The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, adjourned the N3billion fraud trial of Ali Bello, nephew of Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello and three others till April 16. Justice Obiora Egwuatu adjourned hearing in the case after ruling on the defendants’ bail applications. The court granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500million each and two sureties in like sum.
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The sureties must reside in Abuja, with identifiable addresses and own landed property worth N500 million within the jurisdiction of the court. They are to further provide evidence of tax payment from 2020 to 20222 and deposit the original title documents in respect of the property with the Registrar of the court. In addition, the defendants are to deposit their international passports with the court and must obtain the permission of the court to travel outside the jurisdiction.
Bello was on February 8, arraigned buy the EFCC alongside Abba Adauda, Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege , Iyadai Sadat and Rashida Bello ( at large) on 18-counts of criminal misappropriation and money laundering to the tune of N3,081,804,654.00( Three Billion, Eighty One Million, Eight Hundred and Four Thousand, Six Hundred and Fifty Four Naira).
Count one of the charge reads “That you, ALI BELLO, ABBA ADAUDU, YAKUBU SIYAKA ADABENEGE, IYADA SADAT, RASHIDA BELLO (at large) sometime in June, 2020 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court procured E- Traders International Limited to retain the aggregate sum of N3,081,804,654.00 (Three Billion, Eighty One Million, Eight Hundred and Four Thousand, Six Hundred and Fifty Four Naira) which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activity to wit: criminal misappropriation, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to sections 18(a), 15(20)(d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under section 15 (3) of the same Act”.
Count 3 reads, “That you, ALI BELLO, ABBA ADAUDU, RASHIDA BELLO (at large) sometime in November, 2021 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court procured E-Traders International Limited to transfer the aggregate sum of $570,330 (Five Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty United States Dollars) to account number no; 426-6644272 domiciled in TD Bank, United States of America, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activity to with: criminal misappropriation, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under section 15 (3) of the same Act”.
Count 17 reads, “That you, ALI BELLO, ABBA ADAUDU, RASHIDA BELLO(at large) between 26th July, 2021-6th April, 2022 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court procured E-Traders International Limited to remove from the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court to account no. 426-664-4272 domiciled in TD Bank, United States of America, the aggregate sum of $570,330 (Five Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty United States Dollars) which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of unlawful activity to wit; criminal misappropriation, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2) ( c ) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under section 15 ( 3 )of the same Act.”
Count 18 reads, “That you, ALI BELLO, ABBA ADAUDU, RASHIDA BELLO(at large) between 26th July 2021 -6th April, 2022 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court procured E-Traders International Limited to remove from the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court to account no. 426-664-4272 domiciled in TD Bank, United States of America, the aggregate sum of $845,852.84 (Eight Hundred and Forty-five Thousand, Eight Hundred and Fifty-two United States Dollars) which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of unlawful activity to wit; criminal misappropriation, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2)(c ) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under section 15 ( 3 ) of the same Act.”
Count down to the general elections this coming Saturday the Coordinator of Ahmed Bola Tinubu Campaign Council in Anambra Sen Margery Chuba Okadigbo spoke to reporters on the final touches and the confidence about victory, Okey Maduforo was there.
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What has been the results of the mobilization that you have been carrying out in the state?
Like you know, or maybe you don’t know, but we politicians know that everything in politics is about numbers. When you talk about numbers it has to do with the people who make up those numbers. The showing at the rally from where we started, we call it a humble beginning and the outing we had during the rally has shown me that we are on the rise and that the APC Anambra state is in the recovery path.
So with that enthusiasm and that feeling of accomplishment among party members and party faithfuls in Anambra state, I believe that come 25th February that also would be replicated in about 5,700 plus polling units in Anambra state.
You also have the ten man canvassers that are going you are going to use what I formed that?
Of course like you know, no matter how popular anybody is, you are going to be on that day stationed at your polling units and that is where it happens. There is no way even as a State Coordinator, I will be in all those polling units on that day.
Just like Presidential candidate cannot be in all the 774 local government areas in the country. So you need people, you need agents like the word is used and that person that would be you in your absence can also have those polling agents on that day.
There is this feeling that since Anambra has a Presidential candidate it would be a difficult task for the APC?
That is question that is very relative and that is the reason why I said that it is very relative because when you it down to the house hold where there is a smart kid the rest of the children will not go to school when I have six children.
Everyone will attend school and everyone would come out with different report cards.
No how are the parents will begin to complement or reward that child is also relative. So we are not going to because of that fold our hands. We shall a go to that polling unit and we shall go to that battle field and everybody would work for his or her own and no one is going to shy away at all.
We had rallies and it was a success. The constitution of this country made it explicit that you are free to belong to any Political party and free to support any candidate of his or her choice and it did not say that we all should belong to one party or support one candidate.
That is the way it is and that is our human right as citizens of this country.
Looking at the security challenges in the South East do you expect a free fair and credible conduct of the election?
How confident are you that if you shut your door and windows that you will not fall victim to thieves. We do not pray for violence on that day and we are hoping for the best and we are hoping that on that day of election and after that election it would all be free and fair without incidents that you are talking about.
We commit all to prayers and I believe firmly that if you will something God in his infinite mercy would grant you that request that you prayed for.
Even those that entertain fears of voter apathy should not be discouraged and don’t forget elections would be taking place at the various wards. At the ward level we all know each other and at the ward level it is more like family reunion, like tales by moon light where everyone is outside their hurts and telling their own story and you want your own laughter to be heard lauder than the next hamlet . So I believe that it is local and people would do what I call friendly match
The issue of naira redesigning appears to have been targeted at your candidate Tinubu what is your take on that?
I don’t question or challenge the policies of government. It is well intended and fine but I feel that the timing was not so right. You cannot because you want to target one person and for others to suffer. Because it is not everyone that is a politician. Some are artisans, traders and people who deal on day to day business that are paid on daily bases.
Even at the construction site the man who carries cement on his head or mixture at the site wants to be paid his duly wage. So it is not targeted at anyone so to speak and that is my own understanding of it.
Everybody is involved and everybody is feeling the pains. So why would you think that government deliberately do that because it wants to chase one person and suffer everyone?
When change comes, change is always the problem and people resist change but would it be good be good in a long run?
The problem however is the timing of the implementation and that is where people beginning to think that it is poorly introduced. I don’t see change as something that comes easy so it is not about our candidate Bola Tinubu.
Yet another general election is coming and the South East has always lost out to the government at the center are you fore seeing that?
Well sadly I must say and this is in all honesty the problem of South East has been leadership. If you have the right leadership this problems will not arise.
We have to deviate from leaders who are selfish, leaders who are seeking for their own self-interest then you will have better followership. So you direct people to where the Journey is heading to and tell them the truth so that they would always believe you and have confidence in your leadership.
But when you chose to go about it with the style of not being open to them about what you are doing, then you would always get right.
When I started as the state Coordinator for the campaign council I made it clear that I am not going to sit in Abuja, come back to Ogbunike ward 1 to do magic clear everybody. No! You must get everyone involved and at the end of the day it boils down to the same thing as the grassroots movement and it is organic.
Coming to what you said earlier the South West would at every general election divide themselves along the three major political parties and so does the other geopolitical zones.
So whatever happens they have stakeholders who are playing deep in the government of the day. But not in our own case where we play the lone ranger status to our own peril.
Key political positions are given to those that delivered while we manage the ones that we can get and at the end we come back to the usual cry of marginalization.
But in this election we are sure of the twenty five percent spread out even more and that is what we need to be key players in the new government.
What does the South East stand to benefit with Bola Tinubu as President of Nigeria?
Well I will only say one thing. When you look at our Presidential candidate Ahmed Bola Tinubu you look at track record of what he has done.
Our people in Igbo land say that he that has human beings is greater than he that has wealth and Tinubu has this as a policy.
So with Tinubu as President of Nigeria the South East should be rest assured that they would form the strong hold of his government and you know that as governor of Lagos state Tinubu empowered our people a lot in government positions and he doesn’t care if you are Igbo or Hausa Fulani because he believes in people and getting people together for good and the South East playing major roles in the socioeconomic development of this country would not be left out and that I can assure you.
A serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Emeh Nnamdi Daniel, has been declared wanted in Anambra State over offences unlawful possession of a firearm, money laundering, defamation of character, fraud, and impersonation.
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The Spokesperson of the Anambra State Police Command, DSP Ikenga Tochukwu announced this in a statement issued to newsmen in Awka on Monday.
According to him, the 26-year-old corps member, with State Code Number AN/22A/3323, is serving with the State Police Command as his Place of Primary Assignment (PPA). He added that suspect is “positively identified, involved/mentioned in an ongoing investigation in the Command.”
He appealed to the members of the public who have vital any information about the whereabouts of Mr. Daniel to report to the nearest police station or contact the PPRO, even as he assured of guaranteed confidentiality and protection of the informant’s identity.
The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed a fresh attack on one of its facilities by unidentified gunmen.
The gunmen, in the early hours of Monday, attacked the Awada Police Station in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state, barely 24 hours after six other gunmen were gunned down by police operatives as they attempted to attack a Divisional Police Headquarters at Nkwelle-Ezunaka.
Confirming the Monday attack, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Ikenga Tochukwu said the gunmen arrived at about 2.am with different kinds of arms and ammunition.
He said, “Today, 20/02/2023, at about 02:20 am, gunmen, suspected to be IPOB/ESN attacked Awada Police Station in Idemilli North L.G.A. of Anambra State using Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and automatic firearms.
“In response to the attack, police operatives attached to Anambra State Command engaged the assailants jointly with troops from 302 Artillery Regiment of the Nigeria Army, in a gun duel and three members of the outlawed IPOB/ESN were fatally wounded while three Kalashnikov rifles and one Automatic Pump Action gun were recovered from them. Other items recovered from the assailants include a brown Lexus 330 with reg. no. GWA 415BB ABJ, one unregistered KYMCO motorcycle suspected to be stolen properties, charms and other incriminating items.”
He also revealed that two males suspected to be part of the gunmen were captured alive by the security operatives, while four police officers paid the supreme.
“During a mop-up operation by police/military operatives, two male suspects reasonably believed to have participated in the attack were apprehended. Regrettably, four police operatives paid the supreme price while a section of the station, one police patrol vehicle and three exhibit vehicles parked in the premises were set ablaze by petrol bombs thrown into the station by the assailants,” he said.
DSP Tochukwu also explained the Commissioner of Police CP Echeng E. Echeng has visited and conducted spot assessments on the scene, after which he ordered the immediate deployment of all the Command’s operational/investigative assets to track down fleeing members of the murderous gang.
According to him, the Police Commissioner further appealed to residents of Awada and the good people of Anambra State to remain calm as the police, in collaboration with sister agencies, will not rest on its oars until the criminal elements tormenting the state are brought to justice.
Barely 24 hours after six gunmen were neutralized by the operatives of the Anambra State Police Command during an attack on a police facility in the state, gunmen have again attacked another police station in the state.
The attack, which occured in the early hours of Monday happened at Awada police station in Onitsha area of the state.
It was gathered that the gunmen who stormed the station in cars, came in their numbers, armed with with petrol bombs and other kinds of weapons, with which they launched attack on the police facility.
Although, the exact number of casualties is yet to ascertained, reports say that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and two other officers attached to the station paid the supreme price during the attack, while three of the unknown gunmen were also neutralized by the police.
A resident of the area who pleaded anonymity also alleged that the gunmen set the station on fire after carting away guns and ammunition therein.
Another resident of the area revealed that the security operatives also caught two of the gunmen alive after killing three of them.
The source said, “It was terrible last night for people living close to Awada police station, it’s as if war has come close to us. Gun shot nobi here, different sound nawaa ooo
“This morning, I inquire that the unknown gunmen invaded the station, set some part of the station on fire, kill three policeman which included DPO Isiowulu police station, newly recruited constable and one inspector.
“With the help of the military men that surface, Police were able to kill three of the gunmen, capture two red-handed.”
Confirming the attack, the Press Secretary to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Mr. Christian Aburime, in a statement titled, “End of the road for another gang of murderers and arsonists” said two AK 47 and vehicles used for the failed operation were recovered.
He said, “Again, in the early hours of today 20/02/23 these evil people, arsonist and murderers (UGM), made another deadly attempt to burn down Awada Police Station, near Obosi, Anambra State.
“They were repelled by gallant security personnel with 3 members of the gang taken down after exchange of gun battle
“Two AK 47 were recovered with the vehicles used for the failed operation by the gang.”
Howebeit, the reactions of the Police Public Relations Officer of the state, DSP Ikenga Tochukwu on the attack could not be gotten, as his number was yet to connect as at the time of this publication.
Information reaching 247ureports.com indicates another tragedy has struck the police in Anambra State.
Another Police office was killed by unknown gunmen in the early morning hours of Monday. The police officer was the DPO at Awada police station Idemili North LGA in Anambra.
It’s on May 29, 2023, Bauchi State Governor, Sen. Bala Muhammed, must have exhausted his four-year mandate pursuant to Section (182)(1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and set to transfer the baton of power if he absents himself from participating in the 2023 gubernatorial election to complete a second term as a right. Many wish it to be a scenario of jubilation of transfer of power from outgoing Governor Bala Muhammed who served with passion to incoming determined and experienced Sen. Bala Abdulkadir Muhammed of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
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Arguably, his present third-term score shows a sustained political momentum spiced with unquantifiable delivered service across the state.
In fact, it can be argued that Bauchi State has the most proficient administration from the era of Abubakar Tatari Ali, with Governor Bala who pigheadedly pulled down the monster called godfatherism that caused a friction between self-appointed fraud and tricksters referred to as godfathers branded as political juggernauts that trade on people’s right, loyalty, ignorance and privilege.
It was a tough and rough battle between him and the self-appointed, godfathers for the control of Bauchi State Government Affairs that he was mandated by the majority to handle.
They claimed to have supported him to victory at the time of need, but failed to state the quantum of claimed support as a proof. In all honesty, were they a disappointed group in search of political base for 2023 or was Bala Muhammed not bold and courageous enough to have even agreed to accommodate them in his campaign train for cover? Was he an orphan in the gubernatorial race or they were stranded politicians without a parking space having parted ways with their party and the serving Mayor of that time?
No doubt, by the 1999 Constitution, all candidates for the 2023 gubernatorial election may be prima facie qualified, having attained the mandatory age of 35 years as stipulated. However, looking at the interest of the state, many may not satisfactorily fit the bill. The interest of the state should override personal interests as Governor Bala Muhammed is pursuing with vigor and adjudged the Messiah of the State on a rescue mission that gives his detractors sleepless nights and night mares.
How to sustain the enviable strides recorded over the few years should be the utmost priority of the people not to allow themselves turned into guinea pigs for political laboratory tests of the greedy and their shylock associates pounding the landscape trading falsehood and fake credentials.
The State needs a real patriot who believes in service not to be served. Who has listening ears not the issuing order type with military command as if the people are those barrack boys on sentry duty. Who respects the people’s wish and not seen and rated in behavior as a zombie, and not one who failed to secure Nigerian nation from the beastly insurgents despite the deployed manpower and resources.
Of course, opposition candidates’ should indicate that they have individually recorded significant accomplishments in their respective vacations and must have contributed in one way or the other to the development of the state they jostle to govern as some lack even personal residences anywhere within the state to claim until they joined the gubernatorial race to cover shame and still swimming in the fool’s paradise erroneously believing to be more indigenous than the original indigenes.
Those that aspired on the platforms of opposition parties particularly the APC to occupy a not-to-be-vacant Bauchi Government House in 2023, and to be fair to Dr. Musa Babayo and Farouk Mustapha who were most qualified for the APC ticket but corruptly defeated and served in different capacities at different times, and exited with honor as a good ambassadors of Bauchi State just as Governor Bala Muhammed exited the federal civil service, the senate and ministerial position as an accomplished servant with stamped foot-prints on the sands of time with unblemished record.
The Pearl of Tourism as baptized with its enviable accomplishments brought in by Governor Bala Muhammed has already set a standard that must be sustained. Presently, all the States in the Northeast sub-region are looking up to Bauchi State as the pacesetter in infrastructural development from the account of good governance. In other words, Bauchi State electorates must resist egocentrism and extreme political intrigues in 2023 as a shield to the interest of their state from slipping into the hands of tourists and undertakers now masquerading as gubernatorial candidates.
The people should in unison with patriotic zeal endorse the continuity project of Bala Muhammed model of governance that has a proven managerial capacity and capability combined while managing the capital and human resources creditably targeted at robust economic growth and contemporary innovations. Nothing beats administrative experience and capacity and courage to lead. Short and long term economic development cannot be attained by embryonic struggles the type on display by political neophytes jostling to replace a performing indigene for a hidden agenda against the interest of the fast-tracked state.
Looking at the 2023 candidates, apart from the PDP candidate, none of them excelled one way or the other way positively. And unfortunately, some of them are lacking in character, public relations and experience. In fact, only few are generous and philanthropic with the large heart to extend assistance and support to others. Some have supported and still supporting the less privileged in their localities while some are jokers deploying deceitful mechanisms to access power.
Governor Bala Muhammed can rightly be described as a philanthropist in his class who gives and support without a request at the most appropriate time as a personal bond. The good gesture of Bala Muhammed knows no bound and ought to be commended and appreciated for emulation.
In private enterprise, some have chains of businesses running to their credit but contributing nothing positively to either the development of the state or the localities they claim to belong without ancestral history.
There is no doubt to the fact that the Pearl of Tourism is endowed with high class intellectuals, accomplished technocrats, seasoned politicians and Board Room Managers laying waste without extending their positive impacts on the people. Governor Bala is left at the scene to bear the brunt of leadership while burning the midnight oil to develop the state to an appreciable standard and for pride of all but not appreciated by his detractors and traducers left wandering hoping against hope as usual.
Taking a critical look at the standard of development the State has attained within just few years vis-à-vis economic growth, human capital and provision of infrastructure and healthcare delivery under preceding administrations at State and National levels, it follows that through all the contenders scored highly in their respective personal endeavor, many are not sufficiently equipped to step into the big shoes to be bequeathed the state by Bala Muhammed in 2027.
To call a spade a spade, Bauchi State Government House is a big shoe yearning for a strong leg in terms of managerial skills otherwise it will drop in value, respect and worth. The space cannot be properly occupied with mere private business acumen, philanthropic activities or military activism but proficiency in corporate governance and economic spheres as opined by a public affairs commentator and corporate governance strategist, Suleyman Ahmed Malami.
There’s a great difference between steering a private business after retirement, leading a short changed and demoralized troop to theatre of war that encountered more casualties than success and governing a complex state like Bauchi.
Contributing to the debate, a onetime close associate of the de-robed Chief of Air staff and APC 2023 gubernatorial candidate, Group Captain Ahmad Musa (Rtd), who served as Nigeria’s Deputy Defence Attache’ at the Gulf Region, described Air Marshall Sadeeq Baba Abubakar as unfit for public trust which should serve as a warning to those hovering around the over ambitious politician for 2023 daylight dream of governing an already progressing Bauchi State.
How he managed the Nigerian Air force for over five years is a story for another day. Then Dr. Musa Babayo and Hon. Farouk Mustapha that had belonged to the APC were Trojan horses far better than the sacked Chief of Air Staff for the 2023 gubernatorial flag with the capacity to perform wonders against a lone ranger in the PDP stable not an opportunist loaded on the party through fraud and bribes.
By his experience and ranking, Governor Bala Muhammed expectedly should be in the frontline for the exalted office of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, whether by rotational arrangement or competence. In other words, Bala’s 2019 offer to govern his state was cheered as a height of humility and concern to the welfare of the people forced into quandary, abject poverty and a bleak future full of uncertainties accumulated over the years.
A national figure of repute with requisite political clout for national leadership, he was in 2019 pursued to aspire to govern his ancestral home state out of underdevelopment characterized by clueless and inept leadership, what an archetype. By his body language, Governor Bala Muhammed’s message to the society is that of ‘charity must begin at home in service’. Thus, 2023 is not the time for ‘it’s our turn: ‘Bauchi South, North or Central’ at the expense of merit because Bala belongs to all.
The dangerous temptation Bauchi State must doggedly resist is not to allow the big fish that providentially entered into their net escape carelessly until 2027. If Bala is allowed to escape at this crucial period of the state’s progress, that will be a curse and suicidal to human development and the aggressive development of the state that has since May 29, 2019 commenced with dexterity and passion.
Ohanaeze Youth Council, OYC says it is aware of the ongoing dirty, secret deal between the Governor of Ebonyi State and Justice Mabel Taiye Segun- Bello, in his bid to retain the operation of Ebubeagu in the State, inspite of the recent Court’s order, which abolished the security outfit.
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The Apex Socio-cultural youth organization of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), says it has uncovered a concluded plot by Justice Mabel TAIYE Segun-Bello of Federal High Court Abakiliki- Court 2, in connivance with Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State, to disobey the court’s injunction, which called for the disbandment of Ebubeagu Security Network, in the State.
Ohanaeze Youth Council reveals that Justice Bello is allegedly negotiating on taking a whopping ransom from Gov David Umahi in order to grant Stay of Execution on the operation Ebubeagu, an outfit, that has, according to the body, murdered over five(5000) thousand Ebonyians “since Gov David Umahi launched this murderous security outfit.”
The Council in a statement, signed by her National President, Comrd. Igboayaka O. Igboayaka and issued to the Media, reminded Justice Taiye Segun-Bello about the gruesome murder of Mr. Nnaogo Ajali, of Amarameze Umobor Akaeze, in Ivo Local Government Area and Mr. Onyekachi Okor (aka Elueke) of Umuoji Umobor Akaeze, all in Ebonyi State.
“Justice Taiye. Segun-Bello should bear in mind that Ebubeagu tortured and murdered Mr. Nnaogo Ajali, from Amarameze Umobor Akaeze in Ivo local government & Mr. Onyekachi Okor(aka Elueke) from Umuoji Umobor Akaeze whom Ebube Agu and thousands other Igbo Youths killed in a cold blood.
However, the Council regretted that Hon. Justice Fatun Odohi Riman, was transferred soon after delivering the said judgement which did not favour the APC led government of Gov David Umahi, an act which the body described as “suspicious” and an alleged handiwork of the latter.
“Justice Segun-Bello should be aware that Ohanaeze Youth Council and indeed Igbo youths all Over the world are closely monitoring her conspiracy with Gov David Umahi to grant Stay of Execution on the Disbandment of Ebubeagu Security outfit against a Court’s verdict, as delivered by Hon Justice Fatun Odohi Riman on 14th February 2023, declaring Ebubeagu an illegal Security outfit.
And regrettably, Hon. Justice Fatun Odohi Riman, has been transferred immediately after delivering the judgement.”
Continuing, Igboayaka bemoaned that: “It’s very suspicious that the transfer of Hon. Justice Fatun Odohi Riman of federal High Court-1 Abakiliki was manipulated by Gov David Umahi as he is searching for a corrupt Judge that will Grant Stay of Execution on the Disbandment of Ebube Agu security outfit.
“It is indeed a betrayal of trust bestowed upon the Judiciary, that Justice Taiye Segun-Bello, one of the most respected human rights Judges, in a matter she didn’t hear, but hastly trying to Grant Stay of Execution on Disbandment of Ebubeagu, a security outfit that have severally abused and violated fundamental Human Rights in Ebonyi State under the executive rascality of Gov David Umahi and Legislative impunity, in connivance with the mediocrity of Hon. Francis Nwifuru, the Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, who is currently running for the office of the Governor, under the All Progressives Congress, APC”, he added.
Ohanaeze Youth Council therefore advice Justice Taiye Segun- Bello to cease from further negotiation that would result in collecting an incentive, whatsoever from Gov David Umahi to grant the said Stay of Execution.
“Fortunately, Ohanaeze Youth Council has monitored and discovered that Justice Taiye Segun-Bello has been flying in the same private Jet with Gov David Umahi and has been lodging at Osborn La-palm Royal Resort along Kpirikpiri road Abakiliki, a hotel owned by Gov David Umahi. Meanwhile, Justice Taiye Segun-Bello lodging in Gov Umahi’s Hotel has raised suspicions to the general public, that she has betrayed her ethnical conduct as a Judge.
“Justice Taiye Segun-Bello should steer clear from the case of Disbandment of Ebubeagu by a competent Court; she should, as a matter of urgency desist from executing the dirty job Gov David Umahi has contracted her to do, otherwise she is invoking the wrath of Igbo youths and of course, she will have drawn a battle line which she definitely cannot contend with, if otherwise.
“We, therefore, draw the attention of Inspector General of Police and the Director-General of Department of State Services, DSS to caution and investigate Justice Taiye Segun-Bello over her political romance with Gov. David Umahi, as regards her concluded plans to Grant stay of Execution on Ebubeagu Disbandment. This is in order to pave the way for Governor David Umahi to use the Outlawed Ebube Agu to intimidate, harass and kill his political opponents during the conduct of 2023 general election.
Furthermore, the Igbo youth leader said: “We want to emphasize that Governor David Umahi’s plans to use Ebubeagu on a election day means a “Pool of Blood” in Ebonyi State, and he has contracted Justice Taiye Segun- Bello to achieve his selfish desire against innocent Ebonyians who are already leaving in the fear of the known. And he must be stopped.
“Justice Taiye Segun-Bello must Safe her impeccable judicial career now, or be ready to contend with over 50 million Igbo youths”, Comrade Igboayaka warned.
The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been drawn to a report circulating in the social media, claiming that operatives of the Commission raided the home of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, standard-bearer of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the forthcoming presidential elections and recovered a humongous sum of N400billion.
The Commission wishes to state that no such operation was carried out by the EFCC. The public is enjoined to disregard the report as fake news.
Brazil, Russia, India and China originally formed the bloc in 2009 after a series of meetings and understandings. The first BRIC Summit was held in Yekaterinburg, Russia on June 16 of the same year, where the heads of states in question agreed to strengthen dialogue and cooperation between them.
The following year, in Brasilia, Brazil in April 2010, the second Summit was held, where the leaders of these countries emphasized the necessity of a multidimensional global intergovernmental system.
Then, at their third meeting in New York in September 2010, the BRICs agreed on the entry of South Africa. South Africa managed to join after a strong effort as a result of its active foreign policy, this coalition of states changing it from “BRIC” to “BRICS”.
At the Fourth Summit in March 2012 in New Delhi, India, a first announcement was made of the establishment of a New Development Bank (NDB), which was formalized at their Fifth Summit in Durban, South Africa in 2013, with the clear intention of independence of BRICS by the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the US and the European Union. The agreement for its establishment, after resolving disputes over organizational issues, was finally reached in 2014, during the sixth BRICS meeting in Fortaleza, Brazil.
The BRICS countries comprise 40% of the world’s population, which amounts to over 3.1 billion people. BRICS co-exists countries with different degrees of development and different strategies.
Brazil is the largest country in South America, both in population (about 213 million) and in area, since it occupies 1/3 of South America by itself. It is also the fourth richest country in the Americas in terms of GDP. However, it does not have the appropriate infrastructure (inadequate road and rail network, inadequate port infrastructure, etc.) and in combination with extreme economic inequality (1 in 4 citizens lives in absolute poverty) do not allow it to emerge as a economic superpower. According to the World Competitiveness Index of the World Economic Forum, Brazil ranked 108th among 137 economies in 2017 in terms of the general quality of its infrastructure. Corruption scandals are also present in the country. Brazil deals with regional issues.
Russia, which is the world’s largest transcontinental country of global influence and a large economy, also possesses the largest nuclear arsenal on the planet and enormous military power, which it has used in Syria and now in Ukraine. Russia provides the best standard of living for its residents, compared to the rest of the BRICS countries, with 3.5% of GDP spent on education and 3.1% on public health. The number of residents living below the poverty line amounts to just 0.2% of its population. The Russian economy suffers, however, from the critical problem of corruption-which exists in all countries to a greater or lesser degree-as well as from the significant lack of banking infrastructure, due to insufficiently developed financial markets, difficulty in obtaining loans and limited investment options.
India is an emerging world power with an ever-growing economy. It is currently the fifth largest economy in the world based on its GDP, while its territory is home to the second largest population in the world, after that of China, reaching close to 1.4 billion people. The country’s GDP growth has been among the highest in the world over the past decade, achieving an annual growth of between 6-7%. However, India has one of the lowest per capita incomes in the world, while facing huge social problems at home due to poverty. India has the lowest percentages of GDP spent on education and health among the BRICS, at 2.7% and 1.2% respectively. India is regionally oriented.
China, which is home to 1.4 billion people, is expanding rapidly with economic penetration in Asia, Latin America, Africa and other regions of the world. It is the economic giant of the East with an annual growth rate of 6.6%, thus threatening the economic primacy of the USA. China has been the world’s leading exporter since 2014. At the same time, China, although it is the second largest economy in the world, remains a middle-income country as its per capita income is still only about a quarter of that of countries with high income and about 375 million Chinese live below the poverty line of $5.50 a day. Finally, corruption appears at particularly high rates.
South Africa, due to its geographical position at the southern tip of the continent, which gives it access to two oceans, is a hub country. South Africa is China’s largest trading partner in Africa. At the same time, hundreds of Chinese companies, both state-owned and private, are currently active in the country. South Africa’s economy is the second largest on the African continent behind Nigeria’s. It has natural wealth in gold, silver and coal but also one of the highest rates of inequality in the world. The richest 10% of the population owns about 71% of the net wealth, while the bottom 60% owns 7% of the net wealth. It is a country with particular political weight in Africa as the only African member state of the G20 group, which, however, needs a reform effort for its further economic development.
The BRICS are, therefore, the opposing camp of the West, whether this is expressed politically, by the US-Anglo-Saxon countries-European Union alliance, or militarily, with NATO, or economically, with the international economic organizations of American origin, such as the IMF, the World Bank or the World Trade Organization. The bloc’s strategic direction is close cooperation to effectively and successfully counter the US-dominated international financial architecture.
After fifteen years, during which many questioned the viability of the scheme, the existing global balances lead to the enlargement of the bloc. Many countries have expressed their desire to become members of BRICS, such as Argentina, Egypt, Venezuela, Mexico, Iran, Vietnam, Bangladesh and others.
In closing, I would like to emphasize that the agenda of the BRICS, which have succeeded in consolidating their position on the global political and economic scene, leads to the reduction of the dominance of the USA and the Western world in general and to the establishment of a new multipolar reality.
Curriculum vitae
Isidoros Karderinis was born in Athens in 1967. He is a novelist, poet and columnist. He studied economics and completed postgraduate studies in tourism economics. His articles have been published in newspapers, magazines and websites around the world. His poems have been translated into English, French and Spanish and published in poetic anthologies, literary magazines and literary newspaper columns. He has published eight books of poetry and three novels in Greece. His books have been translated and published in the United States, Great Britain, Italy and Spain.
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