Precious Chikwendu, the estranged wife of the infamous former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja to secure a restraining order against him.
Chikwendu, in a suit filed through her team of lawyers led by Abdul-Aziz Jimoh, also cited the Inspector-General of Police, the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Force CID, Commissioner of Police FCT, and the OC Legal (CID) FCT Command, CSP James Idachaba, as respondents in the matter.
In the suit, the woman prayed the court to restrain her former husband from using the other respondents to intimidate or harass her in any form whatsoever, pending the hearing and determination of an earlier suit marked No CV/372/2021, which she filed to take custody of four children she had for the former Minister.
Aside from seeking the enforcement of her fundamental rights, the applicant equally prayed the court to award her the sum of N800million, to be paid by the Respondents, jointly and severally.
“That I was in a most tempestuous and violent relationship with the 5th respondent (Fani-Kayode), a qualified legal practitioner, a politician and a former Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the court document read.
“The 5th respondent and I have four (4) children together and I am forcefully separated from our children who are all minors.
“Consequent upon the unbridled violence perpetrated against me by the 5th respondent and the forceful separation from our children, I filled a suit in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja with suit no CV/372/2021.
“Rather than allow the contending matters placed before the FCT High Court to be determined by the Honorable Court, the 5th respondent has persisted in using the police officers under the control of the 1st respondent( IGP) and supervised by the 2nd respondent (Commissioner of Police FCT) incessantly to intimidate and harass me with a view to interfering in the adjudicatory powers of a competent court of justice.
“That the 5th respondent, in cahoots with his counsel, being legal practitioners and officers of the court contrived a purported petition against me alleging forgery and falsification of court records in relation to the matter pending before the FCT High Court.”
Precious stated that she is fearful of her life, alleging that the 5th Respondent had been bragging that he could do anything to her and nothing would happen, adding
She told the court that in spite of several petitions she wrote to the 1st Respondent (IGP) alleging threats to her life by the 5th Respondent, he refused to act on the petitions.
Fani-Kayode and Precious have continued to make the headlines since their marriage of seven years collapsed last year with the pair currently in a heated tussle for the custody of their four children.
The former beauty queen had accused the All Progressives Congress chieftain of having mental health challenges.
She claimed that Fani-Kayode was abusive to her during her pregnancy due to his mental health challenges.
Precious also alleged that the former minister called the triplets in her womb cockroaches while punching her stomach.
Fani-Kayode had, however, fired back in a statement. He had also dismissed the allegations and described his former wife as “a pathological liar and a slanderer.”
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Precious Chikwendu, the estranged wife of the infamous former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja to secure a restraining order against him.
Chikwendu, in a suit filed through her team of lawyers led by Abdul-Aziz Jimoh, also cited the Inspector-General of Police, the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Force CID, Commissioner of Police FCT, and the OC Legal (CID) FCT Command, CSP James Idachaba, as respondents in the matter.
In the suit, the woman prayed the court to restrain her former husband from using the other respondents to intimidate or harass her in any form whatsoever, pending the hearing and determination of an earlier suit marked No CV/372/2021, which she filed to take custody of four children she had for the former Minister.
Aside from seeking the enforcement of her fundamental rights, the applicant equally prayed the court to award her the sum of N800million, to be paid by the Respondents, jointly and severally.
“That I was in a most tempestuous and violent relationship with the 5th respondent (Fani-Kayode), a qualified legal practitioner, a politician and a former Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the court document read.
“The 5th respondent and I have four (4) children together and I am forcefully separated from our children who are all minors.
“Consequent upon the unbridled violence perpetrated against me by the 5th respondent and the forceful separation from our children, I filled a suit in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja with suit no CV/372/2021.
“Rather than allow the contending matters placed before the FCT High Court to be determined by the Honorable Court, the 5th respondent has persisted in using the police officers under the control of the 1st respondent( IGP) and supervised by the 2nd respondent (Commissioner of Police FCT) incessantly to intimidate and harass me with a view to interfering in the adjudicatory powers of a competent court of justice.
“That the 5th respondent, in cahoots with his counsel, being legal practitioners and officers of the court contrived a purported petition against me alleging forgery and falsification of court records in relation to the matter pending before the FCT High Court.”
Precious stated that she is fearful of her life, alleging that the 5th Respondent had been bragging that he could do anything to her and nothing would happen, adding
She told the court that in spite of several petitions she wrote to the 1st Respondent (IGP) alleging threats to her life by the 5th Respondent, he refused to act on the petitions.
Fani-Kayode and Precious have continued to make the headlines since their marriage of seven years collapsed last year with the pair currently in a heated tussle for the custody of their four children.
The former beauty queen had accused the All Progressives Congress chieftain of having mental health challenges.
She claimed that Fani-Kayode was abusive to her during her pregnancy due to his mental health challenges.
Precious also alleged that the former minister called the triplets in her womb cockroaches while punching her stomach.
Fani-Kayode had, however, fired back in a statement. He had also dismissed the allegations and described his former wife as “a pathological liar and a slanderer.”
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The Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) is currently suing JP Morgan Chase in the English High Court for damages relating to the bank's handling of funds arising from Shell and Eni's allegedly corrupt acquisition of the OPL 245 oil field in Nigeria (case number: CL-2017-000730).
In Paragraph 54D of the FRN's Re-Re-Amended Particulars of Claim, the FRN states that, on 21 July 2011, Mohammed Adoke, who was Attorney General of Federation at the time of the deal, corresponded with JP Morgan from the email address “agroupproperties@yahoo.com”. At paragraph 46D of JPMC's Re-Re-Amended Defence, JPMC admits to the existence and content of the email. As the FRN points out at paragraph 54E of its Re-Re-Amended claim, A Group is a group of Nigerian companies controlled by Mr. Abubakar Aliyu.
Mohammed Bello Adoke
A company named, A Group Construction, and another called Novel Properties and Development Company Ltd subsequently became vehicles through which some of the OPL 245 funds transferred by JP Morgan to a company named Malabu Oil & Gas were disbursed.
The email forms part of a chain of correspondence between JPMC and officials of the administration of former President Jonathan. Ultimately, this correspondence led to JPMC transferring a whopping $801 million to Malabu Oil & Gas – money that should have gone to the Federation Account.
The FRN’s Re-Re-Amended Particulars of Claim sets out the trail of emails and correspondences with the bank that led to this loss. This chronology, together with the FRN’s commentary, was also presented.
The email from a “Mohammed Bello Adoke” is highlighted in red.
As will be seen, it formed part of a series of emails aimed at persuading JP Morgan to transfer funds arising from the OPL 245 transaction to Malabu Oil & Gas. In court proceedings in the UK, the FRN has described the OPL 245 transaction as “corrupt” and “a conspiracy to injure [Nigeria] by unlawful means by depriving the [FRN] of monies for the grant of OPL245 to which it was lawfully and exclusively entitled.”
The banks reported that on 21st June 2011 “Bayo Osolake (as a representative of the Defendant) received an email sent by Attorney General Adoke from the email address ‘agroupproperties@yahoo.com’, attaching copies of each of the Resolution Agreements”.
The presentation of the email to the Milan Tribunal received wide publicity, both internationally and in Nigeria.
In response, Mohammed Adoke's lawyer, Kanu Agabi, SAN wrote a petition to the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, dated 5 February 2021 stating: “The individuals who initiated the petition, investigations and the criminal trial at the court of Milan have engaged in acts of forgery of the email document dated 21 June 2011…”
Agabi’s letter was officially received by the IGP on 10 February 2021. The letter was published in online newspapers in Nigeria. The petition also states “the persons or organisations behind these forgeries are the ones that authored the petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), demanding the investigation of the OPL 245 Resolution Agreement”.
Adoke's lawyers did not name names. However, Global Witness, The Corner House and Re:Common were the signatories to the complaint that led to the investigation and subsequent prosecution in Milan.
The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) Resource Centre had also submitted a petition to Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that led to the current prosecution of Adoke, Etete and Aliyu in Nigeria.
Civil Society's response to the Forgery Allegations
On 1 March 2021, Corner House, Re:Common and HEDA wrote to the IGP, categorically denying Mr Adoke’s assertions that they forged the email. The letter was copied to the Milan Public Prosecutor’s Office and the UK Home Office, either of which would have been able to demonstrate the veracity, according to the group, of the following facts:
1. The email first came to light in late 2020 as part of civil proceedings by the Federal Republic of Nigeria against JP Morgan Chase [JPMC] in the High Court in London, where it was disclosed by JPMC and cited by the FRN in support of its claim.
1. The Milan Prosecutor obtained the email through a Mutual Legal Assistance request to the UK Government.
2. The email, which was sent from an email account associated with A Group Properties, was received by an employee of JPMC, who had previous correspondence with Mr. Adoke, on 21 June 2011.
The groups claimed that at the time of the email, none of the groups knew of the existence of A Group Properties, nor of the OPL 245 Resolution Agreements that were attached to the email. At the time, these Agreements were secret and would only have been accessible to parties to the deal, their associates and government officials. The existence of the Resolution Agreements did not come into the public domain until late 2011, months after the email was sent. This alone suggests that the email was sent or initiated by someone with official access to the documents.
3. The original email as received by JPMC will have properties and electronic information that would enable the identification of the IP address from which it was sent.
In the same letter, it was stated:
“We recognise that the email would certainly appear damaging to Mr Adoke. It is therefore understandable that he should try to discredit it. However, the notion that a document furnished by the UK in response to an MLA is a forgery is both entirely fanciful and highly damaging to the reputation of trusted parties to the MLA process. It was obtained through a government-to-government request from Italy to the United Kingdom.
“The documentation is now part of the public record and it is clear from the correspondence that the email was obtained from JP Morgan by the UK Serious Fraud Office and transmitted directly to the Milan Prosecutor. None of our organisations or officials was involved at any stage in the chain of custody.
“The email would certainly appear damaging to Mr Adoke, who is charged in Nigeria with a number of offences arising from the OPL 245 deal. Specifically, the email points to an association between Mohammed Bello Adoke and the Abubakar’s company that subsequently arranged the purchase of a house for Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN.
“Mr. Adoke failed to challenge this alleged forged document when it was submitted by the Milan Prosecutor to the Milan Court during prosecution of Mr. Etete and other defendants or at the UK court where it was tendered by JP Morgan. We believe that Mr. Adoke's complaint to you is a deliberate attempt to pervert the course of justice and would request that you investigate.
“We would draw your attention to the fact that Mr. Adoke, was repatriated from the United Arab Emirate by the Nigerian Government (https://ift.tt/2ZwgDfn); and that Messrs Adoke and Abubakar are facing trials in three different cases arising from the investigation of the OPL 245 case (FHC/ABJ/CR/39/2017, FHC/ABJ/CR/268/2016, CR/124/17).
“In addition, the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) has recovered $78million related to the OPL 245 deal from the UK – money that was recovered as stolen assets: the FRN is also a civil party to the Milan trial. Depending on the outcome of that trial, the Nigerian State stands to benefit potentially from substantial further compensation.”
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The Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) is currently suing JP Morgan Chase in the English High Court for damages relating to the bank's handling of funds arising from Shell and Eni's allegedly corrupt acquisition of the OPL 245 oil field in Nigeria (case number: CL-2017-000730).
In Paragraph 54D of the FRN's Re-Re-Amended Particulars of Claim, the FRN states that, on 21 July 2011, Mohammed Adoke, who was Attorney General of Federation at the time of the deal, corresponded with JP Morgan from the email address “agroupproperties@yahoo.com”. At paragraph 46D of JPMC's Re-Re-Amended Defence, JPMC admits to the existence and content of the email. As the FRN points out at paragraph 54E of its Re-Re-Amended claim, A Group is a group of Nigerian companies controlled by Mr. Abubakar Aliyu.
Mohammed Bello Adoke
A company named, A Group Construction, and another called Novel Properties and Development Company Ltd subsequently became vehicles through which some of the OPL 245 funds transferred by JP Morgan to a company named Malabu Oil & Gas were disbursed.
The email forms part of a chain of correspondence between JPMC and officials of the administration of former President Jonathan. Ultimately, this correspondence led to JPMC transferring a whopping $801 million to Malabu Oil & Gas – money that should have gone to the Federation Account.
The FRN’s Re-Re-Amended Particulars of Claim sets out the trail of emails and correspondences with the bank that led to this loss. This chronology, together with the FRN’s commentary, was also presented.
The email from a “Mohammed Bello Adoke” is highlighted in red.
As will be seen, it formed part of a series of emails aimed at persuading JP Morgan to transfer funds arising from the OPL 245 transaction to Malabu Oil & Gas. In court proceedings in the UK, the FRN has described the OPL 245 transaction as “corrupt” and “a conspiracy to injure [Nigeria] by unlawful means by depriving the [FRN] of monies for the grant of OPL245 to which it was lawfully and exclusively entitled.”
The banks reported that on 21st June 2011 “Bayo Osolake (as a representative of the Defendant) received an email sent by Attorney General Adoke from the email address ‘agroupproperties@yahoo.com’, attaching copies of each of the Resolution Agreements”.
The presentation of the email to the Milan Tribunal received wide publicity, both internationally and in Nigeria.
In response, Mohammed Adoke's lawyer, Kanu Agabi, SAN wrote a petition to the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, dated 5 February 2021 stating: “The individuals who initiated the petition, investigations and the criminal trial at the court of Milan have engaged in acts of forgery of the email document dated 21 June 2011…”
Agabi’s letter was officially received by the IGP on 10 February 2021. The letter was published in online newspapers in Nigeria. The petition also states “the persons or organisations behind these forgeries are the ones that authored the petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), demanding the investigation of the OPL 245 Resolution Agreement”.
Adoke's lawyers did not name names. However, Global Witness, The Corner House and Re:Common were the signatories to the complaint that led to the investigation and subsequent prosecution in Milan.
The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) Resource Centre had also submitted a petition to Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that led to the current prosecution of Adoke, Etete and Aliyu in Nigeria.
Civil Society's response to the Forgery Allegations
On 1 March 2021, Corner House, Re:Common and HEDA wrote to the IGP, categorically denying Mr Adoke’s assertions that they forged the email. The letter was copied to the Milan Public Prosecutor’s Office and the UK Home Office, either of which would have been able to demonstrate the veracity, according to the group, of the following facts:
1. The email first came to light in late 2020 as part of civil proceedings by the Federal Republic of Nigeria against JP Morgan Chase [JPMC] in the High Court in London, where it was disclosed by JPMC and cited by the FRN in support of its claim.
1. The Milan Prosecutor obtained the email through a Mutual Legal Assistance request to the UK Government.
2. The email, which was sent from an email account associated with A Group Properties, was received by an employee of JPMC, who had previous correspondence with Mr. Adoke, on 21 June 2011.
The groups claimed that at the time of the email, none of the groups knew of the existence of A Group Properties, nor of the OPL 245 Resolution Agreements that were attached to the email. At the time, these Agreements were secret and would only have been accessible to parties to the deal, their associates and government officials. The existence of the Resolution Agreements did not come into the public domain until late 2011, months after the email was sent. This alone suggests that the email was sent or initiated by someone with official access to the documents.
3. The original email as received by JPMC will have properties and electronic information that would enable the identification of the IP address from which it was sent.
In the same letter, it was stated:
“We recognise that the email would certainly appear damaging to Mr Adoke. It is therefore understandable that he should try to discredit it. However, the notion that a document furnished by the UK in response to an MLA is a forgery is both entirely fanciful and highly damaging to the reputation of trusted parties to the MLA process. It was obtained through a government-to-government request from Italy to the United Kingdom.
“The documentation is now part of the public record and it is clear from the correspondence that the email was obtained from JP Morgan by the UK Serious Fraud Office and transmitted directly to the Milan Prosecutor. None of our organisations or officials was involved at any stage in the chain of custody.
“The email would certainly appear damaging to Mr Adoke, who is charged in Nigeria with a number of offences arising from the OPL 245 deal. Specifically, the email points to an association between Mohammed Bello Adoke and the Abubakar’s company that subsequently arranged the purchase of a house for Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN.
“Mr. Adoke failed to challenge this alleged forged document when it was submitted by the Milan Prosecutor to the Milan Court during prosecution of Mr. Etete and other defendants or at the UK court where it was tendered by JP Morgan. We believe that Mr. Adoke's complaint to you is a deliberate attempt to pervert the course of justice and would request that you investigate.
“We would draw your attention to the fact that Mr. Adoke, was repatriated from the United Arab Emirate by the Nigerian Government (https://ift.tt/2ZwgDfn); and that Messrs Adoke and Abubakar are facing trials in three different cases arising from the investigation of the OPL 245 case (FHC/ABJ/CR/39/2017, FHC/ABJ/CR/268/2016, CR/124/17).
“In addition, the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) has recovered $78million related to the OPL 245 deal from the UK – money that was recovered as stolen assets: the FRN is also a civil party to the Milan trial. Depending on the outcome of that trial, the Nigerian State stands to benefit potentially from substantial further compensation.”
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Self-determination groups in Nigeria, Yoruba Nation and Biafra agitators, have insisted that the Nigerian Government cannot halt their protest at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Friday (tomorrow).
The Chairman of Nigerian Indigenous Nationalities Alliance for Self-Determination, Prof Banji Akintoye, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, alleging the President Muhammadu Buhari’s government of sponsoring a counter-protest.
The indigenous people of the South and Middle-Belt of Nigeria under the aegis of Nigerian Indigenous Nationalities Alliance for Self-determination (NINAS) had staged what it tagged, “Million-Man Freedom March” on September 14 and 15 opposite the UN Headquarters in New York to protest “crimes against humanity, attacks on press freedom, free speech and other criminalities” being aided by the Buhari led government of Nigeria.
NINAS is also asking for the conduct of a regional referendum so that the indigenous people can decide on their nationhood.
The group also described the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria as a fraud against the people of South and Middle-Belt, saying “it was enacted without the consent of the people."
“The Grand Finale of the NINAS Million-Man Freedom March holds on 24th September, 2021, the day President Muhammad Buhari will be addressing the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly,” the agitators insisted.
Akintoye, in a statement made available to journalists through the NINAS Director of Public Communications, Mr. Maxwell Adeleye, said no matter how the Nigerian Government tried to scuttle the NINAS Grand March, the will of the people shall prevail.
He said, “We refuse to be rattled. We shall not be intimidated. No Oppressor has ever triumphed against the collective will of the people. The people are the government and power belongs to the people. The people make the Constitution. The sovereignty belongs to the people. Our own strength lies in the hands of the people. Therefore, our March shall be people’s centered. It shall be peaceful as usual.
“All the people of the South and Middle-Belt in United States and Canada are urged to troop out in their large number to be present on Friday 24th September 2021 opposite the United Nations Headquarters in New York as we demonstrate and expose before the world, the rape of our ancestral land and hijack of our assets and sovereignty by the Fulani-Controlled Nigerian Government.
“I salute the Nigerian Mainstream media and International Media that have been covering the March to remain resolute and stand by the truth.”
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Self-determination groups in Nigeria, Yoruba Nation and Biafra agitators, have insisted that the Nigerian Government cannot halt their protest at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Friday (tomorrow).
The Chairman of Nigerian Indigenous Nationalities Alliance for Self-Determination, Prof Banji Akintoye, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, alleging the President Muhammadu Buhari’s government of sponsoring a counter-protest.
The indigenous people of the South and Middle-Belt of Nigeria under the aegis of Nigerian Indigenous Nationalities Alliance for Self-determination (NINAS) had staged what it tagged, “Million-Man Freedom March” on September 14 and 15 opposite the UN Headquarters in New York to protest “crimes against humanity, attacks on press freedom, free speech and other criminalities” being aided by the Buhari led government of Nigeria.
NINAS is also asking for the conduct of a regional referendum so that the indigenous people can decide on their nationhood.
The group also described the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria as a fraud against the people of South and Middle-Belt, saying “it was enacted without the consent of the people."
“The Grand Finale of the NINAS Million-Man Freedom March holds on 24th September, 2021, the day President Muhammad Buhari will be addressing the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly,” the agitators insisted.
Akintoye, in a statement made available to journalists through the NINAS Director of Public Communications, Mr. Maxwell Adeleye, said no matter how the Nigerian Government tried to scuttle the NINAS Grand March, the will of the people shall prevail.
He said, “We refuse to be rattled. We shall not be intimidated. No Oppressor has ever triumphed against the collective will of the people. The people are the government and power belongs to the people. The people make the Constitution. The sovereignty belongs to the people. Our own strength lies in the hands of the people. Therefore, our March shall be people’s centered. It shall be peaceful as usual.
“All the people of the South and Middle-Belt in United States and Canada are urged to troop out in their large number to be present on Friday 24th September 2021 opposite the United Nations Headquarters in New York as we demonstrate and expose before the world, the rape of our ancestral land and hijack of our assets and sovereignty by the Fulani-Controlled Nigerian Government.
“I salute the Nigerian Mainstream media and International Media that have been covering the March to remain resolute and stand by the truth.”
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The Nigerian Army has reacted to a trending video of a female commissioned officer, Lieutenant Chika Viola Anele, punishing a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Ezeiruaku Ifeyinwa Fidelia, in Cross River State after an alleged argument between the duo.
A Nigerian journalist and human rights activist, Agba Jalingo, had shared a video on his Facebook page showing the officer pouring an unknown white substance on the kneeling corps member after which she hit her with a bowl.
"#JusticeForIfenyinwa. This is what a commissioned female Army officer, Lt. Chika Viola Anele, did to a youth corps member, Ezeiruaku Ifeyinwa Fidelia, serving at the 13 Brigade headquarters in Calabar after having an argument,” Jalingo had posted.
“We understand that the leadership in 13 Brigade are working to kill the matter. Let us make the officer very popular for all the wrong reasons. Share the video until it gets to the Chief of Army Staff and that Chika girl is brought to book."
#JusticeForIfenyinwa: Commissioned Female @HQNigerianArmy Officer, Lt. Chika Viola Anele Dehumanises Youth Corp Member, Ezeiruaku Ifeyinwa Fidelia, Serving At 13 Brigade Headquarters In Calabar After An Argument
Reacting in a statement, Brig Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director Army Public Relations condemned the act describing it as “unprofessional.”
He urged members of the public to continue to report such infractions to the force while he apologised to the affected corps member, her family members, friends, National Youth Service Corps and to Nigerians in general for the unwholesome treatment while promising to ensure justice.
The statement reads, “The Nigerian Army has taken cognizance of a video clip currently making the rounds on the social media, where a female officer was seen dehumanizing a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Calabar, Cross River State. This act is not only condemnable but unprofessional and against established precepts of discipline in the NA.
“It is against this premise that the NA condemns this unimaginable level of infraction by personnel in its ranks. The NA therefore condemns in strong terms, this act of gross misconduct. Undoubtedly, the officer's actions have caused the NA monumental embarrassment and are highly regrettable.
“For the records, the ugly incident happened in 13 Brigade, Calabar. The Brigade Commander immediately instituted an investigation and the officer involved has been identified and sanctioned on the interim and would be made to undergo regimental orders (trial) in line with the extant provisions of the Armed Forces Act.
“The NA wishes to reiterate and assure the general public that such infractions would not be tolerated from its personnel.”
SaharaReporters had earlier reported that the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police (NACMP) arrested the female commissioned army officer, Lieutenant Anele caught on camera punishing a corps member, Fidelia in Cross River State after an alleged argument between the duo.
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The Nigerian Army has reacted to a trending video of a female commissioned officer, Lieutenant Chika Viola Anele, punishing a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Ezeiruaku Ifeyinwa Fidelia, in Cross River State after an alleged argument between the duo.
A Nigerian journalist and human rights activist, Agba Jalingo, had shared a video on his Facebook page showing the officer pouring an unknown white substance on the kneeling corps member after which she hit her with a bowl.
"#JusticeForIfenyinwa. This is what a commissioned female Army officer, Lt. Chika Viola Anele, did to a youth corps member, Ezeiruaku Ifeyinwa Fidelia, serving at the 13 Brigade headquarters in Calabar after having an argument,” Jalingo had posted.
“We understand that the leadership in 13 Brigade are working to kill the matter. Let us make the officer very popular for all the wrong reasons. Share the video until it gets to the Chief of Army Staff and that Chika girl is brought to book."
#JusticeForIfenyinwa: Commissioned Female @HQNigerianArmy Officer, Lt. Chika Viola Anele Dehumanises Youth Corp Member, Ezeiruaku Ifeyinwa Fidelia, Serving At 13 Brigade Headquarters In Calabar After An Argument
Reacting in a statement, Brig Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director Army Public Relations condemned the act describing it as “unprofessional.”
He urged members of the public to continue to report such infractions to the force while he apologised to the affected corps member, her family members, friends, National Youth Service Corps and to Nigerians in general for the unwholesome treatment while promising to ensure justice.
The statement reads, “The Nigerian Army has taken cognizance of a video clip currently making the rounds on the social media, where a female officer was seen dehumanizing a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Calabar, Cross River State. This act is not only condemnable but unprofessional and against established precepts of discipline in the NA.
“It is against this premise that the NA condemns this unimaginable level of infraction by personnel in its ranks. The NA therefore condemns in strong terms, this act of gross misconduct. Undoubtedly, the officer's actions have caused the NA monumental embarrassment and are highly regrettable.
“For the records, the ugly incident happened in 13 Brigade, Calabar. The Brigade Commander immediately instituted an investigation and the officer involved has been identified and sanctioned on the interim and would be made to undergo regimental orders (trial) in line with the extant provisions of the Armed Forces Act.
“The NA wishes to reiterate and assure the general public that such infractions would not be tolerated from its personnel.”
SaharaReporters had earlier reported that the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police (NACMP) arrested the female commissioned army officer, Lieutenant Anele caught on camera punishing a corps member, Fidelia in Cross River State after an alleged argument between the duo.
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The Enough is Enough network has said there are numerous #EndSARS protesters who are currently languishing in various correctional centres across the country.
In a statement on Thursday, the network condemned police brutality on protesters who were calling for reform of the force.
It urged members of the public and relatives of victims with reliable information about incarcerated protesters to reach out to EiE Nigeria or Gavel for prompt legal intervention.
The statement reads: "The right to protest is fundamental and not a privilege. It is a right guaranteed by the ground norm of the land; the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which affirms that a citizen of Nigeria does not need the approval of any governmental agency or public official to express their grievance.
“Thus, to find protesters being brutalised, illegally shot at, and arrested for exercising their fundamental right is a complete breach of their human rights.
“These were some of the disturbing encounters of Nigerians who participated in the October 2020 #EndSARS protest, where citizens came out en masse to bemoan the societal ills of police brutality, indiscriminate arrests, and the excesses of rogue police officers and operatives of different police units, especially the now-renamed Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
“Peaceful protesters are not criminals; neither is peacefully protesting a criminal offence.
“Through our networks, we have observed, monitored, and amplified the search for incarcerated protesters and provided prompt legal support for victims as well as relatives of victims arrested during and after the October 2020 nationwide protests.
“Sadly, almost one year after the nationwide protests, we can authoritatively confirm that there are still #EndSARS protesters who are incarcerated and languishing in various correctional centres.
“We hereby call on members of the public, friends, or relatives of victims with reliable information about incarcerated protesters to reach out to EiE Nigeria or Gavel for prompt legal intervention via any of our social media platforms or contact details below.”
In October 2020, many Nigerians took to the streets to demonstrate against police brutality under the #EndSARS campaign.
The demands led to the disbandment of the special anti-robbery squad (SARS) of the Nigerian Police Force.
On October 19, 2020, the Lagos State Government set up the judicial panel of inquiry and restitution to investigate cases of human rights abuses by operatives of the now-disbanded SARS and other security agencies.
This was a sequel to the directive of the national economic council (NEC) that mandated states to set up panels to investigate police brutality in the wake of the #EndSARS protests.
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The Enough is Enough network has said there are numerous #EndSARS protesters who are currently languishing in various correctional centres across the country.
In a statement on Thursday, the network condemned police brutality on protesters who were calling for reform of the force.
It urged members of the public and relatives of victims with reliable information about incarcerated protesters to reach out to EiE Nigeria or Gavel for prompt legal intervention.
The statement reads: "The right to protest is fundamental and not a privilege. It is a right guaranteed by the ground norm of the land; the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which affirms that a citizen of Nigeria does not need the approval of any governmental agency or public official to express their grievance.
“Thus, to find protesters being brutalised, illegally shot at, and arrested for exercising their fundamental right is a complete breach of their human rights.
“These were some of the disturbing encounters of Nigerians who participated in the October 2020 #EndSARS protest, where citizens came out en masse to bemoan the societal ills of police brutality, indiscriminate arrests, and the excesses of rogue police officers and operatives of different police units, especially the now-renamed Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
“Peaceful protesters are not criminals; neither is peacefully protesting a criminal offence.
“Through our networks, we have observed, monitored, and amplified the search for incarcerated protesters and provided prompt legal support for victims as well as relatives of victims arrested during and after the October 2020 nationwide protests.
“Sadly, almost one year after the nationwide protests, we can authoritatively confirm that there are still #EndSARS protesters who are incarcerated and languishing in various correctional centres.
“We hereby call on members of the public, friends, or relatives of victims with reliable information about incarcerated protesters to reach out to EiE Nigeria or Gavel for prompt legal intervention via any of our social media platforms or contact details below.”
In October 2020, many Nigerians took to the streets to demonstrate against police brutality under the #EndSARS campaign.
The demands led to the disbandment of the special anti-robbery squad (SARS) of the Nigerian Police Force.
On October 19, 2020, the Lagos State Government set up the judicial panel of inquiry and restitution to investigate cases of human rights abuses by operatives of the now-disbanded SARS and other security agencies.
This was a sequel to the directive of the national economic council (NEC) that mandated states to set up panels to investigate police brutality in the wake of the #EndSARS protests.
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Nigeria’s terrorists-linked Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, accepted the role of Professor of Cybersecurity five months before the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, officially offered him the appointment.
According to some documents uploaded by Nigerian academic and media scholar, Farooq Kperogi, the minister accepted the offer as a Professor of Cybersecurity in the School of Information and Communication Technology on March 30, 2021.
Isa Ali Pantami
However, the appointment letter from the university offering him the professorship post has August 20, 2021 as its date.
“I wish to accept you the offer as a professor of cybersecurity in the School of Information and Communication Technology, Federal University of Technology, Imo, Owerri State.
“This decision is sequel to my briefing to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Friday 26th March 2021 and his permission for me to go ahead and share my knowledge and experience in the academia, which is a form of community service to our citizens.
“Furthermore, i want to categorically states that i will serve as a Professor of Cybersecurity at the University (on CONUASS 11) 7 STEP1. However, i will serve voluntarily without receiving any payment, untill further notice. I will assume duty tomorrow, 31 March, 2021.
“Whilst thanking you for the offer, please, accept the assurance of my highest esteemed regards,” Pantami letter to the university dated March 30, 2021 read.
However, FUTO Registrar, John Nnabuihe in a letter dated August 20 to Pantami claimed his promotion was “based on his qualification which he merited through long years of research works.”
“I write on behalf of the Governing Council to offer you a Tenure Appointment as a Professor in the Department of Cybersecurity, School of Information and Communication Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri with effect from March 19,2021 on the following terms and conditions,” Nnabuihe said.
“Your duties will be teaching, research and such other duties as may be assigned to you by the Head, Department of Cybersecurity or his/her representatives from time to time
“(a) You will be placed on Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure (CONUASS II) 7 Step 2 that is N5,249,996.00 per annum. (b) Your next increment is due on October 1, 2021 provided you have served at least six (6) months by that date.
“You will be entitled to annual leave but no leave grant shall be payable. The commencement and termination of the appointment will be governed by the provisions of Chapter 2 of the Regulations Governing the Conditions of Appointment of Senior Staff.
“The appointment is subject to your passing a medical examination to be arranged by the University. The appointment is subject to the provisions of the Federal Universities of Technology Act, Cap. F. 23, Volume 7, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and also to the Regulations Governing the condition of Appointment of Senior Staff made by the University Governing Council from time to time.
“Your Personal Number is SP.6056 and must be quoted in every official correspondence with the University. Please let me know in the writing within four (4) weeks from the date of this letter whether or not you accept the offer on the terms and conditions herein stated.”
FUTO and Pantami have both been under fire by Nigerians over the circumstances which the minister was promoted to the highest academic rank in the institution.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has said it would investigate the controversial appointment.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) also suspended Sunday Congo, its Gombe state caretaker chairman, for writing a congratulatory letter to Pantami.
The minister had been in the news earlier in the year over his past call to Jihad and unalloyed support for murderous groups like the Taliban and Al-Qaeda.
“This jihad is an obligation for every single believer, especially in Nigeria,’’ Pantami was quoted as saying in one of his vicious preaching in the 2000s.
“Oh God, give victory to the Taliban and Al-Qaeda,” he was quoted to have also said.
In other audio clips that surfaced online, Pantami was also heard as sympathetic to Boko Haram members when delivering sermons at several worship centres in the 2000s.
However, Pantami claimed he had renounced his radical comments and said his views had changed over time. He said he had in the past 15 years been traversing the country to preach against terrorism.
Despite the Minister’s claim, most Nigerians said the minister ought to have resigned due to public backlash and be investigated by the authorities. Should he fail to resign, some commentators said he ought to be sacked by the President.
But the Presidency, in glaring support for Pantami, dismissed the possibility of sacking the controversial Minister because he had allegedly apologised for his radical views.
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The TakeItBack Students' movement has condemned the police shooting of protesting students of Plateau State Polytechnic which resulted in the death of a student.
The group described the event as unfortunate, while stating that the right to protest is a recognised human right enshrined in the Nigerian constitution.
According to the group, it is a misuse of power for security operatives to shoot at students who were protesting peacefully.
The group said the offending officer should be prosecuted and justice be served.
In a statement obtained by SaharaReporters, the group said, “The attention of the TakeItBack Students' movement has been drawn to an awful incident that happened at the Plateau State Polytechnic, Plateau State, where security operatives opened fire on students protesting peacefully.
“We find this report so disheartening and consider the behaviour of the security operatives totally barbaric and condemnable. The right to protest is a recognized human right enshrined in the Nigerian constitution. Hence, it is the duty of any security operatives to uphold this right. It is indeed an embarrassing act and a total misuse of power for any security operatives to shoot at peaceful protesters.
“We demand for a prompt investigation of the security personnel involved in this act and also call that the culprit be prosecuted and justice is ensured.
“Also, we commiserate with the family of the bereaved and promise to join hands with every progressive move to ensure that the culprit is brought to book.
“We also commend the sagacity of the students of Plateau State Polytechnic for how they have stood their ground and expressed their displeasure peacefully. However, it is important for the students to remain strong and never allow their voices to be repressed by the oppressive actions of the state.
“TakeItBack Students' movement will surely put in their best behind the progressive struggle to ensure it doesn't end in vain, and as well ensure that the injured and murdered student get justice as deserved.”
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A Nigerian soldier, Abubakar A, who threatened to attack Nigerians on June 12 during the planned nationwide mega protests, has lost his brother in the army, identified only as Muhammad to a Boko Haram terrorists’ attack.
SaharaReporters gathered that Muhammad was sadly among the 25 soldiers killed by some Boko Haram elements in the Monguno area of Borno State on September 15, 2021.
Sources had told SaharaReporters that the soldiers were on patrol to clear the insurgents in the area when they were ambushed.
The deadly attack left about 25 soldiers dead while some are still missing five days after the incident.
SaharaReporters gathered that military operational vehicles, several weapons and ammunition were stolen during the attack.
Monguno is North about 70km drive from Maiduguri the state capital and hosted thousands of IDPs mostly from Dikwa and Marte council areas.
“Hi, I am Abubakar, brother to Muhammad. I am so saddened and heartbroken to say that my brother Muhammad passed away on Wednesday 15th September after a long battle with ISWAP in ambush along monguno to Gajiram, may ALMIGHTY Allah accept their shortcomings. Nigeria will prevail,” Abbakar posted on Twitter.
Hi,i am Abubakar brother to Muhammad. I am so saddened and heartbroken 💔 to say that my brother Muhammad passed away on Wednesday 15th September after a long battle with ISWAP in ambush along monguno to Gajiram, may ALMIGHTY Allah accept their shortcomings
Nigeria will prevail
The Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, has disclosed that the Fifth Generation (5G) network will be deployed in the country by January 2022 and will assist in the surveillance against destruction of public infrastructures.
Pantami made this known in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital during a town hall meeting to address the vandalism of power and communications facilities.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the event was organised by the Ministry of Information and Culture, was attended by Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno and his Deputy, Mr Usman Kadafur and other stakeholders.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed led the other ministers who were panelists at the town hall meeting.
Pantami, who was represented by Mr Ubale Maska, Commissioner for Technical Services, Nigeria Communication Commission, said the 5G network was recently approved by the Federal Executive Council for increased connectivity.
He said while the technology would improve monitoring against criminal elements damaging public infrastructure across the Nigeria, other measures should be erected to arrest them and bring them to book.
The minister revealed that there were over 50,000 telecommunication sites across the country, which made it hard to man manually except through deployment of modern technology.
He also disclosed that there were about 16,000 reported outages by mobile network operators – MTN, Globacom, Airtel and 9Mobile – from January 2021 to July 2021.
The outages, according to him were due to fiber cuts, access denial and theft leading to service disruption in the affected areas
He observed that protection of the critical infrastructural facility was important to the nation’s security, economic vitality, public health and safety.
He lamented the situation where telecoms installations that were vandalised in the attacks by terrorists, had not been replaced as a result of the lingering insecurity and tensions in parts of the North-East.
He also urged the National Assembly to quicken passage of Critical Infrastructure Protection Bill for onward submission to the President for approval.
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The Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, has disclosed that the Fifth Generation (5G) network will be deployed in the country by January 2022 and will assist in the surveillance against destruction of public infrastructures.
Pantami made this known in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital during a town hall meeting to address the vandalism of power and communications facilities.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the event was organised by the Ministry of Information and Culture, was attended by Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno and his Deputy, Mr Usman Kadafur and other stakeholders.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed led the other ministers who were panelists at the town hall meeting.
Pantami, who was represented by Mr Ubale Maska, Commissioner for Technical Services, Nigeria Communication Commission, said the 5G network was recently approved by the Federal Executive Council for increased connectivity.
He said while the technology would improve monitoring against criminal elements damaging public infrastructure across the Nigeria, other measures should be erected to arrest them and bring them to book.
The minister revealed that there were over 50,000 telecommunication sites across the country, which made it hard to man manually except through deployment of modern technology.
He also disclosed that there were about 16,000 reported outages by mobile network operators – MTN, Globacom, Airtel and 9Mobile – from January 2021 to July 2021.
The outages, according to him were due to fiber cuts, access denial and theft leading to service disruption in the affected areas
He observed that protection of the critical infrastructural facility was important to the nation’s security, economic vitality, public health and safety.
He lamented the situation where telecoms installations that were vandalised in the attacks by terrorists, had not been replaced as a result of the lingering insecurity and tensions in parts of the North-East.
He also urged the National Assembly to quicken passage of Critical Infrastructure Protection Bill for onward submission to the President for approval.
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