Why Dino Melaye jumped out of police van – Ben Murray-Bruce reveals

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="683" height="374" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QWJJE1lGS7A/WueQJBO7SPI/AAAAAAADE68/iluBde7XfeUI_uAFZIbL3_PZZuIx_QU-wCLcBGAs/s640/Dino-Melaye1.jpg" width="640" /></div> <br /> The senator representing Bayelsa East constituency at the Senate, Mr. Ben Murray-Bruce, has said adduced reasons why Senator Dino Melaye jumped out of the Police van.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> In a tweet on Monday, Murray-Bruce disclosed that he was in the hospital to see Melaye, who represents Kogi West senatorial district at the Senate.<br /> <br /> Murray-Bruce expressed his concerns about the embattled senator’s travails, saying, “Very sad to hear what transpired.”<br /> <br /> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <div dir="ltr" lang="en" xml:lang="en">Just met with <a href="https://twitter.com/dino_melaye?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dino_melaye</a>. Very sad to hear what transpired. Dino is asthmatic, yet while in transit, the police gassed him & he could barely breathe. Second time they gassed him, he had to force his way out of the vehicle. Dino literally escaped death. SAD!</div> — Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) <a href="https://twitter.com/benmurraybruce/status/990900389624139777?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"> </script><br /> <br /> He disclosed that Mr. Melaye is asthmatic, but that during his encounter with policemen, “the police gassed him and he could barely breathe.”<br /> <br /> The tear-gassing of the senator wasn’t a one-off thing, Murray-Bruce said, noting, “Second time they gassed him” (and) “he had to force his way out of the vehicle.”<br /> <br /> “Dino literally escaped death,” Murray-Bruce said.<br /> <br /> The incident led to Mr. Melaye’s eventual hospitalisation.<br /> <br /> It may be recalled that Senator Dino Melaye was arrested by immigration officers at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport on Monday, April 23, on his way to Morocco, but he managed to escape from the security personnel.<br /> <br /> But later on the same day, policemen stormed his residence at Shanga Street, Maitama, Abuja, where they kept a vigil in a bid to arrest him.<br /> <br /> On Tuesday morning, Melaye surrendered to the security operatives, who drove him away in a white Hiace bus followed by three other vehicles to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad facility at Guzape, Abuja.<br /> <br /> Sources said Melaye surrendered to the police after some of his senator friends received assurances from the police authorities that he would not be taken to Lokoja where he alleged he might be assassinated<br /> <br /> It was gathered that Melaye, on suspecting that the police were taking him to Kogi State, engaged the officers in the bus in a scuffle and managed to jump out of the van after it was blocked by unidentified vehicles around 2.10pm.<br /> <br /> Murray-Bruce noted that Melaye might have died if he had remained in the Police van.

Why Dino Melaye jumped out of police van – Ben Murray-Bruce reveals

The senator representing Bayelsa East constituency at the Senate, Mr. Ben Murray-Bruce, has said adduced reasons why Senator Dino Melaye j...

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Man loses car to robbers, finds policeman using it after two years

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9M1AnvOdu00/WueTxUa5SEI/AAAAAAADE7U/hL1VJSVQgCEkz2OO0qiVUSA44gnl9cSYwCLcBGAs/s1600/jail%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9M1AnvOdu00/WueTxUa5SEI/AAAAAAADE7U/hL1VJSVQgCEkz2OO0qiVUSA44gnl9cSYwCLcBGAs/s320/jail%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> A thirty-two-year-old Ghanaian banker whose car was hijacked by armed robbers and was almost killed found a police officer using the car two years after.<br /> <br /> Samuel Forson was attacked by four armed men who took his car, a laptop computer and other personal belongings in December 2015.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> For two years, nothing was heard about the criminals or his car until he personally saw the vehicle in Tema, a province in Ghana on a Friday afternoon.<br /> <br /> According to JoyNews, Samuel said the incident happened on December 4, 2015. He said while driving his car along the Titanic Beach, located between Tema and Sakumono area at 8 pm, he had to stop because his engine had developed a problem.<br /> <br /> But as he waited for the problem to get solved, four armed men dressed like police officers pounced on him and ordered him out of the vehicle.<br /> <br /> He recounted, “They looked into the car and then I was asked to come down and open the boot. As soon as I got down from the car, they hit me, I fell and they started pushing me…suddenly I heard one of them saying don’t kill him, don’t kill him. Then after they pushed me into the sea. How I came out is only a miracle.”<br /> <br /> Samuel was rushed to Inkoom Hospital when he got out of the cold waters and was later referred to the 37 Military Hospital.<br /> <br /> He spent two weeks in the hospital and another three months at home before he resumed work.<br /> <br /> His attackers were not arrested and his car and other belongings were not found until January this year.<br /> <br /> “I saw the car being driven by two gentlemen. I jumped into a taxi and I told the taxi driver to follow the car because it was a stolen car. So we followed them to Community 8. There was a drinking bar and they went to park there,” Samuel said.<br /> <br /> He then went to a police visibility point close by and reported the matter.<br /> <br /> “So the Commander dispatched a team to follow me to effect the arrest. When we got there the occupants of the car told me they were police officers,” he said.<br /> <br /> With the help of Detective Chief Inspector Nana Boahen of the Sakumono police, Samuel Forson was able to retrieve his car from the police.<br /> <br /> According to him, one Sergeant Philip Amoako of Tema Community 8 Police, who was found driving the car started harassing him to refund the money he had spent to repair and maintain the car.<br /> <br /> He eventually petitioned the Police Intelligence and Professional Standards Department in February this year over the matter.

Man loses car to robbers, finds policeman using it after two years

A thirty-two-year-old Ghanaian banker whose car was hijacked by armed robbers and was almost killed found a police officer using the car tw...

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IPOB blast Trump for inviting Buhari to US

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OwP4ehlVV7Y/WueRk1wURhI/AAAAAAADE7I/hCsygOjTFD87PX03O9HPLcA0YtCiJkt7wCLcBGAs/s1600/IPOB-CLASH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="690" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OwP4ehlVV7Y/WueRk1wURhI/AAAAAAADE7I/hCsygOjTFD87PX03O9HPLcA0YtCiJkt7wCLcBGAs/s1600/IPOB-CLASH.jpg" /></a></div> <br /> Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB Monday tackled American President, Donald Trump for inviting President Muhammadu Buhari for talk on democracy, saying there is nothing democratic about the All Progressives Congress, APC, administration to justify his invitation to the White House for political and economic discussions.<br /> <br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a>A statement by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, said it would like to know if President Trump, by virtue of the invitation to Buhari, is justifying the cold blooded massacre and illegal detention of tens of innocent Biafrans that rallied in Igweocha, Port Harcourt, by the present administration in Nigeria, on that fateful day of January 20, 2017 during Trump’s inauguration.<br /> <br /> According to IPOB, “What the Trump administration appears to be doing is inadvertently giving the green light to the brutal anti-democratic regimes in Africa of which Buhari’s APC is one, to murder and detain at will, innocent people and dissenting voices. If not, there is nothing democratic about ‘Buhari’ to justify his invitation to the White House for any discussion.<br /> <br /> “Whoever it is at the United States Embassy in Abuja, responsible for compiling and transmitting reports of the regime’s atrocities back to the State Department in Washington, failed woefully in his or her duty, because the Buhari regime is the worst government in the history of Nigeria.”<br /> <br /> IPOB statement read further: “We would like to seize this opportunity of the meeting between President Trump and ‘Buhari’ to draw the attention of the American people to the plight of Biafrans in detention across Nigeria, especially the four in a maximum security prison simply because they came out to celebrate with millions of other people around the world the day President Donald Trump was sworn into office. “It is also important that we remind the US presidency and the good people of United States of America, since it appears the US embassy in Nigeria failed to do so, of the enormity of the brutality and cold blooded massacre of innocent citizens merely exercising their right to freedom of assembly on that fateful day of January 20, 2017.<br /> <br /> “There is something morally repugnant about ‘Buhari’ visiting Washington to discuss democracy when his administration is not democratic. The failure of US government to hold this regime to account is what may have emboldened and encouraged them to embark on the wholesale ethnic cleansing of parts of Benue State.”<br /> <br /> “IPOB would like to know if President Trump, by virtue of this invitation to Buhari, is justifying the cold blooded massacre and illegal detention of tens of innocent Biafrans that rallied in Igweocha, Port Harcourt, on that fateful day of January 20, 2017 during his inauguration. “What the Trump administration appear to be doing is inadvertently giving the green light to brutal anti-democratic regimes in Africa of which the ‘Buhari’ APC is one, to murder and detain at will, if not there is nothing democratic about ‘Buhari’ to justify his invitation to the White House for any discussion on governance and democracy.<br /> <br /> “Whoever it is at the United States embassy in Abuja, responsible for compiling and transmitting reports of regime atrocities back to the State Department in Washington, failed woefully in his or her duty, because this current ‘Buhari’ regime is the worst government in the history of Nigeria.” According to IPOB, “the present APC government in Nigeria led by President Buhari has nothing qualifying it to be given the honour of visiting the office of the leader of the free world, both in terms of brutality, wickedness and total disregard for democratic norms and rule of law.” “Welcoming Buhari to the White House means welcoming tyranny into the bowel of democracy.<br /> <br /> It sends out the message that United States of America is standing shoulder to shoulder with a mass murderer and tyrannical government, contrary to its stated objectives. “What those who are behind this visit of President Buhari to the White House may have succeeded in doing is give the official President Trump administration endorsement to Nigerian President Buhari, to go on killing and locking people up at will, including those that came out on the streets to celebrate President Trump’s victory.”<br /> <br /> IPOB said “the visit by President Buhari to White House makes a mockery of the ideals, values of the founding principles of the United States of America”, adding that “if the man responsible for the illegal detention and brutal murder of those celebrating the election of a US president is being welcomed to White House as if nothing happened, one wonders if President Trump is not aware of the 20th of January 2017 massacre at Igweocha, Port Harcourt, or the US mission to Nigeria, especially the US ambassador, failed to inform the White House and President Trump about the incident.” IPOB named Mr. Ikenna Igwe Mazi, Mr. Uchenna Innocent, Mr. Bright Sunday Okoro and Mr. Chidinma Godwin Nwafor, as some of the people arrested and until date still languishing in prison for no other reason than the fact they were celebrating Trump victory.<br /> <br /> “They were detained on a trumped up charge of treasonable felony for celebrating the inauguration of a US president that is today wining and dinning with the same man that threw them in jail. There is something morally repugnant about this. The very least President Trump can do is to demand that ‘Buhari’ immediately release all IPOB activists and other political detainees across Nigeria.”

IPOB blast Trump for inviting Buhari to US

Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB Monday tackled American President, Donald Trump for inviting President Muhammadu Buhari for talk on demo...

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Meeting with Trump yields results on economy, security, anti-corruption – Buhari

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o0tH03l9c4Y/WueOlhvkZxI/AAAAAAADE6w/OkW0DwzxBb0bopTFo1Te-Z2SjwquoTDUwCLcBGAs/s1600/Buhari-and-Trump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o0tH03l9c4Y/WueOlhvkZxI/AAAAAAADE6w/OkW0DwzxBb0bopTFo1Te-Z2SjwquoTDUwCLcBGAs/s640/Buhari-and-Trump.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> President Muhammadu Buhari said his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump yielded positive results in areas of the economy, security and anti-corruption.<br /> <br /> Buhari, announced this during a joint press conference by Buhari and Trump after a one-day official working visit to the White House.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The Nigerian president lauded the shared history of close and cordial relations between the two countries , saying it encompasses political, economic, military, social and cultural cooperation.<br /> <br /> He said: “Our two countries maintain a strategic partnership for peace and security, conflict resolution as well as the global fight against terrorism.<br /> <br /> “We also share common features as secular federal states, practicing a similar democratic model of governance and committed to the universal values of fundamental human rights and freedoms, free enterprise, social justice and the rule of law.<br /> <br /> “President Trump and his team and myself and the Nigerian team discussed issues related to security, trade, governance, human rights and humanitarian crises.”<br /> <br /> He recognised the strong U.S. support in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and also appreciated very much the U.S. agreement to sell 12 Super Tucano A-29 war planes and weapons to Nigeria to effectively fight terrorism.<br /> <br /> “​We expressed gratitude for U. S. support in the reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in the North East of Nigeria, as well as humanitarian assistance to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), through agencies such as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and other international partners.<br /> <br /> “The USA has been to date the biggest contributor to the humanitarian response and last year gave approximately 500 million U.S. Dollars in cash and in-kind contributions through the United Nations and other inter-governmental organisations.<br /> <br /> “These have mainly supported protection activities, health, food assistance and shelter. We are doing all we can to secure the release of the remaining abducted school girls from Dapchi and Chibok.<br /> <br /> “In this context, we will continue to welcome U.S. collaboration in intelligence gathering, hostage negotiations and information-sharing,” Buhari said.<br /> <br /> On violent attacks by herdsmen, Buhari said the government was taking necessary steps to promote the peaceful co-existence of herdsmen and farmers, by focusing on boosting security and enforcing legislation that will guarantee herders and farmers access to land.<br /> <br /> On economy, he said Nigeria very much welcomed increased US investment in the Nigerian economy, especially in the non-oil sector.<br /> <br /> Buhari said: “​Nigeria’s trade volume with the United States stood at 6.07 billion dollars, according to 2016 statistics and comprised 4.176 billion dollars worth of Nigerian exports to the U.S. and 1.894 billion dollars U.S. exports to Nigeria. We urged greater effort to increase these figures substantially.”<br /> <br /> He thanked the U.S. government for the cooperation Nigeria had received in its effort to recover stolen funds.<br /> <br /> “Our two governments have put the machinery in place for their respective Attorneys-General to collaborate in ensuring the return to Nigeria of over 500 million dollars of looted funds siphoned away in banks around the world.<br /> <br /> “In this connection, we congratulated the US government on launching a Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative which was spearheaded by the U.S. Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering.<br /> <br /> “We hope that we could continue to count on U.S. support in this area,” he said. (NAN)

Meeting with Trump yields results on economy, security, anti-corruption – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari said his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump yielded positive results in areas of the economy, security an...

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WATCH VIDEO: Buhari's meeting with Trump in White House

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="640" height="422" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JlcFQggXgYI/Wud7yx9AbxI/AAAAAAADE6g/U3RPSS8WJ_4ChywzCbiSus8E0hDqB-6UgCLcBGAs/s640/buhari%2Band%2Btrump%2B2.jpg" width="640" /></div> <br /> <b>President Donald Trump has pledged the assistance of the United States of America to the terrorism fight by Nigeria.</b><br /> <br /> At a meeting with visiting President Muhammadu Buhari at the White House on Monday, Trump said that discussion would continue on the issues relating to military hardwares and other logistics.<br /> <br /> WATCH VIDEO BELOW<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> <iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_4Go5RxTsFQ" width="854"></iframe>

WATCH VIDEO: Buhari's meeting with Trump in White House

President Donald Trump has pledged the assistance of the United States of America to the terrorism fight by Nigeria. At a meeting with v...

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'We’re unhappy with killings of Christians in Nigeria' - Trump tells Buhari

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="891" height="336" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VnYslOL8vIY/Wud5y9uxLDI/AAAAAAADE6U/DnJLbtkTQXkH7M3ZQM98NKa19B4_JZrVwCLcBGAs/s640/trump%2Bbuhari%2Bsad.jpg" width="640" /></div> <br /> <br /> United States is not happy with the killing of Christians in Nigeria according to President Donald Trump.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Trump stated this on Monday during a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari who is on official visit to America.<br /> <br /> He said his government is interested in working with Nigeria to resolve the problem.<br /> <br /> “We’ve had serious problems with Christians who have been murdered, killed. We’re going to work on that problem and working on that problem very, very hard” Trump stated.<br /> <br /> He also noted that Nigeria has a massive reputation for corruption and promised that U.S. will continue to offer its support to proffer a lasting solution to the menace.<br /> <br /> “I discussed it with the president and we agreed to do something on it. We are working to cut,” Trump added.<br /> <br /> Asked whether he was offended by Mr Trump’s alleged denigration of African countries in the past, Buhari said he was skeptical about the media reports and would rather not comment on them.<br /> <br /> “I am being careful about what the press says about others and myself. But the best thing for me to do is to keep quiet.”<br /> <br /> Buhari said his government had done a lot to curb human rights abuses in Nigeria, especially in the ongoing war against Boko Haram.<br /> <br /> He said Nigeria has no problem with the presence of American troops in Nigeria, saying they are only in his country to offer training and other support that are crucial to winning the war against terrorism.

'We’re unhappy with killings of Christians in Nigeria' - Trump tells Buhari

United States is not happy with the killing of Christians in Nigeria according to President Donald Trump. Trump stated this on Monday...

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Publish your audited account, financial statement: APC tells PDP

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-akbfBTsA-HA/Wud4doNHUnI/AAAAAAADE6I/1TVPZuWYjlAEpGXWFsSyj1UAc98XqfYIACLcBGAs/s1600/Bolaji-Abdullahi%2Bapc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="389" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-akbfBTsA-HA/Wud4doNHUnI/AAAAAAADE6I/1TVPZuWYjlAEpGXWFsSyj1UAc98XqfYIACLcBGAs/s320/Bolaji-Abdullahi%2Bapc.jpg" width="246" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Bolaji Abdullahi</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <br /> <br /> The All Progressives Congress (APC) has challenged the main opposition part, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to publish its audited accounts and financial statement if it had any rather than cast aspersions at the party and making baseless allegations.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The party said in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said its National Convention committee was yet to submit a budget for the convention expected to take place in a yet to be announced date in June.<br /> <br /> Reacting to the PDP’s claim of mismanagement of public funds against the APC by alleging it asked governors to contribute about N6 billions fund the national convention, Abdullahi said the budget for the convention was properly captured in its 2018 budget which was approved by its National Executive Committee.<br /> <br /> The statement reads: “In reacting to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) allegations on the management of the All Progressives Congress (APC) finances and the funding for the Party’s upcoming 2018 National Convention among other unsubstantiated allegations contained in a statement by a spokesman for the PDP, we refer the PDP to the APC’s 2016 published independent audit report and accompanying financial statements.<br /> <br /> “In respect of the funding for our upcoming national convention, we also refer the PDP to our earlier issued statement (http://officialapcng.com/re-despite-owing-salaries-apc-governors-to-contribute-n6billion-for-upcoming-congresses-convention/) and also invite PDP to note that the APC convention committee has not submitted a budget for the convention.<br /> <br /> “Besides, the expenses for the National Convention to elect national officers and the presidential convention are duly captured in our 2018 budget. Therefore, the issue of N6billion convention expenses is neither here nor there.<br /> <br /> “While we assure Nigerians that the APC has not adopted the PDP’s practice of dipping their hands into the public till to fund its political activities as brazenly displayed during the 2015 elections, we equally call on the PDP to emulate the APC’s best practice of financial probity and openness by making public their audited reports and financial statements, if they have any.”

Publish your audited account, financial statement: APC tells PDP

 Bolaji Abdullahi The All Progressives Congress (APC) has challenged the main opposition part, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP...

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Omo-Agege’s Suspension Illegal – AGF

Omo-Agege’s Suspension Illegal – AGF

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BREAKING: Buhari meets Trump

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uALu6SlzDIM/WudHanHNTwI/AAAAAAAArUc/SFIX_hAH4ikpDH15lz38nLQ4d6OyMCo0gCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Buhari-and-Trump1.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uALu6SlzDIM/WudHanHNTwI/AAAAAAAArUc/SFIX_hAH4ikpDH15lz38nLQ4d6OyMCo0gCK4BGAYYCw/s320/Buhari-and-Trump1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> President Muhammadu Buhari is at the White House where he is meeting the American President, Donald Trump.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> In his welcome speech, Trump expressed appreciation for the visit.<br /> <br /> He asked Buhari about what he had done with the issue of the kidnapped Nigerian girls, to which Buhari answered that Nigeria has not given up about their rescue, detailing the efforts of his administration to have them brought back.<br /> <br /> Buhari also thanked his host for agreeing to have America sell the Tucano Jets to Nigeria, for which $496m has so far been paid.<br /> <br /></div>

BREAKING: Buhari meets Trump

President Muhammadu Buhari is at the White House where he is meeting the American President, Donald Trump. In his welcome speech, Trump...

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Why I wrote book on Jonathan’s government – Okonjo-Iweala

Why I wrote book on Jonathan’s government – Okonjo-Iweala

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IBB’s spokesman, Afegbua speaks on ”lobbying Buhari government for appointment”

IBB’s spokesman, Afegbua speaks on ”lobbying Buhari government for appointment”

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FG reiterates commitment to credible election in 2019

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IAGjC4qrUEM/Wucz32uZLWI/AAAAAAAArUM/8KKHXqbTV7s7XQ1BKACqjEff9qta8pNQwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Federal%2Bgovernment%2Bof%2BNigeria.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IAGjC4qrUEM/Wucz32uZLWI/AAAAAAAArUM/8KKHXqbTV7s7XQ1BKACqjEff9qta8pNQwCK4BGAYYCw/s400/Federal%2Bgovernment%2Bof%2BNigeria.png" /></a></div> The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Udoma Udoma has reassured of the federal government’s desire to improve the Nigerian political system and produce a free and fair election in 2019 hence the conscious efforts in strengthening the strategic planning, policy framework and operational system of the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Senator Udoma gave the assurance yesterday in Jos at the opening ceremony of a five-day Leadership and Conflict Management for Electoral Stakeholders organized for the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria, FOSIECON.<br /> <br /> Represented by Mr. Adeniran Olukayode, a Director in the Ministry, the Minister explained that the training organized by the European Centre for Electoral Support, ECES seeks to support and build capacity of the States Independent Electoral Commission, SIEC to enable them conduct free and credible elections at the local government level.<br /> <br /> According to him, “This training seeks to build their capacity to conduct credible elections and how well-implemented electoral process can bring about peaceful change of power and improve their leadership skills and take on board means for preventing and or mitigating the escalation of electoral violence and conflict throughout the respective electoral cycle.<br /> <br /> Also, the Project Director of the European Centre for Electoral Support, ECES, Mr. David Le Notre, represented by a Senior Advisor, ECES, Joachim Baggnan stated that the support is to contribute to the reinforcement of democracy in Nigeria through building strong, effective and legitimate democratic institutions.<br /> <br /> His words, “The objectives of the LEAD training are to strengthen the leadership capacities of electoral stakeholders, increase the level of confidence and self-awareness of electoral stakeholders and provide electoral stakeholders with the necessary tools to enhance dialogue development and dialogue-based decision making throughout the electoral cycle.”<br /> <br /> However, the State Governor, Simon Lalong through his Deputy, Sonni Tyoden who declared the event opened noted that pre and post-election violence have a way of eroding confidence in government, but strengthening democratic governance must begin with a credible, free, fair and acceptable electoral process.<br /> <br /> He called on participants who are drawn from the 36 States and the FCT to “explore the opportunity to bring our country to conformity with international best practices and standards in the conduct of elections.”</div>

FG reiterates commitment to credible election in 2019

The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Udoma Udoma has reassured of the federal government’s desire to improve the Nigerian po...

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Alleged N90bn assets: Court adjourns El-Rufai’s defamation suit to June 25

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WTdK0Mllkeg/WucxrEzFqUI/AAAAAAAArUA/Zh2icKZ4nGg7EWW8CBXFaBQCky-olzYkgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Nasir%2BEl-Rufai.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WTdK0Mllkeg/WucxrEzFqUI/AAAAAAAArUA/Zh2icKZ4nGg7EWW8CBXFaBQCky-olzYkgCK4BGAYYCw/s320/Nasir%2BEl-Rufai.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>  A Kaduna State High Court has adjourned till June 25, the suit on alleged defamation filed against the Union Newspapers by Gov. Nasiru El-Rufa’i.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The adjournment followed the non tendering of the assets declaration documents of El-Rufa’i by the Code of Conduct Bureau when he served as Director General, Bureau of Public Enterprises and as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.<br /> <br /> The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the court had in October 2017 granted an application filed by the defence to add the CCB as witness on subpoena.<br /> <br /> However, when the case came up on Monday, the CCB did not produce the documents, prompting the Judge, Justice Mairo Mohammed to adjourn the matter at the behest of the defence.<br /> <br /> Counsel to the defendants, H. A Abuul informed the court that the defence was not ready to continue as they were still awaiting for the assets declaration documents from the CCB.<br /> <br /> The application was however opposed by the plaintiff counsel, Mr Ossy Ehikioya, who argued that it was a ploy to delay the case.<br /> <br /> Ehikioya reminded the court that although the defendants had lined up two witnesses, they were only able to present one since the case began.<br /> <br /> The Judge however granted the application and adjourned the matter till June 25, for continuation.<br /> <br /> NAN reports that the governor went to court over a report carried by the newspaper in which it allegedly stated that he had declared N90 billion in his CCB assets declaration form.</div>

Alleged N90bn assets: Court adjourns El-Rufai’s defamation suit to June 25

 A Kaduna State High Court has adjourned till June 25, the suit on alleged defamation filed against the Union Newspapers by Gov. Nasiru El...

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Obstruction Charge: Drama in court as Melaye’s brother, lawyers secure bail

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-acAkEKzywMY/WucxZBOBcVI/AAAAAAAArT0/HkijWwpFosE8qmXaiDXa21UlTQ_mTPypACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/court.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-acAkEKzywMY/WucxZBOBcVI/AAAAAAAArT0/HkijWwpFosE8qmXaiDXa21UlTQ_mTPypACK4BGAYYCw/s320/court.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Five days after they were remanded in prison custody, an Abuja Chief Magistrate Court sitting at Mpape, on Monday, granted bail to a brother to the embattled Senator representing Kogi West, Mr. Dino Melaye, Samuel, and three others.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> Magistrate Mohammed Zubairu had on Wednesday last week, remanded the quartet in Kuje prison after they were docked by the Nigerian Police Force for obstruction.<br /> <br /> The charge followed the incident at Area One Roundabout in Abuja, which botched alleged moves to forcibly relocate Melaye to Lokoja in Kogi State to answer to pending criminal allegations against him.<br /> <br /> The embattled lawmaker was said to have jumped out of the Police van conveying him to Lokoja, and was allegedly whisked away by his supporters who were said to have blocked the road with their vehicle.<br /> <br /> Melaye was subsequently re-arrested at a private hospital where he was admitted for treatment, and later transferred to the National Hospital in Abuja by the Police.<br /> <br /> Aside Samuel, others the court remanded over the incident were Mohammed Wazari and two lawyers, Amaefula David and Pius Inyang.<br /> <br /> The two lawyers who are from the chambers of Ricky Tarfa, SAN, a firm representing Melaye, were allegedly picked up by armed policemen after the lawmaker was re-arrested at the hospital.<br /> <br /> While David was said to had earlier accompanied Melaye to the headquarters of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, in Abuja to enter his statement to allegations against him, his colleague, Inyang, was arrested when he went to buy water from a kiosk at the hospital where Melaye was initially admitted for treatment.<br /> <br /> The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA,  had condemned the arrest of the two lawyers and demanded their immediate release from prison custody.<br /> <br /> The Abuja branch of the legal body equally mobilised its members and stormed the Magistrate Court in solidarity to their detained colleagues.<br /> <br /> Meantime, following a bail application the defendants filed through their lawyer,  Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, Magistrate Zubairu granted them bail in the sum of N200, 000 with one surety each in like sum.<br /> <br /> The court stressed that the sureties must be resident in the Federal Capital Territory.<br /> <br /> However, a mild drama played out in the court premises as members of the NBA that were in court for the case, clashed with over 50 armed policemen that were deployed to the court, resulting to intense war of words between both parties.<br /> <br /> Trouble started after the policemen attempted to seize placards from protesting lawyers.<br /> <br /> The lawyers numbering over 100 resisted the move and held firm to their placards, even as they accused police authorities and the Federal Government of not only engaging in witch-hunt, but also resorting to self-help.<br /> <br /> At a point, as if on cue, the police officers encircled the lawyers and demanded that they leave the court premises.<br /> <br /> The action attracted more lawyers who immediately joined and intensified the protest, insisting they would not vacate the premises until their colleagues were released.<br /> <br /> Meantime, Ozekhome, SAN, condemned what he termed unconstitutional conduct of the security agents who he said handcuffed the young lawyers while conveying them to the court for ruling on their bail application.<br /> <br /> Ozekhome said the country should resist a return to tyranny and undemocratic actions by the government.<br /> <br /> Police had in the FIR it filed before the court,  slammed the four defendants with criminal conspiracy, obstruction of public servant from performing his lawful duties, as well as abatement and assault on police officers.<br /> <br /> Offences the defendants committed were said to be contrary to sections  97, 85, 267 and 173 of the Penal Code Law.</div>

Obstruction Charge: Drama in court as Melaye’s brother, lawyers secure bail

Five days after they were remanded in prison custody, an Abuja Chief Magistrate Court sitting at Mpape, on Monday, granted bail to a broth...

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JUST IN: Buhari, Trump to address joint press conference after meeting

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tKQffxPQH7o/WucwQMlJ8lI/AAAAAAAArTo/LSeDtHcH9BIi4Hstii_rhaTONLkPeeRwwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Buhari-and-Trump1.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tKQffxPQH7o/WucwQMlJ8lI/AAAAAAAArTo/LSeDtHcH9BIi4Hstii_rhaTONLkPeeRwwCK4BGAYYCw/s320/Buhari-and-Trump1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> President Muhammadu Buhari and the United States’ President Donald Trump will address a joint press conference today after their meeting at the White House.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The press conference is scheduled to hold at 6.30pm Nigerian time at the Rose Garden in the White House.<br /> <br /> It is expected to be broadcast live.<br /> <br /> The meeting of the two leaders is expected to centre on the fight against terrorism and economic development among others.<br /> <br /> Details later.<br /> <br /></div>

JUST IN: Buhari, Trump to address joint press conference after meeting

President Muhammadu Buhari and the United States’ President Donald Trump will address a joint press conference today after their meeting a...

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Police invites Sen. Shehu Sani to its headquarters

Police invites Sen. Shehu Sani to its headquarters

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JOHESU strike: No end in sight as FG rejects demand of health workers

JOHESU strike: No end in sight as FG rejects demand of health workers

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#BBNaija: Miracle finally receives N25m prize, car (PHOTOS)

#BBNaija: Miracle finally receives N25m prize, car (PHOTOS)

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Obasanjo not God, can’t decide my fate – Atiku

Obasanjo not God, can’t decide my fate – Atiku

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Gov. Obaseki allowed a boy hit my head because I called for Buhari’s impeachment – Sen. Urhoghide

Gov. Obaseki allowed a boy hit my head because I called for Buhari’s impeachment – Sen. Urhoghide

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Fayose committed no offence supporting deputy – PDP Chieftain

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uT77-uAUm8g/WucW0YxgSII/AAAAAAAArTM/Qk1lnYR7GQUjSsZclNJ7y1vyZzJFcfTXgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/af.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uT77-uAUm8g/WucW0YxgSII/AAAAAAAArTM/Qk1lnYR7GQUjSsZclNJ7y1vyZzJFcfTXgCK4BGAYYCw/s320/af.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chieftain, Sen. Ighoyota Amori, said Gov. Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti had not committed any offence by supporting his deputy, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, to succeed him.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Amori told the Newsmen on Monday in Abuja that Fayose, like every other PDP member, had the right to support any aspirant to be the party’s flag-bearer for any election.<br /> <br /> He said that what was important was to have credible primary to elect a candidate for the July 14 poll, and assured that the PDP national leadership would conduct a fair primary for the candidate to emerge.<br /> <br /> “The good thing is that the delegates for the primary are known already; so, the process cannot be manipulated.<br /> <br /> “There are statutory delegates, who are also known to everybody, and there is no dispute about that.<br /> <br /> “If you also look at the committee that will conduct the primaries, they are made up of credible people.<br /> <br /> “It is going to be open because PDP wants to test its sincerity with the coming elections in Ekiti and Osun. So, nobody should exercise any fear at all about fairness and transparency,’’ he said<br /> <br /> Amori, who is the Political Adviser to the National Chairman of PDP, Chief Uche Secondus, explained that Fayose’s support to his deputy in the governorship race would not give the aspirant automatic ticket.<br /> <br /> He said there had been many instances where the incumbent supported a candidate and such candidate failed.<br /> <br /> “For me, people should exercise their freedom to support anybody they want to support. What is important is that the national body should conduct free and fair primary.<br /> <br /> “I am telling you that the Uche Secondus-led executive will conduct a free and fair primary for all of them.<br /> <br /> “We know that if a flag-bearer is elected through free and fair primary, the election is almost won.<br /> <br /> “When other aspirants do not feel cheated knowing that everything came out clean and clear, and that the candidate was determined by the electorate, everybody will support the candidate.’’<br /> <br /> Amori said that the aspirants in the party for the Ekiti contest were now in good term since they were assured of credible primary.<br /> <br /> He urged all party stakeholders in the state to work in unison for the success of the party in the election.</div>

Fayose committed no offence supporting deputy – PDP Chieftain

A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chieftain, Sen. Ighoyota Amori, said Gov. Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti had not committed any offence by suppor...

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Sultan declares May 27 1st Ramadan

Sultan declares May 27 1st Ramadan

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BREAKING: Court sentences SAN, Nwobike, to one month’s imprisonment

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CRIW3g5y-r0/WucWlK4CJ8I/AAAAAAAArTA/bHcx4WR0mDMRsptP-tRgEc3TdI2tr2GVwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Joseph-Nwobike.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CRIW3g5y-r0/WucWlK4CJ8I/AAAAAAAArTA/bHcx4WR0mDMRsptP-tRgEc3TdI2tr2GVwCK4BGAYYCw/s320/Joseph-Nwobike.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> The Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has sentenced a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Joseph Nwobike, to one month’s imprisonment for perversion of the course of justice.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The court convicted Nwobike of 12 counts bordering on the offence, sentenced him to one month’s imprisonment on each of the 12 counts but said the sentences would run concurrently.<br /> <br /> Justice Raliat Adebiyi, who pronounced the verdict on Monday morning, said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission proved beyond reasonable doubts that the SAN was in constant communication with court officials to influence the assignment of his cases to his preferred judges.</div>

BREAKING: Court sentences SAN, Nwobike, to one month’s imprisonment

The Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has sentenced a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Joseph Nwobike, to one month’s imprisonment for perve...

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Barack Obama made you greatest terrorist that ever ruled Nigeria – Fani-Kayode attacks Buhari

Barack Obama made you greatest terrorist that ever ruled Nigeria – Fani-Kayode attacks Buhari

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Dino Melaye: Fayose explains similarity between 2019, senator’s recall

Dino Melaye: Fayose explains similarity between 2019, senator’s recall

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Governor Bello finally speaks on Senator Melaye’s face-off with police

Governor Bello finally speaks on Senator Melaye’s face-off with police

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BBNaija 2018: S.e.x in toilet : Bambam blasts Nigerians for being hypocrites

BBNaija 2018: S.e.x in toilet : Bambam blasts Nigerians for being hypocrites

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Court rules on BVN suit June 11 as FG accuses banks of failing to implement policy

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WTwUhklNt08/WucC4-PLMoI/AAAAAAAArSs/mUfjiIxClk8UIz0Af4AwDcFOPEUPgcx1wCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/court.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WTwUhklNt08/WucC4-PLMoI/AAAAAAAArSs/mUfjiIxClk8UIz0Af4AwDcFOPEUPgcx1wCK4BGAYYCw/s320/court.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday fixed June 11 to deliver judgment in a suit by the Federal Government seeking an order of forfeiture of funds in accounts with Bank Verification Numbers.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> At the hearing of the suit on Friday, the Federal Government accused commercial banks of shielding owners of accounts the accounts without BVN.<br /> <br /> The Federal Government alleged that the banks’ opposition to the suit implied the banks’ failure to enforce the BVN policy.<br /> <br /> The Attorney-General of the Federation, representing the Federal Government, through a lawyer, Mr. Ade Okeaya-Inneh (SAN), also challenged the right of the banks to be heard in the case.<br /> <br /> He said, “Our contention is that the banks do not have the locus (legal right) to defend this action (suit).<br /> <br /> “Our contention is that the plaintiff has a public duty to ensure that a regulation made pursuant to a law by the Federal Government through the Central Bank of Nigeria is obeyed.”<br /> <br /> He added, “If the defendants say they did not know those who know the money in the accounts without BVN, how can they then come to defend the case?<br /> <br /> “What locus do they have if they did not disclose the owners of the money despite the order of the court to that effect? If they are to be heard, on whose behalf?<br /> <br /> “They (the lawyers representing the respondents) are defending the suit on behalf of the bank, but the action and the order of the court is not against the banks per se, it is against the supposed owners of the funds.<br /> <br /> “The court’s order was for them to verify the owners of the accounts.<br /> <br /> “They have not done that and did not disclose any body as the owners of the accounts.<br /> <br /> “So, we are arguing that they cannot act for unknown persons, whose identities they have not disclosed. If they do not know who their customers are, then they cannot defend the suit.”<br /> <br /> He asked the court to reject all the processes filed by the defendants in the case.<br /> <br /> Another member of the Federal Government’s legal team, James Igwe (SAN), who argued the substantive suit, urged the court to grant the plaintiff’s prayers in the main suit.</div>

Court rules on BVN suit June 11 as FG accuses banks of failing to implement policy

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday fixed June 11 to deliver judgment in a suit by the Federal Government seeking an order of forfei...

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Those who wait for me after leaving office will wait in vain, says Fayose

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HBcZocUYuuw/WucCs4HWMjI/AAAAAAAArSk/Vb4fdj_CFt0kvO_iQsyVstcN0A5w4knuwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/af.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HBcZocUYuuw/WucCs4HWMjI/AAAAAAAArSk/Vb4fdj_CFt0kvO_iQsyVstcN0A5w4knuwCK4BGAYYCw/s320/af.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has hit back at perceived critics who he said were waiting for the expiration of his tenure to deal with him.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Fayose said that ‘they would do so in vain’, when he was hosted at a political programme, Sunday Politics, on Channels Television on Sunday.<br /> <br /> “Those waiting for me (after leaving office) would wait in vain.<br /> <br /> “I am Peter, the rock. I am telling you again, those waiting for me will wait in vain,” he said<br /> <br /> Fayose whose second term as Ekiti governor would come to an end this year (2018) maintained that he feared nobody and owed no one apology for defending the people on the path of truth.<br /> <br /> “I have done everything, I have defended Nigerians in good conscience and I have no apologies and I will never have one. If they like let them lock me up from today until next year. Let me tell you, we have seen Presidents, we will still see more,” Fayose added.<br /> <br /> On the issue of the $1 billion withdrawal from the Excess Crude Oil account, the governor accused the Federal Government of mismanaging funds from the Federal account which he feels are meant for the three tiers of government.<br /> <br /> “Every accrual in this country is supposed to go into a Federal account that is supposed to be shared by the three tiers of government. As at today, the Federal Government is spending money that belongs to the three tiers of government.<br /> <br /> “The Supreme court nullified the excess crude account which means all accruals must go into a central purse. Where the Federal Government will take their share, the state will take their share and the local government will take their share,” he said.<br /> <br /> Fayose also renewed his commitment to joining the presidential race, vowing not to rescind on the matter even in the face of expected persecution.</div>

Those who wait for me after leaving office will wait in vain, says Fayose

Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has hit back at perceived critics who he said were waiting for the expiration of his tenure to deal...

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Court convicts SAN, Nwobike, of justice perversion

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WCZPiHNNncs/WucCUln8nLI/AAAAAAAArSY/f7xPJqYmj-sdcaOLdtQ6FnrLCxQvAzc-QCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/court.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WCZPiHNNncs/WucCUln8nLI/AAAAAAAArSY/f7xPJqYmj-sdcaOLdtQ6FnrLCxQvAzc-QCK4BGAYYCw/s320/court.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has convicted a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Joseph Nwobike, of 12 counts bordering of perversion of the course of justice.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Justice Raliat Adebiyi, who pronounced the verdict on Monday morning, said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission proved beyond reasonable doubts that the SAN was in constant communication with court officials to influence the assignment of his cases to his preferred judges.<br /> <br /> The prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, said the offence carries a prison term of two years, but the defence counsel, Mr. Wale Akoni (SAN), said sentence is at the judge’s discretion, and pleaded with Justice Adebiyi to temper justice with mercy.<br /> <br /> The judge stood the case down, rose and went into her chambers.</div>

Court convicts SAN, Nwobike, of justice perversion

The Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has convicted a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Joseph Nwobike, of 12 counts bordering of perversion o...

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BREAKING: Court orders forfeiture of Patience Jonathan’s houses in Abuja

BREAKING: Court orders forfeiture of Patience Jonathan’s houses in Abuja

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APC reacts to report that governors were contributing N6bn for congresses, convention

APC reacts to report that governors were contributing N6bn for congresses, convention

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Nigerians are going through difficulties – Tinubu

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APC senator escapes death in Kaduna as ‘thugs’ invade stakeholders meeting

APC senator escapes death in Kaduna as ‘thugs’ invade stakeholders meeting

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Okorocha Makes #BBNaija Winner, Miracle Education Ambassador

Okorocha Makes #BBNaija Winner, Miracle Education Ambassador

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Omokri to Garba Shehu: You lied! Buhari is not the first African leader to visit Trump

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PHOTOS: Dangote, governors, PDP lawmaker visit Buhari in US

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Soyinka on nationwide killings: Nigeria on auto-pilot… the captain is missing

Soyinka on nationwide killings: Nigeria on auto-pilot… the captain is missing

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Jonathan had vision for Nigeria but acknowledged he didn’t know economics -Okonjo Iweala

Jonathan had vision for Nigeria but acknowledged he didn’t know economics -Okonjo Iweala

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Mkhitaryan, Iwobi doubtful for Arsenal’s trip to Atletico Madrid

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6PezrYZc0Fk/WubkctIJbUI/AAAAAAAArSI/RtuapFc2rwIhG1k5DhYBYncoVo0bf2ZIgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/aib.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6PezrYZc0Fk/WubkctIJbUI/AAAAAAAArSI/RtuapFc2rwIhG1k5DhYBYncoVo0bf2ZIgCK4BGAYYCw/s400/aib.jpg" /></a></div> Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger, has revealed that some of his players picked up knocks, in their 2-1 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Alex Iwobi picked up a hamstring injury, but played the entire 90 minutes.<br /> <br /> Henrikh Mkhitaryan who only made his return to the Gunners squad after two weeks, was also taken off. While goalkeeper David Ospina sustained a rib problem.<br /> <br /> “I took off Mkhitaryan because he had a little knock on his knee again, on the same knee – we could see that just looking at him in the dressing room.<br /> <br /> “Ospina has a rib problem and Alex Iwobi has a hamstring problem, so we’ll see how well everyone recovers. Thursday will come very quickly.<br /> <br /> “Definitely? At the moment, no, but we’ll have to monitor them over the next 48 hours. We’ll know more on Tuesday.”<br /> <br /> Arsenal travel to Atletico Madrid on Thursday for the second leg of their Europa League semi-final.<br /> <br /> The first leg ended 1-1 at the Emirates.</div>

Mkhitaryan, Iwobi doubtful for Arsenal’s trip to Atletico Madrid

Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger, has revealed that some of his players picked up knocks, in their 2-1 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday. ...

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Gov. Bello wasted over N5bn on Dino Melaye’s failed recall – PDP alleges

Gov. Bello wasted over N5bn on Dino Melaye’s failed recall – PDP alleges

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Woman Cut Off Boyfriend’s Male Organ For Leaking Their S3x Tape

Woman Cut Off Boyfriend’s Male Organ For Leaking Their S3x Tape

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PHOTO: Tinubu, Saraki in dramatic handshake

PHOTO: Tinubu, Saraki in dramatic handshake

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Pope decries attack on Nigerian church as Christians protest killings

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HcJV72NAzPU/WubeYXwcyGI/AAAAAAAArRw/J5_GusPFhJI-f2AC2jF-s3xtoVhxW0dNACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Pope%2BFrancis.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HcJV72NAzPU/WubeYXwcyGI/AAAAAAAArRw/J5_GusPFhJI-f2AC2jF-s3xtoVhxW0dNACK4BGAYYCw/s320/Pope%2BFrancis.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Pope Francis on Sunday decried an attack on a church in Nigeria during which two priests and other worshippers were killed.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Associated Press reports that the pontiff spoke on Nigeria during his remarks to the public in St. Peter’s Square.<br /> <br /> “The pontiff prayed that Nigeria’s Christian community find harmony and peace,” AP reported.<br /> <br /> The pope’s comments came just as a large number of Christians in Nigeria obeyed the call by the Christian Association of Nigeria to, after the Sunday services, protest against the killings by Fulani herdsmen in Benue State and other parts of the country.<br /> <br /> The CAN President, Rev. Olasupo Ayokunle, in a statement last Wednesday had said, “CAN urges Christians in Nigeria to hold peaceful protest on the set aside date, on the premises of their churches, asking the Federal Government and security agencies to stop the unending killings and bloodshed in the country.”<br /> <br /> Benue churches vow to work against Buhari<br /> <br /> Christian across churches in Benue State on Sunday held the protest on their church premises, vowing to work against Buhari candidacy in the 2109.<br /> <br /> Our correspondent who visited some of the churches in Makurdi, the state capital, reported that many worshippers of various Christian denominations wore black attire.<br /> <br /> Some of them displayed placards with the inscriptions, “Buhari is responsible for the killings in Benue, ‘FG must come out to defend us,’  ‘Enough of bloodshed in Nigeria,’ ‘Enough of unlawful killings in the country,’ and ‘FG, stop herdsmen killings,’ among others.<br /> <br /> At the Holy Ghost Catholic Church, Wadata, one of the parishioners, Mrs. Elizabeth Oduh, said, “President Buhari has not lived up to the expectations of Nigerians.<br /> <br /> “The Federal Government should protect its citizens and stop paying lip service to security.”<br /> <br /> At NKST Church, Iyorter, along Makurdi-Gboko Road, the worshippers prayed and laid curses on killer herdsmen.<br /> <br /> The associate pastor of the church, Rev. Samuel Ackaudu, said, “In Benue state, we have realised that our lives are no longer valuables.<br /> <br /> “There is no way that the Christian community in Benue State will support Buhari’s second term ambition.”<br /> <br /> The resident pastor, NKST Church High-level, Makurdi, Pastor Fredrick Ikya, said the President had offended the Christian community by allowing Fulani herdsmen to kill God’s anointed people.</div>

Pope decries attack on Nigerian church as Christians protest killings

Pope Francis on Sunday decried an attack on a church in Nigeria during which two priests and other worshippers were killed. Associated ...

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Dino Melaye breaks silence over failed attempt to recall him

Dino Melaye breaks silence over failed attempt to recall him

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Saraki contradicts Buhari, says Nigerian youths have no equals

Saraki contradicts Buhari, says Nigerian youths have no equals

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Obasanjo, Babangida are Angels compared to Buhari – Fani-Kayode

Obasanjo, Babangida are Angels compared to Buhari – Fani-Kayode

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How I was accused of allowing Boko Haram take over Nigerian territories – Okonjo-Iweala

How I was accused of allowing Boko Haram take over Nigerian territories – Okonjo-Iweala

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Another $202m belonging to NIA missing, says Reps panel

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CczysaDMtSI/WubT6n-uIvI/AAAAAAAArRg/ncBFEU4L_IA8LBQdm535CX8yRm0fSGRpACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/house-of-representative.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CczysaDMtSI/WubT6n-uIvI/AAAAAAAArRg/ncBFEU4L_IA8LBQdm535CX8yRm0fSGRpACK4BGAYYCw/s320/house-of-representative.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence has said that another $202m belonging to the National Intelligence Agency is unaccounted for and must be recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The committee, which is chaired by an All Progressives Congress lawmaker from Zamfara State, Mr. Aminu Sani-Jaji, had investigated the $43m which the EFCC recovered from a building at Osborne Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, in 2017.<br /> <br /> The money, later identified to belong to the NIA, is now in the custody of the Federal Government on court orders, while the EFCC continues with the prosecution of the case.<br /> <br /> But, the House committee stated that its investigations showed that another $202m was uncounted for or ‘missing.’<br /> <br /> The committee’s report indicated that the NIA collected a total of $289m as intervention funds during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.<br /> <br /> The agency’s suspended Director General, Mr. Ayo Oke, was in charge at the time the money was paid to the NIA.<br /> <br /> Out of the money, the panel stated that $43m was recovered by the EFCC, while $44m was transferred by the agency to another location for safe-keeping.<br /> <br /> However, it stated that the balance of $202m could not be traced, as all the actors could not provide useful answers to the committee.<br /> <br /> The committee recommended that the EFCC should investigate the matter further, ensure the recovery of the money and prosecute the offenders.<br /> <br /> It added that the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, should be sanctioned for refusing to cooperate with the committee during the investigation.<br /> <br /> The report said partly, “That the whereabouts of the remaining $202m should be further investigated. That the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor should be sanctioned and reprimanded for refusing to appear before the committee in clear contravention of Section 89 (1) (a) (b) and (c) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”<br /> <br /> On the $43m, the committee recommended that the EFCC should pursue the matter to a logical conclusion by prosecuting the suspects.<br /> <br /> It also called for the permanent forfeiture of the money and the Osborne apartment to the Federal Government.<br /> <br /> The report noted further, “That the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission that spearheaded the discovery and recovery of the money in question should follow due judicial process to ensure the forfeiture of the money and the apartment to the Federal Government; and ensure diligent prosecution of all the suspects involved in the saga.<br /> <br /> “That all intervention funds given in the last administration (under Jonathan) to the intelligence agencies should be further investigated; and that the Director of Accounts and Finance, Abubakar Deridisu, who by the findings of this committee is evidently not culpable, is recommended to be reinstated.”<br /> <br /> The House has yet to deliberate on the report, which was submitted by Sani-Jaji on April 26.<br /> <br /> By the procedure of the House, the report will be listed for consideration by lawmakers in the Committee of the Whole, who will either approve the recommendations or discard them.</div>

Another $202m belonging to NIA missing, says Reps panel

The House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence has said that another $202m belonging to the National Intelli...

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Lai Mohammed speaks on Buhari’s health

Lai Mohammed speaks on Buhari’s health

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Boko Haram: Obama failed Nigeria -Presidency

Boko Haram: Obama failed Nigeria -Presidency

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$496m Tucano Aircraft: Keyamo explains why Buhari didn’t wait for National Assembly’s approval

$496m Tucano Aircraft: Keyamo explains why Buhari didn’t wait for National Assembly’s approval

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Prayers of Nigerians won’t be in vain - Gowon

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SQWPnaKb37g/WubTo0PGZPI/AAAAAAAArRU/q-GiXTZM2yQy6b5qKVY3doWbh0p8ESO-gCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Yakubu%2BGowon.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SQWPnaKb37g/WubTo0PGZPI/AAAAAAAArRU/q-GiXTZM2yQy6b5qKVY3doWbh0p8ESO-gCK4BGAYYCw/s320/Yakubu%2BGowon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Former Head of State and leader of Nigeria Prays, General Yakubu Gowon says the prayers of the Church over certain national challenges will not be in vain, stating that prayers can solve Nigeria’s problems faster and better than physical weapons of war.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> He also said that he never knew he was going to be Head of State.<br /> <br /> The Former Head of State spoke at the prayer summit of Nigeria Prays South-East zone, held at First Baptist Church Cathedral Road Owerri, yesterday, adding that he has no doubt in his heart that God would honour the Collective Prayers and intercessions of Nigerians for the nation and heal the nation’s wounds.<br /> <br /> He said “Church Leaders should stand in the gap and fervently pray for peace, prosperity and security in the nation. Again, we must have to be honest with our leaders in our fellowship, and do less with unnecessary criticisms of our leaders”.<br /> <br /> He added “When it finally dawned on me that I was going to lead this great country of ours, Nigeria, the first thing I did was to go to God on my knees and asked him to help me so that I can always do the right thing. I thank God for the opportunity that He gave me in the course of service to this nation. But in the first instance, I never nursed any ambition to be a Head of State or rule this country in any form”.<br /> <br /> He continued “Yes we had a Civil War which was not so intended and I asked God for the will power to keep these people together. My joy today is that several years after the Civil War, Nigerians have remained bonded together as one nation despite our ethnic and individual differences.”<br /> <br /> Governor Rochas Okorocha in his speech said, Christianity does not preach revenge and then urged Church Leaders not to preach revenge concerning what is happening in Benue State and other parts of the country, adding that all the leaders in the country should take responsibility of whatever that is happening in the country.<br /> <br /> According to him “Christ never retaliated all the humiliations he suffered. And Christianity does not preach revenge. So our Church Leaders and Christians in general should not carry arms in revenge since Christianity does not allow revenge, stating that Church Leaders calling for revenge should withdraw or stop such calls.”</div>

Prayers of Nigerians won’t be in vain - Gowon

Former Head of State and leader of Nigeria Prays, General Yakubu Gowon says the prayers of the Church over certain national challenges wil...

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Nigerians don’t need a President who cannot travel to America like Buhari – Lauretta Onochie

Nigerians don’t need a President who cannot travel to America like Buhari – Lauretta Onochie

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Atiku vows to probe Jonathan, Buhari if he becomes president

Atiku vows to probe Jonathan, Buhari if he becomes president

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2019 presidency: Stop deceiving yourself, you can’t win – PDP blasts Buhari

2019 presidency: Stop deceiving yourself, you can’t win – PDP blasts Buhari

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PDP, Ekweremadu lament as explosion rocks Ohanaeze President’s house

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2AudGq0FamY/WubSSOYYG2I/AAAAAAAArRE/rz-Z03QUCIs4hlSzT0B2_TIY1tSBXK13ACLcBGAs/s1600/Ohaneze%2BNdigbo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="190" data-original-width="410" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2AudGq0FamY/WubSSOYYG2I/AAAAAAAArRE/rz-Z03QUCIs4hlSzT0B2_TIY1tSBXK13ACLcBGAs/s1600/Ohaneze%2BNdigbo.jpg" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> The country home of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, was on Sunday rocked by an explosion which is believed to have been caused by an improvised explosive device.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> One of our correspondents learnt that a yet-to-be-identified person threw the explosive into the compound of the building at Ukehe, in the Igboetiti Local Government Area of Enugu State, around 5.30am.<br /> <br /> Windows of a building located close to the gate of the compound was shattered by the explosion.<br /> <br /> The ceilings as well as the air conditioning units in the building were equally damaged.<br /> <br /> It was gathered that Nwodo was not in the house when the incident occurred, as he spent the night at his residence in Enugu metropolis.<br /> <br /> The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State, Danmallam Mohammed, who led a team of the police Explosive Ordnance Department to inspect the site of the explosion, vowed that the perpetrators of the incident would be apprehended.<br /> <br /> A statement by Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, said Mohammed described those behind the explosion as ‘enemies of progress.’<br /> <br /> “Those behind this are enemies of progress and we have to fish them out. We thank God that there is no loss of life or major destruction, we have to be more vigilant and security conscious and be able to partner security agencies to ensure that there is no repeat of such an incident,” the police commissioner said.<br /> <br /> Amaraizu, who described the incident as a ‘minor explosion,’ disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed that the perpetrators threw the explosive device into the compound through the fence.<br /> <br /> “The Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Danmallam Mohammed, has vowed to unmask those behind the dastardly incident of minor explosion at the Ukehe residence of Chief Nnia Nwodo, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.<br /> <br /> “Background checks revealed that the perpetrator, who did not have access through the entrance gate, might have thrown the object through the fence and it landed on the ground near the windows and exploded and gave some impacts,” Amaraizu said. He added that the operatives of the Explosive Ordinance Department collected some of the samples from the debris of the explosion for proper analysis and classification.<br /> <br /> The police spokesman added that “the area was rendered safe by the EOD operatives,” even as the state commissioner of police had directed the Area Commander to beef up security and surveillance within the axis.<br /> <br /> Mohammed wondered why anybody would be after Nwodo’s life, who, he said, was only serving his people.<br /> <br /> He however urged residents of the area to be more vigilant, and report strange faces to the police and other security agencies.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, has condemned “in strong terms” the bombing of the country home of Nwodo.<br /> <br /> Ekweremadu reacted to the attack in a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media, Uche Anichukwu.<br /> <br /> He said, “This is a dastardly act. It is certainly ugly, evil and outrageous. I roundly condemn it. This is quite an unusual development in the South-East and we will not accept it.<br /> <br /> “I call on the security agencies to get to the root of this devilish act and ensure that the culprits and masterminds are brought to book immediately.”<br /> <br /> Nwodo, who was at the residence during the police commissioner’s visit, commended the police for their prompt arrival on the scene.<br /> <br /> A statement by the Special Adviser on Media to the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emeka Atama, said Nwodo was surprised that some unknown people were after his life.<br /> <br /> The statement added that Nwodo vowed that the attack would not deter him from continuing to lead Ohanaeze Ndigbo.<br /> <br /> The traditional ruler of Umudele community, in Ukehe, Igwe Lawrence Aroh, thanked God for saving Nwodo’s life.<br /> <br /> Aroh assured the police commissioner that the people of the community would be extra-vigilant in order to prevent future attacks.<br /> <br /> The Director of the Department for State Services in Enugu State, Mrs. E. A. Likiyon, also visited the scene of the incident on Sunday.<br /> <br /> The Sunday explosion came on the heels of media attacks launched against Nwodo by a faction of the Ohanaeze Youth Wing, the youth wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and the Indigenous People of Biafra.<br /> <br /> The Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro-led OYC recently announced the ‘suspension’ of Nwodo, after passing a vote of no confidence in him.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Uche Secondus, and the party have condemned the bombing of Nwodo’s house.<br /> <br /> Secondus told one of our correspondents in Abuja on Sunday, that there were indications that President Muhammadu Buhari was already tired of providing security for the citizenry.<br /> <br /> He said, “…Maybe the man was targeted because he was among the leaders who met in Abuja last week and criticised the President and the Federal Government for the way they are handling the issue of herdsmen and others in the county.<br /> <br /> “Nwodo is a man of peace and cannot even hurt a fly.  Why would someone like that be targeted for evil? Nigerians should rise up and condemn the action and also ask the international community to take proper note of happenings in the county.”<br /> <br /> Secondus also called on the heads of security agencies in the country to be alive to their constitutional responsibilities.<br /> <br /> Also, the PDP has described the action of the arsonists as callous, horrendous and wicked.<br /> <br /> The PDP in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan in Abuja on Sunday, asked security agencies to unravel the identities of the masked characters behind the dastardly act.</div>

PDP, Ekweremadu lament as explosion rocks Ohanaeze President’s house

The country home of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, was on Sunday rocked by an explosion which is believed to...

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Nigeria experiencing ethic cleansing - Soyinka

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ePom5VX9XXA/WubSAoAnrRI/AAAAAAAArQ8/9aSv20UjoIkXwUelW4u4ulBkgROuKvNbQCLcBGAs/s1600/Wole-Soyinka.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ePom5VX9XXA/WubSAoAnrRI/AAAAAAAArQ8/9aSv20UjoIkXwUelW4u4ulBkgROuKvNbQCLcBGAs/s1600/Wole-Soyinka.jpg" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has said Nigeria is on a terminal nose-dive and that its pilot, who he noted is missing, must cry for international help as many had advised.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Soyinka, who stated this in a statement he issued on Sunday titled, “May Day! May Day!! May Day!!!,” in commemoration of the 2018 Workers’ Day described the ongoing killings in the country as “ethic cleansing.”<br /> <br /> The critic, who said May Day,  that he uttered thrice, signified a distress call, adding that long before its adoption for that function, however, and more traditionally, there did exist Labour (or Workers’) Day, dedicated to the entitlement of workers to  the value and dignity of their labour.<br /> <br /> He noted that the Nigerian constituency was left to determine which attribution – or both, or none – was deafeningly clamorous on May 1, 2018.<br /> <br /> Soyinka stated, “No matter, one feels it a duty to call the attention to the painful convergence of both appropriations. Could such a co-option serve equally as summons for a last-chance, eleventh hour reprieve?”<br /> <br /> The celebrated playwright also drew what he termed ‘eerie parallels’ in the country’s current situation to a “certain May Day disorder, one in which that distress call was never heard.”<br /> <br /> He further likened the present state of things in Nigeria to the Aeroflot Flight 593 of September 28, 1994 in which all passengers died because the captain unprofessionally left the pilot’s seat for his family members while he went to salute the passengers.<br /> <br /> Soyinka said, “After preliminary official denials, the undeniable – and tragically inappropriate factor of the crash was formally acknowledged – a laissez-faire, unprofessional conduct with human lapses, among which nepotism – by that, or any other name-loomed large. The captain was not even in the pilot’s seat – others were! They were the pilot’s family – mostly his children. The family member who actually begun the spiral of disaster by pulling the wrong control leaver was – the Captain’s son, to whom his even younger daughter, some moments earlier, had yielded the controls. The pilot’s seat had been turned into a family game of musical chairs.<br /> <br /> “Where was the Captain? Somewhere along the aisle, saluting the passengers – all quite proper, and indeed encouraged by regulations. He had placed the plane on auto-pilot – just as this nation has been for some time – so he walked between the seats, dispensing and acknowledging greetings – it was a long flight to Hong Kong, after all.<br /> <br /> “The plane went into a sharp turn after the wrong lever was pulled, and the auto-pilot disengaged. The original flight pattern was annulled -does that echo a campaign manifesto? – and the plane was now in unqualified hands. It took ages for the pilot to regain his control seat as some passengers were already tumbling from their seats into the aisle and he had to fight his way through bodily obstacles. All that, from reconstruction of events.<br /> <br /> The ‘black box’ – or flight recorder – indicates that the pilot never even got round to shouting ‘May Day’ over the radio – he was too busy struggling to restore the plane’s technical functions, shout  instructions, pull the plane out of a nose-dive, and attempt to right the craft – too late!<br /> <br /> “Now flash forwards one decade to our present, and recall the number of desperate organisations calling on the Nigerian captain to bury his pride and cry ‘May Day” across all airwaves. Call out for international help to rescue a nation on its terminal nose-dive!<br /> <br /> “There has been no sign of willing, while the screwed-up plane is now in its corkscrew dive. Even if this captain regains his seat before the crash, it is open season whether or not, like SUV Flight 593, it will not stall, and head straight for Zuma rockface. Strangers are in control in the cockpit. Put simply, the captain is missing. The rockface is in right in our faces.”<br /> <br /> He further called on President Muhammadu Buhari to order all land usurpers in the affected towns and villages across the country to vacate the forcefully occupied lands within 48 hours.<br /> <br /> Soyinka urged him to order the military and the police to treat illegal land occupiers as terrorists wherever they were found.<br /> <br /> He said, “Give a nationwide order to all land-usurpers in the affected towns and villages across the nation to quit those forcefully occupied lands within a forty-eight hours deadline.<br /> <br /> “Issue orders to the military and police that, wherever illegal occupiers are found, they should be meted the same treatment as are accorded terrorists. Instruct all agencies that, once cleared of usurpers, the rightful occupants should be escorted back to their farmsteads and villages and provided maximum protection.”<br /> <br /> Saying that the government must go beyond arresting a token handful of herders caught with arms, he added that there were still hundreds of them in the forests.<br /> <br /> He added, “It is not enough to back the anti-open grazing laws, so late in the day, but we shall leave that for later. Right now, the violated and dispossessed demand restitution, and with no further delay or subterfuge. All available forces should be deployed to right a hideous, unprecedented wrong that has left the nation drowning in blood – we simply cannot continue one day longer to endure this forceful feeding of human blood.<br /> <br /> “The plain expression is “ethnic cleansing” and we must not beat around the bush. The shade of Rwanda hangs over the nation. Afterwards, we can move into reckoning. This spells meticulous investigation, identifying the high-placed sponsors within this nation, some of whom have launched mercenary units to intensify carnage and chaos in order to stem the stride of Nemesis closing in on them for past criminalities, and the cascade of corrupt revelations.”<br /> <br /> The celebrated playwright queried what the minister of defence, who allegedly openly justified the homicidal rampage of nomadic herdsmen, was still doing in the Buhari government.<br /> <br /> Soyinka noted that there were still other pressing and disturbing questions which would be held back for now in order not “to impede the pressing imperatives and humane priorities of the current crisis.”<br /> <br /> “Right now, however, the agenda has to be restitution. Restitution to the displaced, the maimed, the traumatised survivors and the nation’s suppurating psyche. The torrent of internally displaced persons is a national shame, and the growing number of the kidnapped an embarrassment.<br /> <br /> “The plane cannot remain on auto-pilot as hitherto, while the pilot strolls up and down the aisle, assuring passengers that all is well. A Happy May Day – hopefully in the not too distant future – to all who labour for humanity.”</div>

Nigeria experiencing ethic cleansing - Soyinka

Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has said Nigeria is on a terminal nose-dive and that its pilot, who he noted is missing, must cry for...

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Doctors, health workers can’t receive equal pay – FG

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-owgfMT8zI00/WubRjA-WSQI/AAAAAAAArQ0/LTtPIBZ9-d8fu9YphWVocfDXn3VfJv7qwCLcBGAs/s1600/Isaac%2BAdewole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="547" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-owgfMT8zI00/WubRjA-WSQI/AAAAAAAArQ0/LTtPIBZ9-d8fu9YphWVocfDXn3VfJv7qwCLcBGAs/s320/Isaac%2BAdewole.jpg" width="243" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> The Federal Ministry of Health has told health workers who are currently on strike that their demand for the same pay as doctors is unrealistic and unacceptable.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, said this in a statement signed by the Assistant Director of Information, Olajide Oshundun, on Sunday while responding to an advertorial published by the Joint Health Sector Union.<br /> <br /> He said efforts were being made to meet JOHESU’s demand for salary increase but health workers should not expect to be paid the same as doctors.<br /> <br /> The statement read in part, “Indeed, the Federal Government has put machinery in place to ensure that the strike is called off by meeting with JOHESU officials on several occasions, the last being on Wednesday April 25, 2018, at the office of the Minister of Labour and Employment in Abuja.<br /> <br /> “An offer has been made to adjust the salaries and wages of JOHESU members by the Federal Government. But what JOHESU is asking for is parity with medical doctors, which is neither practicable nor acceptable to the Federal Government.”<br /> <br /> Adewole said in September 2017, JOHESU presented a 15-point demand to the Federal Government of which 14 had already been implemented while the last demand was being attended to by the high-level body set up by the government to look into its implementation.<br /> <br /> He, therefore, called on JOHESU to suspend its strike for the sake of Nigerians.<br /> <br /> The statement added, “The Federal Government wishes to appeal to JOHESU to immediately call off the strike and allow the high-level body to conclude its assignment as contained in the 2017 agreement.<br /> <br /> “The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari will not renege on any agreement entered into with any labour organisation, including JOHESU.”<br /> <br /> Adewole also argued that there was no agreement between the Federal Government and JOHESU prior to the administration of President Buhari.<br /> <br /> He said what JOHESU brandished as 2014 agreement were minutes of meetings they had with the organs of the Federal Government.</div>

Doctors, health workers can’t receive equal pay – FG

The Federal Ministry of Health has told health workers who are currently on strike that their demand for the same pay as doctors is unrea...

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Under Jonathan, Boko Haram strolled into Abuja at will — Lai Mohammed

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D6P1EQMT8VY/WubIfU4IUCI/AAAAAAADE5w/XDb8eaQ6T6MSL5RbWFPxXagcWBjn_mz5ACLcBGAs/s1600/lai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="387" data-original-width="660" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D6P1EQMT8VY/WubIfU4IUCI/AAAAAAADE5w/XDb8eaQ6T6MSL5RbWFPxXagcWBjn_mz5ACLcBGAs/s1600/lai.jpg" /></a></div> <br /> The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has assured the international community that President Muhammadu Buhari was healthy and fit to seek re-election in 2019.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Mohammed, who had been on tour of major media houses and think-tank in the US, said there was nothing to fear about Buhari’s health as he declared his intention to seek re-election.<br /> <br /> The minister was first in Washington, D.C. and later in New York, where he explained that President Buhari’s administration had done very well and recorded so many achievements in less than three years. He visited CNN, New York Times, Voice of America, Washington Post, Washington Times; Al Jazeera, Reuters, Wall Journal Street, and Atlantic Council and the Foreign Relations Council. He told News Agency of Nigeria: “I think the exchange has been quite robust. We’ve spoken on a wide range number of issues from security to the economy to the fight against corruption.<br /> <br /> “In particular, the interview dwelt more on insecurity and also they were interested to know why the president wants to seek re-election and whether he is fit to run given the concerns about his health. “Of course, I explained to them that it is those who have a morbid fear about president coming back in 2019 that are flying this kite about his health.<br /> <br /> “But his health is very good, since he came back in August, he’s feeling very well, he’s never missed a single Federal Executive Council meeting or cancelled any schedule and his schedules have been very hectic. “He has faced his presidential duties with vigour, urgency and purpose. Therefore, there’s nothing to fear about his health.”<br /> <br /> On Boko Haram, Mohammed recalled that four years ago, the insurgents strolled into Abuja at will under former President Goodluck Jonathan’s government, stressing that residents of Maiduguri now had a better lease of life, compared to what obtained under that government. He said: “The important thing is that we made them understand that the unfortunate incident of kidnap of the Dapchi schoolgirls and the recent suicide bombings are not reflective of actually the success of the government in fighting Boko Harm. “When the government says Boko Haram is defeated, it is from the context of what it was when it came in and what we are today.<br /> <br /> People have forgotten that less than three or four years ago, people in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria, could not sleep with their two eyes closed. “That four years ago, the insurgents used to stroll into Abuja at will and no building was sacred to them.<br /> <br /> I mean they were so bold they attacked the Force Headquarters. “They attacked the UN headquarters, they attacked newspapers head office, Nyanya motor park was attacked twice and states and towns like Suleja, Kano, Sokoto, Kogi, Borno, were game for them. So, when we say we have defeated Boko Haram, it is precisely what we mean.”

Under Jonathan, Boko Haram strolled into Abuja at will — Lai Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has assured the international community that President Muhammadu Buhari was ...

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Buhari meets Trump today

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kh3hijUcAQc/WuZ0n9nTRxI/AAAAAAADE5g/1O0eoxgMXGcvEH-KVuZBTp05ibLH3gqjACLcBGAs/s1600/Trump-Buhari.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kh3hijUcAQc/WuZ0n9nTRxI/AAAAAAADE5g/1O0eoxgMXGcvEH-KVuZBTp05ibLH3gqjACLcBGAs/s640/Trump-Buhari.png" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> The Presidency was very upbeat on Sunday as President Muhammadu Buhari arrived in the United States of America ahead of his scheduled meeting with President Donald Trump.<br /> <br /> The meeting, which is expected to centre on the fight against terrorism and economic development among others, holds today at the White House.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> In an interview with journalists after arriving in Washington DC, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, noted that the relationship between the countries improved remarkably with the coming on board of Trump.<br /> <br /> Shehu said the meeting of the two leaders was an indication that “Nigeria is a great country.”<br /> <br /> “Buhari is the first African head of government to visit Trump’s White House and this is a pointer to two important things. One is, no matter how Nigerians take our own country, this is hugely an important country and this recognition is being manifested in this visit,” he said.<br /> <br /> Shehu said issues affecting both countries would be discussed at the meeting with focus on security and safety, trade and investment as well as democratic development in Nigeria.<br /> <br /> The presidential spokesman expressed delight that relationship between the two countries had improved compared to what was obtainable during the administration of former President Barack Obama.<br /> <br /> He said, “It is important that cooperation between the two countries have manifestly increased under the Trump’s Presidency.<br /> <br /> “If you recall sometime back, the President had reason to openly complain that we are not receiving as much as we thought we deserve in terms of support and cooperation especially in our fight against terrorism back then during the Obama period.<br /> <br /> “And it will seem that quite dramatically and interestingly, a lot of the obstacles are being removed under the Trump’s Presidency and doors are being opened and we are receiving far more support than most people had expected.”<br /> <br /> Some Nigerians based in the US had embarked on solidarity rally shortly after Buhari arrived the country.<br /> <br /> Shehu described the rally as a pleasant development.<br /> <br /> “It is a very pleasant development and this tells you that America is a totally different clime, there is a deep appreciation for the work President Buhari is doing for our country,” he said.<br /> <br /> The Presidency had in a statement on Friday announced that the President would hold a bilateral meeting with Trump and a working lunch on Monday (today).<br /> <br /> According to the statement, the meeting between the two leaders would discuss ways to enhance the strategic partnership between the two countries and to advance shared priorities, such as promoting economic growth, fighting terrorism and other threats to peace and security.

Buhari meets Trump today

The Presidency was very upbeat on Sunday as President Muhammadu Buhari arrived in the United States of America ahead of his scheduled mee...

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I will live more that 500 years on Earth - Sat Guru Mahraji

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="509" data-original-width="640" height="317" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TVu0M2RKKbY/WuZYzofxxOI/AAAAAAADE5Q/yrDfGgm1QistdHvj7mIznrOr6lcpVzNGwCLcBGAs/s400/Guru09092015.jpg" width="400" /></div> <b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b>The self-acclaimed living perfect master, Sat Guru Mahraji, has said he was excited when he heard the rumour of his death, stressing that he will live more that 500 years on Earth.</b><br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Some social media users had, on Friday, posted ‘report’ of Maharaji’s death but checks revealed that the report was false. Some of the online users later deleted the report while a few apologised for the post.<br /> <br /> Speaking on a radio programme monitored in Ibadan on Saturday, Maharaji said only those who disobeyed the creator died, adding that his death rumour pointed to the fact that the world wanted to know more about him.<br /> <br /> He said, “I am at the Maharaji village in Ibadan, the highest spiritual centre of the universe. I am alive and well. I am a perfect master. I got excited when I heard the news because physically, I am beyond death.<br /> <br /> “I am not involved in what human beings are doing. When I heard about the rumour of my death, I said waoh!, the one who created man determines what happens to him. The world wants to know more about me; that is why people said I was dead.<br /> <br /> “People have been calling me. I am a happy man. I am a traditionalist and king of culture. It is your behaviour and attitude that determine your death and success in life. If you are a good man, death does not exist. Anyone who dies must have done something wrong.<br /> <br /> “People die out of ignorance and disobedience. When a human being wakes up in the morning, he should be grateful to his creator.”<br /> <br /> The spokesperson for Maharaji, Ojo Peter, also said in a statement that the rumour of his principal’s death was a mischievous attempt concocted by disgruntled elements in the society, adding that the spiritualist was in perfect condition.<br /> <br /> The statement read, “The rumour of the death of Maharaji was concocted by some people who have found it difficult to silence him from telling the truth about happenings in Nigeria and the world at large. The news of the death of Maharaji is not only false but one that was mischievously concocted by some disgruntled elements.<br /> <br /> “They want to use the false news to cause disaffection among numerous members of the One Love Family in Nigeria and the world at large but Maharaj Ji has already exposed them for who they are. Such news will never stop Maharaj Ji from saying the truth he is known for.”

I will live more that 500 years on Earth - Sat Guru Mahraji

The self-acclaimed living perfect master, Sat Guru Mahraji, has said he was excited when he heard the rumour of his death, stressing that h...

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Nigerians blast President Buhari in response to aide’s question about 2019 re-election

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="600" height="404" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RPzbwt1r8S4/WuZWqxzunqI/AAAAAAADE5A/0rpMyYguG_8EBYH9bG9NRv5u3VGhQhbtgCLcBGAs/s640/buhari%2Bnew%2B2017.jpg" width="640" /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <br /> The Personal Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on New Media, Bashir Ahmad, stirred up a real controversy when he put up a tweet asking the opinion of Nigerians about Buhari’s plan to seek re-election.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> “President @MBuhari plans to seek a second term. What is your assessment of his administration so far?” Ahmad asked.<br /> <br /> If Ahmad had hoped to get complimentary remarks from his numerous followers on the social media handle, he was mistaken, as Nigerians tweeted back in angry responses.<br /> <br /> Read some responses below:<br /> <br /> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <div dir="ltr" lang="en" xml:lang="en">I voted him in 2015 but in 2019 I will vote him out</div> — abbaadamkn (@8e6bbf9d7b014d4) <a href="https://twitter.com/8e6bbf9d7b014d4/status/990544319709876224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"> </script><br /> <br /> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <div dir="ltr" lang="en" xml:lang="en">F9 - Failed Woefully</div> — Ugochukwu Okpara (@ugosplendour) <a href="https://twitter.com/ugosplendour/status/990462354864427008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"> </script><br /> <br /> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <div dir="ltr" lang="en" xml:lang="en">I want to believe that this criminal attempt at laundering Buhari’s image has nothing to do with Atlantic Council as an institution. Anyone who scores Buhari anything but failure on security and economy is nothing but an irredeemable knave.</div> — Air Raid (@OdogwuOgbete) <a href="https://twitter.com/OdogwuOgbete/status/990489727634739201?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"> </script><br /> <br /> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <div dir="ltr" lang="en" xml:lang="en">Baba has failed</div> — Xanatos (@XanatosObi) <a href="https://twitter.com/XanatosObi/status/990368616347512833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"> </script><br /> <br /> <br /> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <div dir="ltr" lang="en" xml:lang="en">Pls <a href="https://twitter.com/BashirAhmaad?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BashirAhmaad</a> what Security are you talking about, people are dieing every day and you are here talking rubbish, How many people have been killed since this administration took office, please stop all this <a href="https://t.co/yECuQ7adHw">pic.twitter.com/yECuQ7adHw</a></div> — Ogubuike Benedict (@OgubuikeBenedi4) <a href="https://twitter.com/OgubuikeBenedi4/status/990502524405866497?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"> </script><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <div dir="ltr" lang="en" xml:lang="en">Don't worry this joke is on us now, it will soon be on you. We've sacrificed enough for old politicians, it's time youth take over.</div> — Temitope Idowu (@abumaleeq) <a href="https://twitter.com/abumaleeq/status/990471913049853952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"> </script><br />

Nigerians blast President Buhari in response to aide’s question about 2019 re-election

The Personal Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on New Media, Bashir Ahmad, stirred up a real controversy when he put up a tweet ask...

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Gunmen kidnap Ekiti PDP chief, demand N30 million ransom

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w12mJtdBmSQ/WuZVsjAwl2I/AAAAAAADE40/d7JK2qnfbGE29XS9AyNj50NXCn8dZOA7QCLcBGAs/s1600/PDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="336" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w12mJtdBmSQ/WuZVsjAwl2I/AAAAAAADE40/d7JK2qnfbGE29XS9AyNj50NXCn8dZOA7QCLcBGAs/s320/PDP.jpg" width="317" /></a></div> <br /> Gunmen on Saturday kidnapped the Financial Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ekiti State, Mr. Kayode Oni.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Oni was said to have been kidnapped between Efon-Erio Ekiti highway while returning to Aramoko Ekiti in Ekiti West Local Government at about 4.30pm.<br /> <br /> The state Publicity Secretary of the Party, Mr. Jackson Adebayo, told newsmen in Ado Ekiti on Sunday that Oni was returning from where he had gone to conduct the PDP Local Government congress in Efon Local Government.<br /> <br /> He revealed that the kidnappers had established contact with his wife and younger brother and demanded N30m ransom.<br /> <br /> He added that Oni was carrying his daughter and grandson in his car at the time he was kidnapped by the gunmen.<br /> <br /> “He went to conduct our Local Government Congress in Efon Alaaye and was abducted while returning to Aramoko.<br /> <br /> “The family has been contacted, but they told the abductors that even the entire family can’t raise N1m and they were requesting for N30m to secure his freedom.<br /> <br /> “Our party is not resting as well. We are making contact to ensure that his safety is guaranteed in the kidnappers’ den,” Adebayo said.<br /> <br /> When contacted, the Police Commissioner, Ekiti Command, Mr. Abdullahi Chafe, said he was out of Ekiti and had not been adequately briefed.<br /> <br /> “I can’t confirm now, there is no way I would know because I am not in Ekiti State as I speak with you. But, I will give you details later,” the CP said.