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Category: News

  • DSS kills kidnapper of popular Hausa singer Rarara’s mother, recovers N26.5m

    DSS kills kidnapper of popular Hausa singer Rarara’s mother, recovers N26.5m

    By Doris Isreal Ijeoma

    Department of State Services operatives have killed one and arrested another of the kidnappers of Hajiya Hauwa’u Adamu, mother of popular Kano-based Hausa singer, Dauda Rarara.

    Gunmen had broken into the residence of Rara’s mother in Kahutu village in Danja Local Government Area of Kano State and abducted her on Friday, June 28, 2024.

    She, however, regained freedom after spending 20 days in captivity.

    A highly placed source in the secret service told Daily Trust that N26.5 million was also recovered in a covert operation.

    The source said the Kano command’s tactical team, based on reliable intelligence, busted a gang of five bandits in Makarfi bush where they were sharing the ransom.

    “One Hamisu Tukur, is currently in custody with gunshot injuries, while Bature was killed,” the source said

  • Appeal Court affirms Diri’s re-election as Bayelsa Governor

    Appeal Court affirms Diri’s re-election as Bayelsa Governor

    By Vivian Michael, Abuja

    The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, Thursday, affirmed the re-election of Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State.

    The judgement described the appeal brought before it by the All Progressives Congress(APC) and its candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, as incompetent and abuse of court process.

    The appellate court, had in a unanimous decision by a three-man panel of Justices lead by Justice James Abunduga, said it found no reason to dislodge the earlier judgement of the Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.

    It held that the court below was right when it declined to nullify the outcome of the gubernatorial poll that was held in the state on November 11, 2023.

    The Bayelsa Governorship petition tribunal, had on May 27, led by Justice Adekunle Adeleye, dismissed as lacking in merit, the petition that was filed against governor Diri’s re-election by the APC and its candidate.

    The tribunal held that the petitioners failed to adduce any credible evidence to substantiate any of the allegations they raised against the outcome of the governorship poll.

    It struck out as incompetent, all the additional proof of evidence, as well as statements on oath of some of the witnesses that testified for the petitioners.

    The court below maintained that the law expressly provided that an election petition must be filed no later than 21 days after the result of an election was declared.

    It held that such petition must, at the time it was filed, be accompanied by written statements of all the intended witnesses.

    The tribunal held that the decision of Sylva and his party to file their additional proof of evidence and statement on oath of witnesses, long after they had filed the petition, was “tantamount to a surreptitious attempt to amend the case of the petitioners.”

    The tribunal noted that whereas Sylva and his party prayed it to declare that they were the valid winners of the governorship election, they equally applied for the same election to be declared invalid.

    It held that prayers of the petitioners were contradictory, adding that Sylva and APC did not tender any electoral material to show that any irregularity occurred during the election.

    It held that the petitioners were unable to discharge the burden of proof that was placed on them by the law, stressing that they failed to show, polling units by polling units, the particulars of the non compliance they alleged and how it substantially affected the outcome of the election.

  • ‘I Remain Deputy Gov Till Nov, I Will Resume Office, Face My Work’ – Philip Shaibu Dares Obaseki

    ‘I Remain Deputy Gov Till Nov, I Will Resume Office, Face My Work’ – Philip Shaibu Dares Obaseki

    The reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, declared on Friday that he will remain in office until November 11, the date of the upcoming governorship election.

    Shaibu’s statement came after an Abuja Federal High Court reaffirmed his position.

    In an appearance on Arise TV’s morning show, Shaibu announced his return to the office and criticized Governor Godwin Obaseki for failing to pay him for the past year.

    Shaibu stated, “I’m elected deputy governor of this state and the court has reaffirmed it. I will be deputy governor till November eleven, even when the governor has not paid. He has not paid for the last one year.

    “I’m a law abiding citizen and I will go to the office this morning, if they want to stop me, they should.

    “I will not do anything that would lead to the loss of life. I have been maintaining peace, the office of the deputy governor must be given it’s rightful respect.

    “I will resume in the office and face my work, if he allows me to see him, I will and if not; I will face my work.”

    In addition, Shaibu revealed that he considers himself an unofficial member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), having distanced himself from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He explained that his support for the APC’s governorship candidate is consistent with his personal choice, noting that party affiliations do not restrict one’s right to support any candidate.

    Giving reasons for supporting the APC governorship candidate in Edo state, he said, “In PDP now, everybody can support whoever they like. On the issue of supporting a candidate, the constitution guarantees that you can support who you like and you can belong to any political party.”

  • Cholera Vaccines To Arrive In Nigeria Soon

    Cholera Vaccines To Arrive In Nigeria Soon

    The Chief Executive Officer of the Vaccine Alliance, Gavi, Dr. Sania Nishtar, has disclosed that cholera vaccines are on the way to Nigeria and aim to mitigate the severe and persistent disease outbreak.

    Earlier on June 27, 2024, Nishatar expressed concern over the cholera outbreak in Nigeria and the readiness of the organization to assist the country in its response efforts, including providing emergency vaccine doses as necessary.

    Cholera, a highly contagious disease transmitted through contaminated water and food, is caused by ingesting the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.

    The primary factors contributing to the outbreak include the consumption of contaminated water and poor sanitation, further intensified by the rainy season, leading to an increase in cholera cases due to flooding and the contamination of water sources.

    As of July 15, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has documented 3,623 suspected cholera cases and 103 fatalities across 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

    The outbreak has expanded to 187 Local Government Areas, with a case fatality rate of 2.8 per cent since the start of the year.

    Dr Jide Idris, the Director-General of the NCDC, noted that the most affected age group is five years old, with males representing 52 per cent of the cases and females representing 48 per cent.

    He also mentioned a 5.6 per cent decrease in the number of cases reported in the current week (July 8 – 14) compared to the previous week.

    However, in a post via her official X handle on Thursday, Nishtar wrote: “Encouraged to learn that #Cholera vaccines from the #Gavi-funded global vaccine stockpile will soon arrive in Nigeria to help curb the country’s deadly and ongoing outbreak. We stand ready to work with our partners #UNICEF and #WHO to support Minister #muhammadpate, #Fmohnigeria, and #NCDCgov’s timely efforts to contain this outbreak and protect those at the highest risk.

    “Despite the large number of cholera outbreaks this year, our stockpile is now fully replenished, and production continues at maximum capacity. We hope to keep supporting cholera-affected countries with their control plans. #stopcholera.”

  • Ndume Breaks Silence On Removal As Senate Chief Whip, Rejects Akpabio’s Appointment

    Ndume Breaks Silence On Removal As Senate Chief Whip, Rejects Akpabio’s Appointment

    By Doris Isreal Ijeoma

    The Borno South Senator, Ali Ndume, has spoken publicly for the first time following his sack as the Chief Whip of the Senate in the 10th Assembly.

    The outspoken lawmaker, who spoke in his country home of Maiduguri on Friday, said he was unfairly treated, and his actions do not warrant his removal from the position.

    He also rejected the chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Tourism, which was announced by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Wednesday, arguing that he lacks the experience and exposure to lead such a sensitive group.

    Ndume added that he never wanted to be a senate whip after serving as the leader in the eighth senate, disclosing that he was given the chance to choose which committee to serve as the vice chairman, having successfully led the campaigns that brought about the emergence of Godwill Akpabio as president of the Senate.

    On the recommendation of the party to leave the APC, Ndume said he is a founding member of the party.

    He explained that he was one of the twenty-two senators from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that formed the APC when the current national chairman of the party Abdullahi Ganduje was a deputy governor in Kano State.

    He, however, stated that when former President Muhammadu Buhari, in the company of President Bola Tinubu, ordered him to sign a document to join APC at the Imo House in Abuja, he informed his people before going public as such, he would consult his people before deciding on whether to leave the APC or not.

  • Labour Party Suspends Nollywood Actress, Hilda Dokubo

    Labour Party Suspends Nollywood Actress, Hilda Dokubo

    By Doris Isreal Ijeoma

    The Labour Party (LP) has suspended Nollywood actress cum politician, Hilda Dokubo over alleged financial misconduct.

    Dokubo was suspended as a member of the Labour Party at her ward in Asari Toru Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State.

    She was accused of financial misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of party regulations, among others.

    Dokubo, the Labour Party’s acting chairperson in Rivers State, was suspended on Thursday following an emergency meeting of the party’s ward executive committee held on July 15.

    The suspension was conveyed through a letter addressed to the LP’s chairman of Asari Toru and signed by the ward Chairman, Ajalamonia Ibama; the Secretary, Lole Amacheer; and the Treasurer, Emmanuel Ibamathe.

    Other signatories to the letter include the Women Leader, Osaki Dieypiriye, and the Publicity Secretary, Osaki Dokubo.

    The ward executives said the decision followed a thorough investigation into the allegations against the 54-year-old actress.

    They argued that substantial evidence had been uncovered to support their claims.

    In 2022, Dokubo declared interest in contesting the Asalga/Akulga federal constituency in the House of Representatives under the Labour Party after two decades in the Nollywood industry.

    The thespian made her Nollywood debut during her youth service in a 1992 film titled ‘Evil Passion’, and has featured in several other films including ‘Gone Forever’, ‘End of the Wicked’, and ‘My Goodwill’.

  • Tinubu To Attend AU Meeting In Ghana

    Tinubu To Attend AU Meeting In Ghana

    President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to depart Abuja for Accra, Ghana on Saturday, July 20.

    According to a Friday statement by the presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu is to participate in the sixth mid-year coordination meeting of the African Union (AU), the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), the Regional Mechanisms (RMs), and the African Union member states.

    Tinubu, in his capacity as the Chairman of the ECOWAS authority of heads of state and government, will address the meeting on the status of regional integration across various areas in Africa, highlighting the achievements and challenges encountered in West Africa since the last meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, in July 2023.

    The President and Chairman of ECOWAS will present the ‘2024 Report on the State of the Community, focusing on peace, regional security, governance, economic integration, humanitarian and social development, energy, mines and agriculture.

    “The Mid-Year Coordination Meeting was conceptualized in 2017 as the principal forum for the AU and the RECs to align their work and coordinate the implementation of the continental integration agenda, replacing the June/July summits,” the statement read.

    “In July 2023, President Tinubu, who was then elected as the Chairman of ECOWAS, delivered his maiden speech at the AU Fifth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, where he affirmed Africa’s strength and the need for unity.

    “In Accra, the items on the agenda will include evaluating the AU’s early warning and conflict prevention mechanisms and promoting cooperation among regional economic communities to accelerate integration.”

    He will also present the ‘2024 report on the state of the community, focusing on peace, regional security, governance, economic integration, humanitarian and social development, energy, mines and agriculture.

    The meeting will be convened under the AU theme of the year 2024: ‘Educate and skill Africa for the 21st Century.’

    President Tinubu, who will be accompanied by senior government officials, will return to the country at the conclusion of the meeting.

  • We need support to pay N70,000 minimum wage – Organised private sector

    We need support to pay N70,000 minimum wage – Organised private sector

    The Organised Private Sector, OPS, has reacted to the new N70,000 minimum wage adopted by the Federal Government.

    President Bola Tinubu on Thursday approved N70,000 minimum wage for Nigerian workers, with a promise to review the national minimum wage law every three years.

    Reacting, the spokesperson of OPS, and Director General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, NECA, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, warned that members cannot pay the N70,000 national minimum wage announced by the Federal Government without support.

    He was quoted as saying: “While we commend the President for putting to rest the immediate issue of the National Minimum Wage, we also note, most importantly, his commitment to support the sub-nationals and the organised private sector to pay the new wage.”

  • Police condemned for restricting peaceful NASU, SSANU protest in Abuja

    Police condemned for restricting peaceful NASU, SSANU protest in Abuja

    By Doris Isreal Ijeoma

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has criticized the Nigeria Police Force for restricting a peaceful protest by non-teaching staff unions in Nigerian universities.

    Benson Upah, NLC’s head of information, made the statement on Thursday in Abuja.

    The protesting unions include the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU). The police had prevented these unions from proceeding with their planned street protest in Abuja, aimed at addressing their four months of unpaid salaries and other related issues.

    The protesters had gathered at the Unity Fountain with plans to march to the ministries of education and labour and employment to submit their letters to the ministers. However, they were restricted to the Unity Fountain.

    FCT Commissioner of Police Beneth Igwe had informed the union members that the protest was confined to the Unity Fountain for security reasons.

    Upah noted that the peaceful protest by NASU and SSANU was a last resort after all other avenues to secure their salaries had been exhausted, especially since workers from other unions had already been paid for the same strike action.

    He argued that the police’s actions breach the 1999 Constitution (as amended), ILO Conventions 87 and 98, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which guarantee freedom of association and speech.

    ”It is a violation of the Supreme Court ruling that citizens do not need the permit or approval of the police to peacefully protest and an insult to the dignity of self-respecting and law-abiding citizens.

    “In light of this, we demand an immediate police apology to NASU and SSANU members whom they violated.

    “We also demand the immediate payment of the withheld salaries.

    “We had had cause to write to government as well as issued a press statement on this matter in the recent past.

    “Government will be courting a major national industrial protest if it continues to ignore our wise counsel,” he said.

  • Edo Deputy Governor’s security strengthened as gunmen attack convoy of Okpebholo, Shaibu 

    Edo Deputy Governor’s security strengthened as gunmen attack convoy of Okpebholo, Shaibu 

    By Doris Isreal Ijeoma

    On Thursday in Benin, gunmen attacked the convoy of APC governorship candidate Sen. Monday Okpebholo and the reinstated deputy governor Philip Shaibu, resulting in the death of one security officer.

    The attack took place on Airport Road as Okpebholo and his team arrived from Abuja on a chartered flight. A police officer was killed and three others sustained injuries. Okpebholo’s condition remains unclear, though he is reported to be hospitalized in an undisclosed location in Benin City.

    This incident follows a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja on Wednesday that overturned Shaibu’s impeachment by the state House of Assembly. The Assembly has since appealed the ruling.

    The gunmen, stationed at the airport exit gate, opened fire on the convoy, leading to a retaliatory response from the security personnel protecting Okpebholo and Shaibu. The attack prompted businesses and offices in the vicinity to close quickly, and many motorists abandoned their vehicles and sought safety.

    SP Chidi Nwabuzor, spokesperson for the Edo police command, confirmed that the incident is currently under investigation.

    “It is premature for the police to confirm at this time until the investigation is concluded,” he said.

    Meanwhile, a check showed that security had been strengthened at the premises of the state Deputy Governor, Godwins Omobayo located at Osadebey Avenue, near the airport, in Benin to forestall any attack on him.

    In a statement on Thursday, Edo government alleged that it had observed the level of wanton destruction perpetrated by thugs working in connivance with the former deputy governor.

    Chris Nehikhare, the commissioner for communication and orientation, alleged that Mr Shaibu-led thugs have unleashed mayhem on innocent citizens in the guise of enforcing the judgement reinstating him to office.

    “We want to reiterate that Shaibu will face the consequences of violence that he has resorted to in pursuit of his aim to return to the Government House even when he is aware that a stay of execution of the judgement has been filed,” he said.

    The commissioner enjoined the general public to be calm and go about their lawful businesses as government restored peace to the ancient city.

    However, efforts to get the reaction of Shaibu proved abortive.

    But a statement by Godswill Inegbe, an aide to Okpebholo said his principal was attacked by the gunmen.

    “During the unprovoked attack, three mobile policemen attached to the security detail of Sen. Okpebholo were injured with bullet wounds, while one of the policemen has been feared dead,” Inegbe said.

    According to him, Okpebholo is at this moment admitted in an undisclosed hospital in Benin for medical attention with other members of the entourage.