Breaking! Top Anambra Politicians Fingered In Murder Of Dr. Akunyili, Udala FC Boss, Others

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Breaking! Top Anambra Politicians Fingered In Murder Of Dr. Akunyili, Udala FC Boss, Others

What could be best described as a shocking revelation has surfaced concerning those behind the killings, kidnappings, cult-related clashes and other forms of insecurity in Anambra State.

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The revelation also highlighted some of the recent attacks championed and spearheaded by the group, including the gruesome murder of Dr. Chike Akunyili at Afọr Nkpor sometime in 2021. Dr. Chike Akunyili was the husband to the former Director General of the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Dora Akunyili.

The most shocking of the revelation is the identities of the people behind the acts, which include a former member of the House of Representatives in the state, Hon. Ifeanyi Ibezi, who is also the current candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) for Idemili North and South Federal Constituency in the 2023 general election. Hon. Ibezi hails from Abatete in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra state, and is also said to be an APGA Boy. It was also said that Ibezi is notorious for his political prostitution and thuggery.

Hon. Ibezi

Also fingered in the shocking revelation were one Hon. Emmanuel (popularly known as Emma Gulder), who is said to be contesting for the Anambra State House of Assembly under APGA; and one Hon. Ik Jiro, who is also said to be contesting for a seat in the State House of Assembly in the forthcoming election; one Bob Roko, one Kelechi Okafor (popularly known as Gatuso), among others, who were all said to be reporting directly to Hon. Ibezim.

Also revealed were how the gang planned and carried out some of their attacks, including how they murdered the two policemen who ran into a provision shop for safety the day they (the gang) murdered Dr. Akunyili at Afọr Nkpor. They were also fingered in the murder of owner of new Nigeria National League (NNL), club Udala FC, High Chief Philip Chinonso Udala, who was murdered in July 2021, at Eke-Agu Market junction in Abatete, Idemili North Local Area; abduction of some students of the University of Nigeria Nsukka along the Old Enugu Road; among others attacks and operations in different parts of Anambra and other south-eastern communities.

“Who could be revealing all these ?” one may wonder.

 

 

The shocking revelation was contained in a live Facebook video released over the weekend by a Facebook user, The Big Masquerade ‘Ijele’. Ijele, during the live video, also contacted some people who did not only corroborate all he said, but also made some more shocking revelations, about the activities of Ibezi and his team, and how the government of the state relates with and provides asylum to them.

In the live video that lasted for over an hour, Hon. Ibezi was described as a known cultist and a killer who is well known to the government and security operatives. In the video, Ibezi was also said to be a hitman for a top politician in Enugu State, named Nnamani, who allegedly used him and his gang to ‘shake’ Enugu State between 2002 and 2003.

The video also revealed that, during the recent governorship election in the state, some of the notorious criminals in Ibezi’s gang were arrested in his home in Abatete, where they were thumb-printing on ballot papers for a governorship candidate in the state. It added that they were, however, freed after a short while, following the immediate intervention of their Boss.

The video further accused the immediate past administration of ex-governor Willie Obiano government of granting state pardon to some of the Ibezi’s boys, thereby securing their release from prison, with the intention of using them during election. It further alleged that some of the boys were already awaiting execution after being condemned to death, before they were granted state pardon. It also alleged that they were given free hands during Obiano’s administration, which gave them the privilege to grow up. One of the gang members was also accused of having a pending case in court, for having raped over 30 virgins.

“Imagine someone that raped over 30 young girls, and the Commissioner of Police just released him from prison. If the CP does not produce that guy, he must go to jail,” the visibly angry Ijele roared.

It was further revealed in the video that some of the boys were among the people recently contracted as revenue agents by the incumbent government of Gov. Chukwuma Charles Soludo. All efforts to get the reactions of the Anambra State Government on the allegations proved abortive, as the Governor’s Spokesperson, Mr. Christian Aburime did not respond to the message sent to him, while the Spokesperson of the State, the Information Commissioner, Mr. Paul Nwosu could not be reached via phone call as his number was not connecting, as at the time of this publication.

Meanwhile, the Spokesperson of the Anambra State Police Command, DSP Ikenga Tochukwu, when contacted, pledged to get back to this reporter on the information.

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Further details of this information could be seen via:

Security Beefed Up As President Buhari Arrives Kano To Commission Projects

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Security Beefed Up As President Buhari Arrives Kano To Commission Projects

By Abdullahi Yusuf

Security has been beefed up in parts of Kano metropolis in readiness for President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to the state today to commission eight development projects in the state.

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As early as 7 a.m., security personnel such as the Police, the Civil Defence Corps, the Federal Roads Safety Corps as well as the state’s Road Traffic Agency (KAROTA) could be sighted on some roads in the state capital in preparation for the visit.

The roads manned by the security operatives include Sabo Bakin Zuwo road, formerly known as State Road,Emir’s Palace Road, Ahmadu Bello Way and Audu Bako Way.

A statement issued on Sunday by the State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs,Malam Muhammad Garba, said arrangements had been concluded to receive the President.

Garba said that Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje would receive the President and his entourage, adding that while in Kano, Buhari would commission the 10 megawatts federal government, Kano Grid Solar Power, and the multi-billion Naira Dala Inland Dry Port in Zawachiki, Kumbotso local government area.

He also said Buhari would ccommission the Kano State Data Centre at Audu Bako Secretariat, Tier Data Centre and office complex at Galaxy Backbone Limited Project at Ahmadu Bello Way.

The rest the commissioner said are:Cancer Treatment Centre at Muhammadu Buhari Specialist Hospital, Giginyu; Muhammadu Buhari Road Rotary Interchange at NNPC Station, along Maiduguri Road; Aliko Dangote Ultra-Modern Skill Acquisition Centre, Zaria Road and a Federal Government Housing Units at Gandun Sarki, Darmanawa.

Lawyers petition Buhari over Commander of Navy Special Forces in Kogi State

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Lawyers petition Buhari over Commander of Navy Special Forces in Kogi State

  • Want Chief of Naval Staff sacked
  • Insist Akalezi has hands in the disappearance of over one hundred and fifty persons

President Muhammadu Buhari was on Sunday asked to sack the Chief of Naval Staff.

‘’We wish to state that the actions of Commander Akalezi and Chief of Naval Staff are a clear breach of the operational code of conduct of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria’’.

The President was also asked to arrest Commander Akalezi of NNS Lugard for all his dastardly acts.

‘’The Nigerian Navy was created by the force of law to protect the territorial waters of the Federal of Republic of Nigeria from external aggressions and to protect the country’s assets situate in waters. It is so disheartening that the Nigerian Navy under the current Chief of Naval Staff has derailed from their constitutional roles and delved into the murky waters of politics in Kogi State’’.

The call was made by a firm of Legal Practitioners, Demaki & Demaki.

‘’Nigeria is not a banana republic where laws are nonexistence or not obeyed. Nigeria has laws and no person or group of persons are above the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Therefore, Commander Akalezi and the Chief of Naval of Staff are not above the laws of the land. The action of Commander Akalezi and the Chief of Naval Staff dents the image of the disciplined officers of Nigerian Navy who are reputed for their bravery and uprightness; and, if left unabated will lead to breakdown of law and order; and destruction of lives and properties in Kogi State.’’

 They accused the governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, of using Akalezi to intimidate, kill, abduct and kidnap kogi indigenes opposed to his political ambitions.

‘’These series of extrajudicial killings, intimidation, abductions and kidnappings of Kogi indigenes have been occurring since 2019 and has not abated rather Akalezi is further emboldened to continue carrying out his dastardly acts. It is our brief also that the families of the victims of Akalezi’s brutality have written several petitions to the Department of State Security, the Inspector-General of Police and the Chief of Naval Staff; however, none were investigated by the respective authorities’’.

‘Entitled ‘Petition on the genocide and extra judicial killings/abduction/kidnappings of Kogi indigenes to wit, Hon. Musa Adelabu, Mr Rufai Jimoh, Mr. Hadi Abdulmaliki, Mr Kashim Ismaila, Ismaila Momoh, Mr. Monday Idowu and Mr. Abdulazeez Salami by Uchendu Nicholas Akalezi a.k.a (Charles Akalieze), Commander of the Navy Special Forces in Kogi State and the Chief of Naval Staff, the lawyers urged Buhari to direct that Commander Akalezi be arrested and brought to justice for all his genocidal acts.

‘’Commander Akalezi was reposted from NNS Kano, Lagos state to NNS Lugard in Kogi state on the 9th of January 2023 by the Chief of Naval Staff and that no form of disciplinary action was taken against him neither were our clients reached out to in furtherance of any investigation to their petition before the Naval Command. Also, the return of Commander Akalezi to Kogi was influenced by the Governor to have him continue his reign of terror on the people of Kogi Central during this critical yet vulnerable political season in a bid to frighten and scare the people from willfully exercising their civic responsibilities as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended’’.

In a letter to President Buhari, the lawyers said the Nigerian Navy under the current Chief of Naval Staff had derailed from constitutional roles and delved into the murky waters of politics in Kogi State.

‘’It is very shameful that the Chief of Naval Staff is allowing the Men and Officers of the Nigerian Navy to be the personal attack dogs/ killer squad used by the Government of Kogi State to eliminate its perceived political enemies’’

They accused the Chief of Naval Staff of shielding Commander Uchendu Nicholas Akalezi from the long arms of the law.

‘’It is our brief that since the return of Commander Akalezi back to Kogi State, he has boasted of Gov. Yahaya Bello’s support and financial influence over the Naval Chief making him untouchable and unanswerable to any petition. In view of reinstating fear in the indigenes and political opponents of the Kogi State governor/ Commander Akalezi with his team recently abducted one Ahmed whose whereabouts is still unknown’’.

They alleged that the said Akalezi has hands in the disappearance of over one hundred and fifty person of Kogi origin who are political opponents of Bello.

‘’It is a brief of fact that the said Commander Akalezi was transferred out of Kogi in the last quarter of 2022 by the Naval Authorities upon the uproar and protest against his illegal activities. The said transfer of Commander Akalezi out of Kogi State to NNS Kano in Lagos state brought relative peace to the state as indigenes of Kogi State were able to go about their political activities without the fear of being killed’’.

Calling Uchendu Nicholas Akalezi personal Hit man of the Kpgi State governor, the lawyers listed those kidnapped, extra-judicially killed and executed by Uchendu Nicholas Akalezi.

‘’Hon. Musa Adelabu who was the PDP Chairman of Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State has since been abducted by Akalezi and his team on the 10th day of August, 2019 from his residence and till this very moment hasn’t been found by his family nor close associates. Mr. Rufai Jimoh (A.K.A Lover) was abducted by the same Akalezi and his team on the 27th day of January, 2021 along Old Ageva Secretariat on the Lagos Highway and till this very moment, Mr Rufai Jimoh’s whereabouts is unknown, Mr. Hadi Abdumaliki was also abducted on the 3rd day of January, 2022 at Ihima, Okehi Local Government Area by the said Commander Akalezi and that Mr. Kashim Ismaila (A.K.A Kamuche) on the 21st of December, 2020 was abducted by Commander Akalezi and his team and till this very moment has not been seen or heard from’’

‘’That Ismaila Momoh was abducted/kidnapped from his house by the team led by same Akalezi. That Mr. Monday Idowu was also abducted/kidnapped on the 10th day of January, 2022 at Ihima by the Akalezi team in company of the Chairman of Okehi Local Government Area, Abdulraheem Ohiare, That Abdulazeez Salami was also kidnapped/abducted on the 10th day of July, 2019 by Akalezi and his team in company of one Abdulraheem Ohiare; the Chairman of Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State’’.

The lawyers denounced the roles played by the Chief of Staff to Governor Bello in the extra judicial killings, abduction and kidnapping.

‘’It is worthy of note that at every time these Extrajudicial Killings, Abduction and Kidnappings are being carried out by the said Commander Akalezi and his team, the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Mohammed Jamiu Asuku is always with Akalezi serving as a pointer in identifying the governor’s political opponents to be eliminated’’

On the brutality and killings of innocent youth corps members assigned to Kogi State for their mandatory one year service to the nation, the lawyers noted that Ogunwo Adetola Oluwaseye with state code KG/21C/2009 was tortured and brutalized by Commander Uchendu Nicholas Akalezi for no just cause.

‘’The brutality and killings are not also limited to our clients who are opposed to the Governor of Kogi State but also innocent members of the National Youth Serving Corps who are assigned to Kogi State for their mandatory one-year service to the nation. Worthy of note is the case of corp member Ogunwo Adetona Oluwaseye with state code KG/21C/2009 who was tortured and brutalized by Commander Akalezi for no just cause’’.

Signed by Shedrack M. Demaki Esq, the lawyers recalled several petitions written to the Chief of Naval Staff by the families of those killed by Commander Akalezi.

‘’Mr. President, dishearteningly, we notify you that that several petitions have been written to the Chief of Naval Staff by the families of those killed by Commander Akalezi using various human rights organizations and law firms. Nothing has been done by the Chief of Naval Staff to bring the perpetrator to justice. We wish to state that we are in receipts of the acknowledged copies of these petitions written to the Chief of Naval Staff which he has failed to act on’’.

The legal practitioners urged the president to order the arrest of Akalezi

‘We humbly urge you that Commander Akalezi be arrested and brought to justice. We further wish to State that the representatives of the above listed victims are willing to come forward to testify to all the atrocities that have been and are still being committed by Commander Akalezi’’.

23RD January, 2023

GENERAL MOHAMMADU BUHARI GCFR,

PRESIDNT AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES,

 FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA,

 ASO ROCK,

ABUJA.

 SIR,

OPEN LETTER

PETITION ON THE GENOCIDE AND EXTRA JUDICIAL KILLINGS/ABDUCTION/KIDNAPPINGS OF KOGI INDIGENES TO WIT, HON. MUSA ADELABU 2. MRRUFAI JIMOH 3. MR. HADI ABDULMALIKI 4. MR KASHIM ISMAILA 5. ISMAILA MOMOH 6. MR. MONDAY IDOWU 7. MR. ABDULAZEEZ SALAMI BY UCHENDU NICHOLAS AKALEZI A.K.A (CHARLES AKALEZI) COMMANDER OF THE NAVY SPECIAL FORCES IN KOGI STATE AND THE CHIEF OF NAVAL STAFF. The above subject matter refers.

INTRODUCTION:

We are a firm of Legal Practitioners and we have been briefed and our services retained by the Families of the victims of the extra Judicial Killings/Abduction/Kidnappings of Kogi Central indigenes of Kogi State by AKALEZI ; Commander of the NAVY SPECIAL FORCES IN KOGI STATES and they are Herein referred to as our “CLIENTS”.

This open letter is necessitated by issues of urgent importance connected with the atrocities, killings, maiming, kidnapping and the reign of terror been carried out by one AKALEZI of the NNS Luguard who is the Commander of the “Navy Special Forces” in Kogi State and the Chief of Naval Staff for his lackluster disposition in taking disciplinary actions against the said COMMANDER UCHENDU NICHOLAS AKALEZI (hereinafter called Commander Akalezi).

It is evident that the Chief of Naval Staff stalls the probe of Commander Akalezi’s extrajudicial activities in Kogi state.

THE ACCUSATIONS AGAINST AKALEZI; COMMANDER OF THE NAVY SPECIAL FORCES IN KOGI STATE.

Mr. President, we humbly bring to your attention the case of Commander Akalezi of NNS Lugard, who is the Commander of the Navy Special Forces, (a taskforce created by Gov. Yahaya Bello in Kogi State. Upon our clients’ brief and verifiable evidence, we believe that the said Akalezi is the personal Hitman of the Governor of Kogi State; Yahaya Bello. That the Governor uses the said Akalezi to kill, abduct and kidnap Kogi indigenes who are opposed to his political views. It is also our brief that these series of extrajudicial killings, intimidation, abductions and kidnappings of Kogi indigenes have been occurring since 2019 and has not abated rather Akalezi is further emboldened to continue carrying out his dastardly acts.

 It is our brief also that the families of the victims of Akalezi’s brutality have written several petitions to the Department of State Security, the Inspector-General of Police and the Chief of Naval Staff; however, none were investigated by the respective authorities.

Mr. President Sir, our Clients further intimated us that the said Uchendu Nicholas Alkalize has hands in the disappearance of over one hundred and fifty (150) persons of Kogi origin who are political opponents to the Governor of Kogi State.

Amongst the lot but not limited to the mentioned are as follows: 1. HON. MUSA ADELABU who was the PDP Chairman of Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State has since been abducted by Akalezi and his team on the 10th day of August, 2019 from his residence and till this very moment hasn’t been found by his family nor close associates. 2. MR. RUFAI JIMOH (A.K.A LOVER) was also abducted by the same Akalezi and his team on the 27th day of January, 2021 along old Ageva Secretariat on the Lagos Highway and till this very moment, MR RUFAI JIMOH’s whereabouts is unknown. 3. MR. HADI ABDUMALIKI was also abducted on the 3rd day of January, 2022 at Ihima, Okehi Local Government Area by the said Commander Akalezi. 4. That also MR. KASHIM ISMAILA (A.K.A KAMUCHE) on the 21st of December, 2020 was also abducted by Commander Akalezi and his team and till this very moment has not been seen or heard from. 5. That Ismaila Momoh was also abducted/kidnapped from his house by the team led by same Akalezi. 6. That Mr. Monday Idowu was also abducted/kidnapped on the 10th day of January, 2022 at Ihima by the Akalezi team in company of the Chairman of Okehi Local Government Area, Abdulraheem Ohiare. 7. That Abdulazeez Salami was also kidnapped/abducted on the 10th day of July, 2019 by Akalezi and his team in company of one Abdulraheem Ohiare; the Chairman of Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State.

It is worthy of note that at every time these Extrajudicial Killings, Abduction and Kidnappings are being carried out by the said Commander Akalezi and his team, the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Kogi State, MR. MOHAMMED JAMIU ASUKU is always with Akalezi serving as a pointer in identifying the Governor’s Political Opponents to be eliminated.

The brutality and killings are not also limited to our clients who are opposed to the Governor of Kogi State but also innocent members of the National Youth Serving Corps who are assigned to Kogi State for their mandatory one-year service to the nation.

Worthy of note is the case of Corp member OGUNWO ADETONA OLUWASEYE with state code KG/21C/2009 who was tortured and brutalized by Commander Akalezi for no just cause.

Sir, it is a brief of fact that the said Commander Akalezi was transferred out of Kogi in the last quarter of 2022 by the Naval Authorities upon the uproar and protest against his illegal activities. The said transfer of Commander Akalezi out of Kogi State to NNS Kano in Lagos state brought relative peace to the state as indigenes of Kogi State were able to go about their political activities without the fear of being killed.

However, it is to the consternation of our clients to discover that the said Commander Akalezi was reposted from NNS Kano, Lagos state to NNS Lugard in Kogi state on the 9th of January 2023 by the Chief of Naval Staff and that no form of disciplinary action was taken against him neither were our clients reached out to in furtherance of any investigation to their petition before the Naval Command.

Sir, its worthy to mention that the return of Commander Akalezi to Kogi was influenced by the Governor to have him continue his reign of terror on the people of Kogi Central during this critical yet vulnerable political season in a bid to frighten and scare the people from willfully exercising their civic responsibilities as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.

 Mr. President, dishearteningly, we notify you that that several petitions have been written to the Chief of Naval Staff by the families of those killed by Commander Akalezi using various Human rights organizations and law firms, yet nothing has been done by the Chief of Naval Staff to bring the perpetrator to justice.

We wish to state that we are in receipts of the acknowledged copies of these petitions written to the Chief of Naval Staff which he has failed to act on.

Sir, the Nigerian Navy was created by the force of law to protect the territorial waters of the Federal of Republic of Nigeria from external aggressions and to protect the country’s assets situate in waters. It is so disheartening that the Nigerian Navy under the current Chief of Naval Staff has derailed from their constitutional roles and delved into the murky waters of politics in Kogi State. It is also very shameful that the Chief of Naval Staff is allowing the Men and Officers of the Nigerian Navy to be the personal attack dogs/ killer squad used by the Government of Kogi State to eliminate its perceived political enemies. A food for thought is: Why is Navy Commander Akalezi living in and operating from the hilly Okene when the waters are in Lokoja?

It is our brief that since the return of Commander Akalezi back to Kogi State, he has boasted of Gov. Yahaya Bello’s support and financial influence over the Naval Chief making him untouchable and unanswerable to any petition. In view of reinstating fear in the indigenes and political opponents of the Kogi State Gov., Commander Akalezi with his team recently abducted one Ahmed whose whereabouts is still unknown.

Sir, we wish to state that Nigeria is not a banana republic where laws are nonexistence or not obeyed. Nigeria has laws and no person or group of persons are above the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Therefore, Commander Akalezi and the Chief of Naval of Staff are not above the laws of the land.

The action of Commander Akalezi and the Chief of Naval Staff dents the image of the disciplined officers of Nigerian Navy who are reputed for their bravery and uprightness; and, if left unabated will lead to breakdown of law and order; and destruction of lives and properties in Kogi State.

CONCLUSION

Mr. President it is worthy of note that just recently on National Television; you called on Nigerians to go about performing their civic responsibility of voting for anybody or party of their choice in the forthcoming general elections without fear of molestation from anybody or quarters.

It is on the above premise we are calling on your good office to call the Chief of Naval Staff to order and we humbly urge you that Commander Akalezi be arrested and brought to justice.

We further wish to State that the representatives of the above listed victims are willing to come forward to testify to all the atrocities that have been and are still being committed by Commander Akalezi.

Find attached to this petition the said picture of Commander Akalezi.

We also wish to state that the actions of Commander Akalezi and Chief of Naval Staff are a clear breach of the operational code of conduct of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

 PRAYER OF THE PETITION.

 It is the prayer of our Clients that you use your good office to call the Chief of Naval Staff to order and direct that Commander Akalezi be arrested and brought to justice for all his genocidal acts.

Thanks.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

 For: DEMAKI & DEMAKI

Shedrack M. Demaki Esq

Old Naira Swap Extension: CNPP Commends Buhari, Calls for Sanctions Against Banks Hoarding New Notes

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Old Naira Swap Extension: CNPP Commends Buhari, Calls for Sanctions Against Banks Hoarding New Notes

Conference Of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for approving a 10-day extension of the deadline for the swapping of old currency to the newly redesigned Naira notes.

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The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, had during his visit to the President at his Daura country home disclosed that President Buhari had approved the extension of the deadline after their closed door meeting to enable Nigerians, who were yet to exchange their old Naira notes with new ones, have opportunity to do so.

The CNPP, in a statement signed by its Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu, on Sunday, urged the apex bank to ensure that commercial banks do not hoard the new notes again, calling on all security agencies to immediately swing into action, “as a matter of patriotic duties to ensure that the new notes do not find their way into bullion vans belonging to some politicians and their allies.”

While calling on the people to ensure that they utilise the opportunity provided by the new swap window to immediately get their old notes exchanged, the CNPP hailed President Muhammadu Buhari “for showing the political will to keep to his promise that no politician would be allowed to compromise the ongoing electoral process.

“The CNPP has been observing with keen interest the ongoing currency swap and has a reasonable suspicion that there are anomalies which could be attributed to some commercial banks and politicians bent on sabotaging the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari on ensuring free, fair and credible elections in 2023.

“For this reason, we call on all security agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Police Force, to carry out already issued presidential orders on ensuring that no money bag-politician compromises the 2023 electoral process.

“The best legacy of President Buhari administration is the redesigned high denominations of the Naira notes, comprising N200, N500 and N1,000, which have become legal tender since December 15, 2022, after they were unveiled by President Buhari on November 23, 2022, in Abuja.

“We equally call on the House of Representatives to target commercial banks and their collaborators who have been hoarding the new notes, not the CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, who is simply following presidential directives.

“From the continued attack and threats on the CBN Governor, rather than cooperating with President Buhari administration to ensure the success of the ongoing cashless policy of the federal government, federal lawmakers are now making Nigerians believe that they are working to sabotage the President’s good intentions.

“We therefore urge the authorities to ensure that banks and individuals hoarding the new notes are appropriately sanctioned in accordance with the law”, the CNPP stated.

In Awka, Bank Customers Fight, Sleep At ATMs In Wait To Withdraw New Naira Notes

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In Awka, Bank Customers Fight, Sleep At ATMs In Wait To Withdraw New Naira Notes

By Izunna Okafor, Awka

It was dramatic and unconventional scenes yesterday as some bank customers fought dirty while many others slept on the pavement while queuing to withdraw the new naira notes at different ATMs across Awka, the capital city of Anambra State.

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Recall that the Central Bank of Nigeria had given the last day of January this year as the expiration date of old ₦200, ₦500, and ₦1000 naira notes, as the trio will no longer be accepted as legal tenders after the date. The apex Bank has also, since 2022, been urging Nigerians to deposit their old notes in the bank and withdraw the new naira notes, to avoid being caught up with the deadline.

Many people, however, were complacent to heed to the CBN directive, until this weekend when many of them now began to flood and cluster around the banks to deposit their old notes and withdraw the new ones. Although, part of the reasons for this eleventh hour rush was also attributed to the scarcity and unavailability of the new naira notes in the banks and other places one can make withdrawals.

Amid this scarcity of the new notes, people also foresaw that this weekend may be their only chance to deposit their old naira notes to the banks, and that there may be more intense rush on Monday and Tuesday if the banks actually open. With this assumption, coupled with grapevines that some ATMs have begun to dispense the new notes, there became great rush, mammoth crowd and long queues at the various banks and ATMs, both those who came to withdraw the new notes and those who came to deposit their old notes.

The over-flooding of banks and the ATM stands and the consequent struggle for lines and turns (as is usual at the bank), led to a series of fracas and melees by the visibly frustrated customers, most of whom had been on the queue since as early as 7.30am till about 1.40 when this reporter visited the various banks and ATM stands around the Awka metropolis.

At the Sterling Bank’s at the Eke Awka market, a long queue of about 47 persons were seen, already standing on the queues, waiting for their turns at the two ATM spots at the bank, which are dispensing the new notes. Another long queue that stretches almost to the main road was also seen, which belonged to people who wanted to go into the banking hall.

Shortly after the covert arrival of this reporter, a fight ensued between two beautifully dressed ladies at one of the ATM stands, over whose turn it was to withdraw. The fight was, however, separated by a huge grey-haired man, which, before he finished, another young man, from nowhere, sneaked to the machine and withdrew some cash, amid vituperation and resentment oozing from other waiters on the queue.

As the situation was dousing, another brouhaha ensued at the other side of the ATM, where a man refused to come out of the ATM or allow another person use the machine, even when his several attempts to withdraw proved abortive, as each of his transactions ended up showing “Issuer Inoperative, Contact Your Service Provider”, which made others to start pressurising and coercing him to come out and allow another person to try. But he repudiated to come out after about 8 minutes of several failed transactions, which made others to invade the ATM stand to pull him out, leading to an uproar. Meanwhile, he insisted it was his turn, and that he should be allowed to use it anyhow he wanted.

Similar situations were also observed at the First Bank ATM, the Access Bank ATM, close to the Regina Caeli Junction; and the Stanbic Bank at the popular UNIZIK Temp. Site, Awka.

The situation was slightly different at the UBA ATM at the Aroma Junction, where many customers were seen, sleeping on bare pavement, while tiredly and patiently waiting for the new notes to be loaded in the machine again as the machine had run out of cash.

All efforts made by this reporter to have the comments and reactions of some officials of the visited banks proved abortive as those accosted declined to grant interview to him.

Old Naira Notes: House C’ttee Rejects CBN Extension, Says Position Of Law Sacrosanct, Must Be Respected

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Old Naira Notes: House C’ttee Rejects CBN Extension, Says Position Of Law Sacrosanct, Must Be Respected

The House of Representatives Adhoc Committee on new naira re-design and naira swap policy has rejected the ten days extension granted by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the exchange of old naira notes.

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The CBN had fixed January 31st as the deadline for the exchange of the old naira notes; N200, N500 and N1000.

The CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele on Sunday, said President Muhammadu Buhari gave permission for the deadline to be extended to February 10.

In its swift reaction, the Adhoc Committee, chaired by the leader of the House, Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, rejected the extension, insisting that the CBN must comply with sections 20 sub 3, 4, and 5  of the CBN act.

Recall the House, during its sitting on Tuesday, following the outcry by Nigerians, constituted the ad hoc committee to look into the issue.

Doguwa said that; ” The 10-day extension for the exchange of the old naira notes is not the solution: We as a legislative committee with a constitutional mandate of the house, would only accept clear compliance with section 20 sub 3, 4, and 5  of the CBN act and nothing more.

” Nigeria as a developing economy and a nascent democracy must respect the principle of the rule of law. And the House would go ahead to sign arrest warrant to compel the CBN Governor to appear before the Adhoc committee.”

He said under his chairmanship, the committee would continue its work until it gets the demands of Nigerians addressed in accordance with the laws of the land.

Describing the extension as a mere political gimmick to further deceive Nigerians and worsen their economic and social livelihood, Doguwa said the CBN governor must appear before or stand the risk of being arrested on the strength of legislative writs signed by Hon. Speaker on Monday.

 

He also said the policy is capable of frustrating the forthcoming general elections.

” Security agencies and their operations especially at the states level are generally funded through cash advances and direct table payments of allowances to operatives during elections,” he said.

Bauchi Will Support Atiku For Your Educational Development- Gov Bala Mohammed To North East Students

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Bauchi Will Support Atiku For Your Educational Development- Gov Bala Mohammed To North East Students

Bauchi State Governor, His Excellency, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has the Federal Republic of Nigeria will be great with the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar as President.

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Mohammed was speaking at the SIGN-UP of the North East Student Groups for Atiku/Okowa held at Event Center, Bauchi, today where he called on the students to mobilize and vote for Atiku alongside all the Party’s candidates in the forthcoming election.

Governor Bala pledged to support the administration of Atiku Abubakar to strengthen the educational capacity of youth by repositioning the sector through leveraging on ICT for the total transformation that will ensure learning and teaching are made easier to Nigerians.

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) if elected, according to Mohammed, will change the narratives on the numerous challenges Nigerians are struggling with, noting that the education is the best foundation for societal development, hence the need to support Atiku to restore the lost glory of the sector.

Also speaking, the Director of support groups in the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Baraka Sani appreciated the students for endorsing Atiku Abubakar and Governor Bala Mohammed, assuring them that the incoming PDP administration would work assisidiously by investing heavily in education for the benefit of students.

Ikenga Ugochinyere Bags Icon Of Good Governance Award

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Ikenga Ugochinyere Bags Icon Of Good Governance Award

The PDP House of Representatives candidate for Ideato Barrister Ikenga Ugochinyere has been presented with an award by the Youth wing of IMO PDP.

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In a press release signed by the state youth leader Greg Nwadike, the award   ICON OF GOOD GOVERNANCE, VOICE OF NEW GENERATION* For The Year Ended 2022. was presented to Ugochinyere for being The Voice Of The Voiceless In Imo State, And Nigeria At Large, And A True Representation  Of Democracy And Good Governance.

Ugochinyere has been having a running battle with the Imo state government after exposing an alleged plan by the state government to rig the forthcoming election in the country.

He has survived two assassination attempts allegedly orchestrated by an aide to the governor of the state Chinasa Nwaneri.

Two People Killed For Allegedly Selling New Naira Notes In Imo

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Two People Killed For Allegedly Selling New Naira Notes In Imo

Uneasy calm has enveloped afinugwugwu community in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State following the killing of two people by some unknown persons.

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A resident of the area who spoke to our correspondent said the victims who are from the northern part of the country may have been killed for selling the newly designed naira notes

He said  the sale of the new notes at outrageous amount must have angered some persons in the community leading to their death.

According to the source the old one thousand naira note is exchanged for new one hundred naira note and old thirty thousand naira notes are exchanged for new three thousand naira notes.

The rush to beat the previous deadline of January 31 prompted the sale of the new note at such outrageous rate.

However the president on Sunday approved CBN request for an extension which is now February 10 with another one week grace period of February 17 before the old notes will cease to be legal tender in the country.

People With Tortoise Intelligence – By Stephen Ojate

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People With Tortoise Intelligence – By Stephen Ojate

There was one story tale during my childhood which I will never forget till date about the unusual in the animal kingdom. There was severe famine in the world then in which the animals were seriously affected.

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One day, all animal gathered to proffer solution to the ravaging pandemic causing the death of many animals in the forest.  Animals of different species came together to share their thought including tortoise too. In their contributions, tortoise was of the view that the only way out is for them to fly to heaven as God has abundant foodstuff in his abode.  This brilliant suggestion of tortoise was highly accepted by Birds of different kinds.

The tortoise ruminated further that even though they have to fly, he is handicap by lack of feather to fly. The anxious birds further told him not to see lack of feather as an impediment to expedition as they all pledged to contribute a feather each to tortoise to enable him fly along with them. True to the saying of the birds, they contributed feather to tortoise and they all made their journey to heaven. While on their way, Tortoise told the birds that it is will be very better for them to be known by individual name so that when they get to heaven, it will not be difficult for angle of God to identify the individual animal whom each foodstuff belong to.  Tortoise made this suggestion out of its’ craftiness and unknown to other animals, it was highly applauded by Birds and birds of different kind. They begin to identify themselves as Dove, Eagle, Parrot, Owl, Bush fowl etc. Whilst the birds proclaim who they were actually, tortoise declared that it should better be named or known as ‘’All of you’’.

Thus, these names were accepted by the animals on their journey to heaven.  When the animals got there and an angle of God goes into the store and brought the first food for the animals. While delivering it, he said the food belongs to ‘’all of you’’. Without any argument, the animals present all pointed to tortoise that the food belongs to him as he earlier proclaimed to be known as ‘’All of you all’’. Different angles came to deliver different food items and tortoise having proclaimed to be identify as ‘’All of you all’’ keeps on amassing all the food items in its bag.

When it dawn on them that everything was all over without any food item given to any of them other than tortoise, they all demanded for the refund of their individual feather. Their decision was premise on the foolishness the Tortoise has taken them off.

The episode I have narrated above is not totally different from our current experience on the leadership in the country. Our current Leaders are self serving and their attitude is akin to Tortoise. These crops of people do not care about those who elected and supported them into various leadership positions. Will there be any changes, time will tell.  As we match to the polling unit to elect new leaders in the coming next month election, the electorates should make it clear to those who had perform abysmally that power actually belongs to them.

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Stephen Ojate is a public affairs commentator writes from Abuja. He is reachable via phone number and whatsapp number 09075716236

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