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Revealed: Sowore’s supporters staged attack in courtroom

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Revealed: Sowore’s supporters staged attack in courtroom

Lauretta Onochie, social media aide of President Muhammadu Buhari, says the clash between the Department of State Services (DSS) and the convener of RevolutionNow protest, Omoyele Sowore, was stage-managed.

Onochie said in a comment made on social media on Saturday that Sowore’s supporters ‘pinned’ him down in the courtroom to put the DSS in bad light.

Sowore was rearrested on Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja just hours after his release on Thursday night.

“So it was a stage managed drama in the court yesterday. Sowore pinned down by his supporters in a courtroom in order to give DSS a bad name,” Onochie said.

“There was no gun. No batton. No pinning down. Just plain drama, planned and staged by his boys and girls. Kudos, but every lie has an expiration date.

“Many EYEWITNESSES have said DSS was OUTSIDE the courtroom, not inside the courtroom.”

Renowned German evangelist, Reinhard Bonke dies at 79

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Renowned German evangelist, Reinhard Bonke dies at 79

German Pentecostal evangelist, Reinhard Bonnke, is dead, his family has confirmed.

He was aged 79.

The family made the announcement via his official Facebook page.

“It is with sorrow that the Bonnke Family would like to announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke.

“He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on December 7, 2019,” read the statement.

Born in 1940, the late son of army logistics officer touched many lives through his gospel missions especially Africa where he served as both evangelist and a missionary in Africa since 1967.

Nnamdi Kanu’s father dies weeks after losing his mother

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Nnamdi Kanu’s father dies weeks after losing his mother
After losing wife, Nnamdi Kanu’s father dies of ‘shock’

The father of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, is dead.

Israel Okwu Kanu’s death was announced by the spokesman of the group, Emma Powerful, in a statement on Friday.

The elder Kanu was until his death the traditional ruler of Afaraukwu Community in Umuahia Abia State.

Mr Powerful in the statement blamed the death on ”the trauma he suffered during the invasion of his palace by Nigerian soldiers on September 14, 2017.”

Since that invasion, the IPOB leader’s parents’ whereabouts remained unknown until Mr Kanu announced the passing of his mother, Sally, in a German hospital in August.

The statement also attributed the traditional ruler’s death ”to the shock he suffered as a result of the wife’s death”.

The statement said, “we are left in no doubt the military attack on Isiama Afaraukwu and the Kanu family by the armed forces of the Federal Government of Nigeria is the principal cause of death of our leader’s parents.

“We confidently state, without fear of contradiction, that our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has also sacrificed his parents in pursuit of freedom for the people of Biafra. There is no greater act of devotion to a noble cause than this.”

The group said, ”the passing of our leader’s parents will infuse us with a greater sense of determination because only by accomplishing the liberation of Biafra will we truly mourn them.”

Mr Kanu has remained in exile in Europe after the invasion.

He was charged with treason by the Federal Government and was on bail when the army invasion took place.

He recently released a statement condemning an attack on the home of one of his lawyers, in which five persons, including two policemen, were killed.

Just in: IPOB attacks Transport Minister Amaechi in Madrid

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Just in: IPOB attacks Transport Minister Amaechi in Madrid

Members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) terrorist group have attacked Rotimi Amaechi, the minister of transportation, in Madrid, Spain.

The attack on the minister took place on Friday while he was on a national assignment will be the second on a high profile Nigerian official on a foreign soil after former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu was beaten to a pulp in Germany.

In a message shared on his Twitter handle, Amaechi said the attackers were repelled by the Spanish police.

“Some minutes ago, I was attacked by a few misguided Nigerians while on national assignment at a climate change event in Madrid, Spain,” he said.

“They were quickly repelled by the Spanish police before they could do any harm. I am fine. I was not hurt. Thanks for your support & prayers.”

BREAKING: I drove Sowore in my car to DSS office – Falana

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BREAKING: I drove Sowore in my car to DSS office – Falana

Contrary to speculation, human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has revealed that he drove Omoyele Sowore, the founder of Sahara Reporters to the headquarters of the Department of State Services (DSS).

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) confirmed this in an interview with Channels Television on Friday.

Mr Falana, however, established that his client was detained on arrival at the DSS office and hasn’t been released.

Details later.

CDS commends army on research, technological innovations

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CDS commends army on research, technological innovations

Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, has commended the Nigerian army for its research and development effort as well as innovation leading to the production of made in Nigeria military hardware.

Olonisakin gave the commendation during the tour of Nigerian army research and development exhibition at the ongoing 2019 Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference on Thursday in Kaduna.

He said the decision of Nigerian army to explore the full potential within its ranks to come up with reputable innovations would be a boost to ongoing counter insurgency operations.

“It is in this regard that I wish to recognise and also commend the sterling efforts of the Nigerian army under the dynamic leadership of the chief of army staff.

“Undoubtedly, the Nigerian army with vast experience in human resources is presumed to be at the driving seat in actualising a good success in the research and development project.

“Accordingly, the place as well as intended benefits of research and development in Nigerian military is even more significant in contemporary times considering the myriad of security challenges confronting the nation.

“At a time when modern armies are compelled to think outside the box and develop local initiatives through research and development in order to change the narratives.

“This is consistent with the Nigerian army stride in research and development initiatives,” he said.

Olonisakin said the recent launch of Nigerian army infantry patrol vehicles, Ezugwu MRAP, which was fabricated using local engineering experts within the Nigerian army in collaboration with its partners was heartwarming.

He added that the Nigerian army giant stride had turned on the new vista of opportunities for the countries to become a global competitor in the manufacture of military hardware.

“Therefore, the proper harnessing of this effort will help to facilitate the commercial production and sales of defence equipment and ultimately become a source of foreign exchange earning for the nation.

“The Boko Haram insurgency in particular has provided an appropriate impetus for the Nigerian army to seriously task the ingenuity of its personnel and come up with innovative ideas to address the current terrorism challenge.

“This is particularly worthy of note because even the terrorists are known to be innovative with captured weapons in the pursuit of their nefarious activities.

“Additionally, with the resourcesa allocated by the Nigerian government for defence, it is incumbent for Nigerian army to look inward and pursue this noble initiative in research and development with a view to surmounting insecurity across the nation,” he added.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, while welcoming Olonisakin, said that the initiative started in 2016 at the first research and innovation summit and exhibition in Abuja.

Buratai said the Nigerian army was proud that its research and innovation effort had progressed with the successful production of Ezugwu MRAP and other infantry patrol vehicles.

”The MRAP is quite comfortable, it is comparable if not slightly higher than some of the MRAPs that we imported or procured from abroad.

“It has the cutting edge technology which has been added to this version of our MRAP vehicle,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the vehicles were fabricated and produced by the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and Command Engineering Depot in Kaduna, using 70 per cent local content and 100 per cent indigenous engineers.

The theme of the conference was “Application of the Cutting Edge of the Nigerian Army in Tackling Contemporary Security Challenges”.

Stop witch-hunting M.A Abubakar, CSO cautions Bauchi governor

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Stop witch-hunting M.A Abubakar, CSO cautions Bauchi governor

A civil rights group, Bauchi Civil Society Organisation Network, society has accused Bauchi state Governor of witch hunt against the immediate past governor of the state Mohammed Abubakar.

At a press conference in Bauchi today, Mohammed Hussein ask the governor of the state to call to order the excesses of BAUCHI STATE FUNDS AND ASSETS RECOVERY COMMITTEE if he is not behind their action thus far. The group leader accused the committee intention is to ridicule the personality of an accomplished leader who served Bauchi State with sincerity, probity and adherence to rule of law. The primitive actions of the Recovery Committee has woken the group from slumber to map out the required defence mechanisms within the orbit of the law to strengthen the records and put those devils to shame including their sponsors that have pending cases bordering on corruption, diversion and stealing of public funds in the courts.

The group equally wants to use this medium to expose the hatchet plan of the poorly constituted committee against the rising political profile of former governor Muhammed Abdullahi Abubakar and the dare devil intention of the committee to overheat the polity and subsequently cause a breach of the peace enjoyed through the efforts of the former governor.

We will be the first to call to account the former governor if the action of the committee is not premeditated because we abhor corruption and will call him out to face any genuine allegation.

We have vowed as Vanguards of Equity and Justice and no matter the quantum of the consequences to expose to the public the real motive behind the James Bond style of administration now in Bauchi State and the cluelessness of the governor for public judgment and discourse in our desire for justice.

The latest offensive against the former governor by the Funds and Assets Recovery Committee was an attack on his private residences at Bauchi GRA and Fadaman Mada where the main entrance gate to the Fadaman Mada residence was forcefully broken without any supporting valid legal document and in the presence of attached police officers. In the illegal operation spiced with hate and envy, four (4) brand new tractors belonging to a private company that were duly purchased through due process and covered with valid official receipts with private cars were carted away under the guise of RECOVERY OF PUBLIC PROPERTIES.

Hussein said In ideal situations, it is holistic to straighten the records at least for posterity and to put a lie to the many falsehoods peddled by the Bauchi State Funds and Assets Recovery Committee in desperation to achieve a hidden agenda against certain targeted politicians in the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Benue-Taraba move towards demarcation of interstate boundary

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Benue-Taraba move towards demarcation of interstate boundary

By Ede Ogaba Ede

In a conscious effort to fasten the definition and demarcation of the Benue /Taraba interstate boundary, the bilateral meeting of officials of the two states and that of the National Boundary Commission (NBC) today resolved to involve the governors of the two states more in the resolution of the issues and make available to them the comprehensive maps of the 1996 fieldwork based on the 1923/24 description so that they can expeditiously study and with input from stakeholders interface bilaterally on areas of concern to both sides.

The bilateral meeting which took place today in Abuja further resolved that after the interface, the two state governments shall report to the NBC not later than end of January 2020 after which the NBC shall convene another meeting to discuss the needs of the states as well as plan the way forward.

Benue State deputy governor, Engr Benson Abounu led Benue State team to the meeting while Taraba State delegation was led by Engr Haruna Manu. The acting Director General of the NBC, Surveyor Adamu Adaji led the NBC team.

In his welcome address, Engr Benson Abounu stressed the need for peace in the border corridor and highlighted the various efforts put by the two state governments into finding lasting peace in the area.

He called on the communities there to support the peaceful demarcation of the boundary and to see boundaries not as lines of division but as tools for administrative convenience.

He charged the leaders of the various communities to embark on massive sensitization of people in their areas to embrace and fully support the forthcoming demarcation exercise.

In his remarks, Taraba State deputy governor, Engr Manu, who also stressed the need for peace in the troubled area called on the people to change their concept of boundary and see boundaries as bridges of opportunities, and cooperation between communities not as barriers to development.

Also speaking, Surveyor Adaji thanked Governors Samuel Ortom of Benue and Arc. Darius Ishaku of Taraba State for their untiring support for the peace process. He enumerated the outlined activities planned towards the demarcation work and solicited the support of the states and the affected communities.

Breaking: Senate Passes 2020 Budget

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Breaking: Senate Passes 2020 Budget

By Bukola Olasanmi

The Senate on Thursday passed the 2020 budget before the National Assembly.

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan had announced on Wednesday that the 2020 Appropriation bill before the parliament will be passed today the 5th of December.

He informed lawmakers at plenary shortly after the Public Procurement Act 2007 amendment bills were passed, which he believes, will complement the 2020 budget.

According to Lawan, the Public Procurement bill passed by the upper chamber is the icing on the cake on the eventual passage of the 2020 budget.

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Shuaibu Isah Lau (PDP, Taraba North), in his presentation, said “certain amendments were made on the bills to encapsulate the ingredients of the varied views collated from experts and professionals, aimed at adding value to the Procurement Act.”

The Senate, in a clause-by-clause consideration of the bill, adopted the recommendations of the committee with slight amendments made to Section 1 under the Establishment of National Council on Public Procurement.

The Senate also adopted the committee’s recommendation on the issuance of Certificate of No Objection which shall be issued by a Committee of Directors of the Bureau to the chaired by the Director-General of the Public Procurement Bureau.

“The public procurement process in Nigeria has been a big bottleneck for some time, probably since it was passed.

“I believe that with this amendment, the procurement process will be faster and better, as will be the budget implementation process.

“Surely, this bill will have to go to the House of Representatives for them to concur.

Similarly, the upper chamber considered the recommendation of the committee to review upwards the mobilization fee from 15 percent to 20 percent for local contractors as insufficient.

Accordingly, Section 35 of the Act was amended to provide for not more than thirty percent mobilization for local contractors.

The amendment for an upward review of thirty-five percent mobilization for local contractors was initially proposed by Senator Jibrin Barau (APC, Kano North) and seconded by Ibikunle Amosun (APC, Ogun Central).

The Senate, however, settled for a thirty-percent review moved by Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South) and seconded by Senator Rose Oko (PDP, Cross River North).

N7.65Billion Fraud: Ex Gov. Orji Kalu Jailed

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N7.65Billion Fraud: Ex Gov. Orji Kalu Jailed

Former Abia State Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, who was prosecuted on a 27 counts by the EFCC has been jailed.

Kalu, now a Senator representing Abia North at the National Assembly, was jailed by a Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos and presided over by Justice Mohammad Idris. He was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment for N7.65bn fraud.

Also convicted and sentenced are two other accomplices, his firm, Slok Nigeria Limited and Udeh Udeogu, who was Director of Finance and Accounts at the Abia State Government House during his tenure as governor.

The judge also ordered that Slok Nigeria Limited be wound up and its assets forfeited to the Federal Government.

 

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