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Counsel to the late Deputy Inspector General of Police, Moses Ambakina Jitoboh, Silas Onu, has said the late officer did not reach the Inspector General status because of former President Muhammadu Buhari and former Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Solomon Arase.
Naija News reported that the Late Jitoboh sued the PSC for his compulsory retirement. While he, unfortunately, died on Thursday, 27 December 2024; the Court, on Monday, ruled in his favour and granted his prayers.
“Today (Monday), DIG Moses A. Jitoboh wins his case against the Police Service Commission. Reinstated with effect from the date of his purported compulsory retirement and awarded 50m in general damages. Having passed on to glory, it is now official that he died in active duty to his fatherland,” Onu wrote on his X handle.
Some reports on the court victory, however, attributed the late officer’s sack to President Bola Tinubu and the current IGP of Police, Kayode Egbetokun. The reports wrongly claimed Jitoboh was sacked to pave the way for Egbetokun.
In a statement, on Tuesday, Onu clarified that the sack of the former aide-de-camp (ADC) to former President Goodluck Jonathan had nothing to do with Tinubu and Egbetokun.
According to him, the Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi and IGP Egbetokun ensured justice was done in the case.
“I can state clearly here now that President Bola Tinubu and the IGP of Police had no hands in his sad compulsory retirement.
“It was 100% the handiwork of former IGP Solomon Arase as the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC) which exercises control over all Police Officers, with the exception of the Inspector General of Police.
“The reason for his action was personal and very mundane and he was sacked by President Bola Tinubu upon our complaint through the office of the Attorney General of the Federation.
“As a matter of fact, the IGP ensured that the Police played no role whatsoever in the trial as they refused to cooperate with the PSC to fabricate lies against Moses,” he said.
Jitobonh’s counsel further disclosed that the current PSC Chairman, Hashimu Argungu, was against his client’s sack.
Onu explained that the President was unable to act on the issue because it was already in court.
“The new Chairman of the PSC, from my discussions with Moses, also was against the action taken by Arase and like the IGP, hoped to receive Moses back in the Force after the judgment. They both were talking with him before he passed. In fact, he stated that the IGP had a special place for him when he returns to the Police.
“The President could not act as we were already in Court, so the AGF said we should wait for the outcome and the government will respect whatever decision reached.
“So, it is not correct to mischaracterize their entire unfortunate events by saying it was done to favour the IGP. Recall that other DIGs retired along with Moses did not challenge the act because they all had less than 5 months to leave the Force, while Moses had 7 years then.
“If any President was unkind to Moses, it was Muhammadu Buhari who signed the Police Act, 2020 into law and flouted its provisions twice, simply to deny Moses his privileged lawful promotion to the office of IGP,” he added.
[NaijaNews]
Controversial Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly called Portable has condemned comparisons of his facial tattoos to those of his colleague Ahmed Ololade, also known as Asake.
Asake’s new look sparked reactions amongst fans after showing off his shaved face and new facial tattoos, which include dollar signs and “Believe” inscriptions, among others, in an Instagram post on Sunday.
Netizens had likened the Ololade master’s new look to that of Portable’s because of their facial tattoos.
Portable was not pleased with the comparisons, expressing his dissatisfaction with a frown and asserting that he resembles American rapper Lil Wayne more.
In a video message posted on his social media, he stated, “Don’t compare me to Asake. I don’t look like Asake. I look like Lil Wayne. Stop comparing me to an overrated artist,” he said angrily.
[Leadership]
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has described the removal of petrol subsidy as a direct blessing to state governments.
The governor said this during the inspection of some projects to celebrate the first year of his second term.
He said more money now accrues to the coffers of state governments for the development.
“In reconciling the negative effects of the fuel subsidy removal and the benefits in terms of socio-infrastructure, social benefits, and then the ease of doing business occasioned by the provision of the enabling infrastructure, I think it is a blessing.”
“It is a direct blessing, it is not a disguise to the sub-nationals because more monies are now coming to states and state governments must do things to show citizens that they are able to do these things because they now get more monies as a result of the fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government.”
Uzodimma is not the first governor to make such claim.
Last year, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State asked Nigerians to hold governors to account over the improved allocation from the federation account.
Sule stated this while answering questions during an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today.
He said that people were suffering, urging them to ask their state governors what they were doing with the improved revenues from the federal government.
Sule had said, “Most of the time people are looking at some of the hard economic decisions the president has taken. That is his own style. Two decisions taken are bringing these economic reforms.
“One, is the subsidy removal and the second is the floating of the forex. These are the two major policies people keep on complaining about. And people are asking where the money is. The money is there. It is being given to various people and places and coming to the people in different ways.
“That is why I give you an example of what we are doing in Nasarawa. Yes, there is going to be difficulties; but instead of just looking at the federal government let the people hold every state governor responsible. What are you doing with the improved revenue you are getting? Until every state governor comes back and says we are doing this and that.
“President Tinubu doesn’t have land anywhere. The lands belong to the state. He can’t go and do agriculture anywhere, for example. They have already started construction of highways from Badagry to Calabar. The one from Calabar is coming to Abuja and the one from Badagry going to Sokoto State. There are many of them.
“The federal government would continue to do its own part. The same improved revenue the states have seen is the same improved revenue local governments see. The local governments in Nasarawa State when they receive their own after the FEC meeting they are getting 100% increase in their revenue. They used to receive N2.2 billion. Today they receive more than N4 billion. Local governments in Nasarawa do not owe anybody salary. They have some savings.”
The Joint Committee on Livestock Development of the Senate and House of Representatives has rejected the 2025 budgetary provision of N11.8 billion for the takeoff of the newly established Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.
The committee chairman, Sen. Musa Mustapha said lawmakers are aware of enormous challenges associated with taking off a ministry, hence, they will look into the budget with a view to re-adjust it.
The Federal Government had proposed a budget of N10 billion for capital expenditure and N1.8 billion for overhead in the 2025 budget of the ministry which commenced activities about three months ago.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha who appeared before the joint committee with officials of the agency listed numerous challenges confronting the ministry, stating that structures are still being put together.
He said: “The take off process is ongoing with necessary structures being put together from formative departments from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
“We are yet to have office accommodation,” he said.
Wale Raji, Chairman House Committee on Livestock Development, queried the amount of input from the Presidential Implementation Committee for the take – off of the ministry.
“There will be need for you to make special presentation on this or come up with supplementary budget that will reflect the hope of Nigerians.
“The budget is abysmally low to respond to the yearnings of Nigerians,” he said.
[DailyPost]
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Folashade Arinola Adekaiyaoja, as the Deputy Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The approval, the first of its kind by any President, it was gathered, seeks to revise the agency’s structure for better efficiency.
This, it was learnt, is in line with the original organogram of the Service.
Checks revealed that the DSS is structured to comprise three Deputy Directors General in its hierarchy.
The appointment and ratification by the President was based on the recommendation of the DG, through the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, The Nation learnt.
“It is line with its extant regulations and unprecedented in the history of the Secret Service,” a source said
The appointment of Adekaiyaoja, a native of Kogi state was celebrated by a cross section of officers and operatives who see her as eminently qualified for the position, it was learnt.
It was further gathered that President Tinubu had, in line with his promise to improve on the security of life and property of Nigerians, tasked the heads of security agencies to come up with proposals on how to improve on their service delivery.
“It was on this note that the President approved the DG’s recommendation, which many serving and retired officers are confident would boost career progression in the Service,” the source said.
President Tinubu had at the the investiture ceremony of the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS) Executive Intelligence Management Course 17 graduates last December, promised to support the DSS and other security agencies with Artificial Intelligence- powered state-of-the-art equipment to combat insecurity across the country.
Speaking through the NSA, the president stated that he was not oblivious of the security challenges in contemporary times, and charged all security agencies to synergize for the common good of Nigerians.
The DSS Director-General, Mr. Oluwastosin Ajayi, had on assumption of office late August 2024, promised sweeping reforms in the Organization, which he assured would transform the DSS into one of the most efficient covert Security Agencies in the world.
[TheNation]
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has stated that documents signed by his predecessor, Hadi Sirika, indicate that a foreign airline would have taken over Nigeria Air.
In a viral video, Keyamo exposed some pages of the documents, explaining parts of the deed of agreements signed by Sirika and the Ethiopian government.
He insisted that the Nigerian government had no regrets about ending the agreement with Ethiopian Airlines over Nigeria Air, stressing that the country cannot give its aviation ecosystem to another entity.
Keyamo said, “You will be shocked if you look at this agreement. What it simply says is that a foreign government should come and take over our national carrier. Ethiopian Air was the single major shareholder in that deal. It is the same thing they did in Togo with Asky. We cannot be Togo. We are big and ambitious.
“We cannot give up our aviation ecosystem to another entity. What would have happened is that the Ethiopian government would now be the complete beneficiary of all our Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASA) routes.
“A national carrier has first priority over all the BASA routes we have negotiated all over the world. If we give them all the routes we have suffered to negotiate, where will all those profits go? It is not Nigeria.”
This comes as Keyamo explained that Nigeria did not lose any foreign direct investment by not agreeing to the terms of Nigeria Air.
He said what the Ethiopian government was going to do was to get wet-lease aircraft and fly them as national carriers, with all the profits going to Addis Ababa.
The CEO of Nigeria Air would have been an Ethiopian, the financial officer Ethiopian, the director of operations Ethiopian, and all other key positions would have been reserved for foreigners. That is not a national carrier.
“In the document, it also says the people that will run Nigeria Air will not pay any tax to the Nigerian government. They are not also building any investments in the country. The documents also say Nigeria will be the guarantor of any loss they suffer here,” Keyamo further explained.
A prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kola Ologbondiyan, has alleged that there are efforts to transform the party into a subsidiary of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The former National Publicity Secretary of the PDP made this remark on Tuesday, January 14, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV’s Morning Show.
Ologbondiyan stated that the acting National Chairman of the PDP, Umar Damagum, is unlawfully occupying his position.
Ologbondiyan’s comments were made in light of external influences that he believes are attempting to undermine the party.
He emphasized that while Damagum hails from the Northeast, there is a desire within the Northcentral region for the National Chairman position to revert to their area.
According to Ologbondiyan: “Like a proverb said, if there is no spilt on the wall, the lizard can’t come in, so definitely there will be issues in the party, but how much these issues are managed is one side, and how external influences come into them to finally disrupt and reduce the party to nothing else is also there.
“There are issues in the party. In the case of the National Chairman, the Northcentral believes that the position should return to them. Damagum is from the Northeast, and he is occupying that position.
“No matter how long he continues to stay there, Damagum is staying there illegitimately. It’s an issue in the party.”
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has asserted that the former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, is desperate for recognition, and the party is not losing sleep over his political romance with the camp of ex-Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, and the Social Democratic Party, (SDP).
Recalls that El-Rufai, a prominent APC chieftain, held a closed-door meeting with the SDP leadership and some allies of Atiku, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The meeting, which took place at the national secretariat of the SDP, also had Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, former Chief Security Officer of General Sani Abacha and a former spokesman of Atiku Abubakar, Segun Showunmi, among others.
Although the agenda was not made public, there were speculations that El-Rufai was aligning with the major opposition figures to oust President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
However, the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Shehu Musa Gabam, dismissed reports suggesting an alliance between the party, Atiku Abubakar or El-Rufai.
Gabam, during an appearance on TVC’s Politics Today, categorically stated that there had been no discussions about forming alliances with political figures or parties.
Reacting to the development, the National Vice Chairman of the APC (South-East), Ijeoma Arodiogbu, in an interview with Punch, said the ruling party was not worried over the moves by the opposition figures.
Arodiogbu stated that after the 2023 election, El-Rufai has displayed himself as someone who cannot be trusted across the regions of the country.
He argued that the controversial reforms that the opposition may be planning to campaign with are currently yielding the desired results Nigerians anticipated.
The APC chieftain also said Nigerians are beginning to understand Tinubu’s reforms and cannot afford to surrender the leadership to desperate politicians whose sole interest is state capture.
He said, “As it is in the Bible, surely they shall gather and they shall scatter. We are not worried that they are gathering because they will definitely scatter. We are not worried about what El-Rufai does next. We know that his trajectory in politics is highly disturbed now.
“After our election (in 2023), he displayed himself as a man who cannot be trusted across the regions. The way he disparaged Christians in Nigeria, a secular society, has made him a leper. Nobody goes anywhere close to him. El-Rufai is just desperate for recognition now and I wonder why the media is giving him that attention.
“We are not worried about the unholy alliance because it will amount to nothing. It is just a gathering of disgruntled people trying to lick their wounds. Tinubu remains the president and there is nobody that can stop him in 2027.
“So we are not worried about El-Rufai and their union. When 2027 comes, what will they use to campaign to Nigerians? Will you tell them that you plan to reintroduce fuel subsidy? Not possible. We are already bouncing back to the days of glory. They have seen that the forest is stabilised, and the people are beginning to see a light at the end of the tunnel.
“People are now beginning to understand the essence of all the reforms he (President Bola Tinubu) has implemented. Did you read where they reported that PMS is likely to sell at N500 before the middle of this year? You can see that the benefits and gains of the policy reforms implemented by the President are beginning to yield fruit.
“That is because we have allowed the market forces to determine the price and taken off the pressure that fuel subsidy has on our economy and currency. We are now looking at exporting fuel outside Nigeria. That is a massive gain for Nigeria. I am telling you that we have hope for a very brighter tomorrow for Nigeria.”
The Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, has expressed that the federal government’s removal of the petrol subsidy is advantageous for state governments.
During a project inspection in Imo State on Monday, January 13, commemorating the first anniversary of his second term, the governor noted that the removal of the subsidy has resulted in increased financial resources for state governments, facilitating their developmental initiatives.
Uzodimma emphasized the importance of state governments demonstrating their capability to the public, as they now receive enhanced allocations due to subsidy removal.
He said, “In reconciling the negative effects of the fuel subsidy removal and the benefits in terms of socio-infrastructure, social benefits, and then the ease of doing business occasioned by the provision of the enabling infrastructure, I think it is a blessing.
“It is a direct blessing, it is not a disguise to the sub-nationals because more monies are now coming to states and state governments must do things to show citizens that they are able to do these things because they now get more monies as a result of the fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government.”
Meanwhile, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, North West Zone, Abdullahi Tanko Yakasai, has stated that the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of naira was necessary so the nation could save more funds.
He stated that the money saved From President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies is being diverted into developmental projects like infrastructure, agriculture, health and other critical sectors of the society.
Yakasai argued that the effect of fuel subsidy removal is gradually manifesting positively to the advantage of Nigerians.
He stated this while flagging off the distribution of rice palliative to residents of Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State.
According to him, “The hardship, yes, is caused by the removal of the fuel subsidy and the floating of the Naira, but these are programs that Mr President took a bold step because since the inception of this democracy from 1999 to date, we have been giving out this subsidy and it’s only going to the few.
“So Mr President took this bold step because we need to save more funds as we are doing now so that we can do other things, other developmental projects like infrastructure, like in agriculture, health and other critical sectors of the society. So we were so surprised that within all these years, none of this refinery has come on board. But within this administration of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we’ve seen Port Harcourt Refinery come on board.
“For years, our refineries were down and they have started working today which means they refused to repair the refineries. How much is the price for petrol now? It is dropping down by the day.
“This is a remarkable feat and it’s making its production at 60 per cent capacity. Just two weeks ago, the GMD of NNPC, Mele Kyari, also came out to say that the Warri Refinery is running and he has taken media houses, he has taken you people there, he has taken well-meaning Nigerians there to go and verify. So these are all things to tell you that His Excellency President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is so determined to make sure he turns around the fortune of this country.”
Popular Nollywood actress, Stella Damasus has disclosed that her family’s name was initially Ojukwu before the Nigerian civil war.
She said this during an interview with popular media personality, Ebuka Obi Uchendu.
While reacting to the mistake people make with her name, ‘Damasus’, she explained that her grandfather’s name ‘Ojukwu’ was changed during the civil war to avoid being attacked.
The actress stated that her family’s name was assumed to be related to the late Biafran war general, Ojukwu.
Ebuka said; ” It was interesting that so many people didn’t even understand that your surname was not what it was. So many people were shocked at the revelation, are you as shocked as a lot of people were?”
Stella responded; “Damasus is my granddaughter’s first name. It’s a Greek name. My original surname was Ojukwu but that changed during the Biafran war when my people were attacked in Asaba because they thought it was the same Ojukwu.
“I was born into Damasus, and when I asked why, that was the reason they gave me.”
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Parents of a 13-year-old student of Etoi Secondary School, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State have cried out for justice in the case of their son who was gang-raped for three years after being hypnotised by a syndicate of six gay men.
However, operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command who launched investigations following a tip-off, swooped on the syndicate of ritualists specialising in the illicit gay practice with young male children within the age bracket of 10 and 13 years.
The gang, noted for their involvement in Sodomy and other unnatural sexual acts were successfully tracked with six of them arrested.
The suspects were paraded at the state Police Command along with others for sundry crimes of kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, vandalisation of public assets and utilities.
Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Baba Azare vowed to rid the state of crimes and perpetrators brought to justice.
“Based on information received from concerned journalists, a 13-year-old child reported being raped repeatedly for about three years by different men in sodomy practice.
“The operatives of the Command swung into action immediately and arrested, the following suspects: Okwudili Levi Okeke, a.k.a, Eze, aged 34 years; Idara Itam Daniel, aged 23 years; David Udoh James, aged 23 years; Udofia Edem Udosen; aged 29 years; David Bassey Bassey; aged 26 years; and Daniel Jacob Edet, aged 30 years.
“Investigation revealed that Okwudili Okeke, was recruited into sodomy and has had anal sex with several men in the state.
“This is a crime against humanity and will not be condoned. Suspects will soon be prosecuted after the completion of investigation,” the CP vowed.
CP Azare who took over the command late last month has assured of his commitment to addressing the security challenges facing the state especially the perennial farmers/herders’ crises, communal and boundary skirmishes.
“We are aware of issues such as Fulani herdsmen encroaching on farms and destroying crops, as well as senseless attacks on Fulani cows by troubleshooters.
“Let it be clear that the Police will not fold their arms and allow miscreants to unleash terror on law-abiding residents,” stressing effective enforcement of the anti-grazing law.
Following rising cases of vandalisation of public transformers and infrastructural facility across the state, the CP assured efforts have been stepped up to nip the crime and arrest the perpetrators.
Consequently, some suspects including one Prosper Brownson Jim, and his accomplice, Uduak Sunday Benson we’re apprehended for vandalisation of a transformer belonging to Sure Foundation Polytechnic at Ikot Akai, in Ukanafun LGA.
Police also recovery the transformer, transformer oil, armoured cables and charms from the suspects.
Other items recovered included four fire service trucks stolen by the agency’s officials and taken to the neighbouring Port Harcourt, Rivers state, with flour suspects arrested.
“The Command moved to recover the said trucks and further investigation revealed that the fire trucks were leased out to some multinational companies at the rate of N140,000 per truck per day for initial period of 3 years,” the CP explaine
A tragic accident in the Kwanan Maciji area of Pankshin local government area of Plateau State over the weekend claimed the lives of 19 persons and left 11 others injured.
The victims, who had travelled from Kano State to attend a wedding ceremony in Barkin Ladi local government area of Plateau State, were returning home when the accident occurred on Saturday.
Chairman of the Pankshin Local Government Area Emergency Management Committee, John Dasar, confirmed the incident, describing it as devastating. According to him, the victims opted for a shorter route through Gindiri to Bauchi State when their vehicle was involved in an accident.
“In the aftermath of the crash, bystanders were helping to evacuate passengers from the vehicle when it suddenly caught fire,” Dasar said. “Unfortunately, 19 of the occupants were trapped and burnt beyond recognition. The driver and a few others managed to survive.”
The 11 survivors, some with serious injuries, were rushed to the Pankshin General Hospital for treatment.
Operatives of the Kano Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested five officials of the Katsina State Board of Internal Revenue over alleged diversion of N1,294,337,676.53.
The funds, which belong to the Katsina State Government, were allegedly misappropriated by the officials.
The suspects, identified as Rabiu Abdullahi, Sanusi Mohammed Yaro, Ibrahim M. Kofar Soro, Ibrahim Aliyu, and Nura Lawal Kofar Sauri, were apprehended following a petition from the Katsina State Government.
The petition accused the officials of colluding to divert revenue accruing from international organisations, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), Médecins Sans Frontières, and the Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA).
Preliminary investigations by the EFCC revealed that Rabiu Abdullahi, the former Director of Collections and current Permanent Secretary of the Board, authorised the opening of a bank account at Sterling Bank in the name of “BOIRS.” Sanusi Mohammed Yaro, Director of Revenue Account, and Ibrahim M. Kofar Soro, were allegedly designated as sole signatories to the account.
The EFCC further disclosed that the account became a primary channel for diverting funds to NADIKKO General Suppliers, a company owned by Nura Lawal Kofar Sauri, an Assistant Director of Career Skills and Staff Welfare at the Board.
The company reportedly served as the conduit pipe through which the stolen funds were laundered. Investigators traced the diverted funds to various bank accounts belonging to the suspects.
The suspects are currently in custody at the Kano Zonal Command of the EFCC and were expected to be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The EFCC has reiterated its commitment to combating corruption and recovering public funds, urging citizens to report any suspected cases of financial misconduct.
Elder statesman, Chief Arthur Eze, has lauded President Bola Tinubu for establishing the South-East Development Commission and funding it to be key development driver in the region.
The philanthropist made the commendation yesterday in Enugu while fielding questions from newsmen on the importance of the official working visit of President Tinubu to Enugu recently.
He stated that the commission is a key initiative that he believes would bring meaningful change to the region and greatly supports what the South-East governors are currently doing in terms of development.
”We have to thank Tinubu for the South-East Development Commission. That commission can solve our problem. They have more than N100 billion to create jobs here.
“Tinubu released the money. He doesn’t care. Other governments neglected us.
“That Commission will change the lives of Ndigbo. Very soon, people will start getting jobs,” he said.
Eze described Tinubu’s visit to Enugu as a moment of celebration and unity for the entire South-East.
“Tinubu’s visit reminded us of Sir Obafemi Awolowo, who fought for independence with Chief Michael Okpara, yet he was jailed for seven years in Calabar.
“Tinubu has continued on that path. When he was speaking, he was dishing out words of wisdom. God sent him here last weekend to address the issues concerning Ndigbo,” he said.
The elder statesman lauded efforts of Gov. Peter Mbah, in partnership with the Federal Government, in driving development and putting in place security in Enugu State.
He noted that Mbah’s use of technology in tackling insecurity, particularly the installation of security cameras across the state, had allowed residents to move around without fear during this yuletide.
Eze urged other governors in the South-East to follow Mbah’s example in addressing security challenges using technology.
“Mbah provided security. You can see the massive urban development where he has spent a lot of money.
“He is making visible efforts to take us back to Old Eastern Nigeria. Those good old days of Chief Michael Okpara, Sir Obafemi Awolowo and Owelle Nnamdi Azikiwe,” he added.