Why I respect Jonathan - Buhari

AGAINST the backdrop of calls from some quarters for former President Goodluck Jonathan to be arrested and tried for corruption, President Muhammadu Buhari, has praised him, saying that he was yet to recover from the shock of the concession call Jonathan made to him before the outcome of the 2015 presidential election.

He said he respect the former president for the gesture because he never expected that someone who had been in power for 16 years would willing give it up in that manner.

Speaking in Abuja on Monday at a luncheon with State House correspondents to mark his first one year in office, he observed that Jonathan's action was an act of generosity and patriotism.

He said: "This is where I pay my respect to former President Goodluck Jonathan. This is actually privileged information for you. He called me at a quarter past five in the evening. He said good evening your Excellency Sir and I said good evening.
"He said I have called to congratulate you that I have conceded defeat. Of course there was dead silence on my end, because I did not expect it. And he said, “did you hear me?”

"I was shocked. I did not expect it because after 16 years, the man was a deputy governor, governor, Vice President and was President for six years. For him to have conceded defeat even before the result was announced by INEC. I think it was an act of generosity and great patriotism."

The president revealed that former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who had also learned of the call, reached out to him (Buhari) and advised that they go to the presidential villa at once to thank Jonathan.  

"Abdulsalami recognised the generosity of Jonathan to concede defeat and said we should go and thank him immediately and I agreed. That was the first time I came here (villa)," he added.

The president also spoke on the issue of corruption, saying that government has decided talk less on corruption in order to allow the judiciary to do their jobs.

He said less talk was also necessary so that government could recover as much stolen funds as possible.

The president said he was also shocked at the level of looting under the previous government as he observed that officials shared money meant for arms purchase among themselves.

He stated: "People were trusted and the most recent one which we haven't recovered from is the $2.1billion, given by the government then, to the military to buy hardware to fight the insurgency which had taken over parts of the country and they just sat just like you are sitting now and shared the money into their own accounts.

"They didn't even bother. So, we are still trying to get the cooperation of the international community and so on and we have to do it with a lot of respect to the judiciary.

"We can't go out and talk too much. We have to allow the judiciary to do their work. We give them the facts, the names, country, bank accounts.
"If you talk too much, technicalities will come in. Then, we will realise less than what we want to realise."


Nigeria Tribune

UK detectives in Nigeria for Alison-Madueke’s case

Ex-minister’s accounts frozen


As part of the ongoing probe and preparation for the arraignment of a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, some investigators from the United Kingdom have visited Nigeria to gather evidence.
The ex-minister is under investigation over the missing $20billion oil cash, phoney crude oil lifting contracts,  $115million poll bribery money, the $1.092b Malabu oil deal and the N5.2billion ($25m)  oil cash paid by an Indian oil firm for an oil block
The UK team inspected the former minister’s multi-billion naira mansion, her £600,000 exotic wrist watch and gold and diamond jewelry which have been confiscated.
There were indications last night that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) has also frozen Mrs Alison-Madueke’s bank accounts.
The commission may attach some assets of the ex-minister under the Interim Forfeiture Order in Sections 26 and 29 of the EFCC Act, The Nation learnt.
The UK investigators came into the country as part of the build-up to the trial of the ex-minister in London.
Mrs Alison-Madueke and four others were arrested in London on October 2, 2015 by the National Crime Agency( NCA).
The NCA said all the suspects were released on “conditional police bail, pending further investigation both in the UK and overseas”.
A source, who confirmed the visit said it was the “continuation of the London end of the investigation of the ex-minister.”
Besides restricting her movement to the UK, a London (Westminster Magistrate’s Court) on Marylebone Road had approved the seizure of $41,000 (£27,000) cash from Mrs Alison-Madueke.
“With the outcome of the fact-finding mission of the UK team, I think so far, the investigation has reached a convenient bend for the prosecution of the ex-minister,” the source said, pleading not to be named because of the “sensitivity” of the matter.
An EFCC source confirmed that the former minister’s accounts in some major banks had been frozen. “It is too early to disclose the amounts involved in order not to prejudice investigation. We are discovering more on daily basis as some complicit banks are now cooperating,” he said, adding:
“We are allowed by law to place suspicious accounts and assets under interim forfeiture until the court decides otherwise.
“We are collaborating with anti-graft agencies in other jurisdictions on her case.”
Sections 26 and 29 of the EFCC Act  on forfeiture read:  “Any property subject to forfeiture under this Act may be seized by the commission in the following circumstances- (a) the seizure is incidental to an arrest or search; or (b) in the case of property liable to forfeiture upon process issued by the Court following an application made by the Commission in accordance with the prescribed rules
“Whenever property is seized under any of the provisions of this Act, the Commission may-(a) place the property under seal; or (b) remove the property to a place designated by the Commission.
“Properties taken or detained under this section shall be deemed to be in custody of the Commission, subject only to an order of a court.”
There is an ongoing probe by the EFCC of Mrs Alison-Madueke’s involvement in a $115m (N23, 299,705,000billion) 2015 poll bribery scandal.
The anti-graft agency has quizzed Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo and the bank’s Head of Operations, Martin Izuogbe in connection with the scandal.
Four companies, according to investigation by the anti-graft agency, allegedly gave the following amount to the bank for use to bribe officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Northern Belt Gas Company Limited ($60m); Auctus Integrated($17,884,000); Midwestern Oil and Gas($9.5m); and Leno Laitan Adesanya ($1.85m).
“The ex-minister sent $25.77million(approximately $26m) to bring the total amount to $115million( N23, 299,705,000billion).
Mrs Alison- Madueke has twice in six months appeared before a London court to answer charges regarding the £27,000 money laundering and bribery allegation made against her by the NCA..
She will be returning to the court again in September, after the Westminster Magistrate court granted the request of the NCA on March 31, 2016 for another six months to enable the Agency gets more time to tighten its case.
Mrs Madueke will be on bail along with her mother Mrs Beatrice Agama who is the lead suspect; son, Ugonna Madeueke, family friend Ms Melanie Spencer, the wife of a Ghanaian oil tycoon, Kevin Okyere till when the court reconvenes in September to decide on a direction for the case.
It is typical of the NCA drawing its motivation from the Proceeds of Crime Act to always ask for more time for its investigations so it can build a water tight case.
The Proceeds of Crime Act says: “The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (“POCA”) sets out the legislative scheme for the recovery of criminal assets with criminal confiscation being the most commonly used power.
“Confiscation occurs after a conviction has taken place. Other means of recovering the proceeds of crime, which do not require a conviction, are provided for in the Act, namely civil recovery, cash seizure and taxation powers. The investigation is now global extending to Nigeria and Switzerland where billionaire Business man Kola Aluko was questioned and home raided on the request of the NCA.
Aluko, who has Swiss nationality and owner of Atlantic Energy had some oil deals with NNPC while Madueke was in charge. He is believed to be a key figure in the money laundering network.
Atlantic Energy signed a lucrative strategic alliance in 2011 with NNPC while Madueke was in charge of Petroleum Ministry giving it rights to sell oil from four big blocks on behalf of Nigeria. Before the oil price crashed, Aluko said the commercial value of the contract was estimated at $7bn.




The Nation

Nigeria loses N13bn to vandalism, oil theft in a month – NNPC

Nigeria has lost N12.566 billion in one month due to petroleum products theft and vandalisation of the facilities of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Vanguard reports.
Giving a breakdown of the losses, the NNPC, in its Monthly Financial and Operations Report for March 2016, disclosed that crude oil loss amounted to N5.94 billion; petroleum products losses stood at N1.757 billion, while N4.87 billion was spent on pipeline repairs and management cost.
According to the report, the losses negatively affected NNPC’s transfer to the Federation Account from the domestic sale of crude oil and gas. Specifically, the report noted that transfers to the Federation Account by the NNPC dipped by N9.23 billion to N69.544 billion in March, compared with N76.614 billion recorded in the preceding month.

Four killed in Niger religious violence

The 31 Artillery Brigade of the Nigeria Army, Minna, on Tuesday said the religious violence, which claimed four lives in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger on Sunday, had been brought under control.
Major Njideka Agwu, the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations Officer, who made this known to newsmen in Minna, said the army, police and the NSCDC had restored peace in the area.
She said one Methodus Emmanuel, a 24-year-old trader based in Padongari, was killed on Sunday by a mob over allegations of blasphemy.


“Three other persons, including personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps also lost their lives.
“Troops of the 31 Artillery Brigade of One Division, Nigeria Army, quickly intervened and restored law and order while a dusk-to-dawn curfew was imposed in the town,’’ she said.
Agwu also said that a religious house, a house and a shop were burnt while 25 other shops were looted following the violence.
She said that the hoodlums embarked on further violence on Monday morning, looting shops and blocking the Lagos – Kaduna highway connecting the northern and southern parts of the country.
The spokesperson said that the army had made some arrests in connection with the incident, adding that the suspects had been handed over to the police.
“The army and other security agencies have commenced confidence building patrols in all the nooks and crannies of the area toward restoring peace.
“As part of measures to de-escalate tension and ensure lasting peace in the town, the military is working with the local government council authorities and community leaders, including the Kagara Emirate Council, to pacify all aggrieved parties and build on the peace already established,’’ she said.
Agwu said that the army would continue with its non-violent approach to maintaining peace in the area.
She, however, warned that the army would deal with any person attempting to promote violence in the community.
Agwu enjoined members of the public to abide by the conditions of the curfew put in place in order to maintain the peace.


Punch Newspaper

Lionel Messi is going on trial for allegedly not paying his taxes

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi, the highest paid footballer in the world, is going on trial in Barcelona today on charges of defrauding Spain of €4.1 million (£3 million; $4.6 million) in unpaid taxes, according to the Guardian.
The FC Barcelona striker and his father Jorge Horacio Messi, who manages his financial affairs, are alleged to have used shell companies in the tax havens of Belize and Uruguay to hide €10.1 million (£7.7 million; $11.3 million) earned in image rights from 2007 to 2009, a charge they deny.
Lionel Messi's name appeared in the Panama Papers, according to Forbes. He and his father face three counts of tax fraud, charges which could result in 22-and-a half months of jail if they are found guilty.

While the case will focus on the alleged activities of Jorge Horacio Messi, the Guardian says authorities believe Lionel Messi knew enough about his father's activity to be culpable too. Lionel Messi is expected to give testimony in court on Thursday in a trial that should last three days.

Similar charges were made against Messi over two years ago but were dropped when not enough evidence of his involvement was found.
He told a judge at the time: "I sign contracts but I never look at them. I don’t know what I’m signing. I trust my father who takes care of these things. I do what he tells me to do. I only look at the summary at the end of the year to see what I’ve made."
Messi earned over €74 million (£56 million; $82 million) last year, half of which was from endorsement deals. He is probably the best football player in the world, and has won the Fifa Ballon d’Or five times.
FC Barcelona is the third most valuable football club in the world according to accountancy firm KPMG, which says it is worth €2.75 billion (£2.1 billion; $3.1 billion).


Business Insider UK

Former Boss Of Insurance Giant Kills Himself

Martin Senn ran Zurich for six years until last December when he quit

The former chief executive of Swiss insurance giant Zurich has taken his own life, just three years after the company's then chief financial officer also killed himself.

Martin Senn ran Zurich for six years until last December when he quit, saying his time at the firm had been "very intense".
Local police in the east of Switzerland were alerted after being called to a holiday apartment in the ski resort town of Klosters.
Police spokesman for the Graubuenden region Roman Rueegg declined to comment on the suspected cause of death.
But Zurich Insurance said in a brief statement on Monday that "his family informed us that Martin took his life last Friday".
It added that the company expressed "great shock and sadness" but would not be making any further comment "out of respect to Martin and to his family".

Mr Senn left Zurich after "mutual agreement" with the board.

At the time, he said: "There have been some setbacks in recent months, but I am convinced that we have put in place the right measures for Zurich to reach its targets."
A few months earlier, Zurich had shelved plans for a takeover of British rival RSA.
Carriermanagement.com said Mr Senn was paid 6.1m Swiss francs (£4.2m) by Zurich in 2015, down from 7.2 million Swiss francs (£5m) in 2014.
Three years ago, Zurich's then chief financial officer, Pierre Wauthier, killed himself.
Two independent inquiries undertaken by Swiss regulators found no indication that he had been subject to undue pressure by those in charge at the company


Sky News

Hissene Habre: Chad's ex-ruler convicted of crimes against humanity

Habre was alleged to have seized power with the backing of the CIA

Hissene Habre: Chad's ex-ruler convicted of crimes against humanityChad's ex-ruler Hissene Habre has been convicted of crimes against humanity and sentenced to life in prison at a landmark trial in Senegal.

The judge convicted him of rape, sexual slavery and ordering killings during his rule from 1982 to 1990.
Victims and families of those killed cheered and embraced each other in the courtroom after the verdict was given.
It was the first time an African Union-backed court had tried a former ruler for human rights abuses
Habre, who received strong backing from the US while in power, has been given 15 days to appeal.

Survivors from the Habre era welcomed the verdict.
"This is a historic day for Chad and for Africa. It is the first time that an African head of state has been found guilty in another African country," Yamasoum Konar, a representative of one of the victims' groups, told the BBC.
"This will be a lesson to other dictators in Africa," he added.


After he was sentenced, Habre remained defiant, raising his arms and shouting to his supporters as he was led from the courtroom.
"Down with France-Afrique!" he shouted, using a term which is critical of France's influence in its former colonies.
Throughout the nine-month trial, he refused to recognise the court's legitimacy, frequently disrupting proceedings.
The ex-president denied accusations that he ordered the killing of 40,000 people during his rule from 1982 to 1990.
His critics dubbed him "Africa's Pinochet" because of the atrocities committed during his rule.
Survivors had recounted gruesome details of the torture carried out by Habre's feared secret police.
One of the most notorious detention centres in the capital N'Djamena was a converted swimming pool.
Witnesses said victims endured electric shocks, near-asphyxia, cigarette burns and having gas squirted into their eyes.
The verdict will be seen as a major step forward by those who are campaigning for African leaders to be tried on the continent for war crimes.
They have been pushing for a permanent African court of justice to be set up, believing war crimes suspects should be prosecuted on the continent rather than at the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC).
But some people were critical of the AU-backed court, set up specifically to try him. They argued that it was under Western influence as it had been partly funded by the European Union and US.
However, survivors of Habre's atrocities did not seem to care who funded the court. They were just relieved that justice had been done, 25 years after his rule ended


Some of his victims were subjected to "supplice des baguettes" (torture by sticks), when the victim's head is put between sticks joined by rope which is then twisted.
Gberdao Gustave Kam, president of the special court, said Habre had also committed three acts of rape.
Habre was arrested in Senegal, where he was exiled, in 2013.
Many of his victims campaigned for him to be tried following his overthrow in 1990.
"Today will be carved into justice as the day that a band of unrelenting survivors brought their dictator to justice," said Reed Brody from Human Rights Watch, who has worked on the case for 17 years and was in court for the judgement.
In 2005, a court in Belgium issued a warrant for his arrest, claiming universal jurisdiction but, after Senegal referred the issue to the African Union, the AU asked Senegal to try Mr Habre "on behalf of Africa".
In 2013, a court in Chad sentenced him to death in absentia for crimes against humanity.






BBC News

Niger Delta Group Claims Responsibility for Onitsha Attack, 8 Soldiers Killed

A Niger Delta militant group, Concerned Militant Leaders (CML), has claimed full responsibility for yesterday’s attack at Onitsha river, Anambra State, where eight soldiers were reported dead
Spokesman of the group, General Ben also added that the group executed the attack in Nkpor where three persons were killed and the burning of a police patrol van in Onitsha.
“My men were responsible for the killing of eight soldiers at Onitsha river. They were killed when my men attacked their military gunboat in Onitsha. We are responsible for the incident in Nkpor near Onitsha.
“It may sound doubtful; but we want to tell Nigerians that we are not limited to Niger Delta region. This is a warning to the Nigerian government that no amount of security threat will deter us. More attacks will still take place.
“We stand by every ultimatum given to any group or company. We will touch the soul of the economy of this nation. We are not interested in resources but, sovereignty”.
General Ben further said it was not their intention to strike yesterday, as it coincided with the anniversary of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).
“We had to execute the operation to teach the military lesson. We have been quiet for a long time, but time for action has come”, he vowed.




Breaking Times

FG deploys 5 warships, 100 gunboats, fighter jets to battle Niger Delta Avengers

The federal government, Monday, deployed five warships, 100 gunboats and fighter jets to the creeks of the Niger Delta.

This is in response to ongoing attacks on oil and gas pipelines by Niger Delta Avengers, NDA.
Vanguard reports that while the Airforce deployed the fighter jets and helicopter gunships, the Army stormed four more Ijaw communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South West Local Government Area, Delta State, for the militants.
“There is a massive security operation going on in the area. Fighter jets and helicopter gunships have been hovering around the airspace at low level, apparently on surveillance mission. Many of the natives are worried about the development,” said Ayebatari, an indigene of the area.
Commander, NNS Delta, Commodore Raimi Mohammed, confirmed, yesterday, that the security agencies were now working in synergy to flush out the Avengers from the region.

He said: “We (Navy) use helicopter. If you spot it, you will clearly identify it as belonging to us. You see Navy written on it. The jet fighters and surveillance craft were deployed by Air Force to watch over the high risk areas against activities of the oil assets vandals and anyone else involved in criminality in the area.
“There is now strengthened synergy among the security agencies to stop this vandalism. The synergy is there. I will advise those involved to steer clear and employ peaceful ways of agitating and engaging their minds.”
The fighter jets and surveillance aircraft were also seen flying around communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom and Ogulagha area in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State about 10a.m.


Daily Post

UK is the most corrupt place on earth, says Italian mafia expert

Roberto Saviano spoke at the Hay Festival (Picture: David Levenson/Getty Images

David Cameron was given a lot of stick last month after he was overheard referring to Nigeria and Afghanistan as ‘fantastically’ corrupt.
But we doubt he would want to use the same superlatives when talking about a claim, from a leading Mafia expert, that Britain is the most corrupt place in the world.

When it comes to such subjects Roberto Saviano is a man whose opinion carries some weight.
The journalist is living under police protection after publishing revelations about the Mafia in Naples in his expose Gomorrah and the international cocaine trade in ZeroZeroZero.
Th 36-year-old’s comments about the UK were made during the Hay Literary Festival where he told the audience why he felt Britain topped the charts for corruption.
He said: ‘If I asked you what is the most corrupt place on Earth you might tell me well it’s Afghanistan, maybe Greece, Nigeria, the South of Italy and I will tell you it’s the UK.


‘It’s not the bureaucracy, it’s not the police, it’s not the politics but what is corrupt is the financial capital. 90 per cent of the owners of capital in London have their headquarters offshore.
‘Jersey and the Cayman’s are the access gates to criminal capital in Europe and the UK is the country that allows it.
‘That is why it is important why it is so crucial for me to be here today and to talk to you because I want to tell you , this is about you, this is about your life, this is about your government.’

The UK is ranked 10th in the world in the latest Corruption perceptions Index by Transparency International.We also played host to the Anti-Corruption Summit earlier this month.
But offshore tax havens were thrust in to the spotlight earlier this year when the Panama Papers were published by multiple news organisations.
As such, Mr Cameron pledged a global crackdown on corruption last month.
But the Prime Minister has faced calls to reform off shore tax havens operating on its own Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories – like Jersey and the Cayman islands.


METREO

Buhari inherited ‘heavy baggage’ from Jonathan – Soyinka

Nobel laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka has said it would take time for President Muhammadu Buhari to heal the injuries inflicted on Nigeria by former president, Goodluck Jonathan.
According to Soyinka, the immediate past government left a “heavy baggage” and “burden” that may take a while to tackle.
He spoke in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The literary icon was scheduled to speak at a public lecture on the theme: “Politics, Culture and the New Africa.”

He said: “This (Buhari) administration has inherited a heavy baggage. While I am critical in some aspects of the priority, I think that to clear up the mess left by previous administrations is going to take quite a while, especially in the economy sector. So, I don’t use words like optimism or pessimism; I’m just pragmatic. I look at what is on the ground and, of course, wherever I can intervene, I do both privately and publicly.”
Also speaking, another renowned author, Prof Kole Omotoso, said the Buhari administration had tackled a number of things, but added that the President must intensify his effort to alleviate the suffering of the people.
“We are going in the right direction but in the process, we need to do so many things. We need to look at not just the suffering of the people but the way people seem to indulge in bearing suffering. It is as if even if you try to solve the problem for them they will prefer to be suffering and smiling,” Prof Omotoso said.


Daily Post

New Militant Group Emerges, Issues Ultimatum to Private Oil Firms

As the Federal Government moves against the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), militancy in the region has tak­en another dimension as a new group: The New Delta Suicide Squad (NDSS) has emerged.

Unlike the NDA which con­centrates its attacks on pipelines and facilities of major oil firms, the new group has threatened to destroy the equipment of private oil firms’ installations in the re­gion.

The announcement of the group came on the heels of Pres­ident Muhammadu Buhari’s threat in a national broadcast to mark his first anniversary in of­fice, to crush the upsurge in mil­itancy in the Niger Delta which has crippled Nigeria’s oil produc­tion.

The NDSS warned owners of tank farms, storage tanks and private jetties to quit the Niger Delta within seven days.

It said failure to comply with the deadline, the owners of such facilities stood the risk of losing their investments.

In a statement issued on Monday by the spokesman of the group, Harry Ebiye, he said: “The New Niger Delta Suicide Squad warns all owners of tank farms, storage tanks and private jetties to quit the region within the next seven days beginning from the date of this publication or risk the destruction of all their facil­ities from the date of the expira­tion of this ultimatum.

“The exploitation of this re­gion by scavengers, economic pi­rates, and cowboys must come to an end” Ebiye said.

Top officials of the Federal Gov­ernment are divided over how to handle the current attacks on oil installations in the Niger Delta by militants.

A meeting with representa­tives of top militants in the region, reportedly organised last week by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) on how to con­tain the security problems in the Niger Delta, ended in a deadlock.

One camp had reported­ly broached the idea of using a former South-South governor to reach out to the militants, but shelved the idea when it was real­ised that the former governor did not have the required clout and contacts amongst the militants.

Another issue being report­edly considered is that of the de­tention for over 70 days, without trial, of Azibaola Roberts, a cous­in of former President Goodluck Jonathan, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Ironically, Roberts is being held by the EFCC for a $40 mil­lion contract to secure oil pipe­lines during the Jonathan admin­istration. Some security sources hinted on the possibility of the government engaging Roberts to negotiate with the militants cur­rently destroying oil pipelines in the region, since he had successfully handled such projects before on behalf of the government.

An EFCC source hinted that they did not have sufficient evi­dence to charge Roberts to court, but that having detained him for over 70 days, the commission may be left with no option than to charge him to “any court, just to save face.”

Breaking Times

Saudi Arabia kills Nigerian man in 95th execution of the year

Fahd Houssawi was put to death for murder of police officer as human rights groups raise concern over surge in executions.

Saudi authorities have executed a Nigerian man after convicting him of murdering a police officer.
It was the 95th execution of the year in the ultra-conservative Muslim kingdom, which imposes the death penalty for offences including murder, drug trafficking, armed robbery, rape and apostasy. The surge in executions has drawn concern from human rights groups.
Fahd Houssawi was executed on Sunday in the western city of Taif, the interior ministry said in a statement carried by the official SPA news agency. He had been found guilty of strangling a policeman and beating him to death, the ministry said.
Amnesty International has warned that at the current rate Saudi Arabia could see more than 100 executions in the first half of 2016.

The London-based watchdog said the kingdom carried out at least 158 death sentences last year, making it the third most prolific executioner after Iran and Pakistan. Its figures do not include secretive China.
The executions this year are higher than at the same point last year, Amnesty said.
Murder and drug trafficking cases account for the majority of Saudi executions, although 47 people were put to death for “terrorism” offences on a single day in January.
They included prominent Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr whose execution prompted Iranian protesters to torch Saudi diplomatic missions, triggering a severing of relations.


The Guardian

Fayose Dares FG to Stop Him from Foreign Trips

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has dared the federal government to carry out the alleged plot of preventing him from travelling out of the country, saying; “Under the federal system of government, state governors are not appendages of the president and as a leading opposition figure in Nigeria, he cannot be cowed by President Muhammadu Buhari and his agents.”

The governor, who reacted to reports that two governors, one from the South-west and another from the South-south had been placed on travel restriction on President Buhari’s order, in a press conference addressed by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said: whenever he wished to travel out of Nigeria, he will do so in the full glare of the public.

“I am not surprised or disappointed by this latest plot of the Buhari’s government because the president that we know is a man without any atom of respect for the rights of Nigerians as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and this he demonstrated as a military dictator and now demonstrating it as a democratically elected president.”

The governor said he was however amazed that “this dangerous dimension of compelling a sitting governor that enjoys constitutional immunity like the president to obtain clearance from the Director General of the Department of State Service (DSS) before travelling out of Nigerian can ever be contemplated.”

He said President Buhari and his agents should be mindful of the fact that under a federal system of government, the states and national government both enjoy some autonomy, with sovereign power formally divided between the national government and the states such that each state retains some degree of control over its internal affairs.

Olayinka, who was flanked by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, said: “Few days ago, when Governor Fayose was reliably informed that President Buhari had directed that he should be banned from traveling outside Nigeria, he simply took the information as mere rumour, concluding that disrespect for the constitution of Nigeria and Buhari’s dictatorship would not be extended to the most ridiculous level of preventing a governor elected just as the president from traveling out of the country.

“Fayose’s thought was that even though the Buhari’s presidency was capable of even attempting to prevent those opposed to the president from breathing the air, it must still be sane enough to be conscious of the consequences of placing any Nigerian under travel ban without an order of the court, not to talk of a sitting governor who enjoys constitutional immunity like the president.

“However, when we read the story titled: ‘Two governors under watch, face travel ban’ published on Sunday by two major national dailies, we have no other option than to once again alert the public on President Buhari’s new dictatorial plot to infringe on the constitutional rights of Fayose just because of his critical position on the president’s dictatorial tendencies.

“The question is; if Fayose has become a threat to the security of Nigeria just because he criticises President Buhari and says the truth about his mis-governance of the country, is this not a confirmation that the president hates dissenting views?

“Section 35 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides that; “Every person shall be entitled to his personal liberty and no person shall be deprived of such liberty,” while Section 41 (1) provides that “Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof, and no citizen of Nigeria shall be expelled from Nigeria or refused entry thereto or exit therefrom.”

“Article 13 (1) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to which Nigeria is a signatory provides that ‘Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the border of each State’ while Article 13 (2) provides that ‘Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and return to his country,’ ditto Article 12 (2) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

“President Buhari and his agents should also be mindful of the fact that under a federal system of government, the states and national government both enjoy some autonomy, with sovereign power formally divided between the national government and the states such that each state retains some degree of control over its internal affairs.

“Therefore, the president cannot lord himself over any state governor and President Buhari and his agents should accept this basic reality and stop behaving as if they own Nigeria in totality.

“President Buhari and his agents, especially his kinsman; Alhaji Lawal Daura of the DSS need to purge themselves of this blood of dictatorship running in their veins and be guided by the constitution of Nigeria.

“Even ordinary Nigerians do not require clearance from the DSS or any security agency to travel outside Nigeria unless travel restriction is placed by an order of the court, let alone state governors who enjoy immunity just like the president and are not under the control of the president.

“The president and his agents should know that this is not 1984 when he, as a military dictator, prevented the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo from travelling outside Nigeria for medical treatment, thereby leading to his (Awolowo) untimely death in 1987!

“They should also be reminded that the same way Buhari humiliated the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade; late Emir of Kano Alhaji Ado Bayero and late Obi of Onitsha, Ofala Akulalia Alphonsus Ogugua, in 1984 by seizing their passports and restricting them to their palaces just because they travelled to Israel for business, he cannot restrict state governors from travelling outside Nigeria under whatever guise.

“I therefore wish to state on behalf of Governor Ayodele Fayose that as an opposition figure, he cannot be cowed by this pettiness from the presidency. Fayose, by this press conference is daring President Buhari and his anti-democratic agents to carry out this evil and shameful plot and let us all see how far it will take them.“

“Anytime Fayose wishes to travel out Nigeria, he will do so in the full glare of the public and we await how he will be prevented from exercising his rights as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended) as well as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

“We also wish to inform the President and his DSS men that as they were disgraced when they invaded Ekiti State House of Assembly, arresting members of the House indiscriminately, they will be put to shame this time too.

“Also, the National Assembly is being alerted of this new threat to the Constitution of Nigeria by those who swore to protect it. Members of the National Assembly should by now begin to imagine what will be their fate if attempt is now being made to place travel restriction on state governors.

“It is our considered view that President Buhari should rather concern himself with the growing insecurity in the country and charge the security agencies, especially the DSS to perform their functions as enshrined in the constitution instead of running after petty issues.

“The president should focus his attention on the economy of Nigeria that is almost collapsing and stop using his position to oppress other Nigerians. He should know that Nigerians are only interested in having food on their tables, not the number of people their president hounds into detention or oppress with his powers.”

ThisDay

LUTH doctor abducted, killed in Ogun hometown

Suspected hoodlums on Sunday abducted and killed a doctor with the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Lagos, Thomas Adekoya-Cole, in the Itele area of Ijebu, Ogun State.

PUNCH Metro gathered that 60-year-old Adekoya-Cole, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon with LUTH, was murdered while in his hometown to attend a public function.

Our correspondent gathered that Adekoya-Cole was cut with matchets after some hoodlums attacked him around 7.30am on Sunday.

It was learnt that the matter was reported at the police Area Command, Ijebu, and the Igbeba Police Division.

Our correspondent gathered that the doctor was initially rushed to a private hospital in the area, where he was confirmed dead.

A source in Ijebu Ode told PUNCH Metro that the hoodlums came to Akongi Street, in the Itele area of Ijebu, where some traditional worshippers were holding rites and initially hacked one of them, identified as Omotayo Ogunbowale, to death.

He added that in the ensuing pandemonium, the worshippers and other people present fled to their houses for safety.

It was, however, gathered that the hoodlums came again at about 7am on Sunday and killed Adekoya-Cole.

The source said, “There was a traditional festival on Saturday, and Adekoya-Cole attended the event from his base in Lagos. The rite was held on Akongi Street in Itele-Ijebu and during the festival, some worshippers were attacked by hoodlums and one Omotayo Ogunbowale was killed.

“On Sunday, the hoodlums came again, abducted Adekoya-Cole from his house and hacked him to death. The matter was reported at the Igbeba Police Division and to the Police Area Command, also in Igbeba.”

Another source added that a clash had broken out among the worshippers, which led to the crisis and the killings.

He said, “Trouble started on Saturday when a native doctor at the festival was abducted and killed by suspected hoodlums. There was a clash among the worshippers. Everyone fled to their houses. On Sunday, the LUTH doctor’s house in Itele was stormed by hoodlums and he was later found with matchet injuries.

“He was rushed to a private hospital in Ijebu Ode, where he died.”

The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Muyiwa Adejobi, who confirmed the murders, said eight suspects had been arrested in connection with both cases.

Adejobi added that the suspects would be transferred to the State Department of Criminal Investigations, Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.

He said, “On Saturday, Dr Adekoya-Cole attended an Ogun ritual in the area, but a clash broke out. One of the worshippers, Ogunbowale, was hacked to death. The doctor thereafter returned to his house. However on Sunday around 7am, the hoodlums attacked and killed him in his house.

“So, we are having two murder cases. The police have arrested eight suspects in connection with the cases. We are going to transfer the suspects to SDCI, Eleweran, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

“The police are fully in charge. The doctor’s corpse has been removed to a mortuary in Ijebu Ode.”

The spokesperson for LUTH, Kelechi Otuneme, confirmed that Adekoya-Cole was one of their surgeons.

He added that the hospital had yet to officially release a statement.

He said, “Yes, he is one of our consultant surgeons. We do not have an official statement yet. That might be done on Monday. But we have heard the news.”

Punch Newspaper

Man stabs friend to death over refusal to charge phone

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a bricklayer, Demola Wasiu, for allegedly killing his 27-year-old friend, Lekan Omotosho.
Wasiu reportedly stabbed the victim in the armpit after he refused to charge his phone for him.
Policemen from the Lion Building Division were said to have arrested Wasiu, an indigene of Ede, Osun State on Saturday and the case was subsequently transferred to the State Department of Criminal Investigation, SDCI, Yaba.

At the SDCI, the suspect begged for forgiveness, saying he never intended to kill Omotosho.
Wasiu said, “All I want is forgiveness. I did not mean to kill him. He was my friend and I have no reason to kill him.
“Please help me beg them to give me another chance. I have no father or mother to assist me,” he added.
The victim who was an apprentice in a mechanic workshop on Ajele Street, Lagos Island reportedly died on arrival at the Lagos Island General Hospital.

Before the incident, the Punch gathered that the deceased’s boss, Olayinka Oyinloye, had warned him against his friendship with Wasiu after he was arrested for a crime he knew nothing about.
Oyinloye said, “Omotosho came to Lagos from Mowe, Ogun State, three months ago. Just two months ago, the police arrested him while watching over Wasiu’s phone. The problem is that they usually smoke hemp in that place where they charge phones. Throughout the time of his detention, this so called friend did not check on him.
“After I got him out on bail, I warned him against the friendship and cautioned him not to allow anybody put him in trouble.
“On the day of the incident, Wasiu came again and asked him to help him charge his phone and watch over it. Omotosho refused. That was how he became angry and started fighting him.
“Wasiu stabbed him and he fell down and started bleeding.
“People took him to a hospital, while they held Wasiu to prevent him from escaping.
“They took Wasiu to the Lion Building Police Division around 11.30pm. I went to check on Lekan (Omotosho) in the hospital. Around 1am, he died. I went back to the station to report the development to the police. Some of the officers followed me to the hospital to confirm if he was actually dead.”
Confirming the incident, the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Damasus Ozoani, said investigations were ongoing.
He said, “Yes, it happened. The suspect, Demola Wasiu, stabbed the victim, Lekan Omotosho, with a broken bottle.
“He was rushed to a hospital where he was confirmed dead. The matter is under investigation and the victim’s parents have arrived from Ogun State to recover the corpse from the police after autopsy,” Ozoani added.

Daily Post

Anglican Diocese Decries Forced Conversion of Christians to Islam

The Diocese of Lagos Mainland Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) on Sunday decried the disturbing cases of abduction and forced conversion of Christians to Islam.

It lamented the growing spate of militancy and criminality in the Niger Delta, which, it said, had resulted in bombing of oil installations and sharp reduction in oil production per day.

The diocese also lamented the imminent recession in the economy, thereby calling on the federal government to adopt a fiscal policy that would create jobs, stabilise national currency and restore investors’ confidence.

The diocese expressed the views in a communique it issued after its fourth synod, which started on Thursday and ended on Sunday at the Cathedral of St. Jude, Ebute Meta and All Saints’ Church, Yaba.

The communique, which was signed by the Diocesan Bishop, the Most Rev. Adebayo D. Akinde and the Synod Secretary, Ven. ‘Luyi Akinwande, called for end to militancy in the Niger Delta.

In a three-page document, the synod completely rejected the growing trend of abduction and forced conversion of Christians to Islam, which it said, had become recurrent in the country.

In an unequivocal term, the document described the trend as gross abuse of human rights, which it argued, could only stoke anger, discord and conflict in the land if not effectively managed.

It warned that the growing clashes between crop and livestock farmers in various parts of the country “need to be courageously addressed in a fair, just and honest way that protects free and orderly private enterprise but punishes impunity and criminality.”

ThisDay

Military Avert Attacks On Oil Pipelines in Niger Delta, Intensifies Operation Against Militants

The Nigerian military says it has successfully averted planned attacks by the resurgent militants at oil pipelines in parts of the Niger Delta.

The Director of Army Public Relations said that the troops of 343 Artillery Regiment of 2 Brigade, 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, in the early hours of Sunday morning carried out patrol within the general area of Gulobokri and Eweleso, around Brass area in Bayelsa State.

Usman noted that during the exercise, the patrol team had an encounter with some armed militants in two speed boats with intent to blow up Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) pipeline at Gulobokri.

He said that the suspected vandals opened fire on the patrol team and “the troops responded with overwhelming superior firepower and as a result, the suspected criminals sped off from the area with many of them sustaining gunshot wounds”.

He said that there was no casualty on the patrol team, except a personnel of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) attached to the team who sustained a gunshot wound.

He however disclosed that the victim has since been evacuated and he is in a stable condition.

In a related development, Usman said that another patrol team of the same unit of 82 Division Nigerian Army on patrol to Perigbene House Boat (HB) also encountered three speed boats suspected to be containing militants about to attack another critical infrastructure in the area.

He said that the troops opened fire on them, killing most of them and injuring others.

“However, the casualty on militants cannot be ascertained as it was raining heavily and the raging storm could not allow troops to go on pursuit of the escaping criminals,” he stated.

ThisDay

Civil defence uncovers Boko Haram’s bomb-making factories

The Borno State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) on Sunday discovered two bomb-making factories in Dikwa.

The NSCDC Commandant in the state, Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi, made the disclosure in an interview in Maiduguri.

Abdullahi said that the factories were discovered during a patrol by men of the command in collaboration with the troops of the 22 Armoured Brigade of the Nigerian Army.

“In an effort to comply with the directives of the Ministerial Committee on Resettlement of Liberated Towns by the military, NSCDC had deployed its personnel to Dikwa and are working hand in hand with the military.

“This collective effort has therefore, led to the discovery of two major bomb making factories in two abandoned houses.

“Our Detection and Bomb Disposal Unit, Intelligence and Detective Operation Unit in collaboration with the troops of 22 Armoured Brigade of the Nigerian Army have since neutralised some of the live IEDs.

“Some IEDs making equipment, gas cylinders and a jet bomb propeller were discovered and handed over to the brigade command.

“Men of the command also discovered 114 live machine gun ammunition along Dikwa-Mafa road just after Shehuri Village that was abandoned by the insurgents,’’ Abdullahi said.

The command recently deployed about 200 men to Boko Haram librated communities, including Dikwa, Munguno, Nganzai, Chibok and Askira Uba local government areas of the state.

PM News

Democracy Day: Lawyer Punctures Buhari’s Speech, Failure to Name Looters

A constitutional and human rights lawyer, Ms Carol Ajie, has described the Democracy Day broadcast by President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) as a “slumbering speech” that failed to address many critical national issues, especially his failure to publish the recovered loots and looters.

Ajie said in a release analysing Buhari’s speech on Sunday that the president was at most incoherent as well as inconsistent about his promise to publish the details about the recovered loots and instead shifted the responsibilities to the Ministry of Information with no stipulated date.

She cited the President’s statement:“We are also engaged in making recoveries of stolen assets some of which are in different jurisdictions. The processes of recovery can be tedious and time consuming, but today I can confirm that thus far: significant amount of assets have been recovered. A considerable portion of these are at different stages of recovery. ..”, as slumbering.

Quoting Premium Times, Ajie said: “Rather than personally speak on the matter and provide specific details as promised, Mr. Buhari only said he had directed the Ministry of Information to periodically publish details on the assets recovered so far.”

The award winning lawyer listed 12 key areas, which President Buhari either failed or deliberately chose to ignore including: “Galloping inflation arising from Buhari’s meanness in refusing to disclose an economic policy in Africa’s most populous country more than a year post-inauguration. He wants all Nigerians dead?”

Ajie also said that Buhari through his broadcast failed to respect the sanctity of life with too many killings involving the Zaria massacre, Fulani herdsmen slaughtering from Agatu to Enugu and inhumanity to IPOB some extra-judicially killed.

ThisDay

Real Madrid celebrate epic Champions League win with early morning open-top bus parade

Zinedine Zidane's side celebrated their penalty shootout win over Atletico by showing off the trophy to thousands of fans on the streets of the Spanish capital.

Real won their eleventh European by beating cross-city foes Atletico on penalties after a hugely engrossing final at the San Siro on Saturday evening.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winning penalty after the two sides could not be separated following 120 minutes of high drama in Milan.

Getty Images

Getty Images

Getty Images

Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates the team's win on Plaza Cibeles in Madrid on May 29, 2016

Sergio Ramos had given Real the lead after just 15 minutes, as the Bernabeu side looked by far the stronger team in the opening half.

Getty Images

Getty Images

Getty Images

Diego Simeone's introduction of Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco at the break proved to be crucial though, as the Belgian winger scored an equaliser with eleven minutes of normal time remaining to force the extra period.

With both sides struggling with fatigue in the sweltering heat, it took penalties to separate the two rivals and Juanfran proved to the heartbroken man, as he saw his penalty hit the post before Ronaldo stepped up and scored.

Mirror UK

N23bn Diezani Bribe: 11 INEC Officials Admit Receiving N120m

Eleven officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission who supervised the 2015 general elections in Gombe State have admitted to receiving N120m out of the N23bn ($115m) allegedly disbursed by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, according to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The revelation comes about a month after the EFCC arrested a former Resident Electoral Commissioner in Rivers State, Mrs. Gesila Khan, and other top INEC officials in the South-South for allegedly receiving N675.1m from Diezani.

Sources at the EFCC told our correspondent on Friday that the 11 officials had been interrogated and had made confessional statements.

A detective at the anti-graft agency told our correspondent that the electoral officers, who were in charge of the 11 local government areas of Gombe State, reported at the Gombe State zonal office of the commission on Thursday.

The detective said, “They have made useful statements and most of them have confessed to receiving millions of naira for their respective local government. They explained that two out of the 11 officials negotiated and collected the bribe on their behalf.

“The electoral officer for Akko Local Government Area, Ahmed Biu; and the one in charge of Gombe Local Government Area, Ahmed Ali Biu, and Mohammed Zannah, admitted to have collected the bribe from one Yunusa Biri, also a retired electoral officer who acted as Gombe State coordinator of bribes for electoral officers in the state.

“Biri was known and addressed as the coordinator of NGO, a code name used to cover the activities of the two parties.”

The detective told our correspondent that at the meeting where the money was disbursed, Biu and Zannah lodged at Corner Alheri Hotel, opposite NNPC mega station in Gombe, and the parties agreed to share the bribe per polling unit in each local government and part of the bribe should go to ad hoc employees deployed to each polling station across the state.

The source, however, said there were some issues with the investigation as some electoral officers claimed to have been cheated of their own share of the booty.

He said, “Investigations are ongoing but the challenge is that we will have to unravel the discrepancy in the amount collected and the actual money disbursed to the electoral officers.

“Some claimed that the coordinator (Biri) short-changed them because he gave only N8m to the eleven local governments in the state.”

The detective gave the names of some other detained officers as: Godwin Maiyaki, Gambo Balanga, Bukar Benisheik, Dukku, Jibril Muhammed, Billiri, Dunguma Dogona, Funakaye, Mohammed Wanka, Kaltungo, Ishaku Yusuf, Kwami, Suleiman Isawa, Babagana Malami, Shongom, and Nuhu Samuel.

Sahara Reporters

Nigeria’s Buhari Rules Out Devaluing Currency, Plans Delta Talks

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari ruled out currency devaluation and said he plans to hold talks with leaders in the Niger River delta as attacks on oil installations sap the nation’s economy.

The government has “resolved to keep the naira steady,” Buhari said Sunday in a television broadcast to mark his first year in office. “In the past, devaluation has done dreadful harm to the Nigerian economy.”

Africa’s largest economy shrank for the first time since 2004 in the first quarter as the government contends with lower global crude prices and production losses caused by violence in the oil-rich delta region. The country derives about two-thirds of state revenue from crude.

Buhari aims to curb attacks in the delta region through steps including a revamped amnesty program for ex-fighters and talks with leaders in the region.

“The recent spate of attacks by militants disrupting oil and power installations will not distract us from engaging leaders in the region in addressing Niger delta problems,” Buhari said.

Bloomberg

We are negotiating release of Chibok girls — Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday said his administration was continuing negotiation for the release of the abducted Chibok school girls.

Over 200 school girls were abducted by the insurgent group, Boko Haram, from their school hostel in Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno state in April 2014.

The abduction and the subsequent threat by the leadership of the terrorist group that the girls were being “sold off” and “married off” drew international attention and condemnation.

One of the girls, Amina Nkeki, was recently found in a village near Sambisa forest with a four-month old baby.

Ms. Nkeki was said to have been forcefully “married” to a Boko Haram fighter, who authorities said was taken into military custody.

Two days after the return of Ms. Nkeki, Nigerian military authorities announced the rescue of another Chibok girl, Sarah Luka. But #BringBackOurGirls activists debunked the claim, saying Ms. Luka was not among the school girls abducted in Chibok.

Mr. Buhari in a speech to mark Democracy Day on Sunday said during the last one year of his administration, “not a single day passed without my agonizing about these girls”.

He said his governments’ efforts have centred around “negotiations to free them safely from their mindless captors”, adding, ” we are still pursuing that course".

Mr. Buhari said the safety of the girls was of paramount concern to him and to many Nigerians.

“I am very worried about the conditions those still captured might be in.

“Today I re-affirm our commitment to rescuing our girls. We will never stop until we bring them home safely.

“As I said before, no girl should be put through the brutality of forced marriage and every Nigerian girl has the right to an education and a life choice,” the president said.

Premium Times