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You have no business sacking Benue LG executives, APC warns caretaker committee 

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Shaibu, Orbih’s expulsion from PDP, gain for APC – Chieftains

The ruling All Progressives Congress has read the riot acts to the new caretaker committee set up to take over the affairs of Benue APC, warning that its mandate does not include the dissolution of local government and ward executives.

The warning was issued at a meeting of the APC National Working Committee and the seven-man committee at the party secretariat in Abuja on Tuesday.

The newly installed committee, which has Benjamin Omale and Prof Bem Angwe as the chairman and secretary respectively, was saddled with the task of running the party administration at the state level for six months after the dissolution of the Austin Agada-led executives last Wednesday.

Other members include Richard Mzungweve, James Ornguga, Terhemen Ngbea, Helen Agaigbe, and Ali Francis Adah.

Addressing newsmen after their meeting, the Deputy National Women Leader, Hajia Zainab Ibrahim said the need to read the riot acts became necessary following unconfirmed reports that the new committee has started calling dissolution of party structure at the local government and ward levels.

She said, “This evening, the National Working Committee of our great party met with the newly formed caretaker committee to administer the affairs of APC in Benue State for six months. This call was a result of complaints from Benue that the committee had dissolved some local government party executives. This made the NWC summon the seven-man caretaker committee to read to them their ‘Terms of Reference.’

“Their terms of reference as stated by the APC is to administer the party in Benue State for six months and also to conduct the election for the forthcoming local government elections. It is also part of their mandate to constitute the logistics that will conduct the elections from the LG to the ward level. And this has been clearly stated to them.

“They have no business, of course, dissolving any executives. Their terms of reference have been clearly stated and they have been asked not to go beyond their terms of reference.”

Adebayo Folorunsho-Francis

The According journalist, Adebayo, has over 20 years of experience covering politics, health, metro, entertainment and properties

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A’Ibom kidnap kingpin killed, G3 rifle recovered

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Ghana-based Nigerian accuses Bayelsa policemen of N3m extortion

Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have neutralised a notorious  Kidnap kingpin, and gang leader of the Bling Bling Marine Strike Force, one Ubong Effiong Archibong, alias Condiment.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement in Uyo, the state capital, titled, “Notorious kidnap kingpin/sea pirate meets Waterloo,” on Thursday.

She stated that the suspect was killed in a gun battle with operatives of the command in his hideout at the Uyanga Community of Cross River State and a G3 rifle with ammunition recovered from him.

According to the statement, the suspect was responsible for the kidnap of a High Court Judge, Joy Unwana and the killing of her police orderly, Inspector ThankGod Edet, in 2023.

Other kidnap cases linked to the slain suspect, the statement claimed, included the gruesome murder of the CEO Emem and Sons Nig. Ltd and the kidnapping of his sales representative and pharmacist, Joemel

The statement reads, “The Akwa Ibom State Police Command on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, has neutralised a dreaded kidnap kingpin/ sea pirate whose stock in trade was to kidnap, kill, maim and wreak havoc in society.

“The kingpin, Ubong Effiong Archibong, (M), alias Condiment, a gang leader of the Bling Bling Marine Strike Force terrorising the Uruan/Oron Waterways were responsible for the kidnapping of a High Court Judge, Joy Unwana and the killing of her police orderly, Inspector ThankGod Edet, the gruesome murder of the CEO Emem and Sons Nig. Ltd and kidnapping of his sales rep.

“The suspect was also responsible for the kidnap of Pharmacist Joemel as well as also responsible for the kidnap of Mr. Brown, CEO Mingles Hotel.

She said the suspect was neutralised during a gun battle with operatives of the command in his hideout at Uyanga Community in Cross River State.

“One G3 rifle with four live ammunition was recovered from the suspect. The corpse of the suspect was recovered and deposited at the morgue. Investigations with full intent to arrest other members of the gang are ongoing.”

INEC rules out PVC collection by proxy

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INEC lacks power to conduct LG elections – Yakubu

The Independent National Electoral Commission, on Tuesday, said the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards to new applicants across Edo State local government areas will commence today.

The commission, while urging the applicants to come for their cards, noted that it would not release them to third parties.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, in a statement, said the distribution at the ward level had been concluded with 125,928 PVCs collected within five days.

He said the figure represented 68.3 per cent of the 184,438 new cards issued during the recent Continuous Voter Registration exercise, marking the highest collection rate recorded by INEC since the introduction of CVR ahead of off-cycle governorship elections in 2015.

Olumekun said that the collection, which took place across all 192 wards in Edo State between August 22 and 26, was achieved through a carefully coordinated effort by INEC.

The commission credited the success to its strategic packaging of PVCs by polling units, wards, and LGAs, along with direct communication to voters about the availability of their cards.

“As earlier announced by the commission, Permanent Voter Cards from the recent Continuous Voter Registration in Edo State would be available for collection at two levels. First, across all the 192 wards from Thursday, 22, to Monday, 26, August 2024. Secondly, in our 18 LGA offices.

“The commission is pleased to announce the conclusion of the collection at ward level. Learning from the lessons of the previous collection of PVCs, the commission has carefully packaged all the PVCs by Poling Units, Wards and LGAs. We also produced the collection register, providing details of the voters whose cards were ready for collection, and uploaded them to our website.

“In addition, we contacted them using the addresses provided at the time of registration. As a result, out of the 184,438 new PVCs available, 125,928 cards were collected by voters, representing 68.3 per cent of the total. This is the highest percentage of PVCs collected in five days since the commission introduced the CVR ahead of off-cycle governorship elections in 2015.

“A detailed breakdown of the collection by LGAs has been uploaded to our website and social media platforms for public information,” the statement read in part.

INEC announced that the collection process will now move to its 18 Local Government Area offices in Edo State, where voters can pick up their PVCs from 28 August to 8 September 2024.

The commission stated that PVCs must be collected in person, as no cards will be issued by proxy.

INEC has made detailed information about the locations of its LGA offices available on its website, encouraging voters who have not yet collected their PVCs to do so as soon as possible.

Olumekun stated, “Meanwhile, the collection will resume in our 18 LGA offices in Edo State from tomorrow, Wednesday, 28th August 2024 and end on Sunday 8th September 2024.

“We appeal to the remaining voters to pick up their PVCs in person from our LGA offices. The commission reiterates its policy that no cards will be collected by proxy. Detailed information on the locations of our LGA offices is already available on our website.”

Fake forex trader arraigned for fraud

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Fake forex trader arraigned for fraud

A 39-year-old man, Bassey Ikpi, accused of posing as a forex trader, was arraigned on Thursday before the Lagos State Chief Magistrate Court in Ebute-Metta for allegedly defrauding several individuals and companies of large sums in multiple currencies.

The defendant, who is facing four counts bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, fraud, and breach of public peace, preferred against him by the police.

Ikpi allegedly obtained N1,066,311,503, $355,000, and €13,000 under fraudulent circumstances, from his victims.

Police prosecutor, Inspector Cyriacus Osuji, told the court that Ikpi, along with his accomplices still at large, committed the alleged offences.

“The defendant, in conspiracy with others, fraudulently obtained these large sums under the pretence of forex trading,” Osuji stated.

He also told the court that these offences took place on October 18, 2023, at Ikeja, Lagos.

Ikpi was specifically accused of defrauding one Mrs. Caroline Kamaya of N25m and another victim, Mrs. Tope Augustine, of N36m.

He allegedly swindled Mrs. Henrietta Achiekwelu out of N200m, $75,000, and €13,000.

Osuji further told the court that Ikpi obtained N82,211,503 from NKG Energy Services, N683,100,000 from Sacvin Nigeria, and $280,000 from Neco Trading Services Limited and Mr. Arinze Anyaeche.

The defendant was also accused of duping Mrs. Stella Mohammed of N21m and Mr. Tokunbo Adebiyi of N19m, all under the false pretence of forex trading.

Osuji said that the defendant conducted himself in a tumultuous manner, an act capable of breaching community peace and order.

The offences are said to contravene Sections 411, 314, 380 (1), and 168 (1)(d)(f) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.

Ikpi, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Magistrate Mrs Abimbola Davies granted the defendant bail in N2m, with two sureties in like sum.

She ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed, present evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government, and have their residential addresses verified.

The case has been adjourned to September 10, 2024, for further mention.

APC not surprised by Moghalu’s resignation – Party

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APC not surprised by Moghalu’s resignation – Party

A founding member and first National Auditor of All Progressives Congress, Dr George Moghalu, has formally resigned his membership of the ruling party.

However, the APC leadership said it was not surprised by Moghalu’s resignation, saying he was believed to have quit the party long ago.

Moghalu’s resignation was contained in a letter addressed to his Uruagu Ward 1 chairman in Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State, a copy of which was made available to The According on Tuesday.

A copy of the letter titled ‘Resignation of membership of the APC’ was also forwarded to his state and local government chairmen.

Although the former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority did not give a hint on his next destination, he hinged his decision on personal reasons.

The move is coming on the heels of repeated denial after months of speculations that Moghalu was planning to dump the party.

He wrote, “I bring you good wishes of my dear family and to formally notify you of my decision to resign my membership of the APC with effect from today, August 26, 2024.

“Please accept this as my personal decision. It is my utmost desire and expectation that all of us will continue to maintain the cordial relationship that we have built together over the years.

“I wish you and all the members of the party the very best. Please accept, as always, the assurance of my best regards.

Reacting to the development, the APC National Deputy Organising Secretary, Nze  Duru, told our reporter that the letter of resignation was merely a formality.

He said, “Moghalu has long left the party. He only formalised it. He left a long time ago. Any addition (to the party) is always good. But we wish him good luck wherever he departed.

“These are people who benefited immensely from being in the party and now, for reasons best known to him, he decided to leave. We can only wish him luck.”

Moghalu is believed to be nursing the ambition to contest the 2025 Anambra State governorship election.

The Deputy Publicity Secretary of the Anambra State APC, Hilary Ogemdi, said the party did not have the full details of Moghalu’s resignation yet.

Ogemdi said, “We also saw the news of his resignation in the media, but the state chapter of the party is yet to be officially briefed. When the party receives the full details, it will make an official statement on the development.

“But be that as it may, we can only wish him well in his next political destination. Before the latest development, he was also nursing the ambition to contest the 2025 Anambra State governorship election under the APC. His resignation must have been a personal decision and reason, and the party can only respect his wishes and decisions.

“The APC has become a moving train in Anambra that has been repositioned to win the state governorship election in 2025.”

Police arraign lawyer for forgery in Ondo

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Police kill two bandits in Benue

A legal practitioner, Olusegun Agunloye, was on Thursday arraigned before a Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Akure, the state capital, over allegations of forgery.

The lawyer was accused of presenting a fake testamentary instrument also known as the Will of one late Benjamin Ejelonu to the court probate registry in Akure.

The 49-year-old defendant was arraigned before the court by the police on two counts of conspiracy and forgery.

The police prosecutor, Nelson Akintimehin, informed the court that the defendant committed the offence on September 7, 2023, at about 10:30 am, at the probate registry, High Court in Akure

Akintimehin alleged that the defendant conspired with a sister of the deceased, one Aminat Bakare, who is currently facing trial in charge number MAK/372C/2024 in the same court, to forge the Will of the deceased and lodged it at the Probate Registry of the state High Court in Akure with the intent to defraud one Oluwamodupe Ejelonu.

According to the prosecutor, the offence committed contravened Sections 516 and 467(2)(f) of the Criminal Code Law of Ondo State, 2006.

However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to both charges.

The prosecutor asked the court to adjourn the case to enable him to assemble his witnesses and consolidate the two charges before the court.

However, the defence counsel, Kehinde Osadugbe, urged the court to grant his client bail on self-recognisance as a practising lawyer, claiming that the alleged offence was committed in the course of the defendant performing his legal duty as a lawyer.

But the prosecutor argued that the defendant was a flight risk if granted bail and that he had previously abused the administrative bail granted to him at the police station on self-recognisance.

Magistrate Kolawole Aro granted the defendant bail in the sum of N2m with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case until September 2024 for hearing and the consolidation of the cases. The defendant, who could not perfect his bail conditions, was subsequently remanded at the police station.

APC’lI win Edo gov poll– Ganduje

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Ganduje, wife, others for trial in absentia

The National Chairman of All Progressives Congress, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, on Thursday expressed optimism that the party will win the September 21 Edo governorship election.

Ganduje spoke while receiving the leadership of the Kano State Correspondents’ Chapel of  the NUJ led by its Chairman, Aminu Garko on Thursday.

He said a political machinery has been put in place to pave the way for a landslide victory of the party’s candidate.

Ganduje said, “I believe our campaign is in high spirits, we are getting ready for that election and we believe we will be able to recover our state.

“This is because it was an APC state but because of internal bubbles, we lost it to PDP but we are sure we will recover that state.

“For Ondo state, it is already an APC state and when the former Governor died, he left a number of problems, but we were able to resolve those issues.

“We conducted primaries, we succeeded in getting the person that they want.”

He said that the party was also getting ready for the election, which comes up in November.

Ganduje said, ”If we win Edo, we will be getting an additional state for the party. It will be 21 states out of 36.

“Next year, there will be Anambra, which has been a state governed by APGA for many years, but we have introduced a new scheme.

“The North, South-East political zones are all claiming that they have been marginalised.

“The South-East geopolitical zone is saying the same thing. But what we are telling them is that marginalisation has been created by them.

“How can you have five states ruled by four political parties? What will be your political bargain?”

He said that the party was working very hard to ensure that it gets more states from the zone, saying, ” We want to start with Anambra.

“Already, we have Ebonyi and Imo. Now we are encroaching into that zone to ensure that we capture most of the states.

“And if we get what we want, we capture all the states,” Ganduje said.

 

(NAN)

Fire guts Lagos govt staff quarters 

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Ogun probes market fire

Fire gutted part of a three-storey building at the Lagos State Government Staff Quarters in Odunsanmi Street, off Wempco Road in the Ogba area of the state.

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Oluwafemi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed this in a statement on Friday.

Oke-Osanyintolu said that LASEMA received distress calls through the 767 and 112 toll-free emergency lines at about 2.39 am.

He said that the agency activated its response team from the Alausa command and control centre.

“Upon immediate response, it was confirmed that one of the two-bedrooms in Flat 5, of Block 21, a two-winged, three-story building of 16 two-bedroom flats, was engulfed.

“Investigation conducted by the agency’s response team revealed that the fire originated from the children’s room as a result of a power surge.

“The prompt and coordinated efforts of the agency, Nigeria Police Force, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, ensured the fire was contained,” Oke-Osanyintolu said.

He said that there was no injury or life lost, however, the fire completely consumed the children’s bedroom, resulting in loss of properties worth millions of naira.

“We also enlightened the occupants on the proper use of electrical appliances,” he said.

NAN

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APC encouraging internal democracy to reduce tension, factionalisation

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APC encouraging internal democracy to reduce tension, factionalisation

The All Progressives Congress National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, has stated that the party is encouraging internal democracy to reduce factionalising in its fold.

Ganduje said the measure was also aimed at reducing tension in the ruling party.

He said this while receiving members of the Correspondents Chapel of Kano State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) led by Chairman Alhaji Aminu Garko in his office in Abuja on Thursday.

“We always encourage internal democracy so that we reduce tension and factionalisation of the Party.

“Though you may have incidences here and there at the same time we have internal democracy.

“There is more understanding and there is more hope, especially when you are facing an election,” he said.

He said there was a need for synergy between party officials and political office holders.

“That is if you are talking about the governors, they have a close relationship between them and the party’s structure in the state level and the same thing at the national level.

“So, we normally invite our officials from the state level and give them some information; educate them on issues like internal democracy,” Ganduje said.

The former governor of Kano State said APC had established a Progressives Institute as an intellectual Wing of the party.

“On the issue of having an intellectual wing for the party, we established what we call the Progressives Institute.

“It is to analyse national issues so that they can get the attention of the government to become an agenda for the government,” he said.

Ganduje observed that political parties in developing countries like Nigeria were only normally active during electioneering campaigns, adding that it should be so.

This, he said, informed the decision of the APC to change the narrative and be active all-year-round.

“When we came in we said we must change the narrative. In our political party, the APC, as an institution, we want to be active throughout the year that is why we directed our offices and chapters at the ward level to ensure that all our offices are renovated so as to be habitable and also become operational.

“That is only possible when they create activities that will be taking place at the party offices right from ward level to the Local Government level up to the state level,” he said.

(NAN)

Gunmen shoot three students dead in Yobe school

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Kidnappers abduct Benue Poly Rector, others, demand N70m 

No fewer than three students of Faudiya School in Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State have been confirmed dead after an attack by gunmen at the school early Friday.

The school is reported to belong to the Islamic Movement in Nigeria — a Shiia sect.

The gunmen, who haven’t been ascertained whether they are members of the dreaded Boko Haram insurgency group or bandits, rode into the school premises on motorbikes, wielding AK-47 rifles.

When contacted, the state command’s Public Relations Officer, Dungus Abdulkarim, told our correspondent in a telephone interview that the police “received a distress call that some hoodlums came on motorbikes with AK-47 rifles and then entered into the school and shot dead three,” adding that one of the students who got injured had been taken to an undisclosed hospital where he’s receiving treatment.

The state PPRO noted that a teacher who was in the school managed to escape and told the police that there was no sort of confrontation with any member of any armed groups, saying, “It came to him (the teacher) as a surprise.”

Abdulkarim added that an investigation has commenced as the police are working to “unravel who is behind it, the purpose and credible witnesses who might have seen the incident.”

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