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.

I didn’t purchase N300m bullet proof SUV -Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike has refuted claims of purchasing a N300 million Armoured Lexus LX600 SUV on assumption to office. Wike made the rebuttal shortly after a visit to Metro Train Station, Abuja on Wednesday to inspect ongoing rehabilitation of Abuja Rail Mass Transport System. Some sections of the media had published a picture of an Armored Lexus SUV model LX 600, fitted with ‘FCT – 01’ plate. The reports claimed that the SUV, which cost more than N300 million, belonged to the new FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. But Wike refuted the claim, describing it as mere “mischief”, stressing that he was sworn in on Monday and had not even sat down to work yet. He said that all he did was interact with staff and today (Wednesday), went to the Metro Train Station, Abuja with the Minister of State for FCT to see things for themselves. “We are now going back to the office to interact with each of the departments in the Federal Capital Territory Administration. “But I have seen what is going on in the social media, how the FCTA Permanent Secretary bought a bullet proof car of N300 million that I am using. “So, I want you people to go hit your hand there (on the car) and see whether it is a treated car. “With all due respect, people should be careful not to destroy other people,” he said. He explained that when he resumed, the Permanent Secretary, Mr Adesola Olusade had told him that the FCTA has cars that the ministers would use. “And the car we use is this (pointing at a regular Lexus SUV). “I have never approved for any car to be bought and I have not used any official bullet proof car. “I am not using a bullet proof car as FCT Minister, so we should report the right thing, and not destroy ourselves. “I want you to take a look at the car I came with, the one with the flag and see whether it is a bullet proof car”, he asked the journalists at the scene. In a related development, the Director Press, Office of the Minister, Mr Anthony Ogunleye, dismissed claims by some media outfits that Wike plans to demolish 6,000 houses across 30 settlements in Abuja, including Wadata Plaza. “We would like to categorically state that these stories are entirely false and without any basis,” Ogunleye said. He explained that the story on the demolition of 6,000 houses was reported by a national daily newspaper on Aug. 22, with the caption “Abuja land: FG may revoke land allocations, demolish 6000 buildings, slums”. He added that another mainstream newspaper also published what he described as an “irritating story”, with a caption, “Wadata Plaza will go down, Reactions trail Wike’s demolition threat”. “For the avoidance of doubt, the Minister did not in any of his pronouncements list the areas or the number of illegal houses to be removed. “Rather, his emphasis has always been that illegal settlements and structures would be removed for the greater good of the public. “Equally vexing” is the headline from a reputable broadcast station saying, “I will fix Abuja in 6 days” and attributed the same to the FCT Minister. “We wish to state quite clearly that at no time did the Honourable Minister say this or allude to this phrase in any way. This headline, therefore, is borne purely out of mischief,” he said. The director press pointed out that such sensational reporting not only misleads the public but also undermines the vital role that accurate and well-researched journalism plays in society. 

Stella Oketete not under our investigation- Code of Conduct Bureau

The Code of Conduct Bureau has denied reports making the rounds in some online media platforms that the Executive Director of NEXIM Bank, Stella Erhuvwu Oketete is under investigation by the Bureau. In a statement signed by the Director Investigation and Monitoring, Gwimi S.P. on behalf of the Chairman of the Bureau, and made available to the media, he noted that the information did not in any way emanate from their office, and as such, advised the general public to disregard the information. “The attention of the Code of Conduct Bureau, (CCB) has been drawn to the nefarious and deceptive letter with Ref No. CCB/HQ/11&M/NB/099 dated 21st March 2023 purported to have emanated from the Bureau on the above-named Public Officer being investigated by the Bureau in an online media, particularly published by the Sahara Reporters on the 29th July 2023. “The Code of Conduct Bureau wishes to state clearly that it has no hand in the information in circulation, as such the general public should disregard the letter and it’s content,” the statement said. NIGERIAN ANCHOR had reported that an Abuja-based human rights lawyer, Oladotun Hassan, asked the Nigerian Senate to disqualify one of the ministerial nominees, Stella Okotete, over allegations of corruption. Read more.. Similarly, the Nigeria Police Force also ordered a discreet investigation of Okotete over alleged falsification of documents and monumental fraud. The human rights lawyer ordered a proper investigation over the alleged use of various front companies as proxies to defraud banks of billions of naira and dollars. The petition called for a reversal of Okotete’s appointment, stating that she was not qualified to hold such a position. “Predicated upon our demand for the independent and conscientious thorough background investigation and profiling of the culprit’s academic credentials and sequence of events as stated in her unsubstantiated and ridiculously padded CV as follows: “To investigate her academic profile as regards her school’s records of exams, school fees payments and NYSC certificate, as well allowance payments during years of service. “To investigate her disqualification by the Senate and her noncompliance to Senate resolution and ruling is highly contemptuous and disobedience to the constituted authority of Senate,” the petition partly read. The Nigeria Police Force investigation order followed a petition by Barrister Aare Oladotun Hassan Esq of Juryman Associate Chambers against the ministerial nominee to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over alleged falsification of documents, fraudulent misrepresentation of qualification to hold Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN’s) statutory position, corrupt practice, monumental fraud and misappropriation. The lawyer in had in April, written a petition to the National Assembly through Akinyelure, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition to look into the issue of the Executive Director of Nexim Bank.

Mbappe can’t leave PSG for free, says Club President

Paris St Germain forward Kylian Mbappe must sign a new contract if he wants to stay at the club as the French champions will not let him leave for free next year, Club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has said. Mbappe sent a letter to PSG last month stating that he had no intention of extending his contract, which expires in 2024. But he later clarified that he had not asked the French club to allow him to move to Spanish giants Real Madrid, who have in the past tried and failed to land the World Cup-winning forward. PSG face the dilemma of allowing Mbappe to run down the final year of his contract and being unable to recoup any of the 180 million euros ($195.71 million) they spent in 2017 to sign him from AS Monaco. “My position is very clear. I don’t want to repeat it every time: if Kylian wants to stay, we want him to stay. “But he needs to sign a new contract,” Al-Khelaifi told reporters after unveiling Luis Enrique as the club’s new manager. “We don’t want to lose the best player in the world for free, we can’t do that. This is a French club. “He said he would never leave for free. If he changes his mind today, it’s not my fault. We don’t want to lose the best player in the world for free, that’s very clear.” Mbappe has finished as Ligue 1’s top scorer in the last five seasons and PSG will be eager to keep him having already lost Lionel Messi on a free transfer. Messi, a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, opted not to renew his contract for a move to Inter Miami. Mbappe also said French President Emmanuel Macron had no influence on his career choices after the leader said he would push for the forward to stay in the country’s capital.