The Court D’Apeal in Cotonou, Benin Republic, has reportedly adjourned the trial of Yoruba nation activist, Sunday Igboho till Monday.
Society gazette reports that this was made known in a statement on Friday by the Communications Manager of Ilana Omo Oodua, Maxwell Adeleye.
According to the group spokesperson, Sunday Igboho’s case has been adjourned till Monday 26th July to allow the Nigerian Government to bring up whatever evidence they may have.
He said: “What Nigerian Government came up with were mere allegations against Ighoho such as trafficking in arms and inciting violence that could result in the social disturbance without evidence which the Government of Benin Republic considered spurious and untenable, and insufficient to warrant extradition.
“Lastly, the case has been adjourned till Monday 26th July to allow the Nigerian Government to bring up whatever evidence they may have, and Mr. lgboho has been taken back to the police custody.”
Sunday Igboho is currently being tried for immigration-related offences and obtaining a Beninise passport without being a citizen.
Recall that the Benin Republic police on Monday night arrested Igboho at Cardinal Bernardin International Airport in Cotonou, while trying to fly from the country to Germany.
Former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has been appointed as the Chairman of the International Summit Council for Peace (ISCP-Africa).
Society gazette understands the ISCP-Africa is an association of incumbent and former heads of state and their deputies, established in 2019 by the Universal Peace Federation UPF, an organization in general consultative status with the United Nations (UN).
Reacting to the fresh appointment, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan has congratulated the former Nigerian leader.
The PDP statement expressed confidence in the abilities of Jonathan and wished him well in his new international assignment.
The party noted that Jonathan’s appointment as ISCP-Africa chairman “is in recognition of his leadership qualities as a democrat as well as his resounding success in peacekeeping efforts across the world.”
It added that “our party is assured that former President Jonathan, will deploy his wealth of experience strengthened by the democratic tenets and principles of our great party, in his new mandate of providing direction for the essentials of peace, security, and development in Africa.
“The party also congratulates President Jonathan on his appointment as the Chancellor of Cavendish University, Uganda, CUU.
“The PDP is elated that former President Jonathan is so honoured to hold the position previously held by late President Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia as well as late President Benjamin Mkapa of the Republic of Tanzania, because of his commitment to education and human capital development, in line with the ideals of the PDP.
“Our party congratulate Dr. Jonathan and urged him to use the positions to further the advancement of peace and development in Africa and the world at large.”
Meanwhile, the Director-General, Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu, has revealed why Bola Tinubu nominated Professor Yemi Osinbajo to be Muhammadu Buhari’s running mate in 2015.
Naija News recalls that the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) merged to form the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking to newsmen on Thursday, Okechukwu said Bola Tinubu could not run with Buhari as it would have been a Muslim-Muslim ticket.
The VON DG also dismissed speculations of a succession pact between Buhari and Tinubu.
Lagos Announces Movement Restriction For Local Government Elections
The Lagos State government has announced the restriction of human and vehicular movement on Saturday to facilitate the conduct of the planned local government polls in the state.
According to a statement on Thursday by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, the restriction of movement will be in place between 8:00am and 3:00pm.
He explained that this will enable the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) to conduct elections in the 20 LGAs, and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).
He urged all eligible voters to participate in the exercise.
“The restriction is to enable the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) conduct hitch-free elections into positions of Chairmen and Councillors in all the 57 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas.
“The restriction will facilitate the ease of movement of the electorate, election materials and LASIEC officials for the sanctity of the election, effective monitoring and enhanced security.
“All eligible voters are urged to participate in the elections, which require the cooperation of all residents,” the statement noted.
Meanwhile, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has refuted claims by former presidential media aide, Reuben Abati that a drug dealer is financing the group’s operations and activities.
IPOB on Thursday said Abati has insulted members of the group by suggesting a drug dealer is bankrolling their activities.
Earlier, Abati had reportedly said the group’s finances are linked to a drug dealer who was recently arrested by security operatives in Imo State.
In response, IPOB publicity secretary, Emma Powerful in a statement said the group’s activities are not funded by a drug dealer or any single individual but with voluntary contributions from members of the group.
Breaking: Yoruba Nation Agitator Sunday Igboho Arrives Court De’appal De Cotonou Ahead Of Trial
Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Igboho, has arrived at the Cour De’appal De Cotonou, ahead of his arraignment by the authorities of Benin Republic for immigration-related offences.
A source that spoke with SaharaReporters on Wednesday said, “Igboho may be arraigned for passport-related offences in the Benin Republic tomorrow. His Nigerian lawyers are here already. Yoruba leaders in the Benin Republic have been supportive as well.”
It was gathered that the Yoruba Nation agitator was accused of illegally owning a passport of the Benin Republic.
Recall that Igboho was arrested at Cardinal Bernardin International Airport, Cotonou, Republic of Benin, with his wife on their way to Germany on Monday night.
Igboho had been declared wanted by the Department of State Services in July after the secret police attacked his residence in Ibadan.
Some Yoruba people resident in and around Cotonou on Thursday matched to the court ahead of Igboho’s trial.
They called for Igboho not to be returned to the country, saying that he had committed no offence.
Video: Pastor Okays Lovemaking Before Marriage, Says It’s Not A Sin
Pastor Olakunle Beloved Jesukale, the general overseer of End-Time Revival Evangelical Ministry, has okayed lovemaking before marriage.
Society gazette reports that Jesukale in a video now viral on the internet faulted those saying having sex before marriage is a sin.
According to the self-proclaimed pastor, sexual intercourse before marriage is no longer a sin. Adding that tho who condemned the act do not believe in the finished works of God.
Jesukale stressed in the barely 3 minutes video that Jesus Christ has destroyed sin; hence he does not believe in the existence of sin any longer. The Pastor insisted that he believes in extreme grace.
He said: “Sex, whether it is before marriage, after marriage or during a marriage is no longer a sin.
“Sex, whether it is done before, after or within the marriage, is no longer a sin. Any preacher that says it is a sin is an enemy of the finished work, and it is not real.”
“If you are just holding yourself, saying that it is when you get married that you want to have sex, you are just discomforting yourself for nothing.
“It has nothing to do with righteousness or purity because Jesus has already renewed our mind to the understanding of what Jesus has done.
“This sin has been destroyed. This sin that people call sin is no longer sin because of what Jesus has done on the cross.
“Sin has died and so there is no sin anymore because, before God, Jesus has become that lamb of God that taketh the sins of the world completely so that people can live a life of liberty and peace. That is whenever you have sex with someone, you enter into a covenant binding you are that person.
“So because of that religious mentality in those days, they felt that since it is a covenant, you must definitely have it with somebody you have a covenant with. If you are just holding yourself, saying that it is when you get married you want to have sex, you are just holding yourself for nothing.
“It has nothing to do with holiness, righteousness or purity because Jesus already nullified sin on the cross. He already removed it once and for all and that is his truth about grace.”
Reactions As Nigerian Graduating Student Rocks “Cheated In Every Exam” T-shirt
A final year student of the Federal University of Technology Minna (FUTMINNA), has rocked a shirt that reads, “Cheated in every exam”, for his signing out.
This is coming after a UNIBEN student pulled a similar stunt and is currently under going investigations
Peace Ufuoma a student of UNIBEN is currently being investigated by her school authorities for wearing a shirt that said, “Aggressive malpractice brought me this far”.
Her department has already established a committee to probe her results after a video had gone viral on social media which featured the young lady, Peace Ufuoma, wearing a shirt that reads ‘aggressive malpractice brought me this far’.
In a meeting on Tuesday, July 13, the management of the institution begun investigating all the results of the lady and a report is to be given within a week.
Amidst all these dramas, another photo surfaces online of a young male graduate of a yet to be identified University boldly showing this sign-out shirt which read, “Cheated in every Exam”.
According to a report by Siggy, the school authorities have started to take the “Uniben move”. They might have to start investigating into his record to find loopholes.
Blasphemy: Sheikh Abduljabbar Seriously Ill, Bleeding From Anus In Detention— Lawyer Cries Out
Sheikh Abduljabbar Nasiru Kabara, recently arrested and detained by the Kano State Government over alleged blasphemy is reportedly experiencing medical issues in detention.
The lawyer to the Kano based cleric, Rabiu Abdullahi noted that his client’s health condition has been confirmed by a medical consultant from a government hospital in the state.
It was gathered that the cleric will undergo some tests before the exact ailment can be determined.
Abdullahi while speaking with newsmen on Wednesday confirmed that he has been placed on some medications by health personnel to manage the situation.
“Yes, he is not healthy. He is in a serious health situation because he is even bleeding from the anus.”
“A medical personnel has confirmed that he is not healthy. He asked if he was having health issues before he was arrested and he said no. If he was diagnosed with a stomach ulcer and he said nothing was wrong with him before his detention. He was also asked if he had ever had this type of bleeding before and he said he never experienced it in his life.”
“The doctor then advised him on what to do and prescribed some drugs. This is pending the outcome of some tests that will confirm his exact condition,” he stated.
Concerning whether they are suspecting any foul play from anywhere to get him eliminated, the lawyer said, “Even if there is any foul play, we cannot say it because we have no proof. We only want the world to know what is happening and judge for themselves.”
‘Money! Nonsense, We Have Never Lacked it’ – Bishop Oyedepo Finally Breaks Silence On Sack Of 40 Pastors
Founder and Senior Pastor of Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, has finally reacted to the reports that he sacked some pastors of his Church for not generating enough income in their branches.
One Peter Godwin, a pastor of the church had claimed that Oyedepo sacked him and other pastors for failing to make enough money. According to SaharaReporters, Godwin stated, in a video, that he was employed on the 28th of August, 2020.
Godwin who claimed to be a former pastor said he alongside forty of his colleagues were invited by the state pastor on July 1, 2021, and were all sacked over low income in their branches.
Reports has it that the video has generated reactions from Nigerians as some berated Bishop David Oyedepo, while others said the action was in line with the gospel of Christ.
Reacting to the development in a statement on Wednesday, Oyedepo described the reports making the round as ‘nonsense’.
He said the only criteria for their sack was how many souls had been won in the church. Oyedepo maintained that the pastors were sacked because they were unfruitful. According to him, the Church has never lacked money and yet have never prayed for it. “We are just simply obeying God and He is backing up what He is asking us to do. Awesome God,” the Bishop said.
The statement reads: ”When we employed 7000 pastors at once social media was dead. We have more employees than most states in Nigeria and we have owed them or taken bank overdraft once.
”The pastors were asked to go because they were unfruitful. Many of the churches built can never pay for the church building in 30 years. We have no patience for failure here.
”We have built more than 1,000 Churches in rural areas where in the next 30 years, they can never generate such fund, with each costing more than 14 Million Naira. We are hunting after souls, not income.
”People are confused about our Ministry. I learnt some fellows said, “you know, they are not bringing income, that is why they asked them to go.”
”We asked you to go because you are unfruitful. Unfruitful! Blatant failure. Doing what there? We have no patience with failure here.
”When we employed 7,000 people at a time, Social Media was dead. We have more employees in this Organisation than most of the States. No one is owed a dime salary and we don’t borrow, we don’t beg. Ask our bank whether we take overdraft. We are covenant bound, working in the light of God’ Word. Enjoying an open Heaven.
”Money: NONSENSE! We have never lacked it and yet we have never prayed for it, we are just simply obeying God and He is backing up what He is asking us to do. Awesome God.
”Now the next set is about to be flagged off, just certifying the landed property issues, nothing else. We have no lack of anything. The world is confused. Walking in the light of God’s Word. Please obey God to the full and watch out for His manifestations in your life.
”Well, you don’t need so much Mathematics to know a thousand buildings; that is not 1000 Naira each, that is not 10 Million (Naira) each, that is not 12 Million (Naira) each, that is not 14 Million (Naira) each. Some are 35 Million (Naira). At a go!
”We have never seen it ourselves. We just watched God doing it. The only criteria: How many souls have they gotten there? Then, build for them. How many souls? Not once: “how much money do they have?” Oyedepo asked.
”You want to see what we see, go and do what we do. But if you are not saved, there is nothing you do that matters,” he said.
HOW N10M WINNER WILL EMERGE FROM FIRSTBANK SPONSORED THE VOICE NIGERIA 3
…As The Voice Nigeria Season 3 Enters Final Stage.
By Bolaji Israel
UN1TY Limited and Livespot360, producers of the global talents reality series, have emphasised that public voting has become very crucial at this stage to keep vocalists fighting for the grand prize on The Voice Nigeria 3 series, sponsored by FirstBank, Baba Ijebu and Airtel.
To keep their favourite vocalists on the show, viewers have to dial *894*7*talent’s code#.
The voting code of your preferred contestant to win the competition is in the embedded Instagram post below:
The International talents reality series designed to discover and harness music talents in Nigeria is in its third season in Nigeria.
Scores of vocalists have performed on the highly competitive show but dropped out going through the Auditions, Blinds, Knockouts, Battles and Live Shows stages.
With an electrifying mix of pulsating musical performances, music training, glamorous fashion and life enriching entertainment, the The Voice Nigeria 3 continues to glitter to the very grand finale
Voting opens on Saturday at 9:00pm and closes at 11:59pm on Thursdays.
Lead show sponsor, FirstBank in a statement by its Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Folake Ani-Mumuney, reiterated that The Voice Nigeria 3 is a Reality TV show designed to discover and promote talented singers to actualise their dreams of becoming international stars which aligns with the Bank’s commitment to provide a platform for nurturing and showcasing talents and driving social cohesion.
Market formation framework, driver to optimally develop solid mineral sector- Sekibo
Sekibo
MD/CEO of Heritage Bank Plc, Ifie Sekibo has said that market formation framework is the key to optimally exploit Nigeria’s precious metal and solid minerals endowments.
He disclosed this during a webinar organised by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development with the theme, “Financing the Solid Minerals Sector through the Capital Market and the Critical Role of Commodity Exchanges.”
Sekibo explained that a fully established market formation process that would lead to having a Corporation as an integrated solid mineral institution like NNPC which allows the collateralisation of assets those banks can rely on for alternative funding options.
According to him, this will guarantee other creative ways of raising funds for financing commercial activities relating to solid minerals and viable projects along its value chain.
Sekibo who was represented by the Divisional Head, Strategy and Business Solutions, of the Bank, Olusegun Akanji, said for the sector to be viable, it requires lots of converged government interventions because for any development focused sector to kick-off around the world, it needs government intervention to lay the foundation for the private sector and funders to step-in and pool their resources.
“Once, we can collateralise these assets, whether they are under the ground or being determined, you use different instruments to bring liquidity into them. Then investors will follow up once we have established there is enough they can explore.” the MD stated.
He further suggested that finance sector regulators need to expand its Prudential Guidelines to accommodate the instruments such that precious metal backed or solid minerals backed assets could qualify as part of the computation of liquidity ratios.
“Once banks start injecting their resources, customers would certainly follow that trend. You can start arranging for sophisticated solutions like bonds, bullion backed assets and pension notes. Again, banks will have to be poised to hold the funding that comes from this sector; that way, they can open new transactional frontiers either locally or internationally.
“At the base of this, are the issues of pricing and integrity of the market. Once banks play in that sector and we have a government institution like the NNPC type to hold all these documentations, it would be very easy to establish price discovery on an ongoing basis. This will in turn attract international funders, hedge funds and retail investors. Today, we have retail bonds in the same way; we can have gold backed or any of the solid mineral assets where retail investors can put in the funds,” Sekibo explained.
Meanwhile, it would be recalled that Heritage Bank Plc has said its involvement in the private sector collaboration with Dukia Gold & Precious Metals Refining Co. Limited is set to unlock the over N344 trillion market worth of gold investible instruments in the solid minerals sector.
However, he reiterated that consistent packaged framework, which could only be held by an established government institution, as part of the layers of framework, would help to tackle major challenges in trying to support Dukia Gold’s clients.
“With consistent packaged framework, it will be easier for Dukia Gold and help in less spending. If Dukia Gold should speak of their challenges, they will speak about tonnes of tonnes of documents they have to produce. But with a unified source of documentation, it makes the process easier and improves cost management. These are some of the challenges we have experienced in trying to support a few clients we worked with,” Sekibo stated.
