Former Niger Delta Militant leader, Asari Dokubo, has spoken a little about why he visited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday, June 16, 2023.

Dokubo, who is widely recognized as one of the vocal supporters of Tinubu during the 2023 presidential campaigns, arrived at the Villa this morning for a closed-door meeting with the Nigerian leader.

In a brief chat with journalists after the meeting, Dokubo disclosed that he visited the president to say hello.

Referencing Tinubu as his father, Dokubo promised to do all in his power to stop oil theft in the Niger Delta region under the president’s administration.

“Just to come and say hello to my father. I have congratulated him before this time. And to give a word of support to what he has achieved and what he has done so far.

“And I know that Nigeria has changed. Nigeria has turned 360 in the positive direction.

“When I am speaking about the president, I am speaking from a personal point of view. I will do everything, I can stake anything to make my father, through God, succeed.

“Oil theft will be stopped. There will be zero oil theft in the Niger Delta Insha Allah,” the former militant said.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has apologised to the Muslim community for his comment regarding the election of the 10th Assembly leaders.

During a meeting with lawmakers in the buildup to the National Assembly election, Shettima had said, “Under the current dispensation, the worst incompetent Southern Christian is better than the most puritanical Northern Muslim for the Presidency of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

The comment sparked a heated debate, especially on social media.

But in an interview with BBC Hausa, Shettima said his utterances were misunderstood, and he had no intention of defaming his religion.

He said, “The comment I made is for the benefit of Nigeria but was misinterpreted. I receive confidential intelligence reports that are not suitable for public disclosure.

“I sincerely did not have any intention to cause harm to any individual or the Islamic religion. However, being an imperfect human being, I seek forgiveness from the community and from my Lord. I pledge that I will never reiterate such words again, as I am a devout Muslim, and my family lineage has faithfully followed the path of Islam for more than 1,400 years.

“To anyone who was hurt by my statement, I apologize, as it was never my intention to disparage any religion.”

– Says powerful cabals operating from Abuja behind bunkering

Former Niger Delta militant, Alhaji Asari Dokubu, Friday, said over 99 per cent of oil theft in the country is carried out by the army and navy.

Dokubo also alleged that the people perpetuating oil bunkering in the Niger Delta region are powerful cabals most times operating from Abuja with the entitlement mentality

Speaking to State House correspondents after meeting behind closed doors with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Dokubo said that the reason behind his visit was to give words of encouragement to the President for his actions and pronouncements since he assumed office.

According to him, “We discussed the issues of security and oil theft in Niger Delta. Myself and my brothers assured Mr. President that there will be no more oil theft in the Niger Delta.”

He further said, “The military is at the centre of oil theft. 99 per cent of oil theft can be traced to the Nigeria military, the army and the navy.

“The army and navy intimidate the Civil Defence that have the responsibility to protect the oil facilities. The main culprits are the army and the navy.

“There are notorious army commanders that are kingpins in the oil theft. The military men are busy stealing. The insurgents are harvesting from Nigeria military and police to further their criminality “

The former militant further disclosed that ‘his people’ are deployed in different parts of the country maintaining peace, adding that it was his ‘people’ that have made it possible for Nigerians to travel from Abuja to Kaduna and vice versa.

He said the President has promised a decisive action to make sure that this does not continue.

“I volunteered to help to see to an end this evil. I can take bullet for Tinubu,” he said.

Former member of the House of Representatives from Jigawa State, Mansur Ali Mashi, was on Friday convicted of fraud following an eight count charge of conspiracy and obtaining by false pretense.

Mashi, who represented Mashi Dutsi federal constituency, was jailed alongside three bank officials: Abdulmumini Mustapha, Shehu Aliyu and Muazu Abdu in a trial that lasted 12 years.

The 2nd defendant, Abdulmumin Mustapha was the former branch manager of Sterling Bank, while the 3rd defendant was the former Head of Operation of the bank.

They were convicted by Justice Sale Musa Shuaibu of the Federal High Court, Kaduna.

Mashi was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for using fictitious companies to fraudulently obtain a loan facility to the tune of N212,439,552.

According to EFCC, he obtained the loan from Sterling Bank, which he diverted to personal use.

When the defendants were first arraigned, they had pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them

However, the prosecution called six witnesses and tendered several exhibits to prove the case against the defendants.

The court pronounced him guilty on counts 1 to 8 and was convicted accordingly.

The 4th defendant was also absent but the court found him guilty on all counts and convicted in.

However the two defendants who were absent were not sentenced, the court reserved their sentence until they are arrested and brought before the court.

The 2nd defendant, Mustapha, was convicted on counts 1 to 15.

He was sentenced to five years imprisonment on each count without an option of fine.

The court further ordered the 2nd defendant to restitute Sterling Bank in the sum of N40,000,000.

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has empanelled seven committees to investigate petitions against Judicial officers.

In a statement on Friday, Soji Oye, NJC’s director of information, said the decision was reached during meetings held on Wednesday and Thursday.

More details to come…

Dr Ramon Adedoyin, the owner of Hilton Hotels in Ile-Ife, Osun State, along with two of his staff members who were convicted for the murder of ex-Masters student Timothy Adegoke from Obafemi Awolowo University, have lodged an appeal against the verdict in a higher court.

Previously, Osun State Chief Judge Adepele Ojo had presided over the case and sentenced Adedoyin and his two staff members, Adeniyi Aderogba and Oyetunde Kazeem, to death by hanging for their involvement in the evacuation of the deceased from the hotel.

Justice Ojo also ruled that the hotel where the incident occurred should be forfeited to the state government, and the education of Adegoke’s children should be funded until they complete tertiary education using the assets of the convicts.

Timothy Adegoke: Ibadan-based broadcaster decries ‘harassment, intimidation by Police’
Three other hotel staff members, namely Magdalene Chiefuna, Oluwole Lawrence, and Adebayo Kunle, were acquitted of the charges. The seventh defendant, Adesola Adedeji, who was the receptionist on duty when Adegoke arrived at the hotel, received a two-year prison sentence starting from the day of her arrest.

One of the lawyers representing Adedoyin in the case, Mr Muhydeen Adeoye, confirmed that the convicts have appealed the judgment of the Osun State High Court.

He stated in an interview with a correspondent, “We have filed an appeal against the judgment of Osun State High Court. The appeal was filed before the Court of Appeal in Akure.”

Former Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, has alleged betrayal by some of his colleagues, days after losing the senate presidency to Senator Godswill Akpabio.

Akpabio, former Akwa-Ibom State Governor and lawmaker representing Akwa Ibom North-West was the anointed candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He emerged as President of the 10th Senate on Tuesday after polling a total of 63 votes. Yari, also of the ruling party got 46 votes.

Speaking during an interview on Thursday in Abuja, Channels reports that, Yari claimed his permutations as of 3am on Tuesday showed that he would get at least 61 out of the 109 votes available, which would have been enough to see him coast home to victory. Despite feeling betrayed by the turnout of events, the former Zamfara governor believed only God knew what transpired.

“Yes, I can say there was a betrayal. That’s the truth because as we are taking stock as of 3 am, Monday-Tuesday election, we took stock of over 76. But as usual, human beings, we thought we are going to get a pullout of about 15 which we will have a comfortable 61 to win the election,” he stated.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has assured Nigerians that the members of the National Assembly will work with President Bola Tinubu in meeting the expectations of the people.

The Senate President made the promise while speaking with state house correspondents shortly after his meeting with President Tinubu on Thursday.

Akpabio assured that the National Assembly members are ready to work with the executive arm to improve the lot of Nigerians, empower the people, improve the economy, and provide welfare and security just as the constitution mandates them.

“Nigerians expect robust legislative debates, they expect us to focus on Nigeria and they expect us to help Mr President to take decisions that will improve the lot of Nigerians, they expect us to take decisions that will ensure total empowerment.

“Above all, they want the improvement of the economy, they want to see palliatives, they want everything about the wellbeing of Nigeria to be taken seriously, just like it is in the Constitution that the primary purpose of government is about security and welfare of the people.

“Once we take care of those things, we would have met their expectations but I assure you that we are poised to do so,” Akpabio said.

He commended President Tinubu for the steps taken so far and assured that the lawmakers would provide necessary support and legislative backing for the government to take more actions in the interest of Nigerians.

“I think the President has already started, ours is to back him and to support his actions for the betterment of the country. So, for now, the parliament on resumption will also lend our voice to what we have seen so far.

“He has taken the right steps, the stock market is rising and a lot of people are excited with the steps he has taken so far, we are also happy. There is a renewed hope not just in terms of the economy, but in terms of stability of the country, it will affect all facets of life including security,” Akpabio added.

A former member of the House of Representatives, Gudaji Kazaure, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to investigate 12 persons in order to recover all of Nigeria’s stolen money.

The former lawmaker, who stated that the fuel subsidy payment was a fraud, said most of the money was diverted.

Speaking on the Brekete Family program on Thursday, Kazaure called on Tinubu to shut his eyes and deal with anyone found guilty.

He called on the president to investigate former Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami; NNPL GCEO Mele Kyari; former Humanitarian Minister Sadiya Umar Farouk, amongst others.

Kazaure said: “Instead of paying N7 trillion to subsidy which is fraud, even N1 trillion is not spent because they are going into a private account…pocket. Whoever said they are spending that money is lying.

“And that is why I’m calling the attention of Mr President as he showed that he is serious, there are people in his government and there are people that assisted him that are among this mess.

“So, he should close his eyes and deal with them. No matter who is close to him, no matter who is in the government, if he’s found in this issue, he should return the government’s money.

“There are twelve people the president should investigate. The first person, if we want to bring back the economy of this country, we have to arrest and investigate CBN governor who is now under investigation.

“Secondly, the EFCC chairman. And when we are investigating the EFCC chairman, we have to invite Magu, the former chairman, to bring some things that he left in the office, to explain.

“Thirdly, the GMD of the NNPC. Number four, the former minister of justice, Malami. Number five, Sabiu Tunde, who was the personal private secretary to former President Buhari.

“Number six, the chairman of FIRS. Then there is Jamoh, the NIMASA DG. Then there is Koko from the NPA, and Hadiza Bala, the former NPA chairman.

“All present CBN deputy governors that are working with Emefiele should come and open their eyes and mouths and tell what they know, if we are serious and want to restore the economy.

“Then number ten, we have to arrest and investigate Sadiya Umar Farouk, former minister of humanitarian affairs, because when you invite her, many of her colleagues will come into the investigation.

“Then the entire leaders of National Inter-bank Settlement System (NIBSS). The entire leaders and the ICT officers there are supposed to be investigated because they are the ones who will tell you where all the bank charges and the stamp duty went. Because it’s from there the money goes to CBN.”

Kazaure also said the way corruption is fought in the country has become known to individuals who embezzle money.

He said: “First of all, they are aware that if you take money in Nigeria, when they carry you to EFCC, from EFCC to court, you will hire lawyers who will get you bail and you will go and enter air conditioner and continue eating chicken.

“Your private jet is there, your dollars are there, everything is there, you are spending. With that we cannot fight corruption in this country.”

The Police Service Commission (PSC) on Friday approved the appointment of AIGs Frank Mba and Bala Ciroma as Deputy Inspectors General of Police.

Naija News reports that this was made known in a statement by PSC, Head, Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani.

DIG Ciroma will replace DIG Ali Janga who has retired from Service and had represented the North East geo-political zone in the Police Management team. DIG Ciroma, the most senior Officer from the zone will henceforth represent the zone.

DIG Mba will represent the South East zone and replace retired DIG John Amadi who before his retirement represented the zone.

The Commission also approved the promotion of 14 Commissioners of Police to the next rank of Assistant Inspectors General of Police and 22 Deputy Commissioners of Police to the substantive rank of Commissioners.

These decisions were highpoints of the 21st Plenary Meeting of the Commission presided over by its Chairman, Dr. Solomon Arase and attended by all the Members of the Commission including the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Commission, Ifeoma Adaora Anyanwutaku.

The new AIGs are CP Abubakar Lawal; CP Alhassan Aminu; CP Abdul Umar; CP Shettima Zannah; CP Ebong Eyibio Ebong; CP Adepoju Ayiinde Ilori and CP Okon Okon Effiong.

Others are; CP Echeng Eworo Echeng; CP Susan Ukpanukiema Horsfall; CP Bankole Lanre Sikiru; CP Oladimeji Yomi Olarewaju; CP Sani Gwarzo and CP Odama Paul Ojeka.

The 22 Deputy Commissioners of Police promoted to the rank of Commissioners are; DCP Abibo Deinma Reuben; DCP Thomas Abraham Nabhoni; DCP Wakil Abdul Salamai; DCP Enyinnaya Inonachi; DCP Ronke Nurat Okunade; DCP Adekunle Ismail Olusokan; DCP Hassan Abdu Yabnet; DCP Festus Chinedu Oko; DCP Aminu Baba Raji; DCP Omolara Ibidun Oluntola; DCP Akoh Benedict Gabriel; DCP Alamutu Abiodun Mustapha; DCP Bafda Magaji Jahun, DCP Ahmadu Tijani Abdullahi; and DCP Mohamned Mu’azu; Others are, DCP Bretet Emmanuel Simon; DCP Ihebom M Chukuma; DCP Shettima Mohamned Qurtu; DCP Olatokunbo Maxwell Olabisi; DCP Yusuf Mohammed Lawal; DCP Monica Leo and DCP Abaniwonda Surajudeen Olufemi.

The Commission also approved the promotion of twenty four Assistant Commissioners of Police to the next rank of Deputy Commissioners. They include, ACP Ezekiel Ibrahim, Project Monitoring Unit, Force Headquarters, Abuja; Mohammed Shamsudeen, Assistant Director, OPS, Kaduna (NCCSALW); ACP Khan Salihu Usman, Networking Admin ICT FHQ, Abuja; ACP Wan Mantu Chongs, Commander PMF 19 Portharcourt; Baba Lawan Audu, Area Commander, Exeter Akwa-Ibom State Command; Okon Etim Asuquo, Department of Operations, Benue State Command; Louis Chike Nwabuwa, Department of Operations, Plateau State Command; ACP Samuel Osman Onoja, Police College Oji River; ACP Sa’ad Yahaya and ACP Ibrahim Jibrin, Commanders 76 PMF, Nsukka and 56 PMF Ogoni amongst others.

The Commission also approved the promotion of 39 Chief Superintendents of Police to Assistant Commissioners of Police. They include, CSPs Joseph Udoh; Nze Helen Omeba; Uduaku Isaac Udom; Anthony Francis Etim; Benjamin Kelembus Bello; Abdullahi Idris Abubakar; Ogbonnaya Nwota and Daiyabu Mohammed Ahmed among others. It also approved the acting appointment of CSP Akande Bamidele to acting Assistant Commissioner of Police.

The two AIG’s, 14 CP’s and 22 Deputy Commissioners of Police appeared before the Commission in Plenary for an interactive session, a requirement for their new ranks.

The Plenary Meeting also approved a new Instrument of Delegation on delegated powers to the Inspector General of Police.

Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Solomon Arase congratulated the newly promoted Officers and charged them to reciprocate the Commission’s Good gesture by rededicating themselves to the service of their fatherland. He promised to ensure that Police Promotions will be regular so that Officers are not allowed to stagnate in any rank.

Dr. Arase commended other Members of the Commission for their dedication and sacrifice stressing that a new and brighter future “is here for the Nigeria Police Force”.