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The Christian Association of Nigeria has called on the Nigerian government and the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu to hold the Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for the violence in the state.

The body stated this in a statement issued by its General Secretary, Joseph Bade Daramola, on Wednesday.

It also asked the Nigerian government to intervene in the ongoing violence over the hijab policy that has led to violence and bloodletting in the state.

The statement partly read, “We learnt that the state government has ordered the reopening of the closed schools without resolving the crisis and consequently, churches and mission schools are being vandalised with impunity by the hoodlums banking on the state government's support in the pretext of enforcing the policy. Some innocent Christians are being violently abused and attacked under the watch of the governor who is playing ostrich.

“The Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, should be held responsible if the matter degenerates because it was his pronouncement on the issue of hijab-wearing in violation of the court directive on the matter to maintain status quo until the matter is finally resolved by the court that led to this trouble.

See Also Christianity Three Injured As Muslims, Christians Clash Over Use Of Hijab In Kwara Schools 0 Comments 10 Hours Ago

“Wisdom is required by those in leadership to handle sensitive issues such as that of religion so as not to precipitate war. If any damage is done to any church or anyone is injured on this matter, the Governor of Kwara State will be held responsible.

“It is disheartening and unfortunate that a government that was installed democratically will become insensitive to the plight and yearning of the people as if the governor was voted into the office primarily to protect his religion. This is unfair, ungodly and reprehensible.

“There are public schools and schools that belong to some Islamic organisations where those who wanted to be wearing hijab can be attending without causing the ongoing needless crises rocking the state.

“CAN once again calls on Governor AbdulRazaq to give peace a chance in the state by ordering his hoodlums to stop attacking mission schools and churches in Kwara State before the situation degenerates into an unprecedented religious crisis. We also call on the Federal Government and the Inspector General of Police to ask the Kwara State government to respect the rule of law to avoid a chaotic situation.”

Earlier on Wednesday, at least three people sustained varying degrees of injury during a clash between Muslims and Christians in Ilorin, the state capital after the state government reopened 10 schools shut last month over the use of hijab by Muslim female students.

The government had in February ordered the temporary closure of the schools pending the resolution of the controversy in the schools.

The crisis started after some Muslims pushed for female students to be allowed to wear hijab in the affected schools, which were established by missionaries.

The schools are C&S College, ST. Anthony College, ECWA School, Surulere Baptist Secondary School, Bishop Smith Secondary School, CAC Secondary School, St. Barnabas Secondary School, St. John School, St. Williams Secondary School and St. James Secondary School.

Though funded by the state government as all mission schools were forcibly taken over by the Nigerian government in the 70s, the affected schools were established by Christian missionaries.

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The Nigerian government has approved the sum of $1.5 billion for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, stated this while briefing newsmen at the end of the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday.

The minister said that the rehabilitation, which would be in three phases, will commence immediately and to be handled by an Italian firm, Tecnimont S.P.A

He explained that the first phase would be completed in 18 months, the second phase in 24 months and the final phase would be within 44 months.

He assured that the other three refineries will be put in place before the end of the Buhari-led administration.

He said, “The Ministry of Petroleum Resources presented a memo on the rehabilitation of Port Harcourt refinery for the sum of $1.5 billion, and that memo was $1.5 billion and it was approved by council today (Thursday).

“So, we are happy to announce that the rehabilitation of the productivity refinery will commence in three phases.

“The first phase is to be completed in 18 months, which will take the refinery to a production of 90% of its nameplate capacity.

“The second phase is to be completed in 24 months and all the final stages will be completed in 44 months and consultations are approved.

“And I believe that this is good news for Nigeria.”

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Fresh facts have emerged as to how properties allegedly belonging to the National Security Adviser, Babagana Mungono, but held in proxy might be confiscated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

SaharaReporters gathered that the EFCC had obtained an interim forfeiture order in respect of the properties linked to a former Director of Finance in the Office of the NSA, Brigadier-General Jafaru Mohammed.

Babagana Monguno

In her ruling, Justice Folashade Ogunbanjo granted an ex parte application for interim forfeiture of the assets and property by the chairman of the EFCC, made on March 9.

The court ordered the publication of the interim forfeiture of the assets and invited people “who may have interest in the assets and properties listed in the schedule to show cause, within 14 days of such publication, why a final order of forfeiture to the Federal Government of Nigeria of the said assets and properties should not be made.”

The assets traced to the proxies and associates of the General include House on Plot 7, God's Own Estate, Road 1, Wamna District, Abuja; a fenced plot at No 1 Jubril Aminu Crescent, Katampe Extension, Abuja; plot at Kubwa Express, Directly opposite Abuja Model City Gate, Abuja; and a house on Block SD 22 House 2, Road 5, Kabusa Garden Estate, Abuja.

Others are No 15, 21 Crescent, 2nd Avenue, Gwarinpa Estate, Abuja; No 3 Liverpool Close, Sun City Estate, Abuja; No 52 Mainstreet, Sun City Estate, Abuja; and No 25 Osaka Street, Sun City Estate, Abuja.

However, a security source told SaharaReporters that Mohammed as the Director of Finance in the office of the NSA allegedly carried out many errands on behalf of Monguno.

“It is not a secret that the NSA had a confidante in the Director of Finance, who used proxies on the instruction of his boss to acquire those properties. It was a very close-knitted deal in the sense that it would be difficult to trace any of these properties to them.

“But with this move by the EFCC, it shows they might have some credible information at their disposal,” the source said.

He alleged that some top hierarchy in the Nigerian security architecture reported Monguno to President Buhari over the way he and Mohammed fleeced the coffers of the ONSA.

The source said, “The NSA is very skilled in presenting the holier-than-thou attitude in the public. But in truth, I think the rot in the ONSA under him is worse than that of Sambo Dasuki (ex-NSA boss). Monies were spirited out recklessly, and this prompted the military hierarchy then as it was to effect some changes in the ONSA.

“This saw to the transfer of several officers including the Director of Finance and Administration, Brigadier General Jafaru Mohammed; the Special Assistant to the NSA, Colonel AA Ibrahim and the Director Legal Intercept, SS Shehu by the army hierarchy sometime in 2020 as a means to bring sanity into the ONSA which was excessively abused."

Another top security source further corroborated this position when he stated that the NSA and his former Director of Finance and Administration indeed committed some infractions that went unnoticed by the EFCC under Ibrahim Magu.

“I am aware that this was one of the things that worked against the confirmation of Ibrahim Magu as the EFCC Chairman because the Department of State Services got wind of the dealings and subsequently made sweeping arrest that were at some point toned down because of the issues it would generate in the public,” he said.

“This new development is therefore not surprising as most of us saw it coming with the way and manner the NSA and the director of finance and administration almost ran down the ONSA. I can assure you that those properties would be forfeited to the federal government as none of them would come forward to claim ownership.

“The NSA was cut to size when he attempted to get approval for arms purchase from third party sources against the government directive of the country-to-country transaction in arms purchase. This deal was leaked by one of the former service chiefs who ensured that the president was briefed and the NSA was subsequently rebuked. Since then, there has been no love lost between them and the NSA, who uses any opportunity to launch scathing attacks on the tenure of the former service chiefs.”

An EFCC source told SaharaReporters that preliminary investigations revealed that the properties were held in proxy for Monguno.

“Those properties were acquired by the former Director of Finance and Administration in the ONSA acting on instruction from Monguno. We were able to trace the deal and all those whose names were used on behalf of the NSA.

“There is every likelihood that the court would eventually grant a final forfeiture to the federal government, which would indeed be a welcome development,” the source said.

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The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Amao, has said there is no hiding place for bandits, kidnappers and other criminals in the country, noting that the military will go after them.

Amao stated this on Wednesday during an operational visit to the Nigerian Air Force Base in Kaduna State.

Speaking at the event, the chief of air staff assured Nigerians of the readiness of the military to deal decisively with criminals across the country.

The CAS, who also paid a courtesy visit to the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, said, “Our officers and men are ready for the battle against bandits and kidnappers."

He added that the visit was mainly to assess the operational readiness of the personnel.

He said President Muhammadu Buhari had ordered the military to ensure that people go freely to their farms during the rainy season without any security threat.

Amao said, “We are working towards that in synergy, the platforms are ready for the operations and we are liaising with the Army and other ground troops for the operations.

“My message to bandits is that we are coming after them together with the Army, Navy and other security agencies to make sure they are flushed out of the country.”

He added that the welfare of the NAF personnel would be accorded full priority, to ensure motivation and diligence in the discharge of their duties.

“Welfare entails providing the personnel with equipment, conducive training environment and where they live and to make sure they are given their entitlements,” he added.

The CAS, therefore, charged the personnel on loyalty, dedication and discipline in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities.

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Ten persons kidnapped at the Federal Airport Authority Staff Quarters in the Igabi Local Government Area of the state by bandits have been rescued by the Nigerian Army.

The FAAN quarters is close to Kaduna International Airport.

See Also Insecurity BREAKING: Bandits Attack Federal Airport Quarters In Kaduna, Abduct Nine Persons 0 Comments 1 Week Ago

The victims were kidnapped on March 6 from their houses after breaching the fence of the Kaduna Airport Staff Quarters, and are said to be receiving medical attention at a facility.

Among those abducted were eight members of a family, including a housewife and two members of another family.

Addressing newsmen at the Nigeria Union of Journalists’ Secretariat, Kaduna on Wednesday, the state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, said, “This briefing has been called to provide an update on emerging development, following the kidnap of 10 citizens from the Kaduna Airport Staff Quarters(Federal Airport Authority) in Fira, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

“The Kaduna State Government can confirm that troops of the Nigerian Army have today Wednesday, March 17th, 2021 rescued the ten victims who were kidnapped from the Kaduna International Airport Staff Quarters.

“The victims rescued are listed as Mr. Ilori Sunday, Mrs Celestina Sunday, Miss Beauty Sunday, Miss Miracle Sunday, Miss Marvellous Sunday, Miss Destiny Sunday, Mr. Samuel Sunday, Miss Deborah Sunday, Hajiya Badiyatu Abdullahi Gambo and Bilkisu Gambo.

“What I want you to note here is that eight of these victims are members of one family and the last two are members of another family.

“The bandits breached the fence of the Kaduna International Airport Staff Quarters in the early hours of March 6th, 2021 and kidnapped these ten persons from two houses located near the fence.

“The troops ascertained the holding point and rescued the victims. Precise details of the rescue location cannot be provided at this time due to operational expediency.

“Governor Nasir El-Rufai has received the report of the rescue with elation and has extended hearty congratulations to the troops for the successful rescue.

“He has also met with the rescued citizens to encourage them and assure them of the unwavering commitment of the Kaduna State Government.

“He wished them well as they reunited with their families and loved ones. Further updates will be provided on this and other developments as they emerge.”

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Two Nigerians, who exploited the UK Government's Coronavirus Bounce Back loan scheme by using the identities of ten innocent people to fraudulently obtain £489,000, have been jailed.

The first convict is Timilehin Olasemo, 39, of Bedale Road, Romford, who appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday, March 17, and was sentenced to three years and two months’ imprisonment for conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation.

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Olasemo pleaded guilty to the offence on 12 November 2020 at Southwark Crown Court.

The co-defendant, Olufumi David Akinneye, 33, of Cowthorpe Road, Lambeth, was sentenced to a total of five years and six months’ imprisonment for conspiracy to launder money and conspiracy to commit fraud after pleading guilty to those offences on November 12, 2020 at Southwark Crown Court.

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the UK Government created a scheme to support businesses struggling through the lack of economic activity. The scheme was effectively a Government-backed loan organised and managed through UK banks.

The size of the loan available is determined by turnover demonstrated by the business to the satisfaction of the bank.

Due to the unprecedented nature of the pandemic and the economic consequences on the UK economy, the loan scheme was set up to ensure that applicants were looked upon favourably, and that their application was processed quickly, resulting in limited security checks being undertaken.

The court heard how Olasemo exploited the weaknesses in the application system and realised that she, with assistance of others, could create fake businesses – using the identities of real people – to apply for the loans.

As the business account had been registered to a separate address to the personal account holder’s address, its existence would not become apparent to the real personal account holder until the bank chased them for the loan repayments.

Akinneye was the first out of the two to be identified during ongoing enquiries into organised criminality by officers of the Met’s North West London Economic Crime Unit. Olasemo was identified from evidence seized during Akinneye’s arrest.

On Friday, 16 October, officers from Met’s North West Economic Crime Unit, part of the Metropolitan Police Service’s Central Specialist Crime Command, arrested Olasemo at her home address. She was charged and remanded in custody the same day.

The investigating officers identified that £489,000 worth of fraudulent loan applications were made using ten identities. Of this, £297,000 worth of loans were successfully obtained by the pair and dissipated. The remaining amount was successfully stopped by the banks.

Akinneye was arrested on Thursday, 20 August by officers from the Met’s North West Economic Crime Unit. He was charged and remanded the same day.

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Nigerians have taken to social media to lambast President Muhammadu Buhari over the naming of a road in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX), after Issoufou Mahamadou, his counterpart from the Niger Republic.

FCT Minister, Mohammed Bello, in a ceremony in Abuja on Tuesday said the expressway was named after the Nigerien president for his role in the promotion of peace in Africa.

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Bello said, “Earlier today, the first phase of the ongoing Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) in Abuja was named the ‘Mahamadou Issoufou Expressway’ in honour of the President of the Republic of Niger, Mahamadou Issoufou.

“The road was named after the Nigerien President by President @MBuhari as a mark of deep appreciation for the maintenance of the brotherly relationship between Nigeria & the Rep. of Niger & in recognition of the Nigerien President’s significant role in the promotion of peace in Africa.”

In a tweet, the Niger Republic President, Mahamadou said the gesture shows that his relationship with Buhari and that of both countries is 'excellent'.

His tweet read, “My brother and friend, @MBuhari, did me the honour to call an Abuja expressway ‘Mahamadou Issoufou expressway’.

“This testifies, beyond our relations, to the excellent relations that exist between #Nigeria and #Niger. His caring touches me. I thank him very much.” 

Taking to social media, some Nigerians condemned the action of the President.

Twitter user, @VictorNwaejike said, “What's going on in Nigeria? Why is this man behaving as if Nigeria is his personal property? Those who voted this evil (especially those in the South) should be ashamed of themselves. How can one man do all these and everyone carry on as if nothing is happening?” 

Another user, @ Kelzpadi, however, replied @VictorNwaejike, saying, “I'm shocked and still wondering if you still have sense... So only the south voted for him. So, nobody from east and west voted?  Try use common sense next time. The entire Nigeria voted especially his fellow zombie followers called APC members.” 

Also, @AbdulKadiirrrr said, “7 gallant flying soldiers lost their lives in an ill-fated air crash. Buhari who claims to be Nigeria's president and GCFR didn't attend their burial which was still in the same Abuja. Today Buhari has honoured the President of Niger Republic by naming Abuja Expressroad after him.” 

@bluntthinker wrote, “These people are testing Nigerians too much. They are biting too much than they can chew. Why Nigerians are not everywhere on the streets asking questions and demanding answers is what's baffling me. Why the uncontrollable romance with Niger? What's really going on? Nigerians ask!”

Another user, @JabTalks said, “May this "MESS" NEVER happen to Nigeria again. A country is literally on fire and its leader has all the time to engage in such frivolities like a ‘road naming ceremony’. Will God really help Nigeria with leaders like these?”

@MrFreeNigeria wrote, “What sort of nonsense is this, after constructing a rail line to Niger he's not satisfied? Buhari should go and name roads in Daura after him. ‪#buhariresignnow ‪#buharimustgo ‪#freeeromz ‪#FreeMahadiShehu ‪#freesolomonakuma.”

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Two Nigerian nationals, one of whom is identified as Joseph Ndukwe Okafor, have been arrested by the officers of the Central Crime Branch in the Karnataka area of India for allegedly being in possession of drugs worth over Rs 75 lakh (N 39,482,278.25).

According to a report in South Asia News Agency, ANI, the CCB claimed that the two drug peddlers were the kingpins in Bengaluru.

The CCB said it raided their house and seized massive drugs from their possession, after receiving tip-offs.

Okafor and his accomplice were alleged to be in possession of Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), ecstasy pills and other drug-related materials and had arrived in India on fake passports.

"Two Nigerian nationals arrested in Bengaluru and seized drugs including ecstasy and LSD worth Rs 75 lakh from their possession," CCB, Bengaluru City said.

The CCB said a case has been registered under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and Foreigners Act.

Further investigation is underway.

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Salihu Tanko Yakasai, a former Media aide of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State, has relocated abroad.

Ganduje had fired Yakasai in February after he criticised the government of President Muhammadu Buhari over rising insecurity.

See Also Breaking News BREAKING: DSS Arrests Ganduje's Media Aide After Criticising Buhari, APC 0 Comments 2 Weeks Ago

The Department of State Services (DSS) had subsequently arrested Yakasai, who was detained for days.

In some pictures he posted on social media, Yakasai was seen at the airport of a yet to be known country.

A Qatar Airways aircraft was also seen in the background. He captioned the tweet “Goodbye Naija”.

 

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Nigerians have scolded the Nigerian government for voting “a huge sum” such as $1.5 billion for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery, noting that the same amount of money can fix all the country’s moribund refineries.

 

Nigerians on social media feared that the sum will be embezzled or spent on politics or to curry political favour.

The Nigerian government had on Wednesday approved the sum of $1.5 billion for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery.

 

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, had stated this while briefing newsmen at the end of the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday.

See Also Oil Nigerian Government Approves $1.5billion For Rehabilitation Of Port Harcourt Refinery 0 Comments 3 Hours Ago

The minister said the rehabilitation, which would be in three phases, will commence immediately and to be handled by an Italian firm, Tecnimont S.P.A.

 

He explained that the first phase would be completed in 18 months, the second phase in 24 months and the final phase would be within 44 months.

 

He assured that the other three refineries will be put in place before the end of the Buhari-led administration.

 

He said, “The Ministry of Petroleum Resources presented a memo on the rehabilitation of Port Harcourt refinery for the sum of $1.5 billion, and that memo was $1.5 billion and it was approved by council today (Thursday).

 

“So, we are happy to announce that the rehabilitation of the productivity refinery will commence in three phases.

 

“The first phase is to be completed in 18 months, which will take the refinery to a production of 90% of its nameplate capacity.

 

“The second phase is to be completed in 24 months and all the final stage will be completed in 44 months and consultations are approved. And I believe that this is good news for Nigeria.”

 

But Nigerians on Twitter said the sum of money should be enough to repair all the country’s refineries.

 

For instance, Juliet (@julietezenwonwu) said, “Until that refinery does what it ought to. Forget it all na wash. Plus, that money will be looted in a twinkle of an eye 2023 Agenda.”

 

Moses Baidu Suleiman (@SMBaidu) said, “What is this again? Why rehabilitate a facility that has been rehabilitated in the past with no result? Sell off other refineries and use the proceeds with the $1.5bn to reconstruct a new refinery that will serve the nation. Enough of these white elephant projects.”

 

Abdulkarim Muhammad Vava (A.M Vava) (@Spinalvolcano) said, “I think that amount should build a new refinery if not upgrade the whole refineries.”

 

Similarly, Oladapo Adonis (@oladapo4xt) wrote, “I’m sure they’ve approved this money like 5 times in the last 20 years.”

 

Mr #ENDSARSNOW (@ukpai2d1) said, “The handlers of this country are shameless, how many times will they rehabilitate these refineries without achieving anything? Cash out project.”

Austine Joseph (@mcbunde) said, “Campaign for 2023! Nothing will be done, just to confuse us to vote for the armed bandits party.”

 

Aluko Oluwatobi (@tobi_aluko) said, “Waste of money. Sebi, you have given Dangote license to build a refinery.”

 

Odeh Ominyi (@OminyiOdeh) asked, “What is the cost of building a new refinery?”

 

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Floyd Mayweather plans to work with Anthony Joshua ahead of his £200 million mega-fight with Tyson Fury.

According to the Mirror UK, Mayweather was at the ringside last December to watch Joshua retain his heavyweight world titles by knocking out Kubrat Pulev.

He was heard offering tactical advice during the fight and visited the champion's dressing room afterwards.

And as Joshua and Fury finally put pen to paper on their proposed undisputed fight, Mayweather revealed he will reunite with the once-beaten Londoner.

“I look forward to working with Joshua real soon, we talk all the time," he said.

“It's a very interesting fight. Anthony Joshua has a lot of experience and Tyson Fury as well has a lot of experience but with Anthony Joshua losing a fight [to Andy Ruiz Jr], it helped him become stronger.

"I met Tyson Fury on a few occasions; he's great guy and very interesting. After the fight I like to see him sing. I haven't seen him fight a lot of times.”

On Monday, promoter Eddie Hearn announced Joshua and Fury have signed a deal for two bouts.

"The hard part is always getting everybody to put pen to paper.

"But this was a major effort from all parties to get this over the line. You had rival promoters, rival networks and rival fighters,” Hearn said.

“We've already had approaches from eight or nine sites. The offers have come from multiple countries in the Middle East, from Asia, Eastern Europe and America."

The deal is understood to represent a 50-50 split for the first fight, with the winner taking the larger 60 per cent share for a rematch.

Hearn's announcement comes just days after Fury insisted the fight against Joshua was "nowhere near" being made.

The fight between the duo will see all four belts contested in a heavyweight bout for the first time in history.

In 1999, Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield both competed for three heavyweight belts.

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An Iyagangu Chief Magistrate Court in Ibadan, Oyo State has ordered that three members of the Oodua Peoples  Congress (OPC) who arrested Isikilu Wakili in the Ibarapa North Local Government Area of the state should be remanded in Abolongo Correctional centre for alleged murder and arson.

The three OPC members were arrested by the police after they had apprehended Iskilu Wakili, a suspected Fulani warlord in the Ibarapa area of the state said to be complicit in the killings, kidnappings and rape incidents in the area.

The Chief Magistrate, Olaide Hamzat, on Wednesday ordered that the OPC members should be remanded at the correctional centre.

The three OPC members identified as Awodele Adedigba, 45; Dauda Kazeem, 38; and Hassan Ramon, 33; were involved in the recent arrest of suspected Ibarapa kidnap kingpin, Wakili.

However, the police levelled three counts of conspiracy, murder and arson against the suspects.

The prosecution counsel, Inspector Opeyemi Olagunju, told the court that the suspects on March 7, at around 8 am at Kajola village, Ayete, allegedly caused the death of a 45-year-old woman.

He said Awodele, Dauda and Hassan also burnt the house of Wakili, causing a damage of N5 million.

The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of sections 316, 324, 443 and 516 of the Criminal Code of Oyo State 2000.

The Chief Magistrate, Hamzat, who did not take the plea of the suspects, for want of jurisdiction, ordered that they be remanded in Abolongo correctional facility, Oyo town.

Hamzat ordered the police to return the case file to the office of the Oyo State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

He adjourned the matter till April 21 for mention.

The OPC members were arrested by the police after they arrested Wakili, alleged to be the mastermind of a series of attacks, killings and kidnappings in Ibarapa area of the state.

The police claimed the OPC members burnt a house and killed a woman inside.

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The President of Kwara Baptist Conference, Reverend Victor Dada, has alleged that Muslim fundamentalists promised to burn down First Baptist Church Surulere, Ilorin, Kwara State where Christians gathered for a peaceful demonstration on Wednesday.

SaharaReporters had reported how a clash broke out between Christians and Muslims over a controversy bordering on the use of hijab by Muslim students in schools in the state.

In a statement, Dada alleged that the Muslim fundamentalists overpowered the police, forcibly removed the gate, signboard of the school and threw stones at Christians there for over one hour.

According to him, at least 20 people, including four pastors, were wounded and three were hospitalised.

The statement partly read, “Despite that the case is at the Supreme Court and a stay of execution was obtained by proprietors of the mission school, the government announced the use of hijab and reopening of the schools today.

“Christians who were today at First Baptist Church Surulere, Ilorin on peaceful demonstration with drums and trumpets, came under serious attack by Muslim fundamentalists who mobilised themselves and louts in large numbers to attack us.

“They overpowered the police, forcefully removed the gate and signboard of the school and started stoning us for over one hour.

See Also Christianity Three Injured As Muslims, Christians Clash Over Use Of Hijab In Kwara Schools 0 Comments 10 Hours Ago

“Only the gallant resistance of members and eventual security reinforcements saved the church from being burnt.

“More than 20 people (including four Pastors) were wounded with three hospitalised.

“The fundamentalist in the presence of security officials vehemently attempted to burn the church and when repelled, threatened to burn the church either during the day or at night.

“They doused the church gate with petrol and vandalised the auditorium. They also went ahead to vandalise The Apostolic Church, Eruda, Ilorin, a church without any grant-aided school.”

The cleric stated that the church maintains its stance on the controversial issue, stressing that wearing of hijab will not be permitted in mission schools.

He also alleged that, in the last 15 years, the government had not employed teachers for Christian Religious Knowledge teachers but employed Islamic religious teachers in schools, including the mission schools.

“It is surprising that the government has become a government of the Muslim, by the Muslim and for the Muslim in his (state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq) policies, pronouncements and attitude.

“We wish to restate our stand that our schools are grant-aided and not public schools. At no time since the grant aiding policy started in 1974 has any government designed uniform for schools.

“This has always been the responsibility of the proprietors, be it community or mission. It should be noted that Christians have always complied with Islamic guidelines in grant-aided Muslim school as Muslims do not allow any Christian practice in their schools.

“The Muslims and the government should not take our gentleness for weakness. The government has not employed Christian Religious Knowledge teachers in the last 15 years but kept employing and posting Imam and Islamic religious teachers in large numbers (even in mission schools).

“We shall not allow the use of hijab in our schools. We will defend our faith and defend our inheritance. We demand that the government should return our schools."

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The European Union has reported Nigeria to the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The complaint was about Nigeria’s policy on dairy products.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala AFP via Getty Images

Director General of the WTO, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday when she visited the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

She said the international trade organisation received a letter from the EU complaining about Nigeria’s restrictions on milk and dairy products.

While noting that the WTO will look into the complaint, the former Minister of Finance urged Nigeria to take advantage of the trade remedy initiative in place at the organisation to protect local industries.

Reacting, CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, said the process to bring milk and dairy producers has been on for six years with the milk and dairy producers treating the matter with levity.

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The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has temporarily closed the Murtala Mohammed International Airport E-Finger departure screening point to carry out some routine maintenance on the screening machine. 

General Manager, Corporate Affairs of FAAN, disclosed in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.

FAAN

According to NAN, she said that the process was part of the airport maintenance and upgrade programme of the authority. 

She said, “Consequently, all human and cargo movements have been temporarily diverted to the D-Finger screening area until the maintenance and upgrade is completed.

“The authority appeals to passengers and other airport users to please bear with us, as we hope to reopen the area as soon as possible.”

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has ordered bank employees to declare their assets latest June 1, 2021. 

Abdulrasheed Bawa, EFCC chairman, disclosed this on Tuesday, while speaking with journalists after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.

Abdulrasheed Bawa EFCC

Bawa explained that the move which is pursuant to the Bank Employees, ETC. (Declaration of Assets) Act 1986, is part of measures to sanitise the nation’s financial system and block some of the loopholes currently being exploited by unscrupulous players in the sector to undermine Nigerian economy through money laundering and illicit financial flows.

“Section 1 of the Bank Employees, ETC. (Declaration of Assets) Act 1986 makes it mandatory for every employee of a Bank to make full disclosure of assets upon employment, and annually in subsequent years,” he said.

“The law under Section 7 (1) stipulates that ‘it shall be an offence for an employee of a bank to own assets in excess of his legitimate known and provable income.’

“The penalty for violation of the Act, as spelt out in section 7(2) includes imprisonment for a term of ten years; “Any employee guilty of an offence under subsection (1) of this Section shall on conviction be liable to imprisonment for ten years and shall, in addition, forfeit the excess assets or its equivalent in money to the Federal Government.”

Bawa who also expressed worry about youth involvement in cybercrime, however, appealed to parents to take special interest in the activities of their children. 

According to him, parents have a responsibility to ensure that they nurture their children with the right set of values to ensure that they are not easily swayed by the allure of easy money through fraud and cybercrimes. He added that youths must learn that there is no shortcut to enduring wealth.

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The organised labour has alleged that the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, and others were behind the proposed bill to move the minimum wage from the exclusive list to the concurrent list.

This was contained in a letter submitted by the organised labour at a meeting held on Tuesday with the Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, and members of the House committee on labour.

Kaduna State Governor Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufai

See Also LABOR/WORKERS' RIGHTS Reps, Labour Leaders Meet, Seek Amendment To Controversial Minimum Wage Bill 0 Comments 8 Hours Ago

The letter was jointly signed by the President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba and President, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Quadri Olaleye.

The labour unions said the entire workforce in Nigeria was angry over the private member bill moved by Garba Datti Mohammed representing Sabora Gari Federal Constituency of Kaduna State.

Mohammed had sponsored the bill seeking to transfer the national minimum wage from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent legislative list.

The labour unions said, “Organised labour considers this anti-workers bill as an attempt by a few self-seeking and narrow-minded politicians to return Nigeria to the era of slave wages, servile work conditions and severe industrial crisis.

“We have it on good authority that this bill was sponsored by a few governors, especially the Governor of Kaduna State [Nasir El-Rufai].

“The same bill was on Tuesday, 23rd February 2021 rushed through the first and second readings.

“Currently, the bill has been referred to the Ad Hoc Committee on the Review of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution.”

The unions stated that the National Minimum Wage is the national benchmark minimum below which no employer of labour can pay a worker.

They added that it is a global standard that was adopted by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) as Minimum Wage Fixing Machinery Convention 026 of 1928 and reinforced by Minimum Wage Fixing Convention 131 of 1970.

“It was also captured in Article III subsection (d) of the ILO Philadelphia Declaration which demands all the nations of the world to pursue policies regarding wages, earnings, hours and other conditions of work calculated to ensure a just share of fruits of progress to all, and a minimum living wage to all employed and in need of such protection.”

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The embattled people of Biafra lost the civil war between 1963 to 1967 when over three million Biafrans were massacred by the Nigeria State for wanting out of the British colonial contraption.  They survived the crimes against them and have not given up the hope to be able to govern themselves and take care of their people the way the Nigeria State have never cared to do.  For decades post-civil war, the Biafran people, among other suffering Nigerians, have cried and complained about the injustices and total disregard of individual human and civil rights allowed to fester and proliferate in Nigeria by the government.  The Nigerian government have been totally incapable of protecting and providing for the people.  The government is filled with corrupt, selfish, and uneducated individuals devoid of any knowledge on how to build and manage a nation; but they are experts on how to inflate their individual salaries and allowances, without regard for majority of the masses living in abject poverty.  As we speak, the Nigeria government have practically sold the country to China through massive debts that may never be repaired to China; and the monies are syphoned by officials and hardly beneficial to the masses in any way.

Things are so bad in Nigeria presently that the U.S. Department of State have issued a travel advisory against travels to Nigeria due to a long list of terrorist activities, among covid19 concerns, that have engulfed many parts of the country, such as Kidnapping for ransom, ethnic cleansing by animal herders, mob violence activities, to name but a few.  Sometimes in the year 2020, the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria in a speech, said that Nigerians know what to do to solve their problems.  The ambassador said that Nigerians do not need anybody to tell them what to do.  He named several things that Nigerians needed to do to help themselves.  I believe that his speech was inspired by the constant call by Nigerians for America and other western countries to come and help them solve their problems.  The ambassador made it clear that only Nigerians can solve their problems and the western countries are counting on them to do so.  And the fact is that every country has their own problems; so, to expect another country to come and fix your own country for you is naïve and infantile thinking.

It is beginning to gradually dawn on the Nigerian masses that help is not coming from anywhere outside of themselves.  This realization sparked a massive protest in 2020 when the youths stormed the streets to protest the SARS (Special Anti-Robbery Squad) which got the hashtag #ENDSARS and galvanized global support.  The SARS squad was commissioned by the Nigeria police to fight the various terrorist activities like armed robbery and kidnapping in the country, but the squad became the terrorists robbing and killing the people they were established to protect.  And that protest produced great results as the Nigerian government permanently abolished the SARS squad, while still working to meet all the demands made by the masses.  

Ij Onuigbo

In the same spirit, the Biafran people, in unity, have decided to take their destiny into their own hands and take the bulls by the horn once again by formally resurrecting their quest for self-actualization.  On March 13, 2021, the Biafra De Facto Customary Government was declared by the leader, Alhaji Mujahid Asari Dokubo, a tried and tested former militant leader and patriot of the Biafran nation.  In his declaration speech, he named the individuals that will be assisting him in the service to the Biafran people while he also called on those who want to volunteer themselves for service to come forward.  The current leadership of the Biafra De Facto Customary Government are: Alhaji Mujahid Asari Dokubo – Chairman, Mrs. Rita Anigbogu – Deputy Chairlady, Diokpa George Onyeibe – Secretary (George Onyibe is also interim administrator for Biafra Nation), Diokpa Uche Mefor – Head of Information/Communications (Uche Mefor is also the director of Biafra Human Fundamental Rights Radio and Biafra Nation), Barrister Emeka Emekesiri – Legal Affairs.

The chairman, Alhaji Asari Dokubo, spoke on the marginalization of the Biafran people by the Nigeria government, saying that Biafrans can no longer play “second fiddle” to the rest of Nigerians especially the Fulani ruling class where the proceeds from natural resources of the Biafran people are used to construct roads and other infrastructure in the northern and western parts of Nigerian while the Biafran people are excluded.  It is important to note that the crude oil produced by Nigeria belongs to the Biafran people but used to develop other parts of Nigeria excluding the people on whose land it is mined.  The lands where the oil is mined, and surrounding areas have been polluted by oil.  The land can no longer be used for agriculture.  And on top of all that, the people are neglected and excluded from development.  It is quite a blatant maltreatment of a people whose natural resources feeds the nation.  

Alhaji Asari Dokubo named three areas of focus by the de facto government, which are Security, Science & Technology, and Health.  He explained that they will not pull guns and weapons against Nigeria but that they will secure and protect the Biafran people.  He also mentioned that the de facto customary government will be charged with educating the people in science and technology to grow the minds that will innovate cutting edge technologies that will develop the people’s economy.  And finally, he said that the customary government will also concentrate on developing healthful measures to amplify the health and lives of the Biafran people.  These things do not happen in a vacuum, they happen because the government is incompetent, because people are suffering, and the government officials do not care about the plight of the people.  The government officials only care about themselves. So, it seems about time that the people find a way to save themselves.

It is particularly important also to note that what is needed for all suffering Nigerians to triumph over the evil and corruption going on in Nigeria is for them to unite beyond tribe and religion to stand against the oppressive Fulani cabal.  Religion is not the problem except when people make it a problem.  Countries like Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, USA, and Britain live in civil harmony among people of various religions ideologies including Christians and Muslims.  Also, notice that the Biafra de facto customary government have both Muslim and Christians in their leadership.  So, again, religion and tribe should not divide a people.  The dividing line should be the good people vs the wicked corrupt and selfish cabals in all areas of Nigeria.  Therefore, all well-meaning Nigerians should rise in support of each other regardless of tribe and religion; otherwise, you will forever be conquered and powerless.

 

Ij Onuigbo is a U.S. Army Veteran, human rights activist, and a humanitarian.

You can follow her on Twitter: @ij_onuigbo

 

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