The Osun Security Network, codenamed Amotekun Corps has been restrained by the Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo, the state capital from participating in the July 16th governorship election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was also directed by the court on Friday not to deploy Amotekun Corps for security during the election.
Amotekun was warned not to serve as either security personnel or volunteer in the guber election.
Justice Ayo Emmanuel gave the ruling a suit filed against the security outfit by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The order reads in part, “That the 1st defendant (INEC) is hereby restrained from requesting the deployment of the second defendant (AMOTEKUN) as part of the security personnel deployable for the purpose of Osun 2022 governorship election pending the determination of the originating summons filed in the suit.”
The legal adviser of the PDP in Osun, Barrister Hashim Abioye while speaking on the ruling of the court said, “With this order, it is forbidden for the INEC to make use of Amotekun as part of the security personnel to be drafted for the election.
“As I speak to you, those concerned, the INEC, police and other relevant agencies, have been appropriately served.”
A report has emerged amid the political hurdles in the country, unveiling how a Boko Haram kingpin, Kabiru Umar Sokoto had plotted to kidnap the children of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential running mate, Kashim Shettima.
Recall that Sokoto was arrested and convicted in January 2012 and was convicted the following year for masterminding the 2011 Christmas day car bomb attack on St. Theresa Catholic Church, Madalla, Niger which resulted in the death of about 40 people, scores injured as well as the destruction of many properties.
The terrorist was sent to life imprisonment by the Abuja federal high court in 2013 after finding him guilty of the charges read against him.
He was initially arrested at the Borno governor’s lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, on January 14, 2012, before he escaped from police custody and was re-arrested a month later in Taraba state, Naija News recalls.
A confidential security memo dated Thursday, June 14, 2012, that is just coming to light, however, unveiled a daring plot by the terrorist which was halted.
The document quoted by The Cable on Friday (today), revealed how Sokoto infiltrated the Borno governor’s lodge in a plot to kidnap Governor Shettima’s children.
The memo reportedly submitted to the presidency revealed that Shettima who had barely spent eight months as governor had received a security warning that Boko Haram was plotting to kidnap his children for ransom.
The governor acted swiftly and relocated his children, two girls and a boy to Abuja and enrolled them at Turkish and British schools in Wuse II and Gwarimpa, Naija News learned from the report.
The memo signed by a senior security official alleged that Sokoto had then disguised as a “Borno man” to gain access to the lodge where Shettima’s children were staying.
He reportedly sneaked into the lodge on the weekend of January 14, 2012, when there was less traffic. A development described as a major security breach allegedly pleaded with a guest at the lodge to help him pass the weekend as he claimed to be stranded.
The guest according to the report, had been officially allocated accommodation at the lodge for one night on the directive of Ahmed Sanda, then-permanent secretary in charge of the governor’s lodge and the Borno liaison office, both in Asokoro.
Sokoto as stated in the memo planned to whisk away Governor Shettima’s children on Monday, January 16, 2012, on their way to school before he met his waterloo and was arrested by the police after spending a night at the lodge.
The memo stated clearly that Shettima had moved the children, all below 10 years old at the time, to Abuja in December 2011 — about two weeks before the foiled kidnap.
Sokoto according to the memo, was planning then to demand a ransom of N1 billion, which was valued at $6.3 million at the time.
Naija News learnt that Shettima’s children were living at the governor’s lodge under the care of two aunties and an uncle, while Nana, their mother, frequently shuttled between Abuja and Maiduguri to run her office as the first lady.
The report faulted the fact that only one security detail was escorting the children daily which made them highly vulnerable to kidnapping.
Governor Shettima according to the memo, later became the target of the terrorists operating in the region who in later years successfully kidnapped hundreds of Chibok schoolgirls under his watch.
Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola popularly called Portable has thrown a jab which has been interpreted to be aimed at Davido amidst the criticism for supporting the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Gboyega Oyetola.
Recall that Portable in the past few days has been receiving backslash for campaigning for APC, including the presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu.
Responding to critics and throwing a shade, Portable in a video shared on his social media page said his father is not a rich man but he is the glory of his family.
Portable claimed he is a street boy and had left the home because of money.
The singer added that he would not like to suffer the same way as the father, the reason he had opened his brain.
It was earlier reported that the APC was mocked online over the hilarious display of Portable, during the mega rally of the party in Osun State.
In photos that emerged online, Portable stripped off his shorts and clothes while holding the symbol of APC, ‘the broom’.
The photos generated online reactions from many social media users, with some expressing displeasure at the singer, while others claim APC would regret calling Portable for the rally.
The home of the former Governor of Bauchi State, Adamu Muazu, was invaded by gunmen suspected to be bandits.
Naija News reports that Muazu was a two-term Governor of Bauchi and later became the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
It was learned that the gunmen stormed Muazu’s country home in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of the state and killed his nephew, Danladi Mu’azu.
According to multiple sources, the bandits killed the former governor’s nephew and abducted the three others during the attack which occurred on Wednesday.
The three persons abducted by the gunmen include Mu’azu’s sister, Hajiya Asma’u Adamu, Malama Halima Abdullahi and a lady named Nura.
A resident of Boto, Hashimu Abubakar, told the newspaper that the gunmen had not contacted the family to negotiate a ransom for the release of the abductees.
He added that all the phones of the three kidnap victims have been switched off by the kidnappers.
Reacting to the development, the Bauchi State Police Command said efforts are ongoing to rescue the abductees and bring the perpetrators to book.
The second round of voting for the next minister of the United Kingdom concluded with British-Nigerian, Kemi Bedenoch, scaling through with 49 votes.
This was disclosed in a tweet by Andrew Stephenson MP, Co-Chairman of the Conservative Party after the committee confirmed the result of the second ballot of the parliamentarians in the leadership contest.
Former Chief Finance Minister of the UK, Rishi Sunak, still maintains the lead with 101 votes.
Others remaining are Penny Mordaunt (83), Liz Truss (64 ) and Tom Tugendhat (32 ).
Suella Braverman was disqualified for scoring 27.
In the first round on Wednesday, Bedenoch, the country’s ex-minister for Equalities secured 40 votes; with the number adding up on Thursday, her acceptance obviously grew among the voters.
The voting process will continue till September 2, when one out of the two contestants remaining will be declared as UK prime minister on September 5.
An Ikeja Special Offences Court has convicted the embattled Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James, alias Baba Ijesha, of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old minor.
Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo, in a two-hour judgment on Thursday, convicted Baba Ijesha of indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault, and attempted sexual assault
Taiwo, however, discharged and acquitted him of count one and count six, which were: sexual assault by penetration and attempted sexual assault by penetration.
At the time of filing this report, the case has been stood down for a few minutes for the sentencing of the convict.
A former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Jimi Agbaje, has denied joining the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Naija News reports that some posts on social media had claimed that Agbaje had left the PDP for the APC to back the ruling party¡¯s presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu.
Reacting in a chat with The PUNCH on Wednesday, Agbaje denied leaving the opposition party.
Asked if he had defected, Agbaje replied, ¡°Definitely not. No truth to the story.¡±
Recall that an aide to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Joe Igbokwe, had hinted that Agbaje may have returned to the APC.
Igbokwe, in a post shared on Facebook on Wednesday, had said that information getting to him indicates that the former governorship candidate of the PDP in Lagos state had joined the ruling party.
He wrote: ¡°I hear Jimi Agbaje is back in APC to support Asiwaju BAT. Please let someone help verify this.¡±
In a post that also went viral on various social media platforms, Jimi Agbaje was alleged to have called on youths to embrace APC in the country.
Titled ¡®Awalokan 2023,¡¯ a text shared along with the picture read, ¡°I¡¯m fully back in APC to join our South-West leaders as well as progressive Family and friends in Lagos State.
¡°The Awalokan 2023 is a project that both young and old in all the nooks and crannies of the Southwest should be embraced.
¡°On this note, I sincerely join APC from the major opposition party to add my strength.
¡°I believe It¡¯s time to support and also appreciate Senator Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the forthcoming Presidential election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.¡±
Raheem Sterling has completed a £45m transfer to Chelsea FC and hopes to continue his success in the London club.
The 27-year-old signed a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge with the option of another 12 months.
He becomes the first signing of Thomas Tuchel after the takeover of Chelsea by Todd Boehly.
Sterling said, “I’ve obviously achieved a lot in my career so far, but there is still so much more to achieve and I’m really looking forward to doing that in a Chelsea shirt, under Thomas’ management.
“London is my home and where it all started for me, and it’s amazing I now have the opportunity to play in front of friends and family week in, week out at Stamford Bridge. I’m really looking forward to meeting the fans there soon.
“I can’t wait to get going now and continue to do my talking on the pitch.”
In a statement on his Twiter he said, ‘Seven seasons. Eleven major trophies. A lifetime of memories. To the coaching staff who have played a massive role in my development over the years, to my teammates who have become more than just those I share a pitch with, to the office staff, to the fans who have tirelessly supported the team. And to everyone involved with Manchester City. My respect for you couldn’t be greater.
“What a ride it’s been. I am thankful for the ups and the downs, as it’s downs that have, at times, tested my strength and resolve and enabled me to stand here in front of you as the best possible version of myself.
“I arrived in Manchester as a 20-year-old. Today, I leave as a man. Thank you for your endless support. It’s been an honour to wear the shirt of Manchester City.”
Chelsea co-owner and chairman Todd Boehly said: “Raheem Sterling is a serial winner and his signing is an important step in strengthening our squad. We are delighted for Raheem to return to London with Chelsea, and we look forward to seeing his world-class talent on display at Stamford Bridge.”
The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered a ban on the use of Spy Vehicle Number Plates across the nation.
Naija News reports that the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, made this known in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja.
Baba stated that all approval for all spy vehicle number plates has been revoked indefinitely irrespective of whether it is authorized or not.
He stated that the ban followed the continuous disregard for traffic rules, regulations and other extant laws guiding road use by individuals’ with Spy plates.
Baba directed policemen and officers of other security agencies attached to VIPs to ensure prompt compliance or face arrest.
He told the Commissioners of Police in States, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and supervisory Assistant Inspectors General of Police to swing into action.
The police boss specifically directed police officers to ensure that all SPY number plates in use are confiscated.
Baba, however, warned that while carrying out the assignment, officers must ensure the rights and privileges of citizens are respected.
The police boss added that the owners of such vehicles should not be arrested unless they are police officers or officers of other security agencies on escort duties.
Baba advised members of the public to cooperate with the Police in this regard as the moves are aimed at strengthening the nation’s internal security.
