News Rider

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja         Sammie Okposo and Wife, Ozioma Nigerian gospel artiste, Sammie Okposo has tendered unreserved and public apology to his wife, Ozioma for absconding with an American-based lady and desecrating their marital vows.  This is coming barely 24-hours after a lady identified as African Doll accused Okposo of impregnating and dumping her. In an interview with Obodo Oyibo TV’ on Monday, African Doll claimed that the gospel singer became hostile to her after she told him she was pregnant. She said that they met in Dallas during one of Okposo’s tours, became close and started an affair, which resulted to the pregnancy.  Famous for one of his sound tracks, ‘Wellu Wellu', Okposo, who posted the apology via his Instagram handle, sammieokposo,  also extended his apology to all the preachers of the gospel for his moral failure and behaviour, just as he pleaded to God for forgiveness.  To this end, the gospel singer stated that he would suspend himself from

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Safe disposal method and burning of lassa rats to avoid outbreaks. As the lassa fever outbreak spreads, the federal government has commenced campaign in eleven States identified as high-risk areas, just as 113 persons have died from the scourge so far.  The deaths cut across 27 local government areas in 11 States of Bauchi, Edo, Ondo, Benue, Taraba, Kaduna, Plateau, Kogi, Cross River, Ebonyi and Oyo.  According to Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) report of 16th January,  2022; 96 confirmed cases and 11 deaths were recorded from 3rd to 16th January, 2022, in addition to 510 confirmed cases and 102 deaths that occurred from January 2021 to 2nd January, 2022.  Lassa fever virus is transmitted by rodents (rats) that can be found in homes, motor parks, offices and even places of worship.  Minister of State for the Environment, Chief Sharon IKeazor stated this at the flag-off of 'National Environmental Sanitation Response to Lassa Fever and Chol

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Mohammed  The Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed has sought for more federal government intervention projects in other parts of the state in order to address constant erosion and flooding experienced in some communities close to the river bank.  He disclosed this in Jama’are town, Bauchi over the weekend, during the commissioning and handover of erosion-control project executed by the Ecological Project Office (EPO), Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF). Represented by his Deputy, Senator Baba Tela, he said that Jama’are town is close to the river, which is why its prone to environmental degradation due to excessive water discharged from the river.  The governor stated that with the project, the fear of flooding and its resultant loss of lives, destruction of houses and farm produce would be allayed, even as it would boost economic opportunities in the community.  While handing over the project, the Minister of state

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja  Member representing Toro Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Hon Umar Muda Lawal (left) presenting the handover certificate of Erosion-control and Rehabilitation Works along Rimi Zayam, Polchi and Gwalfadako River Bridge (Phase I & II) to the Village Head of Tulai, Alhaji Jafaar Idris (2nd left) while the Director of Pollution Control Department, Ecological Project Office (EPO) Mr. Abubakar Takum (right) and others watch with keen interest in Bauchi yesterday.  President Muhammadu Buhari has assured better deal for Bauchi communities, adding that no part of the country would be neglected irrespective of its geographical location or political inclination. He stated this in Bauchi yesterday at the commissioning and handover of flood-control projects executed by the Ecological Project Office (EPO), Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF). The projects cut across Rimi Zayam, Polchi and Gwalfadako communities in To

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja                 Ikeazor Worried by the activities of illegal vandals on Nigeria's pipeline and the need to curb the constant soot experienced in the Niger Delta areas, the federal government has disclosed its intention to engage the services of government institutions to establish 18 modular refineries in six major oil-producing States. The states, which comprise of Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Edo and Cross River are expected to get three modular refineries each, bringing the total number of modular refineries to 18. This is even as the refineries would be 100 per cent designed and manufactured in Nigeria using the expertise of government institutions such as the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Federal University of Petroleum Effurun and Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. Others are Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Niger Delta Development Commission, Petroleum Technology Development Fund, Nigerian Content Development and Management Board, Natio

      Kanu The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu to February 16, 2022. Justice Binta Nyako said this was to enable the court to consider the application filed by the defence counsel to quash the charges filed by the federal government against Kanu. The court added that the prosecution counsel must serve the defence counsel five days before the hearing. SaharaReporters earlier reported that Kanu pleaded not guilty to the 15-count amended charge bordering on treasonable felony and terrorism, brought against him by the federal government. Kanu, who was docked before trial Justice Nyako, said he was innocent of all the allegations the government levelled against him after the charge was read to him in the open court. The Buhari-led government had filed fresh terrorism charges against the detained IPOB leader before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday. Consequently, the action increased the ini

      Justice Benson Anya of the Abia State High Court has ruled that the invasion of the security agents to the residence of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, in 2017 was unlawful and an infringement on his human rights. The judge on Wednesday also ruled that his abduction and forceful return to Nigeria was "illegal" under local and international laws. Anya also ruled that the federal government should pay Kanu the sum of N1billion as compensation for the violation of his fundamental human rights. Recall that Kanu's Special Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor filed the lawsuit against the federal government on August 27, 2021 before the Abia court. SaharaReporters had reported that the judge rejected the challenge by the federal government on the jurisdiction to hear Kanu’s case. Ejimakor had argued that Kanu could not be tried in Nigeria as there was no crime he had committed known to both Nigerian and international laws. He added that the gover

       Kanu The United States and the British Government have turned down a request by the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, to send representatives to observe the his trial holding at the Federal High Court, Abuja Division on January 18, 19, and 20. While the US said it was limiting its employees from attending public gatherings, the UK explained that it does not normally attend a court case involving a British national. The US Embassy and the British High Commission said these in separate responses to inquiries from The PUNCH on Friday. Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, had last Wednesday, written to the US and UK missions in Nigeria, stating that the presence of their representatives would ensure a fair hearing for his client. The IPOB leader is facing a seven-count amended charge preferred against him by the federal government. The letter titled, ‘Request for delegate(s)/representative(s) to observe court proceedings …In Re: Charge NO. FHC/ABJ/CR/383

                  Kanu in court  The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Tuesday, adjourned further proceedings in the case against the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu, till Wednesday. The adjournment followed Kanu’s complain that the federal government failed to promptly serve him the fresh 15-count amended charge it brought before the court. Kanu, through his team of lawyers led by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Mike Ozekhome, further accused FG of denying him the necessary facility to defend the charge against him. Ozekhome, SAN, told the court that the amended charge was served on them, barely 24 hours to the scheduled hearing. “My lord, the proposed amended charge was served on us yesterday evening. As I speak to you my lord, the defendant who was just brought in, has not even seen the charge which he is being told to enter his plea." “With due respect, that is not Justice. It is ambushing. I know that the Administrat

BY CHIKA OKEKE Abuja                           Ikeazor The federal government has disclosed that the move by Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited to suspend the exportation of cooking gas would boost afforestation programme and improve the country’s forest cover.  Minister of State for the Environment, Chief Sharon Ikeazor, who disclosed this in Abuja yesterday, stated that supplying 100 per cent of the product for  domestic use to consumers is a welcome development.  It is estimated that 1.5 million trees are felled down daily through illegal logging, thereby leading to 3.5 percent deforestation annually. This is even as the forest cover had depleted to less than 10 percent as against the mandate of the Food and Agricultural Organizations’ (FAO) that each state is expected to keep its forest cover to a minimum of 25 percent of its land area. According to her, “For us in the environment sector, this singular decision will not only help in restoring the forest cover

Iyiegbu  The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Thursday grilled socialite, Obinna Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana for his alleged link to the illegal narcotic business.   It was learnt that Iyiegbu, who is the Chairman, Cubana group of companies, was grilled for about five hours at the Abuja headquarters of the NDLEA before he was granted bail and asked to return at a future date. Sources revealed that suspicious payments were made into Cubana’s account by three convicted drug dealers from Malaysia, Nigeria and India. Operatives of the NDLEA and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have now widened the probe into Cubana and his business network based on the premise that he may be involved in the drug business. “Obi Cubana arrived at the NDLEA office around 9am and responded to questions for some hours before he was granted bail at 2pm. There are suspicions that he may be a drug kingpin. Some convicted drug dealers paid funds into his account.

Operatives of the Ondo State Security Network codenamed Amotekun Corps have arrested 200 cows for ravaging farmlands in the State.  This is even as the cows were apprehended for flouting the States' anti-open grazing law at midnight of Thursday at Owena Dam in Ifedore Local Government Area. The herders, who fled from the area after sighting the corps were said to have led their cattle to the dam between 10pm to 12 pm. Confirming the report,  the Commander of Amotekun Corps in the state, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye said that his men swung into action following distress calls from the area.  “Our men went out at about 10pm and actually arrested 200 cows and went back to the Command at about 12 midnight.” Adeleye added that during the operation, two underaged children were found with the cows while the herdsmen fled from the area. The Amotekun boss said with the anti-open grazing law still in force across the state that it was forbidden for the cows to graze at night and for u

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja          Buhari Seven months after, the federal government has ordered the lifting of ban placed on the micro blogging site, Twitter, in Nigeria on June, 2021.   President Muhammadu Buhari’s approval to lift the ban was announced by the Chairman Technical Committee Nigeria-Twitter Engagement, who is also the Director-General National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi. In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, he said the approval was endorsed following a memo written to the President by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Ali Ibrahim. He said the lifting of the suspension of Twitter operation in Nigeria will take effect from 12am tonight, 13th January, 2022. According to the memo, "The minister updated and requested the President’s approval for the lifting based on the Technical Committee Nigeria-Twitter Engagement’s recommendation.” The federal government had suspended the

        Late Alao-Akala A former governor of Oyo State, Christopher Alao-Akala is dead. He died at the age of 71.  The news of his death was confirmed by the Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Dr Olatunde Abdluazeez, in an interview with Punch newspapers on Wednesday. He said, “The news of his death is out. He did his best for the state. May his soul rest in peace.” Alao-Akala who was born in Ogbomosho, Oyo State, on June 3, 1950. He was a former police officer and a former Deputy Governor to Chief Rashidi Ladoja. The late politician became governor when Ladoja was impeached. He was a candidate of the ADP in the 2019 governorship election in Oyo State before defecting to the APC.

      Shonekan  President Muhammadu Buhari has extended his heartfelt condolences as the  former Head of the Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan dies at the age of 85.  Shonekan, who succeeded the military junta of General Ibrahim Babangida died on Tuesday, January 11, at a hospital in Lagos. He was the Chairman of the interim National Government between August 26 and November 17 1993 before he was ousted in a coup led by late General Sani Abacha  who was the Secretary of Defence. Buhari said that, “Shonekan demonstrated to all that the love for country and commitment to her development, peace and unity transcend the trappings of office and the transient nature of political power.” The condolence message was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, Femi Adesina, titled, ‘President Buhari Pays Tribute To The Life, Legacy Of Chief Shonekan’. It reads,  “President Muhammadu Buhari has received with profound sadne

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja  There is an indication that Nigeria’s low emission vision 2050 document would accelerate the implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change.  This is coming on the heels of the formal publication of Nigeria’s Long-term Vision 2050 (LTV 2050) document by the United Nation’s Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC) secretarat.  Reacting to the landmark achievement in Abuja yesterday, Minister of State for the Environment, Chief Sharon Ikeazor said the document is crucial towards the actualisation of Nigeria’s quest to mitigate the negative effects of climate change and in attaining its decarbonation targets.  According to her, "I'm happy that the LTV document has been published by the UNFCCC and I wish to express our appreciation to the 2050 Pathways that funded the vision and all the stakeholders that contributed to the vision". She said that a key part of the Paris Agreement was the invitation to Parties to formulate and communica

Late Sylvester Oromoni  Mr Sylvester Oromoni, the father of the late 12-year-old pupil of Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos, Sylvester Oromoni Jnr, has restated the family’s commitment to get justice, saying that he would not bury his son even if it takes 30 years to get justice. He also kicked against the report of the autopsy carried out at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, alleging that there was foul play. Sylvester’s death went viral following a social media post by his cousin, Perry Oromoni, who alleged that some senior pupils of the school beat him up in his hostel because he refused to join a cult. The school denied the claim, stating that the boy complained of leg pains following an injury he sustained while playing football. The state government ordered the indefinite closure of the school pending the outcome of an investigation into the matter. Five students and five employees of the school were arrested by the police but legal advice by the Director

        Kanu and Buhari  President Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday night, said detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, should answer for his actions. He spoke during an interview aired by Channels Television. He said he would not interfere with the judicial process. The President, who responded to questions on several national issues on the programme, said: “I wouldn’t dare interfere with the judiciary." “We cannot rule out possibility of political solution, but if he will behave himself all well and good." “But you can’t go to a foreign country and keep on sending incorrect economic and security problems against your country and thinking that you will never have to account for what you have been doing." “Let him account for what he has been doing." “There is one institution that I wouldn’t dare interfere with. That’s the judiciary. Kanu’s case is with the judiciary." “But what I wonder is when Kanu was simply in Europe, abus

Police in Zamfara have secured the freedom of 97 persons from captivity in Shinkafi and Tsafe forest of the state. The Commissioner of Police, CP Ayuba El-Kana made the disclosure at a news conference in Gusau on Tuesday. El-Kana said the rescue was the outcome of the extensive pressure mounted on bandits as a result of the ongoing military operation around the camp of a notorious bandit, known as Bello Turji that covered Shinkafi, Zurmi, and Birnin Magaji Local Government Areas. The News agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that on Jan. 3, Police Tactical Operatives deployed at Shinkafi axis, received an intelligence report that some kidnapped victims were seen stranded in the bush. The police operatives in collaboration with genuine repentant bandits and vigilantes, swung into action and rescued 68 victims from the forest. The commissioner added that the victims were in captivity for over three months and they included; 33 male adults, seven male children, three female childre

Late Tofa A former presidential candidate of the National Republican Convention (NRC) in the June 12, 1993 election, Alhaji Bashir Tofa is dead.  He died in the early hours of Monday after a protracted illness. Tofa, who died at the age of 74, was born in Kano on June 20, 1947. A close associate of the deceased, Magaji Galadima (Kachallan Kano), announced the death in a Facebook post. Mr Galadima wrote: “Allahu akbar, we eventually lost Alh. Bashir Tofa. May Allah grant him eternal rest.” The June 12, 1993 election, considered as one of Nigeria’s freest elections, was annulled by the military government of General Ibrahim Babangida.