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Nigerians living in South African will on Tuesday, 25 May, 2021 embark on a peaceful protest march at the country’s consulate in Ilovo.

The Nigerian Union South Africa (NUSA) disclosed this in a statement made available to SaharaReporters on Monday.

File photo used to illustrate story

According to the association, the planned protest is to demand for the withdrawal of excessive charges dubbed “Diplomatic Extortion” by the Consul General of Nigeria in Johannesburg, South Africa, Abdul Malik M Ahmed. 

The statement read, “The Nigerian Union South Africa (NUSA) wishes to invite members of the media to a Peaceful Protest March at the Nigerian Consulate in Ilovo. 

“We are gathering to demand for the withdrawal of excessive charges dubbed 'Diplomatic Extortion' by the Consul General of Nigeria Johannesburg, South Africa, His Excellency, Mr. Abdul Malik M. Ahmed. 

“Peaceful protest to handover Memorandum. Tuesday, 25 May 2021 by 9:30am local time.”

Speaking to SaharaReporters, President of NUSA added they were being charged additional administrative fee of R120.

“R2000 also for lost passport penalty. R10,000 for agents who are extorting Nigerians here. The passport touts hanging around the consulate. It puts financial burden on Nigerians, most especially those living in other provinces. With the new order, Nigerians will be at the mercy of these touts called passport agents by the Consul General.”

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Former Minister of Education, Dr Oby Ezekwesili has said Nigeria cannot experience any economic development that will help the populace if there continues to be bad governance from the political class.

She disclosed that the monopolistic democracy of the country, which is not about the number of political parties but the dominant political culture of a few people belonging to the ruling class is detrimental to the poor masses.

Ezekwesili said this at a virtual conference she organised called #TheFixPolitics/Dialogue and focussed on a title, ‘1999 Constitution: To change or amend,’ on Monday.

The ex-Vice President of the World Bank’s Africa Region, while analysing the background of the FixPolitics, a non-governmental organisation she co-founded to address the anomaly of the Nigerian democratic nature, said there is a need to raise a new political class in Nigeria.

“In the course of my studies, I realised there are key ideas between democracy and governance. And in our own case (in Nigeria) the absence of good governance is the greatest obstacle to Nigeria’s economic development.

“The economic development of this country among other things is affected by the monopolistic democracy. The monopolistic democracy is not about the number of political parties present, but the dominant political culture at play.

"There is an urgent need to raise a new order of political class. We have to mobilise people with the awareness of raising the matter of new constitution," Ezekwesili said.

In her address, a former Presidential candidate, Remi Sonaiya called for a new constitution for Nigeria. She clamoured for a platform that would involve the generality of the people in having a people-oriented constitution to replace the current 1999 Constitution of the country.

“There have been submissions, but there is a constant call by the people, and that is a totally new constitution. There has to be a total, radical change to our constitution, not minor adding or subtracting but a total change,” Sonaiya said.

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Former Minister of Education, Dr Oby Ezekwesili has said Nigeria cannot experience any economic development that will help the populace if there continues to be bad governance from the political class.

She disclosed that the monopolistic democracy of the country, which is not about the number of political parties but the dominant political culture of a few people belonging to the ruling class is detrimental to the poor masses.

Ezekwesili said this at a virtual conference she organised called #TheFixPolitics/Dialogue and focussed on a title, ‘1999 Constitution: To change or amend,’ on Monday.

The ex-Vice President of the World Bank’s Africa Region, while analysing the background of the FixPolitics, a non-governmental organisation she co-founded to address the anomaly of the Nigerian democratic nature, said there is a need to raise a new political class in Nigeria.

“In the course of my studies, I realised there are key ideas between democracy and governance. And in our own case (in Nigeria) the absence of good governance is the greatest obstacle to Nigeria’s economic development.

“The economic development of this country among other things is affected by the monopolistic democracy. The monopolistic democracy is not about the number of political parties present, but the dominant political culture at play.

"There is an urgent need to raise a new order of political class. We have to mobilise people with the awareness of raising the matter of new constitution," Ezekwesili said.

In her address, a former Presidential candidate, Remi Sonaiya called for a new constitution for Nigeria. She clamoured for a platform that would involve the generality of the people in having a people-oriented constitution to replace the current 1999 Constitution of the country.

“There have been submissions, but there is a constant call by the people, and that is a totally new constitution. There has to be a total, radical change to our constitution, not minor adding or subtracting but a total change,” Sonaiya said.

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The Court of Appeal, Lagos Judicial Division, has condemned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission's seizure of Chief Mike Ozekhome's professional fees.

The EFCC had obtained an interim ex parte order of forfeiture to freeze the money for 120 days, arguing that the N75 million transferred to Ozekhome's account was a proceed of unlawful activity.

The anti-corruption agency argued that this was because the money was paid to Ozekhome by the then sitting Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, who was under the agency's investigation.

The court, however, held that: "a legal practitioner is entitled to his fees for professional services and such fees cannot be rightly labelled as proceeds of crime”.

It also held, "further, it is not a requirement of the law that a legal practitioner would go into inquiry before receiving his fees from his client, to find out the source of the fund from which he would be paid.”

The EFCC had earlier filed an appeal against the judgement of Justice Abdulazuz Anka of the Federal High Court, Lagos, delivered in 2017 and held in favour of the respondent.

Justice Anka had unfrozen Ozekhome's blocked account in Guaranty Trust Bank and vacated the interim ex parte order he earlier placed on the funds of Mike Ozekhome's Chambers, at the instance of the EFCC.  

The Court of Appeal in dismissing the appeal brought by the EFCC (FRN), held that the EFCC had wrongfully obtained the ex parte order to freeze the account as the lower court lacked the jurisdiction to grant same and as the defendant could not have committed any infraction to warrant his account being blocked and frozen.

The court after hearing arguments from U. U. Buhari for the Appellant (FRN) and Ejieke Onuoha (for Ozekhome), held that there was uncontradicted evidence shown in invoices and receipts issued by Ozekhome to Fayose that the said sum represented part payment of his professional fees in the handling of various cases for Fayose across Nigeria.

In 2016, the EFCC had, through Justice I.B.M Idris, then of the Federal High Court, Lagos, frozen Governor Fayose's accounts, accusing him of allegedly keeping proceed of unlawful activity.  

Fayose immediately engaged Ozekhome's legal services and he approached the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti, presided over by Justice Taiwo Taiwo, and challenged the ex parte freezing order granted by Justice Idris.  

A judgement delivered by Justice Taiwo Taiwo had found that the freezing order had been improperly granted and without jurisdiction in the first place, and upon suppression of material facts.  

Fayose after the judgement went to his bank and withdrew N5 million from his unfrozen account for himself, while transferring N75 million to Ozekhome, as part payment of his professional fees.  

The EFCC, though appealed this judgement, still went ahead and froze Ozekhome's account, contending that the N75 million paid to his chambers by Fayose as professional fees for legal services, was a proceed of unlawful activity.  

Ozekhome filed a motion before the Federal High Court, Lagos, urging it to set aside its earlier order freezing his chambers’ account.

He alleged misrepresentation, non-disclosure, suppression of material facts and non-compliance with the rules of the lower court and Judicial authorities regulating the grant of ex parte applications by the Appellant.

Justice Anka after hearing arguments from Ozekhome and Rotimi Oyedepo for the EFCC vacated the ex parte order and unfroze his account with GTBank. It was this judgement that the EFCC appealed to the Court of Appeal.

In a unanimous judgement delivered by the presiding Judge, Justice Chidi Nwaoma Uwa, with Justices Tunde O. Awotoye and James Gambo Abundaga, JJCA, (the other two members of the Panel), concurring, the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal and found that the bank account from which Fayose paid the fees was unencumbered as at the time he did having been unfrozen by Justice Taiwo of the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti.  

The court found and held that the said order of Justice Taiwo which had vacated the order of Justice Idris (a court of equal and coordinate jurisdiction (as permitted by the Supreme Court under certain conditions), remained the extant law as it was still valid, subsisting and binding, having not been set aside by an appellate court or by the trial court itself.  

The Court of Appeal also agreed with the lower court and held that from available evidence on record, the disputed amount having already been dissipated by the Respondent as at the time it was frozen by the lower court at the instance of the EFCC, the lower court did not have the requisite jurisdiction to have granted such freezing order in the first case.  

The court also held that the said sum of N75 million was lawful to proceed for legal services duly rendered to Fayose by Ozekhome, and not proceeds of unlawful activity.

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Israel-based Nigerian footballer, Ibezito Ogbonna has said he is lucky to be alive after his apartment in the Israeli city of Ashdod was hit by a rocket fired from Gaza last week.

Ogbonna, who was a former under-23 striker was at home with his wife and two young daughters when the building suffered a direct hit, BBC Sports Africa reports.

The 38-year-old, who won the Israeli Cup with Hapoel Tel Aviv in 2006 and 2007, was injured from the impact of the rocket and taken to hospital but his family were unhurt.

The incident was part of a recent 11-day escalation in violence between Israel and Gaza.

Ogbonna was quoted as saying, "I am extremely lucky to be alive after this rocket was fired and it's third time lucky for me after being involved in a car crash and a horrible robbery incident in Nigeria.

"We were all aware of the attempt [possible strike] and we always get the warning signs about possible missiles. We often hear sirens echo across the city's streets which tends to prompt people to rush to a shelter.

"On this day I was having breakfast and I heard the wailing siren. Normally, we'd run to the shelter because every house has its own shelter. I felt it's the normal warning, but within seconds it turned out to be an unlucky day for me.

"I heard the loud bang of the rocket and felt the immediate impact, I was thrown into the air and it took me from my dining room to my living room.

"I could see glasses and other objects flying around me. I hit the ground, I stood up to look around for my family. They were very lucky too, my wife had taken cover with my daughters, I think one of the doors landed on her.

"I could see the whole building was gone. We are talking about a four-storey building with about 30 people. The security doors between my kitchen and living room ripped out and everything totally wrecked.

"Cars were smashed and it was then I realised I had a cut and my knee was hurting badly before the paramedics took me in an ambulance to the hospital.

"I was in the hospital for a few hours. I was treated and had different tests just to check that everything was okay with me. They weren't sure I was fine considering what had happened."

He continued, "It's difficult to explain the impact of what I saw. Coming out of this alive was a complete miracle. We are talking about the same attack that has left several people badly wounded.

"We've had casualties since this thing started, but you are just grateful to be alive and not listed among the dead.

"A lot of families have been left homeless with their possessions destroyed and a place they've always called home flattened."

With no home to return to, the Ogbonnas and 13 other families are now staying at a hotel as the Israeli government look to resettle them.

But the former Kaizer Chiefs of South Africa striker is still remembered fondly by fans of Hapoel Tel Aviv, despite leaving the club 14 years ago.

After scoring 40 goals in 132 appearances for Israel's second most successful side, there is a renewed bond being forged as the club's supporters have launched a fund-raising campaign to help him get back on his feet.

"Hapoel Tel Aviv fans have been incredibly amazing, without my knowledge they had started a fundraising to help support me," Ogbonna added.

"As soon as the news broke that my apartment was hit, they started reaching out and calling my phone. I didn't ask them for anything yet they were offering to help.

"I remember one of them got my contact and I think he put it out on the fan page for other supporters to reach out. Messages of love, prayers and unbelievable support from a club I left over a decade ago.

"Some were telling me to come over to theirs if I had no place to stay. They've gone out to buy stuff and clothes for me and my family.

"I was getting deliveries of different things at the hotel without even knowing about it. I don't even know these guys. It's a massive love and I can't thank them enough.

"It's another proof that wherever you find yourself as a footballer or whatever you do. Be a good person and respect everyone because you never know when life will bring you back again."

Despite his experience, Ogbonna, who now has Israeli citizenship, however, said Israel is a safe place. He remains confident that Israel will continue to attract talent from Africa and his native country.

He said: "Israel is still a safe place and despite what has happened here, I believe African players will continue to come to this beautiful country.

"A lot of Nigerians have made a name for themselves playing here and I hope we can get more talented players to come over here. One thing I know is that life will return to normal and everyone will continue to feel safe.

"The government here will continue to ensure the safety of everyone on this great nation and personally, I always feel safer here than anywhere else in the world."

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Israel-based Nigerian footballer, Ibezito Ogbonna has said he is lucky to be alive after his apartment in the Israeli city of Ashdod was hit by a rocket fired from Gaza last week.

Ogbonna, who was a former under-23 striker was at home with his wife and two young daughters when the building suffered a direct hit, BBC Sports Africa reports.

The 38-year-old, who won the Israeli Cup with Hapoel Tel Aviv in 2006 and 2007, was injured from the impact of the rocket and taken to hospital but his family were unhurt.

The incident was part of a recent 11-day escalation in violence between Israel and Gaza.

Ogbonna was quoted as saying, "I am extremely lucky to be alive after this rocket was fired and it's third time lucky for me after being involved in a car crash and a horrible robbery incident in Nigeria.

"We were all aware of the attempt [possible strike] and we always get the warning signs about possible missiles. We often hear sirens echo across the city's streets which tends to prompt people to rush to a shelter.

"On this day I was having breakfast and I heard the wailing siren. Normally, we'd run to the shelter because every house has its own shelter. I felt it's the normal warning, but within seconds it turned out to be an unlucky day for me.

"I heard the loud bang of the rocket and felt the immediate impact, I was thrown into the air and it took me from my dining room to my living room.

"I could see glasses and other objects flying around me. I hit the ground, I stood up to look around for my family. They were very lucky too, my wife had taken cover with my daughters, I think one of the doors landed on her.

"I could see the whole building was gone. We are talking about a four-storey building with about 30 people. The security doors between my kitchen and living room ripped out and everything totally wrecked.

"Cars were smashed and it was then I realised I had a cut and my knee was hurting badly before the paramedics took me in an ambulance to the hospital.

"I was in the hospital for a few hours. I was treated and had different tests just to check that everything was okay with me. They weren't sure I was fine considering what had happened."

He continued, "It's difficult to explain the impact of what I saw. Coming out of this alive was a complete miracle. We are talking about the same attack that has left several people badly wounded.

"We've had casualties since this thing started, but you are just grateful to be alive and not listed among the dead.

"A lot of families have been left homeless with their possessions destroyed and a place they've always called home flattened."

With no home to return to, the Ogbonnas and 13 other families are now staying at a hotel as the Israeli government look to resettle them.

But the former Kaizer Chiefs of South Africa striker is still remembered fondly by fans of Hapoel Tel Aviv, despite leaving the club 14 years ago.

After scoring 40 goals in 132 appearances for Israel's second most successful side, there is a renewed bond being forged as the club's supporters have launched a fund-raising campaign to help him get back on his feet.

"Hapoel Tel Aviv fans have been incredibly amazing, without my knowledge they had started a fundraising to help support me," Ogbonna added.

"As soon as the news broke that my apartment was hit, they started reaching out and calling my phone. I didn't ask them for anything yet they were offering to help.

"I remember one of them got my contact and I think he put it out on the fan page for other supporters to reach out. Messages of love, prayers and unbelievable support from a club I left over a decade ago.

"Some were telling me to come over to theirs if I had no place to stay. They've gone out to buy stuff and clothes for me and my family.

"I was getting deliveries of different things at the hotel without even knowing about it. I don't even know these guys. It's a massive love and I can't thank them enough.

"It's another proof that wherever you find yourself as a footballer or whatever you do. Be a good person and respect everyone because you never know when life will bring you back again."

Despite his experience, Ogbonna, who now has Israeli citizenship, however, said Israel is a safe place. He remains confident that Israel will continue to attract talent from Africa and his native country.

He said: "Israel is still a safe place and despite what has happened here, I believe African players will continue to come to this beautiful country.

"A lot of Nigerians have made a name for themselves playing here and I hope we can get more talented players to come over here. One thing I know is that life will return to normal and everyone will continue to feel safe.

"The government here will continue to ensure the safety of everyone on this great nation and personally, I always feel safer here than anywhere else in the world."

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An environmental and human rights activist, Ann-Kio Briggs says Nigeria’s members of the Senate and the House of Representatives do not have the legitimate rights to disagree with the electorate that voted them into power.

The Founder and Executive Director of the Agape Birthrights, a non-governmental organisation also revealed that a change of 1999 Constitution is the last resort of Nigeria as a country.

She posited that the disturbing avalanche of Nigeria’s problems cannot be solved with the current constitution, therefore the federal lawmakers must facilitate the processes of changing the document.

Briggs, Monday, said this while speaking as one of the panelists at the #TheFixPolitics/Dialogue virtual conference focusing on ‘The 1999 Constitution: To change or amend.’

“We need a new constitution, that bears in mind the interests of the people. It is the right of the people and the electorate to tell the National Assembly members of what they want about the constitution, which the majority have said they want a new constitution. They don’t have the right to disagree with their constituents,” Briggs said.

She also disclosed that the Nigerian people now have five major agitations which include the people that say there is a constitution, the people that say there is no constitution, the people that say the constitution should be amended, the people that say there should be restructuring and the people say there should be secession.

She, however, said that despite these five main debates, the country still has a great chance of being together if there is a change of constitution.

“A change of constitution is the last hope of staying together as different nationalities in Nigeria. I don’t believe we cannot stay and agree together as a country, but on being together, the new constitution is the document that will chart new principles for the people.

“The 1999 Constitution is no longer feasible. It is a wrong document that cannot deliver justice and equity. The current 1999 Constitution cannot address our socio-economic problems on a platter of justice and equity which is what all the people want,” the human rights activist asserted.

While speaking further, she gave an instance of the poll at the virtual gathering in which the participants voted for reforming the constitution or replacing constitution, which the result was 27.2% for reform and 72.8% was for replacement.

“Look at what I’m saying now, we just had a poll in this virtual hall and everybody had participated, as you can see the result being shared, the majority of us want a new constitution. Democracy should not be for one person or for a few cliques of people, it is for the majority of people.

“The 1999 Constitution has not worked, is not working and cannot work. My take from here is a new constitution. The next phase of Nigeria is dependent on what we do about our constitution,” Briggs said.

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An environmental and human rights activist, Ann-Kio Briggs says Nigeria’s members of the Senate and the House of Representatives do not have the legitimate rights to disagree with the electorate that voted them into power.

The Founder and Executive Director of the Agape Birthrights, a non-governmental organisation also revealed that a change of 1999 Constitution is the last resort of Nigeria as a country.

She posited that the disturbing avalanche of Nigeria’s problems cannot be solved with the current constitution, therefore the federal lawmakers must facilitate the processes of changing the document.

Briggs, Monday, said this while speaking as one of the panelists at the #TheFixPolitics/Dialogue virtual conference focusing on ‘The 1999 Constitution: To change or amend.’

“We need a new constitution, that bears in mind the interests of the people. It is the right of the people and the electorate to tell the National Assembly members of what they want about the constitution, which the majority have said they want a new constitution. They don’t have the right to disagree with their constituents,” Briggs said.

She also disclosed that the Nigerian people now have five major agitations which include the people that say there is a constitution, the people that say there is no constitution, the people that say the constitution should be amended, the people that say there should be restructuring and the people say there should be secession.

She, however, said that despite these five main debates, the country still has a great chance of being together if there is a change of constitution.

“A change of constitution is the last hope of staying together as different nationalities in Nigeria. I don’t believe we cannot stay and agree together as a country, but on being together, the new constitution is the document that will chart new principles for the people.

“The 1999 Constitution is no longer feasible. It is a wrong document that cannot deliver justice and equity. The current 1999 Constitution cannot address our socio-economic problems on a platter of justice and equity which is what all the people want,” the human rights activist asserted.

While speaking further, she gave an instance of the poll at the virtual gathering in which the participants voted for reforming the constitution or replacing constitution, which the result was 27.2% for reform and 72.8% was for replacement.

“Look at what I’m saying now, we just had a poll in this virtual hall and everybody had participated, as you can see the result being shared, the majority of us want a new constitution. Democracy should not be for one person or for a few cliques of people, it is for the majority of people.

“The 1999 Constitution has not worked, is not working and cannot work. My take from here is a new constitution. The next phase of Nigeria is dependent on what we do about our constitution,” Briggs said.

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Nigerian government institutions and facilities have flouted the government directive that flags be flown at half-mast in honour of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attairu and 10 other military officers who died in a plane crash on Friday in Kaduna.

President Muhammadu Buhari had ordered that the national flag be flown at half-mast at all public buildings, facilities and official residences from Monday to Wednesday in honour of the officers.

But checks by SaharaReporters in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja showed that there was no compliance with the directive as flags were seen in many parts of the city being flown at full mast, particularly at Eagle Square. 

About 50 national flags mounted in front of the arcade which hosts national and international events were on full display without any sign of honour for the late officers.

There was little compliance with the directive in some of the ministries, public institutions and private organisations visited by our correspondent.

The officers lost their lives in an plane crash in Kaduna last friday while on their way to attend the passing-out parade of army recruits scheduled for Saturday,

Meanwhile, Nigerians have continued to react to the absence of the President and Vice President at the burial of the army officers which took place at the military cemetery on Sunday.

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Nigerian government institutions and facilities have flouted the government directive that flags be flown at half-mast in honour of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attairu and 10 other military officers who died in a plane crash on Friday in Kaduna.

President Muhammadu Buhari had ordered that the national flag be flown at half-mast at all public buildings, facilities and official residences from Monday to Wednesday in honour of the officers.

But checks by SaharaReporters in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja showed that there was no compliance with the directive as flags were seen in many parts of the city being flown at full mast, particularly at Eagle Square. 

About 50 national flags mounted in front of the arcade which hosts national and international events were on full display without any sign of honour for the late officers.

There was little compliance with the directive in some of the ministries, public institutions and private organisations visited by our correspondent.

The officers lost their lives in an plane crash in Kaduna last friday while on their way to attend the passing-out parade of army recruits scheduled for Saturday,

Meanwhile, Nigerians have continued to react to the absence of the President and Vice President at the burial of the army officers which took place at the military cemetery on Sunday.

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The death of Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, has raised concerns over the unending fights against terrorism in Nigeria.

Shekau reportedly died after he was attacked by ISWAP militants last Wednesday after his bodyguards were overpowered.

Shekau

In a bid to get him to relinquish power, Shekau detonated a suicide vest he had on, killing himself and the ISWAP leadership at the meeting. 

In a report by SBM Intel, an Africa focused geopolitical research and strategic communications consulting firm, the fact that Shekau's death was caused by the Islamic State West African Province poses a grave threat to the Nigerian military.

This, according to the report, is as a result of ISWAP's better coordination to more financing, better network and affiliation to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levante. 

SBM Intel noted that the fact that ISWAP took out Shekau rather than the Nigerian Military raises the group's status resulting in more internal squabbles about leadership, “which in itself raises the possibility of more splinter factions".

The report read, “Shekau’s latest death is a turning point in the 12-year old insurgency. It is the first in terms of a leadership change in his own faction, Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād, since the death of its founder, Mohammed Yusuf, in 2009.

“The only challenge to Shekau’s leadership was in 2016 when following his pledge of allegiance to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the ISIS leadership appointed Abu Musab al-Barnawi to lead Boko Haram. His refusal to accept al-Barnawi’s leadership led to the splitting of Boko Haram into ISWAP and Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah (JAS), the official name of Boko Haram.

“We do not know yet who will succeed Shekau as the leader of Boko Haram, or even if Boko Haram will continue to exist considering that the reports of his death also say that ISWAP has captured the Sambisa Forest base of their rivals. If that holds, it will likely mean that many of the surviving Boko Haram fighters will be integrated into ISWAP, even if not immediately. 

“Both factions have often described each other as renegades, denoting an unwillingness to reach a compromise. This fits into the ISIS worldview in which there cannot be two Caliphates operating side by side. They have indeed taken the step of pronouncing a takfir on the JAS faction. However, there is the possibility of some Boko Haram fighters refusing to join ISWAP and leaving the Sambisa Forest area, with Ansaru cells in the North-West as a likely destination or continuing as Boko Haram.

”If they join Ansaru, itself a splinter Boko Haram faction, the group will be strengthened in its resurgence. The group was dormant from 2016 until January 2020 when it claimed responsibility for an attack on the convoy of the Emir of Potiskum on the Kaduna-Zaria Road, which killed 30 persons, including six Nigerian Army soldiers.

“If they continue as Boko Haram, they could be starting afresh or joining an already existing cell of the group. There are already reports of Boko Haram hoisting its flag in a remote community in Niger State, although the reports do not state which faction of Boko Haram and it is possible that it could be either the ISWAP or JAS faction. In either case, it is known that both factions are trying to make inroads into the region and in addition to a resurgent Ansaru, it is likely to become 

“Since the liberation of the Islamic State’s last stronghold in Raqqa, Syria, in 2015 by a coalition of international forces, multiple Islamist militias have sprung up in North Africa and the Sahel, stretching towards the Horn of Africa, some of them with connections to the Islamic State and Al Qaeda. Although right-wing terrorism has replaced the threat of Islamist terror attacks as the number one terror threat in the United States, the latter remains a problem for Europe and Central Asia. 

”The problem is also resurfacing in Central and Southern Africa, where ISIS affiliates are battling the Mozambican government for control of the mineral-rich Cabo Delgado province, raising concerns in the region.

“The ISWAP faction had continuously considered the Shekau-led Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah as a distraction to its enterprise and has desired to have a united front. With Shekau now gone, ISWAP poses a graver threat to an already stretched military for a number of reasons ranging from better coordination to more financing, better network and affiliation to IS. 

”The fact that ISWAP took out Shekau rather than the Nigerian Military raises its status, a position which is not free of problems, however. ISWAP has had a series of leadership crises since its inception, which means this newfound status could lead to more internal squabbles about leadership, which in itself raises the possibility of more splinter factions.

“Another immediate implication of Shekau’s death is that it calls into question the capacities of state actors. With various reports over the years of failed attempts to kill Shekau by the Nigerian military and the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), his death in the hands of a 'technically defeated' non-state actor is embarrassing for the country’s intelligence and military institutions, and could deal a blow to morale, as well as to the prestige of the institution. 

“Considering ISWAP’s more clinical approach compared to Boko Haram and its focus on military targets and aid workers, its control of the Sambisa Forest means more problems for the military and the civilian populations in places where they are able to have control over and impose their Islamist rule. Additionally, successful conscription of Boko Haram members would mean that the ISWAP group would be better able to traverse the Sambisa area.

“For these reasons, it is important for the military to begin preparations for an escalation in hostilities in the area, and adopt new strategies that will not just sufficiently defend against attacks, but will also take the fight to the terrorists. It is vital that the military finds and targets the leadership of ISWAP as this will have more of an impact than killing off its foot soldiers.

“Another clear concern with the ISWAP takeover is that it is a well-connected terror group with access to military-grade equipment, training and financing from across the world. This is likely to be a challenge for the Nigerian government. 

“Tracing and tracking down terror financiers has not proven to be the forte of Nigeria and the country will clearly need more technical support and multinational partnerships to successfully track funds that go to the group. The objectives of Boko Haram and ISWAP are also likely to be different as well, due to the respective sources of funding. It is accepted by this stage that funding for Boko Haram is local. 

“The Nigerian government claims to be prosecuting what it reported to be hundreds of people in connection with sponsoring terrorism in the country. In ISWAP’s case, their funding is not local, so the growth and operations of the group will be harder to stop. Such a scenario presents a greater problem for the government as they cannot lean on local actors to get results in the fight against terrorism."

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Nigerian rapper, Mr. Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz says Nigeria does not deserve to be called a Third World or a developing countries. 

According to him, the country is in a backward state which should make it be among the tenth world nations of the world, should there be such a category. 

Falz said it is ridiculous and shameful that Nigeria is still debating about reforming or replacing the 1999 Constitution of the country in the 21st century when other nations of the world are talking about viable economic, political and technological issues that will fortify their economies and prosper their people.

The music artiste lamented that the country is bewildered with political leaders and other influential figures that do not follow the provisions of the law, hence are above the law and become oppressors of the common man.

Falz said this at the virtual conference of #TheFixPolitics/Dialogue tagged: ‘1999 Constitution: To change or amend’ held on Monday.

“I feel like we are very backward as a country. Nigeria is one of the third world countries, but I tell you we should be in the fifth or tenth world countries, because of our culture of impunity,” Falz said.

He stated that the current constitution is faulty, but yet the good parts that address critical issues are not adhered to by the leaders, because it does not favour them.

He gave an instance of the courts that have been shut across the country for the past seven weeks, as a result of the state governors' refusal to heed the ruling granting financial autonomy to the state judicial arms in their respective states.

“It is ridiculous we are still here. The culture of impunity and the fact that there are no consequences for our actions are demeaning.

“For example, during the #EndSARS protest, a policeman could say he would shoot a young protester and nothing would happen. That’s the culture of impunity! It is because there are no consequences for our actions. Nobody is following the provisions of the constitution,” Falz said.

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Nigerian rapper, Mr. Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz says Nigeria does not deserve to be called a Third World or a developing countries. 

According to him, the country is in a backward state which should make it be among the tenth world nations of the world, should there be such a category. 

Falz said it is ridiculous and shameful that Nigeria is still debating about reforming or replacing the 1999 Constitution of the country in the 21st century when other nations of the world are talking about viable economic, political and technological issues that will fortify their economies and prosper their people.

The music artiste lamented that the country is bewildered with political leaders and other influential figures that do not follow the provisions of the law, hence are above the law and become oppressors of the common man.

Falz said this at the virtual conference of #TheFixPolitics/Dialogue tagged: ‘1999 Constitution: To change or amend’ held on Monday.

“I feel like we are very backward as a country. Nigeria is one of the third world countries, but I tell you we should be in the fifth or tenth world countries, because of our culture of impunity,” Falz said.

He stated that the current constitution is faulty, but yet the good parts that address critical issues are not adhered to by the leaders, because it does not favour them.

He gave an instance of the courts that have been shut across the country for the past seven weeks, as a result of the state governors' refusal to heed the ruling granting financial autonomy to the state judicial arms in their respective states.

“It is ridiculous we are still here. The culture of impunity and the fact that there are no consequences for our actions are demeaning.

“For example, during the #EndSARS protest, a policeman could say he would shoot a young protester and nothing would happen. That’s the culture of impunity! It is because there are no consequences for our actions. Nobody is following the provisions of the constitution,” Falz said.

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The Presidency on Monday criticised the Southern Governors’ Forum over its ban on open grazing in the region, saying their announcement “is of questionable legality.”

The Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, in his characteristic defence of the rampaging herdsmen, stated that the presidency found “no solution offered from their (Southern Governors’ Forum) resolutions” to the incessant herder-farmer clashes that had plagued the country for years.

President Muhammadu Buhari

Shehu stated in a release obtained by SaharaReporters that the Presidency had come up with a number of specific measures which would take off in June to address the crisis, even though the Presidency failed to outline the measures.

He said, “The President had approved a number of specific measures to bring a permanent end to the frequent skirmishes as recommended by Alhaji Sabo Nanono, the Minister of Agriculture in a report he submitted and the President signed off on it back in April, well before the actions of the Southern Governors' Forum which attempts to place a ban on open grazing and other acts of politicking intended by its signatories to demonstrate their power.

“It is very clear that there was no solution offered from their resolutions to the herder-farmer clashes that have been continuing in our country for generations.

“But the citizens of the southern states – indeed citizens of all states of Nigeria – have a right to expect their elected leaders and representatives to find answers to challenges of governance and rights, and not to wash their hands off hard choices by, instead, issuing bans that say: “not in my state.”

“It is equally true that their announcement is of questionable legality, given the Constitutional right of all Nigerians to enjoy the same rights and freedoms within every one of our 36 states (and FCT) -regardless of the state of their birth or residence.

“Fortunately, this declaration has been preempted, for whatever it is intended to achieve and Mr. President, who has rightly been worried about these problems more than any other citizen in consultation with farmers and herders alike, commissioned and approved an actionable plan of rehabilitating grazing reserves in the states, starting with those that are truly committed to the solution and compliant with stated requirements.”

Shehu added that the Federal Government “is making far-reaching and practical changes allowing for different communities to co-exist side-by-side: supporting farmers to till their fields, herders to rear their livestock and Nigerians everywhere to be safe.”

“The entire country is acutely aware of the strain the COVID-19 pandemic has taken on public finances, for both Federal and States. Still, given the pressing urgency of addressing the perennial challenges, the federal funding for the project that has been delayed is now being partly unlocked. Actual work for the full actualisation of the modern reserve system in a few of the consenting states should take off in June,” the statement added.

The SGF earlier this month had at a meeting in Asaba, Delta State, jointly passed a resolution banning open grazing across the zone, due to the violent clashes between herdsmen and farmers which have claimed thousands of lives across various communities.

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The Presidency on Monday criticised the Southern Governors’ Forum over its ban on open grazing in the region, saying their announcement “is of questionable legality.”

The Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, in his characteristic defence of the rampaging herdsmen, stated that the presidency found “no solution offered from their (Southern Governors’ Forum) resolutions” to the incessant herder-farmer clashes that had plagued the country for years.

President Muhammadu Buhari

Shehu stated in a release obtained by SaharaReporters that the Presidency had come up with a number of specific measures which would take off in June to address the crisis, even though the Presidency failed to outline the measures.

He said, “The President had approved a number of specific measures to bring a permanent end to the frequent skirmishes as recommended by Alhaji Sabo Nanono, the Minister of Agriculture in a report he submitted and the President signed off on it back in April, well before the actions of the Southern Governors' Forum which attempts to place a ban on open grazing and other acts of politicking intended by its signatories to demonstrate their power.

“It is very clear that there was no solution offered from their resolutions to the herder-farmer clashes that have been continuing in our country for generations.

“But the citizens of the southern states – indeed citizens of all states of Nigeria – have a right to expect their elected leaders and representatives to find answers to challenges of governance and rights, and not to wash their hands off hard choices by, instead, issuing bans that say: “not in my state.”

“It is equally true that their announcement is of questionable legality, given the Constitutional right of all Nigerians to enjoy the same rights and freedoms within every one of our 36 states (and FCT) -regardless of the state of their birth or residence.

“Fortunately, this declaration has been preempted, for whatever it is intended to achieve and Mr. President, who has rightly been worried about these problems more than any other citizen in consultation with farmers and herders alike, commissioned and approved an actionable plan of rehabilitating grazing reserves in the states, starting with those that are truly committed to the solution and compliant with stated requirements.”

Shehu added that the Federal Government “is making far-reaching and practical changes allowing for different communities to co-exist side-by-side: supporting farmers to till their fields, herders to rear their livestock and Nigerians everywhere to be safe.”

“The entire country is acutely aware of the strain the COVID-19 pandemic has taken on public finances, for both Federal and States. Still, given the pressing urgency of addressing the perennial challenges, the federal funding for the project that has been delayed is now being partly unlocked. Actual work for the full actualisation of the modern reserve system in a few of the consenting states should take off in June,” the statement added.

The SGF earlier this month had at a meeting in Asaba, Delta State, jointly passed a resolution banning open grazing across the zone, due to the violent clashes between herdsmen and farmers which have claimed thousands of lives across various communities.

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The Lagos State police command has debunked claims that a police station in the Ile-Epo area of the state was razed by hoodlums.

Reports had swirled in some quarters that a police station in Ile-Epo bus stop, Oke-Odo, on Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway was on Monday, set ablaze.

The report also stated that a yet-to-be-identified commercial motorcyclist died during a clash involving policemen and commercial motorcycle operators popularly called ‘Okada riders’.

The incident, it was said, caused panic in the area.

But in a statement, Command's spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, said the police had restored normalcy in the area. 

He also stated that the report that a police station was burnt, is false and should be disregarded.

The statement read, “Cross-section of policemen at Ile-Epo Area of the state to restore normalcy and maintain peace. The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Hakeem Odumosu, has ordered for a thorough investigation into the incident.

“The command wishes to debunk the rumour that Ile Epo Police Station was set ablaze by the hoodlums. This news is false and should be disregarded. The command intends to give details of the incident as soon as possible."

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed concern over the constant attacks on its facilities.

The National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, raised the alarm after an emergency meeting in Abuja on Monday.

This comes few hours after gunmen broke into its head office in Awka, Anambra State capital and burnt the facility after a battle with security operatives.

In a statement, Okoye said the commission’s office in Igboeze South Local Government Area of Enugu State was also razed.

Okoye described the Anambra attack as a major blow to the preparation for the governorship election scheduled for November 6 in the state.

The statement read, “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) met in emergency session today, Monday 24th May 2021, as attacks on its facilities in some states of the Federation continue unabated.

“In the latest incidents, three offices of the Commission came under attack in Anambra, Imo and Enugu states. The Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC) for Anambra State, Dr Nkwachukwu Orji; his Imo State counterpart, Professor Francis Ezeonu, and that of Enugu State, Emeka Ononamadu, have reported that the attacks took place at various times on the night of Sunday, 23rd May 2021.

“The State Headquarters office in Awka was set ablaze in the most devastating onslaught on the Commission’s facilities so far.

“The attackers were systematic and selective in their targets. The Pavillion which serves as Collation Centre during major elections was burnt down. In what is a major blow to our preparations for the Governorship election scheduled for 6th November 2021, two stores housing electoral materials were burnt down.

“New and old (but serviceable) electric generating machines numbering 376 for all the Electoral Wards and the extra numbers for backup were completely burnt. The electric generators were recently relocated from the Local Government Area (LGAS) to the HQ in the belief that it is more secure than the LGA offices.

“Similarly, as part of the Commission’s proactive measures to ensure the success of the Governorship election later this year, about 50% of the non-sensitive materials required for the November 6, 20201 Governorship election already delivered to the State have also been lost in the fire. In addition, seven utility vehicles (Toyota Hilux) were burnt.

“It will be recalled that following the fire incident on the eve of the 2019 general elections in which the Smart Card Readers for the State were destroyed, the Commission moved the replacement Smart Card Readers from the shipping containers to the concrete store for enhanced protection. Fortunately, the Smart Card Readers were not affected.

“Also yesterday, our office in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area was attacked at about 6.45 pm in an obvious attempt to set the building ablaze. Fortunately, the damage was limited to a section of the building, specifically the windows and part of the roof. No electoral materials or office equipment were destroyed.”

“At about 1.00 pm yesterday, our Igboeze South LGA office was attacked. The store was completely burnt down before the Neighborhood Watch and the Enugu State Fire Service responded and prevented the inferno from razing other parts of the building.

“This is the third attack on INEC facilities in the State in less than two weeks following the destruction of our Udenu LGA office on 13th May 2021 and the State Headquarters building in Enugu on 16th May 2021.

“All three incidents in Anambra, Imo and Enugu have been reported to the Police for investigation.

“Although no lives were lost, these are clearly orchestrated and targeted attacks aimed at incapacitating the Commission in conducting electoral activities, especially in Anambra State.

“The attacks on the Commission’s facilities have now become a national emergency. Accordingly, the Commission will brief the Government and stakeholders on these incidents.

“In spite of these setbacks, the Commission is determined to continue to discharge its responsibilities including the conduct of the scheduled Anambra Governorship election."

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The umbrella body for Yoruba self-determination groups, Ilana Omo Oodua, has criticised the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, and other APC leaders in the South-West leaders for opposing “separatist agitations”.

SaharaReporters had reported that Tinubu and some other APC leaders in the South-West, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila had opposed agitations for Yoruba Nation at a meeting on Sunday. 

They however supported some of the resolutions made by the Southern Governors recently regarding open grazing and restructuring. 

But Ilana Oodua through its spokesperson, Maxwell Adeleye, told The PUNCH that the decision made by the APC leaders was unfortunate. 

The group headed by Prof Banji Akintoye also told the APC leaders that “history will not be kind to them” for “opposing the wish of the people”.

“People need to correct this. It is not secession. What we are fighting for is the self-determination right of our people as guaranteed by the United Nations Charter on Human rights and even the 1999 constitution.

“It is our right to fight for self-determination. Tinubu and others are entitled to their opinions. Conduct a poll and you will see that a majority of Yoruba people want their own nation.

“It is unfortunate that Chief Bisi Akande is present where the yearning and aspirations of Yoruba people will be denied. If his mentor, the late Chief Bola Ige – is alive, will Bisi Akande say the things he read out yesterday?

“If the likes of Tinubu, Baba Akande because of their ambition, Baba Akande are not careful, history will not be kind to them for standing against the yearnings and aspirations of the people. Without the people, they cannot be leaders,” he said.

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The umbrella body for Yoruba self-determination groups, Ilana Omo Oodua, has criticised the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, and other APC leaders in the South-West leaders for opposing “separatist agitations”.

SaharaReporters had reported that Tinubu and some other APC leaders in the South-West, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila had opposed agitations for Yoruba Nation at a meeting on Sunday. 

They however supported some of the resolutions made by the Southern Governors recently regarding open grazing and restructuring. 

But Ilana Oodua through its spokesperson, Maxwell Adeleye, told The PUNCH that the decision made by the APC leaders was unfortunate. 

The group headed by Prof Banji Akintoye also told the APC leaders that “history will not be kind to them” for “opposing the wish of the people”.

“People need to correct this. It is not secession. What we are fighting for is the self-determination right of our people as guaranteed by the United Nations Charter on Human rights and even the 1999 constitution.

“It is our right to fight for self-determination. Tinubu and others are entitled to their opinions. Conduct a poll and you will see that a majority of Yoruba people want their own nation.

“It is unfortunate that Chief Bisi Akande is present where the yearning and aspirations of Yoruba people will be denied. If his mentor, the late Chief Bola Ige – is alive, will Bisi Akande say the things he read out yesterday?

“If the likes of Tinubu, Baba Akande because of their ambition, Baba Akande are not careful, history will not be kind to them for standing against the yearnings and aspirations of the people. Without the people, they cannot be leaders,” he said.

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The Social-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given Kogi State authorities 24 hours to release Larry Emmanuel and Victor Anene Udoka.

The duo were peacefully exercising their rights on April 5, when some hoodlums loyal to the state government assaulted them before the police locked them up and prevented their families from having access to them.

According to SERAP, there have been reports that the two are beimg tortured and anyone responsible for that will be pronounced to have committed an international crime.

It said anyone involved in such an act should be ready to face the law. See Also ACTIVISM I Don't Know Whereabouts Of Buhari-Must-Go Protesters Assaulted, Detained By Police— Kogi State Chief Judge 0 Comments 1 Month Ago

SERAP, while describing the detention of the duo as unlawful, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to warn Governor Yahaya Bello and Kogi State authorities over the detention of Larry and Victor.

SERAP tweeted this on Monday, following an allegation that the two detainees were being tortured.

It therefore said appropriate legal actions would be taken against the authorities responsible for the detention of the duo, if they are not released within 24 hours. See Also Human Rights Power-Drunk Kogi Deputy Governor Behind Continued Detention Of Critically Ill Buhari-Must-Go Protesters 0 Comments 3 Weeks Ago

"We urge President Buhari to caution Governor Yahaya Bello and Kogi state authorities over the unlawful detention of Larry and Victor simply for peacefully exercising their rights.

"We'll take appropriate legal action if Larry and Victor are not released within 24 hours," the group said. 

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