Sahara Reporters Latest News Friday 7th June 2019

Sahara Reporters Latest News Friday 7th June 2019

Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 07/06/19

target=_blank>Bomb Blast Kills Three in Imo State

Police authority in Imo on Thursday confirmed that a bomb exploded in the state killing three persons.
Police Public Relation Officer, (PPRO) in Imo, Orlando Ikeokwu, said the explosion occurred in Eziorsu community in Oguta local government area.
Ikeokwu gave the names of the victims, as Elvis Ukado; Kasiemobi Uzoma and Justice Adie.
The spokesperson for police said: “It was as an unexploded ordinance in a scrap dump.
“The bomb exploded killing three of them at the scene while one of the victims was beating the scrap iron in order to compress it.”
Orlando also confirmed that Imo State Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Ladodo, and his team had visited the bomb explosion scene at Oguta.
He added: “The commissioner of police wishes to use this medium to warn all member of the public to promptly report any metal device suspected to be Unexploded Ordnance or Explosive (UXO), for possible examination, evacuation, and possible destruction.”
An eyewitness from the community, who also confirmed the development said that the explosion affected people around the scene due to the violent wave and effect of the blast.

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target=_blank>EXCLUSIVE: Senate Presidency: How President Buhari Plans To Drop EFCC Case Against Danjuma Goje

The battle for the soul of the Nigerian Senate has taken another twist and turn as President Muhammadu Buhari is concluding plans to drop charges preferred against Senator Danjuma Goje by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), SaharaReporters can confirm.
Goje who had indicated interest to run for the senate presidency in the 9th Assembly on Thursday abruptly stepped down for Senator Ahmed Lawan, President Buhari’s anointed candidate for the seat.
The move came days after the president vowed not to interfere with the leadership selection of the 9th Assembly.
The Plan
In the frenzy of last-minute efforts for the president and his allies to have their way and say in what happens in the senate, Presidency sources who spoke to SaharaReporters revealed that the major bargaining chip for Goje was to get the president who is championing a so-called anti-corruption fight to exonerate him from financial impropriety in a two-fold manner which is to quash the case outright for lack of merit or to reassign the case to a new trial judge in other to prolong and weaken the case.
The Federal High Court which will sit in Jos on Friday will be presided over by Justice Babatunde Quadri.
A source within the EFCC confirmed to SaharaReporters that the lawyers for the EFCC in the matter are currently in Jos and have been put on standby for a directive from the presidency on Friday morning.
The office of the attorney-general had also been notified by Buhari to await a directive on whether to withdraw (nolle prosequi) or completely reassign the case.
Last April, the EFCC had filed a cross-appeal at the court of appeal sitting in Jos, against the judgment of a federal high court in Gombe State that partially upheld a no-case submission by the former governor-turned senator.
The anti-corruption agency is trying Goje and two others — Alhaji Aliyu El-Nafaty and Dokoro Gombe (alias S.M Dokoro) — on an amended N5 billion fraud charge.
The EFCC believed Goje, between September and November 2010, forged a document titled, ‘Resolution authorizing His Excellency the Executive Governor of Gombe State to acquire a loan of N5,000,000,000.00 only’, with Ref. No: GM/HA/RES/VOL. 1/17.
That resolution was alleged to have been signed by Shehu Atiku, Clerk of the Gombe State House of Assembly, with the intent that it be acted on as a genuine document by Access Bank Plc leading to a N5 billion-facility being obtained from the bank by the Goje administration “for infrastructural projects”.
EFCC said its investigations on the loan revealed that the purported resolution authorizing the loan was forged, pointing out that the approval did not pass through the right processes.

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target=_blank>Full Statement Of Nigeria Broadcasting Commission On Suspension Of Licence Of Daar Communications

The Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, Ishaq Kawu.

THISDAYLIVE

Following monitoring reports and complaints from concerned Nigerians about the broadcast contents of Daar Communications Plc’s AIT/Raypower broadcast stations, the NBC have over the last 2 years summoned on several occasions management of the company to address issues regarding the operations of AIT/Raypower with the company, particularly, Political Platform and Kakaaki aired on AIT.
In one of our meetings, held on 2nd June, 2017, the Commission expressed its disappointment with the way and manner Hate Speech, divisive and inciting comments are applied in discussion of national issues in breach of the provisions of the NBC Act and Broadcast Code.
Again, on 15th August, 2017, it became imperative to invite the company for yet another meeting on almost same issues. Furthermore, while addressing another meeting on 7th February, 2018 we highlighted issues of concern to the Commission which indicated that the company had been breaching the provisions of Sections 3.1.2 and 3.1.3 of the broadcast Code. The company’s delegates in their response promised to abate the breaches and comply with the law.
However, on October 18, 2018, the Commission was disturbed with the manner in which social media issues became part of the mainstream media unedited on AIT/Raypower, and was constrained to issue a generic letter to all broadcast stations on
the need to exercise caution in the use of user generated content from the social media knowing how volatile and misleading the social media has become. The management of Daar Communication Plc thereafter took to the social media to display our official correspondences.
Recently, the Commission’s monitoring reports on AIT/Raypower indicate the use of divisive comments accredited to the segment of “Kakaaki”, tagged, “Kakaaki Social”, where inciting comments like, “Nigeria is cursed, we declare independent state of Niger Delta”, “Nigeria irritates me”, “this country is gradually Islamizing” and other similar slogans are used without editorial control in breach of the broadcast Code. We were therefore constrained to issue Daar Communication letters of warning dated May 27th, 2019.
We also observed from monitoring reports that a documentary on the Presidential Election Tribunal, a pending election petition matter aired on AIT on Wednesday and Thursday, 22nd and 23rd May, 2019 without regard to the provisions of the Broadcast Code. The Commission, in line with its regulatory powers again cautioned AIT in another letter also dated 27th May, 2019.
However, instead of making amends, the management of Daar Communications Plc resorted to the use of media propaganda against the regulator. Even the letters from the NBC were posted on social media platforms.
Needless to state that Daar Communications have over the years turned themselves into a bad example of how a professional broadcast outfit should not be run.
In their relationship with the NBC, Daar Communications carry on, as if it is beyond the regulatory direction of the Commission. They don’t pay their licence fees as and when due.
Its broadcast is patently partisan and one sided and deliberately inciting and heating the polity. The management of the Company has created the habit of using the channel to fight its personal battles contrary to the statutory requirements of the law.
SHUT DOWN ORDER
Today the 6th of June, 2019, AIT/Rapower embarked on use of inflammatory, divisive, inciting broadcasts, and media propaganda against the government and, the NBC for performing its statutory functions of regulating the broadcast industry in Nigeria.
Consequently, after several meetings with management of Daar Communications Plc and many letters of warning. The NBC, today 6th June, 2019 took a decision to suspend the licence of Daar Communications Plc for failure to abide by the Commission’s directives, the provisions of the NBC Act Cap N11
Laws of the Federation of Nigeria and the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
This decision is based on the provisions of Section 10 of the Third Schedule of the NBC Act Cap N11 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, which states as follows:
(d) where in the opinion of the Commission the station has been used in a manner detrimental to national interest.
(g) where there is wilful or repeated failure to operate substantially as set forth in the licence
(h), where there is wilful or repeated violation or wilful or repeated failure to observe any provision of this Act or any rule or regulation of the Commission authorised by this Act or by a treaty ratified by the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
(i), where there is violation of or failure to observe any cease and desist order issued by the Commission;
(k), where a provision of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code has been seriously breached; and
The SHUT DOWN order is until further notice.

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target=_blank>Saraki Is Just Like Abacha, Says PDP Senator

Obinna Ogba, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senator from Ebonyi State, has likened Nigeria’s Senate President, Bukola Saraki, to the country’s former military maximum ruler, Gen. Sani Abacha.
Abacha, as a military dictator, ruled Nigeria between 1993 and 1998.
His government was treated as a pariah but Ogba said the retired army general was a “good man”.
He said under Abacha, the rate of insecurity was not as high as it is now, saying the dictator did not approve of some of the terrible things done under his watch.
Ogba spoke during the valedictory session of the eight senate, on Thursday.
“I will liken Saraki leadership to that of Abacha. He is just like Abacha. I am one of those who believe that many people can say what they like but Sani Abacha is a president that we have never seen. You may like him. You may not like him,” he said.
“Abacha is a very good man, no matter what they are saying about him. People who are condemning him today are doing worse things. During Abacha time, we didn’t have security problems like this. The man did and so many good things.
“Wherever the man is, God will continue to bless him. He is the one that gave us Ebonyi state. God will continue to bless him and you too (Saraki).”
The legislator berated those lawmakers who did not see anything good in other regions.
“In this chamber you find the good, the bad and the ugly but Nigeria is represented here,” he said.
“What I noticed in this 8th assembly is that there are people who do not see anything good except in their zones. We are not supposed to belong to any political party, zones or religion here.
“The earlier we changed that attitude, it will be better for this country. Mr. President I want to thank the leadership of the senate.”

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target=_blank>Ihedioha Sets Up 8-Man Committee To Probe Okorocha

Emeka Ihedioha, Governor of Imo State, has put together an eight-man committee to probe the financial dealings of Rochas Okorocha, immediate past Governor of the state.
The committee, which will be headed by Dr. Abraham Nwankwo, was unveiled today by Chibuike Onyeukwu, Chief Press Secretary to the governor.
The Financial Advisory Committee, as named by the governor, was tasked with the major responsibility of ascertaining and documenting the locations and balances on all bank accounts operated by Imo State government, its ministries, departments, and agencies as at May 29, 2019.
The committee would also review all financial transaction and carry out a forensic audit to establish sources of funds and how they are disbursed.
“To review such disbursements/applications of State resources to ascertain the propriety of charges levied on accounts, interest payment on loans and deposits where applicable, authorization, etc.
“Reviewing the propriety of applications/disbursements of State resources between 2011 -2019. Recommending measures that would strengthen internal controls and enhance the performance of those key agencies of government.
“To review the operations of the Imo State Board of Internal Revenue (BIR) with a view to recommending appropriate strategies to reposition the agency for better performance and sustained growth and to conduct governance/financial reviews of key agencies of government with a view to; documenting all revenues generated or subventions/allocations between 2011 -2019.”
SaharaReporters had reported Ihedioha’s threat to probe all financial dealings and transactions carried out by the state government in the last eight years under Okorocha.

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target=_blank>BREAKING: NBC Shuts Down AIT, Ray Power

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The Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has suspended the licence of Daar Communications Plc., owners of Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Ray Power until further notice.
Director-General of NBC, Modibbo Kawu, announced the shutdown on Thursday evening.
He said the action was taken for failure of the TV and radio stations to abide by the broadcasting code.
Daar Communications Founder, Raymond Dokpesi, had earlier accused the Presidency of intimidating his media group.
He made the allegation while speaking at a press conference in the company’s corporate headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.
“I have it on strict authority and very assured information that the highest echelon of the government, the Presidency, queried and challenged the NBC that they were not doing their jobs: ‘How on earth could they be hearing and seeing on AIT what they termed hate speech?
“Any criticism of this government is hate speech. The NBC is acting under the authority of the President and Commander-in-Chief. The licensing fees in Nigeria is one of the highest in the world. There is no country in the world where you have this type of exploitative fees. I have appealed for a reduction because the payments cannot be sustained by private broadcasters in Nigeria.”

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target=_blank>Nigerian Referees Missing On List Of 2019 AFCON Match Officials

The Nigerian officials are missing on the list of match officials to officiate at the 32nd edition of the African Nations Cup, also known as Total AFCON 2019, which is to take place in Egypt.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) released the list of official from 32 African countries on Twitter Thursday, exempting Nigerian officials.
The officials are from Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Gambia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, RD Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, Tunisia, Zambia, Burkina Faso, Chad, Comoros, Guinea, Lesotho, Libya, Niger, Sudan, Uganda, and Mozambique.
There is a total of 26 referees and 32 assistant referees to officiate the 32nd edition of the AFCON, the first-ever to have 24 African teams.
At the 31st edition of AFCON where Nigerian team did not qualify, a Nigerian official, Abel Baba was chosen as one of the match officials.
According to a former match referee, who is currently a FIFA and CAF referee instructor in Nigeria, Calistus Chukwujekwu, Nigerian referees failed their pre-match physical and match analysis test that should have enlisted them for this year’s tournaments.

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target=_blank>New Adamawa Governor Revokes Bindow’s Last-minute Appointments

Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, new governor of Adamawa State, has dissolved all appointments made on or after March 28, 2019 by his predecessor.
In his maiden broadcast in Yola on Thursday, Governor Fintiri announced the dissolution of all political appointments made by former Governor Jibrilla Bindow, including 50 state development area councils, and boards of tertiary institutions.
He also suspended for review, all appointments made into the state’s Judicial Service Commission, Planning Commission, Civil Service Commission, boards of Adamawa Health Insurance Scheme and Jimeta Ultra Modern Market.
He said, “All appointments made into the state’s Judicial Service Commission, Civil Service Commission, Planning Commission, and boards of the Adamawa State Health Insurance Scheme, chairmen and members of the Jimeta Ultra-Modern Market Board are hereby suspended.
“Equally, all appointments made on or after 28 March 2019 are hereby suspended on grounds of public interest. Also, all last-minute recruitments done on or after 28 March 2019 through mere waiver without observing the laid-down procedure, such as Federal Character, are hereby suspended.”
The governor further announced the dissolution of all the chairmen and members of boards, and commissions, and asked the outgoing chairmen and members to hand over their organisations and public properties to the most senior civil servants in their establishments.
Governor Fintiri said a committee would be set up to review all “hasty recruitments”, stressing that there was a need to conduct “proper” exercises that will be open to all eligible citizens, including those affected by the suspensions and dissolutions.

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target=_blank>Ganduje Issues Emir Sanusi Query For Financial Misappropriation

Abdullahi Ganduje, Governor of Kano State, has issued a letter of query to Muhammadu Sanusi, Emir of Kano, over alleged financial misappropriation in the Kano emirate.
The letter was served on Wednesday.
SaharaReporters had exclusively reported a step-by-step plan by Governor Ganduje to dethrone Emir Sanusi because he condemned the planned use of violence in the last Kano governorship election.

NBC Acting On Buhari’s Orders To Shut Down AIT – Dokpesi

Raymond Dokpesi, the Founder and Chairman Emeritus of DAAR Communications Plc, has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of stifling free speech by working to shut down African Independent Television and Raypower FM.
He made the allegations while speaking to newsmen at a press conference in the company’s corporate headquarters in Abuja.
Dokpesi said, “I believe very strongly that under the leadership of the current Director General of the NBC (Is’haq Kawu), press freedom has been greatly eroded. If this was not protected by the President at the top, is it possible that his body language is being interpreted?
“I have it on strict authority and very assured information that the highest echelons of government, the Presidency, queried and challenged the NBC that they were not doing their jobs: ‘How on earth could they be hearing and seeing on AIT what they termed hate speech?’
“Any criticism of this government is hate speech. The NBC is acting under the authority of the President and Commander-in-Chief. The licensing fees in Nigeria is one of the highest in the world. There is no country in the world where you have this type of exploitative fees. I have appealed for a reduction because the payments cannot be sustained by private broadcasters in Nigeria.
“This economy has plummeted. This government has called this organisation unprintable names which has deterred several advertisers from patronising AIT. I sought an audience with the NBC DG. I called, sent letters and sent text messages to him, but he refused. In spite of the fact that we have to run generators 24-hours of the day, I remain committed to keeping the spirit of broadcasting alive.”

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