Supreme Court Judgment: Atiku Holds World Press Conference On Monday

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, is scheduled to address the press on Monday, October 30, 2023. This announcement comes in the wake of the Supreme Court’s recent dismissal of Atiku’s appeal and the affirmation of President Bola Tinubu’s victory in the February presidential election. A statement from the PDP Publicity Office released on Saturday outlined the purpose of Atiku’s press conference. According to the statement, Atiku Abubakar will focus on addressing crucial national issues of serious importance. The press conference is set to take place at the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, with the event commencing at 11 am. The significance of this address and its potential implications for the nation are eagerly anticipated by the public.

Again, Unidentified Gunmen Claim Five Lives In Ayilamo, Benue

In a tragic incident, five individuals fell victim to a violent attack carried out by unidentified gunmen in Ayilamo, a village situated in Logo Local Government, Benue. The assault, as reported by Mr. Sewuese Anene, spokesperson for the Benue Police Command, took place on Tuesday night. Regrettably, a few others sustained injuries as a result of the attack. Additionally, another unsettling incident occurred in Mbachohon community within Gwer-West Local Government, although specific details about this event remain unavailable. Unverified reports suggest that the Mbachohon attack resulted in the loss of six lives. The escalation of such attacks is a matter of deep concern. In response, authorities have initiated the deployment of more security personnel to these affected areas with the primary aim of restoring peace and ensuring the safety of the local populace. The situation underscores the urgent need for comprehensive efforts to address and resolve the security challenges prevalent in the region.

I Didn’t Issue Quit Notice To Hausa Traders In Abia- Gov Otti

The Abia State government has refuted claims that it instructed Northern cattle dealers at Lokpanta Market in Umunneochi Local Government Area to relocate to the North.  Earlier reports suggested that traders in the market had appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and prevent their eviction from Lokpanta market by the Abia State government. These traders asserted that Governor Alex Otti’s administration had given them a two-week notice to vacate the market. However, Navy Commander MacDonald Ubah (retd.), the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, addressed the media in Umuahia and categorically dismissed these claims as baseless and malicious. Ubah clarified that the government had only implemented a policy to change the operational hours of the cattle market. Instead of being a residential area, it would now operate daily.  He accused those circulating the rumor of distorting the government’s straightforward directive to create confusion and tarnish the reputation of Governor Alex Otti’s administration. He explained that the governor had never issued an order for Northerners to leave the cattle market but had simply decided that the market would no longer function at night due to security concerns.  The decision was a response to the area’s history as a hotspot for criminal activities. Ubah elaborated, “Three weeks ago, we took deliberate and measured actions in response to persistent reports of kidnappings in the Uturu-Umunneochi axis. During our operations, we discovered shanty brothels with over 160 rooms. These were identified and demolished, and we confiscated millions of Naira suspected to be proceeds from kidnapping.” “Criminal elements had turned the median of the Expressway into a parking lot, creating artificial traffic congestion and using the opportunity to alert their fellow gang members about the approach of their victims. We made arrests, and investigations are ongoing. Our plan is to make the market a daily one, like any other market in the state. It is impossible to attract development to an area plagued by kidnapping, armed robbery, and other security issues.” He noted that the cattle market, once a place for peaceful cattle trade, had transformed into a hub for criminals, rogues, and kidnappers. It had relocated from the Garki area, now the site of the ShopRite, to Ubakala, and then to Okigwe in Imo State.

Wike Revokes 22 Allocations, Offers 3-Month Devt Window To 21 Embassies, 168 Others

In a significant move, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has revoked 21 plots of land in the Central Business District (CBD), citing violations of the terms of development as the primary reason for this decision. The revocation notice was formally issued by Mr. Olusade Adesola, the Permanent Secretary in the FCT Administration, who stated that the minister was exercising his authority under Section 28(5)(a) & (b) of the Land Use Act 1978. The lands were revoked due to “continued contravention of the terms of development of the Right of Occupancy, to wit non-development.” Several prominent entities were affected by this revocation, including Lowe Lintas, Tourist Company of Nigeria, Coscharis Motors, CFA Motors, and Chidol Properties, among others. In a parallel development, the FCT Minister also extended a three-month grace period to 189 titleholders who have acquired Building Plan Approvals but have not yet initiated development on their respective properties. The official statement from the Director of Information and Communication in the FCTA, Muhammad Hazat Sule, explained that this grace period is an opportunity for these titleholders to commence development or risk having their titles revoked. This three-month grace period applies to a diverse group of stakeholders, including embassies and government agencies. Notable embassies such as the Embassy of Ireland, Embassy of France, Canadian High Commission, Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and several others are among those who have been granted this extension. Additionally, numerous government agencies, including those within the FCT Administration, fall under this category. The grace period also covers various other organizations and entities such as the Abuja National Mosque Council, Daily Times of Nigeria, Elf Petroleum, Access Bank, Federal Housing Authority, and several individuals including Adamu Ajuji Waziri, Isa Yuguda, Eyitayo Lambo, Abba Gana, Mohammed Abubakar Rimi, and more. It is emphasized that this extension is solely for those who have already acquired Building Plan Approvals and have expressed a genuine intent to develop their properties but have not initiated development. The FCT Administration emphasized that this extension is a gesture to support those who have demonstrated a clear commitment to property development by obtaining the necessary approvals. It is a response to their willingness to comply with the terms outlined in the Offer of the Right-Of-Occupancy. The statement further encourages affected property owners to make use of this opportunity and proceed with development within the stipulated three-month period. Failure to do so will result in the revocation of their titles, in accordance with the provisions of the law. The FCT Administration has extended this grace period to both individual property owners and corporate organizations that have shown a sincere desire to develop their properties. Simultaneously, the three-month grace period extended to 189 titleholders is a strategic move aimed at encouraging and facilitating property development within the Federal Capital City. Property owners, including embassies, government agencies, and corporate entities, are urged to take advantage of this opportunity to ensure the continued validity of their titles and contribute to the growth and development of the city.

NUC, VCs deny bribery allegation against Reps C’ttee

The National Universities Commission (NUC) and Committee of Vice Chancellors (VCs) have denied bribery and extortion allegations against the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee probing job racketeering and mismanagement of IPPIS in MDAs. Prof. Chris Maiyaki, the acting Executive Secretary, NUC, and Prof. Isiah Tanko, the VC of University of Jos, denied the allegation as reported by an online medium. They denied the report attributed to them when they jointly appeared before the committee in Abuja on Friday. Speaking on the issue as reported by the medium which alleged that the committee collected money from NUC and VCs for soft-landing over the probe, the NUC official said the report was baseless. According to him, the publication is regrettable, whatever the substance is, we wish that this does not impugn the partnership we have with the lawmakers which we should be promoting. Maiyaki said the universities occupied a special place in the life of any nation, advising that the lawmakers and the universities should come together to create a game changer for the country. On his part, Tanko, who represented Prof. Lilian Salami, the Chairman of the Committee of VCs, said they read the publication, but added that the VCs were not part of the allegation. “We read the disturbing publication and I can say that the VCs were not part of that and we did not provide any bribe to anybody, “We all dispersed from the committee investigative hearing as soon as we finished the last time we appeared before you,” said the representatives of the VCs. Maiyaki stressed that: “Soliciting money for bribes is out of contest and not true, the reporter did not find out the fact. We have hope and confidence in this ad hoc committee.” He said more than five programmes of University of Jos were in danger of being dis-accredited because of lack of manpower, adding “we were looking up to the committee to correct that”. The Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Rep. Yusuf Gagdi, however noted that the publication was a sponsored to divert the attention of the members from finding out the deep-rooted evil that existed in public sectors. “It is not even our mandate to investigate the publication by Premium Times, but to investigate alleged racketeering in MDAs. “The investigating authorities like the ICPC and EFCC have been given the mandate to investigate those allegations and the account number,” he said. 

NNPP makes U-turn, denies suspending Kwankwaso

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has refuted the purported suspension of Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, the 2023 Presidential Candidate from the party.Mr Ladipo Johnson, the NNPP National Auditor, stated this at a news conference on Wednesday the party’s National Headquarters in Abuja.Johnson, a former spokesperson for Kwankwanso Presidential Campaign Council, said that the suspension was null and void.A faction of the party headed by a former Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Mr Boniface Aniebonan had on Tuesday suspended Kwankwaso for six months over alleged anti-party activities, after a parallel National Executive Committee (NEC) in Lagos.It also appointed the former National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Major Agbo as the acting National Chairman.But, Johnson said that Aniebonam and Agbo were on August 24 suspended for three months for engaging in unwholesome acts before they were later expelled from the party.He added that the party NEC, at its meeting on Tuesday in Abuja which was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), took certain decisions including the election of new national officials, change of the party logo and expulsion of Aniebonam and Agbo.“Is it not funny that all those people either suspended or expelled would gather somewhere and claim to have suspended Kwankwaso and also dissolve the NWC? “The jokers also appointed a CTC made up of those people who have ceased to be members of the party by virtue of our constitution. “Was INEC at the meeting? Did they write INEC? Who and who signed the letter? “Is it not laughable that Major Agbo, who announced the suspension of the former chairmen, the expulsion of two of them, and the dissolution of some of the states is now purportedly “heading” their caretaker committee,” Johnson said. He said it was unfortunate that some people had reduced politics and party administration to huge jokes. “The news that one person will sit somewhere and arrogate certain powers to himself is not permissible in a democracy. “We are using this medium to assure our supporters all over the country that there is no substance in the story. “Kwankwaso remains the face of the party, has not been suspended, and the NWC under Ali remains intact,’’ he said.Johnson however, admitted that Kwankwaso was invited to meetings by President Bola Tinubu on some issues saying that the meetings were far from being anti-party activities. He said that while Kwankwaso always took permission before attending such meetings, no conclusion had so far been reached from the meetings. He also denied the allegation that Kwankwaso hijacked the party from members who were in the party before he joined with his movement in February 2022. Johnson, however, said that the party leadership would do its best for possible reconciliation. Also speaking, Mr Oluwatosin Odeyemi, the Chairman, forum of NNPP state chairmen, said the purported suspension of Kwankwaso was politics of bitterness. “Let me remind you that the present secretary of that group was expelled from this party and Agbo was the one who read it out that he had been expelled. Agbo attended all the meetings of that committee. “So, you can see that it’s politics of bitterness. Something you read is something you agreed with. It was not as if you were pressure to read a release as the national publicity secretary. “So now an expelled person that you confirm his explosion is whom you are now regarding so as yours, secretary,’’ Odeyemi said.

Oil thieves scamper as troops destroy illegal refineries in Delta

Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army have destroyed eight active ovens used for refining of stolen crude oil around Ogbokoko and Atu in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta on Wednesday. The troops also destroyed 14 reservoirs containing an estimated 200,000 litres of stolen crude oil and 90,000 litres of diesel, the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, stated on Thursday in Abuja. He stated that the destruction was conducted in a swoop on the area by troops conducting anti-oil theft operations. Nwachukwu added that the oil thieves fled upon sighting the advancement of troops. “The illegal refining site was destroyed in line with extant guidelines of `Operation Delta Safe’. Investigation is ongoing to arrest the fleeing criminals. “Members of the public are implored to report any suspected act of sabotage or criminality to security agencies to enhance on-going operations to curb economic sabotage in the country,’’ Nwachukwu stated.

Reps to probe illegal helicopters’ sale by NCAT

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Assets has resolved to probe alleged sales of two training helicopters by the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, Kaduna State. The Committee Chairman, Hon. Ademorin Kuye said this in a statement in Abuja on Monday. The chairman said the committee attention was drawn to the development through media reports on July 30, 2023, on the purported sale of 2 Bell 206L-3 helicopters. He said the helicopters were public assets acquired for training pilots by the NCAT for N1.2 billion. “The Sale of the helicopters under the pretext of under-utilisation by the authorities of the College of Aviation in March 2023 has now become a symptom of the worrying trend of asset stripping.” This according to him cut across all sectors of the economy by all MDAs toward the twilight of the last administration. “This is in spite the offer of Nigerian Navy to acquire same and possibly use to address the security challenge facing the country in the area of oil pipeline vandalisation and crude oil theft.” He said the committee equally felt the assets could have been converted to the use of Nigerian Police to fight banditry and insurgency in the country. He said the urgency in the sales and concession of public assets at the twilight of the last administration called for suspicion since the supposed approval was gotten from that administration. He said it was only right that the new administration is allowed to be part of the completion of the sale process if there were no hidden agenda. He said the committee would investigate the sale of those important training national assets to ensure that due process was followed and that the country was not shortchanged in the deal. The Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, Kaduna State, had said it auctioned two helicopters at 556,200,322USD (₦1.2 billion), because of under-utilisation. The Rector and Chief Executive Officer of the institution, Capt. Alkali Modibbo, told newsmen on Sunday in Zaria that the two Bell 206B – III model helicopters were disposed after satisfying all due diligence. Modibbo explained that a Federal Government licenced auctioneer, Messrs Tresmo Nigeria Limited, was appointed to dispose the affected helicopters sequel to the approval and valuation reports obtained from the Federal Ministries of Aviation and Works, respectively. According to him, the auctioneer paid $275,782,661.25 and $280,417,661.25 (totalling ₦1.2bn) vide FGN Remita receipts bearing reference numbers 3008-4333-3046 and 1008-4304-1098, accordingly.