Federation
AGF: Ohanaeze legal monitoring group on Nnamdi Kanu not necessary
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has said the legal team formed by the umbrella group for Igbo people, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, to monitor proceedings of the trial of leader of the prescribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, was not necessary. He, however, welcomed the Ohanaeze team, saying it was in line with the doctrine of the right of fair hearing rooted in Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution. Recall that the separatist leader was arrested in June 2021 outside the country. Kanu is facing charges bordering on treasonable felony instituted against him at the court in response to years of campaign for the independent Republic of Biafra through IPOB. He had been granted bail in April 2017 but jumped bail. After his re-arrest in June 202...
AGF Malami meets with Ohanaeze over Nnamdi Kanu
The legal team of the Ndigbo Group has met with the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, to monitor the proceedings relating to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu. This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations to the Office of the AGF, Jibrilu Gwandu. The statement stated that the position of Ohanaeze Ndigbo on the issue of Kanu demonstrated their recognition of belonging to Nigeria and succumbing to the rule of law. “The group showed a mature departure from the mindset of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra when Ohanaeze said they ‘do not support the use of any form of violence’ while channelling concerns and presenting demands. “By urging the youths to be law-abiding a...
President Buhari: Nigerian government to implement policies that will tackle Niger Delta challenges
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his administration’s desire to implement genuine policies that would help in tackling problems affecting the Niger Delta region to make life more meaningful to the people. Buhari gave the assurance during the commissioning and handing over of the erosion control and road improvement works in Owo Local Government to the Ondo State Government. The president, who was represented by the Minister of State, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Omotayo Alasoadura, noted that the erosion control of flooded area/road project was one of the ecological intervention projects approved and executed by the federal government through the Ecological Fund Office, in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), for the good people of Owo an...
How Nnamdi Kanu was arrested in Kenya – brother
The brother to the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Kingsley Kanu, has said Nnamdi Kanu was nabbed while taking a walk in Kenya. While announcing the arrest of the IPOB leader last month, Abubakar Malami, Attorney-General of the Federation, had refused to disclose the location where he was nabbed. But Kingsley had issued a statement in which he said his brother was picked up in Kenya from where he was moved to Abuja. In an interview with UK Guardian, Kingsley said he spoke with his fugitive brother before his arrest. Kanu was standing trial for treason in Nigeria before he jumped bail. “His UK passport remains in Kenya,” The UK Guardian quoted him to have said. “I spoke to him on the phone, he was well, in Nairobi. His associates said he went out, he didn’t take...
Seven Indians, Nigerians docked for ‘cocaine importation’
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on Friday arraigned seven Indians and three Nigerians before the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court for allegedly smuggling 43.1 kilogrammes of cocaine into the country. The Indians include Shedrack Yurama; Singh Vikash; Kunnaserypallam Ashraf Inzam; Xaiver Fernando Santhanaria; Mandal Surjeet Ashok; Tandel Pratikkumar Pravinbai; and Barthwal Rohan Sunil. Their Nigerian alleged accomplices are Tobi Ojo; Kunle Animashaun and Omozusi Enorose Terry. Also arraigned before the court alongside the defendants was a limited liability company, Oilways Logistics and Energy Limited. The defendants were arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and unlawful importation of cocaine. The defendants, according to the charge marked FHC/L/100c/2021, were ar...
PSC: Why Ibrahim Magu’s name was dropped promotion list
The Police Service Commission (PSC) on Thursday said it dropped the name of former Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, from promotion list because it is still awaiting clearance from the Office of Attorney General. The PSC had promoted 24 CPs, 35 DCPs, 52 ACPs, 50 CSPs and dropped Magu from promotion. A statement issued by Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations of PSC said the decisions were the high-points of the Commission’s 12th Plenary Meeting held on Tuesday and Wednesday, which was presided over by the Commission’s Chairman, Musiliu Smith, a retired Inspector General of Police. “The Commission declined the promotion of CP Magu pending clearance from the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and the Offic...
Head of Service warns of fake Facebook, LinkedIn accounts
The Head of Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, has warned the general public to be aware of Fake Facebook and LinkedIn Accounts opened in her name by fraudsters. The statement released by the media office titled “Fake Facebook and LinkedIn Accounts”, read thus: “The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation wishes to draw the attention of the public to fake Facebook and LinkedIn accounts setup using names similar to those of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, alongside her photographs, and which are being promoted with the purpose of deceiving and defrauding unsuspecting individuals. “Unfortunately, despite frequent warnings and disclaimers and in some cases, the apprehending and parading of some of these devious elements...
Senate summons ex-NSITF bosses over ‘N84 billion embezzlement’
The Senate has summoned former managing directors of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund over alleged missing financial documents in the agency. The former NSITF bosses are expected to appear before the Senate Public Accounts Committee on Tuesday. The Chairman of SPAC, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, at the last meeting of his panel on Thursday, said 50 queries were issued against the NSITF officials by the office of the Auditor General for the Federation. Urhoghide said the ex-NSITF bosses were being invited following the failure of the officials of the agency to respond to the queries of the AuGF regarding some alleged financial infractions. He said, “Twelve out of the 50 queries of the Auditor General of the Federation so far reviewed by the committee revealed that N84bn had allegedly be...
#EndSARS: VP Osinbajo urges States to send judicial panels’ progress reports
As plans for next year’s budget begins to gather pace, the National Economic Council (NEC) has endorsed the 2022-2024 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP) which was presented to it at an emergency meeting of the Council today. Besides the MTEF presentation, the NEC also updated its focus on the reports of the State Judicial Panels set up across the country after last year’s #EndSARS protests. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, urged States where the panels are still sitting to also send interim reports so as to measure progress. According to the Vice President, in a statement by his media aide Laolu Akande, the reports are now being received ahead of a Council meeting where presentations would be made on them, both for States where the panels have conclude...
IPOB’s lawyer reacts to Nnamdi Kanu’s arrest, extradition
The lead counsel to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has said the arrest and arraignment of Nnamdi Kanu earlier Tuesday was without his knowledge. “We have just confirmed through a correspondence from the Federal High Court Abuja about the arrest and the extradition of my Client- Mazi Nnamdi Kanu by the Nigerian State,” Mr Ejiofor said in a statement on Tuesday evening. “He was brought before the Federal High Court No 2 Abuja today on an Eleven count charge, though without our knowledge,” the attorney added. He said regardless of the offences or charge against his client, he is still presumed innocent of the allegation under the law. Mr Kanu, who is being prosecuted on charges of treasonable felony, was re-arrested and returned to Nigeria on Sunday, the A...
President Buhari hails Governor Matawalle on defection to APC
President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle, on his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Buhari said his ruling party “is becoming more popular because of its impressive performance record and commitment to good governance.” In a message delivered on his behalf by Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF) at the defection ceremony in Gusau on Tuesday, President Buhari said: “I’m proud of your timely and wise decision to join the governing party and our doors are wide open to other politicians who believe in our vision to rebuild Nigeria. “Your voluntary decision to join our party confirms the fact that our agenda for good governance is the only reason why Nigerians ...
RMAFC begins review of revenue sharing formula
The Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Elias Mbam, has revealed that the commission has completed plans to begin the review of revenue allocation formula. Mbam made this known in Abuja during a courtesy visit to his office by members of the National Assembly Service Commission led by Ahmed Amshi. A press statement titled ‘Review of revenue allocation formula kick starts fully – RMAFC’ issued by the commission’s Public Relations Officer, Nwachukwu Christian, stated that the review of remuneration for political and Judicial office holders will equally commence as soon as the Federal government release fund for it. The statement read, “The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission has concluded arrangements to fully commence the review of the na...
