I would have expected NASS to ask questions why FG defiled court order to release Nnamdi Kanu – Okafor, House of Reps candidate

0

By Chuks Eke

Hon. Smart Nonso Okafor, the House of Representatives candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC for Nnewi North/Nnewi South/Ekwusigo federal constituency has faulted the current national assembly for not asking questions on why the federal government has refused to obey the order of the Court of Appeal which mandated that the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPoB, Nnamdi should be released unconditionally.

Speaking yesterday in a public debate tagged: “2023 Anambra Political Dialogue: The Mace Debate”, organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Anambra state council, Okafor who us currently representing Nnewi North state constituency in the state House of Assembly, said from his own assessment, there were some areas the national assembly performed creditably but failed woefully in some other oversight functions.

According to Okafor who is also Chairman, Anambra State House Committee on Petroleum, like in the area of naira swap policy the national assembly tried its best by telling President Muhammadu Buhari and Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele to their faces that they disobeyed Supreme Court order but in the issue of Nnamdi Kanu, they remained silence.

“Personally, I would have expected the national assembly to ask intermittent questions as to why the federal government refused to heed to the Appeal Court order to release Kanu”.

He lamented that the fragrant disobedience of court orders by the federal government has cast a discouraging vicissitude on average Nigerians, adding that a society where rule of law is not obeyed is automatically seen as a lawless society where people could resort to crime and violence arbitrarily as we have today in Nigeria.

On why he cross carpeted from the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA on which platform he rode to the state House of Assembly, to APC on which platform he us now contesting for the national assembly, Okafor blamed APGA leadership for failing to accord him due recognition as one of the party leaders in his Nnewi North state constituency then.

Anambra police investigate alleged discovery of bag full of INEC PVCs inside Nnewi bush

0

By Chuks Eje

Anambra state police command has commenced a discreet investigation into the alleged discovery of a bag full of INEC’s Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs by a hunter at a certain bush in Nnewi, Anambra state, barely three days to the all-important general elections in the country.

The hunter, whose identities were yet to be ascertained as at press time had on Tuesday evening, found the bag of PVCs while hunting for animals inside the bush at Nnewi.

The state Commissioner of Police, CP Echeng Echeng who handed down the order for the investigations based in a video clip which went viral showing the bag of the PVCs, said the investigations are expected to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and possibly arrest the suspects behind the act.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga who confirmed the CP”s order for the investigations, said although the Command has not yet received any such complaint from the concerned authority, following the emergence of a video clip claiming that a hunter found some PVCs in a forest at Nnewi, the command is constrained to make further comments and any development in this regard shall be communicated.

The yet-to-be identified hunter had found the bag containing the PVCs in a bush in Akamili a community in Nnewi on Tuesday, and later took it to the premises of a popular radio station, Authority FM.

Station manager of Authority FM, Mr Charles Ede who spoke to newsmen, said he was off duty when the cards were brought, but his members of staff have reported to him about the incident.

“I was off duty when the incident happened, but one of my staff members received the hunters when they came. I will send you his number,” he said.

A video of the PVCs, which was made in the compound of authority FM in Nnewi, which has been trending online showed that most of the PVCs belonged to people of the area.

The radio station’s staff who ran a short commentary on the video urged those who were yet to get their PVCs to come to the premises of the FM to check if they can find theirs.

It was also gathered that most of the PVCs were owned by people from Nnewi South Local Government Area.

A staff of Authority FM who simply. identified himself as Ikenna confirmed that he received the PVCs, and that they have all been taken to the Obi of Umudim community in Nnewi.

Attempt to reach the public relations officer of INEC in Anambra State, Dr Kingsley for reaction about how the PVCs got to the area was rebuffed.

There have been allegations of INEC trying hard to sabotage the people of the south east, and also whittle down their voting strength, because of the influence of Mr Peter Obi.

Forgery: Why Osun Judge rescued self from Alawo Chieftaincy Case

0
Penultimately Wednesday, the Presiding Judge of Osun State High Court 5, sitting in Osogbo Judicial Division,Hon. Justice Ayo Oyebiyi rescued himself from Alawo Chieftaincy Case before him by returning the case file back to the office of the Chief Justice of the State, Hon. Justice Adepele Ojo for reallocation of the case to another judge.
The case was adjourned for hearing by allowing the Plaintiffs to move their application for amendment but to the surprise of the Counsels and litigants in the suit with No: HOS/84/2021, the presiding Justice Oyebiyi announced during the sitting that he would no longer preside over the Suit but the case file has been returned to the State Chief Judge for reassignment.
But investigation revealed that the presiding judge rescued himself from the case due to the judgement of the Appeal Court that nullified the fraudulent appointment of one Taiwo Abdulrasaq Adegboye as new Alawo of Awo on September 13th,2021 by immediate past Governor of Osun State,Mr. Gboyega Oyetola.
The Appeal Court,Akure Judicial Division in its judgement on 8th August,2022,nulified the illegal appointment and installation of Taiwo Adegboye as new Alawo by directing him(Adegboye) not to parade himself as new Alawo  elsewhere again.
Quoting the part of Appeal Court Judgement, “An order is hereby made setting aside the selection,the appointment,the approval and the installation of the second Appellant, Honourable Adegboye Taiwo Rasaq,as the Alawo of Awo, some of which acts were carried by the eight to the eleventh Respondents, and they were carried out after this appeal had been entered on the 25th of June,2021 and was pending before this Court and the second Appellant (Adegboye) is directed to vacate the Stool forthwith.
“The Second Appellant, Honourable Adegboye Taiwo Rasaq,is hereby restrained from parading himself as or performing any of the functions of the Alawo of Awo or wearing or displaying any insignia of the office of Alawo of Awo, including beads, crowns and all other paraphernalia of the stool pending the final determination of this action by the lower Court”.
Quoting the Supreme Court of Nigeria that it is trite principle of law to obey the order of the Court as contained in the case of Abacha V. Fawehinmi (2002) 2SCNQR 489 at 546 thus: “…… It is the law that a decision of a Court of competent jurisdiction,no matter that if seems palpable null and void, unattractive or unsupportable,remains good law and uncompromisingly binding until set aside by a superior Court of competent jurisdiction.”
Meanwhile, a human rights organization,the Centre for Human Rights and Social Justice (CHRSJ) has written the new Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, exposing the usage of forgery selection documents and wrong law to install Taiwo Adegboye where Oyetola claimed that they jetitioned the due process of law and order of the Court on the appointment and installation of Adegboye because he(Adegboye) was former Councilor under the platform of All Progressives Congress ( APC).
CHRSJ insisted that Taiwo Adegboye’s appointment and subsequent installation was characterized with forgery of selection documents, flagrant disobedience to Court orders and usage of wrong law of repealed,obsolete and outdated 1957 Declaration, instead of subsisting 1979 Registered Alawo of Awo Chieftaincy Declaration.
The Petition Letter dated Tuesday 6th of December,2022 and signed by the CHRSJ’s Assistant General Secretary (AGS), Pastor Michael Agaasi, also exposing the forgery selection documents in favour of Taiwo Rasaq Adegboye, which contained different thumbprint impressions and signatures of the Head/Mogaji and Secretary of Abioye Ruling House/Compound,Awo.
Agaasi then called for unbiased investigation into the forgery allegations of selection documents in Alawo stool process by  informing Governor Adeleke that no member of Abioye Ruling House/Compound, Awo, held any meeting anytime/anywhere on the acclaimed date of 24st August,2020 in purported selection documents,where officials of Egbedore Local Government,Awo, claimed to be an observers without any evidence of “Video Clip or Photograph” in this computer age,to show where the sons and daughters of Abioye Ruling House/ Compound,Awo,met to choose Taiwo Rasaq Adegboye as their candidate then.
It also faulted the claims of Egbedore Local Government officials in the purported forgery selection documents that ONLY Taiwo Rasaq Adegboye obtained the Expression of Interest Form from Abioye Ruling House/Compound,Awo,whereas it was pit of lies from the said officials contrary to the contents in their purported election/selection Letter with Reference N0: ELG.396/T/60, dated and signed by one Mrs. Olabimtan F. Abiola, Council Manager for Chairman then, adding that there were two persons including; Comrade (Prince) Adeniyi Alimi Sulaiman with phone number (+2348038591504/+2348022697573) .
It  insisted that the fake aforementioned documents were accepted to appoint Taiwo Adegboye illegally by former Governor through his Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Rasaq Adeosun, in flagrant disobedience to the Court order made on 27th August,2020 by Justice M.O. Agboola that all parties should maintain “Status Quo” in HED/26/2020.
It added that the case of Taiwo Adegboye was just a similar case of candidate of All Progressive Congress (APC) in 2019 Bayelsa State Governorship election where Supreme Court of Nigeria in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) & 2Ors. V. Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo & 3Ors, declared the PDP candidate who is the second run-up in the said election as winner of the Governorship election because of the forgery act of APC Deputy Governor-Elect then.
CHRSJ hinged on the premise of Governor Adeleke’s vow that ‘Rule of Law’ would be the watchword of his administration,which made him to give an executive order on the implementation of Court judgements since assumption of office.
Part of the Letter reads thus; “The process was manipulated against the CHRSJ’s Executive Chairman, Comrade (Prince) Adeniyi Alimi Sulaiman (+2348038591504/+2348022697573), who is the only qualified candidate from Abioye Ruling House/Compound, Awo, for Alawo stool without having any forgery act in his favour during the purported process.
” But former Governor Gboyega Oyetola and his Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Evangelist Rasaq Adeosun,claimed that Prince Adeniyi Alimi Sulaiman is the State leader of opposition to Government of All Progressive Congress (APC) and as well as strong supporter of Governor Ademola Adeleke during the 2017 Senatorial Bye-Election, Governorship election in 2018 and Governorship election in 2022 respectively.”
While urging Governor Adeleke to also respect the Appeal Court judgement on Alawo stool by ordering the security agents for immediate take over of the palace of Alawo as Adeleke did recently in respect of Owa of Igbajo,Aree and Akinrun stools, saying disrespect for the appellate Court judgement by Oyetola’s administration was bad omen for development of our democracy.
It therefore urged Governor Adeleke to set up a Judicial Administrative Panel of Inquiry(JAPI) to unravel the usage of forgery selection documents and wrong law of 1957 instead of subsisiting 1979 Chieftaincy Declaration used to appoint and install Taiwo Adegboye illegally.

SERG Endorses Peter Obi, Thanks Afenifere, PANDEF, SMBLF, ADC, Northern Leaders, Youths and Women For Support

0

Pan-Igbo sociopolitical pressure group, the South East Revival Group (SERG) has formally endorsed the Presidential and vice-presidential candidates of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi and Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed for president, thanking the Northern APC Christian leaders, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Afenifere, the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF), the African Democratic Party (ADC), Nigerian women and youths for their total support for their supporting the Obidient Movement.

The group urged Nigerians to ignore the distracting voices of insignificant few and selfish elites in the South East region who appear to be against the the Peter Obi candidacy.

In a statement signed by its President and National Coordinator, Chief Willy Ezugwu, the SERG stated that it has to formerly declare support for the Obi-Datti Presidential bid and appreciate Nigerians the support for Peter Obi and Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed for a new Nigeria.

“We therefore hail the Nigerian people who saw the light at the end of the tunnel and opted to pass through the difficult route to ensure that there is a better tomorrow for the country men and women born and yet to be born.

“The SERG insists that our support for Peter Obi and Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed has nothing to do with ethicism as Mr Obi is not the only Igbo man running for President in 2023. It is a choice already made by the Nigerian people that we are backing.

“This is because Nigeria needs resetting to be able to function optimally and effectively. That’s the way to go and that is what Peter Obi presidency represents for Nigeria.

“We urge all Nigerians and people of good conscience across the world to continue to support the choice of the ordinary people of Nigeria, Mr Peter Obi, to give the country the kind of leadership that has eluded us for a long time.

“To demonstrate his examplary love for the country, Peter Obi is the only Presidential candidate that defied security challenges and traveled to Borno South of Borno State in the North East at the expense of his own life to be able to see things for himself and feel the pulse of the people of the insurgency ravaged region.

“Peter Obi said the he believes that a man can only die once and has proven that he love Nigeria and the oneness of the most populous country in Africa by refusing to yield to persuasions not to visit Southern Borno.

“He has a track record as he led Anambra in an examplary manner, tackled insecurity in the state and became the only Governor in recent times that left as high as N75 billion for his successor after paying salaries, all executed contracts, pensions and gratuities.

“As President, Nigeria will come out of the woods if Peter Obi is given the opportunity to reboot country by reshaping its leadership.

“At this juncture, we call on all Nigerians to ignore the antics of the insignificant few and the anti-Peter Obi elitist voices in the South East because elections are about the choice of the majority.

“In the South East, Igbos’ love for Peter Obi will be unequivocally expressed at the ballot boxes across the South Eastern states and the entire country on Saturday when the majority would have had their way and the minority would have had their say”, the SERG stated.

Court Orders Interim Forfeiture of 14 Properties Linked To Kogi State Govt, N400m

0

Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, granted an interim forfeiture of 14 properties in Lagos, Abuja and the United Arab Emirates linked to the Kogi State Government.

 

The Judge also ordered the preservation of the sum of N400,000,000.00 (Four Hundred Million Naira) recovered from one Aminu Falala, which “is reasonably suspected to have been derived from unlawful activity and intended to be used for the acquisition of Plot No. 1224 Bishop Oluwole Street, Victoria Island Lagos.”

 

Justice Oweibo granted the order, following an ex parte application filed by the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

 

The application was supported by an affidavit deposed to by Adekunbi Mojibola, an investigating officer with the EFCC.

 

Moving the application today, counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, stated that the properties, including “Hotel Apartment Community, Burj Khalifa lying, being and situate at, Plot 160 Municipality NO 345-7562, Sky View Building No 1, Property No 401, Floor 4, Dubai U.A.E.”,  were reasonably suspected to have been derived from unlawful activity.

 

In his ruling on the application, Justice Oweibo granted the application, as prayed and directed the Commission to publish the interim order within 14 days for any interested party to show cause why the forfeiture order should not be made in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

 

The case was adjourned till March 28, 2023.

EFCC Deploys Officers for Election Monitoring Duties, Releases Incident Reporting Hotlines

0

As part of efforts to ensure the integrity of the February 25, 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has deployed officers of the Commission to the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, to monitor the polls.

The Executive Chairman of the Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa charged the operatives to be conscious of the interest of the nation and to exhibit a high sense of professionalism in the discharge of their duties. “You are out on a national assignment and I expect you to conduct yourselves responsibly in line with our core values of professionalism, integrity and courage. You have a responsibility to ensure that this election is devoid of financial malpractices, especially inducement of voters. The attention of the world is focused on Nigeria and we must do what is necessary to ensure that we have credible, free and fair elections”.

Apart from the teams deployed across the country, the EFCC has also released incidents reporting hotlines for the 36 states of the Federation and the FCT. The Commission urges members of the public to report any case of vote buying or selling, or other evidence of financial malpractices designed to compromise the electoral outcome through these hotlines.

Members of the public can also report anyone trying to buy or sell votes by making use of the EFCC financial crimes reporting App, Eagle Eye, which is available for download on the Google Play or Apple store.

Additionally, the public can reach the Commission through our social media handle, @officialefcc or by email, info@efcc.gov.ng
The hotlines and Eagle Eye App flyers are attached to this statement.

How Hunter Discovered Bag Full of PVCs in Anambra Forest

0

 

 

By Izunna Okafor, Awka

A yet-to-be-identified hunter has has discovered a bag full of Permanent Voters’ Card (PVCs) in a forest in Nnewi, Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

This is coming just three days to the 2023 general election in Nigeria.

It was gathered that the hunter saw the bag containing the PVCs in a bush in Akamili, a community in Nnewi on Tuesday, and later took it to the premises of a radio station, the Authority FM in Nnewi.

Speaking to newsmen, the Station Manager of the Authority FM, Mr Charles Ede said he was off duty when the cards were brought, but, however, said his staff member reported the incident to him.

“I was off duty when the incident happened, but one of my staff members received the hunters when they came. I will send you his number,” he said.

A video of the PVCs, which was shot in the compound of the radio station, and which is still trending online, shows that the PVCs are all valid.

The radio station’s staff who did a short commentary on the video urged those who were yet to get their PVCs to come to the premises of the FM to check if they can find theirs.

It was also gathered that most of the PVCs were owned by people from Nnewi South Local Government Area.

A staff of Authority FM who identified himself as Ikenna confirmed that he received the PVCs, and that they have all been taken to the Obi of Umudim community in Nnewi.

Efforts to contact the Public Relations Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Anambra State, Dr. Kingsley Agu, for his reaction about how the PVCs got to the area, proved abortive, as his phone number was not connecting.

In his own reaction on the development, the Spokesperson of the Anambra State Police Command, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the Command has not received any such complaint from the concerned authority.

“Given the above, the Commissioner of Police, CP Echeng Echeng, has ordered investigations into the video to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and possibly arrest the suspects behind the act.

“Therefore, the command is constrained to make further comments and any development in this regard shall be communicated.”

Breaking News: Bomb Blast Rocks Port Harcourt

0

Information reaching 247ureports.com from sources in Port Harcourt, Rivers State indicates that a bomb blast has occured in Port Harcourt – the capital of Rivers State.

The blast is reported to have occurred at about 10pm on Tuesday night February 21, 2023. The details are sketchy but it was gathered that the bomb blast occurred at one of the popular radio stations in Port Harcourt called Wish FM.

The motive behind is uncertain. A source indicated that unidentified persons arri Ed at the Radio station with home made Bombs. They threw the Bombs at the radio station house and proceeded to attack the station.

No casualties were reported.

It is recalled that another bomb blast had occurred on Monday in Okene, Kogi State where the INEC office was set ablaze and sensitive documents destroyed.

These bombing are coming with few days to the presidential elections of February 25, 2023.

Stay tuned

Anambra Reps Member, Azubogu Denies Apologizing For Poor Representation, Under-Performance (Video)

0

By Izunna Okafor, Nnewi

The member representing Nnewi North/Nnewi South/Ekwusigo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Chris Azubogu has denied kneeling down before his constituents to apologise to them for his poor representation and under-performance in his almost 12 years in office as their representative.

Who Among The Presidential Candidates Is Most Corrupt

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

A video started trending on social media on Monday, alleging that the Nnewi-born Reps member knelt before the residents of Umudim Nnewi when he visited them on a community tour, and allegedly started begging them to forgive him “for not representing them well bringing home any project throughout his 12 years in office.”

According to a caption attached to the video, Hon. Azubogu, who is also the candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) for Anambra South Senatorial Zone, was said to have begged the constituents to have mercy on him for his past mistakes, while also begging them to support and vote him to become their senator, so that he would use the senatorial mandate to do the works he couldn’t do for them at the Green Chamber.

The viral video shows the Reps member who is dressed in APGA attire as he knelt before a large crowd of Nnewi indigenes whom he was addressing with a megaphone at the campaign ground. While on his knees, he was seen still speaking to the crowd and gesturing his hands as that of one making an appeal, but his words could not be heard clearly any longer, due to noise from the crowd.

He was, however, helped up by some benevolent youths who came out from the crowd to help assist him after having knelt under the sun for some time.

A feminine voice was also heard from among the crowd, asking to know how much the Reps member donated to them, as he was being quietly led out of the scene by the youths.

Howbeit, Hon. Azubogu has debunked the video and the caption given to it as lie and figment of the opposition elements to slander his personality and stall his senatorial ambition.

Reacting through his media aide, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyia, the Reps member said he was there at Umudim Nnewi to campaign and make the people see the reason to support his senatorial ambition, based on his numerous achievements as their representative at the Green Chamber.

He also sent some videos from the campaign rally, showing him as he addressed the crowd who were clapping and cheering him up when he was enumerated the various projects he attracted, executed or is currently executing in different parts of the community.

Some of the projects he mentioned, include the Ukwu Ofor—Afor Ukpor Road, Traffic Light—Oraifite Road, Gabros—Ebenezer Road; Ahiadiegwu—Nkwor Akwu Road, among others, as well as four roads each in Okpuno-Egbu Village and Uhu Village respectively.

While recalling how he facilitated the recent completion of a correctional centre in Umudim which was started and abandoned for over 30 years (during the Shehu Shagari’s Administration); he also promised to execute more projects, including the Afor Iro—Umuezena Road, among others, if elected senator come February 25, 2023.

“If I did all these with this lower office I occupy now, I am promising you that I will do greater when I get to higher office,” he assured the constituents in one of the videos from the campaign rally.

Afenifere Leader Meets Atunluse Group, Canvasses Votes For Peter Obi

0

Pa Ayo Adebanjo, the leader of Afenifere, Yoruba socio-cultural group, has appealed to Nigerians to vote for the candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, in Saturday’s presidential election.

Who Among The Presidential Candidates Is Most Corrupt

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Adebanjo made the appeal when he hosted the leadership of the Atunluse Initiatives, a socio-cultural and political group, on Tuesday in Lagos

The Afenifere leader said the country is at a difficult period needed someone like Obi to rescue the current situation.

He said it was the responsibility of every Nigerian to fight for its freedom.

“We don’t have money to fight them, but we must do everything legitimately to free ourselves.

“Because we agreed that we will be sharing the elective position between the North and the South, South-West had their share under Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, it went back to the North under Umaru Yar’Adua.

“Goodluck Jonathan also did his own from South South and it went back to North, now coming back to South, it should be given to the South-East in the name of equity, justice and fairness,” he said.

According to him, it is the turn of the South-East to produce the next president of the country.

Also speaking, Mr Akinsola Akinbobola, Chairman of the Atunluse Initiatives, thanked the nonagenarian for his efforts at uniting Nigeria.

Akinbobola and few leaders of Atunluse later had a closed door meeting with Pa Adebanjo and other Afenifere leaders.

The Coordinator of the Atunluse Initiatives, Mr Olaseni Shalom, said the organisation would make their choice of presidential candidate known after its meeting with the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) delegation on Wednesday in Akure.

Olaseni reiterated that Atunluse would remain resolute with the masses and for the advancement of good governance and better life for Nigerians.

“We can only support a political party