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.
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.
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.
2023 Election: Nigerian Pastors, Should Stop Creating Religious Crisis – Prophet Israel Genesis
…Advises Spiritual leaders to visit Abuja for a closed-door meeting
There has been many opinions about the recent announcement of Vice Presidential candidate by the ruling APC, many condemned while many have contrary opinion one of the loud voices among the set that sees nothing wrong is Prophet Israel Oladele of Genesis Global. In his words, “My brothers, and sisters, whether you’re from North, South or West, we need to embrace each others, there’s no need for religious desegregation, no Christians should hate Muslims, how can we because of elections and hate ourselves so deep? this is far against the words of God.
‘Many may not understand what I’m trying to insinuating, but you and I know better. In the history of Nigeria, there is no Government that has not been fair to the Christian Community in this country, guess we shouldn’t make Christians to hate Muslims as much as we have a Political party with a Muslim-Muslim ticket currently treading, which I believe that shouldn’t mean we should/must crucified ourselves, instead of our spiritual leaders, clerics, clergy should approach Presidency for a closed-door meeting just the same way Politicians used to do at least for peace and unity amongst ourselves in which I believe taking such steps would have solve the whole Political/Religion brouhaha emanating from every State in this country, am saying this in the presence of God Almighty the created of the universe, I Israel Oladele Ogundipe popularly known as ‘Genesis’ don’t belong to any Political party and that is just the truth.
Some of these muslims, when you get to the North especially those governor among them we read it they’re the highest sponsored of Christian Pilgrims every year till date, and they are also taking special care of Christians giving them good treatment in IDPs camp, so why do we have to hate our fellow brothers and sisters?
I am speaking boldly without fear or favour from any Politicians and again, I will have to put this straight to the general public that I do not receive salary or a dime from the past or present Government or any Politicians to say this but rather expressing my feelings because at this juncture, the facts need to be told.
Prophet Israel Genesis, when speaking through his media aide Oluwaseun Fabiyi said he vividly remember sometimes in the past when a sitting Northern Governor insisted that he wanted Christians IDPs to stay together with their Muslim counterparts in various designated IDP camps in Maiduguri while some of the so called spiritual leaders felt it wise to separate Christian to avoid frictions between displaced persons dealing with trauma. It is obvious that some of Nigerian religious leaders are the major problems of this country and not the government.
He continued that God positioned them in a place to always be advising government, and guide those in power in their prayers, but instead they’re creating religious crisis. Enough of religious rascality” he added.
The Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma has come under fire after he was spotted with a designer wristwatch reportedly worth four hundred and fifty-five million Naira.
The value of the Jacob & Co. Astronomia Sky White Diamond 18-piece Limited edition worn by Uzodinma is allegedly worth $785,496 which is equivalent to N455 million at $580 per dollar.
An architect and building engineer, Adeola Olutayo, who spoke with SaharaReporters, said N5 to N6 million can build a block of six classrooms in Nigeria, excluding the price of land, which is lacking in Imo State.
This stirred angry reactions from many social media users, who stated that there are numerous abandoned projects and bad roads in Imo State.
maduka_lizzy wrote: “Imo state road is the worst road in Nigeria……. Very b##d road. Na canoe we dey take swim”
ngozi4858 wrote: “They never cared for the masses, except 1de_rica of rice hmmm”
iammercilove wrote: “Abandoned projects every where. Honestly we are suffering in imo state”
iamdx2 wrote: “Governor way dey spend like #Ronaldo”
fladygold wrote: “Nothing is funny here and I can’t still see people laughing may God heal our land and give us the wisdom to vote wisely this coming election”
slim_zannie wrote: “Yeyebrities and polithiefcians are the main problem of Nigeria”
meetheritage wrote: “Omo, Nigerians don suffer one person carry wrist watch of 455m for hand”
The report-making round that suspected kidnap kingpin, Hamisu Bala, also known as Wadume and Peter Nwachukwu, husband of late gospel singer, Osinachi escaped during the recent attack on Kuje Custodial Centre, Abuja has been dismissed by the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS).
The spokesman of the FCT Command, NCoS, Chukwuedo Humphrey, on Tuesday confirmed that the suspects are still in custody.
There had been claims that Peter and Wadume escaped during an attack July 5th attack on Kuje custodial centre.
Humphrey said he had to dispel the reports making round because of the claims that Wadume and Osinachi’s husband escaped.
He said, “The story is false, reckless and mischievous. They are still in custody.
“Efforts are ongoing to recapture all fleeing inmates.
“The Controller-General, NCoS, Haliru Nababa, is determined to continue to upscale inmates’ welfare and safety.”
Recall that a Federal Capital Territory High Court ordered the remand of Osinachi’s husband at Kuje custodial centre following the singer’s death in April.
The Intelligence Response Team arrested Hamisu Bala in August 2019 over the alleged supply of arms and ammunition to terrorists.
Prominent lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN) has rejected the selection of former Governor of Borno State, Senator Kashim Shettima as the All Progressives Congress (APC) vice-presidential candidate.
Adegoruwa in a statement on Sunday was reacting to the announcement of Shettima as the running mate to the APC presidential flagbearer, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria argued that the Muslim-Muslim ticket is fuel for Boko Haram and an incentive for the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters.
He added that the ticket is a call for terrorism to thrive more in the country, describing it as a terrible choice and a way to insult the citizens’ sensibilities.
Adegboruwa, however, called on Nigerians in respect of their faith to reject APC with their votes in the 2023 presidential election.
He said: “Nigerians, whether Muslims, Christians, Traditionalists, should reject APC with their votes come 2023 because a Muslim-Muslim ticket in present-day Nigeria is fuel for Boko Haram, the incentive for ISWAP and a call for terrorism to thrive more.
“Unless of course, those parading the ticket are themselves complicit. There is no better way to insult our sensibilities. I pray it is not true.”
Meanwhile, Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje has said the selection of former Borno State Governor, Kashim Shatimma as Bola Tinubu’s running mate, will guarantee the victory of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) in the 2023 general elections.
Despite being among those who the APC Southern governors had nominated for the VP slot, Ganduje congratulated Senator Shetima for clinching the position of the vice-presidential candidate of the party.
Ganduje in a statement issued by the commissioner for information, Malam Muhammad Garba, described Shettima as highly quick-witted and prepared for the office of the vice president.
He noted that Shettima played a significant role in bringing attention to his qualification, ability, and expertise during the pre-presidential primary campaign because they share common experiences.
