The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested one of its officers for allegedly videotaping the immediate-past Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, while in custody of the anti-graft agency.
This came as the EFCC distanced itself from a viral video which showed Obiano sitting in an isolated area in the commission’s headquarters and interacting with an unidentified person.
The EFCC, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, on Monday, said the “video is completely at variance with the established Standard Operating Procedure of the EFCC”.
Uwujaren added, “A discreet investigation ordered upon discovery of the leak has revealed the errant officer behind the odious act and he is currently being subjected to appropriate disciplinary action”.
Obiano had spent five days in EFCC’s custody after he was arrested for alleged mismanagement of funds to the tune of N42 billion, among other offences, while he was in office.
He was arrested on Thursday at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, a few hours after he handed over to his successor, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo.
The anti-graft agency granted the ex-governor bail on Monday, but noted that he was yet to fulfil the conditions of his bail.
The Governor of Ebonyi State David Umahi and his deputy, Dr Eric Kelechi Igwe, are now banking on the Court of Appeal after the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday struck out their stay of execution application filed against their sacking by Justice Inyang Ekwo.
THE WHISTLER reported that the trial court had on March 8 ordered the removal of the duo over their defection to the All Progressive Congress despite winning the governorship election under the Peoples Democratic Party platform.
Based on that, Umahi’s lawyers had filed an appeal before the appellate court while asking the same trial court to stay execution of its judgment.
Having filed an appeal, Umahi’s lawyers sought withdrawal of their application before the trial court.
The judge agreed with Umahi’s counsel by striking out the suit.
Recall that the governor had been ordered by a High court sitting in Ebonyi state to remain in office despite his sacking.
All parties are looking forward to the decision of the Appeal Court regarding his defection.
Terrorists on Sunday invaded Ganar Kiyawa village in Bukkuyum Local Government Area (LGA) of Zamfara State, killing no fewer than 24 people including the village head and other traditional title holders.
During the house-to-house attack which occurred on Sunday morning, the assailants pilfered valuable items and livestock belonging to the residents.
Some of the villagers who escaped the attack had fled into nearby bushes, sources told Premium Times.
Abdullahi Musa, a resident of Gana, not far from Ganar Kiyawa community, said, “All the shops were looted by the bandits while residents ran for their lives.”
Musa added, “We cannot say how many people were kidnapped so far but those who have been killed. The residents were able to gather 23 corpses for burial. Another corpse was also found after the initial 23. It could be more especially now that the residents are afraid to go deep into the bushes to look for their dead”.
Similarly, the youth leader in Bukkuyum LGA told the medium, “Yes, 24 people were killed by the bandits in yesterday’s attack. The village head and some other traditional rulers as well as residents were killed. They (bandits) have been trying to attack the community but because their main targets were not always sleeping in the town, they decided to come in the morning”.
Zamfara is one of the worse hit states that have been ravaged by terrorists in the North West. Residents are frequently killed and abducted for ransom. Their attackers are also said steal their livestock and impose taxes/levies on them, amongst others.
A woman leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was reportedly killed in Kwara state over the weekend during an exchange of gunfire in a rescue operation between the bandits and a combined team of soldiers and hunters.
The woman, identified as Mrs Olumo Abolaji, APC Women Leader in Koro ward of Ekiti Local Government was one of the eight people kidnapped on Wednesday evening between Araromi Opin and Obbo-Ile in Ekiti local government area of the state.
The politicians, who were all from Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, were returning home the swearing-in of the state executives of the party performed by the state governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq in Ilorin when the gunmen suspected to be bandits waylaid them.
It was gathered that five of the eight people involved had escaped from the kidnappers.
According to Mr. Adekunle Oluwole, a relative to one of the victims, who said that five of the eight people involved escaped from the kidnappers listed those involved, as the Isapa Ward Chairman in Ekiti local government area of the state, Mr Daniel Adewuyi; the Eruku ward Chairman; Women Leader Eruku; Women Leader Obbo Ile; Chairman Obbo Ile Ward; Women Leader Koro ward; and Women Leader Isapa ward, among others.
He, however, said that the women leaders of Eruku ward, Obbo-Ile ward and Koro ward were taken away into the forest by the kidnappers.
He said that some of the victims who escaped from the bandits were taken to the hospital in the area for treatment, adding that some politicians from the area including Mr. Ganiyu Abolarin, an elected member of the Kwara state House of Assembly representing Ekiti local government state Constituency and Mr. Wale Awelewa, Chairman of APC in Ekiti local government were in the hospital to wish them quick recovery.
Oluwole also hinted that four Hilux vans loaded with soldiers, local hunters and vigilance men were drafted to the forest to trail the kidnappers and rescued the victims.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Kwara Police Command, Ajayi Okasanmi, could not be reached for his reaction on the fate of the kidnapped victims yesterday as his phone line was switched off.
But, a senior police officer in the state police command, who sought anonymity, confirmed the incident.
He, however, declined to speak further on the issue.
Also, the state chairman of APC in Prince Sunday Fagbemi, confirmed the incident to journalists yesterday saying that “two of the three victims were rescued alive”.
Fagbemi said: “Two of our party women leaders in Eruku ward and Obbo-Ile ward were rescued alive, but unfortunately we lost one of them because the woman leader of Koro ward was killed by the bandits”.
The suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, and his co-defendants are set to lose their properties and money in bank accounts to the Federal Government temporarily.
It was learnt that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) had in a letter sent to the Ministry of Justice penultimate week, asked the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), to grant approval for the seizure of assets belonging to Kyari and his co-accusers.
The suspended DCP and his co-defendants are facing eight counts of conspiracy, obstruction and dealing in cocaine, and other related offences before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Some of the assets include cash and money in bank accounts, stocks, bonds, vehicles, real estate, hotels, buildings, wristwatches, jewellery and other valuable possessions.
A senior justice ministry official told The Punch that Malami has granted a request made by the NDLEA to seize their assets pending the outcome of their case in court.
He disclosed that the seizure of assets of the former commander of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and his co-accused was to ensure that they did not benefit from the proceeds of crime.
“The AGF has endorsed the request by the NDLEA seeking approval for the confiscation of the assets of Abba Kyari, Ubua and the other police officers involved in drug dealing.
“With the approval, the drug agency can now go after their property such as real estate, bank accounts, cash, vehicles, stocks, bonds and anything of monetary value.” the source said.
Recall that the NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, had confirmed that the agency had traced about N4.2bn to Kyari and his co-accused, ACP Sunday Ubua’s bank accounts.
Babafemi added that the accused persons’ bank accounts would be frozen in line with standard practice.
Former Governor of Borno state, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff has withdrawn from the national chairmanship race of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Naija News reports that this is coming days before the national convention of the ruling APC, scheduled for 26 March, 2022.
Speaking to newsmen on Sunday, the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman said he decided to step down due to the zoning arrangement in the party which has ceded the office to North Central.
According to him, he would only rejoin the race should the ruling party change its mind between now and Friday.
Recall that the APC had zoned its chairmanship position to the North-Central with Senator Adamu Abdullahi, Senator Tanko Al-Makura, George Akume amongst others all from the zone gunning for the top position.
However, former Zamfara Governor, Abdulaziz Yari has insisted on carrying on with his ambition despite coming from the North-West.
Award-winning singer, David Adeleke, professionally known as Davido, on Friday took to his Twitter account to express excitement after Bundesliga side, Borussia Dortmund used his slang, ‘E Choke on its official Twitter account.
The Bundesliga club had posted pictures of their players on their Twitter account with the caption, ‘E Choke’, popularly used by Davido.
Borussia Dortmund shared picture of Erling Haaland, Marco Reus and Axel Witsel celebrating and wrote, “E choke @davido 🇳🇬😂”
The Davido Music Worldwide boss who was excited with the development quoted the tweet and wrote, “clear road”.
Borussia Dortmund added, “BVB fallllll on youuuu 🎶🤣,” a popular song by the Nigerian singer.
The German club also took out time to celebrate Nigerian players that have played for the club in past.
It wrote, “BVB loves Naija 💛, Sunday Oliseh x Victor Ikpeba 🇳🇬”
Babafemi Ojudu, special adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on political matters, on Saturday dismissed a viral quote attributed to Vice-President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, that he will not contest for presidency in 2023 against the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu.
POLITICS NIGERIA recently reported that Osinbajo informed President Buhari of his interest in the 2023 presidential race — the same route Tinubu took.
But a quote linked to the Ogun-born politician seem to portray that Osinbajo has pulled out of the race. However, Ojudu, a top supporter of Osinbajo, says it’s “fake news”.
“Wherever you see this ‘broken news’ shout Fake ! Fake!! Fake!!! It is FAKE NEWS,” he said on his known Facebook page.
Presidential hopeful, Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday met with the Governor of Gombe State, Muhammed Inuwa Yahaya, at his Abuja home.
The national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was accompanied by the Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and former Borno governor, Senator Kashim Shettima.
Naija News gathered that the former Lagos governor met with governor Yahaya over his presidential ambition and to solicit for his support ahead of the APC’s presidential primaries.
Later, the presidential aspirant visited the former Governor of Gombe state and Senator representing Gombe State, Danjuma Goje, in his home in Abuja.
Tinubu, however, appreciated Governor Yahaya and Senator Goje for their hospitality and the engaging discussions shared about his presidential ambition.
Mother of all Party!!!…. Akinsiku of Lagos Celebrates Life at 50
as Fuji Icon, K1 lead Davido, NairaMarley, Olamide others to the jamboree
Chief Adebola Dosunmu, the Akinsiku of Lagos (Olori Eyo), who is the custodian of Lagos most popular cultural festival, the Adamu Orisa, popularly known as Eyo will celebrating his 50th birthday on 21st of March 2022.
The real estate mogul and socialite said he is grateful to God for all he has been through in life and it is worthy to celebrating the landmark age of 50.
‘From my humble background in Isale-Eko, to my days at Methodist Boys High School, where I was mates with my friend now father, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi, to my sojourn in the United Kingdom, United States and Canada, up on till I was selected to become the supreme head of the Adamu Orisa, God has been faithful. All praises to Almighty God.
Chief Adebola Dosunmu, who is married to another prominent Lagos indigene, Abimbola Ashake Dosunmu, and blessed with six children, is the chairman and chief executive of Utica Homes, a real estate company, which has developed over 10 housing estates within the Victoria Island and Eti-Osa corridor.
As the custodian and supreme head of the Eyo festival, Chief Adebola Dosunmnu leads thousands of performers anytime the Adamu orisa play is staged in Lagos, usually at the behest of the Oba of Lagos.
“I am happy to lead the Eyo clan, this is what my forbearers has done for hundred of years” Akinsiku said enthusiastically. The last Akinsiku of Lagos was Chief Taoreed Ibikunle, before him was my grandfather, Chief Olayinka Dosunmu, so I am happy to step in the shoes and continue to make the Eyo masquerade and its festivals, the pride of Lagosians and one to be identified with by our friends from outside of this city.
On his 50th birthday, Chief Adebola Dosunmu is celebrating in grand style. He said reaching the age of 50 is a big deal, if one considers all the challenges that we have faced individually and as a people. It is indeed worthy of celebration.
“I will be celebrating with my people at Isale-Eko, on my birthday, which is the 21st March, where we hope to host our people and members of the Eyo festival. We also have some arrangement for the less privilege in the society”.
A grand ball event is being planned as part of the birthday celebration. On the 24th of March, 2022, the king of fuji music, Wasiu Ayinde will lead other stars such as Davido, Naira marley, lil kesh to what promises to be an evening of festivities.
