate @ProfOsinbajo, an alumnus of Igbobi College @ICYaba on the institution’s 87 founders day anniversary being marked today”.

In its own statement by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP thanked God for the safety of the Vice President, members of his entourage and the crew.

The party, however, called for a thorough investigation “into the traumatic incident” adding that “the safety of the nation’s leaders, and of course, all Nigerians, must be guaranteed, especially at this critical time

It also urged all Nigerians regardless of creed, ethnicity and political affiliation, to continue to pray for God’s continued intervention in the affairs of the nation.

On his part, Dickson urged Nigerians to thank God for sparing the lives of Osinbajo and other passengers in the helicopter.

He said that the citizenry should be grateful to the Almighty God for preventing what would have been a major tragedy especially at this critical period of heightened political activities in the country.

The Bayelsa governor said, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, that Nigerians should regard themselves as members of a solid and united family irrespective of political differences and platforms.

Reacting on the incident, last night, Peter Obi , who was on campaign with his presidential candidate, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, in Umuahi, Abia State at the time of the crash, expressed shock over the incident and gratitude to God for sparing the VP’s life as well as the lives of others in the chopper with him.

Obi prayed God to continue to protect all those running around on campaign and Nigerians in general.

He called on Nigerians to remain prayerful at all times.

Osinbajo, speaking at the Obaro of Kabba’s palace, his first stop in the visit to Kogi, the VP expressed gratitude to God for surviving the chopper crash.

He said, “We are extremely grateful to the Lord for preserving our lives from the incident that just happened. Everyone is safe and no one is maimed. God has kept us safe and alive, delivered us from death so we can do more for our people and country.”

Yesterday’s incident was the second time Osinbajo’s helicopter would be involved in an incident.In June 2017, he survived a similar accident when the chopper he was traveling in crash-landed shortly after take off in Gwagawalada, Abuja.

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ASUU Strike Continues As Meeting With FG Ends In Deadlock

The end to the four-month old strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU), is not in sight as the re-conciliatory meeting between the Federal Government and the striking lecturers which held on the instance of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, in Abuja last night, ended in a stalemate.

ASUU had embarked on the strike since November last year following the failures of Federal government to implement the agreement reached on the funding of universities, the payment of outstanding earned allowances and sundry issues.

Before Friday’s meeting which lasted about three hours, a five hour meeting two weeks ago could not resolve the differences in the government’s position and the demands of ASUU, although the minister said that” substantial progress was made and that with the few areas of disagreement remaining, the strike would soon be over.”

Unlike before, both ASUU and the minister declined to disclose what the meeting agreed upon and when the strike will be called off.

After much prodding, ASUU President, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi just said progress is being recorded.

“We are making progress,” he quipped and declined to say if government has agreed to their demands for the strike to be called off.

The next meeting between the lecturers and the Federal government comes up innext Thursday February 7th.

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Billionaire kidnapper: Evans loses in court

An Ikeja High Court has told alleged kidnap kingpin Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike a.k.a. Evans that there was no proof that he was tortured by the police.

Giving a ruling admitting Evans’ June 11, 2017 confessional statement into evidence, Justice Hakeem Oshodi, noted that the 1999 Constitution did not require that statements to the police must be in a specific form.

According to News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, the judge also said that based on Evans’ evidence videotaped confession played in court on Oct. 26, 2018, there was no proof that Evans was tortured to provide details of his alleged misdeeds as he claimed.

DAILY POST earlier reported that the alleged kidnap kingpin claimed that he was tortured and forced to make all the confessions he earlier made to the police when he was arrested.

The Judge said, “In the video that was played in open court, the first defendant was cautioned and he signed a word of caution, when he was asked his profession he said he was a businessman, he said so with a smile.

“In the video the first defendant asked the investigating police officer to write his statement on his behalf, the first defendant sat on a sofa and after the recording of the statement, the first defendant signed.

“In the video, the court cannot see any coercion directed at the first defendant.

“When the witness for the prosecution was cross-examined, he categorically stated that the first defendant was not tortured when his statement was taken.”

Justice Oshodi said the alleged kidnap kingpin did not provide any evidence to court to back the allegations of extra- judicial killings he made against the police.

“The first defendant has not provided evidence of any inducement, threat or promise in the trial-within-trial.

“The court is not unmindful that the first defendant said he was slapped; cigarettes extinguished on his hands and saw people being murdered by the police.

“The allegation that the police murdered some people is a criminal allegation that he did not prove and there is no blood seen in the video.

“The first defendant did not give any evidence as to the treatment of the injuries he sustained.

“The first defendant did not contradict any part of the video played. There is no proof that the statement was made involuntarily, the statement is admitted and marked Exhibit B,” he said.

Following the ruling, Ms Titilayo Shitta-Bey, Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), requested for an adjournment due to the absence of the fourth prosecution witness, Insp. Idowu Haruna.

“My Lord, unfortunately the prosecution witness is not in court and we will have to ask for an adjournment.

“The witness sustained injury in an accident and he is still recovering from the injury,” she said.

Mr Olanrewaju Ajanaku, Evans’ defence counsel, had no objection to the request for an adjournment.

Justice Oshodi adjourned the case until Feb. 22 for continuation of the evidence of Haruna and trial.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that during the trial-within-trial held on Oct. 26, 2018, Evans claimed that his alleged confessional statement to the police was not obtained voluntarily.

The alleged kidnap kingpin alleged that police officers tortured him and made him witness executions in a bid to get him to admit to his crimes.

Evans is standing trial alongside Uche Amadi, Ogechi Uchechukwu, Chilaka Ifeanyi, Okwuchukwu Nwachukwu and Victor Aduba.

The six were arraigned on Aug. 30, 2017 on two counts of conspiracy and kidnap of the Chief Executive Officer of Maydon Pharmaceutical Ltd., Donatus Dunu, from whose family they allegedly collected 223,000 Euro (N100m) as ransom.

Evans and his co-defendants have pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

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EFCC arrest 19 “Yahoo boys” in Ibadan, recovers female underwear, cars

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday morning nabbed 19 suspected internet fraudsters in Ologuneru and Akobo areas of Ibadan, Oyo State.

Tony Orilade, the commission’s acting Head, Media and Publicity made this known in Ibadan, NAN reports.

According to him, 15 of the suspects were arrested at Ologuneru area while the remaining four were nabbed at Akobo area.

”All the suspects who are between the ages of 21 and 35 were arrested at their hideout in the early hours of Friday.

”The commission got wind of their activities following series of intelligence report.

“Which alleged that they engage in various fraudulent activities ranging from obtaining money by false pretences through sending of scam emails to unsuspecting victims.

”Some are engaged in romance scam on several dating sites.

”Among the things recovered from the suspects included four exotic cars, five laptops, 20 telephones, including 10 iPhones and one small bag containing items suspected to be fetish objects.

”Others are several documents, including international passports and ATM cards.

”SIM cards, one exotic car, laptops, telephones, female under-wears and four bags of fetish objects were recovered from four of the suspects arrested for cyber crimes at Akobo area.

”The suspects are: Babatunde Afeez, Akorede Olalekan, Adeleye Damilola and Moshod Richard.

“Others are Bamidele Samson, Bamidele Philip, Tunji Sowale, Bololaji Olalekan and Abdulrauf Abiodun, Olaleye Pelumi and Anuoluwapo Olanrewaju.

”The remaining ones are: Paul Damilola, Olateye Tobi, Arewa Ibrahim, Oyesanmi Oluwaseun, Olaleye Israel, Adediran Kemisola, Omobolade Alarape and Olowolusi Oluwatomisin,” he said

He said that all the suspects would soon be arraigned in court soon.

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APC crisis: Buhari postpones Zamfara campaign rally

President Muhammadu Buhari has postponed the All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential campaign rally to Zamfara state, slated for Sunday.

The postponement was being linked to the crisis rocking the party which started with the party’s primaries in gubernatorial, national assembly and state assembly positions.

It was reliably gathered that one of the principal actors in the crisis and governorship aspirant, Senator Kabiru Marafa had called President Buhari to cancel the visit because of the backlash that would come from it.

Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had released the final list of candidates for the March 2 governorship and State House of Assembly elections without that of APC in Zamfara.

Saturday Vanguard reliably gathered that the advance party for the rally had left the State House before information was sent to them to come back.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina confirmed the postponement.

But speaking to State House correspondents, Senator Marafa who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources, Downstream said he was not aware of the postponement of the rally.

He said, “I am not aware of the cancellation of the APC Zamfara rally; honestly because I was not told. Like I said, I just submitted a proposal which I think will serve the interest of our party, the president and our people.

“We don’t have candidates for now because of the political impasse that characterized Zamfara State in the last few months and the president is billed to be in Zamfara on Sunday, Feb. 3

“Because of the rumple between disagreeing parties, we felt it is better Mr President suspends his visit to Zamfara. After all, we are there; we can campaign for him; he knows us; he knows our individual capacities; there is no point bringing all the factions under one umbrella, because once the president is there, if you like the president and you are with him, you will like to show your face.

“However, we feel it is avoidable; but you cannot come to the president with just one single suggestion. So, I just put my opinion across; that if it is a must; maybe the party has fixed Feb. 3 for the visit, then we want to be excused because there is no way President Muhammad Buhari will go to Zamfara and my face is not seen and if my face is not seen, people will ask questions.

“I think it is not fair just to absent like that. We are not doing what we are doing to impress anybody; we have already gotten all the necessary trust and belief from Mr President even if he is not there, we will do the right thing.

“But if the party or the Presidential Campaign Council feels they must be in Zamfara on Sunday, we and our supporters want to be excused and we will conduct our own rally for the president on a different date and we will televise it live on NTA so that everybody can see.

“So let everybody show his support in Zamfara not to come together and then everybody will be claiming victory that I pulled this crowd; let everybody stand on his own. The most important thing is that we all believe in Mr President and we all like him and we will support him and we want him to win; so let us work individually, and Feb. 16, we will all converge on the box and show what we can do but let the people of Nigeria see us individually.”

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Buhari reveals why foreign governors attended APC rally in Kano, blasts PDP

President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has revealed why Nigerien Governors attended his presidential rally in Kano on Thursday.

In a statement by Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Buhari said the main opposition was panicky and jittery.

He explained that African political office seekers were trooping into the country to understudy his phenomenon.

Buhari maintained that the foreign governors’ presence at the Kano rally has not broken any Nigerian law.

The statement added, “Nigeria has been gifted with an honest leader, a man endowed with rare qualities and people are trying to copy that.

“If our neighbours from Niger come to witness how President Buhari is doing his politics, what is the problem with that? Is there any law that is broken? Or did they see anyone that will buy vote or collect PVC?

“What we want PDP to know, there is a Buhari phenomenon that is sweeping across the entire continent. Candidates for national leadership in each country are doing whatever they can to understand the Buhari phenomenon, to copy it, to institute it.

“That’s why people from the African continent…when they had the presidential election in Ghana, there was a candidate who branded himself the Buhari of Ghana.

“When they had the presidential election in Chad last year, there was a Buhari of Chad. They had printed posters with their pictures with Buhari side by side.

“So, it’s jealousy. They are panicky and jealous. It should worry PDP that nobody is coming across the border to understudy PDP.”

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PDP campaign DG joins APC

Former Gombe DG Bala Bello Tinka met President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday night in Aso Villa, Abuja

The Director General of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign organisation in Gombe State Bala Bello Tinka has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC),said an aide of Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Coming exactly a fortnight to the presidential election, the defection of Alhaji Tinka deals a massive blow to the PDP in Gombe. PDP currently governs the state, and has done so since 2003,” Buhari’s spokesman Femi Adeshina said in a statement on Friday.

“President Muhammadu Buhari campaigns in Gombe Saturday and Alhaji Tinka is expected to formally join the APC, alongside others, during the event.” he added.

Adesina said Tinka met with the president on Thursday night at the State House, Abuja, and pledged allegiance to the ruling party.

Tinka, a top businessman in the state and a close ally of Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo, bidded for the opposition party’s gubernatorial ticket but was unsuccessful.

But the PDP said Tinka was expelled from the party.

The party’s State’s Chairman, Joel Jagafar stated in a statement on Saturday that the former DG breached the party’s code of conduct by emerging the Governorship candidate of Democratic People’s Party (DPP)in the Independent national Electoral Commission (INEC) 2019 general election list of candidates.

“The subject list has number 29, Alhaji Bala Bello Tinka as Governorship candidate of Democratic People’s Party (DPP) whom hitherto was the Director-General of the 2019 Gombe state campaign of the party,”Jagafar said.

“This is a breach of section 10(1) and 58(1) of the People’s Democratic Party constitution (2017 as amended). In view of the foregoing, Alhaji Bala Bello has been relieved of his appointment as Director-General of the 2019 campaign with immediate effect”.

Meanwhile in January 2018 the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) detained Tinka for channeling illegal funds for PDP 2015 campaign.

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