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The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr Edward Kallon, has said that the agency is appalled and saddened by the execution of an aid worker in Borno State on Wednesday by Boko Haram terrorists. 

In a statement on Wednesday, Kallon called on the authorities to ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.

He said, “I am appalled and deeply saddened by the news of the horrific execution of an aid worker this morning.

“I am also extremely concerned about the increasingly dangerous and restrictive operating environment for implementing humanitarian assistance in crisis-affected areas where humanitarian aid workers continue to face challenges as they strive to deliver urgent, life-saving assistance.” See Also Insurgency Action Against Hunger Confirms, Condemns Killing Of Aid Worker By ISWAP Terrorists 0 Comments 9 Hours Ago

Speaking further, Kallon urged all parties in the conflict to ensure the protection of aid workers and to respect international humanitarian laws.

The law, according to him, should be according to the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, independence and impartiality.

He added that the humanitarian community in Nigeria was working in line with the 2019-2021 Humanitarian Response Strategy jointly agreed with the Nigeria Government to provide life-saving assistance to 6.2 million of the most vulnerable people in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.

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The Department of State Services has continued to hold on to pro-democracy campaigner, Omoyele Sowore, despite fulfilling his bail condition.

Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court, in Abuja, had on Tuesday ordered the DSS to release the activist on bail.  

Sowore had since fulfilled the bail condition as directed by the court and also served the copy of affidavit of compliance to the DSS through his lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN).  

Falana, who arrived the headquarters of the DSS at 4:00pm, was prevented from seeing Sowore. 

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As the waiting game continues at the headquarters of the Department of State Services in Abuja over the release of Omoyele Sowore, his lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has vowed to remain at the facility pending the release of his client. 

The human rights lawyer insisted that he and his team would stay put until the DSS releases Sowore to him as ordered by the court and having perfected the bail condition.

He said that as long as his client was being held, he would not leave the premises of the DSS. 

Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja had on Tuesday ordered the DSS to release Sowore on bail. See Also Breaking News BREAKING: DSS Still Holding Sowore Hours After Fulfilling Bail Condition, Prevents Falana From Seeing Him 0 Comments 2 Hours Ago

However, many Nigerians had expressed doubt on the DSS and President Muhammadu Buhari's administration to obey the court order especially following the regime's penchant for disobeying court orders. 
 

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Former Nigerian Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Department of State Services to release rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, after he fulfilled his bail condition as demanded by a Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday.  

Sowore has been detained arbitrarily by the Nigerian Government since August 3, 2019 for planning a series of protests against poor governance in Nigeria.  

In a post on Twitter on Wednesday, Ezekwesili said, "We eagerly wait for the DSS to speedily comply with Justice Taiwo’s ruling, seeing that the lawyers of @YeleSowore have themselves duly fulfilled the set bail condition.

"The DSS is directly supervised by the Presidency @NGRPresident and so @MBuhari, the world is watching you."

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Following the announcement of the interception of an attempted coup in Ghana, President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the attack, saying democracy is the only accepted form of governance in Africa.

Buhari, who spoke through Garba Shehu, his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, said corrupt vested interests always seek to fight against working governments.

Emphasising his support for democracy, Buhari said the days of coups and change of government without votes are over.

He said, “Nigeria and Ghana are leading partners in ECOWAS, and Transparency International, and Afrobarometer’s Africa Index 2019 attested that both countries have recorded exceptional advances in fighting corruption. 

"When you take on powerful and corrupt vested interests successfully, sometimes they seek to push back.  

"As the saying goes, ‘if you fight corruption, corruption will fight back’.

“The only acceptable form of governance in our region in this 21st century is through democratic elections. 

"It is the only way to install – and the only way to change – an administration. 

"The days of coups and governments without votes are over.

“All Africans hold the nation of Ghana in the highest esteem as the first post-colonial country to gain independence and the first African country to hold multi-party elections by universal suffrage. 

"Ghana is the first true African democracy.”

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Following the announcement of the interception of an attempted coup in Ghana, President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the attack, saying democracy is the only accepted form of governance in Africa.

Buhari, who spoke through Garba Shehu, his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, said corrupt vested interests always seek to fight against working governments.

Emphasising his support for democracy, Buhari said the days of coups and change of government without votes are over.

He said, “Nigeria and Ghana are leading partners in ECOWAS, and Transparency International, and Afrobarometer’s Africa Index 2019 attested that both countries have recorded exceptional advances in fighting corruption. 

"When you take on powerful and corrupt vested interests successfully, sometimes they seek to push back.  

"As the saying goes, ‘if you fight corruption, corruption will fight back’.

“The only acceptable form of governance in our region in this 21st century is through democratic elections. 

"It is the only way to install – and the only way to change – an administration. 

"The days of coups and governments without votes are over.

“All Africans hold the nation of Ghana in the highest esteem as the first post-colonial country to gain independence and the first African country to hold multi-party elections by universal suffrage. 

"Ghana is the first true African democracy.”

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The Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State, has ordered the remand of Agba Jalingo, Publisher of CrossRiver Watch,in prison as it is set to hear his bail application on Thursday.

Jalingo is facing charges of terrorism, treasonable felony and attempt to topple the Cross River State Government.

Jalingo was arrested after publishing a report exposing how Governor Ben Ayade approved and diverted N500m meant for Cross River Microfinance Bank.

The charges received widespread condemnation after they were leaked to the public.

Justice Simon Amobeda, who presided over the case, said, “The counter affidavit by the prosecution filed in response to the motion for bail by the defendant’s counsel was added to the file on Wednesday morning and has not had time to look at it.”

He also said that he perused the file on Tuesday night and did not see the counter affidavit.

The prosecution counsel, Mr Denis Terhemba, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, claimed the counter affidavit was filed on September 18, 2019 but Jalingo’s counsel, Mr Attah Ochinke, said he was served shortly before the court began sitting.

However, after a brief discussion with the clerk of the court, who whispered a few words to him, Justice Amobeda ruled that Jalingo be remanded at the Afokang Prison Center in Calabar.

He, however, adjourned the case until Thursday, September 26, 2019, for hearing of the bail application.

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The Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State, has ordered the remand of Agba Jalingo, Publisher of CrossRiver Watch,in prison as it is set to hear his bail application on Thursday.

Jalingo is facing charges of terrorism, treasonable felony and attempt to topple the Cross River State Government.

Jalingo was arrested after publishing a report exposing how Governor Ben Ayade approved and diverted N500m meant for Cross River Microfinance Bank.

The charges received widespread condemnation after they were leaked to the public.

Justice Simon Amobeda, who presided over the case, said, “The counter affidavit by the prosecution filed in response to the motion for bail by the defendant’s counsel was added to the file on Wednesday morning and has not had time to look at it.”

He also said that he perused the file on Tuesday night and did not see the counter affidavit.

The prosecution counsel, Mr Denis Terhemba, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, claimed the counter affidavit was filed on September 18, 2019 but Jalingo’s counsel, Mr Attah Ochinke, said he was served shortly before the court began sitting.

However, after a brief discussion with the clerk of the court, who whispered a few words to him, Justice Amobeda ruled that Jalingo be remanded at the Afokang Prison Center in Calabar.

He, however, adjourned the case until Thursday, September 26, 2019, for hearing of the bail application.

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Pro-democracy campaigner and Convener of RevolutionNowmovement, Omoyele Sowore, has fulfilled the bail conditions set by the Federal High Court in Abuja. 

Justice Taiwo Taiwo had on Wednesday ordered the Department of State Services to release Sowore on bail on the condition that he deposits his international passport to the court within 48 hours.

On Thursday, Sowore's lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), deposited the passport with the court after completing all necessary documentation.

The DSS is now being awaited to comply with the ruling following the satisfaction of the bail condition set. See Also Breaking News BREAKING: Court Grants Sowore Bail 0 Comments 1 Day Ago

Sowore was arrested in Lagos on August 3, 2019 by operatives of the DSS for calling on Nigerians to pour out to the streets to express their anger at the poor state of governance in the country.

More to come…

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Pro-democracy campaigner and Convener of RevolutionNowmovement, Omoyele Sowore, has fulfilled the bail conditions set by the Federal High Court in Abuja. 

Justice Taiwo Taiwo had on Wednesday ordered the Department of State Services to release Sowore on bail on the condition that he deposits his international passport to the court within 48 hours.

On Thursday, Sowore's lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), deposited the passport with the court after completing all necessary documentation.

The DSS is now being awaited to comply with the ruling following the satisfaction of the bail condition set. See Also Breaking News BREAKING: Court Grants Sowore Bail 0 Comments 1 Day Ago

Sowore was arrested in Lagos on August 3, 2019 by operatives of the DSS for calling on Nigerians to pour out to the streets to express their anger at the poor state of governance in the country.

More to come…

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Pro-democracy campaigner and Convener of RevolutionNowmovement, Omoyele Sowore, has fulfilled the bail conditions set by the Federal High Court in Abuja. 

Justice Taiwo Taiwo had on Wednesday ordered the Department of State Services to release Sowore on bail on the condition that he deposits his international passport to the court within 48 hours.

On Thursday, Sowore's lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), deposited the passport with the court after completing all necessary documentation.

The DSS is now being awaited to comply with the ruling following the satisfaction of the bail condition set. See Also Breaking News BREAKING: Court Grants Sowore Bail 0 Comments 1 Day Ago

Sowore was arrested in Lagos on August 3, 2019 by operatives of the DSS for calling on Nigerians to pour out to the streets to express their anger at the poor state of governance in the country.

More to come…

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As the race for Kogi State governorship election heats up, SaharaReporters has exclusively obtained an audio conversation of how Governor Yahaya Bello of the ruling All Progressives Congress offered and gave N5 million each to gubernatorial candidates and running mates of opposition political parties in the state.

Bello, it was gathered, gave the money to the candidates in a bid to get them to withdraw from the contest and endorse him. 

Investigation further revealed that the governor was working with the Chairman of the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Chief Peter Ameh, who was assigned to share the money for candidates who were disqualified on the basis of age limit.

The candidates disqualified were compelled not to contest their disqualification by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

INEC had disqualified some parties who nominated candidates for deputy governor below 35 years.

Some candidates who rejected the bribe insisted that a precedent had been set by the electoral body in Zamfara State where the deputy governor was 33 years old.

Governor Yahaya Bello Accused Of Bribing Opposition Candidates With Millions Of Naira

SaharaReporters had reported how former outspoken lawmaker, Natasha Akpoti, of the Social Democratic Party was disqualified by INEC on Monday, which was the deadline for the substitution of candidates.

The situation made Akpoti vowed not to leave the office of the INEC chairman until the commission accept the name of her running mate.

According to sources, all the political parties in the state who fielded candidates for the November 16, 2019, election collected the bribe from the governor except two candidates, Akpoti and APM Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle.

"The IPAC Chairman is obviously working for Yahaya Bello. He is warehousing some cash and those who collected money that they are not going to fight it but step down.

"The essence of paying them is for them to step down for Yahaya Bello. They (APM) joined Natasha who will not step down and who will not even buy into this N5million deal," the source said.

It was also gathered that the IPAC chairman, furious by the decision of Akpoti and the APM, called the APM chairman, and threatened him to either accept the bribe or "lose out on both ends".

"I know they cannot approach Natasha and that is why Natasha is crazy now because the whole thing is financed by Yahaya Bello. The IPAC has made itself a warehouse that is sharing the money for the parties," the source noted.

Aggrieved members of SDP and APM had staged a protest to the INEC headquarters demanding the reversal of the disqualification of their candidates.

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As the race for Kogi State governorship election heats up, SaharaReporters has exclusively obtained an audio conversation of how Governor Yahaya Bello of the ruling All Progressives Congress offered and gave N5 million each to gubernatorial candidates and running mates of opposition political parties in the state.

Bello, it was gathered, gave the money to the candidates in a bid to get them to withdraw from the contest and endorse him. 

Investigation further revealed that the governor was working with the Chairman of the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Chief Peter Ameh, who was assigned to share the money for candidates who were disqualified on the basis of age limit.

The candidates disqualified were compelled not to contest their disqualification by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

INEC had disqualified some parties who nominated candidates for deputy governor below 35 years.

Some candidates who rejected the bribe insisted that a precedent had been set by the electoral body in Zamfara State where the deputy governor was 33 years old.

Governor Yahaya Bello Accused Of Bribing Opposition Candidates With Millions Of Naira

SaharaReporters had reported how former outspoken lawmaker, Natasha Akpoti, of the Social Democratic Party was disqualified by INEC on Monday, which was the deadline for the substitution of candidates.

The situation made Akpoti vowed not to leave the office of the INEC chairman until the commission accept the name of her running mate.

According to sources, all the political parties in the state who fielded candidates for the November 16, 2019, election collected the bribe from the governor except two candidates, Akpoti and APM Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle.

"The IPAC Chairman is obviously working for Yahaya Bello. He is warehousing some cash and those who collected money that they are not going to fight it but step down.

"The essence of paying them is for them to step down for Yahaya Bello. They (APM) joined Natasha who will not step down and who will not even buy into this N5million deal," the source said.

It was also gathered that the IPAC chairman, furious by the decision of Akpoti and the APM, called the APM chairman, and threatened him to either accept the bribe or "lose out on both ends".

"I know they cannot approach Natasha and that is why Natasha is crazy now because the whole thing is financed by Yahaya Bello. The IPAC has made itself a warehouse that is sharing the money for the parties," the source noted.

Aggrieved members of SDP and APM had staged a protest to the INEC headquarters demanding the reversal of the disqualification of their candidates.

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As the race for Kogi State governorship election heats up, SaharaReporters has exclusively obtained an audio conversation of how Governor Yahaya Bello of the ruling All Progressives Congress offered and gave N5 million each to gubernatorial candidates and running mates of opposition political parties in the state.

Bello, it was gathered, gave the money to the candidates in a bid to get them to withdraw from the contest and endorse him. 

Investigation further revealed that the governor was working with the Chairman of the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Chief Peter Ameh, who was assigned to share the money for candidates who were disqualified on the basis of age limit.

The candidates disqualified were compelled not to contest their disqualification by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

INEC had disqualified some parties who nominated candidates for deputy governor below 35 years.

Some candidates who rejected the bribe insisted that a precedent had been set by the electoral body in Zamfara State where the deputy governor was 33 years old.

Governor Yahaya Bello Accused Of Bribing Opposition Candidates With Millions Of Naira

SaharaReporters had reported how former outspoken lawmaker, Natasha Akpoti, of the Social Democratic Party was disqualified by INEC on Monday, which was the deadline for the substitution of candidates.

The situation made Akpoti vowed not to leave the office of the INEC chairman until the commission accept the name of her running mate.

According to sources, all the political parties in the state who fielded candidates for the November 16, 2019, election collected the bribe from the governor except two candidates, Akpoti and APM Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle.

"The IPAC Chairman is obviously working for Yahaya Bello. He is warehousing some cash and those who collected money that they are not going to fight it but step down.

"The essence of paying them is for them to step down for Yahaya Bello. They (APM) joined Natasha who will not step down and who will not even buy into this N5million deal," the source said.

It was also gathered that the IPAC chairman, furious by the decision of Akpoti and the APM, called the APM chairman, and threatened him to either accept the bribe or "lose out on both ends".

"I know they cannot approach Natasha and that is why Natasha is crazy now because the whole thing is financed by Yahaya Bello. The IPAC has made itself a warehouse that is sharing the money for the parties," the source noted.

Aggrieved members of SDP and APM had staged a protest to the INEC headquarters demanding the reversal of the disqualification of their candidates.

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Big Brother Nigeria star, Khafi Kareem, has said that contrary to widespread belief, she had not been sacked by the Metropolitan Police.

The young lady, who spoke exclusively with SaharaReporters on Wednesday, said that as a matter of fact, the authorities of the Metropolitan Police were expecting her back at her duty post.

Following her participation in the widely followed reality television show and alleged romance with fellow housemate – Gedoni – it was claimed that the Met Police were considering firing Kareem especially for not seeking approval before taking part in the show.

But clarifying those insinuations on Wednesday, she said, “No action has been taken By the Met Police authorities yet.

“In fact, they are waiting for me to come back to work. I will travel back to the United Kingdom soon and we would talk about all these things.”

Before participating in the show, Kareem had said that if she wins the N30m prize money, she would host a travel show in Nigeria and also invest in charitable causes.

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Big Brother Nigeria star, Khafi Kareem, has said that contrary to widespread belief, she had not been sacked by the Metropolitan Police.

The young lady, who spoke exclusively with SaharaReporters on Wednesday, said that as a matter of fact, the authorities of the Metropolitan Police were expecting her back at her duty post.

Following her participation in the widely followed reality television show and alleged romance with fellow housemate – Gedoni – it was claimed that the Met Police were considering firing Kareem especially for not seeking approval before taking part in the show.

But clarifying those insinuations on Wednesday, she said, “No action has been taken By the Met Police authorities yet.

“In fact, they are waiting for me to come back to work. I will travel back to the United Kingdom soon and we would talk about all these things.”

Before participating in the show, Kareem had said that if she wins the N30m prize money, she would host a travel show in Nigeria and also invest in charitable causes.

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Adams Oshiomhole, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, has denied 2023 presidential election posters showing him as the flag bearer of the party, attributing it to the handiwork of mischief-makers.

SaharaReporters had sighted campaign posters of Oshiomhole, an ex-governor of Edo State, and Nasir El-Rufai, governor of Kaduna State, in Surulere, Lagos State.

This is just as campaign poster of Bola Tinubu, a national leader of the party, as the presidential candidate of the party was seen at Ikeja in the state.

Denying having knowledge of the posters, Oshiomhole said those circulating them were looking for ways to set members of the APC against one another.

Oshiomhole, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Simon Egbebulem, told Punch:  “The posters allegedly in circulation are handiworks of mischief-makers who are hell-bent on circulating materials to cause confusion in the polity.

“They are obviously looking for ways to set members of the ruling against themselves. The supposed posters have no approval of my principal and should be ignored for whatever it is worth. It is the merchants of lies at work as usual and they deserve no attention.”

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