Sahara Reporters Latest News Today Monday 29th June 2020
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 29/06/20
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EXCLUSIVE: Plot To Impeach Ondo Deputy Governor Thickens As Select Lawmakers Meet Governor Akeredolu Tonight
Fresh moves to impeach the deputy governor of Ondo State, Mr Agboola Ajayi, by members of the state House of Assembly on the prompting of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, has been uncovered, SaharaReporters can report.
It was gathered at the weekend that members of the House of Assembly had been meeting consistently to perfect plans to remove Ajayi from office.
Some select lawmakers on Saturday got a text message inviting them for a ‘night meeting’ slated for 9pm at the VIP Lodge of the Government House in Akure, the state capital.
Our correspondent learnt that only the All Progressives Congress caucus members of the House of Assembly were invited to the meeting with Governor Akeredolu.
A source revealed that the meeting with the governor was expected to give a final nod to the planned impeachment of the deputy governor.
It was gathered that 19 out of the 26 Assembly members were contacted for the emergency meeting.
Other members not invited for the meeting were either those in the opposition party (PDP and ZLP) and those loyal to the deputy governor and had been resisting the plot to impeach him.
“The governor has been expecting us to carry out the impeachment of Agboola Ajayi since he defected to the Peoples Democratic Party.
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Ondo Deputy Governor, Ajayi, Accuses Police Commissioner Of Withdrawing Security Details
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“Now, he’s furious about the delay by the leadership of the Assembly under the Speaker, Oleyeloogun, which has been causing him embarrassment.
“That is why we are being summoned to a meeting tonight by the governor and I fear that the Speaker won’t have the choice than to succumb as his seat is under threat already.”
Video of Akeredolu Orders Police To Detain Deputy Governor As Deputy Concludes Plan To Defect To PDP
Akeredolu Orders Police To Detain Deputy Governor As Deputy Concludes Plan To Defect To PDP
WATCH: VIDEO: Ondo Governor, Akeredolu Orders Police To Detain Deputy Governor In Office For Over Four Hours As Deputy Concludes Plan To Defect To PDP
Last week, the deputy governor had raised the alarm over plans by the Assembly members to impeach him.
He alleged that the lawmakers were being induced by Governor Akeredolu with the sum of N10m each to carry out the hatchet job.
However, Donald Ojogo, Commissioner for Information in the state, denied the allegations.
Ajayi insists that he won’t resign his position as deputy governor of the state despite defecting from the All Progressives Congress to the PDP.
Efforts by SaharaReporters to get the reaction of the Speaker, Oleyeloogun, proved abortive as his official lines failed to connect at the time of this report.
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Kaduna Residents Raise Alarm As Police Take Over Street After Death Of Popular Businessman
Armed policemen have taken over the Ahman Pategi Road by Muazu Abbas Road Un Sarki in Kaduna State following the death of a popular businessman, Alhaji Shehu Usman.
SaharaReporters gathered that the deceased was alleged to have died of COVID-19 complications on his way to the hospital on Saturday after a brief illness.
The police was said to have besieged the area on Sunday and condoned off the entire street, preventing residents from leaving their houses.
Many residents have expressed worry over the development, adding that they do not understand the mission of the police in the area since the death of the businessmen.
A resident, who spoke with SaharaReporters, said, “The situation is terrible in our area. Policemen have taken over and blocked the entire street and they did not allow anybody to go out.
“We don’t know the reason for the blockade of the area and they are not telling us anything.”It could not be ascertained if neighbours of the deceased were being suspected to have contracted the virus.The remains of the deceased is still at St. Gerald Hospital, Kaduna, and not yet released to the familyMeanwhile, effort to reach the spokesperson for the Kaduna State Police Command, Mohammed Jalige, for reaction was unsuccessful as his phone was switched off.
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Group Asks Inspector-General Of Police To Refrain From Involving In Political Disputes
Femi Falana (SAN)
A group, Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond, has asked Mohammed Adamu, Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police, to refrain from getting involved in political disputes.
Femi Falana, Chairman of the group, in a statement drew the attention of the police authorities to the case of Atiku Abubakar v Attorney General of the Federation (2007) LPELR-SC.7/2007, where the Supreme Court made a definitive pronouncement on the mandatory constitutional duty of members of the Nigeria Police Force to maintain neutrality and impartiality in political matters.
The group also condemned the recent arrest of Nastura Ashir Sharif, leader of the Coalition of Northern Groups, for organising a peaceful protest against insecurity in Katsina State.
Femi Falana (SAN)
The statement reads, “We have noted with concern, the proclivity of the Nigeria Police Force to engage in the unwarranted harassment and intimidation of the perceived opponents of President Muhammadu Buhari and the ruling party. In a number of states the Nigeria Police Force police has arrested, detained and charged some journalists with terrorism before the Federal High Court for criticising the President and ministers, state governors and commissioners. Sometime last month, the Katsina State Police Command arrested a 75-year-old man, Lawal Abdullahi for ‘insulting’ President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State. The septuaganarian was hurriedly charged before a magistrate court which convicted him and made him to pay a fine of N70,000 on him. To prevent him from being sent to jail we had to pay the fine.
“A fortnight ago, the police arrested Nastura Ashir Sharif, leader of the Coalition of Northern Groups, for organising a peaceful protest against insecurity in Katsina State. The protest was alleged to have embarrassed the President. Consequently, Mr. Sharf was brought to Abuja where he was interrogated by the police even though he did not commit any criminal offence known to law. However, the police had to release the youth leader from illegal custody when it was reported that President Buhari had scolded the nation’s service chiefs for the worsening state of insecurity in the country. Other peaceful protests by aggrieved citizens in other states of the Federation have been violently disrupted by the police without any legal justification.
“These actions of the police authorities constitute a flagrant infringement of the fundamental rights of Nigerian citizens to freedom of association as well as freedom to assemble peacefully and protest against the policies or programmes of any government or authority. In Inspector-General of Police v All Nigeria Peoples Party 2008 12 WRN 65 the Court of Appeal held that “The right to demonstrate and the right to protest on matters of public concern are rights which are in the public interest and that which individuals must possess, and which they should exercise without impediment as long as no wrongful act is done. If as speculated by law enforcement agents that breach of the peace would occur our Criminal Code has made adequate provisions for sanctions against breakdown of law and order so that the requirement of permit as a conditionality to holding meetings and rallies can no longer be justified in a democratic society.
“We have also confirmed that following the defection of the deputy governor of Ondo State, Mr Agboola Ajayi, from the All Progressive Congress (APC) to the People Democratic Party (PDP) the Ondo State Police Command has withdrawn his security aides. While we do not endorse political prostitution on the part of members of the political class those who decamp from other political parties to the ruling party are not subjected to any form of harassment or intimidation by the Police. Therefore, the discriminatory treatment meted out to politicians in the opposition camp by the police cannot be justified under the current political dispensation.
“It is high time the attention of all police authorities was drawn to the case of Atiku Abubakar v Attorney-General of the Federation (2007) LPELR-SC.7/2007 where the Supreme had this to say: “The primary duty; indeed the most fundamental duty of the Nigeria Police Force is the maintenance and securing of public safety and public order within the country. In the performance of its duty, the Nigeria Police Force must manifestly demonstrate impartiality; it must not lean to one side against the other; it must be apolitical. It must not take part in any disputation, which has political coloration. These qualities are sine qua non to the enhancement of public respectability to it.”
“In view of the definitive pronouncement of the Apex Court on the mandatory constitutional duty of the members of the Nigeria Police Force to maintain neutrality and impartiality in political matters the Inspector-General of Police should henceforth restrain the police from getting involved in political disputations among the various factions of the members of the political class. At the same time, the fundamental rights of the Nigerian people to demonstrate against official policies that are considered inimical to the interests of the nation must be respected by the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies in the country.”
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BREAKING: Monarch Of Bachama Kingdom In Adamawa State, Stephen, Is Dead
Colonel Honest Irmiya Stephen (retd), the paramount ruler of Bachama Kingdom in Adamawa State, is dead.
The monarch was said to have died in the early hours of Sunday in his sleep.
Spokesperson for the kingdom, Chief Timawus Mathias, said, “Homun Honest died in the late hours of the night June 28th 2020 at his palace in Numan, Adamawa State, following a brief illness.
“Already the funeral rights are well underway according to Bachama tradition in Lamurde, the kingdom’s headquarters.
“He received his staff of office on 15 Dec 2013 from the then Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako. Homun Honest Irmiya Stephen is 66 years old
“Homun (King) Honest Irmiya Stephen, Kwire Mana Kpafrato II, a retired officer of the Nigerian Army who ascended the throne in 2012 succeeding Homun Asaph Zadok (late).”
The late traditional ruler, who retired as a colonel in the Nigerian Army, aspired for the Senate seat (PDP) in 2007 before ascending the throne.
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I Pray APC Remains In Crisis, Says Rivers State Governor, Wike
Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, has said that he prays that the All Progressives Congress stays in crisis.
Wike said this in an interview with Arise TV.
He recalled that the ruling party jubilated over the confusion that rocked the Peoples Democratic Party when it was under the leadership of former Borno State governor, Ali Modu Sheriff.
He said, “I am happy that APC is in crisis. It is not my business to help APC to be united.
“Remember that we also had our own crisis under Ali Modu Sheriff and APC jubilated about it then. It is my prayer that they should continue to be in crisis. We have taken another state.
“Unfortunately, APC isn’t really a political party. They came together just to take over power.
“I want my party to be in power and therefore, I cannot be praying for APC not to have crisis. I hope they continue to make mistakes everyday and my party will continue to grow.”
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International Air Travellers Must Arrive Five Hours Before Takeoff, Nigeria’s Aviation Minister Says
Hadi Sirika, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, has said that passengers travelling abroad through the country’s airport terminals must arrive five hours before departure to undergo COVID-19 protocols.
Sirika said this on Saturday at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, while announcing some of the measures introduced for the reopening of the country’s airports closed in March following the outbreak of COVID-19.
According to the minister, authorities are putting the necessary equipment in place to help passengers adapt efficiently to the new normal and ensure that time was not wasted.
“We will announce all the protocols again before opening. But you need to be at the airport three hours ahead of your flight.
“The experience is quite nice but it takes a bit of time which is why you will need to be at the airport three hours before your local flight. For an international flight, we may do five hours.”
Addressing concerns about the profitability of the aviation business upon the resumption given the new protocols to be followed, Sirika said the new guidelines would be implemented in a way that flights would still be profitable.
The minister added that toilets at the airports were also COVID-19 compliant, stressing that everything was being done to minimise physical contact.
He said that the pilots, engineers, traffic controllers and catering staff among others at the airports were now certified and licensed to carry out certain activities only when they have the valid clearance.
“Those new norms are coming and we will implement them in such a way that flights are profitable. The World Health Organisation and the International Civil Aviation Organisation have developed protocols of the sitting,” he added.
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Ex-Oyo State Governor, Ajimobi, Buried At Private Residence In Ibadan
The remains of ex-Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, was on Sunday laid to rest in Ibadan, the state capital.
The former governor was buried at 10:20amaccording to Islamic rites at his Oluyole residence.
The burial, which was only attended by his wife, children as well as very close associates, held around 10am.
Present at the burial were APC gubernatorial candidate, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, Hon. Shina Peller, Hon. Saheed Akinade-Fijabi, Representative of Ekiti State governor, Senator Teslim Folarin, Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Sunday Dare, and members of 8th Assembly.
Ajimobi died on Thursday at the First Cardiology Hospital in Ikoyi, Lagos, as a result of Coronavirus complications.
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Kogi Chief Judge Dies At Coronavirus Isolation Centre
Nasir Ajanah
Chief Judge of Kogi State, Nasir Ajanah, has died at the Abuja COVID-19 isolation centre.
A source, who confirmed the death, said Ajanah was moved from Lokoja into the isolation centre some days ago where he died.
He was born in 1956 to the family of MJ Fari Ajanah in Okene Local Government Area.
Nasir Ajanah
He studied law at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and was called to the Nigerian bar as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court.
Ajanah later set up his private firm, Nasiru Ajanah & Co in Okene where he practised law between 1985 and 1989.
He also served as chairman, Election Petitions Tribunal in Akwa Ibom State (2007) and chairman, Election Tribunal Petitions in Rivers State (2008).
Ajanah will be buried in Abuja on Sunday.
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EXCLUSIVE: Twelve Adamawa DSS Operatives Test Positive For COVID-19
There is anxiety in the Adamawa State command of the Department of State Services as at least 12 personnel of the agency have tested positive for Coronavirus.
According to findings by SaharaReporters, the number of positive cases might rise in the coming days as tests conducted on many operatives were still pending.
“They are trying to cover it up, they don’t want outsiders to know. The state Director was the first to test positive,” the source disclosed.
However, when contacted by SaharaReporters, the state Director of the DSS, Bolade Olori, denied testing positive or even on self isolation.
He said, “I don’t know of any staff under me who tested positive for COVID-19, and so I’m not self isolating as claimed.”
Despite Olori’s denial, sources told SaharaReporters that all operatives of the agency that had tested positive for the virus were already in isolation centres in Yola, the state capital.
According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Adamawa State has a total of 73 confirmed cases of Coronavirus.
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E2%80%94presidency No Rift Between Buhari And Tinubu —Presidency
The presidency has insisted that President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, are not at war.
In a statement on Saturday, Garba Shehu, Presidential spokesperson, said the relationship between Buhari and Tinubu has been cordial.
The removal of the APC leadership known to have been backed the party’s National Leader, had fuelled suspicion of a fractious relationship between the duo.
In the statement, Shehu accused the opposition of stoking the rumour of a rift between the President and Tinubu.
The statement reads, “The very essence of the requests put to the Emergency National Executive Committee meeting of the All Progressives Congress by President Muhammadu Buhari, which were unanimously approved aim to pull back the party, faced with an existential crisis from the brink of collapse, follow the constitution and take everyone along.
“While this action has been widely accepted with great relief by lovers of democracy and the rank and file of the membership, we are concerned that political vulturism masquerading as “smart analysis” is selling the commentary that this is a Buhari-Tinubu “showdown.” Nothing can be farther from the truth.
“To put the records straight: In the formation of this great party and giving it leadership, President Buhari and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who are reckoned as the founding fathers of the APC are both inspired by democratic norms, national interest and not at all by partisan motivations. These are the qualities that have made them move past cynical distractions.
“They are in touch with one another. Their relationship remains as strong as ever and between the two of them, only they know how they manage their enviable relationship.
“Try as hard as they could, the opposition parties have used all their intellectuals and their supporters in the media to break this relationship and have failed. And they won’t.
“For President Buhari who has received much of the cynical commentary, Nigerians know him as someone who will not do anything with bad intentions. Neither will he do anything out of partisan motivations or for himself.
“This whole exercise, that should lead to massive reform and overhaul of the leadership of the party, as he said in that brilliant speech, was ”to save the APC from the imminent self-destruction. We have to move ahead. We have to take everyone with us and ensure that the party is run in accordance with democratic norms and with consensus. We have to work for the benefit of the country”.
“The leaders of the party, who have received two successive massive mandates to govern the country and a majority of the states should be judged by how this exercise turns out in achieving these objectives, not cursed at the mere commencement of the process.”
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