Boko Haram: Police hid bomb warnings from Presidency

Chiefs of the nation’s security agencies were in panic mode on Wednesday following shocking revelations by the co-founder of the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, a.k.a Boko Haram, Aliyu Tishau.
A source in the Presidency told one of our correspondents that the information that Tishua claimed to have given to the police was not made available to other security agencies. The source, who requested anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the case, said the National Security Adviser’s office and the State Security Service were not informed about the warnings. He added that the non-disclosure of the advance warnings ensured that the Presidency couldn’t act to prevent the bombings.
The source, a senior Presidency official, spoke against the background of criticisms that have trailed the accusations of negligence levelled against the government by the Boko Haram leader.
Tishau on Tuesday on an African Independent Televison interview programme, said that he had warned the police authorities about some bombings before they took place. The warnings, which he said were often specific, were ignored.
He also alleged that he had informed the police authorities about the planned bombing of the force headquarters three days before the incident, stressing that the terror attacks were caused by the negligence of the government and security agencies.
Tishau had said, “Three days before the attack, I warned the police that there would be an attack in Abuja that would embarrass the security authorities. Also, after the bombing of the police headquarters, I was summoned before the IGP and given a GSM phone. I called the person who planned and led the attack and we spoke right in front of the IGP. So, all these terror attacks are caused by the negligence of government.
“When I gave my advice, the police chased, arrested me, and kept me in detention. Before I was detained, I gave the police the video recordings of how some of how our members were being given military training, but the IGP ordered that I should be detained. I was left in detention for 10 months.
“But those things that I warned about are playing out today. While I was in detention, I was in contact with our people and I still gave forewarnings to the authorities about attacks. I even told them beforehand whenever an operation was to take place. The bombing of the police headquarters had been planned and on many occasions and I had always told them in advance.”
Our correspondents learnt that the nation’s security chiefs were worried that President Goodluck Jonathan would take drastic actions as a result of the revelations. Watchers say that the claims that the police had enough information to stop the attacks meant that proactive actions could have led to a reduction in the number of lives lost and the damage done.
A senior intelligence officer who spoke to our correspondent confirmed the anxiety among the security agencies. He said, “There is fear among the top security chiefs over the revelations made by the Boko Haram leader. Tishau said he had given advance warnings of bomb explosions to the security agencies. I can tell you that they did not pass this intelligence to the National Security Adviser. The President is not aware of these things.
“Now that it has come to light, President Jonathan won’t treat the issues with levity. The security chiefs concerned have some explanations to do, I can assure you.”
The source in the Presidency said that President Goodluck Jonathan, currently in New York for the 66th UN General Assembly meeting, had been apprised of the revelations by the Boko Haram leader.
“The President is obviously unhappy about the development and he is likely to announce some radical measures when he comes back,” the source said.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Sola Amore, could not be reached for comments as he did not respond to our correspondents’ repeated calls and text messages.
However, a senior police officer said the police management was studying the Boko Haram co-founder’s interview and would respond at the appropriate time.
“We have noted the allegations and we are studying them for now, but we will react at the appropriate time,” he said. The SSS Assistant Director, Public Relations, Marilyn Ogar, could also not be reached as her phone was switched off as at 6.18 pm.
Meanwhile, the ACF said that the revelations had once again confirmed the “leadership failure in the country.” National Public Secretary of the organisation, Mr. Anthony Sani, challenged all the governors accused by Tishau to defend themselves.
The Boko Haram leader had said, “For instance, in Borno State, the governor sponsors a group of armed youths known as ECOMOG. It is this ECOMOG that he looks after, above the police, SSS and other security agencies. In Gombe State, the governor has the Kalari. I was once contacted by a governorship candidate to kill an opponent for a fee. The security agencies know what I am telling you.
“In Bauchi there is the Tarafuka, an armed group sponsored by the government, and the government watches on, even when we have the SSS and police. That is why our new leader, Mallam Abubakar Shekau, is calling on the youths to disregard all governments in the country – a call that has brought him and the group into conflict with the government. Some politicians are now taking the advantage of the conflict between the Boko Haram leadership and the authorities to execute their own agenda.”
Sani said, “The insecurity that comes with violence is attributed to poverty and immorality that are traced to failure of leadership, which is currently in the hands of politicians. If Boko Haram could accuse governors, then the said governors should defend themselves.”
On the conditions given by the group, he said, “The ACF would like to note that no sacrifice is too much in order to attain the needed peace and national security that are good for all.”
By Adelani Adepegba and Segun Olatunji                   Courtesy Of: Punch

Daniel denies underpayment

The immediate governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, on Wednesday denied allegation by the state government that he underpaid civil servants during his eight-year tenure.
The Secretary to the State Government, Mr Taiwo Adeoluwa, reportedly accused Daniel on Tuesday of non-compliance with the Personal Income Tax Act because it was not paying the salaries of workers in full.
But Daniel, in a statement by his Media Assistant, Mr. Adegbenro Adebanjo, said Adeoluwa’s claim was meant to justify what he described as a punitive tax regime imposed on the workers by the Senator Ibikunle Amosun administration.
By Agency Reporter                   Courtesy Of: Punch

Ladoja blames Obasanjo

A former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja,on Monday blamed the economic problems in the country on former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
According to Ladoja, Obasanjo spent more time during his tenure “settling scores with people” and travelling round the world.
He told journalists in Ibadan, Oyo State that Obasanjo, on assumption of office in 1999, failed to address poverty and infrastructural problems in the country.
Ladoja said, “Obasanjo had a very good opportunity as President. But he was at the same time the minister for Foreign Affairs. Obasanjo gave more time settling scores with people rather than facing the task of governance.”
Ladoja, who also spoke on the insecurity in the country, said if Obasanjo had dedicated his time to service, he would have been a better leader.
By Agency Reporter                  Courtesy Of: Punch

Tribunal nullifies ACN Rep victory in Ekiti

The Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday nullified the election of a member of the House of Representatives representing Ekiti Central Federal Constituency II Mr. Oyetunde Ojo.
Ojo, who contested the Election on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The tribunal held in its verdict, read by Justice Patrick Uhuo, that the petitioner and candidate of the National Transformation Party, Mr. Peter Bamidele, was unlawfully excluded from the poll by INEC.
The tribunal also stated that it had “no doubt that the petitioner was unlawfully excluded from the election of April 26, 2011.”
It therefore ordered INEC to conduct a fresh election in the constituency within 90 days.
It said, “INEC is hereby ordered to conduct a fresh election including the name and logo of the first and second petitioner within 90 days.”
Bamidele, who was represented by his counsel, Mr. Obafemi Adewale, had in his petition asked the the tribunal to nullify the victory of the ACN candidate and order a fresh poll to include him.
Counsel for the respondents, Mr. Niyi Idowu, said his clients would appeal the judgment.
 By Femi Makinde, Ado-Ekiti                      Courtesy Of: Punch

Lagos judiciary drafts new court rules

A new draft of the reviewed High Court of Lagos State Civil Procedure Rules 2004 was on Wednesday presented to the public as part of the ceremony marking the beginning of a new legal year in the state.
The High Court Civil Procedure Rules governs the proceedings of non-criminal matters, including probate (family) cases in the state.
In her remark at the event, Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Inumidun Akande, said there was the need to clear the hindrance to giving legal backing to the draft rules.
Akande, who advocated for stronger adherence to constitutional provision of separation of powers for achieving independence of the judiciary, said the draft when ready would be signed by her and no longer by the legislature.
According to her, Section 89(1) of the current High Court Law 2004, which gives power to the House of Assembly to make rules of practice and procedure for the High Court, needed to be amended first.
She said the provision was against the principle of separation of power guaranteed by Section 274 of the 1999 Constitution.
Justice Akande explained that the CJ, being the head of the court in the state, ought to make and sign rules relating to the court according to provision of Section Section 274 of the 1999 Constitution.
By Ade Adesomoju                             Courtesy Of: Punch

PDP, Oyo Assembly trade words over foreign trip

The Peoples Democratic Party in Oyo State has described as ill-timed, the trip by the leadership of the Oyo State House of Assembly to the United Kingdom.
The PDP said this in a statement by its Director of Media and Strategy, Mr. Morounkola Thomas, in Ibadan on Wednesday.
The party noted that the fact that the House leadership embarked on the trip at this time suggested it was insensitive to the plight of the people who are still counting their losses to the August 26 flood disaster in Ibadan.
It said, “The fact that the House leadership can organise the tour at this time has shown it to be insensitive to the plight of the people of the state who have not recovered from the flood disaster that hit Ibadan less than one month ago.
“The PDP notes with concern the fact that since the disaster happened, the House has not deemed it fit to convey a special session to provide legislative succour to the victims of the floods.
“What is more disappointing is the fact that none of the legislators from Ibadan has visited their constituencies to share in the grief.”
Arguing that the attitude of the lawmakers amounted to legislative recklessness, the party added that apart from the floods, the state was ravaged by cholera.
It also noted that visiting the UK about three months into the tenure of the Assembly showed that the Action Congress of Nigeria was insensitive to the plight of the people of the state.
However, the Press Secretary to the House, Pastor Lekan Kolade, described the PDP statement as ill-conceived.
“This is a party way of assessing issue. You will recall that the Speaker of the House was on lesser Hajj when the flood disaster happened. She had to cut short the trip and came back,” Kolade told our correspondent on the telephone.
He debunked the claim that the Assembly did not convene to address the tragedy. According to him, the lawmakers, who were at the time on recess, reconvened to legislate on the action to be taken by the government on the disaster.
Kolade added, “They(PDP) are just trying to make an issue out of this. The Speaker, in company with other principal officers of the House inspected the disaster areas, delivered relief materials, assessed the situation and deliberated on the issue of environment.
“Part of the House decisions was to give support to the executive on the decision to demolish illegal structures along water paths in Ibadan.
“The lawmakers whose constituencies were affected had since visited the affected areas and personally presented relief materials.”
Kolade said the decision by the lawmakers to travel abroad was not for frivolity but borne out of their resolve to evolve a vibrant legislative arm in the state.
By Akinwale Aboluwade, Ibadan                         Courtesy Of: Punch

Tambuwal: PDP chiefs fear Senators, Reps’ revolt

FACTS emerged on Wednesday why the Peoples Democratic Party is afraid of sanctioning the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, and his deputy, Emeka Ihedioha, for violating the party’s zoning arrangement.
Checks by our correspondents showed that the PDP was afraid of incurring the wrath of the sizeable number of Representatives who voted for the two men, and their sympathisers in the Senate. The thinking in the PDP, sources told our correspondents, was that the National Assembly might turn against President Goodluck Jonathan if Tambuwal and Ihedioha were removed for the party’s chosen candidates.
The Speaker and his deputy were enthroned on June 6 through a conspiracy between the PDP members of the House and opposition lawmakers. The aim of the plot was to rubbish the PDP zoning arrangement.
The ruling party had zoned the Speakership to the South-West but the lawmakers gave it to Tambuwal from the North-East. At the time, the lawmakers had described the move as the “triumph of democracy.”
But the Chairman of the PDP’s Board of Trustees and former President Olusegun Obasanjo recently asked Tambuwal and Ihedioha to resign their positions, arguing that their election violated the party’s power-sharing formula.
Our correspondents learnt that the party was unwilling to defer to Obasanjo because it feared that forcing the Speaker to resign might lead to a move by Tambuwal’s supporters and opposition lawmakers to plot the impeachment of Jonathan as a way of hitting back at the PDP.
“The PDP National Working Committee felt thatObasanjo’s demand was an invitation to chaos,” a member of the NWC told one of our correspondents on Wednesday. He asked not to be named.
The source said the President had more problems than he could cope with, including the Boko Haram challenge, and that it would be crushing “to have a hostile parliament at the same time.”
The NWC member explained, “If we insist on the Speaker’s removal, it is the President that will feel the heat. The House members will think that Jonathan is behind the move to get rid of the Speaker and they can transfer their anger to him. We do not want anything that will compound our problems.”
He said that was why the PDP’s stand on the election of Tambuwal was diplomatic.
He said, “This is the first time that the party would be ridiculed by its members. As a political party which wants to take the issue of indiscipline seriously, we need to call them to order.
“Don’t forget that there is tension in the polity concerning the bombings that are going on, we decided that it is better not to heat up the polity as a result of this issue.
“Apart from this, we should not forget that we also have strong opposition among those who planted the Speaker and his deputy there. Our hands are tied because we have a strong opposition in the country and also the majority of our members in the House who belong to the PDP are even against us in this regard.”
The acting National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, recently told journalists in Abuja that the party would not prevail on the Speaker and his deputy to resign.
He said that Tambuwal and Ihedioha had apologised for violating the power-sharing arrangement of the party, adding that there was no need to punish them.
The PDP NWC member further said that the party’s investigations showed that the opposition lawmakers in the House and the northern elements who supported Tambuwal’s election were ready to cash in on the crisis that his removal would cause.
He said, “You will recall that it was yesterday (Monday) that we raised the alarm that the Congress for Progressive Change was plotting the impeachment of the President. It will amount to a political suicide, if we champion Tambuwal’s removal
“Remember, 252 out of 360 members elected Tambuwal. It will be disastrous if the members move against the President. Any move to remove him may result in a backlash against Jonathan. Even in the Senate, the Speaker has sympathisers.”
The NWC member, who earlier explained the stand of the party on Obasanjo’s demand, said the North deliberately worked against the PDP’s power-sharing arrangement because it felt it had been short-changed.
He said, “By the previous arrangement, the Senate Presidency should have gone to the South if the President came from there. You remember that during the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, the South produced the Senate President.
“The North believes the Speaker should come from the North because the speaker is believed to be strong administratively than the Senate President. On the issue of the suggestion that Tambuwal and Ihedioha should spend only two years as Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively, honestly, I don’t know how this can be done.”
Meanwhile, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Prof Rufai Alkali, and the National Vice-Chairman, South-West, Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo, have said that Obasanjo remains a leader in the party.
While fielding question from journalists in Osogbo on Tuesday, Alkali and Oladipo said Obasanjo should not be criticised over his comments on discipline and the power sharing arrangement of the party.
Alkali spoke in Osogbo when he paid a condolence visit to Oladipo, who lost his father last Friday.
By Niyi Odebode, Olusola Fabiyi, Fidelis Soriwei andTunde Odesola         
Courtesy Of: Punch

Bankole’s return bid causes ripples in House

The bid by immediate Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole, to return to the House is reportedly causing ripples among the lawmakers.
But, Mr. Segun Williams, who defeated Bankole in the race for the Abeokuta Federal Constituency seat last April, told journalists on Wednesday that the ex-speaker’s return moves did not bother him.
Bankole had congratulated Williams, a member of the Action Congress of Nigeria shortly after the result of the poll was declared.
The ex-speaker said that he would not contest the victory of Williams in court.
However, his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, later went to court to challenge the outcome of the poll and joined Bankole as co-plaintiff.
Findings showed that some lawmakers were said to be worried over the ex-speaker’s moves.
“He has not been leaving anything to chance since he lost the election.
“The ex-speaker has been moving like a wild wind and wants to return to the House”, a National Assembly source told The PUNCH in Abuja on Wednesday.
Williams dismissed the return bid, saying that he won the election by popular votes and had no reasons to entertain fear.
He said, “I don’t have anything against him going to the tribunal.
“ACN won the election, adjudged to be free and fair.
“So, I can not entertain any fear. I have confidence in God and the judiciary.
“There is no way my party or I will be jittery.”
Williams also described as “blatant lies”, rumours that his party might abandon him.
“This is a complete lie; there is nothing like that. What for?
“It is unthinkable; we have a loyal and faithful party in ACN”, he stated.
Insiders at the House said that some influential lawmakers were allegedly forecasting on what the scenario would look like should the speaker win the court case.
It was gathered that certain powerful groups in the PDP were aligning with Bankole and backing his return bid.
A prominent member of the House siad, “All this is happening at a time when former President Olusegun Obasanjo is insisting that the office of Speaker must be held by the South-West.
“The PDP in the South-West is saying the same thing. We don’t know the direction they are headed.”
By John Ameh                     Courtesy Of: Punch

N’Assembly sets up constitution review committee

The House of Representatives on Wednesday named a 46-member committee to begin a fresh amendment to the 1999 Constitution.
The committee, which is headed by the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Emeka Ihedioha, has representation from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Also, the Senate on Wednesday reconstituted its committee on the Review of the constitution, with the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, as its chairman.
The President of the Senate, David Mark, who read out the names of the 47 members of the committee, however, did not announce the other standing committees of the Senate as expected.
Besides Ihedioha, eight other principal officers are to serve on the House committee.
They are the Majority Leader (yet to be named); Chief Whip, Mr. Ishiaka Bawa; Deputy Leader, Mr. Leo Ogor; Deputy Chief Whip, Mr. Ahmed Mukhar; Minority Leader, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila; Deputy Minority Leader, Mr. Samson Osagie; Minority Whip, Mr. Suleiman Kawu; and Deputy Minority Whip, Mr. Garba Datti.
The Speaker, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, announced the committee members during the day’s plenary in Abuja.
The 6th House in conjunction with the Senate had amended the constitution on three different occasions, placing emphasis on electoral reforms.
Mark, however, kept Senators in the dark over the membership of the committees which is being expected before the end of the week.
Although senators had expected the announcement of the committees on Wednesday, Mark spurned a surprise when he named only the membership of the review committee.
A Senator told our correspondent on the telephone that the President of the Senate was keeping the committees closed to his chest.
He said it was difficult for any person to know what the content of the list of committees would be.
“If anybody tells you he knows what the committee will look like, it is a lie. No one knows yet until it is named by the Senate President,” he said.
Meanwhile, the House resolved to make budgetary provisions for projects in the 2012 budget to tackle the flood disaster in Ibadan, Oyo State.
It also resolved to “set up a delegation to visit Ibadan to commiserate with the state government and people as well as undertake on-the-spot assessment” of the affected areas.
A lawmaker from Oyo State, Mr. Ajbola Muraina, in a motion recalled that “hundreds of people were killed” while property quantified in billions of naira were destroyed by the August 26 flooding of the city.
By John Ameh                           Courtesy Of: Punch

Litigation: Lagos targets reduction of debts

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has vowed to ensure that liabilities and judgment debts incurred against the state due to negligence of public officers are reduced.
The Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye (SAN), said this on Wednesday in Alausa, during a workshop organised by his ministry for the state’s civil servants.
The workshop with the theme, ‘Attaining excellent disciplinary standard and avoiding government liability in employer-employee dispute’ was the second in the ministry’s series of workshops aimed at reducing government’s liabilities.
Ipaye said the governor was worried about public officers’ untimely supply of or failure to give essential information to litigation officers leading to government having to pay for avoidable damages.
He said government’s liabilities often arose in cases of employer-employee disputes years after principal officers who took decisions leading to litigation had retired.
The Solicitor-General of Lagos State and Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), also affirmed government’s resolve to tackle avoidable debts.
He also warned that any public officer whose failure to supply necessary information resulted in a judgment debt against the state would be held responsible.
“Henceforth, any public officer, who through his negligence or indolence allows the government to incure avoidable liabilities will be held responsible,” Pedro said.
He expressed worry over situations in which government had to reinstate some workers after five to 10 years they were sacked and needed to pay their arrears for the period such workers did not work for.
He attributed the reversal of dismissal of some workers by the courts to the failure of some principal officers to take appropriate steps to discipline erring workers.
According to him, many sacked workers who were truly due for dismissal, had to be called back because due process was not followed while taking disciplinary steps against them.
In his address, Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Olujobi Ososanya, represented by Mr. Israel Alagbe, urged the participants to embrace the tool of arbitration in settling legal disputes.
Ososanya, also the Chairman, Lagos State Civil Service Commission, expressed hope that the workshop would engender effective employer-employee relationship in the state.
By Ade Adesomoju                           Courtesy Of: Punch

UI students protest Boko Haram threats, halt exams

There was confusion at the University of Ibadan on Wednesday as the Students Union Government of the institution besieged examination halls and disrupted the ongoing second semester examinations.
The protest, it was learnt, led to the temporary suspension of the examination.
According to the SUG, the action was in response to the growing anxiety over alleged plan by the dreaded Boko Haram sect to attack the institution and other universities in the country.
Because of the Boko Haram scare, the institution had since Monday tightened security within the campus.
The protest, carried out in a commando-like manner, reportedly started around 8.30am. The angry students who were said to have been led by the SUG President, Tokunbo Salako, reportedly demanded that examination should be stopped until the safety of lives of the students and staff of the institution was guaranteed.
It was learnt that the students union had on Tuesday night gone round the halls of residence to solicit students’ support for the protest.
The SUG demanded that the school authorities should explain what they had done so far to guarantee safety of lives of the students in view of the alleged threat.
The students also expressed apprehension following power outage and epileptic water supply experienced in the institution in the last few days.
The protesting students stormed all the faculties to stop the conduct of the examination.
The students, who met stiff resistance at the Faculty of Arts, tore some examination papers and scripts and forced the management and the students out of the halls.
A students who spoke on the condition of anonymity queried, “How on earth are we expected to perform well when there is no light and water to read for the exam? In fact, the school authorities have kept us in the dark about this story of Boko-Haram targeting the school.
“We only got to know about it in the newspapers and the school has not deemed it fit to inform us either through memo or by inviting the student leaders. That is too bad. We all know that terrorist attacks happen where there is a large crowd. This is more likely during examination periods.”
Students, who had reported for their examinatio, expressed shock over the protest. They expressed fears that the ASUU warning strike billed to start from September 26 could catch up with them if the examination did not hold on time.
Calls made to the Public Relations Officer, UI, Mrs. Joke Akinpelu, were not picked as at press time. However, reports had it that the authorities of the university were meeting to take a position on the protest.
By Akinwale Aboluwade                                   Courtesy Of: Punch

Eight suspected Boko Haram bombers arraigned

The State Security Service on Tuesday arraigned eight Boko Haram members on two counts charge of criminal felony and conspiracy.
Shuaibu Abubakar, Mohammed Danladi, Salisu Ahmed, Ahmed Hassan Ezimakpo, Umar Babagana, Mohammed Ali, Musa Adams and Umar Ibrahim were arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Wuse, Zone 2 at about 1: 40 pm.
Aged between 20 and 35 years, the suspects were brought to the court by heavily armed SSS operatives. They were accused of planting the bombs that killed 16 people at the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) office in Suleja, Niger State on April 8, 2011. Also, they were alleged to have planted another bomb that killed three persons at the All Christian Fellowship Church, also in Suleja; a bomb blast that killed three persons in Bawri, a satellite town in the FCT.
All but one of the suspects pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charge, which was read in English but translated to Hausa when they said they did not speak English.
The charge sheet says the eight suspects are accused of conspiring “to do an illegal act to wit, planting and detonating explosives at different places which caused grievous bodily harm and killed about 22 people at different places.”
The 4th accused, Ezimakpor, a miner, who spoke shortly after the charge was read, narrated how he joined the sect, saying he joined the group as a preacher. He told the court he would plead guilty to only one of the charges, because he introduced the supplier of cortex wires (used in the detonation of explosive devices) to the mastermind, one Bashir, and his co-accused persons. The wires were sourced from a mining site in Nasarawa State. Our correspondent learnt that Hassan’s mother is from the South-East while his father hails from Niger Republic.
The prosecuting counsel, Cliff Osagie, told the Magistrate, Biola Oyewole, that he would adopt the First Information Report filed before the court earlier. He stated that the SSS intended to bring more accused persons in connection with the bombings, adding that many suspects were being arrested “as we speak.”
He informed the court that investigation had been concluded and he was prepared for the trial even as he appealed to the court to remand the accused persons in the SSS custody.
Ezimakpor explained that he had visited Abuja on May 3, 2011, where he ran into the 3rd accused, Salisu Ahmed, with whom he had proselytized as members of Boko Haram, between 2008 and 2009.
According to Ezimakpor, he lost interest in the sect later and changed his mobile phone number. He gave his new number to Ahmed and warned him not to share it with anyone, but he (Ahmed) gave the number to Bashir, who is at large.
“Bashir called me at Madala, (Niger State) for a meeting. He told me he had a message to train Boko Haram members for the revenge of (ex-sect leader) Mohammed Yusuf’s death. So they taught us how to handle AK-47. After that, Salisu, Bashir and I took an oath. After the pledge, I told Bashir I was not satisfied, that I was no longer interested in the Boko Haram movement.
“I changed my number and travelled to Nasarawa State. Bashir later called me and asked me to supply cortex wire. But I said I couldn’t. He insisted, saying I should connect him with a person that could supply the wire. As he insisted, I was afraid and I told him I would connect him to a labourer at the mine,” Ezimakpor said. According to him, two rolls of cortex wires were later supplied to the 2nd accused person who then delivered them to Bashir.
At this point, Osagie interrupted Ezimakpor’s narrative, saying his defence would be taken during the trial.
The Magistrate asked the accused persons about their lawyers and seeing that they had no legal representation, informed them they had the right to have a counsel. Oyewole then adjourned the matter to October 4, 2011.
By Adelani Adepegba, Abuja                                Courtesy Of: Punch

President asks Senate to confirm Musdapher as CJN

President Goodluck Jonathan has written to the Senate to confirm the appointment of Justice Dahiru Musdapher as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
Jonathan’s letter, which was dated August 22, 2011 was read to members of the Senate by Senate President David Mark on Tuesday
Jonathan said, “In conformity with Section 231(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, which gives the President the powers to appoint a CJN, acting on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council and subject to confirmation of the appointment by the Senate, I have the honour to forward the nomination of Justice Dahiru Musdapher, CON, CFR, as CJN.”
The Leader of the Senate, Victor Ndoma-Egba, also said the name of the President of the Court of Appeal would be presented for confirmation.
The President also, forwarded the name of Mr. Darius Ishaku as ministerial nominee representing Taraba State. Ishaku replaces Dr. Obadiah Ando, who was rejected by party members and senators from the state.
Jonathan, however, dropped the nomination of Prof. Mohammed Tabi’u as a Resident Electoral Commissioner in the Independent National Electoral Commission, representing Jigawa State.
Tabi’u was replaced by Mikaila Abdullahi in the list of eight nominees awaiting the Senate’s confirmation.
Other nominees are Sylvester Ezeani(Anambra), Dr. Lawrence Azubuike(Imo), Sam Olumekun(Ondo), Prof. Istifanus Dafwang(Plateau), Mrs. Gesila Khan(Bayelsa), Mr. Samuel Madaki(Taraba) and Dr. Gabriel Ada(Cross River).
The President also forwarded a list of five names for confirmation by the Senate as members of the Independent Corrupted Practices and other-Related Offences Commission.
They are Alhaji Abdullahi Ado Beyero (North-West), Alhaji Isa Salami(North-Central), Ekpo Owo Nta(South-South), Prof. Olu Aina(South-West).
By Oluwole Josiah, Abuja                              Courtesy Of: Punch

Ogun CP consoles robbery victims

The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, Mr. Nicholas Nkemdeme, on Tuesday, paid a visit to the State Hospital Ijaye, Abeokuta to sympathise with members of staff and patients who were robbed of their valuables in the hospital on Sunday.
Nkemdeme, who was accompanied by some senior officers of the police, re-assured them of his readiness to beef up security in the hospital and the entire state.
According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Tuesday, the visit to the hospital availed the police commissioner an opportunity for an on-the-spot assessment of the robbery incident.
Adejobi, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, said in the statement, “The Commissioner of Police sympathised with the victims whose handsets and valuable items were carted away by the satanic elements. He re-assured the patients and management of the hospital of his readiness and commitment to beef up security in the hospital and other state at large.
“The Commissioner of Police then reiterated on his order that the matter be thoroughly investigated as there are indications to the involvement of some insiders.”
The police boss also advised the management of the hospital to circulate the distress call numbers of the command to all members of staff so as to avoid the reoccurrence of such incident in the future.
He urged members of the hospital community to be more security conscious by putting up measures that would prevent hoodlums from gaining access to the hospital’s premises, adding that uniformed and plain cloth policemen would be deployed to the hospital and other ones for their effective protection.
The Chief Matron of the Hospital, Mrs. A. O. Akinsola, who conducted the CP and and his entourage round the scenes of the robbery incident, promised the readiness of the management to assist the Police to beef up security around the hospital.
By Ade Adesomoju                                   Courtesy Of: Punch

Appeal court adjourns ruling on Akpabio, Udoedeghe

The Court of Appeal sitting in Calabar, Cross River State has adjourned the judgement in the appeal filed by the Akwa-Ibom State Action Congress of Nigeria governorship candidate, Chief James Udoedeghe, against Governor Godswill Akpabio, of the Peoples Democratic Party.
The judgment, which was expected to be delivered on Tuesday, was adjourned to Thursday, September 15.
Giving reasons for the adjournment through Justice Massoud Abdulraham Oredola in the sitting that lasted about 20 minutes on Tuesday, the judges said some of the briefs were filed by the parties just the previous day and also that some of the authorities cited were not reported.
The judges, however, assured that the judgment would not lapse.
Reacting to the development, counsel for Akpabio, Chief Duro Adeyele, SAN, said, “The reasons given are plausible reasons. Some of the papers containing our argument, briefs were not made available to some of the justices, possibly due to mix up of the registry. But the good court is still within the time set down for such to be done by the constitution. And so there is no fear of the judgment lapsing.”
By Mudiaga Affe, Calabar                         Courtesy Of: Punch

N7bn scam: EFCC invites Deputy Speaker, others

The Deputy Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Kolawole Taiwo, and four other principal officials were on Tuesday guests of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Abuja.
Asource in the commission said the four principal officers – Rotimi Abiru, Ajibayo Adeyeye, Abdulrasaq Balogun and Lola Akande – were interrogated by a team of EFCC operatives at about 10.00am at its headquatres.
Details of their arrest were still sketchy as at press time.
A source close to the ant-graft agency said that Taiwo’s interrogation as well as other four principal officers, was part of the commission’s efforts at getting to the root of the alleged fraud.
It was not clear as at 7.15pm last night whether the officers would be detained by the EFCC as they were still being questioned.
When contacted, EFCC’s Head (Media and Publicity), Mr. Femi Babafemi, confirmed the interrogation of the lawmakers but refused to explain further.
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Adeyemi Ikuforiji was about a fortnight ago, picked by operatives of the commission over alleged misappropriation of N7bn.
His arrest was said to have been sequel to a petition written against him by a civil rights group, Kick Against Corruption and Anti-corruption Vanguard, alleging that the speaker mismanaged N7bn running cost in 12 months.
In the petition purportedly signed by one Mr. Olawale Williams, KAK had, among other things, alleged that the lawmaker diverted the money and laundered it abroad through an automobile firm, Brown Motors, allegedly owned by him.
Both Ikuforiji and the members of the House of Assembly had faulted the allegation.
The lawmakers wondered how much the Assembly had collected in the past one year for the Speaker to be able to mismanage N7bn.
By Friday Olokor, Abuja                  Courtesy Of: Punch