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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission will arraign the immediate-past governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, on Wednesday, January 24, before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, over alleged money laundering to the tune of N4,008,573,350.
Our correspondent gathered on Tuesday that the ex-governor will be arraigned on nine count charges.
The development comes over a week after the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede vowed to review all abandoned high-profile cases, especially those involving former Governors and Ministers.
An impeccable source revealed, “We found that Obiano moved N4,008,573,350 from security votes into different accounts. The money at various times was changed into dollars and returned to Obiano by cash.”
EFCC’s lead counsel, Slyvanus Tahir, SAN, will lead eight other lawyers in the trial of the former governor
Some of the charges against Obiano include, “That you, Chief Willie Maduabuchi Obiano, whilst being the executive governor of Anambra State of Nigeria between March 2014 – March 2022, sometime between 7th February, 2018 to 18th February, 2019 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, indirectly transferred through Mr Willie Nwokoye, your then principal private secretary, the sum of N156,800.00 only from the Anambra State Government Security Vote Account No: 5030050875 domiciled in Fidelity Bank Pic into the Fidelity Bank Ple Account No: 6060018819 belonging to C.I. Patty Ventures Nigeria Limited (an entity that had no business relationship with the Anambra State Government), which funds were dissipated for purposes unrelated / unconnected with the security affairs of Anambra State, which you reasonably ought to have known that such funds formed part of the proceeds of your unlawful act, to wit: (Stealing and Corruption) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) in 2012 and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.
“That you, Chief Willie Maduabuchi Obiano, whilst being the executive governor of Anambra State of Nigeria between March 2014 — March 2022, sometime between 9th August, 2017 to 4th March, 2020 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, indirectly transferred through Mr Willie Nwokoye, your then principal private secretary, the sum of N261,268,585.00 only from the Anambra State Government Security Vote Account No: 5030050875 domiciled in Fidelity Bank Plc into the Fidelity Bank Plc Account No: 5600062873 belonging to Easy Diamond Integrated Link (an entity that had no business relationship with the Anambra State Government), which funds were dissipated for purposes unrelated / unconnected with the security affairs of Anambra State, which you reasonably ought to have known that such funds formed part of the proceeds of your unlawful act, to wit: (Stealing and Corruption) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) in 2012 and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.
When contacted by our correspondent on Tuesday, the EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale confirmed the development while noting that Obiano will be arraigned on Wednesday.
“Yes, we’re arraigning Obiano tomorrow,” Oyewale noted.
The ex-governor was first arrested at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos, on March 17, 2022, as he was preparing to board a flight to Houston, the United States of America.
The arrest took place at about 8.30 pm, hours after he left office as governor and, thus, lost his immunity from arrest and prosecution.
He had been on the EFCC’s watchlist for some time before he was eventually arrested over corruption allegations.
“Obiano was arrested for alleged misappropriation of public funds, including, N5 billion Sure-P and N37 billion security vote which was withdrawn in cash. Part of the funds was also allegedly diverted to finance political activities in the state,” EFCC had noted at the time.
[Punch]
The Speaker of the Ogun House of Assembly, Olakunle Oluomo has been impeached by 18 lawmakers out of 26 member assembly, during plenary presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Mrs Bolanle Ajayi.
The Assembly equally elected Mr. Oludaisi Elemide, who is currently representing Odeda State Constituency at the Assembly, as the new Speaker.
Vanguard reliably gathered that Adegoke Adeyanju, an APC lawmaker, representing Yewa North 1 State Constituency moved the motion for Oluomo’s impeachment, while it was seconded by another APC lawmaker, Ademola Adeniran, who is representing Sagamu II State Constituency.
It was also gathered that Adeyanju had entered the Assembly chamber with the Maze in company of other lawmakers.
Speaking to newsmen after his election as the new Speaker, Elemide explained that the people of the state should expect the best from him.
He said, “we are law abiding legislators. We want the world to know that there has been changed in leadership.
“18 members signed for me to be the Speaker. People should remain calm. We are in custody of all the authority of the House. We are saying that the new leadership will support the governor.
He clarified that Governor Dapo Abiodun knows nothing about the impeachment.
Also speaking, Mr Damilola Soneye, who is representing Obafemi Owode State Constituency, noted that the office of the Speaker is to be first among equals.
“The Speaker was impeached due to gross misconduct which bothers on high handedness, lack of focus and transparency, arrogance and poor leadership style, financial misappropriation and inciting members against themselves,” he said.
The Clerk and the Deputy Clerk, Mr Deji Adeyemo and Mrs Funmilayo Adeyemi were also at the plenary.
Security personnel, including the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were in large numbers at the Assembly complex.
[Vanguard]
Danjuma Ali-Keffi, a former general officer commanding (GOC) of 1 division of the Nigerian Army, says Ibrahim Attahiru and 11 other senior military officers died in a “suspicious” air crash in Kaduna.
On May 21, 2021, Attahiru, then chief of army staff (COAS), and 11 other senior military officers died in a crash that involved a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) plane near Kaduna airport.
The former chief of army staff was heading to Kaduna from Abuja to attend the passing-out parade of army recruits
Speaking in an interview with THISDAY published on Monday, Ali-Keffi, a retired major general, asked President Bola Tinubu to probe the crash.
He alleged that the crash was linked to terror sponsors, adding that the full report of the investigation of the incident has not been made public.
Ali-Keffi said Attahiru developed a strategy to end terrorism, “part of which was the infiltration of terror groups and the instigation of crisis among their leaders, which culminated in the elimination of Boko Haram leader”.
THE UNANSWERED QUESTIONS
The retired major general was scheduled to receive the late army chief in Kaduna on the day of the incident.
Ali-Keffi questioned the sudden change of time for Attahiru’s trip to Kaduna, the change of airport of landing from the military airstrip to Kaduna airport, and the nature of the explosion.
He said there was no crater or impact on the crash area, and the bodies of the passengers were flung out of the aircraft.
He added that the bodies were beyond recognition long before the aircraft came down in flames
“About 2100 hours, on Thursday 20 May 2021, I spoke on phone with the Chief of Staff (COS) to the late COAS regarding their impending trip to Kaduna the following day,” he said.
“I had earlier spoken with General Attahiru on the same issue. We ended our conversation on the note that the late COAS and entourage would come by flight at about 1000 hrs the following day.
“About 0630hrs the following morning, I called the COS to the late COAS to confirm if their travel plan was as we discussed the night before, as I needed to make arrangements for the mosque that the COAS would attend Jummu’at (Friday) prayers.
“The COS informed me that there was a change of plan. He said after we finished speaking last night, they received a message that the late COAS was to attend a meeting either at the Honourable Minister of Defence (HMOD) office or at the Presidential Villa at about 1000 hrs on Friday 21 May 2021 and that the late COAS was to attend in person and not send a representative.
“It is important to note that the late COAS’ trip to Kaduna was part of his visit to Zaria to attend the Passing Out Parade at the Depot NA slated for Saturday 22 May 2021.
“It is worth noting that the movement of service chiefs out of station (Abuja) is with the prior knowledge of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), the Honourable Minister of Defence (HMOD), and the presidency.
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“So, why was a meeting scheduled for about the same time that the late COAS was to have departed for (or arrived) Kaduna and why the insistence that he (COAS) should not be represented?
“In any case, the COS informed me that in view of the meeting, they would depart the Flag House (official residence of the COAS) at about 1530 hrs (after attending the meeting and also after the Jummu’ at prayers) for the airport.
“They expected to arrive the airport at about 1600 hrs, board the aircraft at about 1610 – 1615 hours and depart for Kaduna.
“At about 1600 hours, I was informed that they had arrived the Presidential Wing of the Airport.
“I then set off from the Stallion House (official residence of the GOC) with my entourage in a convoy and arrived the Air Force Base at about 1615 hrs.
“For reasons that I cannot understand till today, the flight was delayed for over an hour and did not take off until 1730 hrs or so.
“The reason for the delay, as I was informed, was that there was an issue with the aircraft that was initially assigned for the mission (to convey the COAS and his entourage) and that it had to be changed.
The retired general wondered why the plane left Abuja despite an alert of a stormy weather condition in Kaduna.
“Meantime, there was a meteorological alert that Kaduna airspace was going to experience heavy rainfall accompanied with a storm (wind shear), and it was advised,” he added.
“Already, the cloud had formed in Kaduna, which was visible to us at the airport.
“As a matter of fact, the cloud was so thick, which was indicative of a massive storm. I began to nurse doubts about the flight.
“At some point, I voiced my doubts to Air Commodore Iyamu and Air Commodore Ilo, who were with me to receive the COAS.
“I even suggested that they should advise Abuja of the weather condition with a view to having the flight cancelled.
“At that point, I was informed that the aircraft was airborne (at about 1745 hrs). I became concerned as to whether the aircraft would be able to land at the airport in such a heavy rainfall, storm (the rain had started falling then).
“Thus, I was not surprised when Air Commodore Ilo informed me that we had to go to the Civil (International Airport) as the NAF runway was not long enough to enable the aircraft land under the atrocious weather condition.
“We then set off for the international airport but at a snail speed due to the heavy rainfall, which was accompanied with shale (ice particles).
“When we got to the vicinity of the airport, there was a thunderous sound, which I thought was the sound of thunder.
“We had earlier sighted what I believed was the aircraft descending to land on the runway.
“When we turned the bend to enter the tarmac, the thought in my mind was that the aircraft had touched down and was taxing to the parking area.
“I couldn’t see any aircraft on the runway. I frantically looked around and by the far side of the runway there was a fireball. It was the aircraft conveying General Attahiru!
“We got out of the vehicles, crossed the runway and approached the burning aircraft.
“Fire fighters were on the ground to put out the blaze. At some point, we had to pull back due to the fear of exploding cylinders.
“We later recovered the corpses of the 10 passengers on board the ill-fated plane far from where the plane wreckage was.
“Apparently, their bodies, which were on fire, were flung from the aircraft before it came down.
“Was the flight deliberately delayed in order to be caught up in the rainstorm? Was the aircraft sabotaged, which caused it to explode mid-air?
“Was the explosion caused by explosives? Was a bomb planted in the aircraft or contained in a parcel, which a passenger unknowingly (or knowingly) carried?”
Earlier, Ali-Keffi had written a letter to Tinubu over his arrest, detention, and compulsory retirement after the revelations of a presidential investigative taskforce that he headed.
The panel, constituted by former President Muhammadu Buhari, exposed the involvement of senior government officials, a top banker, and a senior military officer in terrorism financing.
Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo, has presented a report on the explosion that occurred in Ibadan, the state capital, to President Bola Tinubu.
Makinde met Tinubu at the weekend at the presidential villa, Abuja.
While handing over the report to the president, the governor thanked Tinubu for his support following the explosion.
He said his administration would do everything possible to provide succour to victims and punish those responsible for the incident.
On the night of January 18, an explosion rocked Dejo Oyelese Street, Bodija axis of Ibadan.
So far, five persons have been confirmed dead, while 77 people were said to be injured in the blast.
On Sunday, Makinde said over 90 percent of the victims of the explosion have been discharged from the hospital.
The governor added that structural integrity tests are being carried out on about 230 properties around the site of the explosion in Bodija.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has encouraged Nigerians to maintain hope amid the economic reforms implemented by President Bola Tinubu‘s administration.
The association urged the President to persist in the direction he has taken since assuming office almost eight months ago, expressing its support for the government.
CAN President, Daniel Okoh, urged Nigerians not to lose hope but to have patience and persevere, acknowledging the efforts made by the President towards securing the nation.
Okoh made this statement to State House Correspondents after the audience with the President at the Council Chamber of the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
The meeting on Monday marked the first interaction between the Christian Association of Nigeria and President Bola Tinubu since his inauguration on May 29, 2023.
CAN strongly criticised Tinubu’s predecessor, former President Muhammadu Buhari, accusing the previous administration of inadequately addressing incidents of killings and attacks on churches and communities in the Northeast, Northwest, Southwest, and the Middle Belt.
CAN expressed particular concern about the killing of over 40 worshipers at St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, on June 5, 2022.
The organisation criticised Buhari, urging an end to what it referred to as the recycling of criminals and terrorists under the guise of a de-radicalisation program.
The organisation had also criticised Tinubu, who was then the All Progressives Congress candidate, for advocating a Muslim-Muslim ticket, expressing concerns about potential marginalisation of Christian interests.
However, following closed-door discussions with the President on Monday, the CAN leadership described Tinubu’s administration as “inclusive,” noting that they had observed the composition of appointments he had made thus far.
“Sincerely, what we found out is that the President is actually sensitive to all the challenges that we have. He’s aware, and we see him making very positive steps, even from the beginning of his administration.
“By the way he has made appointments so far, he has come with a great sense of inclusiveness. And Nigerians have a sense of belonging.
“I tell you that his pronouncements so far and his body language have increased the confidence of Nigerians, and we believe that, given the chance, he will do a lot more. We are praying that the Lord will strengthen his hand to be able to do more and turn around the fortunes of this country.”
Okoh appealed for understanding from Nigerians, arguing that the challenges affecting the country existed before the current administration took office.
He noted, “We know that there are a lot of challenges. But what we tell our people is that this is just the beginning of this administration, and Nigeria is big.
“What we face now started many years back, and it will take a while to turn around these things.
“But the important thing is that there is an intentional step that the President has taken and is taking to reverse the trend of events, especially in the area of governance; we see it very clearly.”
“The advice we have for the President is for him to continue on the path that he is now determined to follow.
“He is determined to run a government that is for all, an all-inclusive government, that listens to the people, just like he made a pledge to us that he will continue to listen to us and he has opened the channels for us that anything that we see or any concern that we have, we should always come back to let him know.
“So we believe that now we have a listening president. And we urge him to continue on that path. And to continue to always look out for those who mean well for this nation and put them to good use,” Okoh advised.
The Christian body stated that its presence at the seat of power was to congratulate the President on his electoral victory.
Following the conclusion of the 2023 general elections, the leadership of CAN decided to pay a courtesy visit to express congratulations to President Tinubu and to pledge their support for his administration.
A member of the House of Representatives for Umuahia North/Umuahia South/Ikwuano Federal Constituency of Abia State, Obi Aguocha, has slammed the immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari, over the option of eliminating the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Naija News learnt that Buhari’s thoughts about the option of eliminating Nnamdi Kanu were conveyed in a new book written by his former aide, Femi Adesina.
In the book, Adesina said there was an option of eliminating Kanu, stating that bringing Kanu back to face trial in Nigeria was a favour.
In response, Aguocha, in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja on Monday, said the remarks by Buhari regarding Kanu’s handling are deeply concerning.
The lawmaker said that suggesting that the elimination of a citizen was an option, even in retrospect, is alarming and raises serious questions about the commitment to the rule of law and human rights.
He further called on Buhari to come out clean and confess all that he did to Nnamdi Kanu and the Southeast while in office.
He said: “The suggestion of ‘elimination’ as a viable option undermines the principles of justice and due process.
“The Supreme Court of Nigeria, in its recent judgement, roundedly condemned Buhari’s government on the attack on the home of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and also his rendition from Kenya.
“For the former President to summarily suggest that being subjected to such illegality was a favour for a citizen is totally reckless and reeks of all things personal vendetta, and so far from the high standards of civility expected from a leader.
“President Buhari should rather come clean by confessing all he used his office to do to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the South East.
“Nobody, including Femi Adesina and his principal, should play God in respect of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. There is an inordinate obsession with the former President seeing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in detention because of his prejudice.”
In his renewed bid to regain freedom, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has, through his Special Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, filed a petition to the United Kingdom’s International Relations and Defence Committee of the House of Lords.
The six-page petition to the House of Lords dated January 18, 2024, not only reminded the House that Kanu is a British national and was “renditioned, tortured and imprisoned by the Federal Government of Nigeria, since June 19, 2021.”
Part of the petition read: “Mr. Kanu, a British national, is a political activist, advocating self-determination for the people of Biafra (Eastern Nigeria), with the singular aim of creation of the sovereign State of Biafra from Nigeria through a referendum.
“He is the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, which he founded in 2012, for actualisation of the creation of the State of Biafra.
“IPOB is registered as a legal entity in the United Kingdom and it has numerous offices and chapters around the world. It operates in the open as a non-violent group, including in Nigeria, before the Government of Nigeria, GON, unfairly proscribed/declared it a terrorist group in 2017.
“However, in October 2023, a High Court in Nigeria declared as unconstitutional, the executive actions of the GON in the proscription of IPOB and its declaration as a terrorist group.
“The court awarded significant damages against the GON and ordered it to apologize to Mr. Kanu.
“Over time and after 18 months in detention without trial, Mr. Kanu was released on bail, due mainly to domestic and international pressure.
“Following this, Mr. Kanu returned to his ancestral home in Umuahia, Abia State, South-East Nigeria, where he stayed and awaited his next court date scheduled for October 20, 2017.
“From September 10 to 14, 2017, Nigerian security forces led by the Army, levied lethal attacks at Mr. Kanu’s home. The security forces used live bullets and other lethal munitions and several people including Mr. Kanu, his parents (now late), his siblings, children, women, the elderly, and numerous visitors were at the said home with Mr. Kanu during the attacks.
“At the end of the attack, Mr. Kanu’s home was badly damaged, dozens of people were killed, many were wounded and maimed, and the security forces captured several people alive and took them to unknown locations to this day.
“In January 2022, a High Court in Nigeria declared the military attack at Mr. Kanu’s residence as unconstitutional and a breach of his fundamental rights and awarded him substantial monetary damages.
“In March 2018, the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights, ACHPR, issued an interim decision, holding that the military attacks on Mr. Kanu and the contemporaneous proscription of IPOB, violated the African Charter; and accordingly, the ACHPR wrote the former President of Nigeria to remedy the situation but the GON never implemented the Provisional Measures to this day.
“In October 2020, the United Nations Special Rapporteurs transmitted a Communication/Decision, No: AL NGA 5/2020, to the GON, conveying its disapproval of the executive or administrative action of the GON on the proscription of IPOB.
“In particular, the said Communication/Decision expressly stated that the action of the GON in this regard was motivated by ethnic bias and discrimination against the Igbo.”
The petition graphically narrated how Kanu was forced to flee Nigeria and go into voluntary exile, to save his life, his entry into Kenya on May 12, 2021, as a British citizen, and how several armed security agents working for GON, violently accosted and abducted, handcuffed, blindfolded and bundled him in a vehicle and sped away, to a nondescript private house, somewhere in Nairobi, Kenya and chained him to the floor.
After taking a hard look at the recent judgment of the Supreme Court, Kanu’s Special Counsel expressed happiness that the Justices “strongly condemned both the said military attacks against Mr. Kanu and his extraordinary rendition,” stressing that “Mr. Kanu remains in limbo without any clear prospects of ever being brought to trial since this saga begins almost nine years ago.”
He then pleaded: “Given the foregoing, we hereby most respectfully urge the House of Lords to urgently intervene with His Majesty’s Government, to promptly make demands on the GON to unconditionally release Mr. Kanu from detention and repatriate him to the United Kingdom, and to levy sanctions against the GON, if it fails to comply within a reasonable time.
“It is pertinent to stress the point that extraordinary rendition inherently destroys every prospect for a fair trial in the jurisdiction that levied the rendition.”
I’m not averse to genuine restructuring of Nigeria — Kanu
In a related development, Kanu has said he is not opposed to any genuine restructuring of Nigeria along the 1963 Constitution.
The IPOB Leader insisted that unless those opposed to holistic restructuring of Nigeria repented, his demand for a referendum to determine whether the people of Biafra would like to exit or continue as part of Nigeria remained sacrosanct.
Kanu’s position was conveyed to Vanguard by his younger brother, Prince Emmanuel after meeting with him at his solitary confinement at the Abuja headquarters of the Department of State Services, DSS.
He quoted Kanu as saying: “We are not averse to the genuine restructuring of the country. We know that the country cannot grow or make progress under the current unworking unitary structure. The facts are clear for all to see.
“Our position remains the same as our submission in the presence of Prof. Ben Nwabueze, and Evangelist Elliot Ugochukwu-Uko on 30th August 2017 at the meeting with the South East Governors in Enugu. We have no reason to add or subtract from our position six years ago.
“We reiterate that we are not opposed to a consensual but wholesome restructuring of the country along the 1963 constitution.”
Kanu blamed those who disrupted an earlier attempt by the Federal Government in 2017 to reach a truce with him, for the current insecurity in the South East.
Kanu’s family cries foul over S’Court’s non-release of CTC
Meantime, the family of the detained Kanu has cried foul over the delay by the Supreme Court to release the Certified True Copy, CTC, of its judgment in the suit involving the IPOB Leader.
Kanunta Kanu who spoke for the family said the action of the apex court “is impeding further legal moves” by the family to seek justice for their son.
He regretted that over one month after the Supreme Court delivered its judgment on the matter, the Justices of the apex court who abdicated in the matter were yet to append their signatures on the judgment.
Recall that the Supreme Court had on December 15, 2023, refused to affirm the ruling of the Appeal Court which had ordered the immediate release of Kanu.
The Supreme Court ruled that instead, Kanu should be tried at the appropriate court.
Kanunta expressed surprise that the Justices of the apex court allowed the normal two weeks to elapse without signing the judgment.
Suspecting foul play over the unnecessary delays, Kanunta said the action amounted to a gross violation of the principles of the rule of law.
He said: “Unlawfully withholding the CTC in the case of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has confirmed that Nigeria will not obey her treaty obligations.
“These justices, the presidency, and the Nigerian entity are officially terrorists according to the laws of Nigeria.”
Citing Section 2 (3)(f) of the Terrorism (Prevention & Prohibition) Act, 2022, Kanu said, “In this Act “act of terrorism” means an act wilfully performed to further an ideology, whether political, religious, racial, or ethnic and which violates the provisions of any international treaty or resolution to which Nigeria is a party, subject to the provisions of section 12 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999; and Cap C23, LFN 2004
The suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, has disowned groups organising protests in her support to be reinstated to President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet.
Edu, in a release on Monday by her media aide, Rasheed Olanrewaju, claimed that she did not authorise groups to organise public prayers and protests on her behalf.
The suspended minsiter said she was confident and committed to the government’s ongoing inquiry and was fully collaborating with the authorities.
Edu added that she did not sponsor any public activity and urged those behind the planned actions to stop it for smooth investigation into the allegations made against her.
The statement reads: “Following recent developments, would like to thank various stakeholders for their immense support since the unfortunate chain of events at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. Dr Betta Edu remains committed and confident in the investigative process instituted by President Bola Tinubu and is cooperating fully with relevant authorities.
“The Minister has however been made aware of several efforts by individuals, supporters and others to organise public prayers, road walk and or protests to show public support.
“We wish to use this medium to state that such efforts are not approved by her or any member of her team and should be discontinued forthwith because such efforts – no matter how noble the intent, it could be seen as an attempt to pre-empt the outcome of the investigations, or can be hijacked by nefarious persons with ulterior motives.
“We kindly request that those with such plans should show their support by respecting the process and await the official findings and conclusions.
“Your understanding and cooperation are highly appreciated at this time. She is indeed grateful for the overwhelming support from Nigerians across all strata of society especially those most dear to her heart; the Poor and vulnerable.
“By God’s Grace, she will be back to continue her selfless service to humanity, especially to the poorest of the poor whose prayers have kept her strong thus far.”
The Federal Government, on Monday, said the Education Tax under the Federal Inland Revenue Service would serve as one of the funding sources for the recently established Student Loan Scheme.
This was as it detailed the conditions that an applicant must meet to qualify for the loan.
It said the scheme would be fully automated to ensure zero human involvement in the application and processing of the loans to applicants.
“That is why the education tax fund is one of the sources of funding that we will use to execute this programme,” said FIRS Chairman, Dr Zacch Adedeji, when he addressed State House Correspondents after briefing President Bola Tinubu on the impending launch of the scheme at the Aso Rock Villa on Monday.
Barely one week earlier, the Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu, revealed that the scheme was on track to start in January 2024 as the President promised last October.
Adedeji, who spoke alongside the Executive Secretary of the Student Loan Board, Dr Akintunde Sawyerr, said channeling the education tax into the scheme was the administration’s way of being accountable to Nigerian taxpayers.
“This is in fulfillment of Mr President’s promise that we will make education accessible to all. This is one of the schemes where we will be applying the education tax that we collect.
“It is a way of being accountable to the taxpayers because the essence of education tax is to consolidate and restore education integrity and quality. In fulfilling that part of the Act, education tax fund is one of the sources of funding that we will use to execute this programme,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the Scheme, Sawyerr, who gave his first public briefing on the programme said eligible applicants would route their requests through the loan app or website, affirming that the scheme would be devoid of human involvement.
He itemised the application process, saying prospective candidates must avail their JAMB registration number, date of birth, National Identification Number and Biometric Verification Number, among others.
“The applicant will go on to a portal, or they will engage with the app. They will have to put in certain pieces of information that make them eligible, such as their JAMB number and, of course, the tie-in to their date of birth.
“Further pieces of information include their NIN, which confirms that they are Nigerians. This loan scheme is being paid for by Nigerian taxpayers. So, it’s for Nigerians and the NIN helps verify and qualify them as such.
“Their BVN is for financial inclusion because this scheme in itself will, at some point, be able to empower students, so we need to know they have bank accounts. We need to know where their accounts are to be able to access those accounts.
“It will also have their matric number and admission number so that we can firmly establish which institution they are going to because one of the key elements of this is that once we have received applications and those applications are approved, the fees or the tuition requirements in terms of financials will be transferred directly to the institution. That in itself has benefits for the institution,” The Executive Secretary explained.
While likening the loan to a bridge linking the desire for further education and the funds to do so, Sawyerr explained that the FG was keen to ensure that young Nigerians do not fail to acquire tertiary education simply because they lack the funds.
He said, “The intention behind it is to ensure that the reason for not being able to go on and further your education at a tertiary level is not for the lack of finance. This law seeks to bridge the gap between the desire to study and the capacity to go further. It seeks to bridge that gap that is created by lack of finance and funding.”
The Loan Chief explained that the scheme would enable Nigerians to pick a career trajectory of their choice rather than being forced into other paths because they were unable to acquire vital education.
He also affirmed that the loan would help to stem the dangerous journey undertaken by Nigerian youths across the Sahel to Europe in search of a better life.
“Some of the opportunities provided by the scheme include enrolling intending students in teacher training programmes and vocational skills.
“The programme provides opportunities for Nigerian students who want to go into the academic and get a university degree or perhaps want the technical side and acquire some vocational skills and also in the teacher training space.
“This intervention will affect the lives of many Nigerian youths because that’s usually the bracket to further their education. It will enable us to intervene and support families, particularly the needy,” he explained.
The Executive Secretary disclosed that the school fees for successful applicants would be transferred directly to their institutions.
On June 12, 2023, President Bola Tinubu signed the Student Loan Bill into law. The move was in “fulfilment of one of his campaign promises to liberalise funding of education,” a member of the then Presidential Strategy Team, Dele Alake, told journalists. The law enables indigent students to access loans at interest-free rates.
Declaring the 29th session of the annual Nigeria Economic Summit in Abuja open on October 23, 2023, the President said, “By January 2024, the new Students Loan Programme must commence. To the future of our children and students, we’re saying no more strikes!”
President Bola Tinubu has justified his cabinet of 47 ministers saying the number reflects the diversity of roles required to run an efficient government.
The president expressed doubt about reducing his cabinet, saying no guarantee this would boost performance
He also urged the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria to propagate the message of tolerance and hope amongst Nigerians, warning that the opposite could damage the country beyond repair.
Tinubu, who emphasised the role of faith leaders in fostering unity and peace in the country, also said his administration would not relent in addressing corruption and other vices as such endeavour sets the country right for the prosperity of all Nigerians.
“If you combine too many ministries because you want to save money, you will have a future of non-performance and no results,” Tinubu said when he received a delegation of the CAN, led by its President, Daniel Okoh, at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, revealed this in a statement he signed on Monday titled, ‘President Tinubu to can leadership: we will continue to fight corruption; Nigeria is ours to fix.
Tinubu acknowledged criticisms over his heavily-staffed cabinet. However, he said merging portfolios would only heap some officials with more burdens than they can bear.
Former Presidents Muhammadu Buhari, Goodluck Jonathan, Umaru Yar’Adua, and Olusegun Obasanjo had maintained relatively smaller cabinets. In his first and second tenure, Buhari appointed 36 and 42 ministers respectively.
In 2011, his predecessor, Jonathan, named 33 ministerial-nominees, retaining nine persons from the Yar’Adua administration.
In 2007, Yar’Adua appointed 39 persons into his cabinet. Obasanjo initially named 42 ministers in 1999 but later shed two roles. He also reduced the number of ministries to 20 before the end of his tenure in 2007.
However, President Tinubu named 48 ministers, the highest in Nigeria’s 24-year return to democracy.
Justifying this move, he said, “I have had a number of criticisms, including the rationale behind the size of my cabinet. If you want efficient, mobile, and resourceful people, we have to give people a load they can carry.”
“If you combine too many ministries because you want to save money, you will have a future of non-performance and no results.
“Nigeria needs to turn the corner to grow, and we must give people challenges they can manage, and that is what we are doing,” the President added.
President Tinubu also called on Christian leaders to support the administration’s ongoing fight against corruption by encouraging Nigerians to have a change of mindset on money-related matters.
He said, “Let us dialogue because public condemnation of a nation is not what makes any citizen a good one.
“We must admonish Nigerians to have a change of mindset and not to make money our god or master. I believe we will get to the Promised Land, and Nigeria will flourish.”
The President also called for inputs from the clergy saying his administration will continue to maintain its open-door policy.
“We are here to listen, and if you observe any inadequacies in my government, let us know. I am here today because of your prayers and the will of God Almighty. What I have challenged myself to do each day is to be fair to all Nigerians.”
In his remarks, Okoh urged President Tinubu not to relent in providing good governance by ensuring security, inclusivity, and peaceful co-existence in the country.
He said, “You have extended a hand of fellowship to us, and we embrace you and your family with the love of Christ and promise to partner with you in nation-building, for the task is quite daunting. You will not stumble, and you will not fall.
“We believe that you have the sagacity to give leadership in battling our challenges and turning around the fortunes of our nation, Nigeria, within a short time. You have shown that you are a listening leader, and we appreciate this.
“CAN has maintained an active presence at all levels, from the national to the grassroots, and we have remained non-partisan. You will always find our association as a ready and willing partner in nation-building.”
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Before the 2023 general election, many Nigerians expected the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and Labour Party to form an alliance against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).However, the expectation couldn’t materialize over reasons best known to the political actors involved in the negotiation of the alliance and the ruling party retained the presidency. Since after the election, there have been talks of alliance between the opposition parties and most analysts believed that alliance will strengthen the country’s democracy by creating a strong and dynamic opposition against the APC. Others believed that the alliance will fail as it did in 2023 over personal interest of key political actors and the consolidation of governance by the President Bola Tinubu administration. Despite the divergent views on the planned alliance, some key actors in the formation of the Obidient Movement, one of the most vibrant political movements in the history of Nigeria’s democratic journey, believe that an alliance of opposition forces is necessary before the 2027 general election.
The Convener of the National Consultative Front (NCFront), Prof. Pat Utomi, who shares this belief, recently disclosed that the presidential candidates of the PDP, LP and NNPP in the 2023 elections – Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Kwankwaso and Peter Obi – as well as Ralph Okey Nwosu, founder and pioneer national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have agreed to form a mega party that will wrestle power from the ruling APC in 2027. Noting that the coming together of the opposition leaders is in the interest of the country, Utomi said: “We’re not talking about names yet. Besides, these politicians I mentioned, I’m talking about leaders of social movements and the labour movement and so on. I have even been part of creating a new tribe; Nigerians who are committed to certain values, who say I will not give a bribe, I will not take a bribe. And you can then create a set of values that can lead to progress in the country. “The way we are today, a few people in the world are willing to engage with Nigeria. They think there’s a collapse of culture and values in Nigeria. You can’t trust Nigerians. All kinds of things are here. It’s a clean start. It’s a really clean start. You have to start from the premise that Nigeria has not had a political party since 1999. Let’s be very honest with ourselves, what we have managed is to create platforms that enable politiciams to grab power, usually for state capture. “If you want to test that, check how much the quality of life of a Nigerian has improved since 1999. It’s frightening, but the truth of the matter is that in 1999, a political class managed to build a certain coalition of accommodation to keep the military out and share the spoils of power. And somehow, they did not manage to create an alignment with the Nigerian people to improve the quality of their lives. “This is why you can see Nigeria deteriorating, becoming the poverty capital of the world, becoming the centre of widespread violence. And if you want to take some clear examples, I want anybody who is a political scientist, or economist in Nigeria to look at where India was in 1999 and where Nigeria was in terms of mood, violence in politics, the quality of life of people and where they both are today. “In 1991, India was technically bankrupt. Foreign reserves could not accommodate more than three weeks of trading. What has happened since 1999 is that India’s politics has managed to focus on the rational engagement of a developmental state. If you look at the numbers today, India is now speeding past the so-called miracle economies of South-East Asia. “Nigeria, on the other hand, has been travelling in the reverse direction. What better explanation can there be than the fact that Nigeria has not managed to organise the structures for political participation that can focus on the Nigerian people and lift their lives?”
Atiku’s proposition
Apart from Prof Utomi, Atiku has equally expressed willingness to lead a coalition of opposition parties to oust the ruling APC. In a congratulatory message to governors of PDP extraction whose elections were upheld by the Supreme Court, the former vicepresident reaffirmed his position that only a united opposition force can strengthen democracy in Nigeria. His words: “I am as prepared as ever to lead the charge, alongside all our leaders and governors, for the good of our country. Where justice is seen to have been substantially rendered, we, as patriots and citizens, will always applaud.” Describing the decision of the Supreme Court as good news for the people of Bauchi, Plateau, Cross River, and Zamfara states and, indeed, a win for constitutional democracy, Atiku also congratulated the governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, Atiku added that by the verdict of the apex court, there is a guaranteed continuation of the standards of good governance that the PDP has brought to the respective states. He urged the respective PDP governors, Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Barr. Caleb Muftwang (Plateau) and Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom) to see their wins at the Supreme Court as an opportunity to consolidate and expand the scope of the good governance they have already established. The former vice president noted that with the electioneering phase now concluded, he is certain that the PDP will now be able to focus on its role as the major opposition party in the country, with the party’s able governors at the helm along with his humble self.
It would be recalled that Atiku, who has repeatedly declared his resolve to continue to struggle with other Nigerians to deepen the nation’s democracy had earlier called for opposition political parties to come together and create a more formidable front that will salvage Nigeria’s democracy from sliding into a one-party state. He stressed that a formidable coalition is necessary to address the perceived decline in democratic values and to prevent Nigeria from becoming a de facto one-party system. He also noted that the project of protecting democracy in the country is not about just one man. “The project of protecting democracy in our country is not about just one man. But the truth of the matter is that our democracy is fast becoming a one-party system; and, of course, you know that when we have a one-party system, we should just forget about democracy. “We have all seen how the APC is increasingly turning Nigeria into a dictatorship of one party. If we don’t come together to challenge what the ruling party is trying to create, our democracy will suffer for it, and the consequences of it will affect the generations yet unborn,” he said.
Kwankwaso still contemplating next move
As Atiku and other key actors behind Peter Obi push for an alliance, Kwankwaso seems not to be interested in the 2027 general election discussion. The former Kano State governor has maintained that only time will tell if he will join President Tinubu’s administration. His words: “What happened at the Supreme Court is a lesson for all of us. I know that I mean well to everyone. Throughout the period, I have not done anything to anyone. And anybody would reap what he sows. “To the best of my knowledge, I have not reached an agreement with anybody. All I know is that President Bola Tinubu is my contemporary. I joined politics at the same time as him in the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Then he was a senator and I was serving as the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives. In 1999, he was my colleague as the governor of Lagos State. “We founded the APC together and we participated fully in the struggles which followed up. People should know that a lie has a short life. Despite the machinations those people staged, the judges have done what is right. There is no problem. They have their party; we have our own. We will work together where necessary and on the issue of joining the government, only time can tell.”
Seven opposition parties hold talks
Apart from the revelation of Prof Utomi, seven opposition political parties have commenced talks for a possible coalition or merger. The coalition is made up of the PDP, NNPP, ADC, Social Democratic Party (SDP), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Young Progressives Party (YPP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). The seven opposition political parties, which spoke under the umbrella of Coalition of Concerned Political Parties, expressed concern over the integrity of the judiciary in Nigeria and national security as well as fear of Nigeria sliding into a one-party state. The coalition also expressed worry over the level of instability in the country, urging the judiciary to save Nigeria’s democracy and rid itself of political and executive interference. Speaking at a press conference after a preliminary meeting, the acting National Secretary of the PDP, Setonji Koshoedo, who represented the party’s acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, said: “The coalition wants to offer strong opposition for the good of Nigeria. We have to offer alternative solutions to government policies.”
The National Chairman of the SDP, Shehu Gabam, on his part, noted: “We looked into the issue of the judiciary. The judiciary is the last hope of the common man if it still stands. We are worried about the level of instability the country is going through. “The judiciary should strengthen their conviction towards delivering judgements that can stand the test of time. They should not allow us politicians to infiltrate their rank, sanity and capacity to deliver judgements that are internationally sound and can be recognized.” On insecurity, Gabam averred that the security situation in the country is getting worse. “We have looked at the security situation in the country with a lot of concern. When the President came in, he promised to do everything humanly possible to secure the lives and properties of Nigerians. We want to urge him to do more than he is doing; the security situation is not improving. “For us to have a conducive environment, where people can invest domestically and internationally, the nation must be secured. Any nation that can’t secure the lives of citizens cannot think of attracting investors from anywhere. The environment is choked, it is not secured, people cannot move freely; they need to rejig the security system,” he said. Gabam urged the National Assembly to review and rejig the 2024 budget, lamenting that Nigeria is operating a theoretical budget and not an operational budget. He said: “We have also looked at the issue of the Renewed Hope Budget. We have analysed that budget and in our humble analysis and opinion, we believe strongly that the National Assembly needs to step in and review the budget. “Our population is over 200 million; we don’t want a budget that is theory-based. The budget must be operational. It is in the interest of the country for the leadership to develop an operational budget, not a budget based on projections and theories that cannot be realised.” The ADC National Chairman, Nwosu, who also spoke, said “the idea behind the coalition is to strengthen our democracy as we have seen that people in government are trying to stifle viable opposition.”
LP likely to key in
Although the Labour Party was not at the meeting, its National Chairman, Julius Abure, who spoke differently, said if a merger or coalition becomes an option, his party will consider the option. Abure, who assessed the outcome of the 2023 elections and the off-season Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi governorship elections, said it was apparent that Nigeria is gradually sliding to a oneparty state. He said: “From the pronouncements of the courts, there are genuine fears being expressed that Nigeria is moving towards a one-party state. So, if a merger of the opposition parties will save Nigeria; why not! If it will save our democracy; why not! If it will help us have results; why not! If it will enhance our institutions and put food on our table; why not!” Abure, however, said that Labour Party is yet to consider the idea, but added: “It is an option we can look at. The Labour Party has not taken a position on the proposed, but if that becomes an option to save Nigeria, why not!”
Obi’s position
Despite the determination of these opposition parties to form an alliance, Obi has insisted that the Labour Party is committed to building a better and a new Nigeria where they would move Nigeria from consumption to production. The former Anambra State governor, who spoke at a mega rally in Edo State, said reports of a merger were rumours. “Labour Party will continue to grow. We will continue to get stronger and better. Half of the things you are hearing everywhere are rumours, don’t listen to them. We are committed to building a better and a new Nigeria where we will move Nigeria from consumption to production,” Obi said. Also, one of the spokespersons for the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council (LP-PCC), Yunusa Tanko, who spoke on the issue, described the rumoured merger between the PDP, NNPP and the LP as unattainable. He added that discussions with political parties of like minds who believe in the party’s ideology and principles remain open, reiterating that there is no foreclosure on the matter. “When you talk about merger, it means that political parties from different parts of the country submit their document to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and then they will be pronounced as a new political party, which isn’t obtainable at the moment. So, the merger is out of the question technically. But, when you talk about discussion on the possibility of an alliance of opposition parties; that is possible.” He, however, acknowledged that talks about a possible merger were ongoing even before the 2023 elections but could not happen, reiterating that an alliance is possible.
A former National Chairman of the PDP, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo, on his part, said the PDP, LP and NNPP have realised they made a mistake. He noted that if the parties had remained together, they would have been able to beat APC in the 2023 presidential election. He said: “Well, I don’t think there is talk of a merger, but I think the three parties have realised they made a mistake. If they had remained together, they would have been able to beat APC hands down. It would have been a landslide victory for them. Therefore, it makes sense for them to begin to think about how to cooperate. That is simple arithmetic.” The Spokesperson for the Forum of State Chairmen of NNPP, Dada Olayinka Olabode, who also reacted to the report, dismissed it as a figment of the imagination of the discussants. Olabode in a statement acknowledged that the party had been inundated with reports on merger talks amongst the PDP, LP and NNPP. He, however, said that it would amount to a sell-out to think of a merger or alliance without proper consultation with the different organs of the party structure. He noted that NNPP is a growing political party whose prospects have brightened with mass acceptability amongst Nigerians. With the cacophony of voices surrounding the proposed alliance, many Nigerians are anxiously hoping and waiting that the move will materialize. But until then, Nigeria’s democracy requires a vibrant opposition party that will put the ruling APC on its toes.
The Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele said the federal government is currently meeting with state governors to suspend what he described as “nuisance taxes” nationwide.
Oyedele disclosed this in an interview with Channels Television on Monday.
The former PWC chief stressed that while waiting for the legal instrument that part of the reforms requires before implementation, some consultations were ongoing to ensure smooth execution.
Recalls that, in August last year, President Bola Tinubu inaugurated the panel, saying it reflects his commitment to addressing challenges and bringing about transformative reforms in fiscal policy and taxation.
The committee’s primary objective is to enhance revenue collection efficiency, ensure transparent reporting, and promote the effective utilisation of tax and other revenues to boost citizens’ tax morale, foster a healthy tax culture, and drive voluntary compliance.
But Oyedele argued that banning nuisance taxes, which do not even go to government coffers, will ensure that the government makes more money while relieving the taxpayer of the burden of paying multiple taxes.
He said, “We are not waiting for the instrument to be out. Some of it would be, for example, asking states and local governments to suspend nuisance taxes that just create problems with very little revenue to show for it.
“We are already meeting with the governors. In some cases, we will set off small committees to discuss with their team. So, we’re already working on that. Once the thing is signed, there’s no excuse, just implement it like the next day,” he added.
He emphasised that when the governors agreed, then more than 90 percent of the problem would have been solved, with the local governments following closely.
He said, “So, we’re discussing with the governors first and demonstrating to them why this is good for the local government, good for them and good for us as a people. Once the governors agree, then, we’re not going to ignore the local governments.
“We are now taking a top-down approach, but we will engage with everyone, including during the conference of speakers, and the forums of finance commissioners. We’re engaging with everyone,” he added.
The chairman stated that he believes that most of the levies that are charged by the collectors do not get to the government, stressing that the current chaos of multiple taxation nationwide will be eliminated when implantation starts.
Oyedele, while making reference to the Bureau of Statistics, he stated that for 2022, all the local governments in Nigeria that sent reports to them, didn’t even collect N50 billion naira in a whole year, even though a lot is taken by non-state actors.
According to him, if properly streamlined, just the collection of stickers on vehicles could attract as much as N50 billion Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for just one of the big local governments in the country.
“I think only one local government should collect N50 billion. The amount of wastage is mind-boggling.
“You don’t want to fathom it. And the reason why it’s so painful is that these are the monies we are extracting from the poorest people.
“But when you extract money from people who are just trying to make ends meet on a day-to-day basis, it’s painful that those monies are pilfered and you know, they are extorted and all of that.
“The state is not benefiting, the local government is not benefiting and the people are sacrificing, they are going through pain. So, what we are proposing is vastly different and benefits everyone,” he said.
The committee chairman said he was as impatient as many Nigerians to see the results of the reforms and, more importantly, the impact on the people, particularly the small businesses.
“Unfortunately, fiscal policy matters are not as quick. So if you make a monetary policy decision today, you can see the impact tomorrow. Sometimes, fiscals take a little longer but even at that,” he said.
He stated that efforts were on to present some bills to the lawmakers so that Nigerian people could begin to feel the positive impact sooner rather than later, saying that by the end of the first quarter, the process would have been concluded.
According to him, when the new reforms take effect, payment of taxes will be easier.
“You can pay it once or you pay it in installments and electronically. It shouldn’t be that hard. It should not be harder to pay taxes than it is to buy pizza. So, the receipt comes on your phone.
“That way, the money gets to the government, and the people pay less. The government collects more and then we can then move on to the second phase of what we are also working on, which is how to spend that money to benefit the people,” he said.
According to him, the view of the committee is that the local government can collect more than 10 times what they are collecting now by following the recommendations.
“We are looking for sources where we can find at least N50 billion which we can then use to compensate them for suspending the taxes we’re asking them to suspend.
“We’re also thinking about how you bring all stakeholders on board because at the end of the day, if you stop the livelihood of anyone, whether they are earning it legitimately or not, you can create crises that would be difficult to manage.
“But once you bring everybody in, maybe we need to train those area boys and touts, give them uniforms and then they’ll be the ones to ask you to show the evidence on your phone.
“And then they get paid a decent salary. And if you give them the skills, some of them will on their own, move on from that job to something else. So, our strategy is to think about what’s best for our country and get all stakeholders to align,” he said.
An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Monday sentenced a man, Ademola Oladimeji to four life imprisonment for sexually assaulting his three children.
The children were aged five, seven and nine.
Delivering judgment, Justice Abiola Soladoye, held that the evidence of the respective prosecution witnesses were believable and truthful.
Soladoye, however, said that their evidence established the offence of sexual assault by penetration and not defilement.
According to her, the evidence of the three survivors was corroborated by the investigative police officer and their mother’s.
He said: “Upon careful review of the evidence before the court, the children did not say their father inserted his penis into their ‘bumbum’, they only said he touched their ‘bumbum’.
“I observed the three of them. They did not lie against their father, they did not say he used his penis, he only used his fingers.
“The children gave an unshaken testimonies on how their father fiddle with their innocence multiple times by inserting his fingers into their vaginas.
“The wife of the defendant, in her testimony said the children complained of pain in their private and she was informed at the Mirabel Medical Centre that the children had been sexually assaulted.”
The judge added that defendant was desperate to distant himself from the allegation by denying the offences.
According to her: “To the mind of this court, I do not believe his narration though he denied fiddling his daughters but his testimony did not add up.
“His narration showed how desperate his is to get out of the charge against his own children.
“The court holds that there was penetration as oral and documentary evidence before the court pointed to the fact that defendant messed around with the purity of his three children.”
Soladoye said the conduct of the defendant was despicable, morally corrupt and incestuous and against the order of nature.
The judge, who said the prosecution failed to establish the three-count bordering on defilement, thereafter changed it to sexual assault by penetration and convicted him on each of the counts.
She also convicted Oladimeji of the fourth count charge of sexual assault by penetration and sentenced him to life imprisonment on each count.
The sentence, the judge held, would run concurrently.
Soladoye said that the name of the convict be registered in the Lagos State Sexual offences Register.
The state counsel, Mrs Olufunke Adegoke called five witnesses in proof of its case while the convict testified as a sole witness. (NAN)
No fewer than 6,700 traders have been displaced following the fire outbreak that consumed a section of the Mandilas building, a popular marketplace on Lagos Island.
Daily Trust learnt that the fire also destroyed 450 shops, 30 offices, including some law firms, two hotels and five restaurants.
The fire, which started from the first floor of the popular Mandilas house around 11am on Sunday, later spread to surrounding market stalls at Atunwase International Market.
The Iyaloja of Atunwase International Market Mandilas General, Alhaja Adeniji Rashidat, said goods worth billions were destroyed by the fire.
“Over 6,700 traders have been displaced from their business places following Sunday morning fire outbreak that consumed a section of the building. Also 450 shops, 30 offices, two hotels and five restaurants, were destroyed,” she said.
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Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in the South West, Ibrahim Farinloye, said the affected houses had been sealed to avoid loss of lives.
Farinloye confirmed that the fire displaced about 6,700 traders and destroyed 450 shops, 30 offices, two hotels and five restaurants.
“The fire which started at about 0011 hours began on the first floor where an alleged electric wielding activity was going on. It was alleged that the people around did not notice the fire until it was too late before fire service was contacted.
“The fire also spread to surrounding market stalls at Atunwase International Market with equal extensive damage as the main main complex,” he added.
Farinloye further said officials of the Lagos State Safety Commission and Building Control Agency were on the ground to assess the integrity of all buildings at the scene.
According to him, all structures have been locked down to prevent access to the shop for the safety of traders and the public.
“Other agencies on the ground today (Monday) are Lagos Fire services, Red Cross, Nigeria Police, Neighbourhood watch, Lagos Island Local Government Sanitation, Lagos State Business District are currently making efforts at making the scene safer for people,” he said.