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The Department of States Services has just released Chido Onumah.
A source close to Onumah confirmed this, saying; "DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunaya, just confirmed to me now and I spoke to Chido also."
Onumah was arrested by the DSS at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, upon arriving the country from a trip abroad. See Also Breaking News BREAKING: Buhari’s Government Arrests Another Journalist, Chido Onumah 0 Comments 8 Hours Ago
More Details later...
Chido Onumah SaharaReporters Media
The Department of State Services has denied Chido Onumah from seeing his lawyer after he was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja.
SaharaReporters had earlier confirmed and reported that Onumah, a journalist and rights activist, was arrested by the security agency in Abuja on Sunday.
Onumah was taken to the DSS headquarters in Abuja after he was picked on his return to Nigeria from Spain where he completed a doctorate degree in Communication Studies.
A lawyer, Mbaseki Martins-Obono, who was among those that went to see journalist, said the security agency barred them from seeing him.
He said, "I just left the headquarters of DSS office, they refused to let us see him.
"They asked us to come back tomorrow."
The DSS is yet to give any official statement on why the journalist was arrested.
Onumah joins a growing list of government critics being arrested and detained.
The President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has arrested another journalist and critic of the regime, Chido Onumah.
Onumah was arrested by personnel of the Department of State Services at the Nnamdi Azikwe Airport, Abuja.
His arrest was confirmed to SaharaReporters by a lawyer, Mbaseki Martins-Obono, who said the government was doing everything to shrink civic space.
The lawyer said, “Chido Onumah has just been arrested by the DSS at Abuja International Airport.
"It is not clear what the offense is but it may not be unconnected with his book, 'We Are All Biafrians'.
"The government is doing everything to shrink civic space but we will not let them.
“I was called by the person who was supposed to pick him up at the airport.”
Onumah’s latest book was published in December 2018.
Onumah is a Nigerian/Canadian journalist, author, blogger and rights activist.
Chido Onumah has just been arrested by the SSS at Abuja International Airport. It is not clear what the offense is but it may not be unconnected with his book, #WeAreAllBiafrians the govt is doing everything to shrink civic space but we not let them.
— M. M. Obono (@martobono) September 29, 2019
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has
adopted Governor Yahaya Bello as its candidate for the November 16
governorship election in the state, saying he gives Fulani herdsmen
freedom to operate.
The National Organising Secretary of the group, Aliyu Saleh, who made
the declaration at a news conference in Lokoja on Saturday, directed
Fulani in the state to immediately embark on "Ruga-to-Ruga" campaign
for the re-election of Bello.
Saleh said the group decided to support the governor for providing a
secure environment for Fulani to operate in the state.
“We are also supporting the governor for approving free contagious
bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) vaccination for over 23,000 cows
belonging to our members in the state,” he said.
The group also commended Bello for putting in place measures which had
led to a reduction in clashes between farmers and herders in the
state.
It also stated that the governor had given its members a sense of
belonging by appointing one of them into his cabinet and by making
their leaders members of the traditional councils at the state and
local government levels.
The national organizing secretary, who was flanked by the state
Chairman of MACBAN, Umaru Jaido, added that they decided to endorse
Bello because of their love for President Muhammadu Buhari and the All
Progressives Congress (APC).
The State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs,
Abubakar Ohere, who received the endorsement document on behalf of the
governor, thanked the group for adopting Bello as its candidate.
Nigerians in the diaspora on the platform of the Global Coalition for
Security and Democracy in Nigeria have petitioned the President of the
World Bank, David Malpass, to put an end to further negotiations with
the President Muhammadu Buhari regime to borrow another $2.5 billion.
Another online petition is ongoing as the group plans to embark on a
peaceful protest march to the headquarters of the World Bank in
Washington on 15 October.
The group stated that Nigerians could no longer tolerate the action of
government officials that steal public funds and resort to borrowing
and increased taxation against the same citizens they stole from.
In a letter exclusively made available to SaharaReporters by the
Global Coordinator of the group, Frederick Odorige,15 reasons were
listed why the loan should not be approved.
"After writing off Nigeria’s $18 billion debt by the Paris Club in
2005 the Nigerian government went on a borrowing spree which has led
to a current debt of over $81 billion that was mostly mismanaged.
"Some persons that were indicted for various corruption cases have
been appointed by the current governments as Ministers. These are the
same persons that will manage the anticipated fund.
"Our federal legislators continue to earn the highest salaries in the
world insensitive to the fact that we are currently the poverty
capital of the world. The senators are also shopping for about $17
million to buy vehicles in addition to their fleet of cars," the group
explained.
It added that senators traditionally 'pad' the country's budgets for
their selfish interests.
In 2018 a court ordered President Buhari to prosecute the senators
that padded 2016 national budgets by N481 billion (about $1.5
billion).
The group, however, noted: "The President intentionally refused to
comply with the court order. The padded and stolen amount is enough to
build 10 standard hospitals in each of the 36 states of Nigeria.
"We have 34 mineral resources spread across 430 locations in Nigeria.
Many developed countries do not have this. If for many years, our
government cannot harness these resources to enhance our commonwealth,
then they should be left to their shame.
"We are very convinced that at least half of the anticipated loan will
either be stolen or used to service the unnecessary high cost of
governance. We have been ranked 144 out of 180 countries in terms of
transparency."
Arguing further, the group said: "The current government of retired
General Muhammadu Buhari claimed to have bought mosquito nets for $16
million which they purportedly distributed. That money was also
borrowed. No clear accountability was done as our children continue to
die daily from malaria. For every dollar you give as further loans,
you speed the death of Nigerian children and facilitates in mortgaging
the life of our present youths.
"The United Nations has projected that Nigeria will remain the poverty
capital of the world beyond 2050. This is an attestation to the fact
that there are no clear and concrete development plans to lift our
people out of poverty. It is no longer news that our people are
escaping in droves from the country and forming the highest number of
African migrants that die on the Mediterranean Sea."
In October 2018, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned Nigeria
and sub-Saharan African economies to check the rising levels of debts
and to diversify their revenue bases or face a crisis.
Other financial institutions in Nigeria have also warned the
government against further borrowing.
"Nigeria has refused to comply as it continues to depend on the
fluctuating oil prices. Economic crises will surely be quickened if
you issue this loan.
"Sadly, our country`s debt servicing to revenue ratio is now more than
50 percent. This percentage will increase as you continue to grant
loans and it will be practically impossible to ensure development.
"Since most of our resources are stolen by those in government, the
burden of taxation are always be passed to the general public. For
example, VAT has just been increased from 5 to 7.2%, including the
introduction of other bank service charges," it pointed out.
Future governments, the group stated, might find it difficult to pay
back what the World Bank intended to lend Nigeria unless the bank was
prepared to write off the loans in the future.
It also cited insecurity in various parts of the country and the
inability of the government to provide stable electricity which has
further compounded the challenges of production as a reason the loan
should not be given.
"This will be worsened as the unemployment rate will jump to 33.5% in
the year 2020," the group claimed.
"Many states in Nigeria are currently struggling to pay salaries and
the minimum wage which is barely $84 monthly. This is as a result of
the fact that former State governors stole so much money and left
their various states in huge debts. For example, Kogi State of Nigeria
currently owes 39 months salary arrears to its 7000 teachers. The
story is almost the same in some other states.
"There are various lawful revolution protests going on in and outside
Nigeria as our citizens have risen from complacence to challenge the
incompetencies of government. Such protests have led to the use of
violent force by security agencies who have detained, shot and killed
unarmed protesters against the rule of law. For any money you lend to
the Nigerian government, you are unwittingly investing in the blood of
our people."
Scanned Original Letter - Nigerians In Diaspora Petitions World Bank To Stop Another $2.5-Billion Loan To N... by Sahara Reporters on Scribd
Money Letter News AddThis : Original Author : SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements :
Nigerians in the diaspora on the platform of the Global Coalition for
Security and Democracy in Nigeria have petitioned the President of the
World Bank, David Malpass, to put an end to further negotiations with
the President Muhammadu Buhari regime to borrow another $2.5 billion.
Another online petition is ongoing as the group plans to embark on a
peaceful protest march to the headquarters of the World Bank in
Washington on 15 October.
The group stated that Nigerians could no longer tolerate the action of
government officials that steal public funds and resort to borrowing
and increased taxation against the same citizens they stole from.
In a letter exclusively made available to SaharaReporters by the
Global Coordinator of the group, Frederick Odorige,15 reasons were
listed why the loan should not be approved.
"After writing off Nigeria’s $18 billion debt by the Paris Club in
2005 the Nigerian government went on a borrowing spree which has led
to a current debt of over $81 billion that was mostly mismanaged.
"Some persons that were indicted for various corruption cases have
been appointed by the current governments as Ministers. These are the
same persons that will manage the anticipated fund.
"Our federal legislators continue to earn the highest salaries in the
world insensitive to the fact that we are currently the poverty
capital of the world. The senators are also shopping for about $17
million to buy vehicles in addition to their fleet of cars," the group
explained.
It added that senators traditionally 'pad' the country's budgets for
their selfish interests.
In 2018 a court ordered President Buhari to prosecute the senators
that padded 2016 national budgets by N481 billion (about $1.5
billion).
The group, however, noted: "The President intentionally refused to
comply with the court order. The padded and stolen amount is enough to
build 10 standard hospitals in each of the 36 states of Nigeria.
"We have 34 mineral resources spread across 430 locations in Nigeria.
Many developed countries do not have this. If for many years, our
government cannot harness these resources to enhance our commonwealth,
then they should be left to their shame.
"We are very convinced that at least half of the anticipated loan will
either be stolen or used to service the unnecessary high cost of
governance. We have been ranked 144 out of 180 countries in terms of
transparency."
Arguing further, the group said: "The current government of retired
General Muhammadu Buhari claimed to have bought mosquito nets for $16
million which they purportedly distributed. That money was also
borrowed. No clear accountability was done as our children continue to
die daily from malaria. For every dollar you give as further loans,
you speed the death of Nigerian children and facilitates in mortgaging
the life of our present youths.
"The United Nations has projected that Nigeria will remain the poverty
capital of the world beyond 2050. This is an attestation to the fact
that there are no clear and concrete development plans to lift our
people out of poverty. It is no longer news that our people are
escaping in droves from the country and forming the highest number of
African migrants that die on the Mediterranean Sea."
In October 2018, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned Nigeria
and sub-Saharan African economies to check the rising levels of debts
and to diversify their revenue bases or face a crisis.
Other financial institutions in Nigeria have also warned the
government against further borrowing.
"Nigeria has refused to comply as it continues to depend on the
fluctuating oil prices. Economic crises will surely be quickened if
you issue this loan.
"Sadly, our country`s debt servicing to revenue ratio is now more than
50 percent. This percentage will increase as you continue to grant
loans and it will be practically impossible to ensure development.
"Since most of our resources are stolen by those in government, the
burden of taxation are always be passed to the general public. For
example, VAT has just been increased from 5 to 7.2%, including the
introduction of other bank service charges," it pointed out.
Future governments, the group stated, might find it difficult to pay
back what the World Bank intended to lend Nigeria unless the bank was
prepared to write off the loans in the future.
It also cited insecurity in various parts of the country and the
inability of the government to provide stable electricity which has
further compounded the challenges of production as a reason the loan
should not be given.
"This will be worsened as the unemployment rate will jump to 33.5% in
the year 2020," the group claimed.
"Many states in Nigeria are currently struggling to pay salaries and
the minimum wage which is barely $84 monthly. This is as a result of
the fact that former State governors stole so much money and left
their various states in huge debts. For example, Kogi State of Nigeria
currently owes 39 months salary arrears to its 7000 teachers. The
story is almost the same in some other states.
"There are various lawful revolution protests going on in and outside
Nigeria as our citizens have risen from complacence to challenge the
incompetencies of government. Such protests have led to the use of
violent force by security agencies who have detained, shot and killed
unarmed protesters against the rule of law. For any money you lend to
the Nigerian government, you are unwittingly investing in the blood of
our people."
Scanned Original Letter - Nigerians In Diaspora Petitions World Bank To Stop Another $2.5-Billion Loan To N... by Sahara Reporters on Scribd
Money Letter News AddThis : Original Author : SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements :
The President Muhammadu Buhari regime has blocked 2.2 million
improperly registered SIM cards in Nigeria.
The Minister of Communications, Dr. Isa Pantami, on behalf of the
regime, had issued a directive that no improperly registered SIM card
numbers should remain active beyond September 25 (11:59 pm).
A spokeswoman for the ministry, Philomena Oshodin, said explained
further, "Subsequently, according to the report submitted by the
executive vice-chairman of NCC on Thursday, 26 September, a total of
2,277,311 improperly registered lines have been blocked.
"As earlier reported, 6,830,249 lines have been revalidated since the
directive was given. Dr. Pantami has reiterated the need for all
improperly registered SIM cards to remain blocked until they are
properly registered. This achievement within 36 days of Dr. Pantami’s
assumption of office is unprecedented."
The ministry urged the NCC and telecom operators to redouble their
efforts in ensuring that the momentum is sustained.
Oshodin added, "The Federal Ministry of Communications is
collaborating with the relevant parastatals and security agencies to
ensure that no stone is left unturned in ensuring that the security of
lives and property in the nation is not compromised through the use of
SIM card numbers.
"Pursuant to this, Dr. Pantami has directed that the profiles of
persons linked to crime, aided and abetted by the use of SIM cards,
should be promptly provided to the relevant security agencies when
requested and a copy should be sent to him for monitoring.
"The ministry will continue to work with relevant parastatals and
security agencies in the background to ensure that SIM card numbers
are not used as a platform for committing a crime."
The President Muhammadu Buhari regime has blocked 2.2 million
improperly registered SIM cards in Nigeria.
The Minister of Communications, Dr. Isa Pantami, on behalf of the
regime, had issued a directive that no improperly registered SIM card
numbers should remain active beyond September 25 (11:59 pm).
A spokeswoman for the ministry, Philomena Oshodin, said explained
further, "Subsequently, according to the report submitted by the
executive vice-chairman of NCC on Thursday, 26 September, a total of
2,277,311 improperly registered lines have been blocked.
"As earlier reported, 6,830,249 lines have been revalidated since the
directive was given. Dr. Pantami has reiterated the need for all
improperly registered SIM cards to remain blocked until they are
properly registered. This achievement within 36 days of Dr. Pantami’s
assumption of office is unprecedented."
The ministry urged the NCC and telecom operators to redouble their
efforts in ensuring that the momentum is sustained.
Oshodin added, "The Federal Ministry of Communications is
collaborating with the relevant parastatals and security agencies to
ensure that no stone is left unturned in ensuring that the security of
lives and property in the nation is not compromised through the use of
SIM card numbers.
"Pursuant to this, Dr. Pantami has directed that the profiles of
persons linked to crime, aided and abetted by the use of SIM cards,
should be promptly provided to the relevant security agencies when
requested and a copy should be sent to him for monitoring.
"The ministry will continue to work with relevant parastatals and
security agencies in the background to ensure that SIM card numbers
are not used as a platform for committing a crime."