The Adamawa State Police Command on Saturday night rescued and arrested a young man who climbed a 33kv high tension pole in the Mayo-Belwa Local Government Area headquarters insisting that President Bola Tinubu must resign before he would come down.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Nguruje, told PUNCH Metro exclusively on Sunday evening that the man, who police kept his name secret, was rescued on Saturday night, and is in custody in the state capital.

“The command is going to parade the man today (Monday) for attempting a suicide, You know attempting to commit a suicide is a criminal offence under our constitution, so we are going to charge him to court, “ he said.

Nguruje told our correspondent that it is the constitutional duty of the police to protect lives and property and that when any individual wants to take his life, he will face the full wrath of the law.

Our correspondent made several calls to the PPRO to disclose the name of the man, but he promised to do so without releasing the name at the time this report was filed.

On Friday morning, the market day of Mayo Belwa, the young man climbed the 33kv high tension along the Yola-Jalingo highway, insisting that he would not come down until the President vacated the presidential villa.

PUNCH Metro investigations revealed that the Adamawa State Police Command engaged the services of the locals in the area who finally convinced the man to come down on Saturday night.

When our correspondent visited the police headquarters on Sunday evening, it gathered that the young man was in protective custody in the Criminal Investigating Department of the Adamawa Police Command.

The Minister of Power, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, said on Sunday that more than 40 percent of Nigerians now enjoy 20 hours of power supply daily across the country.

Adelabu, in a statement in Abuja, said the feat was achieved through revolutionary measures taken by the Ministry of Power, with the support of President Bola Tinubu, as part of his renewed hope agenda to galvanise the economy.

He credited the achievements in the power sector to radical and bold steps taken by his administration, with President Tinubu’s consistent advocacy for a stable and consistent power supply as a means to achieve a breakthrough in industrialisation.

Adelabu said the generation of more than 5,500 megawatts of power was one of the ministry’s significant achievements in the last year, with plans to improve further by the end of the year.

“Most developed nations achieved reliable, functional, and affordable electricity as a fundamental step.

“This is crucial for industries, businesses, institutions, and households. That’s why we must prioritise this for Nigeria to drive economic growth and industrial development.

“President Bola Tinubu emphasised this in his New Year’s speech on January 1, stressing the need for stable electricity to power critical sectors.

“This is the only way to achieve requisite economic growth and industrial development, as none of these sectors can function without it.”

Adelabu outlined the administration’s vision to provide stable electricity supply to households, businesses, and institutions, including educational and health institutions, as well as industries.

According to him, this initiative aims to empower these entities to power their infrastructure, enhance their capacity, and create additional job opportunities. 

He said that the ministry works with agencies, 27 power generating companies, and 11 Electricity Distribution Companies to achieve its goals.

He added that with the support of President Tinubu, the ministry was committed to providing Nigerians with stable and regular electricity supply.

As Senators Nwoko, Izunaso push for additional States

WITH the commencement of another phase of review of the 1999 Constitution by both the Senate and the House of Representatives, Senators are presently on the same page on the issue of Local government autonomy, but sharply divided over the establishment of State Police across the thirty- six states of the country and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

Recall that the Senate had in May this year during a plenary session concluded that the 774 local governments across the country are dead, accusing state governors of misappropriating funds allocated to Local Government Councils in Nigeria.

According to the Senate, the dream of achieving the objectives of the local government system has encountered harsh realities as successive governments have often eroded local autonomy, limiting their financial resources and control over decision-making, and adding that corruption scandals and mismanagement have often tarnished the image of some local governments, thereby fueling public cynicism.

Also, recall that the Supreme Court had on 11th July barred the 36 governors of the federation from further retaining or utilizing funds that are meant for the 774 Local Government Areas, LGAs, in the country.

The apex court had ruled that it is illegal and unconstitutional for governors to continue to receive and seize funds allocated to LGAs in their states.

Move by the Senators to save the third tier of government from total collapse following the abuse of their roles by the state governors, may not be unconnected to the recent Supreme Court verdict and the pledge by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, that the National Assembly would tinker with the constitution to legalise their full autonomy.

As members of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review rounded off its two-day retreat on the amendments to the 1999 constitution on Saturday night in Kano, they unanimously agreed to include full autonomy for local governments in the nation’s legal document, but they however expressed divergent views on the issue of state police.

Senators from the South-East and South-South geopolitical zones at the forum, advocated for the creation of additional states.

Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, APC, Ekiti Central, former Senate leader, Senator Ali Ndume, APC, Borno South; Chairman Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Sani Musa, APC, Niger East; Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, APC, Oyo North; Osita Izunaso, APC, Imo West and Ned Nwoko, PDP, Delta North in their various submissions insisted that full autonomy for local governments was long overdue.

The Senators spoke at the sidelines of the Retreat which was organised jointly organised by the Senate Committee on Constitution Review in collaboration with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre, PLAC.

Speaking on the issue, Bamidele who noted that the current constitution has put the administration of local government in the hands of the state government, said that the exigencies of the current situation have made it necessary to make the third tier of government, completely independent.

The Senate leader said, “The independence of the autonomy of our local governments cannot be taken away. The debate is raging as to whether or not local government should be considered as a tier of government.

“Law is made for men and not men for law. Regardless of what is in our constitution, what is important is that certain realities have come to terms with us.

“So, if we’re talking about local government autonomy, the way some of us have looked at it, in the Senate and the National Assembly, is that we need to complement what the Supreme Court has said.

“The Supreme Court didn’t say anything that is not in our constitution. The Supreme Court only gave it some further clarity. Arising from that, it’s also important that as much as possible, we also ensure that the fear that governors will not allow local governments to function can also be addressed through further tinkering with our constitution.

“For instance, a lot of stakeholders are concerned that for as long as local governments elections are conducted through state independent federal commissions, there could be a highway to nowhere.”

On his part, Chairman, Senate Committee on Reparation and Repatriation, Senator Ned Nwoko who noted that local government autonomy, was very critical, said, “The local government has almost but died, there is nothing happening there, it is just as a mere third tier of government.

“So any reforms that support what the Supreme Court had already done, will help to reintroduce the ideals of having a local government.

“If we have an independent local government where elections are conducted by INEC for instance and they have their own money and they are able to take care of local securities and deal with hospitals and the rest of them, a lot will happen for good.”

In his contributions, Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Sani Musa who noted that the process of restructuring had started with the Supreme Court verdict on local government autonomy, said, “When you are talking about restructuring, we should be able to give the local governments, the autonomous power to be able to run their administration from the grassroots level so that the impact of governance can reach the grassroots.”

In his submission, Osita Izunaso who stressed that arguments about the possibility of local government chairmen becoming too powerful to the extent of impeaching governors if granted full autonomy does not hold water, said, “When we started in this country, local governments had full autonomy then and they were developing their areas. I believe in the full autonomy of the local government.

“I am sure it is going to work. I don’t believe that LG autonomy would empower council chairmen to impeach the governors. The fear does not arise and I don’t even believe in it.

“The governors have immense constitutional powers. Only the state assembly can move against the governor. The council chairmen don’t have the power. Governors and council chairmen should face their work.”

Senator Abdulfatai Buhari who threw his weight behind the position of the Senate Leader who postulated that the election of council chairmen and the councillors should be conducted by an independent body not constituted by state governments, said, “Local government autonomy could only be achieved if their elections are conducted by an independent body. If that is not done, states will continue to siphon their money, through threats, through blackmail.

“If I just put you there as local government chairman, as the governor, definitely you will be answerable to me, but if am contesting my election people’s eyes will be on me and when I can perform, you can’t force me to take the money to the governor.

“If we want that Supreme Court judgement to hold water, we should expunge from the Constitution, that aspect of Joint Account.

On the issue of state police, the Senators were divided, just as those in support are of the view that insecurity would be tacked effected with state police while others said political opponents would be targeted by state governors.

Supporting State Police, Senator Sani Musa said, “This retreat, we are going to deal with the issue of State Police, Local Government autonomy. But when you are talking about restructuring, in the context of it, we are doing a restructuring. We are already doing the restructuring. By my understanding of what restructuring should be, we should be able to give the LG the autonomous power to be able to run their administration from the grassroots level so that the impact of governance can reach the grassroots.

“When we are talking about State Police, every state in this country is facing one insecurity or the other and I believe that if we look at the issue of State Police, and we look at it: is it good for us? What are the advantages and disadvantages, that may have in the interest of this country, I think, we will come out with an outcome that Nigerians will want. So, I think this is the reason why we are here.”

However, Senator Ali Ndume said, Personally, I don’t support state police. Right now, we have less than 400,000 Police nationwide, and you are clamouring for the creation of state police, why don’t you increase the number and Train, Equip, Armed and Motivate them, what I call TEAM. And also adopt the United Nation recommendation on policing. We are about 230 million Nigerians, and we have less than 400,000 police, less than 200,000 armed forces and all our security agencies and paramilitary are barely 1 million or more. We don’t have an army or police reserve and you are saying we should have a state police.”

Both Senators Nwoko and Osita Izunaso, maintained that the creation of additional states in their geopolitical zones was long overdue.

Nwoko said, “The Anioma state creation for me is something that has to be done, if that is the only state that is created in this period, I will not be surprised.

“Agitation for Anioma state had been going on for almost 50 years, it is the oldest agitation for a state.”

On his part, Izunaso said, “The most important agenda the South East Caucus in the National Assembly has is to push for equity and justice.

“We need an additional state in the South East so that we come to terms with other zones in the country that all have six each.

“A situation where the South East have five states when others have six, does not go well for balancing. I believe that our colleagues from other zone will see the reason why we need the state support us.

“There are bills in that regard. For instance, I have my own Bill for the creation of Orlu State. There are two other bills from our colleague for the creation of two other states. We are going to sit back as a zone harmonise our positions.”

Senator representing Southern Borno, Ali Ndume has raised concerns about the electoral process in Nigeria, stating that it is deliberately complicated to facilitate manipulation.

Ndume, a former Senate Majority Leader, made the remarks on Sunday during an interactive session with journalists in Kano after attending the Senate retreat on constitutional review. 

“I support local government autonomy and the idea of INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) conducting local government polls. One issue being discussed in the National Assembly is the creation of a National Local Government Electoral Commission, and I am not in support of it,” Ndume said.

He questioned the need to create a new body solely for conducting elections every four years, arguing that the existing INEC is underutilized and could handle these responsibilities. He also expressed frustration with the complexity of Nigeria’s electoral process, which he believes is designed to encourage manipulation.

“The elections in Nigeria are deliberately complicated to allow for manipulation. Why don’t we make laws that ensure the votes count? Why not enable citizens to elect someone from their phones? Why not allow INEC to monitor elections through technology and create a situation room? Google can tell you your location in real time, so why can’t we leverage technology for our elections?” he asked.

Ndume added that the underlying problem with Nigeria’s electoral system is a lack of sincerity, honesty, and fear of God among political leaders.

Beyond the issue of elections, Ndume also addressed the rampant corruption in Nigeria, lamenting that those who steal public funds often move freely and are celebrated. He shared his experience attempting to pass a law on unexplained wealth in the National Assembly, a proposal that has repeatedly failed to gain traction.

“Our major challenge in this country is corruption. We have no proactive law to address it. In Nigeria, if someone who was poor last week suddenly buys ten cars and a jet, they are celebrated, and people say, ‘God has blessed our son.’ In developed countries, they ask how, when, and where the money came from,” Ndume stated.

He explained that he had tried multiple times to push for a law addressing unexplained wealth but was unsuccessful. “I even approached a former Head of State, hoping he could sign an executive bill on the issue. But to this day, there is no Unexplained Wealth Act or executive order addressing it in Nigeria,” Ndume concluded

Controversial social media personality, VeryDarkMan, has issued a legal counterattack against Bobrisky, threatening a N1 billion countersuit following an earlier defamation claim.

Bobrisky’s legal team had previously demanded an apology from VeryDarkMan for allegedly posting an AI-generated audio to damage the crossdresser’s reputation.

In response, VeryDarkMan took to Instagram, claiming that he stands by the recording in question while threatening to countersue the crossdresser for N1,000,000,020.

His words, “Bobrisky, did you not say you wanted to ‘Kpai’ yourself? Are you not doing it again? Anyway, in this case, they will exchange their credibility for my publicity again as usual. I will suffer them. The integrity of a lot of people will go down. You will hate why you take this case like this. I promise you that. From now, Bobrisky now has the strength to sue me and gave me 24 hours. That means they are working together. I am thinking what I have exposed is bigger than what it is,” he said.

“Did Bobrisky later pay someone N3 million when he did not get it from Falz? I can stand for myself anywhere. Bobrisky has sued me N1 billion but I will caricature it more with N1,000,000,020 billion and N20 gain. I will make all of you stupid in this country.

Background:

In April, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested Bobrisky on six counts of money laundering and Naira mutilation.

During his trial at the Federal High Court in Lagos, Justice Abimbola Awogboro dismissed the money laundering charges (counts five and six) but sentenced the social media personality to six months in prison for Naira abuse.

However, a little over a month after his release, VeryDarkMan, posted a leaked audio recording on Instagram, in which Bobrisky narrated the events that transpired during his prison term.

In the audio, Bobrisky can be heard discussing with a friend how EFCC officials allegedly extorted N15 million from him to drop the money laundering charges.

VeryDarkMan explained that he released the audio after Bobrisky refused to repay N4 million borrowed from one of the people he approached to raise the N15 million.

The ongoing dispute between the two influencers has captivated social media, while investigations by relevant authorities continue.

Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, a former governorship candidate in Zamfara State, has alleged that influential politicians are behind the surge of banditry in Nigeria’s North-West region. Shinkafi made this claim in a statement on Saturday, amidst the growing insecurity in the region, which has seen numerous attacks and kidnappings.

Shinkafi, also the Executive Director of the Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development (PAPSD), expressed his support for the ongoing investigation by the Defence Headquarters into the sponsorship of banditry in the North-West. He condemned politicians who he claimed were using banditry for selfish political gains and called for an investigation into those politicizing insecurity.

He applauded recent military operations that have led to the elimination of notorious bandit leaders, including Kachalla Halilu Sububu, Jamilu Nazakiru, Sani Black, Danbaleri Mashekari, and Wala Baburki, describing these actions as essential for peace, security, and development in the region.

Shinkafi stated, “The spate of killings, kidnappings for ransom, destruction of property, imposition of levies and taxes, and displacement of people from their communities by these criminal elements is alarming. It calls for a concerted military effort to crush them and restore national security.”

He further urged that anyone found guilty in the ongoing investigations should face the full weight of the law, regardless of their status. Shinkafi also defended the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, against blackmail allegations, praising his performance in President Tinubu’s cabinet.

Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Prof. Isa Ali Pantami has revealed that despite the federal government’s substantial funding for security, only a small portion reaches soldiers on the battlefield. He made this statement during the Young Professionals Colloquium in Katsina State, while discussing the National Identification Number (NIN)-SIM linkage and issues contributing to insecurity.

Pantami highlighted that the primary issue with Nigeria’s security challenges is not the lack of intelligence gathering but rather the failure to act on the intelligence that has been collected. He stressed that most of the federal government’s security budget remains with top officials, leaving very little for the soldiers facing the dangers on the frontline.

He pointed out that sending soldiers into battle without proper life insurance or adequate death benefits demoralizes them. Pantami added that soldiers know their families’ futures may not be secure if they die in service, which discourages them from fully committing to the fight against terrorists and kidnappers.

Pantami emphasized that Nigeria’s security challenges will persist unless the government establishes mechanisms to ensure that more security budget reaches frontline soldiers and takes care of their families. He urged the government to put in place systems that guarantee proper support for soldiers’ families if they lose their lives in the line of duty.

He explained, “The government is spending huge amounts on security. Unfortunately, a very small percentage reaches our security officers on the battlefield. Most of it stays at the top. You ask a soldier to fight terrorists, but if he dies, his death benefit is less than 10 million naira, while he might have many children. Who can risk their life for that?”

Pantami concluded by calling for a system where soldiers on the battlefield receive proper compensation. If they die, the government takes responsibility for their families’ welfare, ensuring their children’s education or success in business.

He said, “We must work on the system to ensure that what is budgeted reaches those on the battlefield. They should be the highest earners in Nigeria, and their families must be cared for if they sacrifice their lives for the country.”

A tragic incident at an Ibadan-based white-garment church has resulted in the deaths of five worshippers with several others receiving treatment at the Infectious Disease Centre (IDC) in Olodo, Oyo State.

The church feast, known locally as “Ipese,” took place during a service last Sunday and has raised concerns regarding its safety.

As of Saturday night, approximately 50 worshippers have been discharged from the IDC after receiving medical care.

Vanguard gathered that the local church community is grappling with the aftermath of this unsettling event, which has drawn the attention of various governmental agencies, including the police and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), as well as the World Health Organization (WHO).

A church source hinted to Vanguard that the cause of the deaths remains unconfirmed, saying, “I ate the prepared beans like every other member, including the victims, and nothing happened to me.”

He emphasised that the situation should not be solely attributed to the “Ipese” feast, adding that, “The incident is being investigated thoroughly, and it is not just about the “ipese” as some are suggesting.”

Officials from multiple organisations have visited the church for fact-finding missions, although their findings have yet to be publicised.

“There’s no truth to the rumour that the church premises have been shut down. The Shepherd-in-Charge has been attending to visitors and is currently undergoing tests,” the source further clarified.

A senior medical staff member at IDC Olodo, who spoke anonymously, confirmed the ongoing treatment of affected individuals.

“As of today, 50 patients have been treated and discharged, while others remain under care. “We expect the state commissioner for health to address the press about the incident next week.”

While contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adewale Osifeso confirmed the incident and mentioned that investigations are currently underway.

Former governorship candidate in Zamfara State, Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has alleged that certain politicians are attempting to remove the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, through a fabricated Federal High Court suit.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Shinkafi described the suit as a desperate attempt to tarnish Matawalle’s image and discredit him.

According to him, court records indicate that the suit lacks a judge’s assignment, casting doubts on its legitimacy.

He noted that the suit, filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, accuses Matawalle of involvement in banditry.

However, Shinkafi, who also serves as the Executive Director of Patriots for Peace and Social Development, claimed the court has not assigned, heard, or determined the suit.

He explained that the suit is a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and damage Matawalle’s reputation, citing Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution, which presumes innocence until proven guilty.

He further added that the Defence Headquarters and security agencies are investigating banditry sponsorship in the North West.

Shinkafi called for an investigation into the source of the misleading reports and urged media regulatory bodies to impose sanctions.

He sought accountability from the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Guild of Editors, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), and National Media Complaints Commission.

He stated, “A case filed is not a case heard, and a case heard is not a case determined until the pronouncement of the court. Every person charged with a criminal offense shall be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

“They want to oust the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, through a fabricated Federal High Court suit. We have no doubt that the Honourable Minister will be exonerated.

“It is evident that the allegations and suit were fabricated by his political opponents, hoping he would be dropped in the proposed cabinet reshuffle. Matawalle’s towering influence in Zamfara State politics is astonishing, hence the plot to pull him down by all means.

“Specifically, his rising profile as an outstanding minister of the Federal Republic and a loyalist of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu intimidates these failed politicians.

“It is time to stop media trials and propaganda against highly esteemed public office holders like Matawalle. We urge the Honourable Minister to remain focused in the quest for a strong, unified, progressive, equitable, and just democratic nation.”

Former Oyo State governor, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, has shed light on his impeachment saga, naming former President Olusegun Obasanjo as the powerful figure responsible for his removal from office.

In an interview on a Fresh FM radio program hosted by Isaac Brown, Ladoja addressed longstanding misconceptions surrounding his impeachment.

He clarified that it was widely believed that the late Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu and his former deputy, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, orchestrated his ousting.

However, Ladoja contended that the true architect of his impeachment was, in fact, Obasanjo.

He said, “You see, some people said, it was Akala, it was Adedibu. No, it was not any of them. It was Obasanjo.”

Narrating the story of the event that shook the country, Ladoja recalled his experience with Chief Obasanjo and how he went along other Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors like Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Chief Gbenga Daniel and Dr Segun Agagu to beg the former president in Abeokuta no to go ahead with the plan to impeach him.

He added “It was during the time of Ileya [Muslim festival Eid-el-Kabir]. We went to see Baba Obasanjo. I think it was on a Friday or Saturday that we went to see him in Abeokuta. I was there with Oyinlola, Daniel and Agagu.

“We did not call Fayose, because we knew that Fayose was Baba’s son. So they knelt down and I knelt down with them. They were begging him, ‘Baba, please, let Ladoja be’.

“Baba then said ‘Rashidi, go and resign!’ I said ‘No, I won’t resign!’ He said, ‘if you don’t resign, you would be removed’. I said ‘No, they cannot do it.’ He said ‘why’”. I said ‘because you cannot get two-thirds.’

“He said ‘two-thirds my foot’ and then he left the place in fury. [Gbenga] Daniel ran after him.

“While we were reflecting on what we were going to do, myself, Agagu and Oyinlola, a man came in; it was the former World Court Justice, Prince Bola Ajibola.

“He said ‘what is wrong with you?’ He said ‘I know your problem. Your problem is that you don’t want Ladoja to be impeached. They [Oyinlola, Agagau and Daniel said yes.

“Justice Ajibola said ‘well, I’ve talked about it to Segun, he’s just adamant. He said ‘but you’re leaders in your own rights. There comes a time when you must have to stand up and fight.’

“Then he told us the story of ‘Jafitafita’. The story of ‘Jafitafita’ is simple. It is about tortoise and his wife, yannibo.”

Oba Ladoja revealed further that Prince Ajibola helped him a lot in his legal battle to reclaim his mandate.

Ladoja said, “I must put it on record that Prince Ajibola did wonderfully for us because he told us exactly what to do: we “jafitafita”.

“When eventually we got the judgement of the Appeal Court. Baba said no. People said this is a declarative judgement; he said they going to stay its execution. And eventually, it stayed until the Supreme Court confirmed the judgement of the Court of Appeal.”