NJC shortlists 29 for Supreme Court judges, ignores SANs

The Federal Judicial Service Commission may have again shunned lawyers, including Senior Advocates of Nigeria, from its ongoing recruitment process to fill six Supreme Court vacancies.

It was gathered that a total of 23 lawyers, including eight SANs, applied for the position.

Despite that the position was open to legal practitioners with at least 15 years post-call experience, as stipulated by Section 231(3) of the 1999 constitution (as amended), only judges of the Court of Appeal made the provisional shortlist.

According to documents made available to the newsmen on Saturday, one of the documents showed that 29 judges of the Court of Appeal, drawn from five geopolitical zones, made the list. The North-Central had five; North-West, five; South-South, five; South-West, five while the South-East had the highest, with nine candidates.

 According to the document, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Tanko Muhammad, who also serves as Chairman of the FJSC, requested the nomination of suitable candidates for consideration “to fill six present and potential vacancies at the Supreme Court” in a January 19, 2022 letter to critical stakeholders, including the Nigerian Bar Association.

Meanwhile, in response to the CJN’s request, the NBA subsequently forwarded the names of the 23 lawyers who expressed interest in being called to the bench of the apex court to the FJSC for consideration.

The applicants from the bar included Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN); Mrs Joy Okungbowa (SAN); Mrs Miannaya Essien (SAN); Mr Chukwugekwu Ezenwa (SAN); Mr Itoyah Otaru (SAN); Mr Edwin Obiorah (SAN); Mr Abugu Oromafunu (SAN) and Mr Mahmud Adesina (SAN).

Others were Mr Ogbemudia Omoregie; Mr Stanley Princewill; Mr Udochukwu Ezeani; Mr Ayoola Akande; Mr Kadir Temim; Mr Ujah Oyiwona; Mr Omokhuwa Giwa; Mr Achara Ezekwesiri; Mr Adolor Onorieukuhakpo; Mr Ademola Alabi; Mr Nuraddeen Ayagi; Mr Salisu Shuaibu; Mr Enya Nwocha; Mr Ademi-Akpeto Awolowo and Mr Adelekan Ajayi.

However, in a latest development, another letter, dated June 13, by the Chairman of the NBA Judiciary Committee, Dr Babatunde Ajibade (SAN), to his colleagues showed that only judges of the Court of Appeal were shortlisted while all the lawyers were sidelined, which is a continuation of the tradition of elevating only Appeal Court judges to the apex court.

From the North-Central, the names of the judges who made the provisional shortlist include Justices Jummai Sankey, Stephen Adah, Sa’idu Hussain, Ridwan Abdullahi and Mohammed Idris.

In the North-West, the shortlisted judges include Justices Ali  Gumel, Tani Hassan, Mohammed  Shuaibu, Jamilu Tukur and Balkisu  Aliyu.

From the South-East, the successful applicants are Justices Uzoamaka Ndukwe-Anyanwu, Chidiebere Uwa, Chioma Nwosu-Iheme, Theresa Orji-Abadua, Obande Ogbuinya, Uchechukwu Onyemenam, Onyekachi Otisi, Ugochukwu Ogakwu and Kenneth Amadi.

In the South-South geopolitical zone, Justices Moore Adumein, Biobele Georgewill, Frederick Oho, Abimbola Obaseki-Adejumo and Ebiowei Tobi made the list.

In the South-West, Justices Oyebisi Omoleye, Tunde Omotoye, Habeeb Abiru, Peter Olabisi Ige and Joseph Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole made the list.

The letter asked lawyers who had comments and/or reservations over their suitability or otherwise to send them to the association’s national secretariat no later than Monday, June 27, 2022.

But in a swift reaction to the development and the fact that no lawyer made the provisional list again, the NBA’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Rapulu Nduka, told The PUNCH on Saturday  that it was unfortunate that lawyers were asked to indicate interest but none were shortlisted.

He added, “We intend to ask more questions on why no lawyer was shortlisted, because we don’t want to speculate. Prior to this time, it’s been for judges to rise through the cadre to the Supreme Court bench and there have been arguments either way.

“The constitution does not say that only judges from the Court of Appeal should go to the Supreme Court. The constitution says once you have 15 years post-call experience, you are qualified to be a Supreme Court judge, but when you look at the convention; the way things are being done, there may be reasons why this has not been done all this while.

“The other side to it is that lawyers who come in from practice are most times people who have shown themselves to be good practitioners. That would also inject some balance into the system. Definitely, somebody who is in the field of practice will see things from another perspective.

“The bottom line is that we want to ask more questions to know why that happened. Like I said, I don’t want to speculate.”

Nduka expressed hope that lawyers would someday be called to the Supreme Court bench or that of the Appeal Court, given the balance it would create.

Court denies Ekweremadu, wife bail in London, case adjourns until July 7

A magistrate’s court in London has denied bail to Senator Ike Ekweremadu and his wife Beatrice over charges on trafficking a 15-year-old Lagos boy with the intention to harvest his organ.

The arrest was announced by the London Metropolitan Police on Thursday, with officials saying the couple would be charged promptly before a court in Uxbridge.

Mr Ekweremadu appeared before a magistrate on Thursday afternoon and was denied bail. The case was subsequently adjourned until July 7, after the child involved was identified as a homeless 15-year-old from Lagos, Arise TV reported.

Uche Anichukwu, a spokesman for Mr Ekweremadu, confirmed that his principal had been held in the UK.

UK Police arrest Ekweremadu, wife for child trafficking, organ harvesting

Former Senate Deputy President, Dr. Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice have been detained by the Specialist Crime Team of the Metropolitan Police in London.

According to Sky News, the two suspects were arrested for alleged conspiracy to harvest the organs of a child.

But the child has been taken into protective custody.

The media organisation reported that, the two people have been charged with conspiring to bring a child to the UK in order to harvest organs, the Metropolitan Police said.

“Beatrice Nwanneka Ekweremadu, 55, and Ike Ekweremadu, 60, have been remanded in custody and will appear at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court today.

“Charges were brought against the pair, who are from Nigeria, following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police’s Specialist Crime team.

“A child has now been safeguarded.

“The investigation was launched after detectives were alerted to potential offences under modern slavery legislation in May 2022, the force said.”

BREAKING: APC, PDP lose senators to LP and NNPP

Two senators, Dauda Jika representing Bauchi Central, and Ezenwa Francis Onyewuchi, Imo East have defected to the Labour Party and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) respectively.

Their move was contained in a statement signed by Ezrel Tabiowo, a media aide to Senate President Ahmed Lawan, who said the duo wrote to his principal informing him about their defections.

In the letter, Senator Jika wrote, “I hereby wish to notify you of my defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) whose ideals are in line with my political aspirations,” 

On the other hand, he said Onyewuchi’s move to the Labour Party followed the lawmaker’s consultations with his family and constituents.

“I wish to inform Mr. President and a distinguished Senators of my defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the Labour Party,” the statement quoted the Imo lawmaker as telling Senator Lawan in a letter.

“This is after due consultation with my family, constituents and supporters. This will enable me to participate fully in the movement for a new Nigeria.”

With the most recent defection, the number of APC Senators is now pegged at 66 while those in the minority parties stand at 43.

“The minority parties in the Senate are presently five in number as of Wednesday, June 22nd, 2022,” the statement added.

“They are the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Young People’s Party (YPP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and Labour Party (LP).”

Buhari is fueling secessionist agitation in South-East - Ohanaeze

The apex Igbo sociocultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has accused President Mohammadu Buhari, as the person fanning the ember of secessionist agitation in the South-East Nigeria by refusing to extend justice to all and sundry.

The Igbo sociocultural group also disclosed that Buhari’s request to international partners, especially the United States (U.S.) and the United Kingdom (UK) to take additional steps to proscribe the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist organisation is unachievable.

President Buhari, in an interview with Bloomberg, had pleaded with Nigeria’s international partners, especially the United States (U.S.) and the United Kingdom (UK) to also block the group (IPOB) from the international financial network. 

But in a statement in Enugu by spokesman of Ohanaeze, Alex Ogbonnia, the group said: “The request by Mr. President to the West is most unachievable because the West watch with keen interest and utter resignation the pathetic governance paradigm in the country.

“For the avoidance of doubt, democracy all over the world requires justice, equity, mutual toleration and institutional forbearance all of which are in short supply in today Nigeria.

“Mr. President is reminded that the British profound sense of justice, fortitude, restraint, civic virtues and forbearance are the hallmarks that sustain their enviable government with an unwritten constitution. In a similar vein, what sustains the US democracy is not just the constitution but democratic norms and values anchored on justice and patriotism.”

The group explained that IPOB began the agitations for a state of Biafra because of the marginalisation and the height of injustice meted to the South-East and its people under the leadership of President Buhari.

It added: “What, I think, the IPOB is asking for is very clear: Treat us as partners in the Nigerian project or allow us to go.

“On the other hand, how can one explain the obvious lopsidedness in the appointment of military and paramilitary personnel to head the followings organisations with little or no South-East considerations; Nigerian Army, Nigerian Airforce, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Security (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Nigeria Correctional Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, and Nigeria Customs Service; and several others”.

Ohanaeze noted the President ignored the admonition of the Nigerian foremost patriot, democrat and diplomat, Maitama Sule, who before his death, urged Buhari to let justice be the key to good governance.

“Alhaji Maitama Sule of the blessed memory in congratulating Mr President, admonished that “justice is key to good governance”. That Mr. President should “extend justice to all and sundry, irrespective of religion or tribe.

“Sule reminded Mr. President that an infidel with good conscience and equity can govern successfully, far better than a believer devoid of sense of justice.

“Sule added that the solution to Nigerian problems can never be achieved by force, nor by fear, nor by power but by equity and justice to all.

“The prophetic Sule urged him to do justice to all parts of the country because according to him, peace and stability are a product of justice and equity.

“He added that in the absence of justice and equity, there can never be peace and development. Sule among others stated that in absence of development, there will be mass unemployment, poverty and that the idle men is a devil’s workshop……”

“On the other hand, as Maitama Sule predicted, the orchestrated alienation of the South East from the centres of power is the basic cause of the agitation in the South East.

“The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide led by Ambassador Professor George Obiozor has repeatedly stated that a people denied justice may not have interest in peace.

“As I am writing, the sad news of another Benue massacre flew in: “No fewer than 16 kinsmen of Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State were, Monday, reportedly murdered in a fresh attack by suspected armed herdsmen, who invaded Udei and Yelwata communities in Guma Local Government Area, LGA, of the state”.

” According to the report which is viral, “the latest attack is coming about 10 days after a similar attack claimed several lives in Igama village, Edumoga Ehaje, Okpokwu LGA and four days after a lawmaker and his sibling were also murdered and beheaded by the marauders in Orokam, Ogbadibo LGA of the state……”

“Ohanaeze contends that if Mr President confronts the menace of the Fulani herdsmen who have been terrorizing several states, communities and individuals for over seven years now with similar obsession and commitment deployed to IPOB, Nigeria will be a better place”.

Ex-APC spokesman mocks Obi, says ‘Obidient' movement exists only on social media

A former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Yekini Nabena, has cautioned the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, not to rely on any support from his ‘Obidient’ movement ahead of the 2023 election.

Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, Nabena said the former Anambra governor would be shocked to discover that the movement only exists on social media when the actual voting process begins.

The Bayelsa born politician expressed confidence that the APC will secure nothing less than 2.1 million votes in the Niger Delta during the presidential election.

He said, “I can tell you that the so-called ‘Obedient movement’ only exists on social media and after the coming elections they will naturally turn to disobedient movement, and later obituary because the movement will naturally vamoose.

“The APC will secure nothing less than 2.1 million votes from Escravos to Forcados, Brass to Bonny, in the Niger Delta. This is because our people are massively coming out to get their PVC and they know the right party and candidate to vote for when the time comes.”

The APC chieftain also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to step up its game and make adequate protection for its server, alleging that the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party is only banking on hackers to manipulate the INEC server and change results in 2023.

Nabena’s outburst is coming on the heels of reports that Obi on Wednesday morning had a closed-door meeting with Governor Nyesom Wike in Port Harcourt.

The Labour Party presidential candidate was spotted exchanging a handshake with Wike after the meeting, which was held at Rivers State Government House.

The move has come to many Nigerians as a surprise especially as talks of a merger between Obi’s party and former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso have reached an advanced stage.

Wike receives Bala Mohammed after hosting Obi

It was a beehive of activity for the River State governor, Nyesom Wike, as he played host to his Bauchi state counterpart, Bala Mohammed moments after he received former governor of Anambra state and presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi.

The governor played host to the two men at his private residence in Porr-Harcourt.

Both meetings were held separately behind closed doors.

None of them also spoke to journalists about the purpose of the meetings as no media coverage was allowed.

Obi and Bala’s visit was held four days after the Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, was also received by Governor Wike at night.

All the visitors and their host were presidential aspirants in the last primary conducted by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

While Umahi was a presidential aspirant on the platform of the APC, Bala Mohammed and Nyesom Wike contested on the platform of the PDP.

Peter Obi, who was seeking the ticket of the PDP, pulled out of the race mid-way to pick the presidential ticket of the Labour Party (LP).

Political consultations are expected to be high in the run-off to the 2023 elections as political parties have concluded the selection of party flag bearers and running mates for the elections.

Wike hosts Obi amidst defection speculations

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, visited the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

The closed-door meeting lasted for a few hours at the governor’s private residence in Port Harcourt.

Though the outcome of the meeting was not known, the two politicians were seen shaking hands in front of Governor Wike’s residence in pictures online.

Wike was spotted in white, while his guest, Obi wore a blue senator material.

Obi’s visit is coming amidst speculations that Wike may dump the Peoples Democratic Party, due to the fallout over the presidential primary of the party and the failure of the party’s presidential standard-bearer, Atiku Abubakar, to pick the Rivers governor as his running mate for the 2023 general elections.

Atiku had also set up a reconciliation committee to reach out to Wike to pacify him and to solicit his support for the party to wrestle power from the All Progressives Congress at the centre.

When contacted, Wike’s media aide, Kelvin Ebiri, told  The PUNCH that the meeting was ‘private’.

Efforts of the newsmen to reach one of the media aides to the LP presidential candidate for comments proved abortive, as he did not pick up several calls put across to him.

A source, however, told our correspondent that Obi may be cashing in on the fallout to woo Wike to his party and solicit his support in his quest to become the next Nigerian president.

‘I opted for parallel gov primary to rescue PDP in Akwa Ibom' – Enyong

A two-term member representing Uyo federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Mike Enyong, who emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in a parallel primary, said his action would rescue the party from not having any candidate at all in the forthcoming elections.

The lawmaker explained that he opted for the parallel primary because the court had asked for status quo ante bellum in the case brought before it over the fraudulent selection of some people as ad hoc delegates, but the party went ahead and used them to pick their preferred aspirant.

Enyong whose action had been widely criticised on social media, said his critics should rather celebrate his patriotism and love for the party, adding that it was the only way the party would be on the ballot papers.

Speaking while reacting to several attacks on social media against his action, on Wednesday, the lawmaker explained that his action was based on his deep understanding of the current Electoral Act and the constitution of the country.

“My adversaries are looking for every opportunity to blackmail and tarnish my hard-earned reputation because they know I have beaten them to their game.

“I am waiting for July 15, for the people to understand that I am the rightful candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party in Akwa Ibom State. The court had asked for status quo ante bellum in the case brought before it over the fraudulent selection of some people as ad hoc delegates but they went ahead and used them to pick their preferred aspirant.

“I understood the implication of being part of the sham and opted for the parallel primary with statutory delegates with the Independent National Electoral Electoral Commission as observers, and officials from the national secretariat of our dear party.”

Enyong, however, urged those working against him to desist and rather pull their energies into his drive to ensure that the state remained in the grip of the PDP beyond 2023.

He stated further that he took advantage of his deep understanding of the Electoral Act, stressing that the May 18 Abuja High Court order on ad hoc delegates with status quo ante bellum, automatically left the party with no ad hoc delegates to conduct governorship primary for the party.

“That order still subsists as we speak today, I am the rightful candidate of the party and the next Governor of Akwa Ibom State,” he maintained.

He described as laughable, the trending video of a youth alleging that he got a paltry N1000 after voting as a delegate in the primary that produced him as a candidate saying that he could not even give beggars on the street N1,000, let alone, a politician.

“I don’t know him, they are using him to blackmail me, he is not part of the exercise, go and ask all statutory delegates that participated to get a clearer picture.”

Source: The PUNCH

Experts caution Nigerians against use of transformer oil for cooking

Experts have cautioned Nigerians against the use of transformer oil for frying bean cakes also known as ‘akara’ or for cooking domestic meals.

Transformer oils, according to the experts, contains polychlorinated biphenyls, are described as tasteless, odourless, and fire-resisting insulating liquid with high boiling point and range in consistency from an oil to a waxy solid.

The experts who gave the warning in Calabar, the Cross River capital, on Tuesday on the sidelines of a training and capacity building workshop for state counsel, regulatory officers, power operators and custom officers, also advised farmers not to farm near transformer locations.

Chemically known as polychlorinated biphenyls, the oil is called transformer oil as it is used for electrical transformers because it is stable at high temperatures and has excellent electrical insulating properties.

The event, which discussed regulations and guidelines for environmentally sound management of PCBs, was organised by the Federal Ministry of Environment and the United Nations Development Programmes.

A facilitator and consultant to the Federal Government, Prof Babajide Alo, who spoke on the danger PCBs poses to the environment and human health, said the workshop was to sensitise stakeholders on the danger of PCBs, adding that PCBs are imported and blocking their importation was a way to control their use and protect the environment as there are alternatives to PCBs.

A project coordinator, Olusanya Olubunmi said, “Although PCBs have a long history of useful applications in many facets of human endeavours, such as in power sector, as a coolant and dielectric fluid in electrical equipment, studies have shown that PCBs portend deleterious effects on the environment and human health, hence the global action on its control.”

Another facilitator, Dr Toyin Adejonwo-Osho also disclosed that its use for cooking causes cancer and birth defects and PCBs oils should not be used as hair sheen.

Nigeria accounts for 11 million of global 40 million out-of-school children – World bank

The World Bank has said the 11 million out-of-school children recorded in Nigeria in the year 2020 is the highest any country has recorded in the World.

According to the global financial institution, the number of school children under review who are between 6-15years increased by 100% between 2003 and 2020.

This was disclosed in the World Bank document titled “Nigeria Development Update (June 2020): The Continuing Urgency of Business Unusual.”

The document revealed that the number of in-school children in 2003 was 20 million and has increased to 40 million in 2020, stating that the population of Nigerian children aged 6-15years in 2003 was 35 million and 51 million in 2020.

It, however, stated that more efforts need to be made to ensure Nigeria’s children are back to school.

The Bank said, “Although Nigeria has experienced a significant expansion in access to education during the last few decades, it still has the highest number of out-of-school (OOS) children in the world.”

According to tge bank, “Nigeria’s more than 11 million OOS children between the ages of 6 and 15 represent 1 in 12 OOS children globally. The OOS children phenomenon in Nigeria is multi-causal and will require a combination of interventions. On the demand side, reducing the cost of education by eliminating school fees, providing cash transfers, and shifting socio-cultural norms that prevent school enrollment are critical steps.”

‘I feel nothing seeing my ex-hubby Blossom Chukwujekwu's remarry'-Redvigor

A fashion entrepreneur Maureen Esisi aka Redvigor has told her fans that her ex-hubby Blossom Chukwujekwu’s remarriage elicited no reaction from her.

Actor Blossom Chukwujekwu was in the news following his remarriage three years after his marriage of four years to his ex-wife, Maureen, crashed over allegations of infidelity.

The film star and Winifred Akhuemokhan got married to Pastor Ehinome at Christ Embassy Church.

The wedding was officiated by the church’s founder, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, who happens to be the bride’s uncle.

The union was attended by several celebrities, including Kate Henshaw, Rita Dominic, Stan Nze, Deyemi Okanlawon, Banky W, Zack Orji, Adesua Etomi, and Kehinde Bankole among many others.

Different reactions took over social media with the development even as Maureen decided to engage fans in a question and answer session

According to The Nation, a fan asked the estranged wife, “How did you feel when you saw your ex-husband remarry?”

Responding, the mother of one noted she “felt nothing.”

Reps' move to override Buhari on statutory delegates suffers setback

A move for the House of Representatives to override President Muhammadu Buhari on Section 84 (8) of the Electoral Act 2022, which seeks to provide for statutory delegates at the meetings, congresses, and conventions of political parties, has suffered a setback.

The Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, had on Wednesday, last week, called on members willing to move a motion for the chamber to override Buhari’s veto to do so anytime from Thursday.

Two members of the Peoples Democratic Party – the Deputy Minority Leader, Toby Okechukwu, and Ben Igbakpa – who failed to get tickets to seek reelection at the recently concluded primary, had protested on the floor of the House on Wednesday.

Okechukwu had backed Gbajabiamila on the comments made by the Speaker earlier on Tuesday, faulting the way political parties conducted primaries leading to the failure of members of the National Assembly to get tickets of their respective parties to seek reelection in the 2023 general election.

Gbajabiamila had particularly criticised the failure of the parties to allow statutory delegates to vote for candidates at the primaries, as the National Assembly proposed in the amendment to Section 84 (8) of the Electoral Act 2022, which the President had yet to assent to.

On Tuesday, Igbakpa moved a motion for the House to invoke Section 58 (5) of the 1999 Constitution on the amendment bill after the 30-day window within which the President ought to have signed it had expired.

The Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Wase, who presided over the session, however, faulted the procedure adopted by Igbakpa.

Wase argued that Igbakpa was supposed to have requested the House Committee on Rules and Business to recommit the bill for reconsideration, through the Speaker.

While Igbakpa noted that the motion was in compliance with the directive of the Speaker, Wase insisted that the motion be stepped down and the right procedure be followed, which the sponsor vowed to do.

Source: The PUNCH

Three senators dump APC for PDP, NNPP

Three Senators elected on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), have resigned their membership from the party.

The lawmakers include; Senators Ahmad Babba Kaita (Katsina North), Lawal Yahaya Gumau (Bauchi South), and Francis Alimikhena (Edo North).

While the duo of Senators Babba Kaita and Alimikhena defected to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, Gumau, on the other hand, defected to the New Nigeria Peoples Party.

The notice of their resignation and defection was contained in three separate letters read during Tuesday plenary by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan.

Babba Kaita’s letter read, “As Senator representing Katsina North Senatorial District, I write to formally notify you of my resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC), and registration declaration for the Peoples Democratic Party.

“My resignation from the APC was born out of the marginalisation of critical stakeholders by the State Government and Leadership of the Party in Katsina State, where small people like me do not have a chance.

“I have since been joyful and graciously accepted into the fold of the Peoples Democratic Party in Katsina State.”

On his part, Senator Alimikhena, cited the unending multifaceted crisis rocking the party in his home state especially his senatorial district which has created parallel executives that has undermined internal discipline, cohesion and focus,” as his reason to defect to PDP.

The defection by the three lawmakers reduces the total number of APC Senators from 70 to 67 in the upper chamber, according to a statement by the Special Assistant (Press) to the President of the Senate, Dr. Ezrel Tabiowo.

3,478 killed, 2,256 abducted in seven months – Reports

No fewer than 3,478 people had been killed while 2,256 others were kidnapped across Nigeria in the last seven months.

The figures were obtained from the daily incidents recorded by the Nigeria Security Tracker, a project of the Council on Foreign Relations, an American think-tank, during the period under review.

The data captured by The PUNCH included those killed by non-state actors such as terrorists, bandits, gunmen, armed robbers, cultists and security operatives, among others.

A monthly breakdown showed that in December 2021, no fewer than 342 innocent Nigerians were killed while 397 were abducted. Those killed in the month included 45 farmers in Nasarawa. Also, 34 women were abducted in Zamfara.

In January, at least 844 people were killed and 603 abducted by non-state actors. Prominent among the incidents that happened during the month was the bandits’ attack on Zamfara communities where over 200 residents were killed. Also, suspected bandits reportedly killed 220 persons and kidnapped 200 others in  Niger state.

In February, at least 495 persons were killed, while 326 were kidnapped. In the month, bandits attacked a Zamfara community for failing to pay a N40 million levy and killed 33 victims.

Also, terrorists killed 44, and abducted 31 others in Niger communities.

In March, 606  innocent lives were lost while 450 were abducted. The incidents included the murder of  63 vigilantes in Kebbi state by terrorists and attacks by suspected herdsmen in reprisal which claimed over 26 lives in Taraba.

In April, 530 people were killed by non-state actors and 79 were kidnapped. In May, 395 were murdered while 178 persons were reportedly abducted.

Between June 1 and 15, a total of 266 individuals have so far been killed with 223 persons kidnapped.

It was gathered that bandits and terrorists were largely responsible for the abduction and killings recorded in the North-central region, North-West and North-East.

In the South-West and South-South, the perpetrators were identified as cultists, suspected herdsmen and gunmen, while in the South-East, the number of deaths and abductions were mostly caused by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and its militia wing, Eastern Security Network.

When contacted, the Force Public Relation Officer, Muyiwa  Adejobi, who cited his busy schedule, stated, “I will make an official statement on this later as I have been on the move since. I just left Ekiti today, and I’m heading to Kano for a programme.”

Reacting to the security crisis in the country, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, led by its President, Bishop Wale Oke, condemned the incessant killings and kidnappings.

The PFN spokesman, Simbo Olorunfemi said, “The nation is in pain. We are concerned about the security situation in the country. These killings and kidnappings are anomalies, and we urge Nigerians to put their heads together to find a way out of the embarrassing situation and pray to God for His Divine intervention.

“We’re tired of condolence messages from the present administration, rather they need to take decisive steps to end banditry and terrorism.

We will not be partisan, however, we will not go to sleep. As it has been earlier reported, we’ve declared June 26th as ‘PVC Sunday’, in which prayers will be offered and communion administered to worshippers in Pentecostal churches across the nation.

“We, therefore, call on all Christians to ensure that they get their Permanent Voter Cards, and follow clear directives in collaboration with the Christian Association of Nigeria, from Christian fathers on the casting of their votes.”

Advising Buhari-led administration, a security expert and former Director-General of the State Security Service, Mike Ejiofor, noted that the creation of state and local police and the employment of modern technology would help reduce the rate of insecurity.

He said, “The rate of killings and kidnappings in the country is disturbing. Although, the security agencies are trying their best; however, their best is not enough. The security situation is very worrisome. People are dying and getting kidnapped due to insecurity.

A security analyst, Mr Patrick Agbambu, said that citizens needed to work in tandem with the government and security agents in the fight against insecurity.

Source: The PUNCH

BREAKING: Orubebe announces his resignation from PDP

The former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe, has announced his resignation from opposition Peoples Democratic Party.

He stated this on Monday in a letter addressed to the National Chairman of the party, lyorchia Ayu.

In a copy of his resignation letter obtained by the newsmen, Orubebe expressed dismay over the emergence of a northerner, Atiku Abubakar, as the party’s presidential candidate.

Part of the letter read, “I write to formally inform you of my resignation from the PDP. This I have communicated to the Chairman of Burutu Ward 3, Burutu Local Govemment Area, Delta State, effective 20. June 2022.

“Consequently, I am by this letter intimating you of my total withdrawal from all activities at the Ward, Local, State and National levels of the PDP.

“I am highly honoured and privileged to have been part of a political party that successfully transformed a pariah nation to one that commanded respect in the comity of nations. When we lost the Presidential election in 2015 in bewildered circumstances to say the least, it was my belief that the party would use the opposition period to re-strategise with the aim of taking back power at the earliest opportunity.

“However, the present situation in the party does not inspire confidence that the party is ready to regain power in 2023. Against the mood of the nation and in complete disregard to the provisions of the party’s constitution, the party, threw the zoning of the Presidency open, which created a situation that led to the emergence of a Northerner as the party’s Presidential flagbearer, thus making the two topmost positions in the party, after your emergence as the National Chairman, to be occupied by Northerners, contrary to section 7.3(c) of the party’s constitution.

“I salute and commend the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Nyesom Wike for Ns efforts and gallantry at the primaries. Posterity will be kind to him when the history of the party is written.

“There are lots to be said, but out of respect for the party, I leave some stories untold at this time.

My belief in the sanctity of Nigeria is unshaken and I will continually work for her progress and development.”

Nigerians flay clerics praying at Bobrisky's housewarming

The Muslim clerics seen in a viral video on social media, offering prayers at Bobrisky's housewarming on Sunday, has come under attacks by Nigerians for  reducing themselves so low for monetary gain.

The video shown Muslim clerics praying at the housewarming ceremony of the controversial crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky.

In the video from the event, Bobrisky was seen seated and fully clad in female Yoruba traditional attire, surrounded by Muslim clerics who sat on the floor and offered Islamic prayers.

The video, however,  has sparked knocks from Twitter users who faulted the presence of clerics at the crossdresser’s event.

A tweep, @ola_bode20, said, “How will those Alfas address Bobrisky? Hajia Idris or Alhaji wa Idris? Because they will have to mention a name.”

“Clerics praying for Bobrisky on house warming. In this country just make money, then all cases are automatically settled,” @leymiispito said.

Another tweep, @tee_classiquem1, pointed out, “Religion leaders are forfeiting the words of God for the sake of money. How can Alfas and Chief Imam that a whole community is looking up to attend Bobrisky house warming party? Is this not like endorsing cross-dressing under Islam? This is so embarrassing to watch.”

“Alfa rallied around Bobrisky, praying for her. They don’t know he is a boy turned girl? Double standard everywhere,” @unclefemi_ fumed.

@okinbakare tweeted, “All this useless Alfa make them see good ones finish, hunger no make them talk truth, can they ask if Bobrisky is she or he so they can know how to talk or pray for her/him?

“So these set of Alfas were invited for Bobrisky’s house warming. So the Alfa will be like Alhaja wa Bobrisky Iya wa daada.  Abi wetin now. I no understand again ooo. All because of money. Lemme sha mind my business,” @fattylincornn tweeted.

@nafiumohammed said, “So all these Alfas went to pray at Bobrisky’s house warming party for Real? Alfa isonu, I hail thee. Alfas on the floor and senior man on the chair. This ones na ikpanni Alfas them be.”

The housewarming ceremony of Bobrisky’s N400m mansion was attended by celebrities and influencers like Laide Bakare, Ashmusy, Mercy Eke, and a host of others.

Nigeria rates 143 in 2022 Global Peace Index

According to the level of world peacefulness, Nigeria has been rated 143 among 163 independent nations and territories in the 2022 Global Peace Index.

Nigeria moved three places up on the log from the 146th position it was ranked last year.

Other African countries ahead of Nigeria in the ranking are Mauritius 28; Ghana 40; The Gambia 45; Sierra Leone 50; Equatorial Guinea 59; Malawi 65; Senegal 70; Morocco 74; Rwanda 72; Liberia 75; Gabon 75; Angola 78; Lesotho 100; Madagascar 8; Mozambique 122; and Namibia 68.

Others are Zambia 56; Tunisia 85; Tanzania 86; Niger 140; Burundi 131; the Benin Republic 105; Botswana 48; Republic of Congo 111; Ivory Coast 108; Cameroon 142, Djibouti 113, Algeria 109; South Africa 118; Egypt 126, Eritrea 132, Guinea 123, Guinea Bissau 110; Chad 136; Togo 102; Uganda 121 and Zimbabwe 127.

Mali 150; Libya 151; Burkina Faso 146; Democratic Republic of Congo 158; the Central African Republic 155; Ethiopia 149; Sudan 154; Somalia 156; South Sudan 159 are the least ranked countries in Africa.

Iceland was posited the most peaceful country in the world, followed by the New Zealand and  Ireland ranked 3; Denmark 4; Austria 5; Portugal 6; Slovenia 7; Czechia 8; Singapore 9, and Japan 10, made the list of the top ten most peaceful countries in the world.

Afghanistan with 163; Yemen 162, Syria 161; Russia 160, and South Sudan with 159, are the least ranked countries in the world.

Some of the indicators used for the ranking include the Level of perceived criminality in society; the number of internal security officers and police per 100,000 people; the number of homicides per 100,000 people; the number of jailed population per 100,000 people; ease of access to small arms and light weapon; level of organised conflict (internal) and terrorist activities among others.

‘We’ll challenge Ekiti election result in court’ – SDP, ADC vow

The Ekiti State governorship election may have been held and won, but the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Engr. Segun Oni, and his Action Democratic Party counterpart, Mrs Kemi Elebute-Halle, have rejected the results of the Saturday’s election.

In a separate interview with newsmen the duo vowed to challenge the outcome of the election at the tribunal.

Engr. Oni made his intention known on Sunday in Ado-Ekiti, his state collation agent and former Attorney-General of the state, Mr Owoseni Ajayi, while speaking with newsmen on the outcome of the election.

In a related development, the candidate of ADP, Elebute-Halle alleged that the victory of Biodun Oyebanji in the just-concluded election was “tainted with vote buying and corruption”.

The SDP candidate said that the results, as declared by INEC, did not reflect the true decision of the people, lamenting that the process was allegedly marred by financial inducement.

Ajayi, who said he refused to sign the election results said, ” We are rejecting the results, because the election was characterised by violence and intimidation of voters.

“As a result, we will definitely challenge the outcomes of these results in the court of law for posterity and generations coming to know that when conducting elections, you must follow the rules and procedures.”

Elebute-Halle, in a statement signed on her behalf by Mr Femi Eponlolaye, the State Chairman of the party in Ado-Ekiti, condemned the snatching of ballot boxes, vote buying and harassment of her party members.

According to her, political thugs and members of a party in Ado-Ekiti, Oye-Ekiti, Ikole-Ekiti and Ilasa-Ekiti, among other areas, attacked supporters of my party.

She said, “The victory of Mr Biodun Oyebanji in the just concluded governorship election, ordinarily would have been accepted by me, if the election had not been fraught by electoral malpractices.

“In spite of various sensitisation programmes and media publicity against vote buying, the APC, PDP and SDP actually promoted and encouraged corruption, both at the grassroots and the state levels.

“Though the Independent National Electoral Commission has pronounced Oyebanji as the winner of this election, I, Kemi Elebute-Halle, hereby, reject the results of this election.

“It was not credible, neither was it free nor fair. His APC thugs destabilised my strongholds across the state, attacked our members, snatched and destroyed our ballot boxes.

“All those votes, including those obtained by PDP, will be cancelled at the tribunal.

“I want to use this medium to urge my followers not to be discouraged about the outcome of the election.

“We shall continue to promote our great party, the ADP, she stressed”

Elebute-Halle, however, urged the international observers, the security agencies and INEC to continue to sensitise Ekiti electorate against vote buying that has eaten deep into the electoral process.

Group cautions INEC against substituting elected candidates’ name

A group, Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts (ASSPT), has warned Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against substituting the names of validly elected candidates in the just concluded political parties’ primaries with people that did not participate in the process.

The group who gave the warning on Sunday by its Director, Dr. Sam Amadi, also cautioned the electoral body to ensure its actions are guided by the Electoral Act to avoid external manipulations by anti-democratic elements.

The Abuja School told INEC to reject the fraudulent and false submissions of candidates by parties.

The warning came against the backdrop of the controversy surrounding the submission of the names of Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio.

Their names were said to have surreptitiously appeared on INEC’s portals as senatorial candidates when they reportedly did not participate in elections.

The group contended that for anyone to emerge as a candidate based on the provisions of the Electoral Act, the person must have participated in a primary.

It said an aspirant must have purchased the expression of interest form for the senatorial election and be screened, adding that by the provisions of Section 33 of the 2022 Electoral Act, a political party cannot remove or substitute a candidate that emerges from a valid primary.

Besides, the person must be on the list of contestants sent by a political party to INEC and must have participated in the senatorial election on May 27.

The statement reads in part: “With the conclusion of the elective primaries of parties and the close of the deadline for submission of candidates for federal elections, based on guidelines issued by INEC, the process for the 2023 general elections in Nigeria has commenced in earnest.

“The Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts has watched the process of the elective primaries of the parties and is satisfied with the considerable compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022.

“We want to commend INEC for exercising its oversight functions in a manner that forced the parties to comply with the requirement of democratically electing candidates for elective offices in the 2023 general elections. Without INEC’s oversight, many of the parties would have continued the tradition of violating the norms of democracy in the choice of their candidates.

“As an intellectual and policy think-tank committed to providing insights and evidence-based analyses to assist state institutions to deliver on their mandates, the Abuja School is alarmed at the efforts of some politicians and party leaders to undermine the provisions of the electoral law as regards submission of nominated candidates to INEC.

“It is being reported that some high-profile politicians who did not win INEC-monitored primaries of their parties are being submitted by their party leaders, in clear violation of the provisions of the electoral law.”

“Two notable cases are those of the President of the Senate and the former Minister of Niger Delta Affair, who contested the APC presidential primary and lost but are making frantic efforts to regain senate seats from winners of the primaries.

“The winners of the duly conducted primaries have refused to give up their tickets. Notwithstanding, the party reportedly has uploaded the Senate President and the Minister of Niger Delta as senatorial candidates, although they did not participate in a valid primary.

“Submitting names of persons who did not win duly conducted primaries on INEC’s portal is contrary to the electoral law. The electoral law requires that only persons who won duly conducted primaries should be submitted as candidates.

“It is INEC that determines what is a duly conducted primary, based on its guidelines and the electoral law. The practice in the past where INEC allowed parties to make wrong and fraudulent entries and hoped that the courts will reverse them has gone with the new Electoral Act, which now empowers INEC to reverse such fraudulent and wrong actions by the parties,” the group stated.