.Say, “We will resist him spiritually, legally and physically”

Over a hundred pastors gathered Thursday at the Lifeline Assembly Church, Owerri, which is also the Imo state Secretariat of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), in protest of what they described as arbitrary demolition of churches without due notice or process by the Governor Rochas Okorocha led administration in the state.

Addressing newsmen, the Imo state PFN Chairman, Bishop Maxwell Korie stated that since the inception of Governor Rochas Okorocha’s administration, Pentecostal churches have been demolished with such callousness and impunity as have never been witnessed in the history of Imo state.

According to Bishop Korie, in May alone, 23 Pentecostal churches were destroyed in one day and others have since been added to the long list of demolished Pentecostal churches in Imo state.

The PFN chairman added that the matter was further aggravated by the fact that the churches were given only three days notice before they were demolished.

Said he, “When the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) chairman for the state called the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Eze Madumere on the matter, he reassured him that no such demolition would take place, but unfortunately, that was a ploy to deceive the Church.”

Continuing Korie noted, “We recognize the fact that the government has a duty to build roads, while individuals have the right to shelter and habitation. We are also aware that investment in human capital is the greatest investment of any government, we are therefore shocked that the government of Rochas Okorocha could allow his supposed obligations to override the fundamental human rights of residents of the state.”

Korie gave instances reflecting the arbitrariness of the government: Bishop Steve Gbazie has a church located in a land around Nekede road duly purchased with Certificate of Occupancy and relevant documents and has paid its property rate up to date to 2012. Without notice the church was demolished last Monday, and the church overseer was not even allowed to redeem any property from the church. This was three days after an ‘Alhaji’ told the overseer that the church was marked for demolition in three days.

Similarly, Korie narrated that three days ago two Lebanese had come to the church premises to inform some members of the Lifeline Assembly that the church was marked to be demolished in two days. A day after, Korie observed that Governor Rochas Okorocha himself supervised the marking out of the church for demolition, without any notice or recourse to the pastor of the church.

The visibly agitated Bishop Korie said, “What we are witnessing in Imo state is a government that is involved in absolute absurdity and illegality, without any qualms in trampling on the rights of citizens of the state. We are prepared to spiritually, legally and physically resist the actions of Governor Rochas Okorocha.”

The leadership of PFN while stating that they would not be drawn into believing the rumour of the purported Islamization of the state by Okorocha for political ends, urged Governor Okorocha not to give them reason to begin to give thought to the said rumour.

Korie further noted that efforts to reach the governor had proved abortive as letters and requests for audience with him were all ignored.

However, as the pastors marched in protest to the Imo Government House, the Governor was compelled to give them audience. Addressing the cleric, Okorocha inferred that both government and the churches would have to shift grounds and reach a comfortable compromise. He explained that as development partners, there was need for the government and the PFN to chart points of beneficial collaboration in the development of the state.

The PFN had earlier commended the governor for his infrastructural developmental strides but advised that such developmental efforts must come with a human face.

*galvanizes to upstage crises-ridden APGA

*begins ward sensitization tour

The Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) has fixed its 2014 Anambra state governorship primaries for May next year.

Consequently the party yesterday kick-started its ward and grassroots sensitization tour in the state geared towards upstaging the ruling All progressives Grand Aliance (APGA).

Addressing the mammoth crowd that turned out at the maiden leg of the tour at Oye-Ukpo, headquarters of the council of Dunukofia LGA yesterday, the state chairman of the party, Prince Ken Emeakayi told the members to work hard to ensure a smooth sail back to the Awka Govt House, come 2014.

Smarting from its peaceful midterm congresses which had been acknowledged by the party headquarters as outstanding, Emeakayi noted it’s their mandate to take back the state via the people’s power, and return to their winning ways, through what he tagged “operation deliver your polling booth”.

He lamented that the state’s growth and development has stunted in the last seven years of APGA leadership in the state. The party’s governorship primaries, according to him has been fixed for next six or seven months, that is May or June next year.

Emeakayi reminded the party faithful that they were all the potential delegates to the primary to elect the governorship candidate. They were therefore urged to desist from political prostitution where they canvass for attention of the aspirants, instead of concentrating on their mobilization for the aspirants to be attracted to their industry. He wondered how they expected someone who could not recognize them when in need of their services and assistance would be expected to recognize them when he eventually wins.

The chairman praised the roles of Dr Alex Ekwueme and Prince Arthur Eze in seeing to the restoration of the peace through his executive of the party in the state.

A chieftain, Dr Ramas told the members to remain united, charging them to use the former crisis as a tool with which God cemented the party further. He insisted the need for a far reaching change in the state, pointing out there was yawning gap in youth empowerment and job creation presently.

Prince Eze in his goodwill message presented by Chief Vincent Ilogha, the Ogne of Ukpo, charged the executive not to betray the implicit confidence reposed in them by the members to give a transparent and purposeful leadership.

The Vice Chairman(Central), Amechi Onowu described the commencement of the tours as the beginning of the party’s journey towards recovery of their mandate to return to the Government House and leadership in the state’s legislature.

Contrary to reports by a section of the media, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has not been stopped from arraigning Dr. Wale Babalakin by any court order. The ruling by Justice Mohammed Idris of a Federal High Court, Lagos which many have construed as a restraining order, merely GRANTED LEAVE to the applicant to apply for an order of prohibition preventing the EFCC and the Attorney General of the Federation from going ahead with his arraignment.

This was one of three prayers sought by Babalakin through an ex–parte application. But Justice Idris turned down the two other prayers, which included an order to restrain the respondents from prosecuting the applicant.

Their motion on notice for interlocutory injunction against the EFCC and the AGF is scheduled to be heard on December 12, 2012.

Babalakin was to have been arraigned on Thursday November 30 before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo of a Lagos State High Court, Ikeja on money laundering charges but failed to show up, claiming sudden illness that necessitated his hospitalization at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.

The businessman and four others : Alex Okoh, Stabilini Visioni Limited, Bi-Courtney Limited and Remix Nigeria Limited are facing a 27-count charge for fraudulently transferring various sums of money on behalf of the former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, through third parties to some foreign accounts under the guise of purchasing a Challenger Jet Aircraft.

Justice Onigbanjo has adjourned the case to December 12, 2012.

Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has commiserated with former Head of State, Maj-General Muhammadu Buhari on the death of his eldest daughter, Hajia Zulai.

In a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary, Peter Okhiria, Comrade Oshiomhole said “we learnt with rude shock, the death of your beloved daughter, Hajia Zulai.  I wish to offer my profound condolence and the commiseration of the people and Government of Edo State.

“Our hearts are with you at this very difficult period, as the death of a beloved one can be traumatic.

“While we grieve over her death, we take solace in the fact that she lived a worthy life as a mother, an accomplished economist, a devout Muslim and a hard-working young Nigerian who did not rely on her father’s name and influence to get an upper hand in life, but rather relied on her intellect and hard-work to carve a niche for herself.

“We pray Almighty Allah to grant you and the rest of the Buhari family the courage to endure the loss of Hajia Zulai and also pray for the repose of her soul.”

Bayelsa State government has reaffirmed its commitment to the wellbeing of people living with HIV/AIDS, saying it has made several approvals for their welfare.

Governor Seriake Dickson stated this at a charity football match between the Creek Haven Young Stars and Creek Haven All Stars to mark the 2012 World HIV/AIDS Day at Gloryland Castle field in Government House, Yenagoa.

As part of measures geared towards alleviating the plight of HIV/AIDS victims, Hon. Dickson said government has approved stipends that would be disbursed to them through the State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (BYSACA) on a regular basis.

In demonstration of its seriousness to the fight against the scourge, the Governor noted that his administration was set to purchase test kits as well as intensify efforts at creating awareness about the disease.

According to him, the football event was part of efforts at sensitizing the people on the dangers of HIV/AIDS and expressed concern over the high prevalence rate of the pandemic.

While thanking the organisers of the event for their support, Governor Dickson pointed out that government would continue to use sports as one of the instruments to promote healthy living.

Speaking, Chairman of the occasion, General Owoye Azazi (Rtd) commended the state government for its show of concern for persons living with HIV/AIDS and stressed the need for more campaigns against stigmatization.

In his remarks, the state Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Rtd) encouraged the victims not to despair as their current condition does not mean the end of their lives.

Also speaking, former Super Eagles Coach, Mr. Samson Siasia called for more help for HIV/AIDS victims and concerted efforts to encourage prevention of the disease.

The charity football match, which was keenly contested ended 2 – 1 in favour of the Creek Haven Young Stars.

For the third time, the hearing of the appeal filed by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, challenging the order of an Enugu High Court, restraining him from parading himself as chairman was stalled yesterday.
The matter which came up during the court sitting yesterday could not go on as scheduled by the Enugu division of the Court of Appeal, following a letter addressed to the court by Chudi Obieze, the counsel to the respondent, praying for an adjournment on grounds of ill-health.

The said letter from Obieze was supported with a medical certificate signed by the Chief Medical Director of an Anambra State-owned general hospital, confirming him sick and stating that he would be off for five days, starting from Wednesday, November 28, 2012.
However, counsel to Umeh, Pat Ikwueto (SAN), had while addressing the court on the letter, noted that if the respondent’s lawyer cannot come, he has other lawyers in his chambers and there was no reason why he should not send them to represent him.

He expressed dismay that the delay witnessed in the matter have been detrimental to APGA as a political party and therefore prayed the court to allow him to move his application or rescind all the orders made by the lower court in manifest disregard to rules of the court.
But, in his ruling, the presiding judge, Justice Inyang Okoro, held that the medical certificate tendered by the defendant’s counsel had shown that he is sick and the court cannot disregard that.

“Since the medical certificate stated that he would be off for five days, I suggest that the court should look for a short date,” he noted.

Consequently, the court noted that the motion filed on September 15 and all other motions be adjourned to January 15 and that fresh hearing notices should be issued to the respondent.

On his part, Umeh told reporters that it was clear his opponents were frustrating the hearing of the Court of Appeal, stressing that up till now, the trial judge at the lower court, Justice Innocent Umezuruike, has refused to release his rulings and records of proceedings in court on September 17 and October 8.

“Up till this moment, because we were at his court yesterday and they said he still has not brought out the records. So, the record is under lock by the trial judge and here at the Court of Appeal, all the antics of the respondent are clear, to frustrate the court from hearing the appeal.

“They had to go and bring an Anambra State government hospital report that Chukwudi Obieze is sick and the hands of the Court of Appeal have been tied. So, they know that when you plead that you are sick, human being can take ill and the Court of Appeal can adjourn this matter. When we were here last Thursday when this matter was supposed to come up and the issue of taking new date came up, they were suggesting February 28 which means that they didn’t want this matter to be heard at all,” Umeh said.

He however said in the face of all these, they have to be patient because at the end of the day, no matter how they run around, the truth would remain constant in the matter, adding that even if they finish what they are doing in the lower court, the Court of Appeal would be here to remedy the situation.

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Source: This Day