APC National Convention 2018 holds today at Eagles square Abuja, Preparation is on top gear as the convention ground is fully ready

1.President Buhari just made his entry into Eagles square  at 3.05pm

9.Chairman of the National Convention Committee, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, initially announced that 18 positions have been filled unopposed.

More aspirants for the positions of deputy national chairman (South), national legal adviser, deputy welfare secretary, national youth leader, have withdrawn.

Jigawa Gov. Badaru announced earlier that 18 positions are unopposed while 42 are to be contested at 10 voting centres.

Election will begin with Katsina

Some of the names of those unopposed are:

1. Adams Oshiomhole … National Chairman

2. Ibrahim Masari … National Welfare Secretary

3. Tunde Bello…National Financial Secretary

4. Misbahu L Didi….Representative of the physically challenged

5. Zakari Mohammed….Zonal secretary north central

6. Ibrahim Abdullahi

7. Hassana Abdullahi….Zonal woman leader North Central

8. Nelson Abba….ex-officio North Central

9. Abubabakr Ajiya….Zonal Sec north east

10. Isa Azare….Ex officio North east

11. Tukur Gusau…. Zonal secretary north west

12. Nasiru Haladu….Ex officio North west

13. Mrs Akpabio ….Woman leader South south

10. President Departure

President Buhari left Eagle Square at about 4:35pm.

Nigerian Pilot will report live …

The Federal Government has debunked the report by the press freedom organisation, Committee To
Protect Journalists (CPJ), that a certain Nigerian journalist has been
in detention for the past two years.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed who issued the rebuttal in Abuja said the person the CPJ was referring to was never a journalist.

“Let me state here, without equivocating, that contrary to the report by the Committee To Protect Journalists (CPJ), no journalist is in detention in Nigeria.

“Clement Abiri, who is being referred to as a journalist, is not one. He does not belong to any chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists.

“He was arrested for pipeline vandalism and crude theft, including militant activities in the Niger Delta,” he said.

The minister restated the commitment of the present administration
to press freedom and gave the assurance that the media has nothing to
fear under the present dispensation.

“In my opening comments at the 2016 IPI Congress in Doha, I said we as a government view the media as a partner.

“That remains true. I also said the media in Nigeria has nothing to fear from this administration, and that – if anything – we as a government are the ones who have to fear the media. Also, that has not changed.

”We are proud that the Nigerian media is one of the most vibrant in the world.

“We are proud of the role that the Nigerian media has played in our long march to democratic governance.

“This administration will continue to provide the enabling environment for the journalist to function unmolested,” he said.

While speaking on the theme of the 67th International Press Institute (IPI) World Congress, which is “Why Good Journalism Matters,” the Minister said it will alert the government to the indispensable role of the media in the society,

Mohammed appealed to the media to always report the government in the right context in order to give the people the opportunity to make informed decisions.

He said the present administration had kept its promises to fight corruption, tackle insecurity and revamp the economy. (NAN)

Delegates to the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Convention on Saturday in Abuja defied rainfall, which began early in the day, to throng Eagle Square, venue of the convention.

Also on duty in spite of the rain were Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) officials deployed in strategic locations for traffic sanity and safety around the venue.

The officials diverted traffic from Ralph Soheinde Street at Federal Ministry of Finance to Goodluck Jonathan Expressway and other routes to take heavy traffic away from the convention venue.

Nigerian pilot reports vendors of various products also had visible presence in the convention vicinity, taking advantage of the crowd of delegates and their supporters to make brisk business.

Prominent among the vendors were those selling food, snacks, soft drinks, mobile telephone appliances and APC items.

The venue of the convention was adorned with white, blue, red and green colours of the APC and was also decorated with the party’s flag.

The environment was replete with posters of contestants for various positions in the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, some carried round by their supporters.

No fewer than 6, 800 delegates are expected from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory to be in attendance at the convention.

(NAN)

The Nigerian Army says its men killed seven Boko Haram terrorists and recovered weapons in Azaya Kalmari village in Mafa local government area of Borno state on Friday.

Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, Deputy Director Public Relations, Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole, disclosed this in Maiduguri.

Nwachukwu said that the troops encountered the insurgents at about 12.00 noon. while conducting clearance operation at remote villages around Mafa town.

“The gallant troops overpowered the insurgents in the ensuing firefight, killing seven of them. The troops also recovered two AK 47 rifles , one Ak 56 rifle and 7 rounds of 7.62 mm (special) ammunition.

“Troops also successfully cleared Moduhum, Njimtulur, Hayaba Gana, and Hayaba Kura, Hashime, Azaya Kura and Azaya villages. All located in the outskirts of Mafa.

“After clearing the initial resistance posed by the insurgents, the troops proceeded to further clear other surrounding villages including, Koshebe Kanuri, Buramburi Gana, Kashakasha, Ngudda, Kezamari, Kellori, koshiri and Ngwon villages, all located in the remote parts of Mafa Local Government Area.

“The troops remain resilient as they continue the fighting patrol and taking the battle to the insurgents in their hideouts,”said Nwachukwu.

(NAN)

The Super Eagles have expressed gratitude for the support and criticisms they received from fans and well-meaning Nigerians in the course of their 2018 FIFA World Cup competition in Russia.

The team bagged their first win in the competition against Iceland on Friday, with Leicester City forward Ahmed Musa netting twice in the second half.

The win saw the team move from last to second position in Group D with three points, three adrift of leaders Croatia.

“We thank you for your support, positive and constructive criticisms. Your responses played major role in our return to winning ways,” the Super Eagles tweeted on Saturday, adding that “now, the real hard work begins.

“We’re back on the pitch at 4.45 p.m. for an open training session today.
#SoarSuperEagles #Team9jaStrong.”

The team also tweeted that the Eagles would resume training on Saturday at their Essentuki camp base after Friday’s morale boosting 2-0 win against Iceland at the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup.

“The session will start at 4.45 p.m. local time and will be open to fans and the media,” the team added.

The Super Eagles will face two-time winners Argentina in their final group game on Tuesday at the Krestovsky Stadium, St. Petersburg in Russia.

(NAN)

EX  governor of Edo state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has been proclaim new National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

The Edo Sate Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has hailed the election of his
predecessor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, as the National Chairman of the All
Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking after Oshiomhole was announced the elected National chairman of
the APC at the party's National Convention in the Federal Capital
Territory, Abuja, on Saturday,  Obaseki noted that "the former governor's
emergence is an acknowledgement of his people-centered  leadership and his
commitment to the advancement of the nation."

Obaseki who also congratulated other elected officials of the party, said,
"We are very proud of Comrade Oshiomhole's emergence as the National
Chairman of our great party, the APC. He is adequately equipped to foster
unity and provide a new direction for the party, as we move closer to the
general elections in 2019."

He saluted the immediate past National Chairman of the party, Chief John
Odigie-Oyegun, for providing purposive leadership that brought the APC to
global reckon after defeating the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the
2015 general elections.

The Governor described Chief Odigie-Oyegun as a worthy leader with honour.

"Chief John Odigie-Oyegun’s impressive rise to prominence was the product
of a combination of hard work, humility and faith in God.

"From his humble background, he was taught the inestimable value of hard
work, integrity and a good name.

"In the federal civil service, Chief Odigie-Oyegun distinguished himself
and was propelled to the enviable position of a federal permanent
secretary."

According to Obaseki, "Chief Odigie-Oyegun's  forthrightness, civility and
decorousness garnered from his impressive years of service to our great
country in the civil service, marked him out for higher national call to
serve our country after his retirement from the federal civil service.

"These sterling qualities earned him the confidence of Edo people, when
they turned out in their numbers to entrust him with their mandate as the
first Governor of Edo State, in the aborted third Republic, from 1992-1993.

"As a loyal and dedicated party man, his leadership qualities earned him
the position of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress
(APC), and under his leadership, the APC grew into the largest party in
Nigeria and displaced the then ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) from power at the center, through popular vote in the 2015
presidential election."

Recalling the achievements of the former APC National Chairman, Obaseki
noted: "In particular, the 2015 presidential elections marked a turning
point in the political history of our great country and reset the destinies
of over 180 million Nigerians for greatness.

"It was the first time since the return of democracy in 1999, that an
opposition party would obliterate a "behemoth" ruling party.

"Chief Odigie-Oyegun’s sagacity and wealth of experience helped in
stabilising our great party during our most trying moments, when members of
the decimated opposition wished us doom.

"He is passing the baton of leadership of our great party, the APC, after
successfully navigating the party out of troubled waters and making it
stronger, stable and better prepared for the challenges of the future.

"Edo State is proud of this illustrious son for his immense contributions
to the entrenchment of democracy in this country.

"History will forever adjudge Chief Odigie-Oyegun a worthy son of Edo
State, one who elevated our politics and ushered in a new era of positive
change and development for our great party and our country."

Oshiomhole's election at the well attended APC National Convention in the
Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, followed the withdrawal of other
aspirants from the chairmanship race.

The national convention of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC has changed its slogan from ‘Change’ to ‘Progress’ following an announcement by one of the Master of Ceremonies that the delegates should no longer chorus ‘change’ anytime the name of the party is change

Details later

The President, however, told the 6,800 delegates from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and other party members that the crisis in some of the party’s state chapters was a price the party had to pay for its electoral victory in 2015.

He further appealed to the delegates to shun personal interests and to accept the outcome of the convention in good faith in the interest of the party and the nation.

The party’s outgoing National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, thanked President Buhari for the opportunity to work for the party and to work closely with him.

He said “I feel a deep sense of fullfilment and inner peace for seeing this day and the colour added to the event.”

Odigie-Oyegun also thanked the party’s chieftains and founding fathers for what he called “principled leadership” and for refusing to be deceived by negative media reports and obvious challenges.

The thanked the 21 member-APC National Working Committee (NWC) which he headed, noting that“though we argued most times, we always reached a resolution.”

He further thanked the party’s members across the federation, saying “today, I am making my exit from the honour you bestowed on me to lead you.

“Phase one of this party has ended, phase two is about to start, I wish my successor a fair weather in office.”

The former Governor of Edo, Adams Oshionhole, is the sole chairmanship candidate of the party.

This followed the withdrawal of three other aspirants, including former Cross River Governor, Chief Clement Ebri from the race, as the tenure of the Odigie-Oyegun-led NWC ends on June 25. (NAN)

The Presidency says the All Progressives Congress (APC) convention holding at the Eagle Square, Abuja, would serve as a quit notice to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, gave the assurance Nigerian pilot at the ongoing convention arena.

Enang, who said he expected a peaceful poll at the convention, said the successful completion of the occasion would also indicate a quit notice to the Ekiti State’s incumbent governor, Ayo Fayose.

NAN reports that the governorship election in the state, which is scheduled to hold on July 14, has the immediate-past Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Kayode Fayemi, as the APC gubernatorial candidate.

”It is a signal to PDP and Ayo Peter Fayose that we have served him quit notice and that he will quit.

”With the strength of APC in the Federal Government at the federal level and the strength of APC in Ekiti State, we will win Ekiti and we will sack PDP from the seat,” Enang said.

He said he expected a fruitful and rancour-free convention.

He urged the winners and losers in the ongoing convention to display a spirit of sportsmanship.

”My words for the winners today, be magnanimous in victory, and for the losers, be also accommodating. Let all those who lose also play into the party, let those who win accommodate those who may not win today,” he said.

Also speaking, the Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, said the convention would go well and come out successful.

”You can see that everybody is happy to be here. We are lucky that we have Muhammadu Buhari as our president; everybody loves him.

”No matter the differences or disagreement in the generality of membership, the president’s position as a beloved leader and mentor is sacrosanct. And I think that will contribute largely to the final successful outcome of this convention,” he said.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) berates the national convention of the dysfunctional All Progressives Congress (APC) as a charade, a mockery of democracy and assault on the sensibility of Nigerians.

The open intimidation and physical assault on aspirants and delegates to the convention further confirm the desperation by President Muhammadu Buhari’s camp to seize the APC’s presidential ticket, for which they have resorted to imposing pliable officials who had been handed the directives to muzzle other presidential aspirants in the APC ahead of the party’s Presidential primary.

Delegates and other members of the APC were horrified when aspirants to various party offices were being threatened, harassed and in some cases, paid and handed written orders to mount the stage and announce their withdrawal for aspirants listed by President Buhari, under heavy security presence.

Nigerians are invited to note that some of the officials preferred, particularly, the National Chairman, are individuals overburdened by heavy corruption allegations, and whose expected investigation and prosecution have been traded for a Presidential ticket for President Buhari.

The world observed with shock how aspirants and delegates who dared to raise questions were manhandled by thugs and intimidated by security operatives.

It is instructive to state that the APC convention directly reflects the confusion, intimidation, violations and descent to fascism, that have characterized governance in our nation in the last three years.

President Buhari’s handlers are aware that due to his poor performance, clinching his party’s presidential ticket under a free, fair and credible primary is impossible, hence this resort to intimidation, coercion and escalation of official hooliganism in the APC.

While we urge Nigerians and the international community to mark the desperation in Mr. President’s camp, for which they are bent at destroying our democracy, it is clear that with the character, personality and outlook of the incoming national executive of the APC, the party has been finally sunk by President Buhari and his power hungry cabal.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary

ADDRESS BY THE NATIONAL CHAIRMAN OF THE ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC), CHIEF JOHN E. K. ODIGIE-OYEGUN CON AT THE NATIONAL CONVENTION SATURDAY 23RD JUNE, 2018 EAGLE SQUARE, ABUJA.*

Protocols.

When I look to my left and right, I feel a deep sense of fulfillment. If you read the stories on the social media, you will think that the party was at the verge of implosion. That it had divisions within it that were fatal. But you look around and see one happy family.

Mr President, I thank you specially for the opportunity to work closely with you, interact and the support you gave all this while. Today is not the day to make great policy statements but to express my deepest gratitude.

I will start with the key founding fathers of this party: Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu, Prince Tony Momoh. You were the key heads of the political parties that accepted the idea of unity for the progress of the nation and because of you all; and of course, the later additions, nPDP and a faction of APGA, it is because of you that we are here today.

It is because of you, that I look left and right and see a strong and united party. I see a vibrant party, of passionate followers who are ready to follow our President because of his principle leadership in spite of the crude abuses, insinuations and fake stories that has been hauled in his direction of which he has not allowed to dissuade him in anyway or detract him from his determined course.

I thank my colleagues of the National Working Committee (NWC) and all the state chairmen, some of whom have returned to the saddle and will provide the experience needed for continuity.

My colleagues of the outgoing NWC, I thank you for the fantastic cooperation I have received all these four years. Yes, our arguments were sometimes almost getting muscular but at the end of the day, we provided the kind of leadership that has brought the party to this point today. A strong, united party. Yes, there are divergent views here and there but the essence is that the APC at the end of the day, is a strong party, a passionate party that believes in its ideals and the vision of Mr. President to give this nation the best leadership.

I thank the delegates who are here today, because it was the same group that elected me four years ago and today, they are here to perform the same function.

I will end by saying that Shakespeare told us generations ago that the world is a stage and that all of us are actors on this stage. We make our entrances and in due time, we make our exit. Today, I make my exit from the honour you have bestowed on me to lead you for four years.

Phase one of this party is over, phase two is about to begin and it is my hope that at the end of today, we would have elected a worthy son to carry on the battle, the leadership, the struggle of this party.

I wish my successor the very best of luck, I wish him fair weather and for the rest, we leave to history.

*John E. K. Odigie-Oyegun* CON

National Chairman

Former Governor of Kano State, Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso on Saturday night paid a courtesy visit to former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar at his residence in Asokoro, Abuja.

Kwankwaso arrived Atiku’s residence at about 8.30pm and went into a closed door meeting with the former Vice President. The details of their meeting was not made public. The meeting lasted about 45 minutes.

It was however gathered from a source close to the meeting that the visit of Kwankwaso was to pay Sallah homage to Atiku who was not in the country during the Eid El Fitr celebrations.

The source said that both leaders also used the occasion of the visit to discuss the state of the nation.

When contact, Media aide to Atiku, Mazi Paul Ibe confirmed the visitation but declined to discussed details of the discussion between Atiku and Kwankwaso.

The leader of the new People’s Democratic Party (nPDP), Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje says the group decided to attend the Saturday convention of APC because they want to demonstrate to the world and entire Nigerians and particularly to their supporters that they are loyal to the party.

Alhaji Baraje while reacting to Saturday’s convention said it does not mean that all the group’s grievances stated in their letter had been addressed. “Notwithstanding, we still believe that our loyalty should be demonstrated, that is why we attended the convention “, declared Alhaji Baraje .

According to him, the convention is ongoing now,despite the fact that there are so many litigations in the court against the party arising from parallel primaries in over 18 States of the Federation .

The fact that we were able to attend the APC convention and the convention is going on well,is not an interpretation that the suffering of the masses had been alleviated and is not an answer that the security in the country which has been seriously jeopardised is being addressed.

Alhaji Baraje added that it is not a pointer to the fact that youth unemployment and human capital development is being addressed.

The nPDP leader said these are all the group’s concern and warned that even if the APC convention goes on very well it is not yet uhuru because the foundation of the convention is shaking as there are so many aggrieved party members and stakeholders and the party is aware of this.

“We want to appreciate the entire Nigerians and our supporters and we want to let them know that our struggle is still on course and until the party addresses some of the major areas of concerns that will make live easy for Nigerians we remain undaunted”, declared Alhaji Baraje.

Super Eagles Skipper, Mikel Obi has said he is fit for the decisive tie against the Argentines in on Tuesday the wrist injury he sustained in the 2-0 win against Iceland nothwithstanding.

Himslf fit for Nigeria’s crunch clash against familiar World Cup foes Argentina after training perfectly despite spraining his wrist in their last game against Iceland, AOIFootball.com can report.
The playmaker said that the sprain was just a minor one and Nigerians should just continue to support and back the team to get the victory against Argentina on Tuesday.

Mikel, who was dropped to a deeper role against Iceland, further admitted that he would continue to play anywhere the coaches asks him to play as long as they go far in the championship.

“My objective is for us to go far and if possible win the World Cup. We are not afraid to take on any team as the success of the country remains his utmost priority.

“We have celebrated the win on Friday but today is another day and the focus is on Argentina. That is the only thing on our minds now. It is important that we keep the focus and plan our strategy quite well.

“We thank Nigerians from all over the world for their support. Their faith in us and their belief in our ability have continued to propel us. We will set up very well against Argentina to get a result.”

Nigeria are currently second in Group D with three points, two more than Argentina and Iceland who have just one point each, while already qualified Croatia have a maximum six points from two games.

A pro-democracy group, Human Rights Writers Association Of Nigeria, HURIWA, has asked world leaders to demand an end to vicious crackdown by President Muhammadu Buhari of political opposition in the country.

HURIWA in a statement by the National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and the National Media Affairs Director Miss Zainab Yusuf condemned as despicable and abuse of power, the arrest recently of the erstwhile governor of Benue State Mr Gabriel Suswam by the operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and also the reported whisking away by DSS of the leader of South East caucus in the senate, Chief Enyinnaya Abaribe,.

The Rights group has also demanded that the Department of State Services must give access to lawyers of the political detainees even as they must be charged to competent court of law within 24 hours if there is any charge at all in line with the rule of law and the provisions of the Nigerian constitution or free them unconditionally and immediately.

HURIWA lamented that the current administration is transforming itself into a brutal dictatorship just as it charged Nigerians to defend Nigeria’s democracy and stop it from being demolished by the incumbent who is on a politically motivated roller coaster to manipulate next year’s Presidential Election to self perpetuate.

“We worry that whilst Nigeria under the current administration is rapidly becoming like the Yoweiri Museiveni type of tyranny, the World leaders are not particularly interested in mounting legitimate pressure on the Nigerian president to respect the nation’s obligations to human rights and all international human rights treaties.

“The arrest of vocal political opposition is antithetical to constitutional democracy because democracy is anchored on free speech and respect for the fundamental human rights of all citizens as enshrined in the Constitution, the Universal declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Human and Peoples RIGHTS.”

“The current dispensation has become an administration whose head of the executive arm of government had since the last three years embarked on a destructive voyage of emasculating and muzzling the judiciary and the legislature even as independent opinions in the organized civil society are either bought over or intimidated or harassed into silence.”

HURIWA condemned the tendency of the presidency to ridicule the legislature and the use of brute force and subtle threats to blackmail the judiciary into an uncomfortable compromise and silence as against the unambiguous provisions of the constitution in section 4, 5 and 6 which states that as a constitutional democracy, Nigeria must run a check and balance system.

“The current government has not only disrespected the clear provisions of the constitution on federal character principle on appointments into strategic military and security positions, but Mr. President has succeeded in handing over the entire national security offices to Hausa/Fulani/Kanuri Moslems which is now a well-organized set up to be deployed to haunt and harass political opposition and all those who share a difference of politico, socio-cultural and religious ideology.

This speedy self destructive drive to dictatorship will not do Nigeria any god but would inevitably lead to an implosion and God forbid that democracy collapses in Nigeria, Africa cannot accommodate the number of refugees that will pour out of Nigeria massively.”

HURIWA cited copiously from the Nigerian Constitution to derive legitimacy of her absolute condemnation of the destructive clampdown by Security forces of political opposition.

The Police in Akwa Ibom have arrested a former Chairman of Etim Ekpo
Local Government Area, Mr Mfon Idung, for criminal conspiracy,
cultism, kidnapping, attempted murder and public assault.

Idung, a former Councilor, Vice Chairman, Care-taker Chairman and
Chairman of Etim Ekpo, at various times, it was learnt, was arrested
along with some persons, following a petition against him by Comrade
Etiedu Ukpong, Secretary of the National Youths Council (NYC), in the
area.

Ukpong had claimed that he was kidnapped and tortured by some thugs on
the orders of the former council boss.

Narrating his ordeal, the petitioner said suspected cultists, on the
orders of Idung, “kidnapped me, assaulted me and requested for
N1.2million for daring to oppose their boss’ bid to contest again for
the House of Assembly in 2018”.

“During security meeting over cult killings in Etim Ekpo, as the
youths’ leader, I had told the governor that the problem of insecurity
in our Local Government was politically-motivated and sponsored by
some powerful politicians for their selfish interests”.

“So, when the elders of Etim Ekpo rallied to endorse Elder Idung, I
stood against it because the youths are always being used by these
selfish politicians to feather their own nest.

“Because of my disposition that politicians should not always use the
youths as thugs and cultists to do their biddings in election time, I
was blackmailed before the governor Udom Emmanuel and was sacked as
the Dakkada (Arise) Coordinator for the State government in Etim
Ekpo.” He lamented.

Ukpong, who begged Emmanuel to ensure “my life is secured with my
three children”, recalled that “the cultists, who kidnapped and
assaulted him, also burgled his father’s house and vandalized his
grave”.

Confirming the arrest, the Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr. Adeyemi
Samuel Ogunjemilusi, said he was currently studying the particulars of
the case, assuring that justice would take its normal course and the
completion of investigations.

“Yes, my boys are currently on the matter. I have given them room to
finish everything they have to do and hand over the case to me. From
Monday (today), I will personal look at the file. From there, I will
be in a better position to proper brief you on the matter.” He said.

It would be recalled that the Governor, had disclosed that the
unabated security breaches in some Local Government Areas of the state
were being sponsored and vowed that “we are tracking the sponsors of
the crises in parts of the State”, assuring that they would be fished
out and prosecuted.

Four Co-agitators of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, group has been granted bail, by a Federal High court sitting in Abuja, Federal capital territory on Monday June 25.

The four pro-Biafra agitators- Bright Chimezie, Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi, were granted N10million each, with two sureties in like sum.

Nigerian Pilot, reported that the agitators were hitherto facing treasonable felony charge alongside their ‘missing’ leader Mr. Nnamdi Kanu.

granted the defendants bail to the tune of N10million each with two sureties in like sum.

The presiding judge also directed that the money should be deposited in cash to the Chief Registrar of the Court, even as she ordered the defendants to surrender all their travelling documents and not travel without leave of the court.

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe’s Lawyer, Chukwuma-Machukwu Ume (SAN), has called out the Department of State Security (DSS), over the maltreatment and frustration, meted on his client.

Ume, has alleged he is yet to speak with his client, since he was picked up by security operatives in Abuja on Friday,June 22.- and all efforts by the family, his physician and himself to see Abaribe, had been thwarted by security operatives.

“We have made all attempts through official channels for his doctor, family members and myself to see him and up till this moment after visiting the DSS headquarters in Abuja to look for him we still don’t have any information about him since the security people left with him at about 11.30pm after searching his house on Friday,” he said.

The counsel, has now given the DSS up till Monday(today), before he takes his next line action.

According to him, “If by Monday we don’t have any information about him or access to him and after meeting with my client’s family, we’ll then determine the next step to take.”

Pastor of Voice of Canaan Church, Cherubin and Cheraphim Azuri-Okene, Otaru Olusegun has said he killed Mercy Moses, a sex worker at Hollywood Hotel in Azuri community in Adavi local government of Kogi state because of poverty, saying that he had expected to raise #2.5m from the ritual practice before he was arrested.

The pastor that was paraded with two of his accomplice in crime , Yakubu Abdulmuminu and Samuel Olusegun at the kogi state police command Lokoja on Monday stated that he learnt the art and trade of money making ritual from his master at Abeokuta in Ogun state years back.

Prophet Otaru who said he is pastoring about 20 people presently in his church, which started 45-yr ago stated that the killing of the said prostitute(mercy) for money ritual marked the third attempt in that direction that failed him.

In the earlier attempts, the 45-yr old prophet said that he got his raw materials from burial ground by exhuming dead bodies, and got the necessary parts which yielded no desired result.

While he confirmed sending two of his pastors, Samuel Olusegun, Yakubu Abdulmuminu and one Stephen, that is on the run to lure any prostitute for the money ritual , Otaru said one of his boys strangulated Mercy to death, stressing that they cut her body to pieces to ease their operation in the ritual art.

Butressing Prophet Otaru’s claim, one of the suspects, Yakubu Abdulmuminu disclosed that they raped the deceased before she was killed, and two of them(himself and Stephen) still sex her after she was killed, in order to receive protection from any form of attacks.

According to the kogi state police command Public Relation Officer, ASP Williams Aya, the 3 suspected rituals were apprehended after a tip off , adding that command has recovered the remains of the deceased from the suspects in pieces: the head, legs, body and hands.

He said three suspects connected with the crime have been arrested,and had confessed to the crime, adding that the police is on the trail of the 4th suspect who is on the run.

Meanwhile, the command said it has in its custody 6 criminals that invaded and killed a police Inspector Abdullai Alfa at Ugwolawo police station in November last year , and made a way with his AK47rifle and motorcycle from the station.

The PPRO said those arrested includes, Ubile Attah, Julius Alhassan, Akwu Audu,Shehu Alidu as well as Onuche James, Amidu Yakubu and Abdul Tijani, addiding that the arrest of cultists at Anyigba end of the axis led to the crack of the criminals as one of them confessed to the raid of the said police station.

According to one of the suspects. Ubile Attah, he gave out the group to the law because he was not given the money that was agreed upon before they embarked on the operation.