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In Bauchi, Police Apprehend Soldier In Possession Of 81 Indian Hemp Parcels, Charms

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According to the Bauchi State Police Command, a military man was arrested with 81 parcels of dry leaves suspected to be cannabis, also known as “Indian Hemp.”

Umar Sanda, the Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, revealed this when he paraded the suspect alongside others at the Command’s Headquarters on Tuesday.

According to him, the suspect is a member of the Nigerian Army’s 145 Battalion in Abia State.

Read Also:  2023: Ango Abdullahi Leads Northern Elders To Obasanjo, Says Things Are Not Good Enough

“On the 6th February 2022 at about 12.00noon, our Safer Highway Patrol along Bauchi-Darazo Road, Bauchi State, while on routine Stop and Search, intercepted a Toyota Highlander vehicle driven by one Yusuf Gongpolai Adams attached to Nigerian Army 145 Battalion, Abia State, who is currently on Development course at the Nigerian Army School of Environmental and Science Technology, Benue State, while on routine Stop and Search.”

“A thorough search was conducted and eighty-one parcels of dry leaves suspected to be cannabis was found in his possession.

“During the course of interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime.”

Sanda said that other exhibits seized from the suspect, Yusuf Adams, are one pair of Army uniforms, two Michelin tyres, one Army helmet, one bag containing some clothes and some charms.

He said an investigation was ongoing into the matter after which the suspect would be handed over to National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

Similarly, he said that eight suspects were arrested for criminal conspiracy, belonging to the gang of brigands armed robbery, illegally dealing in prohibited firearms, and illegal possession of firearms.

He said: “On the 2nd February, 2022, Police detectives in collaboration with a local team acted on credible intelligence and arrested the following suspects;

Read Also:  Nnamdi Kanu isn’t your problem, release him — Rita Edochie, actress

“Idi Lawan, (40) of Badanga village, Bauchi LGA, Tambaya Sule, (25) of Alkaleri LGA, Masa’ud Umaru, (30) of Liman Katagum, Mohammed Lawan alias Dogo (26) of Akko L.G.A, Gombe State, Mohammed Lawan alias Nalumbu (30) of Bauchi, Shehu Sulaiman (28) of Konyi village, Liman Katagum, Abubakar Sama’ila alias Bagobiri (38) of Alkaleri, Kachalla Hamza (30) of Alkaleri, all males.

“During interrogation, the suspects voluntarily confessed to be Armed Robbers. And also reveals that they operated in various places especially futuk Alkaleri LGA, Liman-Katagum, Bauchi LGA, lariski Gombe-Bauchi road, respectively, with AK-47 rifles.”

Furthermore, Sanda said that sequel to the arrest of the above-mentioned armed robbers on 2nd February 2022, the command made intensive efforts and further arrested five gang members.

He gave their names as Ya’u Sale, male, (37) of Bara, Kirfi LGA, Bauchi State, Sule Halilu, Male (32) of Tumfure Lekku village, Kirfi LGA, Abba Sani, male, (30) of Bara Village, Kirfi LGA, Friday Ibrahim, male (28) of Sabon Layi Billiri, Gombe State and Monday David, Male (28) of Lamugu, Billiri, Gombe State.

“The suspects were arrested in possession of three locally made guns. Furthermore, two of the suspects, Friday Ibrahim and Monday David confessed to have specialized in illegal sale of firearms.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects include one English-made Barretta pistol, seven locally fabricated ammunition, four cartridges, one fabricated SMG gun, one fabricated double-barrel gun, one fabricated revolver gun with four cartridge capacity.

Read Also:  ASUU Strike Affecting Ngige’s Children, Labour Ministry Tells NANS

“Others are one fabricated revolver gun with six cartridge capacity one fabricated revolver gun with 10 capacity of long ammunition, one fabricated short revolver AK-47 with seven ammunition capacity and one fabricated gun with single capacity ammunition,” he said.

According to him, the investigation is in progress, after which the suspects would be charged to court.

FUTA Lecturers Joined  ASUU Strike

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coic
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The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) chapter at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) officially joined the ongoing strike called by the association’s national body on Wednesday.

Prof Yinka Awopetu, the chapter’s chairman, revealed this while briefing reporters after the union’s congress, saying the FUTA branch domesticated the national body’s decision after the chapter’s congress and ordered all university academic staff to resign immediately.

Read Also:  House Asks DSS, Police To Investigate Death Of DPO In Katsina

The government’s failure to honor the memorandum of action signed with the union in 2019 prompted the strike, according to Awopetu.

He said the Federal Government has intentionally ignored the agreement with the union, saying until the demands are met, no member would return to class.

He said: “The National body of ASUU declares strikes and ends strike but each branch must come back home and domesticate it and that is what we have just done today, so from today in FUTA, the strike has fully commenced.

“It is not a warning strike as some people are calling it but a total and comprehensive strike, though definite, it has a time, it is for one month and it will be reviewed later and we will know how to go about it”

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He noted that there was no serious commitment on the part of the Federal Government to honour the agreement with ASUU.
According to Awopetu, the union should not be blamed for the incessant industrial action, saying all the cries by members of the public condemning the union should be laid at the doorsteps of the Federal Government.

He said “What exactly is becoming too much? The strike was suspended in November because of such cries by the parents and yet the Federal Government did not do anything and they are now saying it is too much.

“They should face the Federal Government and urge the Federal Government to do the needful. Everything promised had not been fulfilled, while some of them are fulfilled partially, some not even touched at all. So I don’t know what they mean by it is too much.

“Our demands, that the FG should renegotiate our 2009 agreement, sign it and implement it. That the FG should ensure that University autonomy does not fall and University should be revitalised to make us do more and make the students study better and our allowances should be paid. These are the things we have been saying all along.

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“Also the FG should stop the state governments from creating Universities as primary schools. Delta State created three universities in a day while they cannot fund even one. So these are the problems we are talking about.

“Let us tell ourselves the truth, even when the students are in schools, they don’t have anything to work with, no reagents in laboratories, no equipment in workshops, is it not better for them to stay at home till Federal Government can provide this? Why must it be the lecturers that should be at the receiving end?

“As I am speaking with you, 2019 promotion arrears for me has not been paid till today or how many of the parents can stay without payment since 2019.”

Awopetu, however, maintained that the strike will be reviewed after one month said the strike would not be called off without a concrete resolution.

Meanwhile, following the pronouncement of FUTA ASUU on the strike, academic and social activities of the school has been paralysed while most of the students appealed to the government and the lecturers to resolve the crisis amicably.

Read Also:  ASUU Strike Affecting Ngige’s Children, Labour Ministry Tells NANS

Some of the students were seen loitering around, in the absence of lectures while lecture rooms literally deserted, as the lecturers complied with the strike directive.

ASUU Strike Affecting Ngige’s Children, Labour Ministry Tells NANS

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coic
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The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has responded to a statement from the National Association of Nigerian Students accusing Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Employment, of failing to broker a truce between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

“Any strike by University lecturers affects Ngige and his children the same way it affects ordinary Nigerians,” the ministry said in a lengthy statement issued on Wednesday night by the deputy director of press, Charles Akpan.

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ASUU announced the start of a one-month total and indefinite strike on Monday, February 14, 2022, according to reports.

Osodeke had also explained that the one month strike was to give the government time to do the needful after which failure to do so would lead to an indefinite strike.

Following this, the National Association of Nigerian Students had accused the ministry of labour and employment for failing to broker truce and settle the rancour between the government and ASUU.

The statement partly read, “The truth is that any strike by University lecturers also affects Ngige and his children the same way it affects ordinary Nigerians.
“During the 2020 strike, the honorable minister doubled as a concerned parent and Federal Government official, having three of his children in three medical schools in three different public universities in Awka, Lagos and Uniabuja.

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“This doesn’t include the numerous fatherless and indigent students from all parts of the country that he is catering for under his foundation’s scholarship programme.

“It defied logic that Ngige as minister whose children and wards are in public schools would sleep comfortably as university lecturers shut down classes”.

Nnamdi Kanu isn’t your problem, release him — Rita Edochie, actress

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coic
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Rita Edochie, a veteran actress, has called for Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, to be released (IPOB)

While calling for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, Edochie said in an Instagram post on Wednesday that the Biafran agitator is not Nigeria’s problem, but rather the system.

She also issued a warning to lawmakers, claiming that the rise in ritual killings in the country is due to Nollywood.

Read Also:  2023: Igbo elders reject vice president, insist on presidency slot

The veteran actress urged legislators to be honest with themselves and address the issues they created.
According to her: “How can they be chasing shadows when they know who the real enemies are?

“Mazi Nnamdi Okwu Kanu is never your problem.”

“Also Nollywood is never your problem because recently you have joined Nollywood in it but you are your own very problem and have practically refused to tell yourselves the truth.

“Release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and face the problem you created by yourself.”

Meanwhile, Nnamdi Kanu at the hearing in court today complained that he was going blind and pleaded with the Judge to rescue him.

He disclosed that DSS took away his glasses since his arrest.

The Biafra leader also asked the court to dismiss the charges against him on the grounds that the alleged offences were not committed in Nigeria.

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He claimed that no prima facie has been made against him by the federal government throughout the proof of evidence in support of the charges.

2023: Igbo elders reject vice president, insist on presidency slot

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coic
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Under the aegis of the Igbo Elders Consultative Forum, prominent Igbo personalities insisted on Wednesday that the South-East geopolitical zone must produce the next President of Nigeria.

They also threatened to punish any Igbo politician who agreed to serve as a presidential running mate for anyone.

They believe that either the South-East will be allowed to produce Nigeria’s next president in 2023 or the region will leave the country.

Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, the Chairman of the IECF and former Governor of Anambra State, stated these during a press conference in Abuja.
Among those present at the briefing were a former Minister of Education; Prof. Ihechukwu Madubuike; Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo (FCT chapter), Dr. Kingsley Nkonye; His Royal Majesty, Igwe Ibe Nwosu, and several leading Igbo scholars and traditional title holders.

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The Secretary of IECF, Prof. Charles Nwekeaku, warned that any political party that does not zone its presidential ticket to the South-East will lose the region’s votes.

“We are waiting for them (political parties), as they will meet their Waterloo this time if they insist on shortchanging the Southeast people this rare opportunity of producing a credible, patriotic, detribalized, and dynamic president of Nigeria in 2023”, he said.

Ezeife said, “Emboldened by the increasing demand and support by credible and patriotic Nigerians for power to shift to the South in 2023, the Igbo Elders Forum hereby encourages visionary, credible and creative presidential materials of South-East zone to declare their intention for the presidency and pursue it with every sense of seriousness, vigour, and commitment.
“We are very serious about this directive and do not mean those unserious bootlickers, who are angling to be running mates to candidates from other parts of the country, as the Igbos will not take it lightly with any of our sons or daughters who accept to be running mates to any person outside the South-East zone in 2023.

“It is either we are allowed to produce the president of this country in 2023 to change the appalling narrative of continued decay, poverty, insecurity, poor governance, corruption, and maladministration in Nigeria or out of it. No half measure, as serious sanctions will be visited on any Igbo man or woman that sabotages this noble and patriotic decision of our people to provide for Nigeria a credible, visionary, and creative president.

“Legally, morally, and strategically, it is the turn of the Southeast to produce the next president of the country as the other zones have been given the opportunity to serve this country in that capacity.”

Read Also:  INEC explains why voters in Cross River will not be allowed to vote in by-elections

Ezeife also argued that it was not just for the sake of equity, justice, and fairness, but also for a change of narrative of Nigeria, which he described as the sleeping giant of Africa.

INEC explains why voters in Cross River will not be allowed to vote in by-elections

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coic
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INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) has explained why certain groups of people will be unable to vote in the upcoming by-elections in Cross River State.

On February 26, 2022, by-elections for the federal constituency of Ogoja/Yala and the state constituency of Akpabuyo will be held.

Only eligible voters whose names appear in the INEC Register of 2019 are qualified to participate in the by-elections, according to a statement signed by the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Cyril Omorogbe, and the administrative secretary, Mrs Irene N. Nghuma.

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“New registrants who enrolled between the start of the Continuous Voter Registration CVR in June 2021 and the present should be aware that they will be unable to vote in this election.”
“All eligible voters whose names appeared in the INEC Register 2019 are qualified to participate in the forthcoming Bye-election in Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency and Akpabuyo State Constituency which is scheduled to hold on Saturday, February 26, 2022.”

INEC also spelt out guidelines for the elections to eligible voters in the Ogoja/Yala and Akpabuyo areas.

Biometrics Voters Authentication System BVAS will be used for accreditation. Accreditation and Voting will take place simultaneously between 8 o’clock in the morning to 2:30 in the afternoon.

“Remember that only your Permanent Voter’s Card PVC is your power to vote. Please note that Permanent Voter’s Card PVC no matter the year issued does not expire.”

The INEC administrative officer said, “The training is focused on Polling and counting procedures and other election processes.”

She added that ‘the two-day training was organized by the Electoral Institute TEI.

Declaring the training open, the Head of Electoral Operations, in the State, Mr. Fred Emezu, urged the participants not to take the training for granted.

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“This training is one of those election trainings that require maximum concentration, concentrate, as there’s always something new to learn like the new technology of Bimodal Voter Authentication System BVAS device which will be unveiled to the participants and voters in the State for the conduct of elections for the first time”.

Senate Approved Nine Nominees For NPC, NERC Commissioners

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coic
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The Senate confirmed five nominees for Commissioners of the National Population Commission nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday.

Four other nominees for the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission Commissioners were also confirmed.

Read Also:  2023: Ango Abdullahi Leads Northern Elders To Obasanjo, Says Things Are Not Good Enough

The nominees were confirmed after the Committees on National Identity and National Population; and Power considered two separate reports.

Senators Ya’u Sahabi Alhaji (Zamfara North) and Gabriel Suwam (Zamfara South), who both chair the respective Committees, made two separate presentations.

Following consideration of the reports, the nominees were confirmed.
The nominees confirmed as Commissioners of the National Population Commission include: Chief Engr. Benedict Ukpong Effiong (Akwa-Ibom), Mrs. Gloria Fateya Izonfo (Bayelsa), Barr. Kupchi Patricia Ori Iyanya (Benue), Dr. Haliru Bala (Kebbi), and Dr. Eyitayo Oyekunle Oyetunji (Oyo).

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In addition, the four nominees confirmed as Commissioners of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission were Dr. Yusuf Ali (North Central), Engr. Chidi Ike (South East), Mr. Nathan Rogers Shatti (North East), and Mr. Dafe Akpeneye (South-South).

Reps summons, SGF, finance minister MDAs Over Financial fraud

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coic
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The House of Representatives summoned Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and Zainab Ahmed, the Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, to appear before it on Tuesday over allegations of massive monetary expenditure of government funds in violation of the country’s financial rules.

The speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, who was represented by the house leader, Alhassan Doguwa, announced the resolution of the house’ joint committees on anti-corruption and public service matters at its inaugural sitting in Abuja yesterday. The speaker, who was represented by the house leader, Alhassan Doguwa, lamented the absence of heads of the various ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs, at the public hearing, which is aimed at curtailing theft of public.

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The representative of the Independent Corrupt practices and other related offences Commission, ICPC, Bako Gad, a consultant with the commission told the lawmakers that ICPC is conducting a systems review of the MDAs and their processes to uncover stolen funds from government treasury
According to Gad, the system review exercise has helped the government recover over N61 billion last year from the yearly unspent funds that accrue from personel costs, saying the support of the finance ministry has eased the exercise

“When we introduced the systems review of the MDAs, we discovered that most of the unspent monies were from personel costs. After payment of salaries, what ever remained would be diverted into individual pockets but we have been able to curtail that with the support of the ministry of finance” he said

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Following indepth revelations by the ICPC representative on how the MDAs siphon public funds, the committee, chaired by Hon. Nicholas Garba stepped down the hearing to enable the heads of the relevant agency appear in person on a later date for further hearing
The lawmakers insisted that no other person than the heads of the MDAs were in the best position to explain in detail the information being sought by the committee to uncover stolen public funds
Briefing newsmen shortly after adjournment, Garba emphasized the need to clean up public finance fraud, mostly perpetrated through personel cost, an act he noted was responsible for inadequate capital projects across the country

Since the issue of corruption of nominal roles by the MDAs was brought up, any of the affected offices according to the chairman that does not appear is guilty of the allegations leveled against them.
Other public officials expected to appear before the committee are the Head of the Service of the Federation, Accountant General of the Federation, The Auditor General for the Federation and The Chairman Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)

Others are the Chief Executive Officer, Federal Character Commission and the Officer in Charge of IPPIS,

Read Also:  NNPC GMD Tells Reps “We Have Taken All Measures To Tackle Fuel Scarcity”

Their failure to appear on the designated date according to the lawmakers would compel the house to issue a warrant of arrest on them.

Breaking: Police Issue Warning To APC Protesters As Factions Storm Command In Osun

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In a peaceful protest, members of the Osun All Progressives Congress (APC) Rasaq Salinsile faction and The Osun Progressives (TOP) stormed the Osun State Police Command headquarters.

The protesters are fighting back against the attack on Rauf Aregbesola, the Minister of Interior, and his convoy in Osogbo on Monday.

Rasaq Salinsile, the Osun APC factional Chairman, and Adelowo Adebiyi, the Chairman of The Osun Progressives, led the protesters (TOP).

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While speaking to the media, Salinsile described the Osun Police Command’s response to the attack as absurd and unbelievable, adding that as bona fide citizens of Osun, it was becoming increasingly difficult for citizens to live under the protection of the state’s police.
In his words, “We found your Command’s position on the attack on the Minister for Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola contained in the press release of February 15, 2022, absurd, disturbing and unbelievable.

“As bonafide citizens of Nigeria and the socio-political environment called the State of Osun, we put on record once more that you are incapable of living up to the billings of your core duty as a protector of lives and property of all citizens.”

Meanwhile, the Osun Police Command had earlier warned against any form of protest in any part of the state.

The Police had in a press release signed by Yemisi Opalola, the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, said it had been availed of intelligence that clandestine plans were in by some group of people to embark on a protest which is scheduled to hold on Wednesday, February 16, 2022.

Read Also:  AMAC Chairman Congratulates Residents On Peaceful Conduct In FCT Polls

While noting that the police frown at any form of protests under any guise even as elections are around the corner, the command called on individuals and groups planning such and their sponsors to jettison their plans as it was fully prepared to use all legitimate means to avert such protest.

The command held that allegations and counter-allegations were expected but the police being apolitical will discharge its duties without bias.

“War-mongers, troublemakers, persons, group or groups intending or planning to cause, create or execute any act of violence before, during and after the primary/gubernatorial elections should, in their own interest, leave the State quietly and peacefully.

“The Police and other security agencies in the state will secure a level playing ground for all political parties, politicians and all the eligible electorates to exercise their franchise while we will not hesitate to deal decisively and within the ambit of law, with anyone, group of persons who attempt to foment trouble and in the process disrupt the smooth conduct of the elections.

“Though all allegations and counter-allegations are not unexpected, it is pertinent to state clearly here, that the police is apolitical, and we will discharge our duties without bias or favour to any person or persons regardless of their political affiliation.”

Read Also:  2023: Ango Abdullahi Leads Northern Elders To Obasanjo, Says Things Are Not Good Enough

The release also urged the citizens to go about their lawful activities but appealed to parents and guardians not to allow their wards be used to foment trouble in the state.

2023: Ango Abdullahi Leads Northern Elders To Obasanjo, Says Things Are Not Good Enough

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Prof. Ango Abdullahi, the convener of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), has led a delegation of northern elders to Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, to meet with former President Olusegun.

On Tuesday evening, Abdullahi and his team met with Obasanjo behind closed doors to discuss issues affecting the country, particularly as the country approaches the 2023 general election.

Read Also:  NNPC GMD Tells Reps “We Have Taken All Measures To Tackle Fuel Scarcity”

Nastura Ashir Shariff, Chairman of the CNG Board of Trustees (BOT), and Aminu Adam, Director of CNG Action and Mobilization, are among those in the group.

After the two-hour meeting, Abdullahi stated that the country needed good news from the 2023 elections, which necessitated strategizing.
He stressed that in spite of their ages, they still deemed it necessary to contribute to the society and the country, hence, the visit to Obasanjo.

He said, “I don’t want to stay away from him for so many months or years without seeing him, especially at this period.

“So, I’m visiting him to say hello and get a briefing from him on how he feels about the nation. We also briefed him on how we feel about the nation. We compared some notes and we agreed on some grounds.”

While saying Obasanjo was on the same page with the northern elders on issues raised, the professor retorted, “Yes. We are on the same page and Insha Allah it shall be well.”

Read also:  AMAC Chairman Congratulates Residents On Peaceful Conduct In FCT Polls

He spoke further, “We have been having challenges and we have been talking on this. You are in the media and you know what we have been saying about the situation in the country. Things are not good enough and as we head for 2023, we hope to be strategising for the good of the nation.”

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