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Sen. Dr. Patrick Ifeaanyi Ubah’s Return To Anambra South Senatorial District

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On Saturday, February 18, 2022, exactly twelve months (365 days) from today, registered voters across Nigeria will go to the polls to elect the President who will preside (for the next four years after May 29, 2023 swearing-in) over the affairs of Africa’s most populous black nation, if not the world.

The same day would also witness casting of votes for the return or replacement of the serving members of the 9th National Assembly – the Nigeria Senate and the Federal House of Representatives. Rightly, most serving members of the National Assembly would seek return to their seats, provided they got to bear the flags of their respective political parties; to so contest for the seats. It is believed that the Voters will not be willing to return most legislators without probing how they performed in their respective outgoing tenure.

One of such persons that has performed creditably for the nation in general and for his constituency in particular, is Sen. Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah , who his colleagues in the Red Chamber, in their utmost wisdom found in him a worthy representative and decided to name him the “Prince of the Senate”. Such accolade for a first-time Senator at the time, must have been for probable reasons.

One guesses that among the reasons are that: Senator Ubah stood out as an “independent candidate senator” so to say, as he ascended the seat through relatively unknown Party (Young Progressives Party, YPP) and therefore remained the only person in elective position on that Party’s platform – from Council to the State House of Assembly, and up to the National Assembly – what a feat? Senator Ubah all through till today has stayed unwavering against all odds and the pressure supposedly mounted on him to join the ruling APC in particular or other opposition (PDP) at seeming stages. Senator Ubah it was, as sort of “whistle-blower” in the matter of the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contract Act Bill, in 2019. This particular Bill restored to Nigeria (almost N700billion annually) that she has been losing in the past twenty years. This Bill has on record as the first Bill that was passed in the 9th Senate and subsequently signed into Law by the President while holidaying in faraway UK, at the time. The urgency with which the Bill went through, remains unequalled. This was achieved within the first year of Senator Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah’s arrival on the seat.

There are other Bills of his that are of federal in character and nature, like: The Petroleum Tankers Bill, 2019; Erosion Control and Prevention Commission Bill, 2019; Institute of Rice Research and Development Bill, 2019; etc. There are numerous Motions not restricted to his immediate constituency, which he moved on the floor of the Senate. As well, there are so many interventions he carried out not only to his immediate constituents but also for the benefit of the entire Anambra State, the South-East and the entire Nigeria nation.

Read Also:  Ex-gubernatorial Aspirant tells House to stop playing politics of vendetta over N165 billion.

All the above and more as you might read hereafter support the easy chance of earning Senator Ubah a second tenure at the Red Chamber, come 2023. Since it does not simply work out that way, the Voters that will bring him back are not located outside his immediate Anambra South constituency. Turning to that area, Senator Ubah seems to have surpassed, within his first tenure, what other earlier occupiers (put together) of the seat could not achieve in the past long years on seats. Physically, Senator Ubah has brought federal presence to his constituency through many Bills, naming few of such, like: National Institute for Business Study, Nnewi, Anambra State; Power and Petroleum Safety Institute, Oraifite Bill, 2019; Institute of Aviation Safety and Management, Mbosi, Anambra State Bill, 2019; National Institute for Security and Strategy Studies, Orumba, Anambra State Bill, 2019; A Bill in 2019 for the upgrade of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Orumba-North, Anambra State, to Federal University of Science and Technology; Metallurgy Training Institute, Orumba, Anambra State, 2020; A Bill to establish The National Center for Sickle Cell Anaemia Research and Treatment in Aguata, Anambra State, (SB. 439), 2020; A Bill to establish Federal Medical Center in Uli, Anambra State, (SB. 487), 2020; A Bill to establish Institute of Information and Communication Technology, in Uga, Aguata, Anambra State, 2020; and so on. Some of these had Budget allocated to them in 2021 and 2022.

Senator Ifeanyi Ubah has also, by his individual effort, continued towards total completion of the Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Cathedral, Nnewi, which recently hosted the 75th Birthday anniversary of His Lordship, Most Rev. Hilary Paul Odili Okeke, the outgone Bishop (Emeritus) of Nnewi Catholic Diocese. Also just on February 10, 2022, the activity marking the installation of a new Bishop of the Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Jonas-Benson Okoye was held at the new Cathedral; which event was attended by a number of Bishops from other Catholic Dioceses across the globe. Incidentally, physically present at the event and must have marveled at the magnificent edifice, included the Governor of Anambra, Willie Obiano together with the Anambra Governor-elect, Prof Soludo and a couple of former Governors and top dignitaries.

Outside of his senatorial duties, Senator Ifeanyi, a go-getter, it should be recalled, during the ravaging COVID-19 was able to rally his friends and allies under an umbrella called Anambra Progressives Development Union and was able to raise almost N600million with which they bequeathed well-equipped Hospitals to Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi and another to UNIZIK, Awka. It was proposed that each of the three Senatorial Districts should have one.

The third one is almost being completed on the site provided by the Anglican Diocese, Odoakpu, Onitsha; as an alternative Site after an alleged refusal of the Anambra State Government to allow its original preferred location at Nsugbe. Unfortunately, this refusal was after the Anambra Progressives had sunk about N10million there. The Onitsha as the new location serves well since it is in the same Anambra North, as Nsugbe.

There are two other well-executed hospitals at Uga and Ekwulobia, which come under Senator Ifeanyi Ubah’s legislative constituency projects. His constituency projects are numerous that one cannot bore the readers with their complete details. They include building of houses for the poor and widows, and various empowerments to the Youths, etc.

It should not be forgotten in a hurry the fact that Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah was the only politician (while others went into hiding) that took the risk and went out during the #ENDSARS protest to talk with the Youths at the beehive of destruction of properties, for them to see reason why they should stop the wanton destruction, hence it was abated.

Read Also:  Gunmen attack Akwa Ibom fishermen, amputate villager’s hand, steal seven outboard engines

Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, had all things been equal, stood the chance of being the Governor-elect from the last Anambra State governorship election. He could not make it due to the fact that he was duped. There were some unfriendly friends that he had trusted but at the appropriate time, they sabotaged him. He was also sabotaged by his fellow Nnewi billionaires’ brothers who deviated from their supposed and agreed-to “Nnewi Agenda”. He should watch out for such category of persons to avoid sabotage in the forthcoming Senatorial Election for now. Unfortunately, these people may not have recognized that as they have acted, before Nnewi person will become a Governor of Anambra State, as in turn, it would take about twenty four years in the future.

Nevertheless, it is believed that Senator Ifeanyi has moved on and thanked God that none of his YPP members was killed or harmed during the politicking and electioneering; a divine grant from God, one may adduce. It is noteworthy that the setback seems not deterring him from carrying on with projects he had initiated for the betterment of his Senatorial District constituency and for mankind; like the Nnewi Catholic Cathedral project.

Gunmen attack Akwa Ibom fishermen, amputate villager’s hand, steal seven outboard engines

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coic
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Ini-Ikwe, a fishing settlement in Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, was invaded by gunmen who cut off a fisherman’s hand.

Within a week, they had hauled away seven outboard engines.

According to Mr Ernest Charlie, a spokesperson for fishermen, an outboard engine costs one million naira.

Charlie stated this while filing a formal complaint with Elder Iniabasi Ekanem, Chairman of Onna Local Government Area, saying that fishermen’s safety was no longer guaranteed due to ongoing attacks by gunmen in the area.

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“Last week, gunmen took six outboard engines from us and even cut off one of our friends’ hands during the attack,” he claims. In our community, an outboard engine was stolen just yesterday.”
While lamenting that their source of livelihood had been threatened, the spokesperson called on the government to beef up security in the area by deploying surveillance boats to stop further attacks.

“Our sources of business in the community are dying because of insecurity in our waterways. The State government should please come to our rescue.
Gunmen are terrorizing us in our waterways and our safety is not guaranteed,” he said.

Responding, the chairman of Onna, who was represented by Mr Phillip Ambrose, the Dean of Supervisors in Onna LGA expressed dismay over the attack by hoodlums in the waterways and sympathised with the affected fishermen.

Read Also:  In Edo, Police Apprehend Five Suspected Kidnappers, Rescue Three Victims

He explained that the council was collaborating with security agencies to tackle the security situation in the area.

Ambrose promised to report back to the Authority and urged them to remain calm and not take laws into their hands.

Ex-gubernatorial Aspirant tells House to stop playing politics of vendetta over N165 billion.

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Dr. Joseph Ayenimo, a former candidate for governor of Ekiti State under the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has chastised the Nigerian House of Representatives for allegedly staging a probe into N165 billion funds injected into reforming correctional centers nationwide under the supervision of the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

Ayenimo argued that the investigation, which comes at a time when Aregbesola has openly criticized his political benefactor and Presidential candidate, Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu, over the alleged imposition of Governor Gboyega Oyetola on the people of Osun State, was not only ill-timed, but also orchestrated to settle political scores.
Ayenimo, an Australian-based Industrial Chemist, who is currently a stalwart of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti, said the Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila-led House of Reps is rather displaying shameful sycophancy to Tinubu by moving against Aregbesola simply because the latter had chosen to look the presidential hopeful in the eye.

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It was reported on Wednesday, February 16, that the Red Chamber had initiated a probe against Aregebesola over the N165 billion funds spent on the Correctional Centres (Prisons) across the country, alleging possible financial graft.

The report reads in part: “The House of Representatives on Wednesday has initiated a probe into the Correctional Centres (Prisons) across the country where N165 billion have been sunk without any improvement under the leadership of the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.”

“The probe is coming a few days after Aregbesola’ declared war against his leader and benefactor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Governor of Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola ahead of the governorship elections in Osun in July 2022.

“The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila presided over the plenary on Wednesday where it was decided that Aregbesola and Prisons Chief, Haliru Haliru Nababa should be probed for mismanaging up to N165 billion in funds earmarked for prisons development across the country, People’s Gazzette reported on Wednesday.”

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The report further reads: “The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance by Ndudi Elumelu, the Minority Leader of the House on the floor of the House on Wednesday in Abuja. In his argument, Elumelu criticised the welfare of the workforce.

“The House is disturbed that despite this Act and increase in Budgetary Allocations to the Nigerian Correctional Service to drive its renewed mandate, the tempo, and quality of the Service have remained the same if not retrogressing”, Elumelu said.

But in his reaction, Ayenimo described the proposed probe as amounting to a deliberate act of political witch-hunt, which he said was quite unnecessary and doomed to fail.

Ayenimo in a statement said: “Honestly, the planned probe by the Red Chamber, coming at this time when Aregbesola has openly criticized his political godfather, for perpetually imposing his anointed candidates on others, as cited in Osun State, is ill-timed and a clear of political vendetta and nothing more.

“One would think that Nigeria has got to a stage where we would practice politics of clear conscientious borne out of absolute patriotism for meaningful progress and development, but what do we have here? A clear case of conspiracy against a man who was courageous enough to tell his political benefactor the truth about his wrongdoings, not minding whose ox is gored.

“Aregbesola, in my opinion, had merely cautioned Tinubu from perpetually toeing a path leading to infamy by openly rebuking the former Lagos State Governor and presidential hopeful to stop imposing his anointed candidate on the people of Osun State. He had advised him strongly to allow the people of Osun State to choose their governor by themselves and not have the incumbent Gboyega Oyetola imposed on them as it was believed was done in the last guber poll in the state.

“Aregbesola could have been emotional in doing this but he definitely does not deserve to now be a victim of a political witch-hunt by the lackeys of Tinubu in the Red Chamber. These legislators were elected into the Lower House to serve Nigerians not to be a rubber stamp to some god-fathers and begin to play politics in the business of lawmaking and overseeing activities of other arms of government. This is unpatriotic and l want to strongly advise them to desist from such ungodly ad inglorious path”, Ayenimo said.

Speaking further, Ayenimo observed that the House of Reps ought to be more disturbed by more pressing national issues such as the rising insecurity in the country, the travails of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) leading to incessant strike actions, massive unemployment, falling value of the nation’s Naira against Dollar and skyrocketing prices of foodstuffs which are more germane challenges that demand urgent attention by the lawmakers.

Read also:2023: Why Buhari Has Refuse To Sign Electoral Bill – PDP

He said: “They ought to also be concerned about activities of other ministries other than the Ministry of Interior being headed by Aregbesola. Or do they want to tell us that it is only this Ministry that has issues?

“Their actions on the proposed probe of Aregbesola betray an act of settling personal scores through official activities. It is a clear case of manipulating official duties to settle personal and political scores. This is unexpected of them,” he said.

2023: Why Buhari Has Refuse To Sign Electoral Bill – PDP

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has revealed the reason President Muhammadu Buhari has refused to sign the revised Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law.
Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, PDP Spokesman, Debo Ologunagba said President Buhari has refused to sign the bill because he is scared of his party, All Progressives Congress (APC) losing the 2023 general elections.

The PDP spokesman added that Buhari’s delay in signing the reworked electoral bill is a move to erect roadblocks to the passage of the document into law.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has revealed the reason President Muhammadu Buhari has refused to sign the revised Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law.
Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, PDP Spokesman, Debo Ologunagba said President Buhari has refused to sign the bill because he is scared of his party, All Progressives Congress (APC) losing the 2023 general elections.

The PDP spokesman added that Buhari’s delay in signing the reworked electoral bill is a move to erect roadblocks to the passage of the document into law.

Ologunagba asserted that the electronic transmission of election results will eliminate APC’s plans to manipulate the system, militarise the process, alter election results at collation centre and foist itself again into power against the will of Nigerians.

Read also:Sylvester Oromoni: Initial Legal Advice Recommends Prosecution Of Dowen College – Police

According to Ologunagba, the President’s refusal to sign the electoral bill constitutes an obstruction to the democratic principle of credible elections.

He said: “It is clear that President Buhari and the APC are erecting roadblocks to the passage of the electoral act amendment bill, due mainly to the provision for electronic transmission of election results from the polling units, which will eliminate APC’s plans to manipulate the system, militarise the process, alter election results at collation centre and foist itself again into power against the will of Nigerians.

“Nigerians can recall that the PDP had earlier alerted of plots by the APC to deploy all manner of shenanigans to delay the presidential assent until a few months to the 2023 elections to enable the president again cite being too close to the elections as a reason to withhold assent just as he did on December 6, 2018, after respectively turning down the then electoral act amendment bill on flimsy grounds in March and September of that year.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has revealed the reason President Muhammadu Buhari has refused to sign the revised Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law.
Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, PDP Spokesman, Debo Ologunagba said President Buhari has refused to sign the bill because he is scared of his party, All Progressives Congress (APC) losing the 2023 general elections.

The PDP spokesman added that Buhari’s delay in signing the reworked electoral bill is a move to erect roadblocks to the passage of the document into law.

Ologunagba asserted that the electronic transmission of election results will eliminate APC’s plans to manipulate the system, militarise the process, alter election results at collation centre and foist itself again into power against the will of Nigerians.

According to Ologunagba, the President’s refusal to sign the electoral bill constitutes an obstruction to the democratic principle of credible elections.

He said: “It is clear that President Buhari and the APC are erecting roadblocks to the passage of the electoral act amendment bill, due mainly to the provision for electronic transmission of election results from the polling units, which will eliminate APC’s plans to manipulate the system, militarise the process, alter election results at collation centre and foist itself again into power against the will of Nigerians.

“Nigerians can recall that the PDP had earlier alerted of plots by the APC to deploy all manner of shenanigans to delay the presidential assent until a few months to the 2023 elections to enable the president again cite being too close to the elections as a reason to withhold assent just as he did on December 6, 2018, after respectively turning down the then electoral act amendment bill on flimsy grounds in March and September of that year.

“With that, President Buhari set the stage for the APC and its agents to ferociously desecrate the sanctity of the ballot box by brazenly attacking polling centres, altering election results at collation centres, allocating fictitious votes to the APC, destroying electoral data, announcing losers as winners and ending up foisting the APC into power in 2019 against the will of the people as reflected by the actual votes cast at the polling units.

“Less than a year to the 2023 general elections, President Buhari and the APC are at it again.

“Expectedly, the current anti-people scheme against the electoral act amendment bill by the APC administration is heightening apprehensions across the country of furtive plots by APC leaders to orchestrate a constitutional impasse that can railroad our democracy into an emergency tenure elongation, induced election postponement, self-succession or worst still, an interim government situation.

Read also:Osun Assembly Screens Civil Service Commission Nominees

“This growing tension calls for concern as it has the capacity to spawn widespread restiveness with consequential violence, bloodletting and attendant humanitarian crisis in the country that may affect the entire West Africa subregion, Europe, America and other parts of the world if not addressed.

“This is because Nigerians, especially the youths, have become more politically aware and involved, with a well-founded and implacable aversion to injustice, oppression, manipulations and undemocratic tendencies as being witnessed under the APC administration. Evidence of this mood became manifest in the EndSARS protest of October 2020.”

In Edo, Police Apprehend Five Suspected Kidnappers, Rescue Three Victims

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Five suspected kidnappers were apprehended by Edo State Police Command officers at their hideout in Udo community in Iguabazua, Ovia South-West Local Government Area of the state.

Mohammed Ali, 25, Abdullahi Umar, 30, Bello Tambaya, 24, Hassan Mohammad, 24, and Adamu Bello, 26, have all been apprehended. Babuga, who is said to be the main suspect, has yet to be apprehended.

Kontongs Bello, the state’s police public relations officer, made the announcement on Wednesday in Benin City, the state capital.

On Monday evening, a team of operatives led by the Divisional Police Officer in Iguabazua apprehended the suspects, he said.

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“They are linked to a kidnapping case reported to the command on 04/02/2022 at around 1900 hours in the area,” a spokesman for the command said.
According to him, the suspects are making useful information that will lead to the arrest of other gang members on the run and will be arraigned in court as soon as the investigation is concluded.

Bello also narrated how a team of police operatives rescued three persons who have been held captive for two weeks.

He said, “On the 20/02/2022 at about 1200hrs, the Edo State Police Command acted on credible information that hoodlums suspected to be kidnappers bearing dangerous weapons are sighted around Unomi Farmland in Iddo Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, together with some persons believed to have been kidnapped.

“On receipt of the information, the combined team of police operatives and local hunters led by the ever gallant Divisional Police Officer, Okpella Division, immediately mobilised to the location on a rescue mission and possible arrest of the suspects.

“On sighting the team of operatives approaching them, the hoodlums opened fire. Left with no option, the team responded accordingly, resulting in a gun duel that lasted for about one hour.

“The suspected kidnappers, because of the superior firepower from the team of operatives, had to abandon their victims unhurt and escape into the bush, with various degrees of bullet wounds.”

Read Also:  Abia Killing Meant To Provoke North, Don’t Retaliate, Says Islamic Group To Muslim Traders

Bello identified the rescued victims as Marcellus Ekhayeme, Igbafe Austine, and Musa Aliu who said they were abducted from the Iyiku Jattu area of Auchi since February 8.

The victims, he said, were profiled and handed over to their various families while the Commissioner of Police in Edo, Philip Ogbadu, promised to continue to work with relevant stakeholders to ensure a crime-free state.

Abia Killing Meant To Provoke North, Don’t Retaliate, Says Islamic Group To Muslim Traders

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The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has reacted to the assassination of Northern traders in an Abia State cattle market.

MURIC urged Northerners not to retaliate in Abia State, where about eight traders and cows were killed last week.

The appeal, according to the Islamic group, is intended to ensure that peace reigns in the country.

The incident occurred in Omumauzor, Ukwa West Local Government Area of the State, at the New Cattle Market.

Read Also:  Sylvester Oromoni: Initial Legal Advice Recommends Prosecution Of Dowen College – Police

The group claimed, however, that the killing was done to provoke the North.
A statement by MURIC’s Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, said: “About fifteen (15) Northern traders and 150 cows belonging to the victims were killed in Abia State last week. The killings occurred on Tuesday, 15th February, 2022 at the New Cattle Market in Omumauzor, Ukwa West Local Government Area of the state.

“Although we are aware that this is not the first time such dastardly act would occur in South-Eastern Nigeria, we strongly appeal to Northerners not to contemplate retaliation. Our main reason for the appeal is the need for peace in the country at this point in time when we are approaching the end of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“We charge Northerners to remain patient and law-abiding. This attack in Abia in particular was intended to provoke the North into counter-killings which may spiral into another orgy of violence culminating in a civil war. The North should not even bite the bait, talk less of swallowing it. The cost is too high.

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“Our records show that this has occurred several times particularly in the last seven years without the North attempting to retaliate once. We salute both the Northern youths and elders and urge them to hold on and continue the display of maturity and reticence.”

Osun Assembly Screens Civil Service Commission Nominees

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The newly appointed members of the Osun State Civil Service Commission have been tasked with carrying out their responsibilities fairly.

They were also told to think of their appointment as a way to help humanity and the people of Osun State.

Timothy Owoeye, the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, made this charge during the screening of the nominees on Tuesday at the State House of Assembly Complex in Abere.

Owoeye also urged the nominees to view their appointment as a privilege and an opportunity to restore sanity to the State civil service.
In his words, “We want you to work together to move the civil service forward in the State. You are also called to bring the best out of the civil service in the State.

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“We want a turn around in the service for effective performance.”

While reminding the members of the commission that their appointment was not an error, Owoeye tasked them to always maintain good relationship with one another in order to uplift the service.

Sylvester Oromoni: Initial Legal Advice Recommends Prosecution Of Dowen College – Police

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Bamidele Olusegun, a Chief Superintendent of Police with the Lagos State Criminal Investigative Department, told the Coroner Inquest into the death of Dowen College student Sylvester Oromoni on Monday that preliminary legal advice recommended that the school and some of its staff be prosecuted.

The witness said the initial advice, titled interim legal advice, was issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to the Police on December 30, 2021, and recommended their prosecution for alleged negligence, while answering questions from the Oromoni family’s counsel, Femi Falana (SAN).
On the prompting of the learned silk, the witness read the specific reference to the recommendation, “There are facts that the students made series of reports of acts of bullying and intimidation against them to the teachers and house parents whose duties were to protect the children under their care.”

“Facts further reveal that most of the statements and reports were not seriously attended to but disregarded by the house parents. No punitive measures were imposed beyond the suspension of known bullies in the school.

“The school does not have an adequate policy for addressing issues of bullying, stalking, and unacceptable behaviour by the seniors against the junior students.

“The office intends to prosecute Mrs Celina Uduak, Valentine Igboekweze, Hammed Ayomo Bariyu, Adesanya Olusegun and Mr. Adeyemi and Dowen College, Lagos for the offence of Negligent Acts causing harm under Section 252 Criminal Law of Lagos 2015,” he said.

The witness who narrated to the court the various steps he took to investigate the matter also confirmed that under cross-examination, the police were initially shocked by the decision of the magistrate court to grant bail to the Dowen staff and the five suspected students.

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According to the police officer, the Force has yet to conclude its investigations into the allegations against them.

Falana asked, “Are you aware that there was a protest by the police to the Chief Judge that they were not allowed to conclude investigation?”

Yes, the witness replied.

“You did say that at the time the suspects were granted bail, you had just got intelligence report and statements from the suspects, and this came as a rude shock to the police that the investigation was not allowed to be carried out?” Falana asked.

Yes, the witness answered.

Falana: After this protest, were the suspects brought back for further interrogation?

No, the witness replied.

Falana: During investigations, one of the students told you that the deceased was bullied?

To which the witness replied, Yes.

“Did any of the witnesses tell you that the deceased was taken to the third floor of the school and tortured? Falana asked.

Witness: The claim wasn’t substantiated but yes, I was told.

Falana: Did any of the witnesses tell you that the deceased was injured on the 14th of November?

Witness: I can’t remember.

At this point, the witness was confronted with the statement of a student who wrote “Sylvester Oromoni played football on Sunday, November 14, he was dragging his leg because he had an injury and on Monday, November 15, he didn’t attend class but was in the sickbay.”

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The CSP was also confronted with the statement of another student and was asked, “Is he the one who told you that the deceased was taken to the third floor where he was subjected to torture?”

Yes, came the reply.

The witness was then asked to read to the hearing of court, some of the conclusions from the police report dated December 23, 2021.

He read, “It is evidently clear that some group of students constitute themselves into a clique that bullies and intimidates fellow students in the school”.

When asked to mention the students who formed the clique, the witness noted that his report mentioned Michael Kashamu and Edward Bague who were earlier reprimanded for bullying other students. He was, however, quick to say that there was nothing to link them to the Oromoni case.

The CSP was also asked whether he invited a journalist, Kemi Olunloyo, to shed more light on her report, carried out in the cause of the investigation, a report which suggests that the deceased, late Sylvester Oromoni wanted to join a secret cult and in the cause of doing this, was given a concoction to drink?

Yes, we invited her, the witness replied.

Falana: What’s your finding as per the letter?

Witness: She didn’t come.

Proceedings came to an end at this point after some other lawyers in the matter complained that the interim legal advice and the police letter to the journalist had not been front-loaded to them.

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Counsel to Dowen College, Anthony Kpokpo said: “It has become part of the deceased family’s style to present documents that have not been front-loaded.

“We will not be able to continue with the cross-examination as a result of the surprises being pulled on us. This is regrettable.”

Magistrate Mikhail Kadiri has adjourned further proceedings till Tuesday, February 22.

Osinbajo, Senate President, Others Present As Folarin Wife’s Buried

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Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, and the Minsiter of Youths and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, on Tuesday, attended the funeral service of the wife of Senator Teslim Folarin, Angela.

Angela, 47, died on January 28 in the United Kingdom and her remains were buried in Ibadan after the service held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Ibadan.

The Senator representing Oyo North Senatorial District, Abdulfatai Buhari;
Senator representing Oyo South, Kola Balogun; Federal House of Representatives members, Shina Peller, Tolu Akande-Sadipe, Segun Odebunmi and Akeem Adeyemi were among other dignitaries present to bid the wife of the senator farewell.

Read also: APC Chairmanship: Consensus Our Best Option, Buhari Declares

The Dean, North Deanary Diocese of Ibadan, Rev Fr. Felix Ethapeme,
in his sermon descrbed the deceased as a God-fearing woman who committed her life to the service to God and development of humanity.

He called on parents to raise their children with the fear of God so that they would not become a menace to the society when they grow up.
The cleric said, ”She contributed immensely to the advancement of the church and the society during her lifetime.

“Let us stand up to our responsibilities as good parents and train our children very well so that we can have a society that is devoid of trouble, we all have a role to play in making Nigeria a better place.”

APC Chairmanship: Consensus Our Best Option, Buhari Declares

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Ahead of its March 26, 2022 national convention, President Muhammadu Buhari has urged governors and chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to explore the option of getting a consensus chairman to run the party’s affairs.

Chairman of the APC Governors Forum and Kebbi state Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu said this Tuesday while briefing State House correspondents at the end of a meeting between the APC governors and President Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

“President Buhari is a believer in consensus as one of the options of producing leaders and he urged us to explore consensus while recognising that many people who have indicated interest are equally competent but only one person will occupy the office at the end of the day. Consensus is part of our constitution and he urged us to work towards consensus.

“We have produced a number of national chairmen by consensus; Bisi Akande emerge as the pioneer chairman of the APC through consensus, John Oyegun emerged by consensus, Adama Oshiomhole emerged by consensus. So, the president reminded us of that.

“And the governors, I have said earlier, have also been working to ensure that as part of equitable arrangement, zoning and consensus are incorporated. We have done that at the lower levels, and even at the national level it’s almost certain that we will achieve it,” he said.

He said the APC governors had officially informed the president of the new date for the party’s national convention where officials are expected to be elected.

“The date of the convention, the caretaker committee briefed us yesterday of their meeting and the proposed March 26, 2022. And today, the governors informed Mr. President that we have had that, we have had the briefing from the caretaker committee and we are supportive of their position,” he said.

On the proposed zonal congresses which many argued have no provisions in the party’s constitution, the governor said all available options would be looked into.

“I think there has been so much debate. Yesterday, there was a statement to the effect that even the letter that has gone out was withdrawn. So, zonal congresses are not explicitly stated in the Constitution.

“Particularly, how you do zonal congresses? And we have in the past done them with National Convention, but nothing again in the constitution, stops them from being done outside the national convention. But the final form will be decided, given the input we have provided,” the governor said.

He said contrary to insinuations in some quarters, the APC governors are not divided.

“Are governors divided? Not at all, the 22 governors of the APC are united. We are in total support of Mr. President, we are appreciative of his leadership, we commend him for his leadership. We are appreciative of the sacrifice of the national caretaker and extraordinary convention planning committee. And we thank them for the successes recorded under them. Our party, like I said, is greater and stronger, with more members by the day,” he said.

Also speaking, Kaduna state Governor Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai said the governors were hitherto divided on the issue of timing for the national convention.

“We were divided over the timing of the convention. Some governors felt we should not have the convention until we resolved all the congresses issues in some states because in some of the states, these matters are even in court.

“So some governors held the view that we should wait until all these are resolved and that was not borne out of any agenda or selfish interest but just a realistic position to avoid violating any laws or putting our party structures or elected candidates in problem in future.

“But after our meeting last night to deliberate on the proposal by the national caretaker committee and our briefing with the president today, we are all on the same page,” he said.

He said the APC had resolved the zoning formula to be used for national offices of the party.

“We have agreed on a zoning formula for all the six geo-political zones and essentially, we swapped the positions such that now northern zone will take positions that the southern zone had in the last eight years and vice-versa.

“It is a very simple, equitable and fair formula. We will now go back and consult at the zonal level and look at the positions that are available and the process of preparing for the convention that will start in earnest,”he said.

Also speaking, Plateau state Governor Simon Bako Lalong said the APC would outlive the tenure of President Buhari by remaining in power beyond 2023.

Okorocha

In a related development, the immediate past governor of Imo state, Senator Rochas Okorocha has proffered solution to the crisis rocking the APC over repeatedly postponed national convention.

Okorocha, who spoke to Senate correspondents after plenary Tuesday, specifically suggested that founding leaders of the party across the original four blocks should be allowed to nominate interested party members for sensitive positions such as national chairman, secretary, women leader, youth leader, organising secretary etc.

He said while President Buhari as leader of the Congress for Progress Change (CPC) bloc should be given the honour of deciding who becomes the next national chairman of the party , others like Senator Bola Tinubu of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria(ACN), Ogbonnaya Onu of the defunct All Nigeria People’s Party(ANPP) , himself as leader of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) faction then, should also be giving the honour of picking the national secretary and other important positions.

Read also: Ex-Minister Sarah Ochekpe, Two Others Sentenced To Prison For Money Laundering

Sharing the party’s positions on that basis, he added , would help in preventing the ship of the party from hitting the rock.

He said: “Our party is a great party, APC is a great party, what is wrong with our party is that we have forgotten how we all started, we should not make the mistake of PDP of the old and I think that will be corrected with the party’s Convention now slated for March 26 , 2022.

“What we need to do is to go back to basics so that we adhere to the culture of unity and equity the party was known for at formation in 2013.

“There were four political parties that formed APC. CPC led by the former Head of State, Muhammadu Buhari who is now the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu came with ACN , Governor Abdulaziz Yari , Senator Ali Modu Sheriff (SAS) and former governor of Ebonyi state, Ogbonaya Onu who is now Minister of Science and Technology and Rochas Okorocha leading the APGA.

“Our initial position was that all positions would be shared among these four parties and DPP that came with few members and after the merger, the new PDP joined.

“Now, the wisest thing for all of us to do is to go back to the founding basis and distribute the political positions as we did it that time and there will be no rancour and it will be very peaceful.

“The father of the party now is President Muhammadu Buhari who should be given that respect to pick the person that will hold sensitive position in the party as Chairman, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu should always be made to produce some key positions in the party and the other parties and should also be made to have positions and when this is done there will be no problem in APC.

“But if we go into election at this time and of course it will open a Pandora of litigations because where 1000 people buy nominations form, APC can make an income of N2 billion on sales of forms and after that, APC can spend N3 billion on litigations.

“So the wise thing to do is to call the founding fathers of the party and give them key positions and carry everyone along, including the new people that joined the party.”

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