Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has claimed that some of the people currently in government should be in jail for their past misdemeanours and criminal misconduct.

Obasanjo stated this on Thursday while speaking virtually at the memorial lecture of Denis Joseph Slattery in Lagos.

According to him, government officials with “questionable” integrity cannot make good decisions that will benefit Nigerians.

In his speech titled “The Imperative for Moral Rectitude in Governance,” Obasanjo pointed out that the most important demand of anybody involved in governance at any level is “accountability.”

He said: “If you look clinically at the people in government today at both executive and legislative levels, some of them should be permanently behind bars for their past misdemeanour and criminal misconduct. You cannot expect thieves to give good judgement in favour of the owner of the property.”

The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a defection suit instituted against the 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.

The suit seeking to replace the 27 lawmakers on account of their alleged defection from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was on Friday thrown out on various grounds.

Among others, Justice Peter Lifu who delivered the judgment held that the suit instituted by the Action People’s Party APP was statute-barred, having not been filed within the 14 days allowed by law.

While the defection was said to have been carried out in December last year, the APP filed the case on July 12, a period of 8 months after the cause of action emanated.

Besides, Justice Lifu held that the case was a gross abuse of court processes on the ground that several suits on the alleged defection of the same 27 lawmakers had been adjudicated upon by the federal high court.

The Judge who quoted the previous judgments of the federal high court said the request for replacement of the lawmakers had earlier been rejected due to lack of sufficient evidence to establish the defection of the legislators.

He specifically recalled the judgment of Justice James Omotosho of the federal high court in Abuja delivered in July this year where the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC was restrained from declaring the seats of the lawmakers vacant and from conducting any fresh election to replace them.

Justice Lifu said that since the judgment has not been set aside and not appealed against, it remains binding with the force of law as far as the issue of defection is concerned for the 27 legislators.

He said that it would amount to a display of judicial rascality for him to sit as an appeal court in the judgment of the same court.

The Judge subsequently dismissed the suit on the three major grounds.

President Bola Tinubu has insisted that he did not contest for the position in order to enrich himself.

According to Tinubu, he came to “work” after Nigerians “gave” him their votes.

The president stated this on Friday, during a meeting with the Forum of Former Presiding Officers of the National Assembly, led by former Senate President, Ken Nnamani.

Tinubu assured that his administration was determined to deliver tangible results and make a positive difference in various sectors including education and long-term economic stability.

”I didn’t come to look for money and exploit the situation; I came to work.

“I asked for the votes, and Nigerians gave them to me,” Tinubu said.

In attendance were 16 former presiding officers, including former senate presidents, former speakers of the House of Representatives, former deputy senate presidents, and former deputy speakers of the House of Representatives.

The spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has said that with the introduction of the digital Central Motor Registry Information System (e-CMR), Police officers would no longer need to stop vehicles to check their papers.

In a post shared on his X handle, Adejobi said police officers would now be equipped with cutting-edge technology to verify documents in real time. He added that once the e-CMR goes into effect, vehicle owners and users would no longer need to carry physical documents as all vehicle document information would be available digitally.

“No more stopping to check papers—our officers are equipped with cutting-edge tech to verify documents in real-time. With the NPF’s new E-CMR system, you don’t need to carry around physical documents. Access all your vehicle info digitally—quick, easy, and secure.

If your vehicle is registered with the NPF E-CMR and gets stolen, you can instantly flag it as stolen through your online profile,” he wrote on X

He said the system then alerts all field officers nationwide within seconds, improving the chances of swift recovery.

Recalled that in July 2024 the IGP ordered the enforcement of the digitalised Central Motor Registry. He said the move was to modernise and digitize the motor vehicle registration system and improve the nation’s safety and security framework. The police expect a digitalised system to bring greater convenience and speed to vehicle ownership transactions through streamlined documentation and verification.

According to the police, the E-CMR system would simplify vehicle-related services such as ownership transfers, license renewals, and updates to engine or chassis details and would also help prevent the sale of stolen vehicles and improve recovery efforts.

The Lagos state police command says it has arrested two women over their alleged involvement in the sale of a set of twins. 

In a statement on Friday, Benjamin Hundeyin, Lagos police spokesperson, said operatives of the command arrested the suspects on their arrival with the babies from Abia state on September 9.

“Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested one Ujunwa Una ‘f’ and Chinelo Igbechionwu ‘f’ for conspiracy and child sales,” the statement reads.

“The suspects were arrested by patrol officers from Ojodu Division stationed at Berger bus-stop, an entry point into Lagos State, whom had earlier been alerted about the suspects by a Good Samaritan.

“The suspects were found with two newborn baby girls, approximately six-days old, while traveling from Abia State on September 9, 2024.

“Investigations revealed that the suspects were en route to deliver the babies to one nurse in Lagos State whom the mother of the babies promised to link them up with only after they had arrived Lagos.

“Upon questioning, the suspects confessed to the crime, stating that they were paid the sum of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (₦150,000) for transportation of the babies to Lagos.

“The suspects added that the mother of the babies sold the babies because she could not give them proper care.

“The case was transferred to the Gender Unit of the Command from where the newborns were placed in the custody of a motherless babies home for proper care and medical evaluation.”

Hundeyin added the suspects were arraigned in court on Thursday, September 19.

A filling station, Pinnacle Oil, belonging to Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, has been reportedly set ablaze by unknown arsornists.

DAILY POST learnt that the incident occurred early Friday morning.

Sources hinted that the arsonists came in a Toyota Corolla car and carried out the operation. 

At least four cars within the vicinity were affected by the inferno.

As of the time of filing this report, the Agbani Road axis leading to the fuel station has been barricaded by men of the fire service and security operatives.

Meanwhile, the Enugu State Police Command has confirmed the fire incident.

However, the police said it may have been caused by a leakage from one of the vehicles that were on queue to purchase fuel.

This was contained in a statement issued by the DSP Daniel Ndukwe, the Police Public Relations Officer, Enugu State Command.

According to him, “A fire incident occurred at Pinnacle Filling Station, Agbani Road, Enugu, in the morning hours of today, Friday, September 20, 2024.

“The fire was immediately put out with the support of the personnel of both federal and state fire services, who promptly responded to the emergency situation.

“No life was lost. However, three vehicles on the queue to purchase fuel were torched, while normalcy has since been restored by the police.

“A preliminary investigation suggests that the fire may have been caused by fuel leakage from one of the vehicles buying fuel at the station.

“However, the Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, who led police operatives to the scene, has ordered the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State CID to conduct a full-scale investigation into the incident.”

Former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has sponsored the medical treatment of a 13-year-old Abubakar Ibrahim, who suffers from severe acute malnutrition.

The boy is a resident of Yammawa quarters, an area in Katsina metropolis.

His video trended on social media, showing how he was seriously suffering from malnutrition and seeking for assistance.

The Katsina State Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, Armaya’u Abdulkadir, said the party’s national leader
saw the video, and expressed concern over Ibrahim’s situation.

According to Abdulkadir, Mr Kwankwaso expressed interest to sponsor the medical treatment of the boy during his condolence visit to the Yar’adua family.

He added that “Kwankwaso directed that Ibrahim be taken to Kano for proper medical treatment and other necessary attention needed.

“The boy was immediately taken to the Abdullahi Wase Hospital in Nasarawa area of Kano, where he received adequatemedical
attention and provided with the needed foods and other vitamins.

“Thanks be to Almighty Allah, Ibrahim has recovered, and was brought back home. As you can see now, he’s looking healthy and strong.”

Speaking after their return on Thursday, Ibrahim’s mother, Fiddausi Ibrahim-Yammawa, commended the ex-governor for the
gesture, saying she will never forget the moment.

Young Ibrahim’s mother further explained that she was very happy as he has regained his health, saying that she was also given N200,000 to start a business.

Meanwhile, limited financial resources, limited access to nutritious foods, and medical conditions, are some of the major causes of severe acute malnutrition.

NAN

The Borno State Government says it has realized over N12billion cash and material donations for victims of Alau Dam flood disaster in Maiduguri.

Abdurrahman Bundi, the Senior Special Adviser on New Media to Borno Governor, gave the update on the donations for the Maiduguri Relief Fund on Thursday in Maiduguri.

Mr Bundi said the donations came from corporate entities, state governments, State and National Assembly members, individuals, and Non-Governmental Organisations.

List of donors showed that the North East Development Commission, NEDC, donated N3b and food stuff, Aliko Dangote N2b, Aminu Dantata N1.5b, and Mohammed Indimi N1b.

Other donors were Borno LGAs; N1.2b, Oluremi Tinubu; N500m, Bauchi and Niger states; N250m each while the people of Southern Borno donated N200m.

Dahiru Mangal, Atiku Abubakar, Rep. Mukhtar Betara, Ali Modu Sheriff, House of Representatives, Abdulsalam Kachala, and JAIZ Bank states comprising Kebbi, Yobe, Kano, Taraba, katsina, Kaduna and Zamfara gave N100 each.

The Director General of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Buba Marwa and Matrix Energy donated 10 trucks of fertiliser and foodstuff worth over N120m each.

Those who gave N50m include Adamawa state, Peter Obi, Rabiu kwakwanso, Ahmed Lawan, Mohammad Maifata, Ibrahim Umar, Mohammad Imam, Ali Dalori, Bauchi APC chapter, Sen. Tahir Monguno, and Sen. Kaka Kaka Shehu and I8th Engineering Company, while the State Assembly donated N60m.

The Nasarawa Government also presented six trucks of rice, spaghetti and sugar.

Many other people donated between N1m and N30m respectively.

NAN

Dr Musa Aliyu, Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, says within the last 24 hours, the commission has recovered about four billion Naira stolen by public office holders.

Mr Aliyu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja, on the sideline of the One-Day National Anti-Corruption Coalition, NACC, Members Hybrid Interactive Forum.

He said that ICPC would deploy technological measures, especially AI to unravel corrupt practices easily.

”Today, I want to underscore the potential of technological solutions in promoting accountability and good governance.

”Technology can work wonders because it is not biased like humans. It can help us tackle challenges if we use it properly and effectively.

”This technology, as I have mentioned, has the capability to address numerous issues.

”We know there are digital platforms that sometimes, unfortunately, contribute to corruption

”However, I can tell you that in the last 24 hours, we have been able to recover four billion Naira of public funds, which were diverted into private accounts,” he said.

According to him, it is alarming to see how much money is being misappropriated, and some individuals have billions of naira in their possession for personal gain.

”It is a shocking reality that people are hoarding public funds, instead of using them for the benefit of the nation.

”As a commission, we are utilising technology and management systems to restore confidence in the fight against corruption.

”We are committed to ensuring transparency in this endeavour,” he said.

Mr Aliyu said that there were systemic flaws in the country, especially regarding public spending.

He said that there was the need to invest in technology that could help minimise the challenges of corruption, particularly in public procurement.

”By implementing tech-driven processes, we can reduce practices like contract inflation.

”Using technologies like blockchain can help eliminate manipulation and ensure the integrity of public procurement.

”Data analytics are also crucial. The data we rely on is often outdated or inaccurate, which causes inefficiency.

”By embracing AI, we can easily convert certain processes to be more transparent and effective,” Mr Aliyu said.

He underscored the importance of implementing preventive strategies to combat corruption.

”This is why social integrity and capacity building are essential. Civic engagement and public education are key to ensuring that people understand their rights and responsibilities.

”When citizens are aware, they can hold public officers accountable. We must empower our people. Four or five years ago, we could have seen this transformation if we had started then.

”There is the need to ensure that the systems we build today withstand the test of time and foster respect for human rights and dignity.

”We need to build a culture that discourages corruption and promotes ethical governance,” he said.

He also called on the National Assembly to ensure speedy passage of the Whistle Blowing Act, adding that to fight corruption, there was the need to protect whistle blowers.

Muhuyi Magaji, the Chairman Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission, said that fighting corruption was a collective responsibility.

Mr Magaji said that when citizens joined hands against corruption, the monster would be easily defeated.

”When people own the fight against corruption, that is when it will always be strengthened. It is not for us at the government level to fight corruption alone.

”It needs the involvement of all, it is a collective fight so the occasion itself is a very important,” he said.

Demola Bakare, Acting Director, Public Enlightenment and Education, ICPC, urged the participants at the forum to fight corruption without sentiment.

Mr Bakare advised them to also have a deep knowledge of the Act that established the commission to enable them discharge their responsibility effectively.

He said that fighting corruption was like a marathon race that needed perseverance and endurance to win.

Mr Bakare pledged the support of the anti-graft agency to all the stakeholders, in winning the war against corruption in the country.

NAN

Abuja, Sept. 20, 2024 (NAN) President Bola Tinubu has called on all stakeholders in the upcoming Edo governorship elections to conduct themselves peacefully and sportingly.

The President implores the governorship candidates, political parties, and supporters to respect the democratic process and the people’s will, in the election scheduled for Sept. 21.

In a statement by Bayo Onanuga, his Special Adviser, Information and Strategy, the President said he believed in the voters’ ability to make informed decisions about their future leaders.

“President Tinubu emphasises that democracy thrives on civility, tolerance, patience, and respect for the rules of the game.

“He notes that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has committed to conducting a free and fair election and urges all stakeholders to work together to ensure a successful and peaceful process,” said the statement.

The President commended the governorship candidates and political parties for their campaigns, which he said had focused on issues that mattered most to the people of Edo.

He noted that the candidates pledged to improve livelihoods, promote economic growth and contribute to national development.

He urged all citizens in the state to remain peaceful and respectful throughout the voting process, and encouraged them to resolve any disagreements amicably through the constituted authorities.

“In addition, President Tinubu expresses unwavering confidence in the professionalism and integrity of security agencies and INEC officials.

“He urges them to remain impartial and avoid any actions that could compromise the integrity of the electoral process,” said the statement.

NAN