Yesterday, Nigerian songer Praiz was heading to an end of the year party and was riding in an Uber when his driver had a clash with some SARS officials that stopped him around Ajah.
The SARS officials demanded that the driver follow them to their station and Praiz went with the Uber driver to see how the issue can be resolved.
Though he left the station not long after, the story immediately went viral that the singer was arrested. In his first post on social media since the episode, Praiz said the ‘Nigerian Police force needs deep reformand sensitization’.
He wrote on his Instagram page:
Anyone that truly knows me well knows i am an easy going , non problematic, happy and co -operative individual.
Well, I’m not here to talk about myself. I am here to address issues that happens in our society everyday.
We live in a society where the government has failed us whether we like it or not. No jobs, fuel scarcity , SARS , Asuu Strike , Nupeng Strike , Name it….. it’s endless .. HARDSHIP… ENDLESS HARDSHIP …. Today I had an encounter that a lot of people go through everyday. People who are heading home after a failed interview, people going home after a night shift , people on their way to get their daily bread but get harassed by people who are the force because of reasons best known to them or maybe because u are a young boy wearing a gold chain or have a beard .
Though I won’t deny the existence of great people in the police force that are ready to listen , I still stand by my opinion which is popular amongst the youth and more#ENDSARS
Today I learnt that the police force needs deep reform and sensitization.
This is not my official statement… my official statement will be out soon
Lastly I will like to thank @aleeygiwa , Mr Etim Godwin from J command for stepping in… #EndSars #NoBePhysicalSomething
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
The Police Force Needs Deep Reform And Sensitization - Praiz
The Police Force Needs Deep Reform And Sensitization’ – Praiz
Yesterday, Nigerian songer Praiz was heading to an end of the year party and was riding in an Uber when his driver had a clash with some SARS officials that stopped him around Ajah.
The SARS officials demanded that the driver follow them to their station and Praiz went with the Uber driver to see how the issue can be resolved.
Though he left the station not long after, the story immediately went viral that the singer was arrested. In his first post on social media since the episode, Praiz said the ‘Nigerian Police force needs deep reformand sensitization’.
He wrote on his Instagram page:
Anyone that truly knows me well knows i am an easy going , non problematic, happy and co -operative individual.
Well, I’m not here to talk about myself. I am here to address issues that happens in our society everyday.
We live in a society where the government has failed us whether we like it or not. No jobs, fuel scarcity , SARS , Asuu Strike , Nupeng Strike , Name it….. it’s endless .. HARDSHIP… ENDLESS HARDSHIP …. Today I had an encounter that a lot of people go through everyday. People who are heading home after a failed interview, people going home after a night shift , people on their way to get their daily bread but get harassed by people who are the force because of reasons best known to them or maybe because u are a young boy wearing a gold chain or have a beard .
Though I won’t deny the existence of great people in the police force that are ready to listen , I still stand by my opinion which is popular amongst the youth and more#ENDSARS
Today I learnt that the police force needs deep reform and sensitization.
This is not my official statement… my official statement will be out soon
Lastly I will like to thank @aleeygiwa , Mr Etim Godwin from J command for stepping in… #EndSars #NoBePhysicalSomething
Yesterday, Nigerian songer Praiz was heading to an end of the year party and was riding in an Uber when his driver had a clash with some SARS officials that stopped him around Ajah.
The SARS officials demanded that the driver follow them to their station and Praiz went with the Uber driver to see how the issue can be resolved.
Though he left the station not long after, the story immediately went viral that the singer was arrested. In his first post on social media since the episode, Praiz said the ‘Nigerian Police force needs deep reformand sensitization’.
He wrote on his Instagram page:
Anyone that truly knows me well knows i am an easy going , non problematic, happy and co -operative individual.
Well, I’m not here to talk about myself. I am here to address issues that happens in our society everyday.
We live in a society where the government has failed us whether we like it or not. No jobs, fuel scarcity , SARS , Asuu Strike , Nupeng Strike , Name it….. it’s endless .. HARDSHIP… ENDLESS HARDSHIP …. Today I had an encounter that a lot of people go through everyday. People who are heading home after a failed interview, people going home after a night shift , people on their way to get their daily bread but get harassed by people who are the force because of reasons best known to them or maybe because u are a young boy wearing a gold chain or have a beard .
Though I won’t deny the existence of great people in the police force that are ready to listen , I still stand by my opinion which is popular amongst the youth and more#ENDSARS
Today I learnt that the police force needs deep reform and sensitization.
This is not my official statement… my official statement will be out soon
Lastly I will like to thank @aleeygiwa , Mr Etim Godwin from J command for stepping in… #EndSars #NoBePhysicalSomething
Sunday, December 17, 2017
Fayose Celebrates President Buhari's 75th Birthday (See His Wishes)
Fayose Celebrates President Buhari’s 75th Birthday (See His Wishes)
People’s Democratic Party chieftain, Governor Fayose has shelved aside political differences to celebrate President Buhari on his birthday.
Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on the occasion of his 75th birthday, and urged the president to quit the stage when the ovation is loudest.
Fayose said the President had served the nation as far as he could with his advance age.
In a statement on Saturday by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, the Fayose said the President required the prayers of all Nigerians.
This is to congratulate Mr President as he clocks 75. I want to thank God for his life and pray for good health in the service of our nation and that he continues to age with grace.
I wish him the best. He represents us all and we owe him prayers and cooperation where necessary, just as we also need to criticise him too where necessary, he said
Asked what he would tell the President if he sees him on his birthday, Fayose said he would congratulate him, not minding the political differences between them.
On what would be his advice to the President on his rumoured second term bid, Fayose noted that it would be honourable for the President to call it quit now.
Burna Boy In SARS Cell with other Robbery Suspecting
Burna Boy
In SARS Cell With Other Robbery Suspects
Hip hop musician, Damini Ogulu, aka Burna Boy, is currently cooling his heels in the custody of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Lagos State Command.
The embattled artiste has spent two days with criminals held in a SARS cell for offences ranging from robbery to theft.
He was reportedly being investigated for conspiracy in the robbery of his colleague, Abiye Jumbo aka Mr. 2Kay. Burna Boy, who was declared wanted by the state Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, on November 20, was apprehended on Friday and detained.
Four suspects, including Burna Boy’s road manager, Joel Kantiok, had been paraded for allegedly robbing Mr. 2Kay on October 22, in his room at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, shortly after “Buckwyld N Breathless” concert held in the facility.
During the parade, the suspects, except Kantiok, confessed to have carried out the attack on the order of Burna Boy. The assailants had disguised as room service officials to gain entry into the singer’s room.
They reportedly beat him up and dispossessed him of a wristwatch, gold jewellery, phones among other valuables estimated at millions of naira at gunpoint.
A police source told our correspondent on Saturday that the singer was still making statements to detectives.
The source said, “He is currently in the SARS custody and he is helping the police in the investigation.
For now, I can’t say categorically what his charges will be but definitely they are
related to robbery for which the other suspects were arraigned.”
Another police officer, who is privy to the case, said Burna Boy’s arraignment might not come up on Monday as planned, noting that investigators wanted to present watertight charges against him before the court.
The officer said, “His statements are still being taken and there are more revelations. We don’t want to rush to court with charges that will be struck out for lack of evidence. “The essence of prosecution is to secure a conviction at the end of the day. That is what we want to ensure.”
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chike Oti, confirmed that the artiste was being held at SARS, adding that the Investigating Police Officer would come up with the appropriate charges. “He will be charged to court on Monday,” he added.
In SARS Cell With Other Robbery Suspects
Hip hop musician, Damini Ogulu, aka Burna Boy, is currently cooling his heels in the custody of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Lagos State Command.
The embattled artiste has spent two days with criminals held in a SARS cell for offences ranging from robbery to theft.
He was reportedly being investigated for conspiracy in the robbery of his colleague, Abiye Jumbo aka Mr. 2Kay. Burna Boy, who was declared wanted by the state Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, on November 20, was apprehended on Friday and detained.
Four suspects, including Burna Boy’s road manager, Joel Kantiok, had been paraded for allegedly robbing Mr. 2Kay on October 22, in his room at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, shortly after “Buckwyld N Breathless” concert held in the facility.
During the parade, the suspects, except Kantiok, confessed to have carried out the attack on the order of Burna Boy. The assailants had disguised as room service officials to gain entry into the singer’s room.
They reportedly beat him up and dispossessed him of a wristwatch, gold jewellery, phones among other valuables estimated at millions of naira at gunpoint.
A police source told our correspondent on Saturday that the singer was still making statements to detectives.
The source said, “He is currently in the SARS custody and he is helping the police in the investigation.
For now, I can’t say categorically what his charges will be but definitely they are
related to robbery for which the other suspects were arraigned.”
Another police officer, who is privy to the case, said Burna Boy’s arraignment might not come up on Monday as planned, noting that investigators wanted to present watertight charges against him before the court.
The officer said, “His statements are still being taken and there are more revelations. We don’t want to rush to court with charges that will be struck out for lack of evidence. “The essence of prosecution is to secure a conviction at the end of the day. That is what we want to ensure.”
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chike Oti, confirmed that the artiste was being held at SARS, adding that the Investigating Police Officer would come up with the appropriate charges. “He will be charged to court on Monday,” he added.
Private Jet Operated by Vistajet Robbed By Lagos Airport Bandits while taxiing on the runway
Private Jet Operated By Vistajet Robbed By Lagos Airport Bandits While Taxiing On The Runway
The security apparatus at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos was on Tuesday once again called to question as a private jet owned by Vistajet was attacked on the runway of the airport. Information gathered revealed that the 
jet with the registration number 9H-VFA operated by EAN on December 12 2017 was attacked on the runway18R of the airport by unknown bandits when taxiing to the hangar of Evergreen Apple Nigeria (EAN) Ltd. The jet was arriving from Istanbul between 2110-2130hrs after landing in Lagos.
The security apparatus at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos was on Tuesday once again called to question as a private jet owned by Vistajet was attacked on the runway of the airport.
Information gathered by SaharaReporters revealed that the jet with the registration number 9H-VFA operated by EAN on December 12 2017 was attacked on the runway18R of the airport by unknown bandits when taxiing to the hangar of Evergreen Apple Nigeria (EAN) Ltd. The jet was arriving from Istanbul between 2110-2130hrs after landing in Lagos.
A source close to EAN confided in our correspondent that the pilot of the jet Captain Emma Heering discovered that the rear door of the aircraft was opened while taxiing to the hangar of EAN.
After an investigation, it was discovered that a big black bag belonging to the air hostess, Francesca Louis was missing from the jet.
Vista Jet 9H-VFA
The source told our correspondent that it was not the first time such an incident would be happening at the airport.
Earlier in the year, some bandits allegedly opened the door of a small aircraft from the rear that was taxiing on the runway and escaped with some belongings of some of the occupants.
The investigation further revealed that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) responsible for airport security has only one operational vehicle escorting aircraft that lands on the runway, but at times, there might not be any operational vehicle on the ground to monitor aircraft that is taxiing to the apron for arriving aircrafts.
It was reported that this particular jet with call sign VT584 was not escorted by any operational vehicle as at the time of the incident due to lack of any operational vehicles at the airside of the airport, a situation, which made the criminal act to be perpetrated with ease on the said day.
An airline source speaking anonymously with SaharaReporters said: “What actually happened was that when the aircraft was taxiing to the hangar of EAN, the cabin crew discovered that the rear door was opened. So, when the jet taxied to the hangar, it was discovered that one big black bag belonging to their air hostesses was missing. An alarm was raised, but no one could trace the bandit who had forced the door open while taxiing.
Lagos Airport
“It is bad that this is happening in an airport, which was recently certified by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has scaling security and safety hurdle. The government should look at the incident and several others that have been happening in the airside because this is not the first time such a thing would be happening at the airport and several others across the country.”
Besides, a similar incident had occurred on Med-View Airline when a stowaway passenger scaled the fence of the airport to enter the wheel well of the Boeing 777 aircraft of the airline to London. The stowaway told security agencies that he had scaled the fence of the airport and spent days waiting to board the aircraft ostensibly with the aid of unscrupulous airport officials.
The stowaway could not, however, disembark from the plane in London and had to be brought back to Lagos before he was discovered by one of the security personnel at the airport.
Till date, FAAN could not explain how the stowaway successfully gained entrance into the aircraft.
It would be recalled that the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos was certified in September this year by Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority of Nigeria (NCAA) after 38 years of opening the airport.
The safety and security certification awarded the airport by NCAA had however received some scepticisms from stakeholders and security experts in the sector.
Security analysts have repeatedly stated that the airport may not have met all the safety requirements to ensure its certification especially in the area of insurance cover and security.
Experts had said that for any airport to be certified, according to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) minimal standard, such an airport must have adequate maintenance and security programmes in place.
The security expert insisted that airport certification was not about the terminal building, but the facilities installed at such airport, including navigational aids provided by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).
With the Tuesday incident, the certification of the airport by NCAA has further raised questions about its authenticity
FOOTBALL GOSSIP NEWS
Gossip: Evans, Keita, Sturridge, Salah, Benteke, Nzonzi, Van Dijk, Blind
6 hours ago
Transfer news
Manchester United are ready to bring defender Jonny Evans back to Old Trafford, two and a half years after selling the 29-year-old to West Brom, but Manchester City and Arsenal are also interested. (Mirror)
But West Brom are ready to make a final contract offer to Evans in a bid to repel other clubs. (Telegraph)
Daniel Sturridge has been told he can leave Liverpool on loan next month by manager Jurgen Klopp as the 28-year-old England striker looks to rescue a World Cup spot. (Sun)
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has ruled out the possibility of RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita, 22, joining in January. (Daily Star)
And the Reds boss has admitted being put under pressure to sign Mohamed Salah, 25, by his scouting department in the summer after he initially feared the winger might be too skinny to succeed in the Premier League. (Daily Mail)
Everton manager Sam Allardyce is targeting a reunion with Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke, 27, when the transfer window opens next month. (Mirror)
And Allardyce will have to sacrifice a midfielder if he wants Everton to sign Sevilla's Steven Nzonzi, 29. (Daily Star)
West Ham manager David Moyes is ready to make a £15m bid for Bournemouth midfielder Harry Arter, 27. (Sun)
Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino has refused to rule out selling defender Virgil van Dijk 26, in January. (Liverpool Echo)
Inter Milan and Barcelona are monitoring the situation of 27-year-old Manchester United defender Daley Blind. (Calciomercato)
Arsenal and Chelsea are going head to head over 20-year-old Bayer Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey. (Mirror)
West Ham are prepared to cash in on Portugal Under-20 international Domingos Quina, with Liverpool leading the chase to land the 18-year-old midfielder. (Daily Mail)
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has refused to rule out a January move for 28-year-old Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez. (Sky Sports)
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has emerged as the latest contender to succeed current Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane, whose contract is up at the end of the season. (Sun)
Pep Guardiola has told Manchester City he wants to buy for the long term in January after asking the club to back a mid-season spend. (Manchester Evening News)
Meanwhile...
Former West Ham manager Slaven Bilic says he is "ready to manage again", six weeks after being sacked by the London club. (Daily Mail)
Bilic, 49, has also hit back at West Ham chairman David Sullivan's claims he was responsible for poor signings. (Sun)
Cristiano Ronaldo and his boss Zinedine Zidane are in agreement the 32-year-old Real Madrid forward should retire at the Bernabeu. (FourFourTwo)
'
Manchester City were celebrating again this weekend after beating Tottenham 4-1 on Saturday
Best of Saturday's gossip
Carlo Ancelotti will return to Stamford Bridge and be appointed Chelsea's new manager before the start of next season. (Daily Record)
Monaco winger Thomas Lemar, 22, is wanted by Chelsea, who are preparing a player-plus-cash deal involving striker Michy Batshuayi. (Daily Mirror)
Batshuayi, 24, hopes to leave Chelsea on loan next month to ease fears over losing his place in Belgium's World Cup squad. (London Evening Standard)
Armenia midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan, 28, was dropped by Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho after a row between the two men during a video analysis session at the club's training ground last month. (ESPN)
Arsenal will hold contract talks with 25-year-old midfielder Jack Wilshere before the end of the month. (London Evening Standard)
Manchester City were celebrating again this weekend after beating Tottenham 4-1 on Saturday
Best of Saturday's gossip
Carlo Ancelotti will return to Stamford Bridge and be appointed Chelsea's new manager before the start of next season. (Daily Record)
Monaco winger Thomas Lemar, 22, is wanted by Chelsea, who are preparing a player-plus-cash deal involving striker Michy Batshuayi. (Daily Mirror)
Batshuayi, 24, hopes to leave Chelsea on loan next month to ease fears over losing his place in Belgium's World Cup squad. (London Evening Standard)
Armenia midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan, 28, was dropped by Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho after a row between the two men during a video analysis session at the club's training ground last month. (ESPN)
Arsenal will hold contract talks with 25-year-old midfielder Jack Wilshere before the end of the month. (London Evening Standard)
Friday, December 15, 2017
Ikoyi cash: Whistle-blower receives commission, jets out of Nigeria
Ikoyi cash: Whistle-blower receives commission, jets out of Nigeria
The Ikoyi cash whistle-blower has finally received his commission from the Ministry of Finance and has left the shores of the country.
The whistle-blower helped the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, recover the $43m, N23 .2 m and £ 27,800 (N13 bn) from an Ikoyi apartment on April 12, 2017.
According to Punch, the whistle-blower travelled out of the country less than 24 hours after receiving part of the N421m reward.
The lawyer to the informant, Yakubu Galadima confirmed the development to the newspaper, praising the government for finally honouring its agreement after eight months.
The lawyer also joked that his client did not run mad after receiving the money as predicted by some government officials.
He disclosed further that the Federal Government had promised to pay him the balance next year.
The lawyer said, “My client confirmed to me that he had received a credit alert from the Federal Government. He travelled out of the country this morning (Wednesday morning).
“He has been paid the first instalment but there were many tax deductions. Yes, we are happy. I will give you more details later but I can confirm now that he has received some money.
“As you can see, my client did not run mad as predicted by Prof. Itse Sagay.”
Thursday, December 14, 2017
Unknown gunmen invade Magu’s house, kill policeman
Unknown gunmen invade Magu’s house, kill policeman
Unknown gunmen on Tuesday night invaded the bungalow farmhouse of the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu and killed a policeman.
It was learnt that the gunmen stormed the farmhouse in Karshi in the Federal Capital Territory at about 10pm and exchanged fire with the policemen on sentry.
A police Sergeant was hit and he died instantly.
This is the second time that the same the house will be attacked by unknown elements.
The last 10 months had been tough for Magu because of his refusal to bow to pressure from some high-profile suspects and Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs).
Following threats, security was beefed up for Magu and his immediate family leading to the deployment of policemen to the uncompleted bungalow in Karshi.
Some suspected elements had also been prowling the family’s house in the Borno State capital and issuing threats to the woman.
This latest attack came barely 48 hours after Magu said the anti-corruption will be a do-or-die affair.
Speaking on Monday after a walk to mark the anti-corruption Day, Magu said: “For those of us on this side; in the anti-corruption agencies of government, in the media, and civil society, the dagger is drawn and I believe I am speaking the mind of everyone on this side that we intend to neither retreat nor surrender in our noble intention to cure our country of the evils of corruption.
“For us as a country, the fight against corruption is a ‘do or die’ affair; we have to win the battle or die trying.
Unknown gunmen on Tuesday night invaded the bungalow farmhouse of the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu and killed a policeman.
It was learnt that the gunmen stormed the farmhouse in Karshi in the Federal Capital Territory at about 10pm and exchanged fire with the policemen on sentry.
A police Sergeant was hit and he died instantly.
This is the second time that the same the house will be attacked by unknown elements.
The last 10 months had been tough for Magu because of his refusal to bow to pressure from some high-profile suspects and Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs).
Following threats, security was beefed up for Magu and his immediate family leading to the deployment of policemen to the uncompleted bungalow in Karshi.
Some suspected elements had also been prowling the family’s house in the Borno State capital and issuing threats to the woman.
This latest attack came barely 48 hours after Magu said the anti-corruption will be a do-or-die affair.
Speaking on Monday after a walk to mark the anti-corruption Day, Magu said: “For those of us on this side; in the anti-corruption agencies of government, in the media, and civil society, the dagger is drawn and I believe I am speaking the mind of everyone on this side that we intend to neither retreat nor surrender in our noble intention to cure our country of the evils of corruption.
“For us as a country, the fight against corruption is a ‘do or die’ affair; we have to win the battle or die trying.
Yoruba PDP caucus attacks Wike over Obasanjo comment
The congress of Yoruba Sons and Daughters within the Peoples Democratic Party say they are outraged by the insults allegedly hauled on the Yoruba by the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike.
They said they took a strong exemption to Wike’s comment that the Yoruba are inconsequential and have no practical political importance in the PDP.
According to them, Wike also described former President Olusegun Obasanjo as a failure.
The group lamented that Wike’s comment was a reflection of how much the Yoruba in the PDP had been “pushed to the edge of the cliff” and relegated in the opposition party’s scheme of things.
The group said the Yoruba in the PDP had been cheated by the failure to elect a Yoruba man as the national chairman of the PDP.
This was contained in a statement titled, “The Yoruba people: Time for reflection,” made available to our correspondent on Wednesday.
“Our leaders are being mocked. Our symbols of truth and sincerity are now being derided, snubbed, treated with contempt and disowned.
“The irreverent, scandalous, arrogant and most myopic statement of the Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Nyesom Wike, is the crowning of all insults upon our people.
“Wike, in his most arrogant and selfish swagger, openly derided our people as being inconsequential and of no practical political importance in the PDP.
“This is rather scandalous and very benighted. He even insulted our former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, as a failure. This is an aberration.
“We at the Congress of Yoruba Sons and Daughters within the PDP fold are outraged, angry, disappointed, very sad and sickened about this very primitive utterance of Governor Wike.
“We demand an immediate and full apology from Mr. Wike for his gutter language against our people,” the group said in the statement signed by its chairman, Dayo Ogunjebe.
Ogunjebe said the Yoruba did not deserve to be unfairly treated in the PDP, having “worked assiduously for the growth and development of the PDP.”
He said, “In both financial and moral terms, the Yoruba people have been selfless, making tremendous sacrifices. (They have been) consistent and devoted to the growth of our party.
“But we have been cheated. We have been maligned. The chairmanship position that rightly belongs to us has been taken away. It has been sold to the highest bidder.
“Let Wike and the Yoruba betrayers at home know that we will never play the role of a second fiddle to anyone. We are proud of our heritage. We are proud of our achievements across this nation. We do respect the feelings and the tradition of other people. Surely, we will never sit idle while anyone attacks the collective interest of the Yoruba race.”
The group insisted that Wike must apologise for “his indecent statement.”
It argued that with the failure to give the PDP National Chairman’s position to a Yoruba man, the opposition party had “slowly dwindled into a regional party with Wike swaggering like an overlord.”
Sunday, December 10, 2017
Uche Secondus Elected As PDP National Chairman
Uche Secondus being sworn in as PDP’s National Chairman
A former acting Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Uche Secondus, has emerged as the party’s National Chairman, ending its long and troubled quest to elect leaders after it suffered defeat in the 2015 Presidential election.
Mr Secondus defeated a former Minister of Education, Professor Tunde Adeniran, Founder of Daar Communications, Raymond Dokpesi, as well as a Former Minister of Sports and Special Duties, Taoheed Adedoja, in a controversial election at its national convention which commenced on Saturday at the Eagles Square in Abuja.
The results of the elections, announced by the immediate past Governor of Benue State and Chairman of the electoral committee, Mr Gabriel Suswam, showed that Secondus polled 2,000 votes, compared to the 231 votes secured by Professor Adeniran and the 66 votes that went to Dokpesi in the election.
Shortly after he was declared the winner of the election, around 3:30 am on Sunday, Mr Secondus was sworn in.
Twenty other elected officials were sworn in right after that, ensuring that there was no vacuum in the party’s leadership as the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee was dissolved ahead of the elections.
The election has, however, been condemned by both of his challengers as fraudulent with Professor Adeniran calling for its cancellation.
It wasn’t long after voting commenced that the process turned controversial. A ‘Unity List’ allegedly compiled by governors and which was circulated to some delegates led to discontent and allegations of fraud.
The list contained the names of purported ‘unity candidates’ identified for delegates to vote, a development which Adeniran and Dokpesi said amounted to rigging.
Although Adeniran walked out of the convention in protest, the process continued.
All of the candidates that were declared victorious in the election and subsequently sworn in were on the ‘Unity List’.
See the winners as declared by Suswam below:
1. National Chairman – Uche Secondus (Rivers, South-South).
2. Deputy National Chairman, South – Yemi Akinwonmi (Ogun, South West); unopposed.
3. Deputy National Chairman, North – Senator Gamawa Babawo Garba (Bauchi, North East); defeated six others.
4. National Secretary – Senator Umaru Ibrahim Tsauri (Katsina, North-West); defeated others
5. Deputy National Secretary – Emmanuel Agbo (Benue, North Central); defeated four others
6. National Organising Secretary – Austin Akobundu (Abia, South East); defeated two others
7. Deputy National Organising Secretary – Hassan Yakubu (Nasarawa, North Central); unopposed
8. National Publicity Secretary – Kola Ologbondiyan (Kogi, North Central); defeated four others
9. Deputy National Publicity Secretary – Diran Odeyemi (Osun, South West); defeated two others
10. National Financial Secretary – Abdullahi Husseini Maibasara (Niger, North Central)
11. Deputy National Financial Secretary – Irona Alphonsus Gerald (Imo, South-East); defeated on contestant
12. National Treasurer – Aribisala Adewale (Ekiti, South-West); unopposed
13. Deputy National Treasurer – Wada Masu (Kano, North West); defeated one contestant
14. Deputy National Auditor – Miss Amina Arong (Cross River, South-South); unopposed
15. National Auditor – Adamu Mustafa (Yobe, North East); unopposed
16. National Women Leader Mariya Waziri (Kebbi, North West); defeated one contestant.
17. Deputy National Women Leader – Umoru Hadizat (Edo, South-South); defeated three others.
18. National Youth Leader Udeh Okoye (Enugu State, South East); defeated three others.
19. Deputy National Youth Leader – Umar Babangida Maina (Adamawa, North East); defeated Yahaya Salisu
20. National Legal Adviser – Emmanuel Enoidem (Akwa Ibom, South-South); defeated two others.
21. Deputy National Legal Adviser – Ahmed Bello Liman (Sokoto, North West); Unopposed.
Nine candidates had been in the National Chairmanship race as of Friday evening, seven from the South West and two – Secondus and Dokpesi – from the South-South.
Six of the candidates from the South-West, however, pulled out of the race starting late on Friday with a former National Deputy Chairman of the party, Bode George.
Before the election commenced, Professor Adeniran became the sole candidate from the South West.
Uche Secondus being sworn in as PDP’s National Chairman
A former acting Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Uche Secondus, has emerged as the party’s National Chairman, ending its long and troubled quest to elect leaders after it suffered defeat in the 2015 Presidential election.
Mr Secondus defeated a former Minister of Education, Professor Tunde Adeniran, Founder of Daar Communications, Raymond Dokpesi, as well as a Former Minister of Sports and Special Duties, Taoheed Adedoja, in a controversial election at its national convention which commenced on Saturday at the Eagles Square in Abuja.
The results of the elections, announced by the immediate past Governor of Benue State and Chairman of the electoral committee, Mr Gabriel Suswam, showed that Secondus polled 2,000 votes, compared to the 231 votes secured by Professor Adeniran and the 66 votes that went to Dokpesi in the election.
Shortly after he was declared the winner of the election, around 3:30 am on Sunday, Mr Secondus was sworn in.
Twenty other elected officials were sworn in right after that, ensuring that there was no vacuum in the party’s leadership as the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee was dissolved ahead of the elections.
The election has, however, been condemned by both of his challengers as fraudulent with Professor Adeniran calling for its cancellation.
It wasn’t long after voting commenced that the process turned controversial. A ‘Unity List’ allegedly compiled by governors and which was circulated to some delegates led to discontent and allegations of fraud.
The list contained the names of purported ‘unity candidates’ identified for delegates to vote, a development which Adeniran and Dokpesi said amounted to rigging.
Although Adeniran walked out of the convention in protest, the process continued.
All of the candidates that were declared victorious in the election and subsequently sworn in were on the ‘Unity List’.
See the winners as declared by Suswam below:
1. National Chairman – Uche Secondus (Rivers, South-South).
2. Deputy National Chairman, South – Yemi Akinwonmi (Ogun, South West); unopposed.
3. Deputy National Chairman, North – Senator Gamawa Babawo Garba (Bauchi, North East); defeated six others.
4. National Secretary – Senator Umaru Ibrahim Tsauri (Katsina, North-West); defeated others
5. Deputy National Secretary – Emmanuel Agbo (Benue, North Central); defeated four others
6. National Organising Secretary – Austin Akobundu (Abia, South East); defeated two others
7. Deputy National Organising Secretary – Hassan Yakubu (Nasarawa, North Central); unopposed
8. National Publicity Secretary – Kola Ologbondiyan (Kogi, North Central); defeated four others
9. Deputy National Publicity Secretary – Diran Odeyemi (Osun, South West); defeated two others
10. National Financial Secretary – Abdullahi Husseini Maibasara (Niger, North Central)
11. Deputy National Financial Secretary – Irona Alphonsus Gerald (Imo, South-East); defeated on contestant
12. National Treasurer – Aribisala Adewale (Ekiti, South-West); unopposed
13. Deputy National Treasurer – Wada Masu (Kano, North West); defeated one contestant
14. Deputy National Auditor – Miss Amina Arong (Cross River, South-South); unopposed
15. National Auditor – Adamu Mustafa (Yobe, North East); unopposed
16. National Women Leader Mariya Waziri (Kebbi, North West); defeated one contestant.
17. Deputy National Women Leader – Umoru Hadizat (Edo, South-South); defeated three others.
18. National Youth Leader Udeh Okoye (Enugu State, South East); defeated three others.
19. Deputy National Youth Leader – Umar Babangida Maina (Adamawa, North East); defeated Yahaya Salisu
20. National Legal Adviser – Emmanuel Enoidem (Akwa Ibom, South-South); defeated two others.
21. Deputy National Legal Adviser – Ahmed Bello Liman (Sokoto, North West); Unopposed.
Nine candidates had been in the National Chairmanship race as of Friday evening, seven from the South West and two – Secondus and Dokpesi – from the South-South.
Six of the candidates from the South-West, however, pulled out of the race starting late on Friday with a former National Deputy Chairman of the party, Bode George.
Before the election commenced, Professor Adeniran became the sole candidate from the South West.
Raymond Dokpesi Calls PDP Convention ‘A Charade’
Raymond Dokpesi Calls PDP Convention ‘A Charade’
Founder of Daar Communications, Raymond Dokpesi, has expressed disappointment over the emergence of a list called the ‘Unity List’ in the National Chairmanship Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The list, a copy of which was obtained by Channels Television on Saturday, contained the names of purported ‘unity candidates’ identified for delegates to vote, a development which Dokpesi and another contestant, Professor Tunde Adeniran said amounted to rigging.
Speaking to reporters at the Eagles Square in Abuja on Saturday, Mr Dokpesi also alleged that the names on the list were those who won various seats in the party’s leadership structure.
“Our attention has just been drawn to an impunity and illegality that has been going on since we started voting about three hours ago.
“Apparently, every delegate that is available a copy of what you can find here, they call it the Unity List (raises copy of ‘Unity List’), which bear the same thing and all the names that are here are number 1 on all the cubicles for voting and this is supposed to be the list prepared by the governors.
“Our agents have been very disturbed. Everybody has come out to vote, has this list.”
Read Also: Adeniran Walks Out Of PDP Convention, Rejects Electoral Process
He, however, noted that although he was not angered by the situation, he just wanted the press as well as observers to see that the process was not free and fair as claimed.
According to him, he had reported the case to the Chairman of the electoral committee, Mr Gabriel Suswam, as well as the chairman of the planning committee Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, but both seemed equally overwhelmed by the situation.
“I have personally approached governor Suswan who is involved in the management of this electoral process and he told me that he was taking necessary steps and that he personally even collected this Unity List from a governor.
“I approached governor Okowa who is chairman of the planning committee – he too is helpless so the names you have here is not unlikely to be what you will find announced later today.
“But unfortunately I am not pained, I am not angered, but the younger ones that are involved have come up with cries to me and I must take an appropriate step.
“Distinguished ladies and men of the press, the purpose of just drawing your attention and showing you this – collected from various delegates is to show very clearly that the process that is going on is very seriously marred,” Dokpesi stressed.
Founder of Daar Communications, Raymond Dokpesi, has expressed disappointment over the emergence of a list called the ‘Unity List’ in the National Chairmanship Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The list, a copy of which was obtained by Channels Television on Saturday, contained the names of purported ‘unity candidates’ identified for delegates to vote, a development which Dokpesi and another contestant, Professor Tunde Adeniran said amounted to rigging.
Speaking to reporters at the Eagles Square in Abuja on Saturday, Mr Dokpesi also alleged that the names on the list were those who won various seats in the party’s leadership structure.
“Our attention has just been drawn to an impunity and illegality that has been going on since we started voting about three hours ago.
“Apparently, every delegate that is available a copy of what you can find here, they call it the Unity List (raises copy of ‘Unity List’), which bear the same thing and all the names that are here are number 1 on all the cubicles for voting and this is supposed to be the list prepared by the governors.
“Our agents have been very disturbed. Everybody has come out to vote, has this list.”
Read Also: Adeniran Walks Out Of PDP Convention, Rejects Electoral Process
He, however, noted that although he was not angered by the situation, he just wanted the press as well as observers to see that the process was not free and fair as claimed.
According to him, he had reported the case to the Chairman of the electoral committee, Mr Gabriel Suswam, as well as the chairman of the planning committee Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, but both seemed equally overwhelmed by the situation.
“I have personally approached governor Suswan who is involved in the management of this electoral process and he told me that he was taking necessary steps and that he personally even collected this Unity List from a governor.
“I approached governor Okowa who is chairman of the planning committee – he too is helpless so the names you have here is not unlikely to be what you will find announced later today.
“But unfortunately I am not pained, I am not angered, but the younger ones that are involved have come up with cries to me and I must take an appropriate step.
“Distinguished ladies and men of the press, the purpose of just drawing your attention and showing you this – collected from various delegates is to show very clearly that the process that is going on is very seriously marred,” Dokpesi stressed.
HOW TO REMOVE DENTAL PLAQUE IN 5MINUTES WITHOUT GOING TO THE DENTIST
Saturday, November 4, 2017
ALAFIN OF OYO'S SON BRUTALISED BY THE POLICE
Singer and crown prince of the Oyo town, Tillaman was recently brutalised by policemen at a check-point around Abraham Adesanya Epe, Lagos. It is very possible that the policemen confused the prince for a yahooboy.
The singer shared the “horrible experience” with the public via a post on his Instagram page which he captioned:
Police brutality!!!
My horrible experience last night at a police check-point at Abraham Adesanya Epe, Lagos…. God bless Nigeria.”
See his post below.
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
Top movie mistakes
MR & MRS SMITH
In one scene, there is a car chase with both Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, during the Mr and Mrs Smith film, a Los Angles signpost can quite clearly be seen in a reflection. This wouldn’t be a problem if the film was supposed to be based there, but it’s not, it’s supposed to be set in New York.
NORTH BY NORTHWEST
During the scene in North by Northwest, one of the background actors can be seen to hold his fingers to his ears before the sound of the gunshot is made. The boy is clearly only young, but they do say that only the best actors should make the cut, maybe this doesn’t apply to film extras.
AMERICAN PIE
During a scene in the 1999 movie, American Pie, one mistake has been noted, and it’s a pretty big one. There is a scene in the bedroom, where a girl can be seen holding a clear cup of alcohol, then when the camera changes direction and switches back, the cup is seen to be blue. This wouldn’t be so bad, but when the camera switches back again the cup is clear again, all very confusing.
SPIDER MAN
In the 2002 Spider Man one of the most obvious mistakes of the film happened when the two windows that Spider man had thrown attackers through, miraculously seem to fix themselves. The shot goes from showing the damaged windows, to showing them to be completely intact within a matter of minutes.
In the Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, there is a mistake that is so noticeable that it has made the list as one of the top 10 movie mistakes. In one of the scenes where ‘Jack Sparrow’s’ crew are aboard his ship, one of the films crew members is visible in the background wearing sunglasses and a cowboy hat, whoops!
The movie Commando, released in 1985, has a noticeable mistake that has been picked up on by many critics. During a car chase, the yellow Porsche that is being driven gets smashed on the one side and is undeniably damaged. However, when Arnold Schwarzenegger drives the Porsche away, it would seem that it has been magically repaired as the damage once seen has disappeared.
GLADIATOR
One of the most well-known movie mistakes ever has got to be in the film Gladiator. In one of the scenes a horse drawn carriage can quite clearly be seen to be carrying a gas canister, why this is isn’t known but it really is quite noticeable. Although not visible for a long period of time, it’s another mistake and inaccuracy to the film that seems to be full of them.
TITANIC
There are many mistakes in the Titanic film, but the one that is worth more of a mention than the rest happens when Jack speaks of his childhood fishing days. He mentions that he used to fish in Lake Wissota, when in actual fact Lake Wissota wasn’t even a lake and didn’t exist until after Jacks death. Uh oh scriptwriters.
TERMINATOR 3
The 2003 film Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines has a couple of mistakes that savvy film critics have easily found, but the one that makes the list is the plane number. In the scene when the airplane is on the ground, the number printed on it is completely different to the number shown when the plane is in flight; the number then changes back to its original when the plane lands again.
DIE ANOTHER DAY
In one of the fight scenes in the 2002 movie ‘Die another Day’, on the plane, the character Jink (HALLE BERRY
)gets slashed across her stomach, which bleeds and is an obvious injury. However, later on in the film, Jinx’ stomach is shown and there is no mark where she was slashed, in fact her stomach looks completely unblemished.
CULISTS ON RAMPAGE IN EKSU
Cultists’ hack EKSU student to death
Barely five days after a third year student of Ekiti state University, Ado-Ekiti, Ojo Segun was killed by suspected cultists, another one was on Sunday night hacked to death and his headless body dumped close to the university gate.
Some students of the institution, who spoke under anonymity, said the corpse of Ayodele Temilade was discovered at the gate of the school on Sunday around 10pm. They, however, explained that they did not know how the corpse got there.
A close look at the corpse posted on the social media revealed that the head of the victim was severed and the body inflicted with several machete cuts.
The Police Public Relation Officer, Ekiti state Command, Mr. Alberto Adeyemi, told newsmen that the command received the report of the incident yesterday morning and had since removed the corpse to the mortuary.
He said, “His name was given as Ayodele Temilade but we don’t know his course or level for now. We are treating the issue as a murder case until investigation is completed.”
Also, the Ag. Director, Information and Corporate Affairs of the institution, Ajibade Olubunmi, who confirmed it, added that Temilade’s corpse was found at the gate of his residence, contrary to earlier claim that the corpse was dumped at the school gate.
Meanwhile, a statement by Ajibade yesterday said the management of EKSU had declared war against cult activities in the school.
Tagged “Operation no cultism in EKSU”, the statement said the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Samuel Oye Bandele, made the declaration after an emergency security meeting in response to noticeable upsurge incultists’ activities in the institution
WHERE IS MAINA?
Where is Maina?
The story of Alhaji Abdulrasheed Maina, the Chairman of the defunct Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, is like a tale straight out of a Hollywood movie. Like a Mario Puzo spellbinder, the plot is full of suspense, intrigues and surprises. As yet, the real life drama is still unfolding with dizzying speed and before the day runs out, this report may read like history as new developments may render it obsolete. In fact, the story is full of twists and turns but it actually started in 2010, when former President Goodluck Jonathan drafted Maina to clean up the corruption in pension system. In 2012 , the tables turned against Maina, when he was accused of embezzling pension funds. Vehemently, he had denied the allegation but the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) had dragged him to court on alleged Procurement Fraud and Obtaining by False Pretence. Maina, according to the charges, is allegedly complicit in the over N 2 billion Pensions Biometric Scam in the office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.
Disappears into thin air
Significantly, the pension Task Force boss became elusive as he never appeared in court to defend himself. In a bid to stop his arrest, Maina had approached the court, seeking an order perpetual injunction, restraining the EFCC from inviting, arresting or prosecuting him through a exparte motion dated February 14, 2013, pursuant to the fundamental human right enforcement rules 2009 and section 42 sub 3 of the 1999 constitution. Simultaneously, Maina was being chauffeur-driven with police escorts and was allegedly holing up in the presidential villa. Ironically, President Goodluck Jonathan ordered disciplinary action to be taken against Maina, following pressures from the National Assembly. Subsequently, he was dismissed from service for absconding from duty. In 2015, the anti graft agency had had declared Maina wanted and even secured an arrest warrant against him. Subsequently, the pension boss sneaked out of the country to the United Arab Emirate(UAE). Thereafter, nothing was heard about Maina until recently, when news broke that he had returned into the country, reinstated into service, deployed to the Ministry of Interior and even promoted to acting Director of Human Resources on October 23.
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Claims and counter claims
After the expose, Nigerians were outraged by the brazen illegality of his return and the impunity of his reinstatement to service. Almost immediately, the Minister of Interior, Lt -Gen Abdulrahman Danbazau confirmed the resumption of Maina as an Acting Director, two days after the news broke out. However, he washed his hands off the entire process that led to his reinstatement . According to him, “Maina was posted few days ago to the Ministry of Interior by the Office of the Head Of Service, on an acting capacity to fill a vacancy created following the retirement of the Director heading the Human Resources Department in the ministry”. He added that ” for the avoidance of doubt, issues relating to discipline, employment, re- engagement ,posting, promotion and retirements of federal civil servants are the responsibility of the Federal Civil Service Commission and Office of Head of Service of the Federation”.
Significantly, the Head of Service, Mrs Winifred Eyo-Ita, denied the minister’s claim which linked her to Maina’s reinstatement. Speaking through her Assistant Director, Media Relations, Alhaji Mohammed Monga, she informed “the public that the reinstatement and posting of Alhaji Abdulrasheed Abdulahahi Maina never emanated from the office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation “. According to the statement, ‘’the purported reinstatement and posting by the office of the head of civil service of the federation is totally erroneous and misleading “.
Rather than shed light on the issue, the claim and counter-claim added fire to the anger of Nigerians.
Malami, Dambazzau aided his return
However, a series of alleged correspondences between the Ministry of interior, Ministry of Justice Abubakar Malami and the Head of Service, suggest that Dambazzau and the nation’s Chief Law officer might have aided the process that exonerated, reinstated and promoted Maina to Acting Director at the Ministry of Interior.
A letter signed by one Mustapha Suleiman dated September 17, 2017 on behalf of the Chairman of Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), made a strong case for Maina’s recall. Malami, according to the letter, had requested the FCSC “to give consequential effect to the judgement that voided the warrant of arrest issued against A.A Maina, which formed the basis for the query and his eventual dismissal “. Subsequently ,the FCSC deliberated on the Attorney General’s letter and requested the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), “to advise the permanent Secretary ministry of interior to consider the AGF’s letter, the officer’s case and make appropriate recommendation to the commission. ‘’ Reports indicated that “the OHCSF accordingly advised ministry of interior to consider the matter”. Thereafter, the ministry’s Senior Staff Committee deliberated on the issue and recommended Maina’s reinstatement into the service as a Director.
Afterwards, OHCSF forwarded the recommendations of the Ministry of Interior’s Senior Staff Committee to FCSC for necessary action. The FCSC then approved Maina’s reinstatement, according to the leaked correspondences.
Buhari weighs in
Probably concerned by the level of criticisms that greeted Maina’s reinstatement and the embarrassment that trailed the action, President Muhammadu Buhari had ordered the immediate sack of Maina from the federal civil service last Monday. Simultaneously, he directed the Head of Service of the Federation to submit a full report surrounding Maina’s reinstatement, promotion and posting to the Ministry of Interior, to the office of his Chief of Staff, Malam Abba Kyari that same day.
The president’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina who broke the news of Maina’s sack, said that Mrs Eyo-Ita had already complied with Buhari’s directive.
Lack of inter agency cooperation
Speaking to Blueprint, elder statesman Alhaji Tanko Yakasai said that the Maina saga has shown lack of coordination amongst security agencies. EFCC declared Maina wanted and the commission even issued a warrant of his arrest, according to EFCC, the spokesman Wilson Uwujaren, ” wherever in the world”. But the said fugitive entered the country almost without notice, Yakasai lamented. In addition, the Maina story also shows the security lapse in the country. The question on most lips is, how did the alleged culprit sneak to UAE without being arrested? More so, reports indicated that Maina was protected by the operatives of State Security Service (SSS) and the police even when his name is on the wanted list of the EFCC. Similarly, Maina was allegedly given cover at the presidential villa by former president Goodluck Jonathan when an arrest warrant was issued against him .
In addition, the claim by the Nigerian Immigration service (NIS) that it did not get any official notice for Maina’s arrest , and that it was unaware of his exist from the country and re-entry, further exposed the lack of collaboration among relevant government institutions towards achieving a common goal. According to NIS, the service merely read about the Maina’s arrest warrant on the pages of newspapers, just like other Nigerians. NIS spokes man , Mr James Sunday feigned Ignorance on how the fugitive former pension boss came into the country, in spite of INTERPOL’s international warrant for his arrest .
According to Mr Sunday, ‘’the controller general of Immigration would have acted promptly on it if such order was ever communicated to the service; when such orders are given, our officials act promptly and such wanted individuals will hardly escape”. The spokesman however said that fugitives can escape ‘’ if they use any of the several illegal entry and exist points which are not manned by immigration officials” .
APC, PDP trade blames
As expected, there was a war of words between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the Maina saga. Specifically, the verbal warfare was triggered by the PDP which accused APC of complicity. In a press statement, PDP said it was not surprised that the present administration reinstated Maina, describing them as birds of the same feather. For this reason, ” we are not too shocked by the steps taken by the administration of APC in reinstating a supposed criminal and fugitive ,Abdulrasheed Maina to the office instead of getting him arrested. Birds of a feather flocked together”, the opposition party had declared.
In a swift reaction , APC’s National publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, described Maina as one of the toxic elements that was left behind by the opposition PDP. In a statement, the spokesman reminded PDP of Maina’s original sin. The fugitive, according to him, ‘’ has been accused of one of the most monumental act of corruption in the nation’s history but that was only possible under a PDP government. ‘’
Similarly, Maina’s family rose to their son’s defence in Kaduna, saying he is not a thief but a Messiah who was engaged by the Buhari administration to cleanse the Nigerian pension scheme. Family spokesman Aliyu Maina also alleged that it was the APC-led administration that facilitated Maina’s return, ” to assist its change agenda “. Aliyu blamed his brother’s travails on a cabal which is bent on tarnishing the image of Maina in the media and that the family is in possession of facts that will expose its motive .
Presidency denies claim
However, the presidency has denied Aliyu’s claims, especially that the government invited Maina to help in the change agenda. Garba Shehu, a presidential spokesman, had described the claim as ridiculous and ‘’ a freshly minted falsehood. Nobody should believe that”. The spokesman advised Nigerians to ignore Aliyu’s statemen.
Senate, House set up committees
Significantly, the senate has directed its Committee on Public Service and Establishment to investigate how Maina, who was on security watch list, got into the country after absconding for some years without being arrested. In addition, the Senate also ordered an investigation in the circumstances leading to Maina’s reinstatement into the public service and promotion to the level of a Director. In addition, Chairmen of Human Rights and Legal Matters, Financial Crimes and anti corruption, and Internal Affairs were co-opted into the investigative committee.
Similarly, the House of Representative also set up an ad-hoc committee to investigate the matter and to recommend strong sanctions against any person or persons implicated in the scandal.
Attorney General Malami keeps mum
On his part, the Minister of Justice has assured Nigerians that they will know the truth when he obtains clearance from the president to appear before the senate. ” I believe that Nigerians are entitled to know the truth in the entire saga, and I am ready to speak directly to them when I appear before the senate. I will not however talk until I get clearance from my principal”. The minister also denied any wrong doing in facilitating Maina’s return, describing the whole issue as a “grand conspiracy ” and that his actions didn’t breach public service interest.
Public sceptism
However, there are genuine concerns that the planned probe by the National Assembly might not yield any positive result going by precedents. Like previous probes, recommendations will be made but they will not be implemented . According to Malam Adamu Shehu, a Kaduna-based public affairs commentator, ‘’this is not the first time that the presidency will institute probes but the findings will not be made public.’’ He pointed out that the HOS has sent her report on how Maina was reinstated for close to a week now but nothing has been heard about it. ‘’Like the Babachir report, this one will also be left on the shelves to gather dust,’’ he lamented.
Where is Maina ?
Surprisingly, Maina is still elusive as even his counsel, Barrister Esther Uzoma does not know where he is. Last Friday, Blueprint Weekend called her and she said ‘’no comment.’’ . However, Maina spoke last Tuesday, via telephone, to an Abuja-based Human Rights Radio, on its popular programme, ” Brekete family ” . The fugitive said he was ready to spill the beans with documents on the pension fraud in the police and the civil service . He added that he was ready to come out of hiding if the president would provide him with adequate security. In 2015, on the same programme, Maina had earlier stated he had recovered N282 billion and handed it over the Ministry of Finance and that the then Minister of Finance, Mrs Ngozi Okojo-Iweala had deposited the money in the Central Bank of Nigeria.
However, as at last Friday, Buhari had neither given Maina the security that he had requested nor has the former pension boss come out of hiding. Reports indicate that Maina has fled to Niamey, the Niger Republic capital. In his absence, However, supporters have been ‘’telling his own side of the story on social media’’ but Maina is still at large . Meanwhile, EFCC operatives have been sealing his properties, starting from last Monday. In particular, officials of the anti graft agency sealed a $2 million mansion at Jabi district of Abuja. The next day, they descended in Kaduna and marked six properties allegedly belonging to the elusive Maina. Certainly, the last has not been heard of this story with no end in sight.
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