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The feminist publishing company Virago Press was set up by Carmen Callil in the 1970s

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The Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday ordered the remandment of four men charged with producing adulterated engine oil.

Justice Oluremi Oguntoyibo ordered that Johnson Uche, Olaide Shittu, Kingsley Meteke and Abdulquadri Olayinka be remanded in prison custody pending their arraignment.

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) said the defendants and others now at large on January 2, 2019 at 2, Esugbayi Street, NPA Quarters, Marine Bridge, Apapa, produced adulterated/substandard engine oil for public consumption. 

They allegedly claimed that the products with genuine engine oil and sold them to unsuspecting motorists.

The prosecution said the engine oil did not comply with mandatory industrial standards, an offence that violated Section 26 of the SON Act 2015. 

In the second count, the prosecution said the defendants, on the same day and place, “did indulge in dealing in and offering for sale adulterated/substandard engine oil”.

SON said they claimed that the substandard product was genuine, contrary to Section 1 (18) (ii) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act of 2004. 

In the third count, the defendants were accused of dealing in 128 drums and 945 litres of substandard engine oil, which they claimed to be of high quality to unsuspecting buyers. 

In count four, they were alleged to have “failed to comply with SON Conformity Assessment Programme” by dealing in adulterated engine oil that did not have the requisite certification. 

The alleged offence is punishable under Section 26 of the SON Act of 2015. 

The defendants could not be arraigned because their lawyer was absent. 

Prosecuting counsel Adeleke Olofindare, from the Federal Ministry of Justice, prayed that they be remanded in prison. 

Justice Oguntoyibo ordered their remand and adjourned until March 1 for arraignment.
 

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The Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday ordered the remandment of four men charged with producing adulterated engine oil.

Justice Oluremi Oguntoyibo ordered that Johnson Uche, Olaide Shittu, Kingsley Meteke and Abdulquadri Olayinka be remanded in prison custody pending their arraignment.

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) said the defendants and others now at large on January 2, 2019 at 2, Esugbayi Street, NPA Quarters, Marine Bridge, Apapa, produced adulterated/substandard engine oil for public consumption. 

They allegedly claimed that the products with genuine engine oil and sold them to unsuspecting motorists.

The prosecution said the engine oil did not comply with mandatory industrial standards, an offence that violated Section 26 of the SON Act 2015. 

In the second count, the prosecution said the defendants, on the same day and place, “did indulge in dealing in and offering for sale adulterated/substandard engine oil”.

SON said they claimed that the substandard product was genuine, contrary to Section 1 (18) (ii) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act of 2004. 

In the third count, the defendants were accused of dealing in 128 drums and 945 litres of substandard engine oil, which they claimed to be of high quality to unsuspecting buyers. 

In count four, they were alleged to have “failed to comply with SON Conformity Assessment Programme” by dealing in adulterated engine oil that did not have the requisite certification. 

The alleged offence is punishable under Section 26 of the SON Act of 2015. 

The defendants could not be arraigned because their lawyer was absent. 

Prosecuting counsel Adeleke Olofindare, from the Federal Ministry of Justice, prayed that they be remanded in prison. 

Justice Oguntoyibo ordered their remand and adjourned until March 1 for arraignment.
 

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Community leaders in Madagali and Michika Local Government Areas of Adamawa State have alleged plans to stop them from voting at home by the recent resurgence of Boko Haram activities in their area, saying “those behind the plans to rig are the actual Boko Haram”.

Boko Haram struck on Monday in Kirshinga and Shuwa towns in a bid to recapture territories they once occupied, spanning seven local governments from Madagali to Gombi.

In July 2014, Boko Haram occupied Madagali, Michika, Mubi North and South, Maiha, Hong and Gombi local government areas for several months before troops dislodged them in December of that year.

This latest attack, which started in Kirahinga and Shuwa, sparked fear, prompting residents of neighboring Michika and Bazza towns to evacuate in order to safeguard their lives. See Also Breaking News BREAKING: With Chants Of ‘Allahu Akbar’, Boko Haram Captures Five Adamawa Towns 0 Comments 2 Days Ago

But the Nigerian Army, with the support of local vigilante groups, were able to limit the attack in Shuwa, forcing the insurgents to make a u-turn to their Sambisa enclave. SaharaReporters can report that despite the presence of heavily-armed troops in Kirshinga, Shuwa, Madagali, Michika and Bazza towns, residents of the area are still on the run.

Our Correspondent just back from Shuwa observed that Kirshinga village has been sacked, just as very few people were sighted in Shuwa town.

Nonetheless, few community leaders in the two local governments have bonded to stay home throughout the election period.

Suleiman Duhu, Administrator of Shuwa Development Area, told SaharaReporters in local parlance thus: “This whole area was evacuated Monday night, but we're back and we'll vote at home.

"We understand that some people are behind these shenanigans; their plan is to create insecurity around this area so as to compel INEC to move the election to Yola, so they can rig again.

"Those behind the plans to rig are the actual Boko Haram! But, I bet you, make no mistake, we're resolute, we'll resist them. They cannot defeat us because God is on our side.”

Duhu, who is also the immediate past Chief Security Adviser to Madagali Local Council Chairman, further said: “Even today (Tuesday), the insurgents have attempted to launch another attack here in Shuwa, but they were resisted by the Army with the support of our local hunters.”

Kashim Gaidam, Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC in Adamawa State, had announced in the penultimate week that "due to security advice, elections in Madagali local government area will be centralized and conducted in only three wards: Madagali, Gulak and Shuwa".

On the death toll, our correspondent gathered that the insurgents actually killed four people — two in Kirshinga, and one each in Shuwa and Shuwari villages — in the Monday evening rampage.

However, the Army had said that “before the arrival of troops to the location, the insurgents had killed three persons, looted and torched a shop, a healthcare centre and a local market".

According to a local vigilante member in Shuwa, the terrorists, who drove in a convoy of Toyota Hilux vans, struck Shuwa town at about 6:30pm local time on Monday, after overrunning Kirshinga.

As things stand, heavy military hardware, including gigantic two armoured personnel carriers, were sighted in Shuwa, just as troops in large numbers were patrolling the area to fend off Boko Haram insurgents.

Still, the mass exodus of people from the two local governments is evident. Also in all the towns, business activities have temporarily shut down, as all shops in Michika, Bazza and Shuwa towns were under lock and key.

Boko Haram Insurgency News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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Community leaders in Madagali and Michika Local Government Areas of Adamawa State have alleged plans to stop them from voting at home by the recent resurgence of Boko Haram activities in their area, saying “those behind the plans to rig are the actual Boko Haram”.

Boko Haram struck on Monday in Kirshinga and Shuwa towns in a bid to recapture territories they once occupied, spanning seven local governments from Madagali to Gombi.

In July 2014, Boko Haram occupied Madagali, Michika, Mubi North and South, Maiha, Hong and Gombi local government areas for several months before troops dislodged them in December of that year.

This latest attack, which started in Kirahinga and Shuwa, sparked fear, prompting residents of neighboring Michika and Bazza towns to evacuate in order to safeguard their lives. See Also Breaking News BREAKING: With Chants Of ‘Allahu Akbar’, Boko Haram Captures Five Adamawa Towns 0 Comments 2 Days Ago

But the Nigerian Army, with the support of local vigilante groups, were able to limit the attack in Shuwa, forcing the insurgents to make a u-turn to their Sambisa enclave. SaharaReporters can report that despite the presence of heavily-armed troops in Kirshinga, Shuwa, Madagali, Michika and Bazza towns, residents of the area are still on the run.

Our Correspondent just back from Shuwa observed that Kirshinga village has been sacked, just as very few people were sighted in Shuwa town.

Nonetheless, few community leaders in the two local governments have bonded to stay home throughout the election period.

Suleiman Duhu, Administrator of Shuwa Development Area, told SaharaReporters in local parlance thus: “This whole area was evacuated Monday night, but we're back and we'll vote at home.

"We understand that some people are behind these shenanigans; their plan is to create insecurity around this area so as to compel INEC to move the election to Yola, so they can rig again.

"Those behind the plans to rig are the actual Boko Haram! But, I bet you, make no mistake, we're resolute, we'll resist them. They cannot defeat us because God is on our side.”

Duhu, who is also the immediate past Chief Security Adviser to Madagali Local Council Chairman, further said: “Even today (Tuesday), the insurgents have attempted to launch another attack here in Shuwa, but they were resisted by the Army with the support of our local hunters.”

Kashim Gaidam, Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC in Adamawa State, had announced in the penultimate week that "due to security advice, elections in Madagali local government area will be centralized and conducted in only three wards: Madagali, Gulak and Shuwa".

On the death toll, our correspondent gathered that the insurgents actually killed four people — two in Kirshinga, and one each in Shuwa and Shuwari villages — in the Monday evening rampage.

However, the Army had said that “before the arrival of troops to the location, the insurgents had killed three persons, looted and torched a shop, a healthcare centre and a local market".

According to a local vigilante member in Shuwa, the terrorists, who drove in a convoy of Toyota Hilux vans, struck Shuwa town at about 6:30pm local time on Monday, after overrunning Kirshinga.

As things stand, heavy military hardware, including gigantic two armoured personnel carriers, were sighted in Shuwa, just as troops in large numbers were patrolling the area to fend off Boko Haram insurgents.

Still, the mass exodus of people from the two local governments is evident. Also in all the towns, business activities have temporarily shut down, as all shops in Michika, Bazza and Shuwa towns were under lock and key.

Boko Haram Insurgency News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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Abdullahi Ganduje, Governor of Kano State, has granted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) permission to use the Sani Abacha Stadium for their presidential campaign rally slated for the weekend.

Subsequently, Ganduje ordered immediate stoppage of the ongoing renovation works at Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofar Mata.

Ganduje had been unwilling to release the stadium to PDP under the guise of ongoing renovation works. But a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, indicated that the directive does not affect ongoing overhaul of the Indoor Sports Complex.

According to the statement, the Governor has directed the contractor handling the project to remove all machineries from the precincts of the stadium until the PDP presidential campaign rally is over.

"The general renovation of the stadium aimed at giving the stadium a face-lift included the installation of the new scoreboard, the running track and provision of sources for steady water supply to all parts of the stadium, but the Kano State government did not order the closure of the stadium to prevent PDP from use as widely speculated," Garba said.

"As a democrat who believes in freedom of association, His Excellency the Governor did not order the closure of the stadium to frustrate the campaign rally of the PDP. The stadium only closed for the intended renovation works."

Ganduje wished the PDP a successful outing but cautioned it to ensure orderliness during the event in order to avert destruction of facilities in the stadium.

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Abdullahi Ganduje, Governor of Kano State, has granted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) permission to use the Sani Abacha Stadium for their presidential campaign rally slated for the weekend.

Subsequently, Ganduje ordered immediate stoppage of the ongoing renovation works at Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofar Mata.

Ganduje had been unwilling to release the stadium to PDP under the guise of ongoing renovation works. But a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, indicated that the directive does not affect ongoing overhaul of the Indoor Sports Complex.

According to the statement, the Governor has directed the contractor handling the project to remove all machineries from the precincts of the stadium until the PDP presidential campaign rally is over.

"The general renovation of the stadium aimed at giving the stadium a face-lift included the installation of the new scoreboard, the running track and provision of sources for steady water supply to all parts of the stadium, but the Kano State government did not order the closure of the stadium to prevent PDP from use as widely speculated," Garba said.

"As a democrat who believes in freedom of association, His Excellency the Governor did not order the closure of the stadium to frustrate the campaign rally of the PDP. The stadium only closed for the intended renovation works."

Ganduje wished the PDP a successful outing but cautioned it to ensure orderliness during the event in order to avert destruction of facilities in the stadium.

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Justice Muslim Hassan of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has adjourned the trial of Olajumoke Akinjide, a former Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, to March 6, 2019.

Akinjide, alongside Senator Ayo Adeseun and a Peoples Democratic Party stalwart, Chief Olanrewaju Otiti, is facing trial on an amended 24-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N650 million.

At Wednesday’s proceeding, Akinjide’s counsel, Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), moved a motion asking the court to release his client’s international passport in order for her to be able to travel to the United Kingdom, for her daughter’s wedding.

The application was granted by the court.

Counsel to Adeseun and Otiti also brought an application before the court seeking that the Judge should recuse himself from the trial on the grounds that he is a former employee of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and would, therefore, be biased.

Consequently, Justice Hassan fixed March 6, to rule on the application.

The defendants were re-arraigned before Justice Hassan on January 16, 2018, on the amended charges.

A prosecution witness, Usman Zakari, had told the court in his evidence that the defendants collected the money at the Dugbe branch of Fidelity Bank in Ibadan, Oyo State, on the standing instruction of a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke.

Investigations by the EFCC had revealed that the N650 million was part of a total sum of N23 billion, which Diezani had allegedly warehoused in the bank in the buildup to the 2015 general election.

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Justice Muslim Hassan of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has adjourned the trial of Olajumoke Akinjide, a former Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, to March 6, 2019.

Akinjide, alongside Senator Ayo Adeseun and a Peoples Democratic Party stalwart, Chief Olanrewaju Otiti, is facing trial on an amended 24-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N650 million.

At Wednesday’s proceeding, Akinjide’s counsel, Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), moved a motion asking the court to release his client’s international passport in order for her to be able to travel to the United Kingdom, for her daughter’s wedding.

The application was granted by the court.

Counsel to Adeseun and Otiti also brought an application before the court seeking that the Judge should recuse himself from the trial on the grounds that he is a former employee of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and would, therefore, be biased.

Consequently, Justice Hassan fixed March 6, to rule on the application.

The defendants were re-arraigned before Justice Hassan on January 16, 2018, on the amended charges.

A prosecution witness, Usman Zakari, had told the court in his evidence that the defendants collected the money at the Dugbe branch of Fidelity Bank in Ibadan, Oyo State, on the standing instruction of a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke.

Investigations by the EFCC had revealed that the N650 million was part of a total sum of N23 billion, which Diezani had allegedly warehoused in the bank in the buildup to the 2015 general election.

CRIME Legal Money Laundering News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ondo State on Wednesday said it had identified and deleted names of dead persons from the state's voter registers in preparation for the general election.

Rufus Akeju, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State made the disclosure at a press briefing with reporters in Akure, saiying INEC had already displayed the list of registered voters in all the 18 local government areas of the state.

According to Akeju, the total of 1,828,219 voters were registered in the state while a total of 398,958 Permanant Voter Cards (PVC) were yet to be collected. 

"This exercise (display of register of voters) was carried out in this state in the last qaurter of the year 2018," he said.

"Quite a number of claims raised during the exercise were treated and names of dead persons that are still in the register were identified for deletion. The statistics of PVC distribution in the state as of 2nd January 2019 is a total number of registered voters — 1,828,219 and a total of uncollected PVCs in the state are 398,958."

Akeju, who spoke through Assistant Director, Voter Education, Mrs. Yemi Oguntuase, explained that a total of 41 senatoral contestants and 96 federal constituency contestants will be participating in the 2019 general election exercise in Ondo State. 

He added that both the presidential and National Assembly election and that of the state assemblies will hold in 3,007 polling units of the state on February 16 and March 2, 2019.

The REC, however, stated that INEC was fully prepared for the elections, stressing that the electoral unmpire with the Inter-Agency Consultatives Committee on Election Security had been working to ensure a peaceful, credible, free and fair 2019 election.

He stated that the members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) would be constitute the bulk of Ad-hoc staff that would be deployed for the poll due to existing MoU between INEC and NYSC.

The Smart Card Readers, according to the REC, will be used during the general election in order to confirm that the PVC presented by the voter is genuinely issued by INEC and to also verify if the holder is truley the bonafide owner.

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ondo State on Wednesday said it had identified and deleted names of dead persons from the state's voter registers in preparation for the general election.

Rufus Akeju, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State made the disclosure at a press briefing with reporters in Akure, saiying INEC had already displayed the list of registered voters in all the 18 local government areas of the state.

According to Akeju, the total of 1,828,219 voters were registered in the state while a total of 398,958 Permanant Voter Cards (PVC) were yet to be collected. 

"This exercise (display of register of voters) was carried out in this state in the last qaurter of the year 2018," he said.

"Quite a number of claims raised during the exercise were treated and names of dead persons that are still in the register were identified for deletion. The statistics of PVC distribution in the state as of 2nd January 2019 is a total number of registered voters — 1,828,219 and a total of uncollected PVCs in the state are 398,958."

Akeju, who spoke through Assistant Director, Voter Education, Mrs. Yemi Oguntuase, explained that a total of 41 senatoral contestants and 96 federal constituency contestants will be participating in the 2019 general election exercise in Ondo State. 

He added that both the presidential and National Assembly election and that of the state assemblies will hold in 3,007 polling units of the state on February 16 and March 2, 2019.

The REC, however, stated that INEC was fully prepared for the elections, stressing that the electoral unmpire with the Inter-Agency Consultatives Committee on Election Security had been working to ensure a peaceful, credible, free and fair 2019 election.

He stated that the members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) would be constitute the bulk of Ad-hoc staff that would be deployed for the poll due to existing MoU between INEC and NYSC.

The Smart Card Readers, according to the REC, will be used during the general election in order to confirm that the PVC presented by the voter is genuinely issued by INEC and to also verify if the holder is truley the bonafide owner.

#NigeriaDecides Elections Politics News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SAHARA REPORTERS, NEW YORK Disable advertisements : 
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Dear Atiku, I intentionally approach my writings on Igbo affairs as a philosopher. Writing philosophically is my vocation, a deep calling, and a deep urge. As you may
know, a philosopher raises questions that are existentially heavy to bear. You recently asked Nigerians to “ask [you] a range of questions and hear [your] answers. As onye Igbo, the only, yet very heavy, question on my mind is, will you, Atiku save or sink the Igbos?

Chief Atiku, this question is born out of the admission albeit, wired, by your good friend Nnia Nwodo that Igbos are living in hell in Nigeria. I know that there are millions of Igbos living and thriving in Nigeria, but, lets for the sake of argument, assume that your friend Nnia Nwodo is right. The question to you, Atiku, is; are you on a rescue mission or are you going to worsen the lives of Igbos already living in hell in Nigeria?

I know you know I know that you delegated your friend Nwodo through Ohaneze, to take over from Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB. Atiku, in case you have forgotten, one of the lingering effects of the propaganda that was pumped into the psyche of Igbos by Nnamdi Kanu through IPOB is the disposition for Igbos to feel like every other tribe has it so easy in Nigeria except us. This is exactly what you, Atiku, and Nnia Nwodo is feeding into.

Chief Atiku, the more I listen to your friend, Nnia Nwodo, the more I am convinced that there is no difference between him and Nnamdi Kanu who reduced Igbos to ashes before, like those before him, he absconded. I asked if you will sink Igbos because you seem to love Nnia Nwodo’s monotonous, self-defeating, almost masochistic tone filled with negative energy. Nnia Nwodo’s false claim, on behalf of millions of Igbos that we are miserable, therefore, we stand by you, Atiku is not a tone of positive frequency badly needed by Igbos to reshape our realities and thoughts.

You see, Oga Atiku, in our misery, Igbos ran to you, sinking sand, as our savior. My apprehension is that Igbos anchoring their chances of “regaining relevance” and pushing restructuring through on you, Atiku, is like waiting for the ship to dock at the Airport.

If you, Atiku, do not understand that someone who enriched his family and friends is simply engaged in corrupt acts, how can we trust you to understand the complicated constitutional issue of restructuring? Assuming you understand, does your understanding of restructuring intersect with the interpretation of restructuring by the oil producing states in Nigeria that see “resource control” as the starting point?

If you are truly our savior as you want us to believe at your campaign rallies in Enugu and Onitsha recently, you should know that the people of the Southeast or South-South alone cannot alter the constitution without the support of the core and far north. So, beyond your rhetoric on restructuring, do you have the capacity to mobilize the support of political interest across Nigeria to tackle the monster called restructuring?

If you have the capacity to mobilize, why are you not mentioning restructuring in your campaign rallies across the Middle belt and the North? While you, Atiku, promised the best fiscal responsibility in Gombe; a people-friendly government in Sokoto and in Jigawa, you urged them to return PDP, so they can all enjoy; you were afraid to mention restructuring and resource control in the north. Are you deceiving Igbos and Niger Deltans?

If you, Atiku, cannot deliver on restructuring, assuming you win, but you keep your promise to enrich your friends, as expected, how will that benefit the Igbos? So, I ask you again, will you save or sink the Igbos?

You see, Atiku, there is an Igbo saying that while administering an eye-clearing medicine, someone comes and says to put some pepper in. Igbos may not be in the best of place in the Nigerian political jungle but opting for you, Atiku, because of our treasured son Peter Obi, is equivalent to putting paper in the eye that needs some clearing.

I understand the Igbos are thinking that after our son Peter Obi has served the thief, sorry, the chief, Atiku, the rewards of the chieftaincy will reach him and by extension us. But for you, Atiku, and your friend Nnia Nwodo, to be openly playing the ethnic card in a multiethnic country with Peter Obi is like putting paper in the eyes of Igbos.

Atiku, Nwodo and Ohaneze’s endorsement of your presidential bid because of our “son” is a conscious act of perpetuating an unwarranted sense of marginalization – a victim mentality syndrome. It’s like telling the rest of the ethnicities n Nigeria that their sons and
daughters are fatherless.

In a multi-ethnic country like Nigeria, you can’t win votes by emotional blackmail. You win by playing smart politics. It is naive to expect the southwest to abandon their son, Osinbajo, and work for you, Atiku in the Presidential election after watching your embarrassing display of ethnic card in Enugu. That is not smart politics, sir. So, I ask again, is it you plan to pull Igbos into your sinking ship?

Before I let you refocus on your campaign, I want to remind you, Atiku, of the Igbo proverb “may one's visitor not constitute a problem, so that on his departure he will not leave with a hunchback.” Because I do not wish you a hunchback, may your sinking ship currently docked in Igbo land not compound the problems of Igbos in Nigeria.

I know that you, Atiku, will be wondering how anyone with an Igbo name like Okonkwo, who eats isi ewu and have brothers that sell motor parts not supporting you. The answer is simple; your former boss and current mentor Obasanjo characterized you as a good for nothing thief. I see you as a con artist, a woodpecker that feed on the pantry of the poor but found a way to avoid having boils in your mouth. 

Finally Chief Atiku, put this Igbo proverb in the bank: Onye ite abughi onye ahia, - a clay-pot retailer is not in business. Nigeria cannot move forward when we are hamstrung by clay-pot retailers like you Atiku. Igbos will not sink with you.

You can email Churchill at Churchill.okonkwo@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter
@churchillnnobi

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The European Union (EU) says it has taken note of the threat of Nasir el-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State, that foreigners who interfere with the 2019 elections would return to their countries with “body Bags”.

Appearing on Tuesday evening during a live programme on NTA, el-Rufai had said: “Those that are calling for anyone to come and intervene in Nigeria, we are waiting for the person that would come and intervene, they would go back in body bags. See Also Elections VIDEO: 'You'll Go Back In Body Bags' — El-Rufai Threatens To Kill Foreigners Who Interfere With Nigeria's Elections 0 Comments 5 Hours Ago

“We are waiting for the person that will come and intervene. They will go back in body bags, because nobody will come to Nigeria and tell us how to run our country. We got that independence and we are trying to run our country as decently as possible and we know the history of those countries that are trying to teach us these things. We have read their history.”

The EU has taken note of those words, explaining that it only goes to countries where it is invited to. It also said it does not “interfere’ with elections, but only makes commentary and analysis, and recommendations about the electoral process.   

“We are aware of the comments by the Governor of #Kaduna about non-interference by foreigners during a talk show on #NigeriaDecides2019 on 5/2/19. The #EU only deploys an election observation mission when it is invited to do so by the authorities of a country,” it tweeted.

“The EU has been invited to observe all of the general elections in #Nigeria since 1999. Thus this is the sixth time the EU is observing elections in Nigeria. @inecnigeria invited the EU to deploy an observation mission for @NigeriaDecides2019

“EU election observation missions give commentary and analysis, and make recommendations about the electoral process. EU election observation missions are impartial, do not interfere in the electoral process, and operate according to a strict code of conduct.

“While the security of EU observers is of paramount importance, and will remain under constant review, EU observers will continue their work across the country in the run-up to - and beyond - the 16 February elections. See Also Elections Despite Public Outrage, el-Rufai Defends His Death Threat To Foreigners 0 Comments 4 Hours Ago

“For the last month our team in Abuja, as well as 40 long-term observers across the country, have followed the elections. We've met with a wide range of candidates, parties, election officials, security agencies, CSOs, + have enjoyed good cooperation at federal and state levels.

“The mission looks at all aspects of the election, including the campaign tone, the transparency of the election administration, the neutrality of security forces, and the independence of the judiciary.”

Before the EU’s response, el-Rufai defended his coments, saying he only “stood up for Nigeria’s dignity in the wake of those who would traduce their country and reduce it to the status of a colony in their vain quest for power”.

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The European Union (EU) says it has taken note of the threat of Nasir el-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State, that foreigners who interfere with the 2019 elections would return to their countries with “body Bags”.

Appearing on Tuesday evening during a live programme on NTA, el-Rufai had said: “Those that are calling for anyone to come and intervene in Nigeria, we are waiting for the person that would come and intervene, they would go back in body bags. See Also Elections VIDEO: 'You'll Go Back In Body Bags' — El-Rufai Threatens To Kill Foreigners Who Interfere With Nigeria's Elections 0 Comments 5 Hours Ago

“We are waiting for the person that will come and intervene. They will go back in body bags, because nobody will come to Nigeria and tell us how to run our country. We got that independence and we are trying to run our country as decently as possible and we know the history of those countries that are trying to teach us these things. We have read their history.”

The EU has taken note of those words, explaining that it only goes to countries where it is invited to. It also said it does not “interfere’ with elections, but only makes commentary and analysis, and recommendations about the electoral process.   

“We are aware of the comments by the Governor of #Kaduna about non-interference by foreigners during a talk show on #NigeriaDecides2019 on 5/2/19. The #EU only deploys an election observation mission when it is invited to do so by the authorities of a country,” it tweeted.

“The EU has been invited to observe all of the general elections in #Nigeria since 1999. Thus this is the sixth time the EU is observing elections in Nigeria. @inecnigeria invited the EU to deploy an observation mission for @NigeriaDecides2019

“EU election observation missions give commentary and analysis, and make recommendations about the electoral process. EU election observation missions are impartial, do not interfere in the electoral process, and operate according to a strict code of conduct.

“While the security of EU observers is of paramount importance, and will remain under constant review, EU observers will continue their work across the country in the run-up to - and beyond - the 16 February elections. See Also Elections Despite Public Outrage, el-Rufai Defends His Death Threat To Foreigners 0 Comments 4 Hours Ago

“For the last month our team in Abuja, as well as 40 long-term observers across the country, have followed the elections. We've met with a wide range of candidates, parties, election officials, security agencies, CSOs, + have enjoyed good cooperation at federal and state levels.

“The mission looks at all aspects of the election, including the campaign tone, the transparency of the election administration, the neutrality of security forces, and the independence of the judiciary.”

Before the EU’s response, el-Rufai defended his coments, saying he only “stood up for Nigeria’s dignity in the wake of those who would traduce their country and reduce it to the status of a colony in their vain quest for power”.

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Nasir el-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State, has defended himself against intense public criticism after he threatened that foreigners who interfere with the 2019 elections would return to their countries with “body Bags” — bags used for carrying corpses from a battlefield or the scene of an accident or crime.

Appearing on Tuesday evening during a live programme on NTA, el-Rufai had said: “Those that are calling for anyone to come and intervene in Nigeria, we are waiting for the person that would come and intervene, they would go back in body bags.

“We are waiting for the person that will come and intervene. They will go back in body bags, because nobody will come to Nigeria and tell us how to run our country. We got that independence and we are trying to run our country as decently as possible and we know the history of those countries that are trying to teach us these things. We have read their history.” See Also Elections VIDEO: 'You'll Go Back In Body Bags' — El-Rufai Threatens To Kill Foreigners Who Interfere With Nigeria's Elections 0 Comments 5 Hours Ago

After coming under public scrutiny for the comments, el-Rufai has now called for the “false outrage” to stop.

Responding in a statement by Samuel Aruwan, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity, el-Rufai said what he only did was to “stand up for Nigeria’s dignity in the wake of those who would traduce their country and reduce it to the status of a colony in their vain quest for power”.

THE FULL STATEMENT

El-Rufai: Let the False Outrage Stop

A notorious trait of the characters that constitute the opposition in Nigeria is the manufacture of outrage on flimsy grounds. However, contriving anger on false premises and summoning a din of feverish commentary will not alter the facts. Election season is regarded as silly season in some quarters, but it is a very serious moment.

When Malam Nasir El-Rufai appeared on NTA’s Tuesday Night Live, he made comments every patriot can understand. He stood up for Nigeria’s dignity in the wake of those who would traduce their country and reduce it to the status of a colony in their vain quest for power.

The video of his comments is in circulation. Any fair-minded person with modest familiarity with the English language and unimpaired comprehension can understand it. It does not contain any call for violence. What it is a powerful defense of sovereignty. Are some sections of our political class implying that they will acquiesce in or collaborate with foreign intervention in our country?

Affirming that a country will defend itself against needless intervention is the kind of statement you expect to hear from a patriot. It is not a call for violence. Warning about the consequences of meddling in another country’s affairs is legitimate.

Non-interference in the affairs of other countries is a basic principle of international law. Threatening  to intervene  in another country implies the use of force. Those who are basing their electoral calculations on foreign intervention need to be discouraged. Only the lawful votes of the Nigerian people should make or unmake governments.

Malam Nasir El-Rufai has issued a powerful call for vigilance and a clear notice that other countries should not mistake the supine posture of the opposition for national weakness.

Malam Nasir El-Rufai has stood firmly against those who have been trying to divide Nigerians on ethnic and religious lines. He is
resolutely opposed to violence, and firmly committed to peace and harmony.

Let the false outrage stop.

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Nasir el-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State, has defended himself against intense public criticism after he threatened that foreigners who interfere with the 2019 elections would return to their countries with “body Bags” — bags used for carrying corpses from a battlefield or the scene of an accident or crime.

Appearing on Tuesday evening during a live programme on NTA, el-Rufai had said: “Those that are calling for anyone to come and intervene in Nigeria, we are waiting for the person that would come and intervene, they would go back in body bags.

“We are waiting for the person that will come and intervene. They will go back in body bags, because nobody will come to Nigeria and tell us how to run our country. We got that independence and we are trying to run our country as decently as possible and we know the history of those countries that are trying to teach us these things. We have read their history.” See Also Elections VIDEO: 'You'll Go Back In Body Bags' — El-Rufai Threatens To Kill Foreigners Who Interfere With Nigeria's Elections 0 Comments 5 Hours Ago

After coming under public scrutiny for the comments, el-Rufai has now called for the “false outrage” to stop.

Responding in a statement by Samuel Aruwan, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity, el-Rufai said what he only did was to “stand up for Nigeria’s dignity in the wake of those who would traduce their country and reduce it to the status of a colony in their vain quest for power”.

THE FULL STATEMENT

El-Rufai: Let the False Outrage Stop

A notorious trait of the characters that constitute the opposition in Nigeria is the manufacture of outrage on flimsy grounds. However, contriving anger on false premises and summoning a din of feverish commentary will not alter the facts. Election season is regarded as silly season in some quarters, but it is a very serious moment.

When Malam Nasir El-Rufai appeared on NTA’s Tuesday Night Live, he made comments every patriot can understand. He stood up for Nigeria’s dignity in the wake of those who would traduce their country and reduce it to the status of a colony in their vain quest for power.

The video of his comments is in circulation. Any fair-minded person with modest familiarity with the English language and unimpaired comprehension can understand it. It does not contain any call for violence. What it is a powerful defense of sovereignty. Are some sections of our political class implying that they will acquiesce in or collaborate with foreign intervention in our country?

Affirming that a country will defend itself against needless intervention is the kind of statement you expect to hear from a patriot. It is not a call for violence. Warning about the consequences of meddling in another country’s affairs is legitimate.

Non-interference in the affairs of other countries is a basic principle of international law. Threatening  to intervene  in another country implies the use of force. Those who are basing their electoral calculations on foreign intervention need to be discouraged. Only the lawful votes of the Nigerian people should make or unmake governments.

Malam Nasir El-Rufai has issued a powerful call for vigilance and a clear notice that other countries should not mistake the supine posture of the opposition for national weakness.

Malam Nasir El-Rufai has stood firmly against those who have been trying to divide Nigerians on ethnic and religious lines. He is
resolutely opposed to violence, and firmly committed to peace and harmony.

Let the false outrage stop.

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Kayode Egbetokun, a former Chief Security Officer to Bola Tinubu, former Governor of Lagos State, has been appointed Commissioner of Police in Kwara State.

Egbetokun was initially named Acting Commissioner of Police in Lagos to replace Imohimi Edgal, who had been Lagos CP since Aug 2017, but the appointment was subsequently reversed.
 
CP Mu’azu Zubairu will now take over from Edgal as the new Lagos CP, while Egbetokun will assume work as Kwara CP with immediate effect, and will oversee security in Kwara ahead of next Saturday’s presidential election.

Kwara is one of the biggest talking points of the elections, with Bukola Saraki, Senate President, who left the ruling party for the opposition, and Lai Mohammed, the Miniter of Information, both pushing hard to put their respective parties in control of the state.

The Police Service Commission has approved the appointment, along with the deployment of 36 other senior officials, following a recommendation by the acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu.

Apart from Kwara, Lagos, and Kogi, other states now have new police commissioners while the CP in charge of FCT, Borno and a few other states’ appointments were revalidated.

According to a statement by Ikechukwu Ani, spokesman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), the Commissioners of Police and the states they are deployed in are: “Buba Sanusi, Katsina State; Mohammed Wakili, Kano State; Rabiu Ladodo, Jigawa State; Ahmed Iliyasu, Ogun State; Mu’azu Zubairu, Lagos State; Ibrahim Sabo, Niger State; Alkassam Sanusi, Taraba State; Garba M. Mukaddas, Adamawa State; Omololu Bishi, Benue State; Bola Longe, Nassarawa State; Isaac Akinmoyede, Plagos, teau State; Odumosu Hakeem, Edo State; Olushola David, Bayelsa State; Adeleke Yinka, Delta State; Austin Iwero Agbonlahor, Cross Rivers State; Bashir Makama, Akwa Ibom State; Awosola Awotunde, Ebonyi State; Belel Usman, Rivers State; Bello Makwashi, Gombe State and Abdulrahman Ahmed, Kaduna State.”

Others are:  “Bala Ciroma, FCT; Egbetokun Kayode, Kwara State; Hakeem Busari, Kogi State; Asuquo Amba, Ekiti state; Galadanchi Dasuki, Imo State; Suleiman Balarabe, Enugu State; Dandaura Mustapha, Anambra State; Etim Ene Okon, Abia state; Ibrahim Kaoje, Sokoto state; Celestine Okoye, Zamfara State; Garba Danjuma, Kebbi State; Abiodun Ige, Osun State; Undie Adie, Ondo State; Olukolu Shina, Oyo State; Ali Janga, Bauchi State; Damian Chukwu, Bornu State and Sumonu Abdulmalik, Yobe State.”

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Kayode Egbetokun, a former Chief Security Officer to Bola Tinubu, former Governor of Lagos State, has been appointed Commissioner of Police in Kwara State.

Egbetokun was initially named Acting Commissioner of Police in Lagos to replace Imohimi Edgal, who had been Lagos CP since Aug 2017, but the appointment was subsequently reversed.
 
CP Mu’azu Zubairu will now take over from Edgal as the new Lagos CP, while Egbetokun will assume work as Kwara CP with immediate effect, and will oversee security in Kwara ahead of next Saturday’s presidential election.

Kwara is one of the biggest talking points of the elections, with Bukola Saraki, Senate President, who left the ruling party for the opposition, and Lai Mohammed, the Miniter of Information, both pushing hard to put their respective parties in control of the state.

The Police Service Commission has approved the appointment, along with the deployment of 36 other senior officials, following a recommendation by the acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu.

Apart from Kwara, Lagos, and Kogi, other states now have new police commissioners while the CP in charge of FCT, Borno and a few other states’ appointments were revalidated.

According to a statement by Ikechukwu Ani, spokesman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), the Commissioners of Police and the states they are deployed in are: “Buba Sanusi, Katsina State; Mohammed Wakili, Kano State; Rabiu Ladodo, Jigawa State; Ahmed Iliyasu, Ogun State; Mu’azu Zubairu, Lagos State; Ibrahim Sabo, Niger State; Alkassam Sanusi, Taraba State; Garba M. Mukaddas, Adamawa State; Omololu Bishi, Benue State; Bola Longe, Nassarawa State; Isaac Akinmoyede, Plagos, teau State; Odumosu Hakeem, Edo State; Olushola David, Bayelsa State; Adeleke Yinka, Delta State; Austin Iwero Agbonlahor, Cross Rivers State; Bashir Makama, Akwa Ibom State; Awosola Awotunde, Ebonyi State; Belel Usman, Rivers State; Bello Makwashi, Gombe State and Abdulrahman Ahmed, Kaduna State.”

Others are:  “Bala Ciroma, FCT; Egbetokun Kayode, Kwara State; Hakeem Busari, Kogi State; Asuquo Amba, Ekiti state; Galadanchi Dasuki, Imo State; Suleiman Balarabe, Enugu State; Dandaura Mustapha, Anambra State; Etim Ene Okon, Abia state; Ibrahim Kaoje, Sokoto state; Celestine Okoye, Zamfara State; Garba Danjuma, Kebbi State; Abiodun Ige, Osun State; Undie Adie, Ondo State; Olukolu Shina, Oyo State; Ali Janga, Bauchi State; Damian Chukwu, Bornu State and Sumonu Abdulmalik, Yobe State.”

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is making moves to secure a bench warrant against the sacked Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ayodele Oke, and his wife, Folashade.

This is because counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo informed Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of a Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos on Wednesday that he had the intention of making an oral application seeking the issuance of bench warrant against the sacked NIA DG and his wife.

During the day's proceedings, Justice Aneke had stated that he had not yet seen the case file.

But the registrar of the court was quick to inform the judge that the case file was already before the court.

This prompted Justice Aneke to declare that he needed to go through the case file before entertaining any application.

The judge then adjourned the case to Thursday, February 7, 2019 for EFCC to move its oral application seeking bench warrant against Oke and his wife.

It would be recalled that at the last sitting on the matter, Oyedepo had urged Justice Aneke to reschedule the planned arraignment of the sacked DG of NIA and his wife. This was because of the failure of the anti-graft agency to produce the duo before the court.

The EFCC had instituted a four-count charge against Oke and Folashade.

EFCC had intended to arraign the defendants before the judge in connection with the sums of  $43,449,947, £27,800 and N23,218,000 (totalling N13bn) removed by the EFCC from Flat 7B Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos linked to them.

The charge against Oke and Folashade, reads:

"That you, Amb.  Ayodele Oke, Mrs. Folasade Ayodele Oke on or about the 12th day of April 2017 in Lagos concealed the sum of $43, 449, 947, 000 property of the Federal Government of Nigeria in Flat 7B, No. 16 Osborne Road, Osborne Towers, Ikoyi Lagos which sum you reasonably ought to have known formed part of proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

"That you Amb. Ayodele Oke and Mrs. Folasade Ayodele Oke between 25th day of August 2015 and 2nd day of September 2015 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this court indirectly used the sum of $1, 658, 000 property of the Federal Government of Nigeria to acquire Flat 7B, No. 16 Osborne Road, Osborne Towers, Ikoyi Lagos which sum you reasonably ought to have known formed part of proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

"That you Amb. Ayodele Oke and Mrs. Folasade Ayodele Oke between 25th day of August 2015 and 2nd day of September 2015 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this court directly retained $160, 777, 136. 85 property of the Federal Government of Nigeria which sum you reasonably ought to have known formed part of proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

"That you Amb. Ayodele Oke and Mrs. Folasade Ayodele Oke between 25th day of August 2015 and 2nd day of September 2015 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this court directly converted $160, 777, 136. 85 property of the Federal Government of Nigeria to your own use which sum you reasonably ought to have known formed part of proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act."

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