VP decorates him with new rank of acting IGP
Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, has expressed his readiness to work towards making Nigeria a crime-free nation.
Speaking with newsmen after being decorated by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday, Egbetokun pledged his preparedness to do his duties to the country as top Police chief, saying he felt like a tiger, ready to pursue all criminals out of the country.
Asked what his feeling as new Police IG is, he said “now I have just been decorated and I’m looking forward to taking over tomorrow morning by 11am.
“I really can’t describe how I feel currently, but if I have to tell you anything, I will tell you that right now, I feel like a tiger inside of me, ready to chase away all the criminals in Nigeria.
“And some other times, I feel like a lion in me, ready to devour all the internal enemies of Nigeria. That’s my feeling right now”.
Also speaking, former Inspector-General of Police, Alkali Baba, who appeared in mufti, expressed confidence in his successor, saying he would carry on from where he is stopping.
According to him: “It’s a stage; you come, you work and you go. I’m happy I’m handing over to somebody I know, that will carry the mantle of leadership from where I have stopped.
“We grew up in the job, we grew up together. I was his boss at a time, not even when I was IG, he worked under me twice, we’ve been working together and I know how he can go ahead to champion the cause of the police from where I have stopped”, Baba said.
Vice President Shettima had earlier on Tuesday, decorated Egbetokun, as the Acting Inspector-General of Police, at the Conference hall of his office at the State House, Abuja.
The event was witnessed by senior government officials, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume; Imo State governor, who is also the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), Senator Hope Uzodinma;
Others are the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila and the National Security Adviser (NSA) to the President, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
[ThisDay]
Former Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali, has said he has no resentment regarding his removal from the position following President Bola Tinubu’s compulsory retirement directive.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that President Tinubu mandated the retirement of Mr. Alkali on Monday, along with the heads of the Nigerian military.
Kayode Egbetokun, a Deputy Inspector General of Police, assumed the position as Alkali’s successor.
After completing his handover to Mr. Egbetokun, Mr. Alkali shared his thoughts on his departure. “It’s a natural progression in one’s career. You come, you work, and eventually, you step aside. I am content knowing that I am passing the baton to someone I trust to continue the leadership from where I left off,” he stated.
When questioned about his familiarity with his successor, Mr. Alkali replied, “We have a longstanding professional relationship. We have worked together closely, and I have even been his superior during my time as IG. He has served under my command twice, and I am confident in his ability to advance the objectives of the police force.”
“Today, as I receive my decoration, I eagerly anticipate assuming my new role tomorrow morning at 11 a.m. Words cannot fully capture my present emotions, but I can tell you that right now, I feel a ferocious determination within me, akin to a tiger, ready to combat crime across Nigeria. At other times, I sense the strength of a lion, prepared to vanquish all internal adversaries of our nation. Such is my sentiment at this moment,” Mr. Alkali concluded.
[PoliticsNigeria]
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has advocated an amendment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) in order to address the flaws in the legislation.
Diri also said the review would go a long way in tackling the ongoing crisis between oil companies and their host communities.
Describing the Act as a time bomb, the governor emphasised that since the country operates a federal system of government, it was an aberration for the federal government to deal directly with oil producing communities while excluding the states and local governments.
Diri stated this on Tuesday when the new Commander of the Joint Military Task Force, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), Rear Admiral Eugenio Ferreira, and other officers called on him in Yenagoa.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as saying that the oil producing states and the local governments were now being called upon to intervene in resolving issues between the oil companies and their host communities.
He said: “We are happy we have a PIA that guides the industry. However, we saw a lot of flaws even before the Bill was assented to. At that point, l referred to the Act as a time bomb.
“I also said that there would still be serious crisis between the oil producing communities and oil companies and by extension, the Federal Government. One of such indications is that the Federal Government in that Act successfully excluded the state and local governments to deal directly with the communities.
“In recent times, we have started seeing crisis between the communities and oil companies over the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and other issues. And the state governments have been called to intervene. So that Act needs further amendment.”
Diri said both state and local governments should be incorporated into the oil industry legislation
to enable them contribute towards ensuring peace and stability in the industry.
He also called for collaboration between the oil producing states and relevant institutions to bring development closer to the people as one of the surest ways in tackling oil theft, pipeline vandalism and illegal refining activities.
According to him, “while as a government, we would not support anybody involved in oil theft, illegal oil refining and all other acts that contribute to pollution, underdevelopment and killings, we would also like to state that the best way to tackle the issues is to fast-track development to these areas. We can assure you that these same people will become protectors of oil installations domiciled in the Niger Delta.”
The governor welcomed Rear Admiral Ferreira and urged him to join hands with the state government in surmounting the security challenges in his area of operation.
Earlier, the new OPDS Commander, Rear Admiral Ferreira, said he was posted to the command in May this year.
He noted that the OPDS was established with a mandate to protect oil infrastructure in the Niger Delta and ensure a stable and peaceful environment for all.
While expressing gratitude to the state government for the support given to the command, Ferreira said they had achieved 80 per cent success of attaining their mandate, which he attributed to the kinetic and non-kinetic approach of the military.
He commended the governor for his support to the task force and pledged that the command would continue to cooperate and collaborate with the state government to ensure peace and security of the state.
[Vanguard]
Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN), a non-governmental organisation, says it plans to hold a one-week intensive training for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members on business management.
The training is in collaboration with the Lagos Business School (LBS).
In a notice on social media, the nonprofit said application is currently ongoing and would end by July 18, 2023.
The organisation said the training, which is part of its ‘venture in management programme’ (ViMP), is for selected NYSC members.
“The goal of ViMP is to prepare NYSC members for the world of business as managers and entrepreneurs,” JAN said.
“This opportunity is designed to expose future business leaders to the responsibilities, opportunities, and demands of a career in management.
“The weeklong programme includes rigorous and stimulating classroom meetings (led by facilitators from the Lagos Business School), case studies, panel discussions, study groups, guest speakers, and recreation, culminating in a strategy workshop, during which the participants present solutions to different business problems.
“The learning environment mirrors that of the top business schools around the world with case studies focusing on business ethics, accounting and finance, marketing, strategy, social enterprise, general management, leadership, and entrepreneurship.”
“Participants also engage in a community service project and teach JAN programs in nearby elementary schools.”
According to JAN, qualified applicants must be serving youth corps members or recently finished; must be 27 years or younger; must have excellent academic records (minimum 2:1).
The organisation also said applicants must possess a proven interest in general management, and have a track record of leadership, adding that participation in previous JAN program will be an added advantage.
Applicants, the NGO said, must complete the application form online, have a curriculum vitae (must be saved with your full name), and a proof of service (NYSC ID card or call-pp letter).
JAN said interested persons can apply here.
[TheCable]
The Acting Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who was appointed by President Bola Tinubu on Monday night, is expected to retire from the Nigeria Police Force on September 4, 2024.
This is based on the civil service rule, which stipulates that civil servants are mandated to retire following the attainment of age 60 or having spent 35 years in service, depending on whichever comes first.
If confirmed as the IG, Tinubu will be following the path of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who appointed a police officer whose retirement date preceded his tenure in office.
Contrary to the Police Act, 2020, which stipulates a four-year tenure for an IG, Buhari appointed the former IG, Usman Baba, on April 6, 2021, while he (Baba) was expected to retire from the police on March 1, 2023, when he clocked 60 years of age.
With a career spanning over three decades, Egbetokun, born on September 4, 1964, joined the NPF on March 3, 1990, as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police in Course 16.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from the University of Lagos, a Master of Science degree in Engineering Analysis, a Post Graduate Diploma in Petroleum Economics from Delta State University, and an MBA degree from Lagos State University.
The acting IG, who hails from Egbado-South in Ogun State, was a former chief security officer to President Tinubu.
Egbetokun’s appointment as acting IG comes after his short term as the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Force Criminal Investigation Department, Force Headquarters. Prior to that, he was the 30th Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 7, Abuja, a position he assumed on October 25, 2022.
Prior to that, Egbetokun served in various commands and held sensitive positions within the NPF.
He was the Commander of the Rapid Response Squad in Lagos from 2005 to 2007, Squadron Commander of the 5th Police Mobile Force, Benin Edo Stare, Officer-in-Charge of Anti-Fraud in the FCT Command, CSP “A” in the Lagos State Command, Area Commander in Oshogbo, Osun State, Area Commander in Gusau, Zamfara State, Commandant of the Police Training School in Ikeja, Lagos, Deputy Commandant of the Police College in Ikeja, CP Servicom at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, CP Explosive Ordinance Disposal, and CP of Kwara State Command.
Prior to his present promotion and posting, he served as CP (Admin) Medical in Falomo, Lagos.
He has also undergone several local and international courses to enhance his skills and knowledge.
[Punch]
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja would deliver judgment on July 20, 2023, in the suit filed by the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu against the Department of State Services (DSS).
The date was fixed by Justice Binta Nyako on Tuesday after Kanu’s counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and lawyer to the DSS, A.M. Danlami, adopted their processes and presented their arguments for and against the suit.
Kanu in his suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/ 2341/2022 is seeking a court order mandating the DSS to allow him unhindered access to his doctors.
The court had earlier on Feb. 1, granted Kanu, the permission to apply for an order of mandamus he sought after an ex-parte motion moved by Ozekhome to the effect but in a preliminary objection filed by the DSS, the secret police urged the court to dismiss the suit for want of jurisdiction.
At the resumed hearing, Ozekhome told the court that if Kanu dies in detention it would cause a national commotion, and therefore prayed the court to allow his client access to his doctors in the presence of the security operatives.
He further argued that a defendant, based on the provisions of the law, should stand his trial and not be in a wheelchair while being prosecuted.
“We asked if we could see his medical report and they are refusing and if he dies, this will cause national commotion,” he said.
Ozekhome added that the DSS has also failed to honour previous court judgenents delivered in favour of the IPOB leader.
“In the judgment, the court awarded the sum of N500 million damages against the respondents for illegal rendition of the defendant from Keyan to Nigeria,” he argued.
Besides, he said a Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja had exonerated him in a judgment when it dismissed the remaining seven counts after Justice Nyako struck out eight counts from the 15-count charge earlier preferred against him
“What we they lose to allow an independent doctor to examine him in their presence. “We rely on all the processes to humbly request you to grant our omnibus prayers,” he said.
Ozekhome also countered the allegations that Kanu jumped bail on April 25, 2017 after the court granted him bail, arguing that his client rather escaped a military invasion at his residence, said as soon as he got to Israel, he deposed to an affidavit to the effect.
“We filed a counter of five paragraphs. In the instant case, there are two respondents, but in the suit they referred to, there were three respondents.
“So on the issue of parties, they failed.
“On subject matter, this suit is seeking an order of judicial review by way of mandamus but in the other suit, it was filed for the enforcement of his fundamental rights and not judicial reviews.
“The former suit sought 11 reliefs but ours has two reliefs,” he said.
However, the lawyer for the DSS, Danlami urged the court to dismiss Kanu’s plea for lack of jurisdiction.
The lawyer said in their counter affidavit with four exhibits, one of the exhibit showed that Kanu was physically and clinically sound.
“We urge my lord to dismiss this suit in the interest of justice and national interest,” he said.
After listening to the parties, Justice Nyako adjourned the matter until July 20 for judgment.
A former Kaduna central lawmaker, Shehu Sani has taken a jibe at the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Sani, while praising the present administration led by President Bola Tinubu noted that Buhari era was boring.
He stated that Buhari can now see how power can be put to use to reawaken the spirit of the nation.
He argued that the former president’s era was ridden with a lack of vision and emptiness, maintaining that it was controlled by a parasitic cabal.
The former lawmaker insisted that Buhari claimed the previous government was highly corrupt, but during his tenure, he harbored and cultivated the most larcenous and opaque Federal Cabinet in Nigeria’s history.
Speaking via Twitter, he wrote,
“Wherever he is, the former President is watching how power can be effectively used to reawaken and reinforce the spirit of a nation. A contrast to his boring era that was characterized by deficiency of vision, subservience to a parasitic cabal and notorious for its emptiness.
“He called all the previous Governments kwarapt while he cultivated, incubated and harboured the most larcenous and opaque Federal Cabinet in Nigeria’s history.
A committee has been set up to consider the demands of the Federal Government (FG), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and given an eight-week deadline to decide on the minimum wage.
Recall the decision to set up a committee was collectively made on June 5, 2023, as part of the resolution by the unions and the FG following the fuel subsidy removal.
The Special Adviser to the President on Communications, Special Duties, and Strategy, Dele Alake, the President TUC Festus Osifo, and President of NLC Comrade Joe Ajaero disclosing that a Presidential Steering Committee to which several sub-committees would report on various aspects of the demands has been created.
Ajaero said that there are long-term and short-term effects of subsidy removal and in those key areas, several sub-committees will be created to report on the various demands before the end of August.
He said “The purpose of the meeting today is actually to put together the framework, what we submitted as our demand, how will they be delivered and so we are looking at that framework, the government came with what they think will work, we also made some input. From this night, we are going to continue the work to have that framework together.
“This meeting is intended to give life to those agreements that were reached. We have set up committees in those key areas to work on them to ensure we wrap up in the next eight weeks.”
“We agreed that anything we are putting together we are going to conclude everything in eight weeks. Everything must be rolled out within that time not something that we are going to leave endlessly.”
Highlighting some of its current challenges and how to tackle them, he said “The issue of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), we need experts, people that are willing to invest, the help of national oil company, the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to come up with what they need to do and the time with which they are going to deliver
“These are some workings that are required beyond this meeting, and a technical committee will be incorporated into the Presidential committee but we must conclude everything maximum in eight weeks.
‘’So those technical committees, some will submit their reports in one week when they submit in one week, we implement when they submit in two weeks, we also implement but the last should not exceed eight weeks, and by June 26th, 2023, we will convene here again.”
Traders in the Alaba International market in Ojo Local Government Area, of Lagos State have come out to recount their ordeal following a demolition exercise that took place in the market last Sunday.
Naija News reports that the leadership of some sections of the market have claimed that they were not informed about the exercise as asserted by the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA).
It would be recalled that the agency had on Sunday, June 18th,2023, stormed the market and demolished over 30 structures claiming they were old structures and the demolition exercise was to avert any building collapse of any sort.
However, traders in the market have cried out saying the demolition exercise was unlawful because they were not pre-informed.
Speaking at the demolition site, the President-General of Alaba Amalgamated Council of Sectional Heads, Hon. Geoffrey Udochukwu Mbonu, denied that the LASBCA gave them prior notice.
He said they only learnt about a proposed demolition plan and came with armed policemen to the market on Friday, June 16th, without seeing the leadership of the market.
Expressing his displeasure about the incident, Mbonu noted that the government took them unawares by carrying out the exercise unexpectedly
He further stated that “We are under a local government, where huge revenue is generated, we pay tax and what the government did was to demolish our buildings alongside, the victims’ wares within the space of two days.”
Narrating how their ordeal started, Mbonu was quoted by The Sun to have disclosed that officials of the LSSBCA came around on Friday, June 16th,2023, and without any notice or asking for the market leadership, they saw armed policemen on Sunday and the demolishing commenced.
He said the leadership is not against the government doing its work, but it expected some communication and notice of a sort.
Explaining some of the offences for which the affected buildings were demolished, he said structures were erected on waterways, thereby obstructing drainages and causing flooding, especially during the rainy seasons, adding that ” Lagos has been a swampy area and Igbo traders have always contributed to the development in the State.”
Mbonu said that each time the officials came they asked for authorization papers and never issued a notice of demolition, adding that ”The buildings marked close to the canal which have been certified dilapidated and distressed had been marked for years but, they asked for papers each time they came. What about the new buildings that are not close to the canal, that LASBCA has equally destroyed, our secretariat and other new structures?
“Authorization paper implies. If your building is in a very bad condition you will be told to break it. Lagos state is a swampy area, when they came last year, what they asked for was paper.
He emphasized that they said it’s distressed buildings and those blocking the free flow of water through the provided waterways”.What about other buildings that are newly built and it’s brought down? Government need to review the exercise carried out by LASBCA.
” It was about two weeks ago they came with armed policemen to the market, I saw them, they didn’t contact the leadership of the market about demolition. This market is under the Local Government They only spoke about it on Friday, June 16th,2023. They didn’t give traders time to vacate the place. The demolition took place with our goods and documents destroyed.”
Mbonu added that he understands that there is a developer that has discussed with the Local Government and the State to acquire some land in that area, this is why they are demolishing some of the buildings to have enough space to put up the type of building they want erected.
‘‘There are building close to the canal, if that is what they are talking about it would be a different thing. What about structures that are far from the canal? The developer has shifted from the canal to acquire more space for the type of structure he wants to put up.
“This is one of the biggest markets in West Africa that should not be toiled with. Revenue generation in Alaba is enormous. The tiers of government are supposed to carry, Alaba traders along in their decision because they are Nigerians.
“I am the leader of one of the sections demolished by the government. My office is gone, and the secretariat we built recently has been demolished.
“As traders, we were not aware of the imminent demolition of certain structures in the market. We are not against the government but the treatment meted on us without being informed for us to have time to even removed our goods. The market is now porous with the openings. They have exposed our properties, and with the demolition, they didn’t provide any security that would safeguard our properties,” he added.
Also, the President of Alaba International Market Association, electronics section, Chief Camillus Amajuoyi said the demolition took place unexpectedly, with both old and new structures affected by the demolishing exercise.
He explained that “The LASBCA issued a notice on Friday, June 16th, they came with armed policemen, So I made some calls I called Ojo Local Government Chairman to inform him of the development.
“I inquired if he was aware that properties are being destroyed in Alaba. The Ojo LG chairman said he was aware, he stated that the properties that would be destroyed were the ones marked for years.
Amajuoyi stated that they were shocked to see the extent of demolition going on, and when ”I called the LG boss, he said they are demolishing to prevent disasters and to save lives. They don’t want buildings to collapse on anybody.
”There have been rumours that some developers have bought that portion of Alaba, nine years ago.
“I got the information about two weeks ago and with the ongoing demolition, I have called for peace and calm.
“No violence, I spoke to my people to maintain peace and calmness. While we go through the right channels in addressing the situation. Alaba is a collection of 16 sections, no individual can occupy it.
”I have called the Ojo LG chairman, explaining the challenge that these people have gone overboard and he has not visited the site to see what is the situation of things.”
Nigerian comedian, Bowoto Jephta, popularly known as Akpororo, has said that the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, will spend eight years to recover his ‘stolen mandate’ from Bola Tinubu, the All Progressive Candidate, (APC) at the 2023 general elections.
Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Tinubu winner of the presidential elections with 8,794,726 votes, while Obi who came third with 6,101,533 votes.
The former Anambra State Governor, however, rejected the results and headed to court to challenge and reclaim his ‘stolen mandate.’
Speaking about the on-going electoral tribunal in a recent show, Akpororo said that the LP candidate will likely spend the next eight years going to court to retrieve his stolen mandate.
Speaking in Pidgin, Akpororo said, “Peter Obi still dey go court abi? no worry, that court na eight years him go spend.”
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The immediate past Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom is currently in custody of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Our correspondent gathered that the ex-Governor was invited by the anti-graft body for questioning over his stewardship.
Ortom, however, drove into the Makurdi zonal office of the agency, which is located at Alor Gordon street in the state capital at exactly 10:08am.
He walked straight into the building.
The former governor’s media aide, Terver Akase, and Principal Special Assistant on Special Duties, Abraham Kwanhgu, were sighted with him.
He had not left the premises as of 11:25am when this report was filed.
Recall how Ortom handed over a debt profile of N187.7 billion to the administration of Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia.
Ortom at a brief ceremony held at the old banquet hall of Government House in Makurdi, told Alia that the handover notes in three volumes were summary of his eight years administration.
The governor explained that the total income of the state during his eight years sojourn amounted to N734.9billion as at April 2023 while the total debt incurred by the state within the period stood at N187.7billion inclusive of unpaid salary, pension arrears, loans and bonds among others.
He also intimated his successor of a debt swap/reduction arrangement between the state and the Federal Government to the tune of N97.716billion.
Ortom explained that with an expected inflow of N48billion, after discount, the negotiated debt swap would be reduced to N45.2billion, thereby bringing down the state’s total debt profile.
He further disclosed that his administration already secured an approval of N41billion loan and a N20billion Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) facility, urging the Alia’s administration to press for the release of the money when sworn in.
[PRESS STATEMENT] Towards Resolving the Massive Fraud and Crises in the Nigerian Petroleum Sector: President Tinubu Must First Assume the Position of Minister of Petroleum Resources And Repeal the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA)
AdminWe are aware of the seemingly unending gross mismanagement and massive fraud in the Oil and Gas Sector of Nigeria (Upstream and Downstream) which has extended to recent massive crude oil theft by some multinational oil companies. We are also very much aware of the dire negative consequences of these vices on Nigeria’s Economy, Social Stability and National Security.
We also know as a fact that the seemingly unending desire and determination by successive Leaders of the Federal Government of Nigeria to bow to external pressures to remove the so-called subsidy on petroleum products in Nigeria is as a result of this massive fraud and crude oil theft in the Nigerian sector which has continued to deny Nigerians of needed foreign earnings for critical national development. The resulting astronomical increases in pump prices of the petroleum products are currently making life so unbearable for Nigerians.
While we sincerely appreciate and commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for patriotically and courageously attempting to confront these vices in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Sector with a view to eliminating them, we however wish to state that from our extensive knowledge of and experience in the operations and management of the Petroleum Sector of Nigeria, it will be practically impossible for him or indeed any President of Nigeria, to achieve this patriotic mission by mere reaching an agreement with Organised Labour Unions on implementation of some palliatives.
As a matter of fact, we strongly disagree with substantial part of the proposals so far presented by President Tinubu’s team and the Leaders of the two Labour Unions for addressing the crisis in the Petroleum Sector. Honestly, it is unbelievable that for many years now our labour leaders will continue to refuse to embark on nationwide strike actions if the Federal Government refuses to allow their members who are very competent and capable of operating and maintaining the four petroleum refineries, to continue to do so.
It is an undeniable fact that these four Refineries had no major operational or technical faults before they were shut down by Directives of some persons in Government. The many so-called Turn Around Maintenance or Rehabilitation of these four Refineries for many years now by different Regimes are also major scams just like the fuel subsidy scam President Tinubu seeks to end.
Therefore, as first major action to be taken by President Tinubu to restoring sanity to our Petroleum Sector, we are strongly advising him to immediately assume the position of Substantive Minister of Petroleum Resources. He must never fall to any pressure or blackmail from anywhere for him to appoint anyone else as the Substantive Minister of Petroleum Resources lest the rot and fraud in the sector will worsen and jeopardise Nigeria’s Peace, Order and National Security.
Secondly, there is very urgent need to repeal the Petroleum Industry Act which has regrettably laid the smooth and protective foundation for these vices to continue to thrive in the Sector and also gave birth to an NNPCL that is the worst thing to happen to the Nigerian Petroleum Sector. It is suicidal for any developing nation to fully privatise its critical national resource like Petroleum and allow so-called international market forces and individuals to determine its survival.
Finally, we are requesting that the Nigerian Petroleum Sector reverses back to its 1970s Status as State Owned and Managed and operate Joint Venture Partnership with IOCs in line with the laudable OPEC’s Vision and Mission; Nigeria being one of the leading members. The sad fact that a few unpatriotic and corrupt top Nigerians in corridor of powers and in NNPC abused the powers of their offices to cause gross mismanagement and massive fraud in the sector is not enough reason to embark on jeopardising our National Security and Economy by allowing a very few individuals to now own and control this massive wealth and petroleum resources of our country as the PIA now allows to do under the guise of Privatisation
Comrade (Engr) Igbini Odafe Emmanuel
National President
VATLAD
laments difficulties in getting documents from INEC
The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar and his party will on Thursday, June 22 close their case in their joint petition challenging the declaration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the winner of the February 25 presidential election.
The petitioners, according to a pre-hearing report were supposed to close their case on Tuesday but, their lead counsel, Chief Chris Uche (SAN) brought to the notice of the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) that they lost two days out of the days allotted to them and asked that the two days be returned them.
The petitioners, who told the court during the pre-hearing session that they would call 100 witnesses have called only 25 witnesses so far.
Speaking with newsmen, Counsel to the petitioners said that they might call additional five witnesses to have a round figure of having called 30 witnesses.
Uche said that some of the documents to be tendered in the remaining two days would take the place of the remaining 70 witnesses.
“We are closing our case on Thursday, it was supposed to end today (Tuesday) but because we lost two days, one of which was the June 12 public holiday, the court graciously extended our time by two days”, Uche told newsmen after the proceedings.
Earlier in the proceedings, the petitioners lamented the difficulties encountered in getting Certified True Copies (CTC) of documents out of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in aid of their joint petition challenging Tinubu’s election.
At the resumed hearing of the petition, Counsel to Atiku and his party told the court that getting materials from INEC is like getting weapons from an opponent
He told the Court that getting documents from INEC is very difficult, but commended the legal team of the electoral body, headed by Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN) for their assistance in getting some of the documents from INEC.
Uche applied for a stand-down in the proceedings to enable the petitioners to mark the deluge of documents made available to them Tuesday morning.
Meanwhile, counsel to INEC, Kemi Pinhero (SAN) told the court in his submissions that INEC officials brought the documents from all over the country and that the petitioners are yet to pay for the certification of the documents.
He said, it is incumbent on the petitioners to prepare a schedule of documents they wish to tender.
The court rose for about ten minutes to enable parties in the petition to put heads together and find a way forward on what to do with the documents and when parties came back, Uche reported to the court that they have agreed that the petitioners go back with the documents, prepare a schedule of documents and mark them for tendering on Wednesday.
The five member panel of Justices of the court, led by Justice Haruna Tsammani adjourned till Wednesday, June 21 for continuation of hearing in the petition.
The Department of States, DSS, has told the Federal Capital Territory High Court that the ex-governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, is a flight risk and there is credible intelligence that “he is making frantic effort to flee the country if released prematurely on bail”.
Justice H. Muazu of the FCT High Court had on June 16 ordered the DSS to allow the suspended governor to be accessed by his lawyers, pending the determination of the fundamental rights application filed by his legal team represented by J.B. Daudu SAN.
President Bola Tinubu had on June 9 suspended the CBN governor from office, to enable investigation into allegations against him.
The CBN Deputy Governor, operations, Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi, was subsequently directed by the president to step in in acting capacity.
But at the resumed hearing on Tuesday, his legal team called for their client’s release from DSS detention while accusing the secret service of arresting him in a commando style and subjecting him to inhuman treatment.
The applicant also contended that the former CBN governor’s arrest was political and was connected to his monetary policies, including the redesign of the naira which was approved by former president Muhammadu Buhari.
But in a counter affidavit filed by its counsel, I. Awo, the DSS denied the allegation, maintaining that it remains apolitical and does not act in the interest of any political group or persons.
Awo further argued that the applicant was arrested over alleged breach of trust, among others.
“The applicant was arrested upon reasonable suspicion of commit acts which constitutes criminal breach of trust, incitement to violence, criminal misappropriation of public funds, economic sabotage, economic crimes of national security dimensions and undermining the security of Nigeria;” he said.
Awo further contended that upon the arrest of the applicant, a detention order was obtained from a court of competent jurisdiction to enable the agency keep him in lawful custody for 14 days having discovered that investigations into his office will take a little while to conclude.
Awo denied the applicant’s submission regarding solitary confinement, saying he has enjoyed unfettered access to good medication, dieting, his family and persons of his choice.
The DSS said that if the court grants the embattled governor bail, he will use his “enormous resources” to frustrate investigations against him and jeopardise exhibits it needs to prosecute him following his arraignment.
“That it will not be in the interest of justice and national security to grant the applicant’s application,” Awo said in his counter affidavit deposed to by Hamza Pandogari.
After hearing submissions of counsels, court adjourned to July 13 for ruling.