Sahara Reporters Latest News Wednesday 14th August 2019
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 14/08/19
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target=_blank>EXCLUSIVE: Plot By Expelled AAC Secretary, Nzenwa, INEC To Hijack Party From Sowore Uncovered
Fresh facts have emerged on a plot by the expelled Secretary of the African Action Congress, Leonard Nzenwa, and some highly placed individual within the Independent National Electoral Commission to hijack the party from its founder and National Chairman, Omoyele Sowore.
Since the conclusion of the 2019 general election in Nigeria, Nzenwa, has received backing and whopping sums of money from members of major opposition political parties in the country to force Sowore out and take over the AAC.
On May 13, 2019, Nzenwa hurriedly organised a meeting, announcing the suspension of Sowore and all members of the party’s executive council before crowning himself national chairman.
The move by Nzenwa was discredited by INEC at the time, with the commission vowing to continue to recognise and relate with Mr Sowore as the substantive National Chairman of the AAC.
INEC had said, “There are no minutes or evidence of attendance of the AAC National Executive Committee meeting where the National Chairman and eight others were purportedly suspended.
“Accordingly, the Commission shall continue to recognise and relate with Mr Omoyele Sowore as the substantive National Chairman of the African Action Congress.”
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BREAKING: AAC Expels Ezenwa, Reinstates Sowore As National Chairman
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But undone with his plot to unseat the AAC founder, Nzenwa again on August 9, 2019, organised another national convention in Owerri, Imo State, where he announced the expulsion of Sowore.
The convention had no executive, stakeholders and duly registered member of the party in attendance.
Nzenwa, at the ‘quack’ convention, also expelled 28 other members of the party.
However, since the announcement by INEC, Nzenwa and his funders have been making moves to force the electoral body to vet the suspension of Sowore and recognise him as National Chairman of the AAC.
SaharaReporters reliably gathered that some top officials of INEC have been contacted and are ready to work with Nzenwa to hijack the party from Sowore.
Also, INEC officials working with Nzenwa, have been offered money and are already making moves to co-opt other members of the electoral body into the plot, according to findings by our correspondent.
Confirming the report, a high ranking member of the AAC said Nzenwa was committed to carrying out the demands of his paymasters.
The source, however, noted that not all top officials of INEC were working with Nzenwa.
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BREAKING: INEC Debunks Sowore’s Suspension From AAC, Says ‘He Is The Only Chairman We Recognise’
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“The AAC is saddened to hear that INEC considered colluding with an individual who has been expunged by the same party he had tried so hard to foist himself upon.
“While all of INEC is not complicit, information reaching the party confirms that well-placed individuals are part of this conspiracy.
“The implications of such unholy transaction are a cause for concern, as it undermines the very integrity and the free and fair democratic process that the public expects of a body like INEC,” the source said.
The source also revealed that the electoral umpire has been giving various responses to individuals, who inquire about happenings in the AAC.
“The fact that various inquiries to the body yield different responses depending on the responder, is also a cause of worry,” the source added.
The authentic faction of the party led by Sowore, however, called on INEC to “retrace its steps in these matters and weed out bad elements within its ranks to protect Nigeria’s flailing democracy”.
The party also reiterated that Nzenwa remains expelled by the constitutionally recognised law of the party.
When contacted by SaharaReporters to defend the allegations against some of their officials, Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, did not pick his calls or respond to a text message sent to his telephone number on Tuesday.
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target=_blank>Buhari Tells CBN Not To Sell Forex To Food Importers
President Muhammadu Buhari has told the Central Bank of Nigeria not to sell foreign currencies used for international transactions to persons in the business of importing food into the country.
He gave the order on Tuesday in his hometown of Daura in Katsina State when governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress paid him a visit to mark this year’s Eid-el-Kabir.
According to Buhari, Nigeria currently has enough food for its citizens following several reforms in the agriculture sector by his administration, adding that there was no need to continue to import the same into the country.
The President said that Nigeria’s foreign reserve should be conserved for the diversification of the economy.
He said, “Don’t give a cent to anybody to import food into the country.”
CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, had recently called for an import ban of palm oil and other commodities on the bank’s list of restricted items.
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target=_blank>BREAKING: Nigerian Government Frustrating Treatment of El-Zakzaky In India, Shiites Allege
Followers of Ibraheem El-Zakyzaky have accused the Nigerian government and American secret service of frustrating the medical treatment of their leader at Madenta Hospital, New Delhi, India.
The group revealed this on Tuesday in Abuja in a press statement signed by the Secretary of Academic Forum of the movement, Abdullahi Musa.
He stated that the security agents, who accompanied El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenat, have connived with foreign security agents and threatened the management of the hospital not to admit him for treatment.
The statement added that the agents believed to be working with US Embassy in India have perfected plans to frustrate the medical treatment.
The statement read in part, “Reports reaching us from the hospital indicate that the security agents are colluding with foreign security agents believed to be working for the American Government.
“Earlier, even before the Sheikh arrived at the hospital, we gathered from competent source that officials of US Embassy in India instructed management of the hospital not to admit him there for treatment.”
The sect, however, called on international community and people of conscience to prevail on the Nigerian Government and it’s western masters to stop playing with the life of their leader and allow him access to the treatment.
Musa added, “We are calling on the international community and people of conscience and humanity, especially those that facilitated the trip of the Sheikh to India for treatment to prevail on the Nigerian Government and it’s allies to stop playing with the life of our leader.”
El-Zakzaky departed Nigeria on Monday to India aboard Emirates Airlines and was escorted by officers from National Intelligence Agency as well as his family members .
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target=_blank>UI Imposes Curfew On Students, Visitors
The management of the University of Ibadan has imposed a curfew on students and visitors of the institution.
The decision was made following a series of attacks on the halls of residence in the institution.
Seven armed robbers attacked the female wing of the Abubakar Abdulsalam hall on Sunday.
Two male students, who confronted the hoodlums, were injured.
In a bid to guide against future occurrence, the varsity’s Vice-Chancellor, Idowu Olayinka, said movement within the campus and into the hostels will now be restrictive, starting from August 14.
He also directed that all students and members of staff must have a means of identification to present to security operatives when accosted.
Olayinka said male visitors to the three female hostels (Awolowo Hall, Queen Idia Hall and Elizabeth Hall) are to be received outside the halls, while female guests will be screened.
He stated that any male visitor found loitering around female halls beyond 8:30pm will be taken as a suspect.
Olayinka said, “A major decision of the committee was to enforce a partial curfew from 12 midnight till 5am as from Wednesday, 14th August 2019.
“All students and members of staff should be able to produce a means of identification if and when asked by security staff.
“This partial restriction of movement will be in place until further notice.
“Kindly ensure strict compliance, please, as part of efforts of ensuring the safety of all members of the community.
“In view of the recent security situation on the campus, male visitors are henceforth prohibited from entering the above-listed female halls of residence.
“The residents of the aforementioned halls can only receive their male visitors outside the hall.
“Female visitors should be screened at the porters’ lodge.
“Moreover, all male visitors are expected to leave the precincts of the female halls by 8:30pm.
“Anyone found loitering will be regarded as a suspect.”
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target=_blank>Police Arrests SUV Driver Who Killed Tricycle Rider Over Right Of Way In Lagos
A man identified as Christian Innocent has been arrested by the police for allegedly killing one Aniete Bassey, a tricycle rider, during a brawl over right of way.
Innocent allegedly hit Bassey with a wheel spanner on his head, resulting to fatal injuries that eventually led to his death.
Spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Bala Elkana, confirmed the incident to Sahara Reporterson Tuesday.
The command said it became aware of the incident when Surulere Police Station received a distress call from Randle Hospital about a dead-on-arrival patient.
Elkana said, “Information gathered by homicide detectives revealed that the deceased person and a yet to be identified person in a Sports Utility Vehicle had a misunderstanding on a major road along Akerele Street, Surulere, Lagos.
“During the scuffle, the driver of the SUV brought out a wheel spanner from his car and hit the deceased person twice on the head.
“The driver drove to an unknown destination immediately after the incident.
“After a thorough and painstaking examination of available traces, the SUV driver was identified as Christian Innocent ‘m’ 39 years old of No 28 James Robertson Surulere and arrested by a team of detectives led by the Divisional Police Officer of Surulere.
“He confessed to having engaged the deceased person in a fight over right of way.
“He claimed there was a vulgar abuse between him and the tricycle rider over who among them have the right of way as they both accused each other of rough driving.”
Elkana disclosed that the suspect would be charged to court for prosecution at the end of investigation into the matter.
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target=_blank>Kidnapping: Controversy Trails N3m Ransom Paid By Police To Secure DPO’s Freedom In Delta
Controversy has continued to trail the alleged N3m ransom paid by the Delta State Police Command to secure the release of the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Galilee Police Station in Ute-Ogbeje community under Ika North East Local Government Area of the state, who was kidnapped by unidentified gunmen on Saturday.
Our correspondent reliably gathered that the DPO identified only as Mr Okoro, was kidnapped between Onicha-Ugbo and Issele-Uku along the Benin-Asaba-Onitsha Expressway while on his way to Asaba, the state capital, for an official assignment.
When contacted on the issue, Commissioner of Police in the state, Adeyinka Adeleke, claimed that Okoro was never kidnapped, insisting that it was the DPO’s friend that was abducted and has since been freed.
Adeleke added that three suspects were currently in police custody in relation to the crime.
He said, “It was not the DPO that was kidnapped; it was his friend that was abducted. Three suspects have been arrested.”
However, a source in Ute-Ogbeje Police Station dismissed Adeleke’s claim, disclosing that a N3m ransom was paid to the kidnappers before the DPO was released.
“Why is the CP lying, everybody knows that it was DPO Okoro that was kidnapped but we also heard that he has been released since Sunday after the payment of N3m ransom.
“As we speak, the issue is causing serious controversy.
“The DPO was going to Asaba for an official engagement when he was abducted and taken to an unknown location.”
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target=_blank>Akwa Ibom Govt Cautions Senator Enang Over RUGA Comment
Senior Special Adviser to President Buhari on National Assembly Matters (Senate)
The Akwa Ibom State Government has cautioned Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang, over comments he made on the suspended RUGA settlement initiative during a live radio programme in Uyo, the capital, last weekend.
In a statement by Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Charles Udoh, Enang was advised to desist from comments that could lead to public unrest and cause ethnic tension in the state.
Udoh said “Traditionally, the comparative advantage of Akwa Ibom State is not in animal husbandry; it is, therefore, ludicrous and insanely obtuse for Senator Ita Enang to say that state officials are the owners of cows herded by Fulani in the state. It is deeply incendiary and inflammatory.
“The comments made on a live radio programme may on a cursory look sound like another of his lame political gamesmanship but beyond that, it becomes a matter of grave concern when a man of his standing deliberately makes statements capable of heating up the polity in his home state and lead to security dilemma and tension.
“The world is aware of the alarming increase of herdsmen-orchestrated attacks on innocent people which is spreading like wild fire across the country.
“The government and people of Akwa Ibom remain undaunted in its avowed commitment to ensure maximum security of lives and property in the state.”
Enang had while defending the now suspended RUGA settlement programme by the President Buhari administration during a radio programme, claimed that “cows seen in Akwa Ibom belonged to big men in the state”.
The Presidential aide further alleged that owners of the cows employed Fulani herders to manage the animals on their behalf.
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target=_blank>Group Condemns Continuous Detention Of Ex-Daily Trust Editor, Dan-Halilu, By DSS
The Media Rights Agenda has condemned the arrest and continuous detention of Mr Ibrahim Dan-Halilu, a journalist and former Politics Editor of Daily Trust newspaper, by operatives of the Department of State Services.
MRA’s Executive Director, Mr Edetaen Ojo, in a statement, argued that the DSS had no grounds to keep Dan-Halilu, calling for his immediate and unconditional release from custody.
He also argued that the actions of the intelligence agency amounted to a breach of the constitution and Nigeria.
He said, “It is now over one week since Mr Dan-Halilu was arrested and continues to be held in unlawful and unconstitutional detention as no charges have been filed against him nor has he been arraigned before any court of law as required by Section 35(4) and (5) of the constitution.
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Six Days After Arrest, DSS Yet To Charge Journalist To Court
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“We strongly condemn such arrogant violation of the constitution and careless disregard for the rights of a citizen.
“The right to freedom of expression is a protected human right both under our constitution and under international human rights law, and the right includes the freedom to impart information and ideas of all kinds through any media of one’s choice.
“It has not been shown that Mr Dan-Halilu had done anything to warrant any restriction on his exercise of this right or that it merits punishment.”
Ojo urged the Nigerian government to order the DSS to release Dan-Halilu from unlawful custody.
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DSS Arrests Ex-Daily Trust Editor Over Facebook Post Endorsing #RevolutionNow Protest
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The journalist was arrested for a post on his Facebookprofile endorsing the #RevolutionNowprotest championed by Omoyele Sowore, who has also remained in DSS custody since August 3, 2019.
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E2%80%93mother-woman-felled-stray-bullet target=_blank>The Police Should Have Killed Me Instead Of My Only Child –Mother Of Woman Felled By Stray Bullet
Abosede Taiwo, the 56-year-old mother of Busola Owoodun, the lady killed by a bullet fired by an operative of the Anti-kidnapping Unit in the Ijegun area of Lagos State on Saturday in the course of trying to apprehend alleged Internet fraudsters known as ‘Yahoo boys’, has remained inconsolable. Ever since the tragic demise by her only child, life has not remained the same for the distraught woman. Morning and night – the 56-year-old has cried uncontrollably, wishing that her daughter could be raised back from the dead.
During a visit to the family’s house in Ijegun on Monday by one of our correspondents, sympathisers of all kinds could be seen trooping in and out of the place to commiserate with Taiwo and other members of the household over the painful loss. Refusing to speak for long periods, when the 56-year-old finally uttered some words, they were statements that broke the heart – words that showed the enormity of the grief she has been thrown in since the sad incident.
“I have been thrown into eternal darkness,” the bruised woman said as she poured out her pains. “My joy has been taken from me.
“Busayo was my only child, the only one I carried in my womb and breastfed. She was only 34 years old, wicked people didn’t allow her to live long to take care of me.
“After my retirement, Busayo was the only one I had. She asked me to stop working when my health began to deteriorate. Now, she is gone. I have no other helper.
“They did not allow all the plans of my child for me to come to reality. They took Busayo away from me. The policemen who killed my only child should have killed me instead. They have taken away my only hope in life,” she added painfully.
Also heartbroken by the tragic demise of Busayo is her husband and best friend of many years, Yusuf. According to the 39-year-old, the loss of the mother of three has put the entire family in distress.
“I don’t think I can ever find another woman like her,” Yusuf said while fighting back tears. “She was more than a wife to me. She was more like a sister.
“My mother would feel her loss greatly because they were very close,” he added.
Speaking further, Yusuf told Sahara Reporters that his wife was killed the stray bullet as she attempted to bring their four-year-old son into her shop following gunshots in the area that fateful Saturday.
He said, “She was sewing a dress in her shop when the incident happened.
“Some policemen were chasing ‘Yahoo boys’ and when they got to the junction where her shop was located, they started shooting at the boys.
“Worried about the safety our last child who was playing outside her shop at the time, my wife rushed outside to bring him inside and it was in the process that a bullet hit her. She died almost immediately.”
An aunt to the deceased, Kemi Taiwo, called on government to support the education and upkeep of the three children Busola left behind.
“We are not asking government to give us cash. What we are saying is that the children need to be taken care of. Their education is important.
“Busola was the sole provider for her mother. The government must help the family,” she said.
According to the family, the victim’s corpse remains at the Isolo General Hospital morgue while plans are ongoing for her burial.
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Unknown Gunmen Abduct Popular Blogger In Imo
Ifeanyi Onyenankeya
Ifeanyi Onyenankeya
Ifeanyi Onyenankeya, a popular blogger in Imo State, has been abducted by unknown gunmen.
Onyenankeya is the owner of Okigwe Arena and Imo Arena, two prominent blogging platforms.
He was reportedly abducted on Monday night at his father’s compound in 3, Duru Close, Ekeagbara, Okigwe, according to a report by PUNCH.
The three gunmen, who were said to have physically assaulted the blogger before taking him away, came in a Toyota Sienna vehicle.
According to a relative, who announced the abduction on the social media, “Ifeanyi Onyenankeya from Arondizuogu in Okigwe Local Government isa staff of National Examinations Council.
“He is 6.2 ft tall, dark in complexion, slim and a Christian. He is the admin of Okigwe Arena/Imo Arena on Facebook.
“He was kidnapped in his father’s compound (3, Duru Close, Ekeagbara Okigwe) on August 12, 2019 around 8pm by three men wearing masks after being brutally beaten in an attempt to resist kidnap. These men were said to have come in a Sienna car.
“Any useful information would be appreciated. Call 08035406874 or the nearest police station.”
Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Orlando Ikeokwu, confirmed the incident.
He, however, said that the Command had yet to confirm if it was a case of kidnap.
Ikeokwu said, “The news is confirmed but we cannot categorically say it is a case of kidnap or not.
“As we speak, they have not called for any ransom.
“But an investigation has commenced. We are on top of the situation.”
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